CHCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
Christ Ascension Lutheran Church
Thursday, July 12, 2007

MINUTES

Executive Committee Members Present:

Lou Aiello (At-Large), Jane Becker (At-Large), Ed Berg (At-Large), Moss Disston (Treasurer), Tom Fleming (At-Large), Jeremy Heep (VP Physical Division), Dina Hitchcock (VP Operations), and Jane Piotrowski (VP Social Division)

Executive Committee Members Excused: Nancy Hutter (Secretary), Anne McNally (At-Large),
Ron Recko (Immediate Past President), and Tolis Vardakis (President)

Board Members Present: Howard Lesnick, John Levitties, and Meredith Sonderskov

Others Present: Ed Feldman, Martha Haley, Kristin Pazulski (CH Local Staff Writer), Martha Sharkey
(Community Manager), and Noreen Spota (Administrative Coordinator)

Dina Hitchcock called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Noreen Spota conducted the roll call.

Approval of Minutes. The Executive Committee meeting minutes from June 14, 2007 were approved with a revision submitted by Moss Disston.

Report from Treasurer. Income statements and balance sheets as of June 30, 2007 for the CHCA, Fund, and Local were distributed and reviewed. Moss Disston noted various year-to-date trends comparing the budgets to actual figures, with a reminder that the Fund’s finances are the province of the Fund Trustees rather than the CHCA Board. Tom Fleming expressed appreciation for the excellent job bookkeeper Sue Kowert has done preparing the financial statements, a feeling shared by the other Executive Committee members.

Report from Vice President of Social Division. Jane Piotrowski reported on plans for the Police, Firefighters, and Postal Workers Picnic to be held on Wednesday, July 25 in Pastorius Park. She noted that volunteers are still needed for the concert series, especially for setting up before each concert. The top sponsor for the Black and White Gala is still being sought and auction items are being collected. A total of about $13,500 has been raised in sponsorships so far; the goal is to raise $20,000. Solicitations are being made via advertisement in the Local, letters, phone calls, meetings, and the website.

Report from Vice President of Physical Division. Jeremy Heep reported that architects for the new science building at Chestnut Hill Academy presented their project to the Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee on July 5. Various concerns about the parking lot and landscaping were expressed at that meeting. Meredith Sonderskov, who attended the LUPZ Committee meeting representing the Aesthetics Committee along with Patricia Cove, noted that there has been a possible error in communication regarding these concerns. The architects have been asked to return to the LUPZ Committee next month. The issue of adding another member of the LUPZ Committee to the Chestnut Hill Health System New Master Plan Advisory Committee will be considered at the next CHCA Board meeting.

Report from Vice President of Operations. Dina Hitchcock reported that this year’s Fund Drive kick-off will take place on Friday, October 26, 2007 and mentioned that the Honorary Co-Chairs are Dr. and Mrs. Ramsey Thorp. Regarding this year’s Holiday House Tour, Dina stated that the featured houses have not yet been selected and that planning is behind schedule because we do not yet have a Co-Chair. She is working on obtaining donations from Chestnut Hill restaurants for the Black and White Gala.

Report from Community Manager. Martha Sharkey distributed copies of her report, which covered the following topics: 1) community relations (Jenks School, Crefeld School, and PNC Bank); 2) Welcome Wagon (“Welcome Home to Chestnut Hill”); 3) Black and White Gala; 4) “First Friday”; 5) Community Association page in the Local; 6) ongoing updating of the CHCA website; and 7) office communications.

Old Business. Ed Feldman inquired about the status of the neon lights at Commerce Bank. He pointed out that the second floor lights serve no security purpose and are a nuisance to the surrounding neighbors late at night. Martha Sharkey responded that she met with the new Branch Manager, Joy Toritto, who said that she intends to work on this issue.

New Business.

Announcement Space in the Chestnut Hill Local. After prior discussion with Pete Mazzaccaro and Martha Sharkey, Jane Piotrowski offered a motion recommending that the Board approve having complimentary space available in the Local to announce events sponsored by the CHCA, with the understanding that the location of these announcements, notices, and invitations shall be decided by the Local. Jane’s motion included the stiplulation that “the CHCA may not necessarily have the ‘first pick’ of advertising space so as not to lose money from a paying advertiser. However, the production staff will place our announcements, notices, and invitations in a suitable location (i.e. within the first section) of the paper for the community to view.” This motion was seconded by Tom Fleming and passed unanimously. Ed Feldman pointed out that this arrangement was agreed to by Pete a year ago.

Security Cameras on Germantown Avenue. Martha Haley stated that she heard that security cameras have been installed on Germantown Avenue and expressed her concern about privacy issues. John Levitties confirmed the existence of the cameras, which have been endorsed by the Chestnut Hill Business Association. Ed Feldman directed questions to John including what is it they are looking for, do the cameras pan, who is monitoring them, and who installed them. John replied that he does not know exactly who installed the cameras, but that it was not the City of Philadelphia. Tom Fleming stated that he supports civil liberties but understands present-day security concerns, suggesting that CHCA should do circumspect fact-finding about the security cameras. After further questioning from Ed, John recommended that anyone interested in obtaining additional information should contact Bob Previdi, Executive Director of the Business Association. At this point, Ed directed inappropriate, vulgar comments to John and to the Executive Committee. Dina then asked Ed to leave the meeting, and he did. At 8:25 PM, Dina called for an Executive Session so that this sensitive matter could be discussed.  All those who are not Executive Committee members were asked to leave the meeting. Meredith Sonderskov expressed her opinion that Board members should be permitted to stay, but Dina maintained that this was not required in the bylaws.

Respectfully submitted,

Noreen Spota
CHCA Administrative Coordinator

These minutes were approved by the Executive Committee on 8/9/07.