SEPT/OCT
2013
PUBLICATION OF SAW CREEK ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
New Members Voted to Board of Directors The votes are in, and after being tallied Kathi Connell was re-elected to a second three year term. Joining her on the board are newly elected directors, Bob Long and Robert Shrekgast. Kathi Connell has been a long time resident and has been volunteering her time to the community for years. She hopes to encourage more community members to volunteer. In fact, Connell identifies one of the most pressing issues that the Board of Directors currently faces as “successfully recruiting and training of volunteers willing to lend their time and talents for the benefit of our community.” Connell also states that “volunteers play an important role in our organization and finding and keeping volunteers has been a difficult task.” She hopes that the Board can develop ways to encourage teens and adults to volunteer. “Our residents are our best talent” she said stating further that volunteers help “the Board to identify events, possible maintenance and safety issues….and overall community improvement…” Connell values her own experience as a volunteer. “Volunteering has allowed me to connect to Saw Creek and make it a better place as well as allowed me to make new friends and get to know my community.” Bob Long is no stranger to the Board of Directors having served on the Board from 2006 - 2010. Long has also been an active member of the Maintenance Committee as well as the Bylaws Committee. Long was instrumental in the improvements at both the Decker Road and Mill Pond trash areas. Long has a strong business background and looks forward to promoting Saw Creek’s strategic plan. He states his objective as “striving to move SCECA to the next steps in the development of the community”. The future of the community is foremost on Long’s mind as he feels the most pressing issue for the Board is (Continued on Page 16)
2012 Su rv e y Resu lts Discussed at A nn ua l Meeting On July 20, 2013 Saw Creek’s Annual Membership Meeting was held in the Top of the World Creek Room. During this meeting, results of 2012’s communitywide survey were discussed. Some of the highlights from the survey are listed below. To see the entire report presented at the annual meeting, please visit our website at www.sawcreek.org. • Nearly all respondents (98%) were SCE property owners. Almost half of all respondents (46%) consider their property to be their primary residence while another 49% consider it to be their seasonal or vacation residence. Relatively few (5%) rent their property to others. Of those that rent their property, the majority rent yearly with very few renting it weekly and seasonally. • Nearly half (43%) of the respondents live in their Saw Creek property full time. • 70% of households have at least one person under the age of 17 living in Saw Creek. • SCE respondents are primarily of Caucasian decent (68%), the remaining respondents were of Hispanic (10%), African American (7%), and Asian/Pacific Islander (2%) decent. • Most respondents either commute long distances to work (37%) or are retired (33%). Only one in four respondents works locally, commuting less than one hour. • More than half of the respondents (58 percent) reported an annual household income of $75,000 or more. • 59.4% of respondents indicated the main reason for purchasing a house in Saw Creek was because it was a gated community.
5728 Decker Road BUSHKILL, PA 18324 Stroudsburg, PA 18360 PERMIT NO. 322
PAID
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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE ADMINISTRATION President’s Message
2
General Manager’s Report
3
Recreation Director’s Report
4
Treasurer’s Report
4
Did You Know?
4
Health & Wellness
5
Legislature - Promoting A Better Business Climate in PA
6
Classified Column
8
KIDS KORNER
7
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
8
EVENTS Out & About Events
10
BUDGET 2014 Prop. Budget Changes
12
2014 Prop. Operating Budget 15 2014 Capital Proposed Budget 19 ELECTION B.O.D. By-Law Results
20
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Greetings, Well, the Summer Season is drawing to a close and vacation time is winding down, especially for all parents of school age children. The hustle and bustle of getting the kids up and down to the bus stop is upon us. Our summer events, although not starting well with Memorial Day, recovered nicely with great successes at Community Day, July 4th Pool Party and hopefully our Labor Day festivities. I want to give out a thank you to our Recreation Director, Margie Gerstmann, who took a proposal from two wonderful volunteers, Kenneth & Connie Davis and initiated a new event this summer. It was called the “1st Annual Youth Basketball Summer Classic”. This event comprised of 3 teams made up of young men from Saw Creek who participated in this tournament from July 8, 2013 through August 12, 2013. This was a great opportunity to learn positive life skills through teamwork, competition and my hope is we can expand on this event next year. Please plan on attending the Recreation Department’s Annual fundraiser on Saturday, September 21, 2013. Break out those old 60’s clothes and join us for the 1960’s Fundraiser Dinner Dance- Peace, Love & Groovin’ at the Top of the World Restaurant. $10.00 of the $25.00 admission charge goes directly to benefit the Bushkill Outreach Food Pantry. The elections are final and congratulations to the successful board candidates. Ms. Kathi Connell was re-elected and the new members, Mr. Bob Long (Previous Board Member) and Mr. Bob Shrekgast (Involved in transition from Developer to our Homeowner Association) bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. They have been brought up to date on our Strategic Plan and will join the rest of the board in working towards its implementation. This edition will include the proposed budget for 2014. I want to thank all the departments, committees, especially the Finance Committee and of course, our General Manager, Dave Martin and our Director of Finance, Cathy Wargo, for all their hard work in formulating this budget. Please note, as per our bylaws, homeowners will have a thirty (30) day public comment period. All member comments need to be submitted in writing to the Finance Committee. As a follow up to the PPL Electric installation of the Susquehanna-Roseland line February meeting, please be advised that members of our Board along with our General Manager will be meeting again in early September with their representatives. All pertinent information from that meeting will be published in the next edition. Again, construction is not scheduled to begin before February, 2014 but it is important that we keep all homeowners informed. Enjoy the magnificent fall foliage season that we are so lucky to have here in the Poconos.
Saw Creek Men’s Club
21
Building & Architectural
21
Appeals Committee
22
Saw Creek Women’s Club
22
Safety Committee
23
Respectfully yours, Bill Montgomery SCE Board President
SCE NEWS New Area Code Added
25
What Your Association Board Does For You
26
Chase The Dream
28
Jr. Tennis Tournament
30
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General Manager’s Report By David W. Martin In this issue, most members will get their first look at the proposed 2014 budget. It’s important to note that this budget remains subject to change based on a final review by the Board of Directors and the feedback we receive from our members over the next few weeks. Now is your opportunity to comment. A brief explanation of year-to-year budget changes is also included in this issue. Please take the time to review the proposed budget and submit your written comments so that we have the benefit of your input when adopting the final budget sometime in November. Once again this year, the budget process is going well thanks to close cooperation between the Finance Committee, the Board of Directors, other committees and management staff. Two new board members, Bob Long and Robert Shrekgast, were officially introduced at the Annual Membership Meeting. I’m looking forward to working with them as we continue to plan for the future of the community. If you were unable to attend the Annual Meeting, you can read much of the information that was presented by visiting our website and clicking on Association Documents\Meeting Minutes & Reports\2013 Annual Membership Meeting. There you will find a slide show with all of the relevant information from the meeting. Some of the more interesting topics addressed at the annual meeting were the statistics and demographic data that we collected during the community-wide survey in 2012. You may recall that the survey was conducted in response to a recommendation by the Strategic Planning Committee. Your responses to the survey confirmed some of what we already know and provided some surprises as well. The information gathered as a result of the survey will be invaluable in furthering the implementation of our Strategic Plan.
CALL NOW For Advertising Opportunities In Saw Creek News!
845.754.2356 SAW
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PUBLICATION OF THE SAW CREEK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. © 2011 5728 Decker Road • Bushkill, PA 18324 P: 570.588.9329 E: info@sawcreek.org PUBLISHED BY NIKI JONES AGENCY, INC. 39 Front Street Port Jervis, New York 12771 P: 845.856.1266 E: ads@nikijones.com
Our work on implementing the Strategic Plan continues to gain momentum. The Board has begun meeting regularly to provide strategic oversight and direction for the entire organization. They have tasked me with meeting with each of our standing committees in the weeks and months ahead to get committee input and provide any guidance or support that may be needed. I am excited to see the years of effort by many individuals finally beginning produce real results. Let’s keep the momentum going!
SCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Members
The Saw Creek News is not responsible for typographical errors, mistakes or misprints. All advertising, including photographs are the property of Niki Jones Agency, Inc and not that of the advertiser. The advertiser has purchased rights of reproduction in the Saw Creek News and does not have the right to reproduce ads in any other place or publication without written permission from the publisher. The Saw Creek News reserves the rights to exercise its discretion in the selection of advertisements.
