June/July 2016 Franklin Village Notes
Master Association July 7th Meeting Update
The MA Finance Committee is taking input from the different amenity offerings for 2017 budget considerations. These include the Wood Shop; Sports Group; Sullivan House; Pool; and Garden Committees. So far no program is requesting increased funds for 2017.
- Sunoco Logistics still plans on starting the drilling for two pipelines on Boot Rd. this Fall.
- Marc Fraser will be asking each owner to update their Resident Information forms this year. Letters with forms will be mailed out.
- The number of gate activation devices allowed per resident will be increased from 6 to 10.
- In view of the newly formed bike group and all the golf carts, Marc Fraser will be publishing some safety and driver courtesy suggestions.
- The rebuilding of the Pool House begins just after the pool closes Labor Day. The new structure will be called the Rec Center and will have an additional room available for meetings.
- Real Estate: As of June 30th 60 homes have sold and settled and another 17 are under contract. There are currently 58 homes listed as active with 4 of those under contract.
- There are plans to install a “lighted” fountain in the pond at Mill and Chandler. The fountain would help aerate the water to eliminate the algae and keep the fish healthy. Lighting it would also affect the beauty of the pond at night. Donations have come from owners in many villages especially, Springton, Robynwood and Zephyr as well as from the Masters Association and Channel 20.
Franklin Council July 11th Meeting Notes
The meeting was attended by Mike Burkholder of Asphalt Consultants to review the comprehensive report he did on the status of our roads. He spent almost 2 weeks in the Village, measuring, drilling, and otherwise determining the status of the roads. Mike has done surveys for a number of Villages in the Mill and the presidents and maintenance folks of those villages have spoken very highly of his work. His report covers the problems with our 3 cul de sacs, which have deteriorated substantially in the last few years and require substantial repairs even before they are resurfaced. He has estimated that to do the cul de sacs & the main road (which isn’t in as bad a shape) is approximately $383,000.
Council approved an additional contract to Asphalt Consultants to construct a bid proposal and put the project out to bid to 3 – 4 contractors to determine the exact costs involved. Council has decided to repave the roads this year, based on the report; and the fact that asphalt prices will never be lower than they are right now. Council also decided that the money will be raised with an assessment, which will be between $4000 and $5000. More information to follow at the July 26th meeting.
- We are also considering 3 permanent speed bumps (like the one on Mill) to be installed when we do the streets .
- Dom and Jack met with Di Stefano construction to go over the punch list for a few concrete issues to be resolved as all the walkways are now complete, and are the talk of surrounding villages.
- We have also discussed the pool walkway with Di Stefano and he has suggested lowering the first step to be flush with the new pavement then adding 2 steps to lessen the pitch.
- We need to send Mid Atlantic the current Rules/Regs for the different committees in the village which is part of the package they send out to new Franklin Homeowners.
- Mid Atlantic has met with Advantage, our exterminator, and inspections will continue.
- Mildew removal is ongoing in the Village in July
Phone scams – Villagers are receiving phone messages from the IRS claiming a potential lawsuit if you don’t send some $$$ immediately. Don’t call them back!!
Franklin Real Estate:
523 O’Byrne $295,000
524 Jordan Sold
535 Procko Sold
538 Ruggiero reduced $259,000
552 Supko $249,000
567 Riker Sold-rented
580 Simons reduced $429,000
582 McCloskey reduced $275,000
584 Vacant
588 Vacant
601 Simpson Sold
Next village meeting is scheduled for Tuesday July 26th, starting at 7PM. A BYOB summer picnic is scheduled prior to the meeting starting at 5PM. The cost is $14 per person and checks payable to the Franklin Village Social Committee can be dropped off at Eileen Rackover’s 557 by July 18th.