By Kathy Leslie-Whelan

          The meeting was called to order at 9:32
AM. All board members were present.  General
Manager Darryl Gamble and Assistant General Manager Nicole Clemens were also
present.  After the Pledge of Allegiance,
Chris Claude, President, started his President’s opening statement, stating that
as we head into summer he encourages the members to explore the community and
all it has to offer.  He said that our
road paving contractor is on site and our maintenance staff is our repairing
roads.  He cautioned the members to slow down
because more people are out walking and riding bikes on the roads since the
weather is warmer.  Claude announced that
 August 16th will be the
annual meeting and the call to order is being prepared to be mailed out.  Meet the Candidates will be held on July 12th
at the Lodge.  He further said that our
maintenance staff and general manager are getting things ready for the summer.
Main beach looks fantastic and Pine Tree Beach is having the volley ball court
improved.  The Main entrance will have
major landscaping work completed.  Claude
stated that there are numerous events and activities planned for the summer and
encouraged the members to come out and participate.

Claude called for a motion to approve May’s
board meeting minutes.  A motion was made
by Bill Baehr and seconded by Mike Camino. 
It passed unanimously.

Claude turned the floor over to the Treasurer,
Michael Camino for his report.  Camino
stated that he will report on numbers from May. The numbers are as follows:
Under income our monthly due’s income $325,826.11; dues interest fees $9,378.16;
Public Safety revenue $1,550; Rental revenue $322,678.48; Code Enforcement revenue
$2,087.15; Access Cards $8,425.03; Bar and Grill revenue $11,398.77; Community
Center totals $20,531.80; Income totals are $752,147.48. 

On the expense side: Administration totals
$29,182.80; Computer Expense $6,503.63; Public Safety $22,786.55; Amenity
repairs $2,137.80; Refuse Garbage collections $35,227.55; Maintenance
$121,182.51; Bar and Grill $15,722.01; Community Insurance $26,165; Total
expenses $288,146.52; Bar Inventory $2,866.21; Grill Inventory $3,201.88; Cash
Assets $916,321.34; Reserve fund $1,032,186.17; Investment Account $249,550.29.
 Claude accepted a motion to accept the
Treasurer’s report from Dave Borsos.  It
was seconded by Bob Leon.  It passed
unanimously.

 

Under Old Business

·      Darryl Gamble reported that Main Beach is
completed.  There is a small amount of
landscaping left to complete.  An
attendant will be on duty on the weekends and holidays.

·      The Pine Tree makeover of the volley ball
court is nearly completed.  We are
awaiting new poles for the nets.  A deck
will be built around the boat house.  The
bathrooms are in good shape and an attendant will be present on weekend and
holidays.  This past weekend there were
12 boat rentals on Saturday.

·      The front entrance will be started on once all
the amenities are up and running. The turn into the entrance is sharp and
vehicles run into the walls.  The center
section will be pulled back and boulders may be used at the front for
landscaping.

·      Road work and culvert repairs are being
completed. If you want to report a pot hole send Darryl Gamble an email at
dgamble@emeraldlakesassoc.com.

·      The Administration building had foundation
work completed.

·      The Arbor boat launch is completed.

·      The lakes are being sprayed for lily pads.

·      The indoor pool will be closed from July 14th
to the 31st for repairs. 
During that time the outdoor pool will be open for an extra day.  The pool will be drained, sandblasted and
repainted.  The light sockets will be
inspected and repaired if needed.  Hair
line cracks and loose tiles will be addressed.  
This is routine maintenance that should be done every 5 years and we are
in our 6th year since the renovated pool opened.

·      Dams are in good shape.  Beaver and goose population are being
maintained. 

·      The Bar and Grill will open earlier in the
summer

·      The Clover Bridge project is moving along
smoothly.  Permits have been approved and
bidding for a contractor will begin shortly.

