2006
Board of Directors in attendance: Ray Dalto, Tom Falcone, Claudia
Quehl, Art Stadlin, Mike
Theoret, Pat Whitesel. (Jeanine Balsis was traveling.)
Property Management: Stephanie Chapman and Diane from Sentry
Many other interested residents of Hawthorn Park. A fantastic turn out!! Thank You!
2006 Board of Directors Annual
Report
2006 may go down in Hawthorn Park’s history as the Association’s most
challenging year, and the challenges will continue in 2007. The
Board addressed a mediation session, non-compliance issues with the
South West Florida Water Management District, deteriorating
infrastructure issues, and maintenance repairs to an over-ten-year-old
community. All of this in a year when Harmony Management
merged with Sentry Management, and two property managers quit.
Mindful of its fiduciary responsibility to 92 Association members, the
2006 Board of Directors has diligently addressed these and routine
issues in a manner that strived for fairness and consistency. The
Board relied on teamwork, compromise and the sharing of ideas and best
practices.
The Board could not have achieved its goal of keeping Hawthorn Park the
active, thriving community that it is without the ongoing support and
contributions of time, talent and tools of the many volunteer
residents. The Board thanks all those who contributed in ways
large and small to keeping HP a great place to call home. The
Board is also grateful to their spouses and families for their
understanding and support.
It is with appreciation and gratitude that the Board acknowledges the
three-year service of Jeanine Balsis and two-year service of Michael
Theoret as Directors.
Below are some of the highlights of 2006 and the names of individuals
who contributed to the event (with sincere apologies to anyone who
should have been mentioned, but is not).
The Year in Review
BOD Action Items
Record keeper Art Stadlin; 16 completed; 4 carryover (all less than 60
days old).
ARC Work
20 approvals; 1 denial.
Spring Cleanup of Entry
Organized by Common Grounds Chair Claudia Quehl; assisted by Friends of
Hawthorn Park Diane and Jeanine Balsis, Nan and Lee Fioretto, Keith
Gabel, Peg and Joe Mazza, Mark Quehl, Marilyn Sirotzki. Special
thanks to Keith Gabel for contributing and replacing plants and for
weeding throughout the year. Special thanks, too, to Mark Quehl
for repairing the damage done to the sod by a car, and to Peg Mazza for
cleaning the sign when it had been “egged.”
Mediation of homeowner complaint
Attended formal session: Jeanine Balsis, Claudia Quehl,
Mike Theoret, Pat Whitesel. Considerable time and effort expended
by entire Board.
Replacement/Repairs to Entry Lighting
Len Lesjak – many times this year due to faulty fixtures.
Researching Native Tree Issue
Tom Falcone did considerable tree research and was responsible for the
identification of an unhealthy tree at the Lift Station. The
County subsequently removed the tree at no cost to the Community.
Tom also secured a letter of exemption so that HP does not have to
replace the tree. Assisted by Art Stadlin.
Grate Replacement
Tom Falcone found the low-bid vendor, arranged for cost-effective
delivery and removal of old grates and painted the new ones.
Assisted by Len Lesjak.
Two garage sales
Ads arranged by George Sinclair and Donna Falcone; flyers prepared by
John Whidden and Art Stadlin.
93rd Street ditch cleaned by Storm
Water Department
Requested by Jeanine Balsis. The work was done at no charge to
the Community.
Removal of fallen trees in North Lake
Mike Theoret secured multiple bids and arranged for the work.
Completion of 2005 Beautification
Grant work
Common Grounds Chair Claudia Quehl; Front Entry Committee Nan Fioretto,
Peg Mazza, George Sinclair.
Two 2006 Manatee County Neighborhood
Enhancement Grants submitted
Prepared by Diane and Jeanine Balsis; photography by Art Stadlin; bids
secured by George Morse and Frank Miles; County contacts Tom Falcone
and Frank Miles. County subsequently approved one grant for
removal of non-native trees.
