To fence, or not to fence: that is the question: Whether ’tis necessary in the minds of POASC Board Members to install a fence from the Cove Clubhouse north wall to the north property line or to leave the area unencumbered. (Apologies to Bill)
A major portion of the one-hour Working Session was devoted to the pros and cons of the fence both from board members and property owners.
Proposed by PDM Committee Chairman Jimmy Young, the three-foot high fence would serve two functions, safety and enhancement of an amenity. Young said there are people with golf carts and other vehicles that drive on the grassy area next to and behind the clubhouse. He says one of the clubhouse neighbors says there is some unnecessary vehicle activity in the area. Young says it is a safety factor and the vehicles could hurt children and/or adults. He said the picket fence would match the pool fence, enhance the property and protect the sprinkler heads. The Maintenance Department would install it.
On the other side of the fence, so to speak, are those who are concerned about the $2,000 cost, the encumbrance to outside activities, doubts that there is enough traffic on the property to warrant the installation of a fence, and the added maintenance required.
Some also suggested waiting until the Operations Manager returns for his input. Manager Butch Price is on unpaid leave to attend to a prior commitment. The board was aware of the commitment before he was hired.
The proposed fence includes a 12-foot vehicle gate that would be locked at all times as well as a pedestrian gate to allow access to the side and back of the clubhouse. It would extend west from the clubhouse northwest corner to the propert
y line and then north to the north property line. A new sprinkler system is proposed with the heads next to the building and at the north property line to provide maintenance vehicle access without damaging the system.
The specs provided by the PDM Committee include 15 3×8-foot fence sections, eight posts, two six-foot gates, one “Man” gate and hardware for a total of $2,028.93. The proposal does not indicate where the fence would be purchased, or how it would be funded.
Finance Committee Chairman Dale Morsette said there is money in the Capital Improvement Fund and Safety money in the Asset Repair and Replacement Fund. A resolution read at the meeting will be brought up for a vote at the Sept. 17 Regular Session.
In addition to the fence question, Young also requested that volleyball equipment be placed on the beach. Only the posts would be installed. Players would check out the net and ball from the poolside room of the Cove Clubhouse.
Some board members and members of the audience said they prefer the beach to remain free from encumbrances. Young feels the equipment would enhance the area. There is a volleyball court in the area near the tennis courts, but difficult to use due to the tree roots. It was suggested that the court be moved closer to the tennis courts.
The problem of weeds on the beach was brought up and Director Deeter suggested that a Beach Clean Up Day be scheduled for volunteers to help in the project.
Treasurer Bonnet said the financial report would be available at the Regular Session on Thursday, Sept. 17. He said the Cove tax bill came in $5,000 less than last year’s $10,000. He said he hopes individual tax bills will also show a decrease.
Activities Committee Chairman Judy Deeter said the International Night scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24 would feature at least five different tables featuring different foods from Mexico, Italy, Polynesia, Southern United States and All American. There is still time to sign up for a table. Participants decorate a table and provide cuisine from a particular country, such as China, Greece, Germany or any other country or region. Guests will move from table to table sampling the recipes. The LA Jammers and The Bay Four will provide musical entertainment.
The committee is making plans for future events including an outside movie featuring a Movie Classic on Oct. 17, a Halloween Festival on Oct. 31, a November Art Show and another Cove-Wide Yard Sale. The committee voted to provide a grill for the beach picnic area. The next meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 in the poolside room of the Cove Clubhouse.
The Administrative Committee continues to work on revisions to the Operations Procedure 7.3 Hiring an Operations Manager. Chairman Huff distributed copies of a proposed evaluation form to board members. It will be discussed at the Regular Session on Thursday, Sept. 17. The next meeting of the committee will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 in the POASC Board Conference Room.
In addition to the fence and volleyball equipment, PDM Chairman Young said the shuffleboard courts have been repaired, trees around the office are being trimmed and the Maintenance Department is working on repairing the lights at the pier.
