Category: Villages

FRANKLIN VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING NOTES

Sept 19th, 2023, 8:30 AM, Malvern Rm., Community Center

In attendance: Margaret Callahan, Bill Shipley, Bob Gottschall, Jack Keeley, Jay Harter and Janet Burgess(CSK).

Meeting called to order 8:30 Malvern Room, Community Center.

August meeting notes approved by Council

Financial-Jay Harter:  Franklin budget is currently in the positive due to less snow and maintenance. The finance committee will be meeting soon to help oversee the 2024 budget. Some Specifics:

• Landscape costs are up 19% +cpi and fuel costs ($108.17/mo./house
• MA costs are up $20/home ($214.05/mo.)
• Trash is up $24/unit/mo.
• Insurance will only be up $246 total as council voted to increase the deductible to $10,000
• We will be doing power washing and gutters in 2024, but it’s an off year for termite inspections

Committee updates:

Architectural:

• The Architect Committee has updated the spreadsheet for the roofing program showing all homes with details on skylights, enclosures, decks, etc.
• Dave Ogletree, being a contractor, has volunteered to check each building group’s roof to make sure there are no issues. We will check to make sure he has workman’s comp having to climb a ladder to check
• Bob Gottschall is having an Architectural meeting at 10am. Will have the committee check on the front doors that need painting
• Bob suggested we resend out the committee list to everyone with a note that on Architectural or landscape questions to start with your zone leader first before calling CSK or Margaret.
• Council had a brief discussion on striping the parking areas but decided not to spend the money.

Landscape:

• Michelle Cohen is providing info $$ info for the 2024 landscape budget
• Our current trash collector has stopped picking up landscape debris and even cardboard. CSK will get an update from the MA as to changes.
• Homeowners are encouraged to put their landscaping debris in a trash bag to ensure pick up.
• Council approved a request for grass reseeding.

Welcome Committee: all caught up

Pool Committee: Pool still technically open. We are still testing the water and have delayed putting the cover on which will help keep the water in good shape after we put the cover on till 2024, when we switch to a salt water pool

Document/Rules Committee: the paperwork required for the change in deductible to $10,000 is still with the attorney

Communications- Bill Shipley: info going out in a timely manner

Maintenance– Bill Shipley: Jack to pick up crack sealer from Home Depot and to check the size of letters for those missing on the mail boxes

Lights- Kevin Callahan: N/A

Old Business:

• Entrance signs- Council decided to hold off to see how many other villages update their signs.
• Pickup trucks- Council continued discussions on changing the rules to allow pick up trucks. Wording for rules is still being worked on and reviewed.

New Business:

• Margaret and Janet from CSK will join a zoom meeting re. the parking issues at 539
• Council voted to renew the CSK contract with a 2% increase per year for 3 years.
• An email will go out from CSK to a resident re. a barking dog
• The annual budget meeting was rescheduled to Dec 11^th. A letter announcing the meeting will go out

Upcoming meetings:

Next Council meeting TBD

Franklin budget meeting moved to Dec 11^th, 7pm, Community Center

2024 meetings:  May 22d; Nov 7^th

Meeting adjourned at 10:15

FRANKLIN VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING NOTES

Aug 28, 2023, 9 AM, Malvern Rm., Community Center

In attendance: Margaret Callahan, , Bill Shipley, Bob Gottschall, Jack Keeley and Janet Burgess(CSK). Jay Harter- absent

Meeting called to order 9:00 Malvern Room, Community Center.

Draft meeting notes sent via email.

Financial-Jay Harter:. Grading/Drainage under budget by $10,400; snow under by

$21,000;Water $5% over budget <$2000; Tree expense on budget by end of yr.

Currently $31,000 under budget to date. Jay will schedule a budget committee meeting in September.

