1) Streetlights: The street lights on WEL were out for most of summer, but they are now -finally- working.
Q: Are we going to get credit from Dominion Electric for time with light out?
A: The Board will look into it.
There continue to be problems with the streetlights on Moorings. The new Board will try to address this problem.

2) New Cluster Entrance Sign: The new sign is in place at the Cluster entrance.

Treasurer's Report (Tim, on behalf of Frank)

Frank Best, Cluster Treasurer, not being present, the Cluster's financial condition was reported by Tim Cohn. Briefly, the Cluster is in good financial shape [see attached budget document].

Q: Are we "robbing reserves" to fund current expenses?
A: No. Along these lines we are also about to do a study to determine Cluster Reserve needs.

Q: Why is there $216 listed under "light bulbs and other"?
A: This includes a payment to Galaxy Electric for repairs to one of the light poles on Moorings.

Secretary's Report (Tim)

Thanks to Alex Cohn, Moorings Cluster webmaster, we have an updated and much-improved Cluster website www.mooringsclusterassociation.org

Grounds Committee (Erik)

[See attached recommendations from last meeting (attached)].

A brief introduction on the role of the Grounds Committee was presented, and it was noted that the Cluster grounds are currently in good shape thanks to donations of various kinds and a lot of volunteer work from Pat Lenz and many others. The drought made it a tough year for the plants; much watering was required during the summer.

Q: Are dogs "using" Cluster property as before?
A: No. The new landscaping and garden seem to have encouraged pet owners to take their dogs elsewhere.

Two new projects that Grounds Committee expects to take on:

1. Landscaping around signs at ends of Cluster once Sign Committee installs signs.
2. Dead trees around Edie's garden. We need to determine who will maintain this now that Edie has moved.

Art Lambert reported that the Cluster hired an arborist to remove dead branches over parking areas. We need to look at this as an annual event (and expense) because we now have many overhanging trees.

Also, Cluster residents are advised to please report any dead or dying trees to Art so that we can have the arborist deal with them.

Q: We need a plan so that we don't over-plant -there isn't room for too many trees.
A: Agreed.

Q: If we have a problem, who should we contact.
A: Please notify Art Lambert.

Q: Were borers in the dogwoods taken care of? How bad is the situation?
A: Arborist didn't think much could be done to save the trees.

Q: What is the condition of the cherry tree that got knocked over and replanted?
A: Seems to be OK. (It was noted that if a tree doesn't survive, we should not automatically replace it).

Sign and Signage Committee (Bill Berkson)

1. The main entrance sign (see above), approved by the Cluster and DRB, has been installed.
2. Walkway signs have been designed, but need to be approved by Cluster membership. Bill showed the design to the members. The sign would include Neighborhood Watch, Cluster, Backyard Habitat info. "Doggie bags" ("pooper-scooper bags"?) would be mounted on back of sign.
3. Heron Island: Best option seems to be to put house numbers on the curb, indicating that 1636-1666 are to the east and 1600-1634 are to the west. If that doesn't work, we'll consider installing a sign. This will not cost a great deal of money.
4. Fire Lane signs: Thanks to Ron's labors, we learned of a new Fire signage policy. We can replace all of the fire lane signs in the Cluster with 2 signs at the entryway to WEL and Moorings. The Cluster would need to approve funding for this. Once the new signs are approved by the Fire Marshall, we can remove the existing signs.
5. House numbers: The Board would like to discuss this topic with the Members and get a sense of Members' opinions.

Q: Could we paint the curb in front of the sign at entrance to Cluster?
A: Officially, we don't have jurisdiction over that spot. Bill will ask Fire Marshall if it would be OK to paint spot.

Q: Does declaration of "Backyard Habitat"affect home backyards?
A: No. The designation applies only to the Cluster property.

Q: Will the signs be readable?
A: Yes.

Q: Does cost include removal of existing signs
A: Yes [$200 had been added to cover removal costs].

A motion was made to approve $2500 from reserves to pay for signs. This was seconded, and then a motion was made to amend the original motion to include acceptance of the design of the signs as proposed by the Sign Committee. Amendment seconded and approved unanimously. Original motion passed unanimously as amended.

Elections (Bill Berkson)

The President explained that there had been a mixup some years back that has somehow persisted until this year. In short, odd numbered blocks should be elected this year, but they were elected last year when even numbered blocks should have been. To "regularize" this, the Board suggested that it would be appropriate to hold elections this year for the even-number blocks as well as odd-numbered blocks. The plan is to re-elect the even and odd-numbered blocks this year, with the exception of block 6 (which was, according to the minutes, elected last year).

After some discussion about procedure, the President invited open nominations for the block representative positions:

The unopposed candidates, Erik Landberg, Andrew Nachison, Pat Lenz, Frank Best, and Tim Cohn, were elected unanimously. There followed some discussion related to the candidates for Block 4 representative. Following the discussion, there was a recorded vote. 13 households voted for Carol Matthews; 2 households voted for David Lu. Carol Matthews was declared representative for Block 4.

Note that even-numbered blocks will be up for election in 2003.

New Business:

1)      House Numbers: The Sign and Signage Committee decided not to act on the issue of House numbers. However, the Board did discuss a number of possible options: One proposal was to create Cluster "guidelines" that would recommend location, size, shape, font, and color of numbers. Another proposal was to do nothing. A third possibility is that the Cluster could hire a contractor to install uniform numbers at Cluster expense.

Bill demonstrated metal numbers ($14/letter) and plastic ones ($5/letter). Installation would be costly (possibly $15/letter).

We would like a common solution for the Cluster, but $4500 is a lot of money. Also, are 3 inch tall numbers big enough to be easily read?

Many diverse opinions were expressed on this issue. Some residents favor regimented house numbers; others value individual expression. Bill Berkson reviewed the history of the Sign issues in Cluster, and how issue of House Numbers came up.

One concern related to ambulances, fire engines, etc, being unable to find a house in an emergency.

It was suggested that we could we make a Cluster recommendation that would facilitate, but not mandate, consistency in house numbers.

[It was noted that if people are repairing their garages, at the same time they should try to level the skirt above their garage.]

Motion: The Board will adopt the design for letters as a guideline for house numbers. The guideline is to be put on the website, compliance will be voluntary, and no Cluster funds are to be spent on this. Amendment: 4" letters instead of 3". [4" Avante-Garde Numbers]. Seconded. Passed. Original motion passed 14 to 3.

2)      Database of Contractors

Q: Can we create a database of service people (plumbers, electricians, etc.).
A: Reston Association has such a site. We will put a link on the MCA page. The Cluster webmaster should be consulted if something more than this is needed.

3)      Sharing Contractors

Q: Groups could get together to hire professional inspectors to inspect whole house, find termites, exterminate them. This would save money.
A: This question about finding common solutions to our common problems was also raised in a letter from a Cluster resident who could not attend the meeting. We could certainly get together to paint, exterminate, etc. But it requires someone to organize the effort.

4)      Parking Bays

Concern was expressed about condition of the parking area railroad ties (1600-1610).

Gaylon Swanson offered thanks to everyone who helped get the lights working.

Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

--Minutes submitted by Tim Cohn, 26 October 2002