Chestnut Hill Library
Thursday, October 26, 2006

MINUTES

Board Members Present:

Elaine Aiello, Louis Aiello, Robert Bacino, Jane Becker, Richard Becker, Tia Burke, Maryanna
Ross Cowper, Joanne Dhody, Janine Dwyer, Marianne Dwyer, Matthew Engebrethson, Ed Feldman, Thomas Fleming, James Foster, Stewart Graham, Jeremy Heep, Dina Hitchcock,
Nancy Hutter, Kathleen Jones, Bright Judson, Marie Lachat, Howard Lesnick, Virginia Mallery, Anne McNally, Ned Mitinger, Stanley Moat, John O’Connell, Christopher Padova, Jane
Piotrowski, Joseph Pizzano, Susan Pizzano, Ron Recko, George Roitzsch, Gina Sannicandro, Meredith Sonderskov, Ann Spaeth, Frank Steel, Kristina Sullivan, Walter Sullivan, and Lisa Sullivan-Mancuso

Board Members Excused: Maxine Dornemann, James Gleason, Thomas Hemphill, Jonathan Sternberg,
and Sister Carol Jean Vale

Board Members Absent: Carol Cope, John Levitties, Sarah Maneely, Janice Manzi, and Kip Powell

Others Present: Jim Albrecht (New Yorker magazine fact checker), Ed Budnick (Interim Community
Manager), Mark Keintz, Richard Maloumian (Aesthetics Committee Chair), Pete Mazzaccaro (CH Local Editor), Bob Previdi (CH Business Association Executive Director), Noreen Spota (CHCA Administrative Coordinator), and Bill Stroud (Publisher’s Committee Chair)

President Ron Recko called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Secretary Ann Spaeth conducted the roll call.

Approval of Minutes. The minutes from the Board meetings held on June 22, 2006 and July 27, 2006 were approved as submitted. The minutes from the Board meeting held on September 28, 2006 were approved with revisions submitted by Nancy Hutter and Christopher Padova. Richard Becker noted that from now on the Secretary, not the Administrative Coordinator, should be the person to submit the minutes for Board approval.

Bowman Property Signs. Ron Recko read from a written statement and reported that his meeting on October 20 with Richard Snowden was constructive. At that meeting, it was agreed that an independent, grassroots committee of five mutually acceptable people will be formed; in exchange, Bowman Properties offered to reduce the number of signs to one per property. This committee will be charged with fact-finding and working to resolve the conflict between the CHCA/Local and Snowden. Pete Mazzaccaro urged that someone with a newspaper/journalism background be on this committee.

Ed Feldman offered a motion that, only if acceptable to Pete Mazzaccaro, the Local should publish a statement to the effect that "if we caused distress due to the unfortunate juxtaposition of the news article about Bowman properties and Richard Snowden's grandmother's obituary, we are sorry." This motion was seconded by many people.

Kathy Jones offered an amendment to this motion that the conflict resolution committee should include people with journalistic expertise and should consider using Ed Feldman's statement (previous paragraph). A second amendment was offered that this committee should report back to the CHCA Board. Christopher Padova offered a motion to call the question; this motion was approved unanimously. Kathy Jones' motion with amendments passed unanimously. Ron stated that he will select the CHCA representatives to this committee, and he asked for volunteers.

Community Fund Drive. Ron Recko emphasized how important it is for every Board member to contribute to the Fund Drive by November 30. Tom Fleming, Chair of the Fund Drive Committee, stated that this year’s goal is to raise $100,000 and that the brochure which will be sent to the community is being worked on. Jane Piotrowski and Jeremy Heep volunteered to serve on the committee; the other members include Chris Kemezis, Janice Manzi, Cecile Mihalich, Ron Recko, Ann Spaeth, and Brien Tilley.

Composition of Bylaws Committee. At the Executive Committee meeting on October 12, Janine Dwyer volunteered to work with Ann Spaeth and Dina Hitchcock on establishing who is currently a member of the Bylaws Committee. Janine described the background of this issue and explained how it would be resolved. (An e-mail was also sent to the Board on the previous day, October 25, regarding this.) A ballot was distributed to Board members listing seven candidates for the four unfilled slots on the committee. Completed ballots were given to Jane Piotrowski and Susan Pizzano for tallying. The results of the ballot were as follows: Christopher Padova and Howard Lesnick were elected to fill the 2004-2009 term, and Kathy Jones and Janine Dwyer were elected to fill the 2006-2011 term. The other six committee members are Walter Sullivan and Tolis Vardakis (2002-2007 term), Dina Hitchcock and Mark Nottingham (2003-2008 term), and Tom Kessler and Ann Spaeth (2005-2010 term).