He suggested placing a concrete picnic table and benches at the office outside the conference room for committee members who want to continue to discuss issues after meetings. A board member suggested using one of the beach tables instead of purchasing an additional one. The board voted last month to purchase two tables and six benches for the beach area. This brings the number to four on the beach, as a property owner had donated two previously. Young also said he would like to enhance the golf cart trail. He said two Sago Palms have been planted in the area previously used by the playground equipment.
The next meeting of the PDM Committee is at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 in the POASC Board Conference Room.
Road and Drainage Committee Chairman Tom Pinkerton reported a drainage problem on Chagrin Drive has been solved by the Maintenance Department. The front yard of the residence floods due to the runoff from Pensacola Drive. A ditch was dug and rip wrap provided.
Maintenance personnel are also working on the road problem on Club House Drive. Pinkerton said the culvert is undermined, causing water to buckle the road. The area will be patched and complete repair placed in the 2010-2011 budget. He stressed that the Health Department and EPA approve the poison being sprayed on weeds in culverts. He commended the Maintenance Department on the work they are doing.
Rules Committee Chairman Dick Junkins said the committee is making a list of agenda items and will present it to the board for their input. He said he does not want the committee wasting time on items the board has no interest in pursuing. Once the list is culled, the committee and board will prioritize the remaining items for work.
Ballots are coming in at a good rate on the proposal to amend the Covenants to allow site-built homes in Land Harbor. Deadline for returning ballots is 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. Results will be posted at the Clubhouses, the tennis courts bulleting board, the POASC office and in The Update.
Further discussion of site-built homes for contiguous lots in Land Harbor will depend on the result of the vote.
The Safety Committee will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 in the POASC Board Conference Room.
The next meeting of the Board of Directors is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 in the Cove Clubhouse. The next Working Session of the board will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8.
Tags: Activities, Administrative, Club House Drive, Clubhouse, Fence, rules, Volleyball
I like the “snake” fence. Creates a “pastoral” look? Maybe a cow grazing on the pasture?
Why can’t the proposed fence also serve an enhanced security funtion? One possible option might be to remove the fence from around the pool…add a few extra sections thus securing the entire facility…cove club, pool, & pier.
These days you can get any kind of fence and many that are almost maintenance free. The question here, though, is do we need one? I think the answer is “no”.
As do I Sandra. Although, I might be less opposed to some other kind of fencing such as a split rail. I especially like one that I have seen used in parts of Virginia which does not follow a straight line. I think it maybe called a “snake fence”
LOL, true Wally and I like it just the way it is!
The fence/no fence discussion reminds me of what one can hear among people when the new model cars show up in the market. Collections of people can be heard saying about their current “ride” that it is working poorly, not worth repairing, needs all new tires, is using oil, etc., etc., etc. The real story is that the speaker wants a new car and simply can’t say that outright.
If there is some sense that a white picket fence would add to the appeal of our club house, why not just say that and be done with it. I can’t see a thing wrong with making an expenditure that we can afford to beautify a location. Let’s quit trying to justify it with less than supportable reasons. If there are fringe benefits to the move all the better but let’s just deal with the real motive straight away.
Thanks for the great article Sally.
Ben and I are still on opposite sides of the fence.
Do you know of any incidents where children have been hurt as a result of people riding in that area? I agree with Sally, if that’s the main reason for the fence then other areas around the pier etc will have to be fenced too.
As Glenda mentioned let’s try signs first.
The volleyball court, tables and BBQ pit sounds like a great idea.
Is it accurate to say the cost of the proposed fence at $2,028.93 will cost each dues payer about .20 cents for the year? An extra .05 cents would likely pay for a fence on the south side. Is that part of the (possible) project?
FYI, The American Society for Microbiology reported on Saturday that the risk of exposure for beachgoers to MRSA bacteria (i.e., flesh eating bacteria) is much higher than previously thought. The strains apparently resemble the highly resistant ones seen in hospitals. It wasn’t previously known that environmental sources could harbor the MRSA germ, or methicillin-resistant Staphlococcus aureus.
The cost of a wash basin on the pier seems reasonable. The sewer plant operator has been sued numerous times for infecting/sickening his customers. I understand that at least one Spanish Cove resident won a court award for being infected with Hepatitis A.
Another great report, Sally. I especially like the inclusion of the proposed fence diagram.