Annual Picnic
Chairman Donna Falcone; Committee: Diane and Jeanine Balsis, Ruth and
Fred Baumgratz, Val and Jim DeMaio, Tom Falcone, Nan and Lee Fioretto,
Kathy and Len Lesjak, Ann and Vinny Manzella, George Sinclair, Art
Stadlin, John Whidden, the great cooks of HP. Raffle prizes and
beer provided by Fred Baumgratz, Mike Hogan, Cindy and Mike Osmond, Art
Stadlin.
Activities Fund Donation
Thanks, anonymous donors. Your generosity is appreciated.
Flag Displays
Memorial Day and 4th of July – Len Lesjak, George Sinclair, Mike
Theoret
Ladies Tea
Hosted by Pat Whitesel; JoAnn Dalto, Michelle Hogan, Agnes Kullman,
Kathy Lesjak, Ann Manzella, Peg Mazza, Sara Ryskamp, John Whidden for
invitation design, good bakers of HP.
South West Florida Water Management
District (Swift Mud) North Swale Project
Ray Dalto, Pat Whitesel liaison coordinators with Zoller Engineering
and SWFWMD; considerable work and involvement by entire Board.
Legal reviews
Jody Gabel provided legal advice and counsel on many issues facing the
BOD.
Irrigation system repairs and
conversion to reclaimed water
Outstanding contribution to both efforts by Mike Theoret; assisted by
Jeanine Balsis, Len Lesjak; and Art Stadlin for communication with Pat
Neal of Neal Communities.
Repairs to 9th Avenue sidewalk
Tom Falcone secured excellent price and supervised work. Mike
Theoret identified contractor.
Holiday Party
Chairman, Kathy Lesjak; Committee: Ruth Baumgratz, Beate Kutschera, Peg
Mazza, Claudia Quehl, Marilyn Sirotzki; set up, clean up and
bartending: Fred Baumgratz, JoAnn Dalto, Ed Gristing, Nancy and
Lee Fioretto, Joe Mazza, Frank Miles, Mark Quehl, Len Sirotzki, Nan and
Joe Sloss; 50/50 Tom Falcone.
Festival of Lights and Hay Ride
Hosted by Nancy Maloney; Donna and Tom Falcone, Maria and Frank Maruca,
holiday cookie bakers of HP.
Entry Holiday Decorations and new
tree lights
Claudia and Mark Quehl; assisted by Ray Dalto and Vinny Manzella.
Luminary display
Donated bags and candles: Victoria and Michael Zeppi; set up Fred
Baumgratz, Donna and Tom Falcone, Kathy and Len Lesjak, Vinny
Manzella, Claudia and Mark Quehl, George Sinclair, Judy Theoret, Mike
Zeppi, Hawthorn Park Juniors Megan Falcone, Gabby Grubbs,
Victoria Stadlin, Reyna Zeppi; clean up Megan Falcone and Tom Falcone.
Rewards program at Staples
$43 copying rebates
Acknowledgement of 2006 BOD
Committee Members
Committees:
ARC
Tom Falcone, Chairman; BOD
Common Grounds
Claudia Quehl, Chairman; assisted by Tom Falcone, Nan Fioretto, Frank
Miles, Marilyn Sirotzki
Communication
HP Website: Art Stadlin, Webmaster -- 48 News Flashes produced
Hawthorn Herald: Kathy Lesjak, Editor -- 3 editions published
-- Ad sales: Jeanine Balsis, Kathy and Len Lesjak, George
Sinclair, Pat Whitesel
-- Residents who bought ads: Fred Baumgratz, Mike Hogan, Pat Whitesel
-- Free printing by Bradenton Herald, delivery bags: Joan
Krauter, Bob Turner
-- Distribution team: Judy and Michael Theoret
-- Photographers: Nan Fioretto, Kathy Lesjak, Art Stadlin
Liaison with Palma Sola Botanical Park: Peg Mazza
Flyers, signs: Len Lesjak, John Whidden
The Board thanks George Morse for willingly sharing his professional
insight.