Sale of 8431 Germantown Avenue. Ron Recko read the letter dated October 25, 2006 from Tom Butler, Fund Trustee Chair, regarding community use of 8431 Germantown Avenue. Tom was asking for the sense of the Board whether the building “fits into any community use.” Jane Becker noted that the building was originally considered for use by the Senior Center and Teenagers, Inc., but the necessary renovations could not be afforded. Several Board members said that using the building to serve the community was a worthwhile idea, but could not be arranged in practice.

Treasurer Ned Mitinger suggested that we advertise the building for sale in order to create an open market and generate more than one offer. He also suggested that we have a responsibility to the community to put conditions/covenants in the deed regarding the outer appearance of the building. Ann Spaeth, citing the example of Chestnut Hill Hospital, said that the building should not necessarily be sold to the highest bidder if that person does not agree to covenants. There was concern that some purchaser might extend the front of the building to the sidewalk, as the C-2 zoning would permit that. (The protection of the current façade and green space in front is essential to preserving Chestnut Hill’s character, which the Board has been elected to protect.)

Interim Community Manager Ed Budnick distributed to the Board his financial analysis of the building, including service on the debt, realtor market analyses, and Stan Moat’s report from May 2006. Expense estimates range from $24,000 to $34,000 before debt payments; in 2005-06 there was no net income before debt service. Debt on the building has a combined payment of $3235 per month and long-term debt payments amount to $4247 per month. If the debt (on this building only) is paid off and the proceeds from the sale of the building are invested in a CD at 5.25%, the net influence on cash flow would be $43,000 per year.

Vice President of Operations Lou Aiello distributed to the Board his report on the total debt structure of the CHCA, Fund, and Local that indicated total debt of approximately $558,000.

A letter of intent to purchase the building and an offer of $700,000 have been received from Board member Lisa Sullivan-Mancuso and her husband. (Lisa said that she feels 8431 “is the most beautiful building on the Avenue.”)

Board member Tom Fleming offered the following motion: 1) the sense of the Board is that there are no plans to utilize the building for community activities; 2) we will inform the Fund Trustees that we want to sell the building; and 3) the building will be sold with conditions/covenants. This motion passed unanimously, with none opposed and one abstention (Lisa Sullivan-Mancuso).

Report from Vice President of Social Division. Jane Piotrowski provided an update regarding AbZOOlutely events which will culminate with the “Animal Auction and Wild Party” on Saturday, November 18. Janine Dwyer reported on plans for the Holiday House Tour, which will be held on Saturday, December 9. Maryanne Dwyer spoke about the activities of Teenagers, Inc. and encouraged Board members to donate. She announced upcoming Teens, Inc. events: the “Ghost Walk” on Saturday, October 28 and “A Taste of Chestnut Hill” on Sunday, November 19. Matthew Engebrethson, student representative from the Crefeld School, announced its auction to be held on Saturday, November 4. Meredith Sonderskov, President of the Chestnut Hill Senior Services Center, announced its bazaar to be held on Saturday, October 28.

Report from Treasurer. Ned Mitinger distributed income statements and balance sheets for the Association, Fund, and Local as of September 30, 2006. Board members also received a guide to understanding the CHCA, Fund, and Local monthly financial statements. Ned reported that 1) a “superbly qualified” bookkeeper, Sue Kowert, has been hired; 2) the Budget and Finance Committee met on October 19 to review and discuss the budget for the Local; and 3) the Publisher’s Committee will meet on November 8 to review salaries for the Local’s staff. Ned will send an e-mail to the Board with an update about the state grant money being used to repair the tree lights on Germantown Avenue.

Report from Vice President of Physical Division. Susan Pizzano reported on her recent meeting with Development Review Committee Co-Chairs Larry McEwen and Greg Woodring and LUPZ Co-Chair Patrick McGranaghan to discuss various compromises regarding streamlining of the review process. The representatives of DRC and LUPZ were not in favor of exempting homeowners from part of the repetitive, time-consuming, and in some cases expensive review process. The Community Manager, however, will assist applicants as they go through the review process. The DRC and LUPZ have been deliberating about whether the CHCA should have a role in enforcing L&I codes. Susan, along with Bob Previdi of the Business Association, provided updates about the PennDOT street repairs occurring on Germantown Avenue between Allens Lane and Mermaid Lane.

Report from Vice President of Operations. Since the hour was late, Lou Aiello offered to e-mail his full report to the Board.

Having run out of time, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Ward Spaeth
CHCA Secretary

Prepared by Noreen Spota, CHCA Administrative Coordinator, and approved by the Board of Directors on 11/30/06.