LEATHERWOOD MOUNTAINS PROPERTY
OWNERS ASSOCIATION, Inc.
20 February 2004 Consolidated Board and General Meeting Minutes – Darby Center
Present:
David Bridgers, Treasurer
Eileen Jurand, Secretary
Billy Hollingsworth, Member
Steve Holmes, VP
Delaine Parker, Member
Russ Simmons, President
John Single, Member
Curt Tucker, Member
Call Meeting to Order
Comments by the Developer – Dick Johnston
Expect a new area of development off Wagon Ridge.
Beyond the Gate: Phil Rash and Phil Whitson
The purchase of the grounds beyond the gate have been completed.
(There is a 2-year window for adjustments.) The intent is to keep Leatherwood
as a “horse community” as well as something for everyone. We would like more
social and horse events, for example, a mini-mule fest.
Abbie will be the barn manager and the event organizer.
Phil Whitson is responsible for the rentals as well as property sales.
We want as many ideas as you can provide, please call either
Phil to offer suggestions to improve Leatherwood! 336-973-4142.
Abbie
27 March
– 6th Annual Endurance Ride, please call Abbie to volunteer.
5 June – St. Judes Benefit Ride,
a 10 mile ride with BBQ and a tack swap
3 July – Picnic
Labor Day weekend – First 75 mile
Endurance Ride
18 September – Fun Horse Show
Chuck Mann – Introduction of Wilkes County Vice Commissioner
and Fire Marshall
The county sheriff has divided
Wilkes into 7 districts; Leatherwood is in one of those districts. If there
is an emergency, there should be a deputy sheriff at Leatherwood in 10-15 minutes.
(This may change depending on the location of the deputy.) An emergency is
defined as “life threatened, domestic dispute, etc. (What we may call an emergency
may not be called an emergency by the officials.) When there are poachers,
the deputy will come with the game warden.
Fire Department – For a “stand
alone” substation: The requirements include 18 people and traffic control personnel,
an all weather building, a tanker that can carry 1000 gallons of water and a pumper. (These must meet state standards, age is not a factor.)
Alternative option – “tag with
Ferguson VFD” – This requires 4 people who will volunteer for 36 hours of training
each year as well as initial fire fighter training. (Volunteers have no specific
response requirements since they are volunteers.) Used fire trucks can be bought
for $2000 to $15000; they must be able to meet minimums state service tests.
Alternative option for funds –
The following has happened in some fire districts: (Not known if Ferguson VFD
could support this.) Ferguson’s Fire District tax rate is 9-10 cents/$100 evaluation.
LW can pay that tax for a year and then an appropriate building and trucks would
be provided to LW
Keys Cabin -- David
Budget of $1000 Work has been done to stabilize.
We spent $250. (Good work David!)
Trails -- Russ
A bulldozer has gone over most of the trails and they are
in good condition. So let us get out there and ride and hike them to show our
appreciation.
Recreation Area --
Delaine
Log cabin has been sealed. (Really looks good – Thanks
Delaine!)
Teepee – Starting to show some weather wear including some
holes have been noticed.
Repeat: Covenant Reminders –
Before you begin your plans for the construction of your new home, fence, building,
car port, etc., please review the covenants. In the introduction one paragraph
states: “Although a lot (dwelling unit) owner actually owns the footage on
the exterior of his building, any permanent structure or improvements erected
or placed in that space must have the approval of an architectural review board.
This is necessary to prevent unsightly additions, fences and structures which
are inconsistent with the character of Leatherwood Mountains as a planned residential
community.” Plans should be submitted to the developer Dick Johnston for approval
prior to additions to lots here in Leatherwood. We must all work together to
ensure that the Leatherwood ambiance is maintained. As you work with your contractor,
please remind them that open fires are prohibited and there is a long term precedence
for not working on Saturdays and Sundays.
The following are several types of items that have been reported to Board members
which are in conflict with the established history of Leatherwood. We ask that
we all work together to ensure compliance with the setting that we want here.
Open fires at construction sites.
Construction company personnel working on Saturdays
and Sundays (one report was this was taking place at 7:25 on a Sunday).
Dogs are roaming the area at times. If you have a pet with you, please keep
that pet on your property.
The membership has been told that the new ownership
of Rash and Whitson will cooperate with the developer on reviewing the Architectural
Review Committee process, etc.
Security and Gate –
Curt
After much discussion, the membership voted to increase dues by $100 for improved
lots and $50 for unimproved lots to provide matching funds for the continued
improvement of security at Leatherwood, which may include a guard at the gate
during non-daylight hours. Examples of issues that caused this action include:
Horses being let out of pastures, attempted burning of the storage area where
extra LP tanks were stored, running of water in the bathtub at the Welcome Center
(found before damage), poachers caught inside the gate, and some houses had
their hot tubs used at times when they were not rented.
The new Property Owner’s gate code is _____
effective 1 April 2004. Due to the above events, please be guarded with the
sharing of this code.
Entertainment Committee
There was a sign up sheet for this committee. Those who signed will be contacted.
If anyone who was unable to join the General Meeting wants to serve on this
committee, please call Russ4 at 336-973-2333. The POA would like to have several
major functions during the typical summer season. Details later as they develop.
Financial – Russ
The membership voted to continue for one year the loan that was approved last
fall. This loan was not fully implemented as the weather closed in on the work.
Budget: Approved by the membership for 2004. Road repairs, at the same level
as 2003, and replacement of one culvert in the meadow were included in the budget
for 2004.
Board Meetings and POA Annual Meeting Dates –
Board Meeting – April 17, 2004, at 10:30 AM,
Elk Creek Inn Restaurant
POA Annual Meeting – February 19, 2005 at 3:00
PM
Election of new board members:
David Bridgers, Jim Despain, Diane Ertel, and Chuck Mann were elected to the
board. One of these three new members will serve for two years and the others
will serve for three years. This process enables the board to maintain its
three year three person rotation.
Officers for 2004: Russ Simmons, President; Chuck Mann, VP; David Bridgers,
Sec.; John Single, Treasurer.
Adjournment
–
A special thanks to the personnel of Elk Creek Inn Restaurant who so graciously
provided a meal for the membership at the Darby Community Center.
Your board wants your input; please call any
board member.