Bill Montgomery Mike Campea Bob Shrekgast Kathi Connell Bob Long Robert Palmer Ron Trimble Thomas Soden James Hidalgo
bill@sawcreek.org michael@sawcreek.org roberts@sawcreek.org kathic@sawcreek.org bob@sawcreek.org robert@sawcreek.org ron@sawcreek.org thomas@sawcreek.org james@sawcreek.org
MANAGEMENT TEAM General Manager Director of Public Safety Director of Facilities Recreation Director Director of Human Resources and Administration Restaurant Manager Director of Member Services Director of Finance
Dave Martin Jim Andrews Jeffrey Gaal Margie Gerstmann
dave@sawcreek.org jim@sawcreek.org jeff@sawcreek.org margie@sawcreek.org
Peggy Gottschau Ryan McGinniss Jessica VanDerVliet Cathy Wargo
peggy@sawcreek.org ryan@sawcreek.org jessica@sawcreek.org cathy@sawcreek.org
COMMITTEES & CHAIRPERSONS Appeals Beautification Finance Building & Architectural Nominating Public Information Recreation Rules & Regulations Safety
Norda Calder Phil Cozzi Peter Derrenbacher Dave Stagg Peter Derrenbacher Kristina Neumann TBD Joe Meehan Robert Harter
hearingandappeals@sawcreek.org beautification@sawcreek.org finance@sawcreek.org maintenance@sawcreek.org nominating@sawcreek.org pic@sawcreek.org reccommittee@sawcreek.org rulesandregulations@sawcreek.org safety@sawcreek.org
Disclaimer:The comments, statements or written opinions expressed in the Saw Creek News are the sole responsibility of the signed individual/author and/or committee and are not edited. All Letters to the Editor and paid political ads do not reflect the opinions or views of the Public Information Committee.
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ADMINISTRATION Recreation Director’s Report
Treasurer’s Report July 31, 2013
As of July 31,2013, the Operating Fund had $2,617,372 in current cash assets. The balances consist of $278,493 in cash and $2,338,879 in investments. Through the end of July, the current year’s dues collected were $3,487,286 which represents a collection rate of 82.36%. Prior year’s dues collected was $107,403 which represents 86.00% of the amount anticipated in the 2013 budget. The operating revenue for July was $111,740. The total year to date revenue was $3,609,962 which is 91.4% of the anticipated annual revenue. The operating expenses for July was $267,272. The year to date expenditures were $2,144,576 which is 54.3% of the annual budget.
By Margie Gerstmann, Recreation Director Summer has come to a close and I would like to take this time to thank the staff of Saw Creek Estates and The Top of the World Restaurant, our volunteers and everyone who came out and supported our events. School is open! Please remember to drop off and pick up your children in a timely manner. The VIP is NOT open for the children to wait inside. They will have access to the bathrooms if need be. Please check the times of all standing activities as hours may have changed for the fall. Saw Creek Estates offers many ways to get healthy so please come out and try one of our classes. We have water aerobics, slim down and we offer a weight loss support group on Tuesday evenings. We also have a great fitness center with a weight room and indoor courts. I would like to highlight some of our upcoming events. We are having our annual fundraiser on September 21, 2013. $10.00 of every ticket sold will benefit Bushkill Outreach. The tickets are $25.00 per person and include a salad bar and an ice cream bar. So put on your
best 1960’s outfit (optional) and come out and support a great cause. Prizes for best costumes and door prizes will be awarded. Our Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2013 from 1 pm-5 pm. This year we will be combining this event with the TOW restaurant. There will be live entertainment on the deck and a beer tasting event from 2 pm – 5 pm. Bring your pumpkins and some extra clothing downstairs to the Creek Room because we will be pumpkin painting and building scarecrows and having a great time with the kids! Trunk or Treat is just around the corner as well. Come out and decorate your cars and give out candy to the children or just come on up and trick or treat between 11am and 12pm and then join us for a pot luck lunch from 12pm – 2pm. This is always a great time. You MUST call ahead and make reservations with our Member Service Team to let them know what you and your family are able to bring for the potluck lunch. Remember volunteers and fresh ideas are always needed!
The total Capital Reserve Assets as of July 31, was $3,172,486. Of which $312,657 is cash and $2,805,279 is investments. Capital income for July was $61,192. The total year to date income is $322,005, which is 78.9% of the anticipated income for the year.
$
Capital expenditures for the month of July were $5,477.
The Capital Projects expenditures for the year to date was $177,548. The July write off for dues and other fees was a net of $12,379. By Robert T. Shrekgast, SCE Board Treasurer
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Health and Wellness - Lose Weight, Gain Friends By Tish Leizens, PIC Losing weight is never easy and that is why a group of Saw Creek residents and employees gather together every Tuesday for about an hour, at the Mountain Room, to compare notes and support each other shed the extra pounds. The group is aided by instructions from TOPS, short for Take Off Pounds Sensibly, a nonprofit, weight-loss support and wellness education organization that has chapters all over the country and Canada. A Saw Creek chapter was conceived in January when Margie Gerstmann, Recreation Director, suggested to her office colleagues a way to lose weight other than the more popular Weight Watchers.
Gerstmann said that after the Tuesday sessions, TOPS members are encouraged to take up the lowimpact Slim Down program held at 6 p.m., at the racquetball court. There are other events lined up to keep resident of Saw Creek active and healthy. On Thursdays, at the Racquetball Court, residents are invited to engage in high-impact workouts, such as dancing, Zumba, Pilates and Yoga. Water aerobics are listed on the calendar on Mondays and Saturdays. All classes are free.
Pound Per Pou nd Open to all Saw Creek residents and employees From ages 7 and up Open to female and male All body shapes and weight are welcome Commitment to a healthy lifestyle highly desirable Pay $28 membership dues for 1 year
“Health and wellness is very important,” said Gertsmann.
“It is more reliable and reasonably priced,” said Gerstmann who acts as co-leader of the Saw Creek Chapter that is led by selected officers and guided by its own by-laws. To be a member, one has to enroll and pay a $28 annual membership fee. Other costs include weekly dues of $1 and an additional 10 cents for every quarter pound gained over the week, if applicable, and in relation to the weight goal set by each TOPS member. Members are provided the TOPS magazine and other materials as part of their dues. The “weekly dues”, said Jessica VanDerVliet, Director of Member Services who serves as leader of the chapter, is given back to a pool set up by members to fund contests, trips, supplies and other programs. “We want to encourage people to just try it out,” said VanDerVliet. “This is not about a diet plan. This is about changing lifestyles,” said Margaret Jones, Lead Member Services Representative at Saw Creek and Treasurer of the chapter. In August, the nucleus group composed of VanDerVliet, Gerstmann, Jones and Kathy Pearson—all Saw Creek employees, invited residents to come to the Open House to discuss TOPS and how beneficial it is. “There is no selling of products and services. What you will find is a support system,” said VanDerVliet, referring to other members who are as eager to lose the weight. With eagerness is a commitment to get educated and be accountable. “Accountability is big,” said VanDerVliet. Since a group of about seven employees started early in the year, they have collectively lost 75 pounds. One person in six months dropped 18.75 pounds by eating sensibly and exercising about three times a week for at least three hours. Jones, who has successfully shed off quite a number of pounds, said it is a challenge to her taste buds. Instead of pizza and french fries, she is learning to eat spinach and kale. Aside from recipes, VanDerVliet said they also talk about body image, de-stressing and eating well on a budget during the one-hour weekly sessions. SAW
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LEGISLATURE Promoting A Better Business Climate In Pennsylvania By Rosemary M. Brown, State Representative 189th District (Monroe/Pike Counties) As Pennsylvania continues to bounce back from the economic recession, improving the business climate for job creation across the Commonwealth has been one of the most important issues facing the Legislature. With Monroe and Pike counties being home to several tourism hotspots, such as ski resorts, water parks and summer camps, I am committed to supporting legislation which helps improve those businesses. Because we are situated in the heartland of various outdoor summer camps, several local summer camp officials recently had the opportunity to speak with state lawmakers at a public hearing held in Monroe County regarding legislation to exempt organized summer camps from paying unemployment compensation taxes on their fulltime student employees. As a deputy policy chairman of the Majority House Policy Committee, I am charged with examining legislation that would help improve the business climate across Pennsylvania, as well as help create and retain jobs.
