Betton Hills Neighborhood Association Minutes

February 5, 2009

 

President Andy Fink called the meeting to order at 7:45 PM, after a delay that required moving the meeting from the Ashford Club Community Room to the home of Dean and Sue Hansen.

 

Attendees included: Mary Kay Falconer, Bonnie Gaughan-Bailey, Tom Vickers, Margie McInnes, Peter Butzin, Dean & Sue Hansen, Melissa Jacoby, Mike Brezin, Donna Legare, Andy Fink, Carolyn & Eric Smith. Guest included our new newsletter editor Shawn Einarson and her husband Ray and son, Pat Brueckheimer, and Lecky Spector.

 

The minutes were approved as distributed. Peter thanked Melissa for taking the minutes at the January meeting. Melissa agreed to be nominated to the position of Secretary at the October Annual Membership Meeting.

 

Donna Legare presented the report of the Treasurer:

 

Balance as of February 5, 2009: $8675.57

Checks written since last report:

1238    01/08/09          53.75               Andy Fink                    adv. Event

1239    01/29/09          685.99             Mike Brezin                 newsletter

            (includes $180 for bulk mailing permit)

1240    02/01/09          93.94               Native Nurseries         Arbor Day plants

1241    02/05/09          89.37               Peter Butzin                website fees, various exp.

 

Deposits:

01/13/09                      50.00               dues and funds

02/02/09                      725.00             dues and funds

 

The report of the treasurer was approved.

 

Tom Vickers presented the membership report as follows. The number of paid members to date is 366, with revenues as follows:

            Bellamy Fund              $2,051.00

            Partners Fund             908.50

            Mansfield Fund           628.50

            Dues                           3,855.00

            TOTAL                        $7,443.00

 

An ad hoc committee to save the roses in our public parks reported that 116 donors have contributed $6,360 to date. Committee members present at this meeting include Lecky Spector, the Hansens, the Smiths and Pat Bruckheimer. By the February 12^th deadline for raising funds, the total amount likely to be raised will be between $8,000 and $10,000. The donations will be used to help maintain six of nine gardens throughout the city that require extensive maintenance. The board thanked the committee for its outstanding success, which resulted from excellent publicity, organizing and canvassing. Andy suggested that BHNA’s efforts should not be regarded as a long-term commitment and that the Board should approach the issue on a case-by-case basis in the future. The committee feels that after such an outpouring of support, the city is less likely to reduce funds in the future.

 

Margie McGinnis suggested that if funds need to be raised in the future, we should encourage people to donate to save the roses rather than give cut roses for Valentine’s Day.

 

The committee agreed to divide responsibilities for sending thank you notes to all the contributors. Lecky agreed to prepare the letter. Tom will provide labels. Committee members agreed to include hand-written notes. Sue and Peter agreed to help, so that the burden can be more broadly distributed. We also agreed that the contributors’ names should be listed in the next newsletter.

 

Melissa Jacoby reported on activities sponsored by the Council of Neighborhood Organizations. There will be a Town Hall Meeting next Monday on the topic of public safety. There will also be a discussion of the Neighborhood Energy Challenge, which is scheduled to begin on March 1^st. Dean also reported that he attended the January CONA meeting on behalf of BHNC. Jack Gant was the speaker on the topic of neighborhood dialogue. 25 of 40 neighborhoods were represented.

 

The Board thanked Mike Brezin for his tireless role as newspaper editor over the years. Mike announced that Shawn Einarson has agreed to be newsletter editor.

 

As Chairman of the Welcoming Committee, Dean Hanson indicated that the committee would plan to distribute welcome baskets again in April. Due to the economic downturn, property turnover has been lower than usual.

 

Andy pointed out that major sewer improvements on Mitchell Avenue are scheduled to begin next Tuesday. The street will be closed to through traffic during daylight hours. Limited Parking will be available after 5 PM for activities in Winthrop Park.

 

Donna reported that 15 people turned out for Arbor Day on January 31^st. This year’s event was relatively modest. The group cleaned out birdhouses, mulched, raked and planted three long leaf pines and two blueberry bushes in McCord Park. Mike also planted two shrubs in the Betton Road Island, to replace those destroyed by traffic. Jody Walthall also thinned out closely spaced pine trees. Donna will send a thank you letter to Dan Ferrar, from the City, for its contribution of 15 bales of pine straw.

 

Donna expressed concern that the Streets and Drainage Department prunes and mows much too aggressively. Recent examples include clear cutting Wax Myrtle along one of the ponds in Winthop Park, after a neighbor complained. The City has also too aggressively pruned a Patriarch Oak on Ellicott. She feels that the complaints of someone who doesn’t want to have their view of the lake impeded should not result in clear cutting to the detriment of the neighborhood, its parks and wildlife. She encourages people to politely challenge aggressive pruning and mowing, because the results destroy wildlife habitats and aesthetics.

 

Andy reported that despite our opposition, a disputed cell phone tower will likely be erected, disguised as a cross, across from the entrance to Waverly Hills.

 

The following issues were briefly considered:

• There have been a few complaints about cars speeding on Betton Road, which is an ongoing issue.
• A car was broken into on Spruce. There was also a burglary or attempted burglary at the home next to the Vickers.
• One of our event signs was run over, but Andy has done his best to repair it. He may have to replace it in the future.
• The Board agreed that this would be the last year we distribute the two Mansfield Journalism Scholarships unless the recipients send a thank you note. Bonnie agreed to present the issue to the guidance counselor at Leon.
• Donna will distribute the funds donated to the Partners in Excellence program to Kate Sullivan Elemenatry, Cobb Middle and Leon High Schools.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

 

Peter Butzin, Secretary