Merifield Acres Landowners’ Association
Board of Directors’ Meeting Minutes
June 14, 2016

The meeting was Called to Order at 7:00 PM.

Meeting Dates: Our BoD meetings are held at 7PM on the second Tuesdays of even months (currently at the Hensley’s garage). We thank the Hensleys for graciously sharing their facility with us for our meetings.

Attendees: BoD Members: Butch Cheatham, Chris Crouse, Annie Hensley, Kevin Hensley, John Stinson, FJ Hale, Scott Jeffrey, Carolyn Ferguson, Susan Warren, Paul Starzynski, Emilie Howie, David Hammer, Kent Galvin, Alan Weyman, Dewitt Vanarsdale.

Guests: Hal Norman, Scott Diamond, Joe Doherty, Bill Woodfin, Kathy Diamond, Nola Adler, Allan Walton, and Andy Ferguson.

Minutes: Approval of Minutes from the April 12, 2016 Meeting were presented which were passed without dissent after a motion was made and seconded.

Treasurer’s Report: Chair Annie Hensley reported the Bank of America checking account has $120,269.74, the Merrill Edge investment account has $142,903.66, and also provided the latest P&L statement. A motion was made, seconded and passed without dissent to accept the report. Thanks to Annie for all of her work in managing the MALA budget.

Old Business: President Butch Cheatham reported that no existing USACE easements for MALA could be found. The USACE said that all four easement locations on our roads will be processed under one easement. They are reviewing a quitclaim deed furnished to us by Sambo Lewis to determine if the front entrance may be exempt from the easement requirement. A motion was made, seconded and approved without dissent to move forward with the surveys. Jamie Nash of Crutchfield Surveying has been contracted to perform the surveys.

Committee Reports

Appearance and Beautification – Chip Overton was not present, but reports that litter continues to be a problem. He continues to clean it up in and around the front entrance. We owe a huge thanks to Cindy Meadows for launching a clean-up campaign / challenge to the MALA residents, and to all of our residents who responded by picking up trash in Merifield.

Architectural Committee Report – Chair Kevin Hensley reported that there were two requests submitted which were approved by the Committee. They are as follows:

  1. A shed on Meriwether Drive.
  2. A shed on Briarfield Drive.

No requests for approval are currently under review and no issues or complaints are currently being investigated.

Aviation – Chair FJ Hale reported that the runway is in good condition, but the windsock will need to be replaced soon at the cost of approximately $80.00. There was a motion presented, seconded and passed without dissent to purchase the new wind sock. No debris reported on the runway at this time.

Common Areas and Facilities – Chair Alan Weyman had nothing to report.

Deer Control – Chair Scott Diamond reported that there were 11 killed during the season.

Roads and Maintenance – Chair Mike Gupton – Please continue to keep Mike in your prayers. Kent Galvin, who is standing in for Mike, reported that there was a tree removed on Ridge and Lewis Road. The drainage ditch has been cleaned out along the road. It was mentioned that someone was dumping tree debris at Oak Park, and a suggestion was made that a wildlife camera could be put up to catch the culprits.

Security – Chair David Hammer had nothing to report. The video cameras at the front entrance are helping to keep criminals out of Merifield.

Communication

Welcoming / Email – Chair Cindy Meadows was not present. No report at this time. She continues to do an excellent job keeping our residents informed with the MALA newsletter.

Directory – Chair Susan Warren had nothing to report.

Website – Chair Susan Warren. Thanks to Hal Norman for his work on the MALA website.

New Business

MALA Dues and Liens: John Stinson and Hal Norman presented their research regarding the current MALA lien procedure. After much discussion and questions, a motion was presented, seconded and passed without dissent to continue the existing lien procedure that has been in use for several decades.

Support Group: Butch forwarded a suggestion made by Carolyn Ferguson regarding establishing a MALA Support Group for new neighbors, for those that have lost a family member, and those who don’t have family close by, to help them if they need assistance. It was discussed and there was an agreement that Merifield would benefit from such a group. New residents especially don’t know anyone here to call and can feel isolated if they need help. We request our residents in Merifield who have the interest to join a support group for their neighbors to contact Butch at malaissues@gmail.com and we will put a membership list together. As a community, it should be our goal to look out for our neighbors.

Burlington Drive Truck Traffic: Following up on a complaint regarding the dangerous truck traffic coming out of the old Burlington facility at the intersection of Old National Hwy and Burlington Drive, Butch submitted a request to VDOT to consider putting a yield or stop sign for the trucks coming out the facility. VDOT replied that it was up to the owner of the property to put a sign up, but that VDOT would discuss it with them. Our residents need to understand that the trucks coming out of the old Burlington facility currently have the right of way at that intersection.

Annual Meeting Date: The Annual Board Meeting / Picnic will be held on Saturday, October 1, at 11:30 AM at Oak Park.

Adjournment was at 8:30 PM.