By Kathy Leslie-Whelan

          The meeting was called to order at 9:30 AM.  All board members were present.  General Manager Darryl Gamble and Assistant General Manager were also present.  Buz Whelan, President, called for a motion to approve October’s board meeting minutes.  A motion was made by Bob Leon and seconded by Connie Simpson.  It passed unanimously. 

Whelan started his Opening Statement by stating that there were many successful events over the last month.  He thanked the Recreation Club, the Emerald Ladies, Jason Bradley and the Management and Lodge team for all the hard work that goes into planning an event.  Recent activities include Trunk or Treat, the Halloween parade that was organized by Jason Bradley, the Adult Halloween Party, Veteran’s day brunch and the drag show.  He told the members to check out the posters at the Lodge for upcoming events.  Whelan further stated that if you want to get involved or run for the board, you should join a committee.  Participation on a committee lets you learn how things work and is a great way to meet new people.  In closing he wished everyone a wonderful holiday season.

Whelan handed the floor over to our Treasurer Bill Baehr.  Baehr’s report was for October 1^st through October 31^st, which is the sixth month of our fiscal year.  He stated that a due collected was $875K year to date (YTD).   Currently our collection rate is 75.99%.  The same month last year we were at 73.35%.  We are up 2.64% over last year.  Collection reported was $43,430 for the month.  In-house collections were 98% of that collection.  Code Enforcement Officer Revenue is at $110K YTD.  Bar and Grill income was $44,560 YTD.  Costs associated with the bar and grill TYD was $70K.  Inventory for the bar was $4,496.  Inventory for the grill was $4,545.  Total income YTD is $1.7M while total expenses are $1.5M YTD.  Dirt road paving was $150K YTD; Road Repair at $132K YTD; reserves as of 10/31/23 was $381,080 while the projected reserves ending on $4/30/24 is $586K.   A motion was made by Maria Tirado-Quinones and seconded by Bob Leon to accept the Treasurer’s report.  The motion passed unanimously.

Under Old Business

• Whelan spoke about discussions on a dues raffle.  Ticket prices will be $20 each and there will be no limit on how many you can buy.    The winner will have their dues paid for next year.  Any money collected over the amount to cover the dues will go into the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Emerald Lakes Association. Selling 62 tickets will cover the cost of the member’s dues.  Other HOA’s have run these lotteries before, and it is not in violation of state laws.  The winner will be picked by a non board member at an open board meeting before the start of our new fiscal year.
• Whelan spoke about by-law changes that the board is planning on presenting to the membership. They are tightening up the requirements for running for the board.  Right now the only requirements are that you are over 21 and a member in good standing.  The board would like to remove a member for failing to perform his duties or for egregious activities.  If a member is planning on running for the board, a background check will be required.  When a candidate submits his form for running for the board, a background check will be completed.  A candidate can be disqualified for a violent crime; Change the way meeting are held utilizing a book entitled “Modern Rules of Order” instead of Robert Rules.  This will make meeting procedures more accessible to members who are not familiar with the complex meeting structure described in the rather dense Robert Rules manual.
• Mike Camino spoke about the new septic Policy that he is preparing.  He will submit it to the board next week.  The policy will include a requirement to have your septic cleaned and inspected every four years.  Even house numbers will be required to do it in even years while odd house numbers will be required to do it in odd years. 

Under New Business:

• Board members met with RKR Hess to discuss the options for the Clover Rd Bridge.  Option 1 is to replace the bridge in its entirety.  It is costly and is estimated to be between $1M and $1.5M.  Option 2 coming in at an estimated cost of $7.5K is lower in cost but still costly.  This entails a precast concrete box to replace the bridge.  Maintenance costs on this option will be substantially lower.  Option 3 is building a metal bridge that could rust and is not recommended by the Engineering firm.  The whole process to complete this work will take about 2 years.  Permits are required by the DEP and the Army Corps of Engineers. The money to complete this project will be added to the next few budgets.  Other areas in the budget will have to be reduced.  The Cedar Rd Bridge will be looked at later on down the line.
• Upcoming events include:
  • A special drop off box for letters to Santa is outside the administration office during business hours.
  • December 8^th – Movie Night at the Lodge.  The movie will the longer version of “The Grinch”
  • December 9^th – Karaoke Ugly Christmas Sweater Night
  • December 15^th -deadline for letters to Santa.
  • December 16^th – PJs and Pancakes with Santa.
  • December 31^st – New Years Eve Party “Casino Nights”.  Event will have an Italian buffet at the Lodge. Tickets will be $20 each and will be going on sale next week.
  • January 6^th – Community Night Out – a trip is planned to go to a Penguins hockey game.
  • January 13^th – double feature movie of “Frozen” at the Lodge.
  • February 23rd – Island Luau at the Lodge
  • March 16^th – St Patrick’s Day celebration
  • April TBD – Great Gatsby Speakeasy event
  • Memorial day weekend  –  Car Show
  • Replacement of Game night on the first Friday night of the month to Bingo.
  • Toys for Tots collections are underway.  The deadline is December 6^th.  Please consider gifts for older kids.
  • Emerald Ladies have bins at the Lodge and the Administration for pet food that will be donated to Pocono Pet Pantry.  Open bags of food will be accepted.
  • Live music or DJ at the Lodge once a month.

• Darryl Gamble is looking for nomination of anyone living in the community that is currently down on their luck.  The community will be helping 5 families that need help during the holidays.

Committee Reports        

Maria Tirado-Quinones spoke on behalf of the Appeals committee.  They met on November 11^th.  Eight cases were scheduled.  One case was rescheduled and there was one no show. 