I believe this legislation gives summer camps, locally and statewide, the opportunity to expand their services to continue thriving in communities across the Commonwealth. This legislation would amend the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law to exempt these summer camp owners from paying unemployment taxes on full-time students in which they employ during the 13-week camp season. Current law requires summer camps to pay unemployment contributions on the wages of their student employees who are almost certain to be disqualified for unemployment benefits once they return to school in the fall. This legislation directly reflects language from New York’s unemployment compensation law. Estimates provided by the Pennsylvania Camp Association declare that these camps across Pennsylvania pay an additional $5,000 to $6,000 per year to comply with the current law. That is money that could be used by summer camp officials to update their facilities, purchase new equipment or add new activities. Mike Zides, operations director of Camp Towanda in Honesdale, said Pennsylvania camps are disadvantaged when compared to camps in neighboring states, such as New York, because they have more funding to put into their facilities. Similarly, Pennsylvania’s camp owners are pumping more money into the state’s unemployment compensation fund rather than investing more into their programs. This legislation now awaits consideration in the House Labor and Industry Committee, and I am hopeful that this legislation will advance this session to help support our summer camps across Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is also one step closer to creating a more hospitable business environment, as legislation to close the “Delaware Loophole,” and lower other taxes on in-state corporations recently passed in the House of Representatives and awaits consideration in the Senate. For more than five years, the Delaware Loophole has garnered significant attention and has been criticized as a flaw in Pennsylvania’s
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business tax structure. The term was coined to describe a legal tax evasion practice used by some multi-state corporations to reduce their Pennsylvania tax liabilities by transferring the ownership of intangible assets to an affiliated company in Delaware. Under House Bill 440, the only businesses that would be affected are those which are taking advantage of the loophole for the sole purpose of tax avoidance in Pennsylvania. In fact, the national median Corporate Net Income Tax rate is approximately 7 percent, which means Pennsylvania is nearly 3 percent above the median rate. A report, “Location Matters,” issued last year by the Tax Foundation and Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) ranked Pennsylvania dead last in state tax costs on businesses. This report confirmed that the Commonwealth’s business tax burden is hampering its job growth. All levels of government talk about creating and retaining more jobs in Pennsylvania. By closing the Delaware Loophole and lowering the corporate tax rate from 9.99 percent to 6.99 percent, as proposed under this bill, Pennsylvania will create a more welcoming business environment for companies to successfully start up and maintain business, which we believe will increase long-term employment opportunities for the people. The intent of House Bill 440 is to capture revenue from companies that have transferred money from Pennsylvania subsidiaries to corporations in other states, which do not have corporate taxes. I am honored to have been chosen to serve the residents of the 189th Legislative District and I look forward to hearing from you and the residents of your community. For more information or to sign up for my weekly email newsletter, please visit my website at RepBrown.com or follow my legislative Facebook at Facebook.com/RepRosemaryBrown. Kind regards, Rosemary
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HOMEOWNER’S CLASSIFIED COLUMN This free column is available to homeowners to advertise “for sale” or “give-away” household items, pets for adoption, babysitting services, etc. Ads must be 30 words or less and include homeowner name, lot/section and contact phone number or e-mail address. Only the contact name and telephone number or e-mail address will be printed in the paper. Mail to SCE: 5728 Decker Road Attention Public Information Committee or email information to PIC@sawcreek.org.
EXPERIENCED Housekeeper:
Call Sylvie at 570-588-3017
LETTERS
Letters to the editor To the Editor: Diva Here! And I’m FABULOUS!
Since getting together in Saw Creek and the Smithfield Dog Park I have met soooo many FABULOUS new friends. We may even have a little romance going between Reggie and Rockee. We’ll be planning a celebration for Halloween soon. If you would like to join in the FABULOUS fun contact me at SawCreekCritters@gmail.com or call my pet mom, Suzanne @ 301.325.6712. And remember, Roses are red, Violets are blue, I’m FABULOUS and so are YOU! Diva To the Editor: A large Thank You to SCE Public Safety staff for their prompt response to the August 10th water main eruption at my property. A huge mess it was but they acted fast and got the PAWC crew on board quickly. Another huge appreciation to PAWC working through the wee hours of Sunday morning to get the main repaired, and also providing emergency water supplies to neighbors. -Bill and Maria Meyer
FOR SALE
Whirlpool white electric stove. 4 spiral burners – brand new never used $100.00 Call (917) 620-8709
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PROTOCOL
FOR SALE DOWNHILL SKIS & BOOTS:
Men’s Rossignols with Poles. Marker bindings Nordica boots, SZ 9 Ski tote carrier with lock Lands End Carrying case PRICE: $150.00 complete
Do you have questions about our community? Concerns? Looking for advice? Can you share insights or solutions to
CROSS COUNTRY SKIS & BOOTS:
some issues that affects you and/or your
2 Pair Rossignol skis & bindings with poles 1 pr Man’s boot - sz9 1 pr Woman’s boot - sz 6 t/z PRICE: $25.00 each set or $40.00 for both sets CONTACT: 570-588-6083
neighbors? All SCE residents in good standing may write a “Letter to the Editor.” Letters of 300 words or less, in MSWord format must
Lot for Sale
include name, lot and section number. The
Lot 1835, Section 5, Brentwood Drive $1,000. Contact Cathy: Call (908) 790-1656 or email - cbulger17@verizon.net
lot and section number will be used for verification of member status only and will not be printed. The Public Information Committee makes every effort to see that facts are printed as available space permits.Your letter may be directed to: Saw Creek Public Information Committee at 5728 Decker Road, Bushkill PA 18324 or emailed to PIC@sawcreek.org
DEADLINE: Last date for submission of letters for the next issue of the Saw Creek News is October 1, 2013.
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SCE EVENTS OUT & ABOUT EVENTS OUTSIDE OF OUR GATES By Donna Dillon Sept 4th – 11th
PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319 Intro to Fishing PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319
Bog Walk (Wednesdays) Cranberry Bog Tannersville 629-3061
PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319 Pocono Cupcake Challenge Shawnee Inn – Shawnee on Delaware 800-742-9633
Sept 13th
Sept 6th
COTA Jazz & Arts Festival Downtown Delaware Water Gap 424-2210
Sept 7th
Fall Arts & Crafts Fair Bingham Park – Hawley 226-3191 EcoZone Afternoon PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319 Monarch Madness PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319
Lights Out Lake House Hotel – Saylorsburg 992-3278
Sept 14th
Intro to Canoeing
DIVA Night Hotel Fauchere – Milford 409-1212
Intro to Home Canning Tomatoes PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319 Volunteer Day – Pike County Day of Caring PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319
Sept 20-29th
Sept 15th
Harvest Festival PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319 Mudderella – Tamiment – Bushkill – mudderella. com/pennsylvania2013 Anthracite Heritage Festival Mauch Chunk Lake Park – Jim Thorpe 325-3669
Pocono Challenge Smithfield Beach E Stroudsburg – poconochallenge.com Fungus Among Us
Sept 8th
Sept 18th
Hotel of Horror Lake House Hotel – Saylorsburg 992-3278
Sept 21st
Sept 21st – 22nd
Rodeo & Chili Cook-Off Shawnee Mt – Shawnee on Delaware 421-7231 50th Anniversary Grey Towers Milford 296-9630
Sept 26th
Come Paint with Me Grey Towers – Milford 296-9630
Sept 28th
Mt Pocono HarvestFest Downtown Mt Pocono 350-6793 Fork and the Cork Mt Airy Casino – Mt Pocono 877-MTAIRY1 Birds with Dr Terry Master PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319
Sept 29th
Pocono lake Region 13.1 Honesdale to Hawley 226-3191 EcoZone Afternoon PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319
Oct 2nd – 30th
Bog Walk (Wednesdays) Cranberry Bog – Tannersville 629-3061
Oct 3rd – 24th
Lights Out (Weekends) Lake House Hotel – Saylorsburg 992-3278
Oct 5th
Hawley Harvest Hoedown Downtown Hawley 226-4064 Birds of Prey Migration PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319 EcoZone Afternoon PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319
Oct 5th – 6th
Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Days Downtown Jim Thorpe 325-5810 SAW
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Oct 19th
Oct 6th
Wiffle Ball competition Barley Creek Brewing- Tannersville 629-9399
Evolution of Grey Towers Landscape Grey Towers – Milford 296-9630 Fall Foliage – Hikers Paradise PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319 Nature at Night PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319
Oct 13th
Oct 20th
Fall Classic Car Show Bingham Park – Hawley 226-3191
Oct 12th
Oct 25th – 27th
Elvis Festival Fernwood – Bushkill 528-5560
Oct 26th
Dramatic Reading: A Night With Poe Grey Towers – Milford 296-9625 PEEC A BOO PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319
Eco Book Club PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319 Easy Does it Hikers PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319 EcoZone Afternoon PEEC – Dingmans Ferry 828-2319
Harvest Lake Stroll Skytop Lodge – Skytop 855-345-7759
Oct 12th – 13th
Timber Festival Shawnee Mt – Shawnee on Delaware 421-7231 Harvest &I Heritage Days Downtown Hawley 253-5492 Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Days Downtown Jim Thorpe 325-5810 Quiet Valley’s Annual Harvest Festival Quiet Valley – E Stroudsburg 992-6161
Oct 27th
Cemetery Walk Grey Towers – Milford 296-9625
Oct 31st
Hotel of Horror Lake House Hotel – Saylorsburg 992-3278
Oct 19th – 20th
Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Days Downtown Jim Thorpe 325-5810
Oct 14th
Hotel of Horrors Lake House Hotel – Saylorsburg 992-3278
Oct 16th
DIVA Night Hotel Fauchere – Milford 409-1212
Oct 18th – 20th
Black Bear Film Festival Milford Theatre – Milford 409-0909
REPLACEMENTS FOR MYERS, HYDROMATIC, LIBERTY OR GOULDS PUMPS 2 HP GRINDERS STARTING AT $1050.00 ENVIRONMENT ONE REPLACEMENTS STARTING AT $1350.00 PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE PA SALES TAX
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BUDGET
06425-000 Renters Registration Income: Increase based on 3-year historical trend, current year to date experience of increased number of short-term rentals. 06430-000 Gate Card Income: Increase in the demand for gate cards and charging $20 fee for cards in excess of the allotted 2 gate cards per property.
