Ascot Homeowners Association
Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting -- Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Prepared by Secretary, Scott Rackham
The Ascot Homeowners Association Board of Directors met at the home of Claudia and Mark Raffman on the 11th of January, 2005, beginning at 7:30 pm. Claudia Raffman, Lars Okeson, and Scott Rackham attended the meeting. David Peirce reported in by telephone.
Bansal Landscaping
Scott Rackham reported that Tony Bansal of Falls Park Estates remains interested in landscaping the Ascot embankment between his home and Bishopsgate Way but has not yet provided a full written description of the work to be done. No further progress on this is expected until springtime.
Tennis Court
Lars Okeson reported he had continued his research on options for maintaining or repairing the tennis cour. He had obtained quotations from three different potential contractors, and had reviewed Ascot records to prepare a thorough tabulation of Association expenses from 1988 to the present. Dave Peirce reported, by phone, that he was still awaiting quotations for the option of demolition or removal of the tennis court. After those quotations are in, along with options that Anna Wood will look into for landscaping after a potential demolition, the Board will prepare a documented analysis of alternatives for handling the tennis court, for distribution with the Board's recommendations to Ascot homeowners by the end of February.
The number of homeowners who have contacted the Board to express their views on maintenance and use of the tennis court has continued to grow slowly. (By the end of January, the Board had heard from eighteen homeowner families, seven expressing support for repairing the tennis court, eight opposed, and three open to discussion.) The Board would still like to hear from more Ascot homeowners on whether to pursue a general membership vote on a special assessment to accomplish a more thorough repair of the tennis court.
Financial Report
Lars also presented the final 2004 income statement and balance sheet, as well as a proposed budget for 2005. The Board approved the 2005 budget while noting that it may be subject to amendment if a vote of the membership decides that the tennis court is to be repaired or removed. Total income for the year was approximately five hundred dollars higher than budgeted, thanks to sales of more homeowner information packets than had been expected. Overall expenses for 2004 were approximately three hundred dollars less than budgeted. Within that variance, common grounds maintenance expenses were higher than originally budgeted, but funds budgeted for legal expenses and tennis court crack repairs were not spent. Copies of the end-of-year financial statements for 2004 and the approved budget for 2005 have been posted on the Ascot Web site. Any homeowner who would like a printed copy of the budget worksheet is welcome to contact Lars Okeson or Scott Rackham to request it.
Architectural Review
The Board examined plans submitted by the Zufalls to add an enclosed breezeway between their home and garage. Judging it to be consistent with the existing architecture, and considering that the Zufalls had verbal okays from their nearest neighbors, the Board granted architectural approval for the addition.
Minutes Approved with Addition
The minutes from the December meeting of the Board were approved as published, with one addition: Board members executed documents at the December meeting designating Lars Okeson, Claudia Raffman, and David Peirce to have signature authority for the Association's bank accounts.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Board will be at 7:30 pm on Monday, the 7th of February, at the home of Jo and Scott Rackham.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott Rackham
Secretary
COMMUNITY NOTES:
Speeding, again
The Board has received more comments from Ascot homeowners about drivers speeding through our community. It seems that a high proportion of the observed violators are young drivers. If you have teenage drivers in your family, please encourage them to respect the safety of their neighbors, and not to speed on our community streets.
Annual Dues
Annual dues notices were distributed with the December minutes. Please mail payments, along with any Community Directory updates, to the Board at the address given below by the First of March. The dues amount is $115 per household.
Contacting the Board
Homeowners are welcome to contact the Board about the tennis court or other community concerns. Write to Ascot Homeowners Association, PO Box 934, Great Falls, Virginia 22066-0934. Contact any Board member. Or send email --