Dave Borsos, chair of Finance and Planning (F&P),   spoke on behalf of F&P.  Their meeting was held November 17th. All members were present.  The financials are currently in a new format.  Our old financial system is being replaced and the transition occurred in October.  Borsos stated that our collection rate was close to 76%.  Income is over budget on rentals, bar and grill and CEO fines and permits.  Currently we have approximately $9K in Bar and Grill inventory.  We owe $91K on the two truck loans.  On October 20^th Trivia’s income was $711 with 43 in attendance.  Football Sunday/Wing’s income is between $300 and $400.  Thirsty Thursday’s income was approximated $200 per night.  Game Night’s income was around $300.  The Halloween party on October 28^th income was $1,218 with 53 people in attendance.  Movie Night on November 10^th income was $1,048 with 53 in attendance.  The drag show held on November 11^th income was $1,093 plus $854 in ticket sales.  77 tickets were sold.  The committee is currently looking to get dollar figures on the cost of the Veteran’s day brunch and the cost of trash containers for bulk trash day. Bulk trash day income was $950.

Hilary Decker spoke on behalf of Rules and Regulations.  She requested clarification on resolutions going to the board.  Whelan told her it was a two way street.  Sometime the board asks the committee to work on a specific resolution while other times the committee recommends resolutions to the current document.  Usually the liaison, in this case Bob Leon, brings the recommendation to the board where it is discussed at their workshop.  If they agree on the recommendation, Nicole Clemens will type up the resolution where the board will vote on at the next open board meeting.  Decker further stated that they are currently looking at the definition for vandalism/criminal mischief. The committee would like to see a penalty as well as restitution for any intentional vandalism or criminal mischief.  Another topic of discussion was firework and adding fines for property damage.  Again on top of a penalty, restitution of damaged property will be implemented.  Other topics include unsightly property and an increase in speeding fines.  11 miles or more over the speed limit should carry a $250 fine.

Mike Camino stated that the Real Estate committee was meeting that morning.  Ted Wolski resigned as chair of the committee since he was elected as Supervisor to Tobyhanna Township.  Loretta Schneider and Carrie Jacobs were elected co-chairs while Ali was elected secretary.  The goals for the year were being developed at this meeting.

Director’s Comments

Bob Leon stated that there are 39 homes for sale in Emerald Lakes.  The average costs of these homes are $492,838 and have been listed between 1 and 239 day.  The bulk of the homes are listed in the $300K range while 4 homes are listed around $1M. Of the 4 homes listed at $1M, 2 are lake front. 

     Maria Tirado-Quinones stated that the dues raffle is strictly to be used for dues and doesn’t include any rental fees.  She commended the people that work for the community such as Ange Noonan who helped serve at the veteran’s day brunch, attended an Appeals committee meeting and later on that night went to the drag show and helped with food service since the event was so crowded.   She stated that they are working hard on the bylaw revisions.  Every politician makes promises and when they don’t keep those promises there should be repercussions.                 

Chris Claude stated that lots of events are being planned.  He encouraged everyone to come out and meet friends.

Bill Baehr gave kudos to Chris Claude and the Recreation Club for doing an awesome job.  He also stated that the speed bumps or murder humps are doing a great job with slowing people down.  Baehr is also pleased that Trivia Night has been getting a great growing crowd.  Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.  Baehr also warned the membership about porch pirates.  He has had 2 packages taken from his porch.  He now picks up his packages at a nearby pick up spot. 

Buz Whelan added that after contacting Amazon, he found out that any purchases from November 1^st till Christmas can be returned up to January 31^st.

Connie Simpson reminded people that pizza is now served on Thursday night and you can get it to go.  She invited the membership to come out to water aerobics Monday, Wednesday and Friday and tai chi which is after water aerobics on Fridays.

     Mike Camino is happy that the game room is open and fully functional.  He also felt that the drag show was a wonderful experience and was suitable for kids.  He is on board with the speed bumps.  Since he lives on Clover Rd, that bump has slowed down traffic.  Camino likes pizza on the menu.  He would like to see more special menus.  Finally he thanked the Emerald Ladies with helping residents with animals in need. 

Bill Baehr thanked the rock fairies for the painted rock left on his property.

Darryl Gamble reminded the membership to reach out to Administration if there is a special need or elder person that needs a welfare check.  A health and welfare list will be developed.  The Emerald Ladies will be assisting with the health and welfare calls.

Public Comments

          Louise Leon thanked Marie Tirado-Quinones for how professional she ran the Appeals committee.  She stated it was a pleasure to work with her.  She also thanked the rock fairy for her painted rock.        

          Ange Noonon stated that the Veteran’s Day brunch was wonderful.  She also stated that the Emerald Ladies are working on donations for the Pocono Pet Pantry.  They distribute pet food to low income pet owners.  The collection will be during the month of November and will be accepted at the Lodge and the Administration building.  She is reaching out to Valor which is an organization that helps homeless vets.  In January our Living Well series called the blue zone series will be at the Lodge.  Plastic grocery bags will be collected to be sent in to have benches made. The old camp ground is an area where these benches may work.  Finally on a personal note she thanked Brian from our security team for always being so helpful.

          Randy Kopp stated that we should also being keeping an eye on our neighbor’s homes for porch pirates.  He is a plumber and feels that the septic policy should go into effect soon.  We all share a common underground water table.  We should not drag our feet. 

          Hilary Decker stated that there are phony email messages coming out.  She checked with the post office and as told they were spam.

          Three (3) new members were welcomed to the Community.

          A motion was made by Bill Baehr to adjourn.  It was seconded by Mike Camino.  Meeting adjourned at 11:26 AM.

Reporters Note: I write these reports based on notes taken during the meeting.  I get no special consideration or cooperation from the board.  I try my best to report accurately, but occasionally mistakes will be made.  I invite correction and have no desire to intentionally mischaracterize any comments or actions.