2014 Proposed Budget Changes The following comments relate to the 2014 Proposed Budget and briefly explain significant increases/decreases on various budget line items. General Ledger account numbers are shown in the same order as they appear in the Proposed Budget. It is important to note that this is a proposed budget. The proposed budget and explanations shown below are subject to change. Members should direct questions or comments in writing to: Finance@sawcreek.org. All comments will be carefully considered by the Finance Committee and Board of Directors prior to adoption of the final budget. Operating Revenue Line Items 06340-000 Owner Late Fee Income: Increase based on 3-year historical trend and current year to date experience. 06390-000 Owner Interest Income: Increase based on 3-year historical trend and current year to date experience.
06327-000 Code Enforcement Fines: Increase based on 3-year historical trend and current year to date experience. 06420-000 Badge Income: Increase based on 3-year historical trend, current year to date experience and badge fees increased to $5 per day / $20 per week.
06485-000 Resale Certificate Fees: Increased do to turn around on foreclosures, short-sales and anticipation of continued moderate improvement in overall home sales. 06490-000 Room Rental Fees: Increased in anticipation of new fees for rental of tables, chairs and VIP Pavilion. 06491-000 Recreation Activities Income: Raised fees as follows (proposed new fees shown); Guest Wrist Bands - $2; Swim Lessons - $35; Lifeguard Class - $175; CPR/First Aid Cert. - $50. 06495-000 Ski Ticket/Lesson Income: Increased in anticipation of policy change requiring Season Pass ($5, available to members only) and $20 Lift Ticket fee for all others. Amenity badges will no longer be accepted for free skiing. Lesson fees remain unchanged. Operating Expense Line Items 07114-100 Gate Card Expense: Increase in card sales, offset by increased Gate Card Income. 07320-000 Office Supplies: Increased due to one-time expense - desktop scanners for Accounting and HR departments to improve document handling and storage efficiency. 07400-000 Printing & Reproduction: Increased due to 3-year historical trend and current year to date experience.
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Call your AAA Travel agent at 421-2500 or visit AAA North Penn, 1527 North Ninth St., Stroudsburg today! SAW
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2014 Proposed Budget Changes Continued 07460-000 Meeting Expense: Reduced because current year budget includes one-time expense for tables and chairs not needed in 2014. 07260-000 Postage & Mail: Reduced in anticipation of mailing of only two to four issues of the Saw Creek News per year instead of current six issues and increased use of electronic media for communication. 07170-000 Collection Expense: Increased volume and cost of collecting delinquent accounts. 07255-000 Credit Card Processing: Reduced based on 3-year trend and renewed effort to encourage payment by check or debit card. 07181-100 Information Technology: Increased to provide additional third-party tech support for networked systems and equipment. 07150-000 Professional Consulting Fees: Reduced because current year budget includes one-time expenses for project engineering no longer required. 07280-000 Commercial Insurance: Premium rate increases for General Liability, Directors & Officers, Auto, Workers Comp, and Property & Casualty insurance. 08025-000 Recreation Supplies: Increased to improve the quality/variety of activities and entertainment during Community Day and other major events. 08400-000 Ski Shop Expense: Reduced because current year budget includes one-time expenses not required in 2014.
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Payroll Wages, Taxes & Benefits An average increase of 2% in employee base wages is anticipated for 2014. Employee health insurance premiums have increased due to claims history and market conditions. It should also be noted that certain changes in organizational structure, headcount, working hours, and amenity hours of operation are being considered. These changes may increase or decrease overall wage expenses in some departments. Among the changes currently under consideration are:
08790-000 Simple IRA Expense: Increased due to greater program participation. 09155-000 Life Safety/Security/CCTV: Increased due to new CCTV equipment, enhanced fire extinguisher inspection and maintenance, gate access tech support. 09658-000 Public Safety Uniforms: Reduced because current year budget includes one-time expenses not required in 2014.
Administration – A reduction in Member Services Office hours which might include closing Mondays and opening all day Saturday instead.
08510-000 Lakes & Grounds: Increased – Landscaping contract expense moved here from Beautification budget line (see 08590-000 below).
Recreation – Increased hours for custodial staff; rotating closure of one outdoor pool every Monday –Thursday for maintenance; Mountainside and VIP outdoor pools will not open prior to June 21st; Closure of Mill Pond indoor pool effective October 1st; Summer indoor pool hours will be limited from 9:00am to 12:00 noon (except for prepaid pool parties, sanctioned activities or when outdoor pools are closed due to inclement weather).
08590-000 Beautification: Reduced – Landscaping contract expense moved to Lakes/Grounds budget line (see 08510-000 above). Net combined Grounds/Beautification expense is reduced.
Public Safety – Departmental restructuring may include staffing the gates with Patrol Officers (Act 235 Certified) for enhanced service and security. A new supervision rank is also under consideration.
09116-000 Parking Lots/Lines/Signs: Reduced because current year included one-time expenses for community-wide road line painting, not required in 2014.
Maintenance – No staffing changes are anticipated at this time.
09140-000 HVAC Repairs: Increase due to aging equipment, rising cost of refrigerants and anticipated purchase of refrigerant recovery equipment.
07310-000 Training & Professional Development: Reduced due to more in-house training.
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09045-000 Vehicle - Gas/Diesel: Increased due to fuel price volatility and current year to date experience.