 

Under New Business:

·     
Resolution  06282025-01 Trespass

“RESOLVE THAT: Add to definitions
Trespass(ing) – entering or staying on Emerald Lakes Association property
without permission or after being requested to leave the premises by ELA Public
Safety/staff. Defiant Trespass – occurs when a person not licensed or
privileged to do so, enters or remains in any place where notice against
trespass is clearly provided Add to Rules GENERAL #8 – Trespassing on ELA
property is strictly prohibited. Individuals found on the premises without
authorization will be subject to citation, and local law enforcement may be
notified. If you are directed to leave ELA property by authorized personnel or
a public safety officer and refuse to comply or return thereafter, you will be
considered in violation of Defiant Trespass. Fine Schedule Trespass(ing) – $250
1st offense Subsequent offenses are considered Defiant Trespass Defiant
Trespass – $500 per offense”

 

Connie Simpson made the motion to accept the
resolution.  It was seconded by Mike
Camino.  It passed unanimously. 

 

·     
Resolution
06282025-02 – Unauthorized Reproduction

“RESOLVE THAT: Add to page 16,
MEMBER/LANDLORD, #6 Any member or landlord found to have engaged in the
unauthorized reproduction or alteration of an amenity pass, compactor pass, or
ELA I.D. will be subject to a fine and the suspension of amenity privileges.
Fine Schedule Suspension of 3 months 1st offense $250 and suspension of 6
months 2nd offense $500 and suspension of 9 months subsequent offenses”

Connie Simpson made the motion to accept the
resolution.  It was seconded by Maria
Tirado-Quinones.  It passed by a vote of
4 to 2. Bob Leon and Mike Camino were the nay votes. 

 

·     
Resolution
06282025-03 Guest Pass Abuse Fine

“RESOLVE THAT: Add to R&R fine schedule
General Guest Pass Abuse – $250 1st offense $500 and suspension of 3 months –
2nd offense $750 and suspension of 6 months – subsequent offenses (General, #5,
section (b) is an existing rule.)

Connie Simpson made the motion to accept the
resolution.  It was seconded by Dave
Borsos.  It passed unanimously. 

·     
Upcoming events
were discussed.

o 
June 28th
Rock Painting for rock dragons at the Lodge

o 
June 28th
– Live Music – Subagroove

o 
July 5th
– Red, White and Glow Party – DJ

o 
July 6th,
August 2nd and August 30th – Community Day at the Ball
Park

o 
July 10th
and 31st – Music Bingo

o 
July 12th
– Karaoke

o 
July 13th
–  Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation –Presentation

o 
July 17th
Book Club

o 
July 18th
– Trivia

o 
July 31st
– Music Bingo

o 
August 2nd
– Derailed – Band

o 
August 9th
– Karaoke

o 
August 14th
– Music Bingo

o 
August 15th
–Trivia

 

Committee Reports

Buz Whelan spoke on behalf of Finance
and Planning (F&P). He stated that since it is the first month of our
fiscal year he didn’t want to repeat the treasurer’s numbers since he reports
on monthly numbers.   Our total revenue for the fiscal year was $752K
while our total dues collection was $398K. 
He stated that on May 31st we had a 73.32% compliance rate.  We were 3.82% over last year’s collection
rate.  Our in house collections were at
97.3% thanks to Nicole Clemens and her staff. 
Eleven homes sold in the month of May. 
Currently we have 310 short term rental properties which are down by 10 over
the last month and 110 long term rental properties which are down by 3.  As to rental revenue we were at $323K which
is over the predicted budget.  This
income allows us to maintain our amenities. Bar and Grill revenue for the month
was $21,679.  This number includes
income, access cards and inventory.  Our
expenses were $15,772 which gives us $5,907 in increased revenue.  Whelan stated that the events are drawing in
people.  Whelan also thanked Nicole
Clemens for staying late the night before our meeting to answer questions.  Whelan further stated that F&P is
recommending that a minimum of $50K be set aside in the 2026/2027 budget for
the new Administration budget.  An
increase is due in this fiscal year which will conservatively add another
$112,560 over what we are collecting now. 
At a minimum $50K should be set aside for this much needed project which
will give our staff a safe and comfortable environment to work in.  A second recommendation is to create 2
separate banking accounts for money set aside for the Clover Bridge project and
the replacement of the Administration building project.  The last recommendation is to reinstate the
boat registration fee next season. 
Finally Whelan questioned the Investment report and the loss of
$455.  He was told that the principle is
protected if held to maturity.  The CDs
fluctuate due to market value.  Our
internal accountant will attend our next meeting to discuss this report.

