TLCA Committees

Goings On from the Entertainment & Recreation Committee

The last few months have been busy ones for the Entertainment and Recreation Committee. Fall into Winter brought the Fall Social, The Santa Claus Parade and Family Party, The Annual Cookie Exchange, and the Holiday Decorating Contest.

Annual Cookie Exchange

This social event is one of the longtime favorite traditions with our residents. The Community Center provided the setting on December 9. Tastefully decorated by the TEAM group and the Entertainment Committee, the evening supplied a relaxing and enjoyable gathering for the participants. A sampling of delicious cookies and an opportunity to take home a few dozen along with some valued door prizes comprised the evening. Beverages included a sherbet fruit punch, coffee, and tea. Sighted in the group were a few of Santa’s stray reindeer.

Santa Claus Comes To Tanglwood

The first Saturday of December on a rainy but not-quite-foggyenough for Rudolph day brought Santa Claus to Tanglwood Lakes escorted by the merry elves from Tafton Fire Company. Just after 10 am the entourage left the Community Center Station, horns blaring and lights flashing to travel through our roads to the delight of young and old. By 11 am Santa had finished his tour and returned to greet the families and hear some wish list items whispered in his ear. The Entertainment & Recreation Committee supplied mini French toast sticks, juice boxes, and other assorted goodies.

Chalet Mortgage

Starting around 2015 the Board of Directors initiated a study of our community offices, The Chalet. The building that stood at our route 507 entrance had been constructed when the community was in its infancy and designed to be a sales office. The Board study determined that the building was in poor condition structurally and not at all energy efficient. In August of 2015 an informational meeting of the membership was held to present the findings and propose demolition and a replacement. Following that meeting ballots were sent out, returned, and the project was given the go-ahead by an overwhelming (80+%) vote on September 19, 2015. Part of the approval included adding mortgage payments to our annual expenses. During these past seven years the economy has had its ups and downs and recent inflationary conditions have created a major increase in mortgage rates. Therefore, at the November 2022 meeting the Board of Directors approved paying off the remaining Chalet mortgage balance of $227,461.00 as the adjustable interest rate has nearly doubled, going from 3.5% to 7.5%.

APPROVED – MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 BOARD MEETING

The meeting was called to order by President Sandra LaPorte at 9:30 am. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present were 1st Vice President Mark Ossont, 2nd vice President Robert Burns, Treasurer Bill Vaccaro, Vinny Budd, Bob Russo and Grace Zoccali. Administrative Assistant Elisabeth Muller was also present; Community Manager Ralph Graf called in.

Motion by: Grace Zoccali

Second by: Bill Vaccaro

To approve the minutes of the August 2022 Board meeting, August Executive Session and emergency meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously. Treasurer’s Report, Bill Vaccaro:

2022 for in August is $ 76,043. Large expenditures include: $8,385 for Marina

$7,303 for Insurance, $3,740 for Beach Lighting, $1,575 for Legal fees, $1,994 for gasoline.

Reserve Spending: $1,759 for Lake Tanglwood, $2,000 Chalet mortgage, $1,125 Kubota loan.

New Capital Spending: $15,630 for Maintenance Building. Deposit of $11,544 to CIF account.

Motion by: Mark Ossont

Second by: Robert Burns

To approve the Treasurer’s report. The motion passed unanimously.

Community Manager’s Report, Ralph Graf:

As we close out another successful summer season, J want to thank the staff, Board, Committees, and the membership for their cooperation. The Semi-Annual Meeting of the membership will be held at the Community Center on October 15, 2022. The election results for positions on the Board of Directors will be verified at that time. The members have until gam on the date of the meeting to vote for the candidates of their choice. There will be four candidates elected to the Board this year. The successful candidates will officially be on the Board as of January 1, 2023. Once the Board sits at the January meeting, the directors will elect the corporate officers for the community. The officers are President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, and Treasurer. The First Vice President assumes the duties of Corporate Secretary for the community. The responsibility for each office is identified in the bylaws in Article X. If you did not receive a ballot, please contact the Chalet.

There were new Consolidated Rules that were adopted by the Board this past year. Rule [004] Authority. This rule change provides authority for an authorized representative of TLCA, including Public Safety, access to a member’s property. [Approved by the Board February 2022.] The Rules, Regulations, Building Code and Covenants require the Board of Directors to promulgate such rules, regulations and building codes for the general benefit of the community. Authorized representatives of TLCA including Public Safety, Code Enforcement Officer, and community committee members, are authorized to enter upon a member’s property in connection with conducting safety checks and assuring compliance with the Rules Regulations, Building Codes and CC&Rs.

In [Rule 205] it states the use of the Boat Ramp in Lake Wallenpaupack is for TLCA boat owners and their guests [approved June 2022].