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BUDGET Proposed 2014 Operating Budget
OPERATING ASSESSMENTS DUES & FEES 06305-000 06306-000 06335-000 06340-000 06345-000 06370-000 06380-000 06390-000 06327-000 06460-000
Annual Dues Assessments Prior Dues Assessments Owner NSF Fees Owner Late Fee Income Owner Payment Plan Fee Owner Collection Costs Owner Admin. Fees Income Owner Interest Income Code Enforcement Fines Citation Income Dues & Fees Income
ADMINISTRATIVE 06420-000 Badge Income 06425-000 Renters Reg 06430-000 Gate Card Income 06450-000 Income from Statements 06921-000 Bulk Dumping Owner Receipts 06440-000 Building Permit Income 06485-000 Resale Certificate Fees 06360-000 Misc. Income 06455-000 Personal Property Sales 06410-000 Blue Ridge Cable Franchise 06920-000 The Falls-Gate Income 06530-000 Rental Income - Cellular 06820-000 Interest - Operating Account Administrative Income RECREATION 06490-000 06491-000 06495-000 06496-000
TOW Room Rental Recreation Activities Income Ski Ticket/Lesson Income Ski Rental/Tech Service Income Recreation Income TOTAL INCOME
2013 Budget
2014 Budget
$1,339
$1,352
$3,420,000 $120,000 $500 $50,000 $17,000 $5,000 $4,000 $52,000 $20,000 $25,000 $3,713,500
$3,449,852 $120,000 $400 $55,000 $17,000 $5,000 $4,000 $61,000 $25,000 $20,000 $3,757,252
$8,000 $6,000 $12,000 $1,000 $15,000 $1,000 $18,000 $1,500 0 $66,000 $17,700 $16,700 $25,000 $187,900
$11,000 $8,000 $13,000 $1,000 $15,000 $1,000 $20,000 $1,500 0 $66,000 $17,700 $16,700 $25,000 $195,900
$8,000 $5,000 $8,000 $26,000 $47,000
$9,000 $9,000 $11,000 $26,000 $55,000
$3,948,400
$4,008,152
$3,000 $1,500 $7,500 $10,000 $11,400 $1,400
$4,000 $1,500 $9,000 $11,000 $6,400 $1,000
EXPENSES:
ADMINISTRATIVE 07114-100 07115-100 07320-000 07400-000 07460-000 07410-000
Gate Card Expenses Badge Expenses Office Supplies Printing & Reproduction Meeting Expenses Travel & Entertainment
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Please pay the annual assessments by check if you can! By Cathy Wargo, Director of Finance Credit card fee’s are an expense in the budget and last year it cost $17,348 in crdiet card processing fees and this year it has already cost Saw Creek $18,877 from January – July 2013.
Proposed 2014 Operating Budget (continued) 07440-000 07260-000 07171-100 07177-100 07113-100 07118-100 07170-000
BOD Reimbursable Exp Postage & Mail Postage Meter Rental Federal Express Copier Service Contract Miscellaneous Expenses Collection Expense Administrative Expenses
$1,000 $18,500 $3,000 $300 $4,000 $1,600 $36,000 $99,200
$700 $13,300 $2,600 $300 $3,000 $500 $45,000 $98,300
$2,500 $26,000 $15,600 $1,400 $33,000 $55,000 $17,500 $2,000 $500 $1,000 $1,200 $10,000 $262,000 $427,700
$1,800 $20,000 $25,000 $1,000 $18,000 $53,000 $18,000 $2,000 $500 $2,000 $500 $8,000 $286,000 $435,800
$526,900
$534,100
Rec. - Training Recreation -Dues & Sub Recreation Supplies Rec. - Sports Equipment Recreation - Fitness Center Recreation Equipment Recreation Uniforms Janitorial/Cleaning Supplies Recreation Expense
$2,100 $1,100 $15,000 $6,100 $3,800 $1,000 $8,500 $37,600
$2,000 $1,000 $20,000 $3,000 $4,500 $1,000 $750 $8,500 $40,750
Ski Shop Operating Exp First Aid Supplies Ski - Hay Ski Facility Repairs Snow Mobile & Groomer Exp Ski Snow Making Electric Ski Inspections Ski Expenses
$6,500 $1,500 $1,000 $3,800 $7,500 $15,000 $5,000 $40,300
$2,500 $1,100 $1,300 $4,000 $7,500 $13,000 $4,000 $33,400
Total Recreation Expense
$77,900
$74,150
$359,100 $35,600 $46,000 $440,700
$368,900 $35,650 $58,779 $463,329
GENERAL & PROFESSIONAL 07250-000 Bank Charges Operating 07255-000 Credit Card Processing 07181-100 IT-Technology 07300-000 Dues & Subscriptions 07150-000 Professional Consulting Fees 07160-000 Legal Fees 07020-000 Accounting Fees 07350-000 Advertising - Bids 07251-000 Licenses & Permits 07420-000 Property Taxes 07202-000 Code Enforcement Exp 07430-000 Federal Income Tax 07280-000 Insurance Commercial General & Professional Exp. Administrative & General Exp RECREATION 08015-000 08020-000 08025-000 08040-000 08050-000 08040-000 08740-001
SKI EXPENSE 08400-000 08408-000 08409-000 08410-000 08430-000 08470-000 08480-000
PAYROLL 08610-000 08700-002 08750-002
Admin. Office/Mgt Wages Admin. P/R Tax Expense Admin. Employee Benefits Administrative Payroll
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Proposed 2014 Operating Budget (continued) 08635-000 08638-000
Recreation Payroll Ski Shop Wages Ski Snow Blowers Wages Rec. P/R Tax Expense Rec. Employee Benefits Ski PR Taxes Ski Snow Blowers Pyrll Taxes Recreation Payroll
$384,100
$288,065 $21,970 $24,960 $33,925 $21,984 $5,396 $4,900 $401,200
08640-000 08641-000 08700-004 08750-004
Public Safety Department Public Safety OT Public Safety Tax Exp Public Safety Emp. Benefits Public Safety Payroll
$656,700 $27,900 $76,800 $60,000 $821,400
$694,790 $31,250 $75,814 $62,556 $864,410
08650-000 08650-001 08700-001 08750-001
Maintenance Salary Maintenance Overtime Maint. P/R Tax Expense Maint. Employee Benefits Maintenance Payroll
$380,200 $25,000 $38,000 $44,000 $487,200
$372,800 $25,000 $37,500 $37,363 $472,663
$16,000 $10,000 $1,000 $1,000
$16,000 $7,000 $1,000 $500
$3,200 $11,000 $42,200 $2,175,600
$3,000 $13,500 $41,000 $2,242,602
$1,800 $8,000 $5,000 $9,000 $15,200 $23,000 $4,000 $1,200 $67,200
$1,000 $11,200 $5,000 $9,000 $7,000 $25,000 $4,000 $1,300 $63,500
$85,000 $30,000 $85,000 $15,000 $15,000 $195,000 $425,000
$85,000 $31,500 $80,000 $18,000 $15,000 $195,000 $424,500
$20,000 $15,000
$20,500 $10,000
08700-003 08750-003 08700-005
$275,500 $47,200 $37,100 $17,000 $7,300
HUMAN RESOURCES 07143-100 Payroll Service 07310-000 Training & Professional Dev. 07340-000 Advertising - General 08770-000 EH&S Compliance 08780-000 08790-000
Employee Retention Simple IRA Expense Other Payroll Expense Total Payroll Expense
PUBLIC SAFETY 07125-000 Alarm Monitoring 09155-000 Life-Safety/Security/CCTV Ma 09665-000 Pub Safety Expense/Equip 09050-000 Public Safety Vehicles R&M 09658-000 Public Safety Uniforms 09660-000 Public Safety Fuel 09668-000 Public Safety Training 09670-000 Community Relations/Outreach Public Safety Exp UTILITIES 08900-000 08930-000 08950-000 07270-000 09630-000 09700-000
Electric Water & Sewer Utilities - Gas Telephone Expense Internet Service Waste/Recycling & Compactor Utilities Expense
POOL EXPENSE 08210-000 Pool Contract-Service & Chem. 08220-000 Pool Repairs
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Proposed 2014 Operating Budget (continued) 08240-000
$2,500 $37,500
$2,000 $32,500
Lake & Grounds Beautification/Landscaping Environmental* Grounds Expense
$5,000 $53,000 $5,000 $63,000
$41,600 $11,500 $60,000 $113,100
MAINTENANCE EXPENSE 09250-000 Maintenance Supplies 09251-000 Maintenance Uniforms 09005-000 Maint. - Equipment Rental 09040-000 Mower/Tractor Exp 09041-000 Backhoe Expense 09030-000 Vehicle Maintenance 09045-000 Vehicle - Gas/Diesel 09220-000 Maint. Licenses & Permits General Maintenance Exp
$21,700 $3,000 $1,000 $1,500 $4,000 $20,000 $25,000 $3,600 $79,800
$22,000 $1,600 $600 $1,500 $4,000 $20,000 $35,000 $2,500 $87,200
$35,000 $2,000 $2,000 $225,000 $35,000 $299,000
$35,000 $2,000 0 $250,000 $10,000 $297,000
GROUNDS 08510-000 08590-000 08598-000
Pool Supplies Pool Expense
09020-000 09025-000 9800-000 09115-000 09116-000
Salt/Cinders Snow Removal Supplies Snow Removal Sub-Contract Road Repair/Storm Water Parking lots/Lines/Signs Road Maintenance Exp
09130-000 09140-000 09160-000 09180-000 09190-000 09615-000
Building Repairs HVAC Maintenance & Repairs Sewer Maintenance Plumbing Repairs - Common Electrical Repairs Exterminating Building Maintenance
$25,000 $7,000 $2,500 $5,000 $5,000 $2,000 $46,500
$27,000 $10,000 $3,000 $4,000 $3,500 $2,000 $49,500
Total Maintenance
$425,300
$433,700
$150,000 $150,000
$150,000 $150,000
$3,948,400
$4,068,152
0 0
$60,000 0
TOW SUBSIDY 08385-000 Top of the World Restaurant Top of the World Subsidy TOTAL EXPENSES
Contingency * Current Year Net Income/(Loss)
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2014 Capital Proposed Budget Reserve Assessment
2013 Budget $103.00
2014 Budget $136.00
2,554
2,552
$263,062 $5,000 $110,000 0 $30,000 0 $408,062
$347,072 $5,000 $120,000 0 $20,000 0 $492,072
$390,500 $390,500 $17,562
$491,708 $491,708 $364
INCOME:
DUES & FEES: Capital Reserve Assessments Prior Years Capital Assessments Capital Transfer Fees Interest - Contingency Invest Interest - Capital Invest Sale of Assets Dues & Fees Income
SU PPO RT O U R ADV ERT IS ERS BUY LOCAL! Your Contributions Keep Area Businesses THRIVING!
