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OPENING REMARKS
The 60th Annual Meeting of HERCC Members was called to order by President Mary Blank. Mary opened the meeting with a heartfelt welcome to everyone in attendance.
The first order of business was to approve the Minutes of the 2002 Annual Meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Condolences: Mary informed the membership of the deaths of two longtime Association members, Pauline Anderson and Grace Cross, both of whom passed away this year. Mary asked everyone to stand for a moment of silence in their memories. Both Pauline and Grace were fondly remembered by all in attendance. Because Grace Cross's passing is quite recent, Mary announced that there will be a memorial service in the fall for Grace and that, if possible, we will inform the membership of details in forthcoming Minutes. Anyone wishing to make a contribution in Grace's memory may donate to Madison's First Congregational Church.
Home Sales: Mary also announced the recent sales of three homes in the Association. The Urban home at 24 Ridgewood was purchased by Brian and Marilyn Langeville. The Larson-Kasevich home at 32 Highland Terrace was purchased by Harold and Fay Brownfield of Bronxville, New York. The Lynch home at 61 Soundview Avenue was purchased by Amy Wilson and Bob Stephanowski of Westport. On behalf of the Association, Mary bid a fond farewell to the Lynches and asked everyone to introduce themselves to the new residents when they arrive.
President' Report: Mary referred to a letter recently mailed to all members detailing the state of the Association. She asked whether or not there were any questions and offered to make herself and other Board Members available to answer any queries that may arise.
Treasurer's Report: Jon Morrow presented an overview of the fiscal state of the Association, which is quite favorable. Jon reported that HERCC was under budget last year in almost every category. He presented a new budget for the forthcoming year, which was approved by the membership. Detailed reports were mailed to each member with the last Minutes and can be found on the website; current reports are also attached to these Minutes for your perusal.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS & COMMITTEE REPORTS:
For their time, effort, energy and contributions for the good of all HERCC members, specific members of the community were singled out and praised by the President on behalf of the membership, including:
Rita Amaio, retiring Board Member, was credited with artfully maintaining the flowers and the peace on the Beach Lot, for her indefatigable work as Hospitality Chair, and for regularly providing refreshments at all of our functions. Without Rita, we'd all be low and dry!
Jim O'Brien, Chair of the Jetty and Select committees, does anything and everything that needs to be done in the Association. Everyone knows him for his landscaping skills but Jim pitches in in very major ways for the picnic, the jetty, the Beach Clean-Up, trash advisory and many other vital tasks. Jim was soundly applauded by one and all!
John Teich was acknowledged and thanked for his peerless leadership of the Children's Parade, for his equitable assignation of awards thereafter, for distributing Minutes whenever asked even with a moment's notice, for keeping a stern eye on ongoing occurrences and for his general good cheer. John is loved by many at HERCC and he also received robust applause.
All HERCC BOARD Members were gratefully recognized for their many sung and unsung contributions.
INTRODUCTION OF BOARD OF MANAGEMENT MEMBERS:
President Mary Blank introduced each member of the Board of Management and called grateful attention to the committee(s) each leads. Committee Heads with news to report weighed in on their efforts.
Judy Merriam is responsible for the Boat Rack, Beach Storage, and Beach Clean-Up. Judy reported that there are currently three members on the waiting list for spots in the Boat Rack (which can be viewed on the website.) She raised the possibility of adding to the boat rack if necessary in the future.
Jon Morrow maintains our financial affairs and website. Jon reported that nine families are overdue on their dues payments and will follow up. He asked that members contact him or Sandy Podesta with requests to have their names removed or e-mail addresses added to the HERCC website. Jon regularly posts the Minutes to the website; we will also take requests to receive Minutes via e-mail rather than "snail mail."
Kim Ruggiero heads our Social Activities committee and, as such, was in charge of our Annual Picnic. In her absence, Jim O'Brien and Sandy Podesta reported on the arrangements and urged everyone to join in the festivities. We thanked Jennifer Eisele in advance for once again leading the Children's Games with such unparalleled creativity and enthusiasm.
The Secretary handed out new Directories to all members present. (Those who were not present should receive a copy with this mailing of the Minutes.)
NEW BUSINESS
Throughout the course of the meeting, many items of new business were raised, including:
Swim Float The Eiseles proposed exploring the possibility of adding a swim float to the beach facilities. They offered to investigate related issues and expenses and prepare a proposal for the Board and, ultimately, the entire membership.
Anonymous Good Samaritan A member alerted us all to the fact that a renter on Soundview has been spotted on numerous occasions raking the beach and keeping it much cleaner. One and all joined in a unanimous, albeit anonymous, thank you to this kind fellow.
Additional Thanks Everyone applauded Doreen and Jenny Dominick for their generous support and endurance on Beach Clean-Up day and wishes they used the beach more often to enjoy the fruits of their labor!
A Plea for Audio Consideration One member asked that a request be made to all Association members, out of neighborly consideration, for a refrain from lawn mowing and weed-whacking on Sunday mornings.
A Plea for Visual Consideration Another member respectfully asked that neighbors trim hedges and trees and fold down umbrellas when not in use so as not to block the spectacular view of our wonderful location that their neighbors might also share and enjoy.
A Plea for Regulatory Consideration A member called for everyone to please adhere to the rules and regulations that govern the use of the beach, the beach lot, and neighborhood streets. (These are available on the website or from any Board Member; a copy is attached.) A reminder was made that we can help each other comply by pleasantly calling attention to oversights and courteously responding thereto. Specific requests were made to ensure that adults always accompany children on the beach and that everyone picks up after their dogs on the beach, streets and lawns.
Grace Cross Memorial As they were unable to attend the meeting, the Cika and Cross families sent President Mary Blank a letter, which was read at the meeting and is attached. In it, they proposed donating a bench and flowerpots in memory of their mother, Grace Cross. A brief discussion ensued in which Charlie Houlihan remembered Grace and her husband, along with many early members, walking along the Sea Wall where the proposed bench would be situated. Lynne Bundesen added her own personal remembrances of a similar donation, commenting on the value of such a gesture. The proposal will be addressed in full at the next Board meeting and presented to the membership for approval.
Landscaping Issue Jim O'Brien reminded us of the need to trim the bushes at either side of the beach lot; he stated that this is a job that requires a professional. The Board agreed to explore this issue at its next meeting.
Other Member News Mary reported that Ed Birdsey was in a car accident and although he was not seriously injured, he is temporarily unable to drive. She also reported that Sal Brunetto recently suffered a heart attack. Our profound concerns go out to both of these fine men and their families.
BY-LAWS CHANGE AND BOARD OF MANAGEMENT ELECTION
Mike Eisele presented a proposal to clarity section 3.4(b) of the By-Laws. In order to make the election process more clear the following was suggested, voted upon and approved:
Formerly: In order to permit staggered elections, the President, Secretary, and three other Board Members elected at the July, 1998 Annual Meeting shall serve for one year. The Treasurer and three other Board Members elected at the July, 1998 Annual Meeting shall be elected to two-year terms.
Approved: In order to permit staggered elections, the President, Secretary, and three Board Members shall be elected on odd numbered years. The Treasurer and three other Board Members shall be elected on even numbered years.
The revised By-Laws, including this clarification, are attached.
The Board then presented its slate for nomination and asked for additional nominations from the floor. There being none, the members were provided with ballots and they voted in the new Board Members. The votes were tallied following the meeting, and the following were elected, virtually unanimously: Mary Blank as President to serve a two-year term; Sandy Podesta as Secretary to serve another two-year term; Paul Teich, Bob Cika and Deb Paduda as Members to serve two-year terms.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandy Podesta, Secretary