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The Acorn - Spring 2008

Oak Ridge Estates Newsletter, Spring 2008
Compiled by Wilda Meixner, Editor

Letter from the Editor

Letter from the Editor:
I have accepted the challenge of producing The Acorn (now that I am retired and looking for a job!) and I hope that it will prove to be a pleasure rather than a chore. The schedule will follow the by-laws thus a report will be available within a reasonable time after each quarterly board meeting.

I will not be able to send copies of the newsletter by email because my server does not like mass mailings. Instead, I will post it on the reactivated web site (http://oakridgepoa.org/) and an email announcing the posting will be sent by Sandra to those who ordinarily receive it in that form. Thanks to Bill Manno for his help in the web posting. I will continue to print and mail copies to those who do not have access or otherwise find it difficult to access it on the web. Sandra has provided the necessary lists.

I have been asked to limit information having to do with identification of property owners who are not full-time residents of Oak Ridge. It seems the criminal element uses information in newsletters published by the various POAs in the area to target possible locations for break-ins and other mischief.

Directory changes will continue to be provided by Sandra. I will also continue the previous restrictions with regard to postings of properties for sale if they are listed with a real estate company. Other 'for sale' items are OK.

I ask for and welcome your news articles.

My email address: wilda@tstar.net.
and phone: 830 598 4577

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Letter from the President: provided by George Bowers.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday season. The December meeting was very productive and if you were not able to attend, please take the time to read through the minutes. Owners that attended the meeting decided overwhelmingly to turn the mowing and trimming of our common areas over to a paid Lawn Service. Mr. Robinett has kept the common areas for many years and has always had the community looking nice. This upkeep has helped draw new owners to Oak Ridge, keep property values where they are, and contributes to the overall safety of the community. When you receive your bill to help pay for maintaining the common areas, please remember that it is for a year and that it is for the good of the community. If you choose not to financially support the upkeep of the community, and expect others to pay your portion, then every property owner suffers. Oak Ridge is very limited in what it can do because of our small annual POA fee, so please give back to this wonderful community as much as it has given to you.

The community also decided that we wanted to try and control some of the littering that is taking place due to Picayune papers being thrown to homes that are not occupied full time. The number of papers that are picked up each month can be rather large. If you do not reside here during the week would you please call or email the Picayune (693-7638) and have them remove your address from the paper route. The Picayune is available at the post office for any of those that would like to pick one up.

Take care and I look forward to seeing all of you at our next meeting.

George Bowers

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Board Meeting Minutes: provided by Cookie Puckett, Secretary.

The meeting was called to order at 7 PM. on Thursday, December 6, 2007. The board members present were George Bowers, Cheryl Mann, Cookie Puckett, and John Klepper. Marion Staton, Lynn Liles, and Joel Houston were not in attendance.

Cheryl presented the financial report through December 5, 2007. She explained there is a 17% increase in the contract with Horseshoe Bay for our fire department protection. This year's fee will be $42,228, as compared to last year's fee of $36,006. This rate is based on the property tax value of the homes. The only alternative is to use Llano County fire - which is approximately 30 minutes away. Due to the location of Horseshoe Bay fire department, it was agreed to continue using them. Cheryl agreed to notify Horseshoe Bay for a better clarification of the increase. Bills will be sent to Oak Ridge homeowners in January for the fire protection.

The reading of the minutes were deferred because they were published in the Acorn. Cheryl Mann moved to accept the minutes as published, John Klepper seconded the motion. It was approved unanimously.

Bill Terrill gave a report on the new remodels, building, and demolitions. He also proposed some additional rules for builders. The new rules are as follows:

1. Furnish a Porta Potty. (NOTE: Locate at least 10' setback from front lot line.
2. Furnish dumpster or trash trailer.
3. Pick up trash around construction site daily to prevent blowing on street and adjacent property.
4. Request all contractors/sub-contractors not to litter streets as they travel in and out of Oak Ridge.
5. Before installing driveway across ditch, contact the Road & Grounds Chairman.

Cheryl Mann moved to have these rules incorporated into our current architectural rules. Cookie Puckett seconded the motion. It was approved unanimously.

These will be added to our architectural rules that we now have.