Architectural-Bob Gottschall:

• Paul Welle using a new spreadsheet to track the process of new Architectural requests through the various approval processes
• Soldwisch and Richards electric heating units approved
• Certificates of Insurance are required for all contractors working in Franklin. After much discussion the head of Architecture should request the certificate.
• The repair of 606 was approved without expansion. Timbertech was approved for the decking with brown vertical studs. Color sample was close and approved.
• The downspout at 582 will be connected to the drainage system by HMLD at owner’s expense.
• Skylights that need replacing will be covered by Bachman Roofing. If someone wants to keep one that they recommend to replace there will be no warrantee .
• 540 request for 2 windows

Landscaping-Bob Gottschall: Nothing new with Michelle on vacation

Welcoming Committee: Up to date. 535 closed Friday Aug 25. 577 not moving in till early 2024. Carolyn Hincken a bit confused about who owns what around the house. Jack will call her.

Pool Committee- Bill and Margaret: Getting lots of good ideas and help from Rich Richards ex pool company owner.

• Switching to salt pool in 2024
• Switching from overflow going in to our sewar system to on the grass
• May keep pool open past Labor Day depending on weather

Communications- Bill and Margaret as back up:  Bill Shipley getting out announcements in a timely manner

Maintenance- Bill Shipley: Jack volunteered to help with filling asphalt street cracks. Best time is late Fall. Also, some mailboxes have missing letters

Lights- Kevin Callahan: no issues

Docs Committee: Margaret to rewrite Franklin Rules and Regulations section on pickup trucks with clarifications on what can be in the bed section

Old business: New sign quote still coming per Jack

New Business-Drainage issues:

• HMLD quoted $250 to hopefully correct the garage water penetration and it was approved as the least expensive alternate
• 563 spot in road will be monitored
• 562 (see docs committee)
• Outdoor cooking grills s/b ten ft from house per E Goshen

Meeting ended at 10:45PM

Next meeting Sept 19^th  9AM

Franklin Budget meeting Nov 9^th 7PM

Franklin Village HOA Architectural Committee

Minutes for Meeting Held on July 6, 2023, 9:30 AM

Approved August 10, 2023

Attendees:         Mary Ann DiNunzio, Allan Soldwisch, Maggie Thompson, Mike Weber, Paul Welle

Guests:                Dom Aleardi (former Architectural Committee Chair)

Bob Gottschall (Village Council Liaison to Architectural Committee)

As retiring Chairperson, Dom Aleardi briefed the committee on outstanding issues using the attached notes (notes in red are Paul’s).

Upon completion of his presentation, Dom turned over custody of paint color samples and old committee records to Bob Gottschall before retiring from the meeting. All committee members joined in thanking Dom for his service. Bob Gottschall excused himself from the committee meeting, leaving all records to be turned over to whomever the committee selected as its new Chairperson.

Selection of Architectural Committee Chairperson

Paul Welle was unanimously elected Chairperson and, agreeing to accept the position, took custody of old committee records.

Old Business:

Since the last Architectural Committee meeting on April 29, 2023, the following actions have taken place:

552 (DiNunzio) Approved by Council. Awaiting the beginning of construction.

582 (Gerhardt) Storm Door Replacement approved by Council President on 6/15/2023.

535 (Gibboni) CSK sent a letter to Mrs. Gibboni and her son David Gibboni calling for needed painting of deck railings, facia and supports which need to be completed prior to closing of sale of her home. David Gibboni has responded by notifying new buyers of their responsibility for this painting through inclusion in sale document Form 5407.

New Business:

Assignment of Walkaround Areas:

Walkaround inspection zones were assigned as follows:

Zone 1 (521-548) Mary Ann DiNunzio and Allan Soldwisch

Zone 2 (549-577) Maggie Thompson and Bob Kocher

Zone 3 (578- 606) Joyce Goodman and Mike Weber

Communication with Village

It was unanimously agreed that the Architectural Committee should draft a communication to all Franklin Village residents explaining the role of the committee and the committee’s desire to assist residents in meeting their desires and needs while retaining the architectural integrity of the village. As Chairman, Paul Welle will draft this resolution.

Other Issues:

564 (Donatoni) – Staining or painting of deck supports to the color brown, has not yet been completed. Bob Gottschall reported that he will personally intervene with Mr. Donatoni to assure completion of needed work.)

