NEWBERRY STATION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

April 7, 2010

I. Call to Order

A. The meeting was called to order at 7:06

B. Roster

Board Attendees                     Brandon Farlander

                        Michael Miller

                                                John Saulsbery

                                                David Simcic

                                                Todd Austin

Guest Speakers                       Kenneth R. Lim P.E., Project Manager, Building Design Branch, Planning and Management Division, County of Fairfax Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Services

                        Cindy Smith, President, Newington Civic Association

II. Approval Of Minutes

Mr. Farlander moved to accept the minutes of the March 2010 meeting. Mr. Austin seconded the motion. Passed unanimously.

III. County Bus Garage

Mr. Lim presented plans for reconstruction of the County Bus Garage.  In essence, a new, larger building will replace the existing building (but with round about the same number of bays).  The County will construct a wooden wall as a sound barrier along Newington Road (where the existing chain link fence sits).  The County will also improve the configuration of Cinder Bed Road. 

IV. Traffic Calming , Zoning, and Watering The Levelle Dupell Park

Ms. Smith provided information on traffic calming for Newington, Accotink, Ona, and Hamilton public roads.  The good news is that, thanks to changes in Fairfax County policies, the County is now willing to proceed with measures to crack down on speeding along Newington and Accotink Roads.  Among the possibilities — heavier fines for speeding along those roads (e.g., $200 a ticket), speed bumps, more signs, et. al.  The bad news – the community somehow has to pay for the changes.  As the first step, the County requires a Task Force to recommend changes.  Ms. Smith announced that the first meeting will be on April 20 and invited Board members (or any other interested member of our community) to join the Task Force.

Ms. Smith also reported on several rezoning applications under consideration by the County (attached).  These will be discussed at the next meeting of her Association – at the Levelle Dupell Park or, if the weather is inclement, the Bus Garage.

Finally, she reported that a number of residents had planted flowers at the entrance to the Park which will need occasional watering (which won’t be done by Fairfax County).  There is a milk jug near the drinking fountain – users of the Park are invited to use the jug to water the plants.

V. Community Forum

A resident praised the Board for the handling of the snow emergency.  A second resident noted, however, that snow removal was not as good at the bottom of Trestle Ct, where snow was repeatedly piled high in front of the bottommost parking spaces.  Also, the snow apparently damaged a number of the gutters on the rear roofs of some houses – which need repair.

A resident noted a number of problems with ProGrounds, including

-- Bare areas that need seeding.

-- Abandoned flower beds at the top of Ona Road.

-- Poor job of leaf cleanup (e.g., pine cones not picked up).

Mr. Miller requested a check list from the resident for his use in the next inspection of the ProGrounds work, which will occur before the next Board meeting.

VI.   Contracts

1. Mr. Miller made a motion to approve the proposals from K.R. Jenkins for opening and closing the pools but not to accept the revised offer from Continental Pools.  Mr. Austin seconded the motion.  Passed unanimously.  The Board expects Cardinal Management to request a more detailed task by task cost breakdown from Continental regarding the opening and closing expenses removed from its latest proposal and the costs remaining on the contract for all services.

2.  The Board tabled the proposals from Professional Grounds.  Mr. Miller volunteered to sweep the streets in lieu of having that done by Professional Grounds.

3.  The Board expressed concerns about Cardinal Management Schedule B expenses.  Ideally, these expenses should be zero.  Mr. Farlander will talk to Cardinal Management about mitigating those expenses.