MEMO TO:               Board of Directors

 

FROM:                       Michael J. Sibio, Community Manager

DATE:                        August 12, 2008

RE:                             AUGUST MANAGER’S REPORT

            Our major events for the summer are all behind us now.  Summer Kickoff and Hemlock Farms Day were both a great success and our Hemlock Hurricanes Swim Team concluded another successful year with a second place finish in the Championships.  There are still plenty of summer activities before the children return to classes so be sure to go out and enjoy the remainder of the summer.

            While our members are enjoying the use of the facilities staff is busy preparing their budgets for the next year.  I’m afraid that the same inflation factors that have been affecting our members have been affecting the Association’s operations and we will be forced to reflect those higher costs in our budget proposal.  Of course I have instructed staff to do everything possible to keep costs down while not reducing services.  As required by the bylaws, I will submit my proposed 2009 budget to the Finance Committee and the Board by September 15^th.

            The following is an overview of each department’s activities during the past month.

ADMINISTRATION

Labor Day Weekend News – Residents are reminded that house-to-house pickup will take place on Tuesday, September 2^nd in lieu of Labor Day, Monday, September 1st.   The Refuse Recycling Center will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 1^st.  The HFCA Office will be closed on Monday, September 1^st and will re-open on Wednesday, September 3^rd. 

911 Memorial Service – The memorial service will be held at the Mail Room Memorial Site on Thursday, September 11^th at 6:30 p.m.   Light refreshments will be provided at the Firehouse after the service.

2009 Budget – Department Heads are preparing their budgets, which will be scrutinized at meetings with the Community Manager before he presents his proposed budget to the Board and Finance Committee by September 15.   Financial analysis is used, of actual costs year to date and of several previous years, in proposing budget figures for 2009.  In certain budget lines, each item is listed to produce the proposed budget figure.  We know that 2009 will not be an easy year to budget.  Certain costs have increased and will require budget increases; Department Heads have been told to provide precise backup detail to justify requested increases.

Summer in the Accounting Department – As in other departments, July and August go by in a blur of activity.  There is a sudden increase in the number of bills to be paid, pay checks to be processed, payments received for seasonal activities, inquiries from members about their water service, etc.  We also use July and August to step up collection of unpaid dues, by deactivating gate entry bar codes, and starting the paperwork to file liens.

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Blooming Grove Township News – The first distributions under the newly adopted Fire Tax Ordinance were recently made.  Hemlock Farms Volunteer Fire Company and Blooming Grove Fire Company each received $64,282.33 and Tafton Fire Company received $7,856.47.  Representatives were present to accept the checks on behalf of their fire company.

Representatives of Blue Heron Woods South Major Subdivision on Route 402 came before the Board of Supervisors for final approvals.  The maps were signed pending signing by the members of the Planning Commission.  Also, certain items must be acted upon prior to the release of the bond.

Supervisor Schmalzle announced that he attended a meeting with business men and women in the Pike and Wayne area to discuss the medical and police services that are needed.  The results of this study should be completed in about six months.

Chairman Hatton administered the Oath of Office to Dennis Fleming, Gary Garafolo and Walter Anderson as new fire police with Hemlock Farms Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company. 

Ed Lettieri asked everyone present to wish Irv Rosen who was in attendance a very, happy 80^th birthday.

Several maps of the township dating back to the 1800’s were donated to the Township.  These maps will be framed and hung in the Township Building.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT

Building Activity – As expected, building activity during the past month was minimal.  New home permits issued in July totaled one compared to none issued during July of last year.  For the year-to-date we remain behind last year’s total of sixteen by ten.  Addition/Alteration permits issued for the month totaled six while last July saw seven issued.  Our year-to-date totals were twenty-three  in 2008 and twenty-one in 2007.

COMMUNITY CONSERVATION

Lake Treatment - The fisheries are healthy in the lakes.  Weed growth spiked suddenly in McConnell and was treated.  We will look into management control of floating weeds at the swimming areas and docks for next year.  Excessive plant growth did occur on Rimrock, Ledgeway, and Bluestone Ponds.  The inlet at Bluestone Pond is depositing sediment into the pond.  The bladderwort plant growth in Rimrock Pond is an annual problem, of an unknown source, and was controlled without a fish kill.  White lilies overpopulated Ledgeway Pond and were treated.  Invasive populations of phragmytes were also treated along the shorelines in several places.

Source Water Protection - Up-and-coming contaminants, such as medications in our drinking waters, are a topic of concern and will be addressed in a future article of the Hemlock News.  If you are an adult, consider entering the crossword puzzle “World of Water” contest.  You may win a free septic pump-out and learn about the water system!

Lake Watch Team - The Lake Watch Team collected water quality samples on July 16.  Analysis of results was delayed because of a laboratory malfunction, but we now have the data and overall water quality is exceptionally good this year compared to other years. 