606 (Richards) – Back steps to addition need major repair and painting. However, this poses an added issue of being on common ground which presents liability issue for FV Council to consider.

577 (Hoplamazian) – Enclosed room perched upon elevated deck has visible and potentially serious structural weaknesses. Post meeting note: As a result of a discussion with the realtor by Jack Keeley, it is understood that the replacement of the addition is a condition of occupancy. Jack told the realtor that they can contact Paul Welle when they are ready to submit an architectural request form.

Recently Received Requests:

537 (Weber) – Preliminary request (attached) submitted on 6/21/2023 for Removal of Outside Shed and Awning to construct a Sunroom with conceptual drawings provided. The committee unanimously agreed that the rendering of the proposed construction of the sunroom is desirable for Franklin Village appearance and recommends preliminary approval. Potential Issue: The proposal to pave or to use pavers on a 7’2” x 9’10” portion of Common Area. Paving of the entire area may require an easement from the Homeowners Association. An alternative may be to include stepping stones in the mulched and grassy areas as allowed by the Landscape Guidelines upon submission and approval of a Landscape Request Form.

Revision of Architectural Guidelines

Chairman Paul Welle urged all committee members to review the architectural rules and guidelines issues posed by the Franklin Village Council and referenced in the agenda for this meeting. Since the Village Council has asked the committee to revise architectural rules and guidance, the committee requests that Council request CSK to convert the Declaration of Covenants from PDF format to Word format.

Next Meeting:

The next Committee meeting is scheduled for 8/10/2023. We agreed to schedule meetings on the second Thursday of the month, recognizing that, if there are no issues requiring a meeting, it will be canceled.

Adjournment:

Meeting was adjourned at 11:55 AM.

July 25, 2023, 9 AM, Malvern Rm., Community Center

In attendance: Margaret Callahan, Jay Harter, Bill Shipley, Bob Gottschall, Jack Keeley and Janet Burgess (CSK)

Meeting called to order 9:00 Malvern Room, Community Center.

Revised June meeting notes approved via email.

Financial-Jay Harter: Current ytd. P & L figures show a positive $22,836, mostly due to the snow account. He handed out  an estimated reserve study utilizing estimated roofing/gutter costs for 2023 as well as projected figure through 2026.

Architectural-Bob Gottschall: Bob commended both architectural and Landscape chair people for doing a great job. Bob discussed the issue of painting the deck support beams of some (6+) homes and they should be billed direct. He will work with the owners to get them stained to proper color, at their own expenses. The Architectural committee should determine which entrance doors should be painted. Bill handed out the current committee lists with new Architectural member(s) listed.

We had an extensive discussion re the proposed enclosure at 537. The addition itself was approved by Council but we had many questions about the 10ft by 7ft concrete pad. We determined the material could be Pavers, not concrete but questioned the size. Also, the grill and the AC condenser needed to be located. Bob Gottschall volunteered to meet with the residents at 537 to clarify. 564 beam staining was resolved.

Landscaping-Bob Gottschall: We discussed the items  on the Burkholder quote. It may be that a few items don’t need to be done which would bring the quote under budget. Margaret will discuss with Michel Cohen.   The Burkholder (health care for trees) quote for what she is doing now is $1560 (under budget). The trees that will be removed (by AC Tree) will occur next year). The majority of the Landscaping Committee and the homeowner near the one tree in question agreed with the idea of giving it a shot to save. They think the roots had been disturbed when drainage issues were addressed near that garage, but the arborist believes it has a fairly good chance of surviving and is worth trying.

Welcoming Committee: up to date on visits to new owners. Jack will forward the new form for new owners with the paragraph on dogs added.

Pool Committee- Bill and Margaret: Pool getting lots of use this year. Tony Hanson helping out with water testing. Also getting help from Rich, the new owner of 606 who just sold his pool company. Problems with communication with Guliani Pool company. Send last check back and cancel remainder of contract. Looking to do all pool work ourselves for the remainder of the year and into the future. Plan to switch to saltwater pool in 2024.