CAPITAL EXPENSES:
Capital & Replacement Exp. Total Capital Expense Current Year Net Income/(Loss) Capital Projects:
Item Description
Estimated Cost
TOW Carpet - Restaurant, Mt. Room, Fitness Center
$25,000
Gate Operators (2 replacement)
$10,000
Woodbridge Bridge Repairs
Full Star Enterprises, Inc. 570-223-2950 570-807-3081 fullstar97@yahoo.com
$180,000
Mill Pond BLDG - Engineering
$7,500
MSO BLDG - Engineering
$7,500
TOW Outdoor Pool - Sandblasting/Tile/Coping stones
$40,000
TOW Generator
$65,000
Plow
Fully Insured Free Estimates
$6,500
Portable Pump and Generator (gates)
$10,000
Chipper
$17,000
M-8 Bucket Truck
Stump & Tree Removal Septic Installation & Repair Retaining, Rock, Stone Walls Paver Driveways & Walkways Drainage Work Yard Ponds
www.fullstarenterprises.com
$60,000
Indoor Pool Furniture
$5,000
LED Signs - 2 (one double sided & one single sided)
$53,208
Treadmill
$5,000 $491,708
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ELECTIONS TRY OUR LOYALTY PROGRAM!
5 JOHN STREET CARBONDALE, PA 18407 570-281-9760
16 CHESTNUT STREET MONTROSE, PA 18801 570-278-2260
July 15, 2013 To the Board of Directors Saw Creek Estates Community Association 1125 Saw Creek Estates Bushkill, PA 18324 The following are the results of the Board of Directors and By-Law election for 2013: The Board of Directors Election results are as follows: John T. Mathew 254 Robert Shrekgast 262 Robin Anne Casalta 148 Bob Long 330 Joseph J. Salerno 242 Kathi Connell 348
247 Fox Run Lane, Suite 102 East Stroudsburg, PA 18302 Quality childcare you can trust!
The results of the By-law votes are as follows:
For Infants to School Age Children Located next to Mignosi’s Foodtown
Article X-Section C. Amending Bylaaws For 423 Against 87
M-F: 5 am–8 pm
Article VIII-Section K. Contracts For 384 Against 127
Sat: 8 am – 5 pm Curriculum receives recognition through
Article IV-Board of Directors-Powers & Duties For 434 Against 76
the National Council for Private Schools. http://www.the-road-to-excellence.com
Article VIII-Finances For 428 Against 74 Article VI-Section E. Appeals Committee For 434 Against 76 Article III- Association Meetings Section G. Voting/Ballot Handling For 450 Against 63 Article V- Officers Section B. Signature Authority For 427 Against 90
There were a total of 555 ballots received by our office. Thank you for the opportunity to provide this service.
Sincerely,
William Owens, CPA William Owens & Co., CPA
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COMMITTEES Saw Creek Men’s Club
Building & Architectural Committee
By Peter Derrenbacher, Club President
By David Stagg, Chairman
The Men’s Club sponsored the SCE community picnic on Saturday, June 22nd at the VIP. It was a great day and well attended. We provided free hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and soda for all to enjoy. Our annual golf outing at the Shawnee Golf Club on July 27th was a great success! Over 50 golfers played in the scramble followed by dinner at Pub 570 where over 60 attended. This event is critical to our fundraising activity and allows the club to donate monies to local charities as well as helps to fund various events for our community including the annual community picnic and free ski lessons. A special thanks to the following individuals and companies who purchased tee box ads and/or gifts for this event.
The summer is just about over which is hard to believe. The Committee hopes everyone has been enjoying all the amenities our Community has to offer.
Alan & Michele Brower Joe Casanova Kathi Connell Cramers Jim Danielson Peter & Barbara Derrenbacher Joe & Maria Doe Eastern Alarm Systems Engle-Hambright & Davies, Inc.
Kiley Associates Jim & Eileen McElligott Mohegan Sun – OTB Northern Safety & Industrial Ray & Jackie Pace John Pierce Pub 570 Grill & Tavern RBC Wealth Management Reliable Sign & Striping
Saw Creek Real Estate LLC Sears Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning Robert & Loraine Shrekgast The Big “A” Travel Destinations – Maria Doe Wayne Bank William E. Owens & Co., CPA PC Young & Haros, LLC
On July 21st our members attended the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse for a dinner/show to see “The Great American Songbook 4” and as usual no one was disappointed. August 11th 27 of our members attended a RailRiders game. Our upcoming events include our annual Men’s/Women’s club picnic at Bushkill Falls on September 21st. Our club meets the first Thursday of every month at 6 PM in the Mountain Room, followed by snacks and beverages at the TOW. For more information, please contact Peter Derrenbacher, 570-588-7522.
Finance Committee In this edition of the SCE news you will find the preliminary 2014 Operating and Capital budget. The Finance Committee along with Management and various Board members had meetings on June 27th, July 11th, July 25th, Aug 8th, and Aug.22. The board reviewed the draft at a meeting on Aug. 28th.At a number of these meetings managers from the various divisions made presentations to discuss their respective departments. As you are well aware, everything done at Saw Creek requires funding. SCE gets no Federal, State or Local aid. Whether it’s public safety, recreation, maintenance, paving, plowing, storm water management and trash removal these activities require funding. Please take the time to review the budget. The preliminary budget calls for a 3.2% increase in our overall dues. As you are well aware in 2013 there was no increase. Unfortunately the association, like individual homeowners, is facing increases in Insurance, fuel , utilities and other expenses. There will be meetings which are open to members to comment on the proposed budget and they are as follows: • • • •
Thursday, September,27th – Finance Committee Meeting – 7PM, Mountain Room Saturday, October 12th – Board Meeting – 10 AM, Mountain Room Thursday, October, 25th- Finance Committee Meeting - 7 PM, Mountain Room Saturday, November 9th- Board votes to adopt the 2014 budget
The 2013 Road and Storm Water project has been awarded to Wayco Co. If past performance is any indication we should be very happy with their work. Wayco was also awarded the contract to do the storm water work on Saunders Drive. We hope the Homeowners on Saunders Drive are not being inconvenienced but in this Committee’s opinion the end results will be well worth any inconvenience. Along with the road paving project we will be painting lines throughout the Community. Any road that is in predetermined construction area will be painted at a later date. The Budget process has begun for 2014. For the 2014 budget the Building & Architectural Committee is planning on visiting roads and storm water areas that we hope to have done in 2014. This way we are hoping to have a more accurate dollar amount that will be needed to complete the project for the new budget. The Building and Architectural Committee would like to remind all Homeowners that if you have a Culvert pipe or swale it is your responsibility to maintain them. By keeping the pipes and swales free of leaves and other debris we will have less road and driveway washouts in heavy rain storms. We are moving along with all of the proposed 2013 projects for our community and hope to have all completed by year’s end.
In addition, written comments can be submitted in writing to the Finance Committee.