The maintenance staff will be working on repairing canoe storage racks at the Indian Drive Storage facility. We are requesting that members who have canoes at the storage facility remove their canoes by October 15, 2022, so that staff can make the necessary repairs to the racks and prep the property for the next season. We appreciate your cooperation. The maintenance staff is prepping the equipment for the upcoming winter season. We have built up our supply of salt and cinders. We anticipate removing the docks on Lake Wallenpaupack around October 15, 2022. As we approach the date, we will send an email blast to the membership.

We continue to receive requests for permits for new homes and home improvements to the exterior of properties. There are many new members of the community who purchased homes this past year. Please note that a survey is required on a member’s property for structural improvements that increases the size of the footprint of the existing structure including additions, decks, sheds, garages, new and/or existing driveways, etc. The survey will ensure that any new construction conforms to setbacks and is not encroaching on a neighboring property. The management and the Board continue to stress the importance of voting to extend the Restrictive Covenants. We are approximately 30 votes away from the approval. The Board has stressed the importance of extending the Restrictive Covenants for the past two years. The threshold for the vote to pass is a ‘yes’ vote from 67 percent of the members entitled to vote. The covenants are the most important document that governs the community; it provides the authority to operate as a community. The covenants will expire in 2043 without the necessary number of votes to extend them. To protect your property values, a ‘yes’ vote is requested. If you have not voted, please contact the Chalet for a ballot. The concern is that if not extended, the expiration date will start to show up in Title Searches. The bottom line is that without the Restrictive Covenants in place, the community cannot continue to operate providing essential services, snow plowing, trash removal, road paving, installing the docks, collecting dues and all the functions necessary to provide the level of service required to keep Tanglwood a viable community.

There is nothing further to report regarding the Pocono Lake Front Development. The developer has been working with contractors on the construction of the sewage treatment plant to service this development. We will be notified by the township should there be any meetings regarding this proposed development that includes four seven story towers on the former White Beauty View property overlooking Lake Wallenpaupack. In addition, the plans call for approximately 200 home sites on the upper portion of the property bordering Tanglwood Lakes. We will naturally keep the membership informed as the approval / review process moves forward.

I know members have expressed concerns regarding the PPH Golf Course. A committee has been established consisting of three Board members for the purpose of meeting with the ownership of the golf course as it relates to removal of the building that has been totaled by a fire and plans for the future. Once more information becomes available it will be communicated to the membership. Respectfully,

Ralph E Graf, Community Manager

Robert Burns: We’d like to convert the courts at the ballfield into multi-purpose courts for pickleball, badminton, etc. I’m requesting a variance for $2000.34 to convert the courts.

Motion by: Vinny Budd

Second by: Bill Vaccaro

To approve a variance in the amount of $2000.34 to convert the basketball courts at the ballfield into multi-purpose courts. The motion passed unanimously.

2023 PROPOSED NEW CAPITAL BUDGET

Street Broom $10,000

Post Hole digger $2,000

Traffic Signs & Cameras $13,200

TOTAL PROPOSED NEW CAPITAL BUDGET $25,200

2023 PROPOSED CAPITAL RESERVE BUDGET

Paving $300,000

Lake Tanglwood Aeration $30,000 Kubota Loan $13,500

Chalet Mortgage $ 24,000

Lake Tanglwood Funds $150,000

Lake Tanglwood Trach Rack & Pipe for Bypass $125,000

TOTAL PROPOSED CAPITAL RESERVE BUDGET $642,500

Motion by: Bill Vaccaro

Second by: Vinny Budd

To approve the 2023 Operating Budget. The motion passed unanimously.

Committee Reports:

Budget & Finance, Bill Vaccaro:

The committee reviewed the August financials; there are no areas of concern.

There is still no resolution on sharing beach costs with Tanglwood North. A $13,000 contribution is in the budget for 2023.

The waste and recycling billing is being corrected. No payments were made in August pending corrections.

Actual costs for gypsy moth spraying and Ruffed Grouse paving are yet to be determined but are estimated in the 2023 budget.

A proposal to pay off the remaining balance of the mortgage on the chalet is not recommended by the committee at this time.

Bylaws & Legal, Rick Gaines:

We need about 25 more votes to make the restrictive covenants permanent.

Communications & Marketing, Tina Budd:

We are waiting on the first proof of the newsletter. It will be mailed out the end of the month. We continue to update the website.

Grace Zoccali: I just want to remind everyone that the Facebook page is not a TLCA-sponsored page. If you have any questions, go to the source and call the office.

Entertainment & Recreation, Robert Burns:

The committee is meeting on the 24th.

Environmental Management, Vinny Budd:

We will be receiving 29 trees through the Pike County Conservation District.

Nominating, Bill Vaccaro:

Ballots are due by 9:00 am on October 15th, the day of the Membership Meeting. At the conclusion of today’s meeting, there will be a Meet the Candidates session.

Public Safety, Bob Russo:

There was no meeting this month. Please keep in mind that for the key fobs to work in other areas of TLCA, internet access is needed, which means Blue Ridge Cable.

Public Works, Mark Ossont:

We are starting to prepare for winter. We have all the salt and cinders we need. Equipment is being prepared for the winter, too.