Communications- Bill and Margaret as back up:  Will share responsibilities in village communication.

Maintenance- Bill Shipley: Jack volunteered to help with the street crack filling. Will check with Mike Burkholder when best time to accomplish.

Lights- Kevin Callahan: no issues

Docs Committee: Looking to modify Docs to eliminate the reference to a specific deductible amount for insurance. Margaret will work on the wording.

Old business: Bachman’s quote looked a little high for gutters. Not really an issue now as it’s a few years in the future. Margaret will talk to Paul Welle re being the liaison between Bachman and the owners on Skylight/other issues. Jack showed samples of new signs some villages were updating. We decided to drop the idea of an outside (resident) painter soliciting owners to paint windows that had faded. Bill will forward security system failures to the specific owner who will be responsible to contact HM Security for verification and then contact West Chester Security to have fixed. We should send an email to all owners explaining the process and the importance of having it fixed asap. Grading at 540/541 has been resolved, 536 (garage – HML contacted by Jack to look at) and 602 has an ongoing issue with water in basement (Michelle to look at).   566/567 gets good bit of water in garage (Michelle working on this issue).

Meeting ended at 12:10PM

Next meeting TBD

Recap of roofing project done end of 2023.Keep this web page for future use/information.

Any issues with leaks – contact CSK and they will put in a work order with Bachmans for repair.

Link to Bachmans Warranty

Link to GAF (shingle) Warranty

Roofing project took 2.5 months (Oct – Dec 2023) 7am until dark. Each building took 2-3 days. Weather was good, only one weekend was worked.  A building is defined as a group of houses.   We chose to do a phased approach – houses first.  Garages and gutters in several years.

LINK TO MAP showing order of roofing.

Matt Kennedy from Bachmans Roofing was our main contact. Matt Kennedy’s contact information is 610.678.8004   mkennedy@bachmansroofing.com

Steve Fost from Bachmans was the construction foreman.

All sun tunnels were reused.

SKYLIGHTS are the responsibility of the homeowner.  Mary (works with Matt) contacted people to collect information in order to set up individual contracts/projects for those skylight replacements. Replacement Skylights were $780 for fixed and $925 for vented (skylights with blinds cost more).  New construction skylights were being quoted on an individual basis.

Architectural Request forms were needed for skylights that didn’t previously exist (new construction). Bachman did the interior and finish work for brand new skylights (make sure this is agreed upon before signing contract).

Architectural Request forms are NOT needed for skylights that are being replaced by Bachman’s. Homeowners contract with Bachmans will suffice.

AWNINGS will need to come down.    Bachman will detach and reset RETRACTABLE awnings (567 and 591) at the same time they are working on that house (make sure this is agreed upon before signing contract).   Window and front door awnings do NOT need to be taken down.

Mike Pincus, Dave Olgetree, and Dom Aleardi worked as a team, meeting with contractors and evaluating/negotiation proposals.

The Architectural Committee is involved, and the Zone leaders have been checking in on residents to ensure everyone is in-the-know and aware of skylights, timing, additions/enclosures, awnings, etc.

Enclosures – When roofing to any adjoining lower roof, the upper roofing overlays the lower roofing material.  Any new replacement rubber roofing material, at a minimum, should have been installed by removing overlay shingles. Install the new rubber roofing material about 1 foot up the higher roof and then install shingles over that foot of rubber roofing.  Ice and water shield material will be installed over the 1 foot of rubber roofing and 2 additional feet up the higher roof.  Bachmans will fix any kind of interior damage or roof leaks that are caused by Bachmans after install.  If the leak is coming from an enclosed patio roof with rubber on it, that will need to be addressed with the company that installed the rubber roofing on those enclosed patio roofs. Architectural Request forms are needed for new/replacement rubber roofing (and are the responsibility of the homeowner).

The main staging area will be near our pool.   Roofing is a messy project, but Bachmans will work hard to protect our landscaping and property.  That being said, as we get closer to the date, you may want to tuck outdoor items into your house/garage during construction (can’t emphasize this enough!!).

