August 5, 2006
Music Building
Northfield Mount Hermon School
Northfield, Massachusetts
Bob Ziegenhagen, President of the Rustic Ridge Association, Inc. called the meeting to order at 9:42 a.m. Sharie Broadhead, Clerk, stated the Call to Meeting and noted that one vote per cottage was allowed, associate members do not vote. A quorum was present. Kurt Nelson gave the invocation. The minutes of the 2005 Annual Meeting were approved with the correction of Warren Snyder’s name in the Trash report.
President’s Report
Bob Ziegenhagen thanked David Powell for organizing the clean-up of the tennis courts for summer play.
Several cottages are for sale and will be put on the web site if the material is sent to Mr. Ziegenhagen(Mr. Z). Web address: rusticridge.org . The ID name is ridge and the password is northfield. Mr. Z would like more information for the web site since there were over 1000 hits this year.
Lists for e-mail addresses were circulated. E-mail will be the main form of Ridge communication. Please keep your address up to date.
Auditor
Ed Burdick verified the treasurer’s report.
Community Contributions
Lucia Powell announced the Boy Scouts of Northfield and the Northfield Firemans Fund would be the recipients of our contribution.
Memorials
Elaine Harned led the group in a moment of silence to remember the following members and friends who have died since August 2005:
A memorial book will be chosen for each member and placed in the Dickinson Memorial Library. The collection of books donated since 1994 when the program began is presently on display at the library and is also on the web site.
Signs
Lucy Livingston reported that the signs went up in April. She is awaiting an estimate for a sign at the other entrance to the Ridge.
Gardens
Lucia Powell requested volunteers for weeding and mowing of the gardens we all enjoy.
Trash
Warren Synder reported that pick-up in at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Only specially purchased Northfield yellow bags will be picked up. Bags available at the grocery store and Mims. The transfer station telephone number is 498-4379.
Roads
Alan Abel reported that about 300 feet of the north end of Wood Way and of the Willows from Woodruff Way were leveled and water run-off trenches and rip-rap rock added. Black top was done in the spring. Culvert drain added on Wood Way. The town put a “skim and leveling” coat of black top on all of North Lane and Woodruff Way and will oil and gravel it. A thank you was written to Tom Walker, head of roads. Last years work cost $6,720 which was covered by the budget and contributions to the reserve fund. Full report on file with clerk.
Ridge Representative
Sue Ross reported on several Town of Northfield developments.
Northfield Campus Sale
David Powell reported there have been no offers to buy the Northfield campus and land holdings to date. There recently has been a change in strategy from the idea of selling it as one entity to the willingness to divide the property. A professional architectural inventory report has been made of the Northfield campus and is now being done on Mount Hermon. The campus is being used by sport camps this summer.
Guest Speaker
Leah Youngblood, Mount Grace Trust, reported on the work her organization has done on projects to conserve open space. She outlined on a map land that has been preserved as well as land of interest including the 2000 acres contiguous to the Ridge. The conservancy is skilled at putting together coalitions of private, state, and federal funds for purchasing land. Ridge members were encouraged to become members of the Trust and get involved.
Nominating Committee
Nominated for Directors: Adrian Hawkinson for another three year term and Mary Synder. Both will serve through the August 2009 meeting.
Board members:
Restrictive Covenant
At the request of Bob Ziegenhagen, Jim Broadhead presented to the membership a motion to release those homeowners who so desired from the restrictive convenant executed following the 2000 Annual Meeting limiting their individual cottages to seasonal use. He emphasized that this would have no affect on the Association’s approval and endorsement of Attorney Michael Pill’s Opinion regarding the seasonal nature of the Rustic Ridge community. After much discussion the motion passed 24 – 6. See Attachment for those properties affected.
Water supply extension
Kurt Nelson reported that his letter to the East Northfield Water Company resulted in an extension of the water supply until October 31. Members expressed their gratitude.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharie Broadhead, Clerk