News Update
June 2010
Minutes : General Meeting Northgate Hall Community Association
Date: June 3, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM
Place: Perry Hall Library @ 9685 Honeygo Blvd
Board Members: W. Cole, T. DeHart, C. Donnelly, J. Dulny, R. Dunn, J. Lee, P. Lee, C. Marks,
K. Schauer, R. Stallings, J. Wiggins
Absent: R. Corona
The annual general meeting for the Northgate Hall Community Association was held on June 3, 2010. This was the earliest date available to reserve an adequate meeting room for our members. An earlier start time of 6:30 PM was due to anticipated lengthy discussion on the Stormwater Management Facility (Pond). The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:43 PM by President Jerome Lee.
- Treasurer Wanda Cole presented a financial report of expenditures and monies received and answered questions as to how money was spent for specific projects. After discussion the membership voted to accept the treasurer’s report.
- Due to a new job, Wanda Cole will step down at the end of the year as treasurer, but will remain a board member. At the board meeting of April 15, 2010, Cherry Donnelly volunteered to serve as the new treasurer. Her selection was voted on and approved by the homeowners at the general meeting and she will work with Wanda for the remainder of the year. A $50.00 gift card was presented to Wanda in thanks for her five years of commendable volunteer service to the community.
- Fourteen homeowners failed to pay the annual assessment by the due date and were sent a second request from J. Carroll Holzer, the community attorney. This action garnered payments of $131.00 ($100.00 assessment, $6.00 late fee, and $25.00 attorney fee) from seven residents. Names for the remaining seven delinquent homeowners have been turned over to a collection attorney to begin collection proceedings. Even though the association must front the attorney’s fee, all costs will be recouped from the homeowner. Once the second notice is sent, the association is no longer the party to collect the assessments.
- However, on a brighter note, 94% of the homeowners paid their assessment on time.
- With two exceptions, all rental properties have been registered and inspected by Baltimore County as required by law. The board of directors will pursue action by the remaining two homeowners to insure they are also in compliance with Baltimore County. Also, townhomes rented as multiple dwellings have been reported to Baltimore County Zoning. One homeowner received a fine in violation and was forced to evict two of the tenants.
- Matt Brawn (Brawns Landscaping) was awarded the contract to maintain the community open space areas and to perform additional duties as directed by the board. While some residents responded favorably to the job done so far, others reported failing to cut sections behind the 9100 block of Deviation Road. These concerns were investigated and found to have merit. Matt was contacted relative to the complaints on 6/4/10 and stated he would rectify the problem immediately.
- Due to illegal parking on community open space, signage will be posted facing Kahl Avenue to identify this as Northgate Hall Community property and annotated “No Tresspassing” to deter illegal parking by residents of Kahl Avenue.
- Entrance adjacent to 9112 Deviation Road to be closed to vehicle traffic. Similar structure already exists adjacent to 9113 Deviation Road to prevent trucks from going behind and damaging open space.
- One of the projected expenditures is to remove the dead trees behind 9100 block Kilbride and 9100 block Transoms Roads which were severely damaged due to the heavy snow last winter. The community is over 30 years old and there are a number of dead trees which need attention. As we might not see everything, please notify the board if you are aware of fallen or dead trees.
- We have spent considerable money for signs announcing Northgate Hall and specifically stating No Trespassing, No Dumping yet some of our residents continue to dump on our open space. It costs money to have these areas cleaned up and debris removed. This is what some of the $100.00 assessment is used for. Please be vigilant and keep our community clean and safe.
- As part of the community crime alert program, the association received notification from White Marsh Precinct of increased burglaries in our neighborhood; several residents relayed personal experiences. Follow basic safety precautions to protect your property and report any suspicious activity.
- In the same vein J. Lee contacted BGE relative to the installation of brighter, more efficient light bulbs in our street lamps. They will singularly replace bulbs that are burned out, however a large scale replacement of all has to be requested by a council representative. Report any street lights out to BGE.
- In the summer of 2006, a notice was sent to every household concerning residents allowing their pets to deposit waste on other neighbor’s lawns. This continues to be a pet peeve and the pervasive complaint throughout the community. Please be considerate of your neighbors by keeping your pet off of their property and always clean up after an incident no matter where it takes place. Remember, it is not just a standard, It’s The Law! This also applies to the open space. More importantly if you know the individual responsible, report them to Baltimore County Zoning. It’s unfair for the association to be cited and\or fined for the actions of a few.
- Speaking of animals, please refrain from feeding feral cats. This encourages the animals to take up residence in our community and could pose a safety hazard to our residents and small children, not to mention the chaos that these animals create on other’s property (defecating on driveway, destroying flower beds, etc.). Several large feral cats have been observed behind the 9100 blocks of Deviation and Transoms Roads. Due to an anonymous written complaint, J. Lee contacted Baltimore County Animal Control and was informed they no longer come out and trap the animals, but concerned homeowners can obtain animal traps from Animal Control by calling 410-887-5961. We attempted to contact a renter who may be feeding these animals but they would not answer the door. A letter of concern will be sent to the homeowner.
- Repairs to the Storm Water Management Facility (Pond) appear to be completed although the association has not received official notification. Cosmetic grading (grass seed and straw) has been observed. The county will inspect the repair one month after completion and the contractor is responsible for the repairs for one year, after which the county will perform a second inspection.
- At approximately 7:27PM board member R. Dunn gave a presentation on the process to “gift” the pond to Baltimore County after the first year has expired. Of the 38 homeowners present, 35 voted to proceed with the investigative process. He explained a meeting was held with representatives from The Maryland Department of Law who would perform the leg work “pro bono”. The association would only be responsible for any fees or permits required by Baltimore County. There is no certainty the County will even accept the pond because they may require dredging of the accumulated sludge and this process could cost as much as the repairs. Discussion ensued. It was further explained that IF the county accepts the pond it would only be that property inside the existing fence. This would constitute the boundary; no survey would be necessary as the boundaries already exist. A “right of way” for the county to access the pond also already exists.
- Bottom Line: Consideration to “gift” the pond to Baltimore County will only take place after the final inspection. Once the paperwork is completed, it would require a 2/3 majority vote from all homeowners to “gift” the pond over to the county.
- Those in attendance unanimously agreed to vote by acclimation for the following:
Tom DeHart – Board Member
Cherry Donnelly - Treasurer
Joe Dulny – Board Member
Roger Dunn – Board Member
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:21 PM.
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