Dixon House at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Thursday, July 27, 2006

MINUTES

Board Members Present:

Elaine Aiello, Lou Aiello, Jane Becker, Richard Becker, Ed Budnick, Tia Burke, Carol Cope, Joanne Dhody, Maxine Dornemann, Janine Dwyer, Ed Feldman, James Foster, James Gleason, Stewart Graham, Jeremy Heep, Thomas Hemphill, Dina Hitchcock, Nancy Hutter, Bright Judson, Marie Lachat, Howard Lesnick, John Levitties, Sarah Maneely, Janice Manzi, Ned Mitinger, Stanley Moat, Joseph Pizzano, Susan Pizzano, Ron Recko, Meredith Sonderskov, Ann Spaeth

Board Members Excused: Maryanna Ross Cowper, Thomas Fleming, Kathleen Jones, Virginia Mallery,
Anne McNally, John O’Connell, Christopher Padova, Jane Piotrowski, Frank Steele, Walter Sullivan, and Sister Carol Jean Vale

Board Members Absent: Robert Bacino, Jamie Baker, Amelia Carter, Marianne Dwyer, Elspeth Lodge,
Gina Sannicandro, Jonathan Sternberg, and Lawrence Walsh

Others Present: Martha Haley, John Krause (Kitchen & Associates Architects), Richard Maloumian
(Aesthetics Committee Chair), Pete Mazzaccaro (CH Local Editor), Noreen Spota (CHCA Administrative Coordinator), Bill Stroud, and Jonathan Walsh

President Ron Recko called the meeting to order at 7:55 PM. Secretary Ann Spaeth conducted the roll call.

Approval of Meeting Minutes. Ann Spaeth noted several corrections to the minutes from the Board meeting held on May 25, 2006. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to approve these minutes with the stated amendments.

Ruling on Composition of Board. Ron Recko stated that because proper procedures were not followed at the Board meeting held in January 2006, Lawrence Walsh was not officially removed from the Board. As a compromise, Ron offered to secure Lawrence’s resignation prior to the September 2006 meeting, thereby enabling Jim Foster to serve a 2-year term and Kristina Sullivan to serve a 1-year term on the Board. Discussion ensued about whether the current meeting had been convened in compliance with the bylaws, since a last-minute change in location was necessary (a sign directing latecomers to the new location was posted). A motion was made to adjourn but this motion was subsequently withdrawn after several Board members stated that they were there to serve the community and important business needed to be addressed. Jeremy Heep then offered a motion to appeal Ron’s decision to secure the resignation of Lawrence Walsh. This motion was seconded, and a motion to conduct a roll call vote passed. The results of the roll call vote to appeal Ron’s decision were 12 in favor, 14 against, and 2 abstentions. Voting in favor of the appeal were Jane Becker, Richard Becker, Tia Burke, Carol Cope, Stewart Graham, Jeremy Heep, Thomas Hemphill, Dina Hitchcock, Bright Judson, Janice Manzi, Ned Mitinger, and Stanley Moat. Voting against the appeal were Elaine Aiello, Lou Aiello, Ed Budnick, Joanne Dhody, Janine Dwyer, Ed Feldman, James Foster, James Gleason, Nancy Hutter, Howard Lesnick, Joseph Pizzano, Susan Pizzano, Meredith Sonderskov, and Ann Spaeth. Abstaining were Marie Lachat and Sarah Maneely.

Chestnut Hill Village Signage. Susan Pizzano, Vice President of the Physical Division, introduced John Krause from Kitchen & Associates Architects, who had met previously with the DRC, LUPZ, and Aesthetics committees. After Mr. Krause’s presentation to the full Board, a motion was offered to accept his proposal for signage to be displayed at Chestnut Hill Village. This motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Appointments to Publisher’s Committee. Ron announced that he is appointing Bill Stroud, Lea Stanley, and Ed Feldman to serve for two years on the reconstituted Publisher’s Committee; current members Douglas Doman and Tom Ivory will serve for one more year. Ed Budnick offered a motion to approve these appointments. This motion was seconded and passed, with a majority voting in favor, 5 against, and no abstentions.

Guidelines of Oversight Committee. A one-page draft of the Oversight Committee guidelines was circulated along with a report prepared by Martha Haley regarding the DCED grant. With members Ed Budnick (chair), Ed Feldman, Jim Foster, Martha Haley, Nancy Hutter, Meredith Sonderskov, and one person to be named later, the goals of this ad hoc committee will include the establishment of guidelines and procedures to avoid conflict of interest and increase transparency. Ann Spaeth proposed two revisions to the committee’s guidelines: 1) that the committee report to the full Board, not the President or Executive Committee; and 2) that the committee meet bi-monthly, not monthly. Written suggestions regarding the Oversight Committee were circulated by Carol Cope, including mandating competitive bidding, Board approval of grant applications before they are submitted, and the idea that non-Board members also be allowed to serve on the committee. After spirited discussion regarding the purpose, procedures, and membership of the committee, Susan Pizzano offered a motion to approve the proposed committee members, Ann’s proposed revisions to the committee guidelines, and Nancy Hutter’s proposed sunset clause. This motion was seconded and passed with 16 voting in favor, 12 against, and no abstentions.

Willow Grove Avenue Bridge. Susan Pizzano suggested that a letter from the CHCA be sent to the Streets Department, urging that they complete the bridge repairs quickly. Ned Mitinger offered a motion that the Board go on record supporting a two-way street on the Willow Grove Avenue bridge, including sidewalks. This motion was seconded and passed.

Report from Treasurer. Ned Mitinger distributed income statements for the Association, Fund, and Local as of 6/30/06. He briefly summarized the serious financial challenges currently being addressed, and after some discussion of the situation and possible courses of action, Susan Pizzano offered a motion to sell the building at 8431 Germantown Avenue. Since this property is owned by the Fund, it was suggested that the decision to sell be made after gathering more information about the financial advantages and disadvantages, and consulting with the Fund Trustees. Ed Budnick offered a motion to table this issue until the next full Board meeting (September). This motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Another motion was offered to approve Dan Barr, assistant CEO at Chestnut Hill Hospital, as a member of the Budget and Finance Committee. This motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Report from Vice President, Physical Division. Susan Pizzano reported that the Aesthetics Committee is seeking additional members.

Report from Vice President, Social Division. A written report from Jane Piotrowski was circulated, providing an update on this year’s Holiday House Tour plans. The Board also discussed financial support for this year’s Pastorius Park concert series.

Report from Vice President of Operations. Lou Aiello provided updates on the following issues: 1) the $2,600 L&I citation from last year; 2) the Community Fund Drive, which will be chaired this year by Tom Fleming with the assistance of Chris Kemezis and Brien Tilley; 3) current financial constraints; and 4) the meeting of the Building Management Committee to be held on August 2, 2006. Lou stated that he would send a complete report to the Board via e-mail.

Commerce Bank Construction Project. Jim Foster provided an update regarding the current situation. A letter supporting the CHCA has been obtained from the Chestnut Historical Society, Business Association, Business Improvement District, and Parking Foundation which will be presented at the Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing on August 8, 2006. Ron Recko suggested that a notice be placed in the Local to publicize the hearing and encourage members of the community to attend.

Having run out of time, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Ward Spaeth
CHCA Secretary

Prepared by Noreen Spota, CHCA Administrative Coordinator, and approved by the Board of Directors on 10/26/06.