Friday July 17, 2009 Notes Regarding a Board Conversation

Kelly's "After-Meeting" notes:

The minutes of a meeting can never capture the conversation surrounding the individual business items as hand.

That said - I, personally, and we as the Edgehill Master Association have heard more complaints about pool attendee behavior this summer than, I think, in many (if any) year's past. Residents overhear conversations at the pool where people admit they don't live here or don't even know the name of the neighborhood as Edgehill Farm. One resident counted nearly 20 people who knocked on the pool gate from entry because "they forgot their key." Residents don't feel empowered or aren't willing in many cases to confront a trespasser, and I can't blame them. Our board is only 8 people strong, some of us work and others travel a bit - most of us aren't regular pool goers, so a "vacuum" of oversight has formed and people are spending our dues money and increasing our liability because they're too cheap to properly contribute towards a pool's operation.

The problem is our key & lock system, which is woefully outdated and the keys that open the pool gate. These keys are easily "lost" - that is, they're given away by people who move away from Edgehill to their friends to use OR they keep the key, move away and then enjoy trespassing at poolside. These problems come and go in waves. You hear complaints and just as you get serious about doing something, all reports from the pool cease. Then, BAM! More reports and complaints.

The biggest complaint is paying residents often find the pool overcrowded.

Next, we hear about the smokers who are leaving their cigarette butts on the concrete pool deck.

Then, you'll see the folks who just can't bear to drink their beer from an aluminum must parade around with glass bottles. Mind you, alcohol consumption isn't allowed at the pool. A dropped glass bottle - a single bottle - will, by state health law, close the pool.

Once the pool is closed:

1. We drain it

2. We double check it for debris/glass

3. We power wash it.

4. We get it inspected by health officials.

5. We refill it with water

6. We re-treat it with chemicals

7. WE END UP SPENDING ABOUT $5,000 for that one cold bottle.

Back to topic.......

The pool overcrowding issue could entirely be Edgehill Farm residents, be common sense says there's enough trespassers using old keys they should've left with their landlords when they moved out. But, we can handle it.

In 2010, we'll likely be ridding ourselves of the traditional key & lock system of pool entry, replacing it with a keyless entry system. On top of that, you MUST have the key in your possession at the pool - none of this "I forgot my key" business. We would've installed a new key system this year, but it would've be an organizational nightmare over the summer.

Second - and I HATE this option - is the implementation of the old "Pool Nazi" scheme that long gives HOA's the reputation they often so richly deserve. If the pool nazi shows up to check keys or proof of eligibility, guess what? Show it!

Third - since Edgehill Farm has an "agency agreement" with Cary Police, it looks like we'll have to use it as the final option against aggressive pool attendees who exert their "right" to risk our pool access through negligent behavior (glass) or trespassing.

Our current board is quite active and many residents who are not board members are starting to get involved with volunteer efforts like the dog park construction or even paying attention to what's happening on the property. You own it, after all. This is a good thing.

Once upon a time, our amenities needed so much work that many residents didn't find desirability in using them. Now that amenities are improving, many people are lured our way.

If you've been miffed by the pool experience at some point, we'll need your help. The eight people who happen serve on the board cannot do it all. Let me know when or if you're ready.