Natural Resource Seminars - HFCA member, Dr. Walter Jahn, will present a program on “Dinosaurs, A Survey of the History of Life” on Wednesday, August 20 in the Clubhouse Auditorium, beginning at 7 p.m.  Dr. Jahn is a professor of biology at SUNY-Orange and active with the local Explorers.  He has contributed several Hemlock News articles and photographs about animals found in the community.  You and the children will be pleasantly informed and entertained by Dr. Jahn’s program.

PUBLIC WORKS

Building Maintenance – Staff completed many daily work orders, while banners advertising voting days were put up and taken down.  The crew assisted with Hemlock Farms Day by putting up and taking down banners and spending forty additional hours building games booths for this special day.  The Forest Drive Gate House, the 2 bus stop buildings, and the outdoor bath house at the Steer Barn were painted. Also at the Clubhouse, all the air conditioning units, air handlers, and pool pak were serviced. The privacy fence for the backyard of the Teen Center and Annex was fixed. The old air conditioning unit at the library had to be removed from the wall and a new one installed. Forty hours were spent finishing and polyurethaning and building a stand for the Library tree ring. The Annex roof leak was fixed and a new street light was installed at the 402 bus stop parking lot. Numerous signs were made for the 739 Gate and the ever-changing Recycle Center. Eight temporary number posts were also installed.

Roads & Grounds – The crew finished 204 service orders besides mowing facilities, weed whacking, and shoulder mowing.  They picked up garbage and recycling from facilities, litter picked along the roads, picked up trash after the animals got to it, and pushed down commingle, metal, and bulk. They cut up trees and chipped all the branches after recent wind and rain storms. Street signs were repaired and maintained as well as filling pot holes with 1 ton of cold patch. Shoulders were graded and ruts were fixed after rains, using 33 tons of stone.   Beaches were raked and staff used 16 tons of black top on driveways and road cuts. They also installed 60 feet of culvert pipe and cleaned out leaves and stone from 600 feet of drainage ditches.  This month, they picked up and disposed of a skunk, 2 squirrels, and 2 turkeys.

Water Company – In July the crew completed a whopping 481 service orders, inspected 6 water lines, monitored 1 blast site, and monitored the wells daily. Thirty-two ERT/meters were replaced or installed and 19 leaks were found in our ongoing leak detection program. Six members received a 10-day turn-off notice, 6 leaks were turned off, 6 members were notified of small leaks, and 1 lateral line on our side was repaired and the meter pit was replaced. Meter readings were completed and bills were sent out for the second quarter.

Refuse Center Project - The Refuse Center Project is on schedule and traffic was switched and Phase II of the project commenced at the beginning of August 2008. We thank all those inconvenienced by this project and appreciate their understanding of the difficulty of keeping the Refuse Center open as work progresses.

PUBLIC SAFETY –

Kids Field Day – HEY KIDS, you are invited to a special Kids Field Day Event on Saturday, August 23, 2008 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.  Kids between the ages of 5 and 13 are invited to come have some fun in the sun with Sergeant Mikey and Officer Earl.  There will be lots of games and contests such as Egg Race, Hula Hoop, Relay Races, Limbo, Piñata’s and more.  We will be serving Hot Dogs, Snacks and Drinks.  Don’t miss all the fun and prizes.   Don’t forget to bring your sneakers!

402 Gate – As some of you may have noticed the 402 Gate has been having some problems.  Sunken pavement damaged the loop which controls the gate mechanism.  Before the loop could be replaced, the blacktop needed to be replaced and have time to cure.  We are happy to report that these repairs have been made and the gate is fully operational again.    

RECREATION

Swim Team Success  - Congratulations to the Hemlock Hurricanes who placed second i-n this years Pocono Mountain Summer Swim League Championships.  The swimmers, coaches and parents work together all summer to ensure a successful season. 

Great Day  -  Even with Hemlock Farms Day being held on Sunday this year, it didn't deter the many members and their guests from joining in the festivities for the day.  There was something for everyone a craft tent for children, various games, pony rides, petting zoo, moon ball bounce, many vendors and crafters, live entertainment, baked goods and food.  Everyone enjoyed themselves and are looking forward to next years event. 

Seasonal Closings  -  As the summer season comes to an end and seasonal staff head home and to school, our Aquatic facilities will begin closing approx August 23rd.  We are able to staff the facilities a little longer than originally anticipated.  Please call the facilities or the Clubhouse prior to driving to the beach/pool of your choice.  We will also post information on the website and channel 14. 

Next Bus Trip  -  The next New York City bus trip is Wednesday August 20th leaving 7:30 am sharp from the 402 school bus stop. 

Comedy Night  -  Comedy Night is Saturday August 23rd featuring Glen Anthony and Dale Grand.  Doors open at 8am with the entertainment beginning at 8:30 pm. 

            Each year we spend a great deal of time preparing for our summer program.  Each department participates in that annual ritual.  And each year after all the anxiety and anticipation passes, we look up and find we’re already in the middle of August.  We almost have to stop and force ourselves to enjoy the daily challenges.  I hope we were successful and our members had an enjoyable summer as a result.