I’d like to go over some guidelines for the woodchipper: 12” branches only. The service will be available only to TLCA residents. Don’t leave any material there, don’t dump material early and don’t leave anything out for maintenance to pick up. Residents may pick up the mulch for free. The rain date is October 8th.

We are going to make Ruffed Grouse Drive a dead-end street to reduce the amount of traffic on the road. A gate and signs will be put up. This will not be an added expense for the community. We plan on doing this in early November, once the hump is fixed.

Ad-hoc Marina, Bill Vaccaro: Boats need to be removed from the do cks by October 15th.

Ad hoc Beach, Grace Zoccali: No report.

Paupack Hills Liaison Group, Grace Zoccali:

We are in the process of fact-finding. The Board is doing its due diligence to protect the value of Tanglwood Lakes’ property owners.

Motion by: Mark Ossont

Second by: Grace Zoccali

To adjourn the Board meeting at 10:10 am. The motion passes unanimously.

******************** Public Portion ********************

J Del Grippo, lot 609: Where will people turn around once they’re on Ruffed Grouse and realize it’s a dead end? In my driveway?

M Ossont: There will be a gate and signs to let people know it’s a dead end before they turn onto the road. The gat will be between your home and Steve’s.

J Del Grippo: So how will people turn around?

M Romo, lot 751: If I see signs that say, “Do not enter”, I go right through them. Would it be possible to make a turn-around area?

J Skulsky, lot 38: Getting to the garbage area could be a problem. Would it be possible to make a path for golf carts? They weigh much less than cars.

M Ossont: The committee’s consensus is that we should keep carts and cars off the road as much as possible.

J Skulsky: What about Ruffed Grouse being a snow emergency route?

M Ossont: The gate can be unlocked in emergency situations.

S Morgan, lot 558R: People often speed on Grasshopper. Would it be possible to put signs up on the street to tell people to slow down?

Board: Yes.

B Morgan, lot 558R: How will trucks access the road? You may need to contact emergency services before the gate is installed to let them know Ruffed Grouse will be a dead end.

J Obert, lot 808: How about putting a bridge that spans the hump?

M Ossont: There is no base to the road, which is why it’s sinking. It would be hard to install pylons and a bridge with no base.

R Gaines, lot 913: We had an engineer in ten or twelve years ago to try to fix this problem, and we were told there is no solution. The mountain is sliding down the hill.

C Lindberg, lot 267: Could we address this situation at a special meeting?

K Hebel, lot 959: I see there is no report today about the Pocono Resort. Is there any information from the planning board?

R Graf: We can request and get a copy of the transcript from the township.

K Hebel: The waste-water treatment plant – where is the outflow going to go? We may lose our ability to use the lake.

R Graf: I will call the township and ask for all relevant documents.

K Hebel: Regarding the golf course – this is our third or fourth go-around with this. It’s a mergers and acquisitions issue. Do you have a management company in mind?

S LaPorte: We’ve requested the information but have not received it.

K Hebel: Can you give me the name of the management company? There needs to be a management company looking into this.

R Gaines: There are people here with M & A experience. Once we get the information we need, the Board needs to do an analysis.

C Lindberg: Is the golf course really for sale?

B Russo: We asked for information to do our due diligence, but we didn’t receive it. We don’t know for sure if it’s for sale.

R Gaines: We have sixty days to get an evaluation of the golf course; we have the Right of First Refusal. We have attorneys and individuals with M & A backgrounds. A budget of 3 ½ million in 2009 budget ???

B Packer, lot 208: I’ve been involved with six or seven M & As. I would not release any notes to anyone. You really have no rights though you have the Right of First Refusal – all you have is a choice – match or don’t match. You need a good ninety days to make a good decision.

S LaPorte: Vinnie Polise does not have to give us any information.

J Skulsky: Vinnie Polise is not sharing information with us because he is not looking to sell. We have sixty days to do our due diligence and got o the community to get approval. I think the Board needs a different plan.

Board: Sixty days from the date of the contract signed by him and the interested party.

Lot 190: Now is the time to hire a consultant. It would be money well spent.

S LaPorte: We have requested the information we need. Polise is not giving it to us.

M Romo: We should go to the township.

Board: The township does not have the information.

J Shade, lot 26R: What would we accept if we buy the golf course or if someone else buys it? What are the community’s concerns?

R Burns: That is why we formed a committee to deal with this issue.

D Cutchall, lot 1065R: We should hire a consultant prior to an offer being made.

A Fallon, lot 653: This is off topic, but at the beach, people can get hurt by the stones that are by the shoreline.

P Stoll, lot 13: Is there anything in the covenants that states that the building must be razed?

Board: That’s the township’s ordinance.

V Budd: Polise has a permit to start demolition October 1st. He paid the taxes, so the course is off the sheriff sale.

J Musuraca, lot 249: Are there any plans with the building itself?

Board: No.

The public portion was adjourned at 10:55 am to move on to the Meet the Candidates session.

Respectfully submitted, Elisabeth Muller, Admin. Asst.