The Landscaping Committee will keep an eye on plants as work is being done, and will work with Council to address any damage. Michelle will work with HMLD to get the grass cut very short right before the project (to help with finding nails).    When cleaning up perennials, bag the debris and put in the regular trash in order to ensure pick up.

Shingles – GAF Timberline Lifetime HDZ architectural shingles – Weathered Wood.   Drip Edging color is Norwood.

Residents should have received a letter from CSK for a $600 assessment for this project.  That money will be added to our existing Village reserves and pay for the roofing project.

All Council members are available for questions and/or concerns. Margaret Callahan, Bill Shipley, Jay Harter, Jack Keeley, Bob Gottschall

GARAGES

In Attendance:   Margaret Callahan, Jay Harter, Jack Keeley, Bill Shipley and Janet Burgess

Absent: Bob Gottschall,

Meeting called to order at 9:02 AM by Margaret Callahan.

Election results from May 24, 2023 approved. Council members are:

President – Margaret Callahan

Vice President – Bill Shipley

Treasurer – Jay Harter

Secretary – Jack Keeley

Council at Large – Bob Gottschall

May 3, 2023 Meeting minutes were approved.

Financial:  Jay Harter asked for clarification concerning 2 charges to Franklin Village in April. First a charge of $670 from Horn Plumbing. The charge was for fixing a sewer pipe clog at 586. The pipe was clogged with roots.  The estimate for completing the fix is in excess of $4000. The cost will be split with the home owner.  Second was a charge for $900 to replace the security control panel at 566. Master Association is investigating replacements for the security panels.  Margaret will contact Mark Fraser about the replacements. Security failures are supposed to be reported to council, the list of council members needs to be updated.

$10,600 was received from home sales so far this year.

606 asked about skylights when roofs are replaced. Bachmann had missed 606, they had stopped at 605.

606 was given Bachmann’s contact information.

Jay met with our bank concerning early withdrawals to cover roof replacement. They will cost $6600 but the interest we received will cover it.

Discussion of roof replacement costs and what is or is not covered, specifically gutters.  Matt Kennedy was contacted for clarification.

Decision was made to keep assessment for roofs at $600.

A question of whether cedar shakes are still on some of the roofs came up.  Bachmann will have to check on what is under the shingles on all homes.

Margaret suggested having Mike Pincus be the project manager for the roof replacements.

Committee Updates:

Architectural: The Architectural Committee has a list of front doors that thought needed painting.

The new committee members will be Paul Welle, Allan Soldwich, and Mary Ann DiNunzio. Mike Weber and Joyce Goodman will remain on the committee.

New residents of 606 have asked about fixing their back steps. Jack will contact them.

The deck at 535 has been on a list requiring painting.  The house is currently on the market. There was a discussion of when a letter should be sent, before the sale or after..

Landscaping: Pat Thomas is the new co-chair for the committee.

Pool Committee:  There was a problem with free chlorine being too high reported by Tony Hanson.  Tony bought a testing tool to be able to check chemical levels more often.

Communications: Bill Shipley will keep doing communications. We will start using HMFranklinVillage@gmail.com to send out village communications. One Drive for that email account can also be used for village documents.

Garage & Street Lights:  Kevin Callahan is being contacted by residents to replace lights.

Maintenance: Dom Aleardi has stepped down as chair.  Bill Shipley is still on the committee.

Old Business: Storm water drain fixes have not been completed. Mike Pincus will continue to work with Ed McFalls concerning the drainage issues.

Parking issues continue.  562 complaints about car from 571 being parked in a space they think they should be reserved for them.  Residents at 539 and 541 continue to have disagreement about parking.  539 has requested a handicap space be designated for them.  A letter about parking will be sent to all residents to clarify the rules and remind residents there are not designated parking spots by house number and residents are encouraged to work with each other to figure out the best solution for all.

New Business: None.

The next council meeting on Monday July 24, 2023 at 9:00 AM.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:12 AM.

Respectfully submitted by Bill Shipley