A.D. Robinett gave a report concerning the grounds-keeping.....noting that he will be retiring at the end of this year. He is willing to remain Road & Grounds Chairman and oversee maintenance. The work that he has done consists of roadside mowing, mowing and trimming the entrances and Oak Ridge Center, flagpole care, pick up brush and trash, silt from ditches, washouts, cleaning out drainpipes, maintain vacant lots within reason, and overseeing the storage yard. His description.....how much territory and how much time needed.....he felt would be helpful in finding someone to replace him. His recommendation for that job was Daryl Hinds. He has met with Daryl and taken some time to show him around the area. He recommends that we hire him for all the mowing and shredding. He also recommends that we take measures to stop throwing the free newspaper ( The Picayune) in our area. They are available at several locations nearby, and it has become a maintenance problem on the grounds. Because we are concerned about the overall appearance of this area, he feels that this will help the clutter in the area.. Preliminary numbers indicate that it would cost approximately $50.00 per year/per lot to keep the common areas under control. This would pay for approximately 4 mowings a year. AD indicated that the more individual homeowners do on their own lots, the less it would cost the POA. In addition, the vacant lots that AD has been mowing, these owners would receive a bill for the mowing - it would range between $50 to $100 per year. George called for a show of hands of members present, and the majority chose to accept all of A.D.'s proposals. We are very grateful to him for carefully and lovingly maintaining this beautiful estate for all these many years, and so appreciate him standing by to oversee this transition. George deferred voting on this issue until the entire Board could meet as a whole. A Board Meeting will be scheduled in the near future to discuss and vote on this issue.

AD has been paying for the gasoline he uses in his gator. 90 to 95% of the gator is used for POA business. George Bowers moved to pay A.D. for the gasoline he has used in the gator, and John Klepper seconded the motion It was approved unanimously.

George also moved that we call to stop "The Picayune" delivery, and was seconded by Cheryl Mann. The motion was approved unanimously. Cookie Puckett volunteered to contact the Picayune to arrange this.

It was noted that there is an automobile for sale on a property, and that is not acceptable. The owner has been notified.

Once more the discussion of trapping deer....pro and con...was before the board. This is always an emotional issue for all of the residents. Oak Ridge cannot afford to provide our own deer trapping. George asked for a show of hands from the members present who would support the trapping of deer as long as it was permitted. A majority chose to support this. John Klepper moved that if in the future we are approached to have a deer trapping within Oak Ridge, that we accept the request to trap the deer, providing everything is in order with the permit and that it must be at no expense to Oak Ridge. Cookie Puckett seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

George adjourned the meeting, and Cookie seconded.

Follow-up Board Meeting, 1-22-08

George Bowers called the meeting to order at 6 PM. All board members were present except Lynn Liles. A. D. Robinett was also present.

The primary purpose of this meeting was to provide board members who were not present at the last meeting in December with new information concerning the maintenance of the grounds. The decision was made at the December meeting to delay the vote on this issue until more of the board members could be present and informed. George asked A.D. to review the proposal to hire Daryl Hinds to do mowing and shredding. A.D. noted that this would not include the community building grounds and stated that this would hopefully be taken care of by residents on a volunteer basis.

A thorough discussion followed including many of the details discussed at the December meeting and recorded in the December minutes.

George moved that we accept A.D.'s proposal noting that A.D. will remain Road and Grounds Chairman and oversee this new venture for us. Joel Houston seconded.

Concerning canceling " The Picayune" being thrown to all houses in Oakridge.....George told us that the only way they would do that is for each resident to personally call and cancel. George will send out an email to this effect.

Also an update on the deer trapping: George will be meeting with the HSB POA president by the end of January for more information on the permit that we will have to have, and all the other details needed.

Joel moved to adjourn and George seconded.

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Volunteering: provided by A. D. Robinette (see second board meeting reported just above)

In one study, adults age 55 and older who volunteered for two or more groups were 44 percent less likely to die over the five-year study period than those who didn't volunteer. Other studies have linked volunteering with reduced rates of illness and chronic pain, and increased functional ability.

Volunteers are needed for community maintenance, such as tree trimming along roadsides, storage lot upkeep and grounds at the Community Center. Please call A. D. Robinett at 598-4263.

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Happenings at the Community Center: provided by Pat Heilman.

The POA community building was rented 8 times in 2007. The events included family reunions, anniversary parties, birthdays, a wedding (Nov.10) and a Christmas party. The rental fee remains @ $65/day -a real bargain. The deposit fee of $75 is returned upon cleaning inspection. Contact Pat at 830-598-6491 or pheilman@nctv.com..

The annual Community Garage Sale was the big event for the month of October. Proceeds are used to supplement the contributions for the fire contract. Well- coordinated by Suzanne Graham, Financial results can be found in the Profit and Loss statement.

Bunco continues to meet monthly at the center. If you would like your name added to the substitute list, please contact Liz Hinkle at lizh@nctv.com. or 830 598 2134.