Enjoy all our Community has to offer and stay safe.
SUPPORT O UR A DVERTISERS SHOP LOCAL! SAW
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2013 Annual Appeals Committee Report By Robert Palmer, Board Liason to Appeals Committee Appeals Committee Overview:
designated as the “Appellant” for the citation.
As per our Association Bylaws, when an Association Member received a Public Safety or Code Enforcement Citation they have the right to appeal that citation.
Hearings are held once a month on a Saturday morning. They are not open to the public. The Appeals Committee Members are community volunteers appointed by the Board. There is a Chairperson who oversees each hearing.
The member must submit a formal request and a hearing will be scheduled. The member is then
Representing the Association at the hearings
will be Public Safety, Code Enforcement, and Administration Staff. Also present is the Board Liaison to the Committee. The Appellant may bring individuals to assist them during the hearing. The Appellant will provide testimony as to why they are appealing the citation. Verbal, written, photo, and video documentation pertinent to the citation may be presented by the Appellant and the Association. The Committee Members and Association Staff may question the Appellant and anyone that has provided evidence or testimony. The Appellant will be dismissed. The Appeals Committee will then review everything presented and reach a majority decision. Only the Appeals Committee Members can vote on Hearing actions. The Appellant will be notified via mail as the Committees decision. A summary of all Hearings is sent to the Board. Annual Appeal Hearing Statistics:
From 7/1/12 to 6/30/13 there were 73 Appeal Hearings. 53 Hearings were found Guilty (including No Shows). 20 Hearings were found Not Guilty. The Citation as follows. 27 Motor Vehicle Violations (includes: Speeding, Stop Signs, Parking, Careless Driving, Documents); 14 Illegal Dumping Violations; 3 Gate Violations; 5 Other Violations (include: Disturbing the Peace, Harassment); 24 Property Violations. Total 73 Citations. Association Members wanting to serve on the Appeals Committee need to submit a Volunteer Application available at the Members Service Office.
Saw Creek Women’s Club By Robin Long, President As Another summer season comes to an end. Pools close, children and grandchildren go back to school as you sit there sipping your tea or coffee wondering what to do? The answer is to come see what Saw Creek Women’s club is about. We meet the first Thursday of each month at 12:45 p.m. in the Mountain room. We start out with a free lunch prepared each month by 3 volunteers from our club followed by a business meeting. The new board members are working really hard on some new and exciting things to do this year. I love being involved with the women’s club. I met so many wonderful women and I know you will too. SAW
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Safety Committee By Suzanne Mark, Vice Chair We’ve earnestly been working to monitor and foster items that concern the health, safety and security of the residents of Saw Creek. The Safety Committee would like to broaden our perspectives in two potential projects. One is the development of community wide emergency preparedness. The other project would be the presentation of a National Night Out program, http://www.natw. org/ scheduled in August 2014. While this 30 year old program originally was a crime fighting campaign to ‘take back the streets’, today it has become a fun night out to meet your neighbors because ‘a connected neighborhood is a safer neighborhood.’ So help us plan these events and activities we need your ideas, suggestions and support. While we would love new members for the Safety Committee, if you can’t or care not to join the committee but would like to volunteer for one of these projects, please let us know. Come Join the Party”! safety@sawcreek.org or Suzanne @ 301.325.6712.
Be Prepared. We’ve all heard the siren call of the Boy Scouts of America. Robert Baden-Powell, the Father of Scouting defined the meaning of the motto as follows: “A scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practicing how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise.” Let’s all start practicing for no surprises! Are your pets prepared for severe weather conditions? The two articles below are wonderful resources for pet parents. Print them out and keep them in a safe place. http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/disasterpreparedness http://petspot.aaa.com/pet-news/emergencypreparedness-and-your-pets/ Plan and execute your family’s emergency procedures today, tomorrow may be too late!
SAFETY TIP Are you prepared for severe weather conditions? As we approach severe weather season, we need to take some time to review how well we are prepared for a disaster or just a general emergency. Saw Creek is taking great strides to be better prepared to protect the community as well as individual residents. But each of us needs to be as self-reliant as possible. Saw Creek staff, first responders and volunteers may not have the time or resources to help individuals in community wide emergencies. Stock up- flashlights, batteries, and a battery operated radio or Walkman/iPod, canned or dry food, bottled water should be high on your list. If you have a propane grill or charcoal grill, you can have hot meals. Check to see if you have cookware that can be used directly on flames. If you don’t have any, buy some inexpensive pots and pans and maybe a teapot to make tea or instant coffee. Imagine you are ‘camping and roughing it at home!’ Think NAVY- it’s not a job, it’s an ADVENTURE! If a storm is coming, fill your bathtub with water, but remember we operate on grinder pumps and if power is off, they don’t work! No one wants an overflowing pump in the basement. It will create an adventure you don’t want to have. Stay in touch- If you don’t have a cell phone, get an inexpensive one with limited minutes to hold just for emergency situations. Saw Creek was great in providing residents with the ability to charge cell phones and computers, but you can be selfreliant with a car cell phone and computer adaptor that will work off your car battery through your cigarette lighter readily available at Walmart, Best Buy and Radio Shack. SAW
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New Members Voted to B.O.D. (Continued from Page 1) “Understanding what the role of a BOD is, and how the BOD impacts the future of the community.” He also feels that the Board needs to look at “where the community wants to be in the future and how the community is looked at by other outside interests.” Bob Shrekgast has been a property owner since 1982. Shrekgast was one of the driving forces in the initiation of negotiations with Resorts, USA, that resulted in the turnover of the facilities and assets to the property owners of Saw Creek. He has a strong financial background, and in fact was the Chief Financial Officer for the Township of Old Bridge, NJ. He has shared his financial talents with Saw Creek serving on the Finance Committee and will now serve as the Treasurer of the Board. Skrekgast and Long are replacing outgoing Directors Eda Dalfol and Amos Hawkins. Both were presented with trophies from Board President, Bill Montgomery as a thank you for their years of service.
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Former Board Members Eda Dalfol and Amos Hawkins were presented with trophies as a thank you for their years of service to Saw Creek’s Board of Directors.
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SCE NEWS New Area Code Added to Pennsylvania 570 Region Get ready to change the way you dial your calls! To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the new 272 area code will be added to the area served by 570. This is known as an area code overlay. What’s an area code overlay?
An overlay adds another area code (272) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (570). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code or telephone number. Who is affected?
The 570 area code covers the northeastern portion of the state serving communities such as Scranton, Williamsport and Wilkes-Barre. What is the new dialing procedure?
To complete local calls within the home area code, begin to dial the area code + telephone number. This means that all calls in the 570 area code that are currently dialed with seven digits will need to be dialed using area code + telephone number, for example, 570-555-1212. When does the change begin?
Effective immediately you can begin using 10 digits whenever you place a local call from the 570 area code. If you forget and dial just seven digits, your call will be completed until September 21, 2013.
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What will remain the same?
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Your telephone number, including the current area code. Your price for your calls, coverage area, and other rates and services. What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed.
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You will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for local and long distance calls made outside the home area codes of 272 and 570.
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Emergency service remains just three digits, 911.
If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 are currently available in your community; you can still use these codes with just three digits.
Who may you contact with questions?
If you have any questions regarding information provided in this notice, please call (service provider’s name and number) or access the following websites for more information: (service provider’s web site) or PA PUC website: http://www.puc.pa.gov/consumer_info/ telecommunications/area_codes.aspx.
Starting September 21, 2013 you must use 10-digit calling for your call to complete. If you don’t, your call won’t be completed and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again. As of October 21, 2013, new customers in the 570 geographical area may be assigned telephone numbers with the 272 area code. What is a local call now will remain a local call regardless of the number of digits dialed and whether area code is 272 or 570. What do I need to do?
In addition to changing your dialing procedure, reprogram your automatic dialing equipment, such as, life safety systems, telephone sets, PBXs, fax machines, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services to 10-digit dialing from 7-digit. Revise your business stationery or advertising materials to ensure the area code is included.