Welcome Committee
Nan Fioretto, Kim Stadlin – 4 houses sold in 2006.
Directory Manager
Jeannie Ladd
Meetings Registrar
Beate Kutschera
Fines Committee
Carol Heckman, Lee Fioretto, Murray Renick.
Maintenance
Len Lesjak, Chairman Emeritus; assisted by Fred Baumgratz, Art Stadlin
Signs
BOD monthly meetings: Michael Theoret; special events: Len Lesjak
The 2006 Board of Directors thanks you for your support and for putting
your trust and confidence in us.
Jeanine Balsis, President; Art
Stadlin, Vice President,; Michael Theoret, Treasurer; Pat Whitesel,
Secretary; Claudia Quehl, Assistant Secretary; Ray Dalto, Assistant
Treasurer; Tom Falcone, Activities Director/ARC Chair
Elections Results -- 6
candidates ran for 4 Director positions.
Election results:
NAME
|
VOTES
|
TERM
|
Frank
Miles
|
29
|
2-year
|
Lee
Fioretto
|
27
|
2-year
|
Ray
Dalto
|
26
|
2-year
|
Frank
Maruca
|
25
|
2-year
|
Mike
Hogan
|
18
|
not
elected |
Tom
Falcone
|
13
|
not
elected |
The
2006 Board of Directors read the following statement on the Phase II
swale issue:
"Next on the agenda is a brief
discussion of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, or
'swift-mud', requirement that the swale behind lots 49 through 55 in
Phase II be rebuilt. The purpose of this statement is to
level-set everyone on how we got here, where we are now, and next
steps. Please hold questions and discussion until I complete this
short statement.
How we got here: A Hawthorn Park homeowner on the north side of Phase
II was concerned about the standing water in the ditch behind his
home. He believed that there should be no standing water, so he
contacted SWFWMD and filed a complaint. Upon inspection of the
situation, SWFWMD determined that the ditch was fine as is, but the
swale was missing.
A swale and a ditch are two different things. The developer, Pat
Neal, was required to build a swale to prevent runoff from entering the
ditch and subsequently into the waterways of the State of
Florida. The swale appears on County-approved drawings.
According to the original, approved drawings, the swale is mostly on
homeowner lots in an easement. Now, approximately ten years
later, there is little evidence of the swale.
SWFWMD has demanded that the swale be rebuilt, and they may take the
Association to court if we do not comply. In response, the Board
entered into a relationship with Zoller Engineering, a respected local
firm who has experience working with SWFWMD. On our behalf,
Zoller Engineering has been negotiating with SWFWMD to minimize the
potential disturbance to the back yards of the affected homes, and to
minimize the total project cost. In a recent meeting with Zoller,
it has become clear that the swale must be re-built, with some
modifications to the original plans from ten years ago.
Where are we now: The Board of Directors has a fiduciary responsibility
to the Association, and must keep the Association's interests in
focus. The cost of this project will be substantial. Exact
figures will only be available once we have final build plans from
Zoller Engineering and bids from contractors. The Board has
retained the Porges legal firm to advise the Association.
Next steps: The affected lot owners will soon receive a notice from the
Porges law firm with a description of the work needing to be
done. The newly elected 2007 Board will finalize the construction
plans through Zoller Engineering, seek contractor bids, oversee the
work, and ensure sign-off approval by SWFWMD.
This concludes the statement. To keep this orderly, please wait
to be recognized before speaking. Please state your name and your
question or comment. Thank you."
Following
the Annual Meeting, a short
organizational meeting was held where positions were decided by vote:
President - Pat Whitesel
Vice-President - Claudia Quehl
Secretary - Art Stadlin
Treasurer - Frank Miles
Assist. Secretary - Ray Dalto
Assist. Treasurer - Frank Maruca
Activities / ARC - Lee Fioretto
Pat Whitesel agreed to set up a workshop meeting to bring the new Board
members up to speed on the issues facing the 2007 Board.