Social chairs, Carol Toohey and Ivy Parizek are known to plan a party now and then. See invitation below:

YOU'RE INVITED to XLII - PRE SUPERBOWL TAILGATE/POTLUCK PARTY

• WHEN: Saturday, 2 Feb 2008
• WHERE: Oak Ridge Community Center (both outside and inside)
• TIME: 12 Noon 'til 3pm

Bring your favorite football/tailgate dish and beverages
Come join us for fun, food and good-natured football stories, bragging rights, and downright lies!
For those interested - games, games, and more games! Nickel-Nickel, dominoes and cards
Wear your favorite team colors, whether it's a local team, college team, or NFL team!
If you're not a football fan come anyway and join the fun
DOOR PRIZES!

This event is sponsored by your local Oak Ridge Social Directors, Ivy Parizek and Carol Toohey

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Update on email addresses: provided by Sandra Thompson

Doug Wierman: dawierman@aol.com
Bettye Solomon.: bettyes@nctv.com
Ron and Barbara Slothower: rsloth@nctv.com & barbsloth@nctv.com.
Becky Heaton.hsbbecky@hotmail.com
Bob & Marilyn Sumrall Sumrall@zeecon.com

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Financial Statements: provided by Cheryl Mann, Treasurer

OAKRIDGE ESTATES
Balance Sheet
As of December 5, 2007

Oak Ridge Estates
Profit & Loss
May 1 through December 5, 2007

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Ladies Luncheon Christmas Party/Cookie Exchange

The annual Ladies Luncheon Christmas Party/Cookie Exchange/benevolent project was held at the home of Judy Martin this year. She sent this report.

Dec. 13, 2007 What a GREAT gathering of neighbors and friends!! 29 ladies in attendance -- could we duplicate that once or twice more in 2008??? Our chosen charity for the Christmas season was OARS, and I know our three very large boxes filled with items like pajamas, night lights, gloves, and lap throws brought some Christmas joy and comfort to many Hill Country older rural adults. Thanks to each of you for your enthusiasm and generosity in making this such a successful project. Special THANKS to Cheryl Mann for delivering this "sleigh full of gifts" to OARS headquarters in Burnet.

As is our tradition, we drew months for 2008 Luncheon Hostess responsibilities. Thank you for your good natured cooperation in accepting this duty!! But mostly we shared fellowship and lunch; played some silly games; had lots of laughs which brightened our seasonal spirits even more; then finished off a wonderful afternoon by the singing of Christmas Carols and the final dividing and sharing of our wondrous,gourmet, cookie creations!

Newcomers, a special invitation. Ladies Luncheon meets on the fourth Thursday at noon. Come and meet your neighbors and share a meal. Most often, ladies meet at the center for a potluck lunch but occasionally hostesses choose to plan a special trip to some nearby interesting location. Generally, the Christmas party is held in the home of the hostess. The hostess duties are assigned during the Christmas party and the 2008 list follows.

Comments from Judy: Please do not feel obligated to do a special theme for your hostess duties; just enjoy the fellowship of your neighbors, relax and have FUN!!! But do try to be organized and remember which month is your responsibility!!! If you have a conflict that month, it is your job to trade with someone else on the list, or to call someone on the "alternate" list and see if they can help you out. Alternate Hostess Helpers: Judy Martin, Cookie Puckett, Connie Roth, Inger Lise Blount, Marian Drummond

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Miscellaneous news: Provided by members of the community.

If you don't want the Picayune thrown in your driveway, please call 830 693 7638.

A note received by Sandra from Sam and Rose Collier, former residents forced by health problems to give up their home here, expressing their thanks for continued news from Oak Ridge in the form of emails.

Sandra does an excellent job of keeping the community aware of illness, changes in addresses, etc. through her blanket emails. If you have a neighbor that you think would be interested in the information but does not 'do emails', please share the information with them.

Your recent letter from Pecan Utilities includes information that will affect your budget for 2008. Seems HSBay is raising their rates and we will see the effects in our water bills soon.

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For Sale Items

2003 Harley Dyna Low Rider, 100th Anniversary Edition w/chrome, saddle bags, windshield, screaming eagle pipes. Low mileage. $14,000. 830 598-8313

2003 Catalina Expo 14.2 Sailboat with mast/sail and boat cover. Length 14ft-2in, Beam 6ft-2in , Sail Area 102 sq. ft. Hull color white , trimmed in blue and yellow with white, blue and yellow sail. Stored on lift out of water, boat mast and sail in excellent condition. Very easy sailing , the Smart-Rig system consists of a tapered carbon fiber mast and boom. Just two lines control all the sail power. The boom height provides passengers comfort and enjoyment while in operation. Asking $3,500. Call (830) 596-6608 . Ron or Barbara Slothower 306 Scenic Dr

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