 

Diane DuCharme spoke on behalf of
Rules and Regulations.  The committee met
on May 15th.  She stated that discussions
were held on homeowners that were not completing the status update forms.  In some cases, security has no way of
contacting the homeowner in the event of a fire or other catastrophes.  The committee would like to make it a
requirement to fill out the form within 15 days of any changes.  If a member is not in compliance amenity
passes could be suspended.  The next
meeting will be held in September.

 

Bill Baehr stated that a bear was hit
by a vehicle on the 940 and 314 intersections. He said don’t speed in the
community. 

 

Maria Tirado-Quinones stated that the
Appeals Committee did not meet last month but were scheduled to meet that
day.  They were hearing 2 cases.

Director’s Comments

Bob Leon reminded folks to walk on the side of
the road facing traffic and to wear reflective clothing.

Mike Camino thanked Chris Claude for music
bingo and encouraged people to come out to events.  He cautioned the membership not to speed in
the community.  He also mentioned Meet
the Candidates and look into who is running. 
He commented that you cannot believe everything you read on
FaceBook.  Finally he said that this is
the last open meeting before the annual meeting in August.

Maria Tirado-Quinones stated she is happy that
we have a reprieve from the hot weather. 
She asked the members to check on their neighbors and elder people
during the oppressive heat.  If you are
going to the store, reach out to your neighbors and offer to pick up items for
them.  It doesn’t hurt to do a welfare check
on people that may need help.  She ended
with wishing people a Happy Pride month and was looking forward to the Pride
parade that was being held the next day in New York City.

Dave Borsos stated “wow” on the activity
list.  He also thanked the General
Manager and Assistant General Manager who cover a lot of things in the
community.  He stated that they always
think things through. 

Bill Baehr stated that June hasn’t been the
best month, heat wise.  He stated that
Main Beach is phenomenal.  He said that
Darryl Gamble, Nicole Clemens and their team do an incredible job.  He also gave a shout out to the Recreation
Club and that he loves Music Bingo. He encouraged people to wear reflective
clothing and carry a flashlight at night. Bill feels that it is a pleasure to
live here and it is great to see what is going on.  He said it is an honor and a pleasure to live
here.

Chris Claude complimented the Fishing Club for
the great event and the Emerald Ladies for their planned events.

Public Comments

          Buz Whelan of Beaver Dam Rd stated that
earlier in the week there was a negative comment on FaceBook that made him
shake his head.          He stated that our staff members are working in ferocious
temperatures.  They are working down in
drainage ditches while it is 99 degrees out. They are hard working staff and
they can’t do everything first.

Louise Leon of Clover Rd stated congratulations
to all and that she loves water aerobics. 
She is happy that there will be access to the outdoor pool while the
indoor pool is being renovated.   

Brian Coe of Gap View thanked the staff.  He stated that people are flying through the
stop sign at the front entrance.  He also
asked if the mail boxes at the front entrance can be spruced up.  He was told that they are aware of people
going through the stop sign and it is on the list.  The mail house is slated for an
overhaul.  It will have a Cape Cod look.
In addition, more parking spaces will be added and the area where cars pull
over will be paved.  Coe also stated that
if you want to go to the baseball game, he needs to know by Monday.

          Linda Shuey of Mountain Top asked if
something can be set up on phone for identification.  She stated that the Butterfly garden needs
mowing and she is concerned that all the work that was done at the garden is
not maintained.  Finally she complained
that the rubber mulch on the playground at Main Beach is polluting the
area.            

          Nine (9) new members were welcomed to
the Community.

          A motion was made by Bill Baehr to
adjourn.  It was seconded by Connie
Simpson.  Meeting adjourned at 11:14 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.