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K now the Ru les Have you checked out the Saw Creek’s covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) lately? If not, now’s a great time to brush up on the do’s and don’ts of the community, especially since the Board of Directors recently updated our Rules and Regulations document. For those of you who were unaware, CC&Rs play a crucial role in keeping the association running smoothly. CC&Rs are legally binding rules and regulations that each homeowner agrees to when he or she purchases a unit within the association. If owners rent out their homes, it’s the owner’s responsibility to inform the new residents of the bylaws as well. CC&Rs include stipulations on assessments, building design and additions, and the governance of the association. All residents need to understand these CC&Rs so they don’t unintentionally violate them; owners can be fined by the association and—in extreme cases—sued for violating the CC&Rs. Owners are empowered when they understand the CC&Rs and the procedures for changing or amending them when they are no longer applicable or relevant to the community. While they may seem arbitrary, the CC&Rs are legally enforceable. They also help ensure the association as a whole can thrive and that members are treated fairly and equally. So don’t be left in the dark—check out the association’s CC&Rs today! You can pick up a copy of the community’s Bylaws, Architectural Standard and Rules and Regulations at the Member Services Office, or download them from our website at www.sawcreek.org.
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Saw Creek Launches Basketball League Margie Gerstmann, recreation director, talks about a new sports program So, we have a basketball league. How did this all happen?
We were approached by Connie and Kenneth Davis. They have been running youth basketball in the Bronx for years. They felt that it was a good way to keep our kids in the community engaged and promote self-esteem.
Are girls involved?
Not as of yet. We will have a girl’s team if we get enough interested. We have already spoken to a couple of the girls who have shown an interest for next year. Where and when do they play?
Yes. The name of our league is Chase the Dream.
They play every Saturday and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the VIP outdoor courts or rain site is Top of the World indoor courts.
How many are involved?
How does this work?
We have a total of four Saw Creek teams that play against each other. We are hoping to be able to play against other communities in the next year or so.
Basketball has been a recreational sport in the Bushkill Community for at least a decade. It is our intention to take this recreational sport and make it into a tournament that will improve the community’s wellbeing.
What's the age range?
The program will allow both the coaches and participants to take an Oath that will bind them in an agreement that each one will present himself as a role model on and off the basketball court. Each team will play one game each weekend for six weeks followed by the League playoffs. Playoffs will be determined by a fourteam tournament.
Is this the first time we've had it?
The ages are 13 to 19. Are they all Saw Creek boys?
We have a fourth team of mixed communities with members from Pine Ridge, Country Club Estates of the Poconos, Lake of the Pines and Tamiment.
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How are the kids responding to the League?
Due to the age range of the players, there are some players who are dedicated enough to come out and play for our organization either before or after work depending on their schedules. These kids are tweeting about the games and have generated a ton of excitement. They are competitive and are learning respect as a unit for their individual teams. The camaraderie is outstanding to watch. They embrace each other on the court in ways that they would never have figured out how to do off the courts.
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Chase The Dream In Saw Creek: By Connie Davis When my husband and I initially began this tournament, we had a completely different vision of the tournament than what has actually played out across the summer. Our initial vision was that we would get a group of kids and mold them into basketball players by teaching them the skill of basketball. What we actually got was a group of very talented young men that we molded into a team. Believe it or not, at times, what we accomplished in reality was a lot harder than what we'd envisioned. To give you an idea of how talented these young men are, I showed Coach Daily (Athletic Director of North High School) a picture of the teams. He stated that we had put together a very talented group. He was a little concerned about the ability of being able to get a few of them to play as a team. When I told him that they had already played as a team across the entire summer, he was pleased to hear that they were working together as a unit. He was even happier to hear that Saw Creek had invested in the tournament to give these young men something positive to focus on across the summer. These young men dedicated their time and talents each week to making our tournament a success. At the beginning of the tournament, players like Kyle Redman, Matt and Jake (aka Jake from State Farm)
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demonstrated an adequate skill level. However, by the end of the tournament, Kyle Redman and Matt had improved week over week and gained a level of aggression that has help to identify them at a higher competition level than when they started. Jake (aka Jake from State Farm) our youngest player at 13, whose family spends the Summer in Saw Creek at their summer home became like the tournament mascot, because he was truly missed when he was not able to make it to one of the games. There were also players like Abdul and Derrick who were talented that I chose to make
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captains of their teams to teach them the lesson of responsibility. They both took charge of their teams from the start. The competition between these two teams was apparent from the beginning. Therefore, it came as no surprise that these two teams finished first and second place in the tournament. They both had perfect attendance the entire series and were phenomenal in helping to set up the court every weekend. Yoube and John were the captains of the other teams and probably had the hardest time getting their players to play each week because 90% of
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Chase The Dream In Saw Creek (continued)
their teams had weekend jobs. Kudos to them for consistently managing to have their starting five each week. You two made a true contribution to the success of the tournament. Watching players like Ernesto, Kyle Mills, Jeremy, Winston, J.J. and Edwin let me know that there was definitely not a lack of talent in our Tournament. Caseam was known as a strong defensive player on the football field and it showed in his rebound ability on the concur. When they got hot, Semar and Jamal's 3-pointers could be counted as soon as the ball was released from their finger tips. These guys were on fire. Salim scored 54 points in one game. This was he most point scored in one game by any player. Although he's very verbal, he will always give you an unbelievable performance. He's not one that you would want to miss. Sekou, although not on a winning team, lead the league in scoring for the season. This kid put in an incredible effort and even at times carried his team on his back. He is a player that I can't wait to see suited up again next year along with Rob. Rob is 15 but his potential unlimited. I've never seen this kid back down to even the most intimidating of players. Therefore, gaining him respect throughout the league. My five nominees for MVP were Semar, Salim, Jamal, Abdul and Derrick. This decision was so hard because the level of competition in these players were remarkable. At one point, I wasn't sure who should recieve the award. I had to speak to Coach Daily for further clarification of what the title and definition of what MVP really means. At that point, it narrowed it down to two players, Jamal and Semar. In the end, I chose Jamal because I felt he best represented what and MVP player should be. However, enjoy it for now Jamal, because I am pretty sure that Semar and SAW
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the rest of the players are coming for your title next year. These four MVP nominees as well as Jamal along with Winston, Edwin and Kyle Redman played in and won an all star game against a team from the Bronx. To see these kids play as a team with so much talent on it was awesome. They were complete team players with outstanding camaraderie . We exercised numerous screens and assist as well as a well spread point margin per player. If you're a family member of any of the young men who played in our tournament, you should pat them and yourselves on the back because this summer they have truly Chased The Dream in Saw Creek. Baruch, Kevin, Damion, Dwayne and every other player who was not mentioned by name, you were all appreciated. None of you are undervalued. You made a commitment and stuck to it and for that I thank you and look forward to working with you next year. If you missed this season, you still have an opportunity to participate next season. Our applications will be given out in April and due by May. We look forward to seeing you then. In closing, I would like to give thanks and special recognition to our volunteer parents Rob, Phil, Allison, Salim and all other who freely gave their time and efforts to contribute to a successful series. I would also like to thank our staff and ref as well as Saw Creek Recreation and Activities Staff. Margie and Rene, we started this as a vision and have ended it with these young men chasing a dream. Thank you for everything. I am already looking forward to next year. Bill thanks for coming out to meet the young men in our tournament at the Barbecue. If you're not busy, perhaps we can have you come back out for series tip off next year so that they can again Chase The Dream In Saw Creek. NE W S
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2012 Su rv e y Resu lts CO NTINUED F RO M PAGE 1
• The majority (60%) find Association fees to be very or somewhat reasonable considering the overall quality and number of services and amenities. Only 12% consider the dues to be very unreasonable. • Overall most respondents want to maintain balance of annual assessments, services and amenities at or near current level rather than raise assessments or cut services.
J u nior Tennis To u rn a ment Saw Creek’s Annual Junior Tennis Tournament was held on August 10, 2013. Congrats to all our winners and to all who participated.:
• Most respondents (80%) feel they receive a satisfactory level of information regarding finances, rule changes, upcoming meetings, events and other decisions made by Saw Creek Estates.
Boys' 18 & Under Champion: Isaac Scheffer Finalist: Will Kyaw
• Nearly all respondents (99%) use electronic means to stay in touch and 85% said they are interested in receiving more information via email.
Court Star I Champion: Riley Harris Finalist: Jordan Thompson
• The majority of respondents primarily stay informed via Saw Creek News (77%). Other top information sources are emails (45%) and the monthly bulletin (37%).
Court Stars II Champion: Sophie Merkulov Finalist: Mila Haraida 3rd Place: Jacob Harris 4th Place: Sasha Haraida
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