CHCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
Parish Hall, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Thursday, October 9, 2008

MINUTES

Executive Committee Members Present: Dina Hitchcock (VP Operations), Mark Keintz (Treasurer),
Ned Mitinger (VP Physical Division), Patrick Moran (At-Large), Marilyn Paucker (At-Large), Jane Piotrowski (VP Social Division), Ron Recko (Immediate Past President), Rob Remus (At-Large), Robert Rossman (At-Large), Kristina Sullivan (Secretary), and Tolis Vardakis (President)

Executive Committee Member Excused: Anne McNally (At-Large)

Board Members Present: Robert Bacino and Jonathan Sternberg

Others Present: Philip LeCalsey (Community Manager), Pete Mazzaccaro (CH Local Editor), Ann Ward
Spaeth, Noreen Spota (Administrative Coordinator), and Walter Sullivan

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

Approval of Minutes. There was a motion to approve the Executive Committee meeting minutes from September 11, 2008 as submitted; this motion was seconded and passed with two abstentions (Marilyn Paucker and Tolis Vardakis).

Report from Treasurer. Mark Keintz reported that the month-by-month budget for the Local for the current fiscal year is being prepared. The Local’s income statement for the month ending August 31, 2008 will be sent to Board members in the next few days and it will include the monthly budget figures. Bookkeeper Sue Kowert is working on the August balance sheet for the Local and is catching up with the Fund’s financial statements since the Fund Trustees will present an investment report at the October Board meeting. According to Mark, it is hoped that the September financial statements will be ready in about a month. He mentioned that monthly interest payments are being made toward the Local’s line of credit at National Penn Bank, but the principal balance is not being paid down and we are probably not in danger of it “being called.”

Report from Vice President, Social Division. Jane Piotrowski reviewed plans for the upcoming Fall for the Arts Festival (membership recruitment) and the Blood Drive/Health Fair to be held in the spring at Springfield Residence. Tolis reported that CHCA will sponsor a series of health lectures:

• Type II Diabetes on Tuesday, October 28 at Chestnut Hill Hospital
• Child Obesity and Diabetes on Wednesday, November 12 at Chestnut Hill Library
• Dr. George Spaeth will give a lecture in December on glaucoma
• two additional lectures in January and February; topics to be determined

Report from Vice President, Physical Division. Ned Mitinger described two requests for zoning variances that are being reviewed by the Development Review Committee and the Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee and will be considered at the October Board meeting: 424 West Springfield Avenue (2-floor garage) and 543 West Moreland Avenue (bedroom). Ned also mentioned that there is a plan to apply for a grant allocation from the upcoming Fund Drive to remove old street trees and plant new ones. This led to a discussion about the street trees and the possibility of community members “adopting a tree,” since the City cannot afford to take care of all of the street trees. Patrick Moran then provided an update on the activities of the Traffic, Transportation, and Parking Committee regarding crosswalks and street dividing lines that need to be re-painted, sun-bleached street signs, and the abuse of “no-stopping zones.” Ann Spaeth mentioned her concern about the pedestrian crossing signal at the intersection of Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike (in front of Borders Book Store).

Report from Vice President of Operations. Dina Hitchcock stated that the Fund Drive kickoff will be held on Friday, November 7 at Woodmere Art Museum. Tolis Vardakis and Fund Trustee Susan Bray will co-chair the Fund Drive; Tom and Phyllys Fleming will serve as honorary co-chairs.

Report from Community Manager. Philip LeCalsey distributed and reviewed his report, which provided updates on the following topics: 1) Community Forum on Crime Prevention with the 14th District Police held on October 1; 2) Holiday House Tour to be held on Saturday, December 6; 3) Fall for the Arts Festival; and 4) the Fund Drive kickoff/thank you party. Ron Recko noted the problem of apathy in the community regarding crime and public safety issues, stating that people should come to the meetings to express their concerns and mobilize. Holiday House Tour “Save the Date” fliers were distributed and the possibility of utilizing PhillyCarShare during the Tour was mentioned. There was also a brief discussion, prompted by an inquiry from DRC co-chair Greg Woodring, about the status/existence of the Chestnut Hill Preservation and Development Fund (which was separate from the Realty Trust).

Old Business.

Ad Hoc Committee to Address Cash Flow Issues at the Local. Rob Remus, chair of this committee, distributed and reviewed his report, a compilation of research conducted so far by the committee comparing various newspapers to the Local on the following topics:

State Attorney General Investigation. Tolis stated that he has not received a response from the State AG regarding the documents submitted by the Association back in August.

New Business: None.
Announcements: None.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM.

Minutes prepared by Noreen Spota, CHCA Administrative Coordinator, on 10/13/08.

Respectfully submitted on 10/23/08 by:

Kristina Sullivan
CHCA Secretary

Approved by the Executive Committee without amendment on 11/13/08.