Board Meeting Minutes

The annual meeting of MSCA was held at Beverly Farms elementary school on May 23, 2006, as publicized in advance and in accordance with our bylaws.

Bob Gross, President, opened the meeting at 7:45. Bob introduced the board members present and highlighted existing vacancies on the board, asking for volunteers.

Bob went over many items of local interest dealing with development issues. First, he gave a review of the Seven Locks Road Sidewalk and Bikeway Project. The study phase of this capital improvement project has begun, and there will be a kick-off public meeting for the study on June 7, 2006. (See related New article posted on this site for more information: News Update 5/29/06.) Opportunitoies to comment on the project are available, and can be sent to the study project manager as noted in the news update.

The second development issue discussed was the Fortune Parc project. The developers had asked the county for approval for a change in the site plans for the project. They proposed changing several four-story rental garden apartments into 8-10 story condominium buildings similar to the one already being constructed. Several objections to the proposal and to the process for handling it were advanced by local citizens associations. Ultimately, the county approved the changes, which introduced an underground garage, added more green space, and eliminated the rental properties in favor of owned properties.

Bob next introduced speakers from two of our local pools, starting with Montgomery Square/Copenhaver Swimclub. The representative addressed their plans for renovating the pool, which will involve a staged modernization effort, starting with the party area this year, changes to the deck, a new baby pool, handicapped accessible changing rooms, a family changing room, and bathhouse renovations. Financing will come based on increased land value and be paid off over time.

The second pool was Regency Estates, which has just finished a complete replacement of their entire pool. Extolling the virtues of having a community pool, the speaker described the new geometry of the pool, which will maintain an approved 3 meter diving area, and which will allow concurrent use of the pool for both swim team practice and open swim. The pool will open on time for Memorial Day and have an open house for the neighborhood.

Following on the presentation from Regency Estates Pool, Bob mentioned that there had been some discussion about mergers with other local citizens associations, specifically Regency Estates. They did not have an active association for a while, but have rejuvented their group and do a good job pubishing newsletters and keeping up with local issues. Their newsletters are online at: www.regencyestates.org However, the way that the associations collect money and use it are quite different. The dues we collect and the landscaping work it provides are not things that Regency Estates practices. The current thinking is to continue to cooperate and team up on issues of joint concern, such as roads and development.

Bob Gross next introduced our featured speaker, Mr. Brian J. Feldman, our representative to the Maryland House of Delegates from District 15. Delegate Feldman noted that we seem to be in a period of increased activism by local citizens associations, and the larger the groups that these associations represent, the more "voice" they have with elected officials. He represents a large district, ranging from our area, out to Poolesville and up to Clarksburg. Contrary to what the newspapers portayed, Delegate Feldman felt that the State legislature did have a successful and productive year. Our delegations from Montgomery County were able to significantly increase revenues from the State to the County in several key areas, including education, school construction, and environmental issues. The legislature passed and the Governor signed the Healthy Air Act, and funded Project Open Space projects in Montgomery County. A bill improving pensions for K-12 teachers passed, as did a tuition freeze for the University of Maryland. The State did not, however, do anything with slot machines, nor did it get the new computerized voting machines to generate a paper trail to be used in recounts. Delegate Feldman is particularly active in supporting bio-technology initiatives, establishing tax credits and encouraging venture capital for growing this technology area in the County. Funding for stem cell research was approved by the State, for example.

Taking questions from the audience, Delegate Feldman explained a new law on providing "Early Voting" opportunites in Maryland. This would allow voters to vote at convenient polling places 5 days in advance of election day itself, rather than have to use the traditional absentee ballot mail-in system. The Governor opposes this initiative and is trying to get it reconsidered as a ballot question. Delegate Feldman favors the law as being designed to improve voter turnout. A discussion of why the two sides differ was very instructive. An audience member asked Delegate Feldman about the possible effect of exit polling of early voters, which was of some concern at least to some people.

In closing, Delegate Feldman again emphasized that citizen activism counts. When groups of citizens work together to get assistance from their elected officials, they can make a big difference. He offered to assist us in any way he can on state-level issues.

Bob Gross then quickly covered recent events and successes. The community yard sale was again successful, with over a dozen households formally participating, and others joining on an ad hoc basis. Treasurer David Grossman reported that dues collection has been successful overall, with revenues of approximately $10,000. Anne Stadnicki again organized publication of our community phone directory, which generated ad revenue as well. Anne passed out information on trends in local home sales, which have seen a slowdown in recent months similar to all markets in our area.

Sectretary Tom Hall called for nominations for the Board and for the Officers of the Corporation. He noted that the President, Secretary, and Treasurer had agreed to continue in office if no volunteers came forward, but that we were still short a Vice President and several key Committee Chairs. There were no nominations from the floor and the current Officers were re-elected unanimously.

In closing, the President noted that he wished to thank the Officers and volunteers, including those already noted above. He also commended Kim Ford, who arranged for the meeting room and assisted in dues collection. He thanked everyone for coming.