Meeting Minutes > May 2007

                            Taberna Master Homeowners Association
                                      Meeting Minutes May 8, 2007

Bob Costanzo, President
Bernadette McNulty, Vice President
Suzanne Forsythe, Treasurer
Alva Windham, Acting Secretary
Representatives:
Terry Smith
Jim Krise
Martha Daniels
Board members present: Bob Costanzo, Suzanne Forsythe, Terry Smith, Martha Daniels, and Bernadette McNulty.
Special Guest Don Loudin, a Taberna property owner and resident.

Meeting called to order at 4:30 PM by President Bob Constanzo

Motion: To accept the final minutes of April as they were submitted. Minutes accepted by Martha Daniels seconded by Suzanne Forsythe and accepted unanimously.

Taberna Demographics:

Martha Daniels handed out documents for discussion:

1. Economic and Demographic Profile for the Chamber of Commerce, New Bern, NC. Items of discussion: Climate Averages, Utilities, MCAS Cherry Point Medical and other important topics.
2. Dianne Dunn & Team New Bern (Keller Williams Realty Market Data and Absorption Rates for the past six months). Items of discussion: MLS Service Data for: Taberna, Greenbrier, River Bend Fairfield Harbor Trent Woods and New Bern. Comparisons were made of all areas for Active Listings, Houses Under Contract Avg., SOLD Price Over and Under $700K, etc.
3. Craven County Business, 2004 CC Insured Employment and Wages:
Items of Discussion: Total number of industries, Gross Retail Sales in Craven County, etc.
4. Residential Real Estate: Items of Discussion: Residential Listings and Closings Craven County, etc.
5. City County Government: Items of Discussion: 2000-4 Budget in Brief, Sources of County Revenue, etc.
6. Commercial Real Estate: Items of Discussion: Construction in City of New Bern, Craven County Financing, etc.
7. Transportation: Items of Discussion: Highways, Railroad Service, Air, Waterways, etc.
8. Education: Items of Discussion: Craven County Schools Mission, Private Schools Overview of Craven County Schools 2005-2006; etc.
9. Population: Items of Discussion: Total Population by County, Racial Composition-Craven County, Population Projection for Craven County by 2010, etc.

These documents will be filed with the May 8, 2007 Minutes.
Everyone applauded Martha for a job well done.

New Sign For Taberna:
Bob spoke about an additional sign for the front entrance. It would be placed on the center island that is currently just greenery and would be another reminder that one is entering Taberna. Also discussed was the previous suggestion made by Jack Daft, our landscape architect, regarding the Taberna signage at the Old Airport Road entrances. They could be improved by the addition of pillars and fencing to look similar to what is on the sign at
the main entrance on Taberna Way.

Question from Don Loudin:
As THOA does not own the property from the entrance way to Taberna between the railroad tracks and Rte 70, why are we investing monies in something we do not own?
Presidents Reply: Our covenants specifically require the THOA to maintain the landscaping that includes an easement that runs up Taberna Way and out on Rte 70, including 300 ft of the approx. 500 ft frontage that flows west along Rte 70. The owners of these commercial properties pay the THOA a nominal fee for this service.

TREASURER'S REPORT

CASH: As of Monday 5/7/07 the following balances were in the checking accounts:
Master          $154,211
Abbington     $ 3,764
Boleyn         $ 10,566
Landings       $ 5,283
OTW            $ 11,860
Total Cash $185,684

ACCTS. RECEIVABLE: As of Monday 5/7 the following a/r balances were still open:
Master          $ 6,652
Abbington     $ 3,187
Boleyn          $ -0-
Landings       $ 500
OTW             $ 2,832
Total A/R      $ 13,171

Late fees on 15 properties were mailed on 5/1 totaling $300. There are four remaining liens outstanding.
We have received the latest invoice from the landscape architect, Jack Daft, totaling $2,220 along with his request for authorization to go forward with the next $3,000 in services. Total costs from 2006 thru today total approx.$3,500, well within the $10,000 approved budget for the design work. Board had no objection.

FINANCIAL REPORTS: for 1st quarter 2007:
The Treasurer asked if all of the Board members had received their copies of the 1st quarter financial reports for the Master and Sub-Associations that were forwarded to them the week before. She asked if there were any questions not covered in her cover memo that was attached to the reports. Question raised regarding where the Website cost was on the reports? Response: They are listed as Miscellaneous in the Master report. As no further questions were raised, the Treasurer requested that the reports be accepted and entered into the minutes. Board approved.
These documents will be filed with the May 8, 2007 Minutes.

Motion: To accept the Financial Report by Treasurer Alva Windham; seconded and approved by all.

Old Business:
The Emmons area needs to be significantly improved in landscaping for attractiveness as well as to discourage the continued trespassing from Sellhorn by both children and adults. Last year a load of dirt was dumped at the end of the fence where people were coming thru in order to discourage this trespassing. Buildings & Grounds Committee is looking at significantly increasing the length of the fence to run into the wetlands area. Bernadette asked about the addition of extra greenery as previously suggested. B&G is to come back to the THOA with a plan to address this
issue.

Front Entrance:
President attended a meeting with the city for the rezoning of the left side; which was approved without any issues. Bob emphasized that we, of Taberna, want them to build something that will support the community. Intention is to  use the two access roads, one as an IN and the other as an OUT. No idea how it will work out now, since they have redesigned the property. Besides the ECB lot, there are three additional lots for sale, of which two are facing out to Rte 70.

Made a proposal to 971 Assoc., owners of the commercial properties. If and when the 'Super70' road changes require the removal of a portion of the fence/landscaping along the Rte 70 frontage where the bank is to be located, that the owners share with THOA in the cost of removing the remainder, and that replacement landscaping, if any, be mutually agreed upon.
A tentative date, next Thursday to sign off on the agreement. There are a couple of items in the agreement that may need to be renegotiated. The goal is to retain the fence/landscaping as it exists as long as reasonably possible.
Should hear from Beth Atkins, our attorney, either Monday or Tuesday next week.

Move to the New Office: The move went very smoothly thanks to Rick Scheper, his four men and the HOA ACC, Jim Peacock, Larry Alderson, and Jim Wilson.

NYON WATER ISSUE: Issue is closed except for one resident. He is concerned about water still running onto his property when it rains. The grade has been shot twice and appears to be correct. If sod needs to be placed in the area, the President will contact Buildings and Grounds. Bob will contact the resident concerning the issue.

New Business:

Violations:
Four of five letters mailed pertained to propane tanks and trash cans not screened.
The truck at 512 Taberna Way is less than 1 ton so no issue there.
None-Conforming sign on Lot 302.
Trailer parked at 106 Arbon Lane.
Bill Clark is putting up signs that do not conform to covenants.
The Canoe has been removed from along side a house.

The Adjudicatory will meet this evening to discuss a violation concerning a dog pen that does not meet covenants guidelines.

A house on Nydegg Road has high standing grass. The house was recently sold and grass will be cut.

Martha suggested that the Board become more directly involved with the Sub-Communities within Taberna as there are some homeowners who are very unhappy with the rental properties and other issues within their areas. It was suggested that the Board meet with the committees or chairpersons for each of the Sub-communities to discuss their concerns. These meetings would help these committees understand what their functions and responsibilities are within their respective communities and how the Board may assist them. Meeting dates with the communities were discussed: May 15, or May 22.

Next HOA Meeting, June 12, 2007 5:30.

Respectfully submitted,

Alva R. Windham
Acting Secretary