November 12, 2025 Board Meeting
AI generated highlights with timestamps to accompany original meeting audio file
0:00–5:30 | Call to Order and Initial Business
The meeting opened with informal conversation before the chair called it to order and verified that notice had been properly provided. A quorum of five directors was confirmed. Owner’s Forum opened without comments. The agenda was adjusted slightly to move the Garden Committee report earlier. The revised agenda was approved smoothly.
5:30–9:05 | Approval of Minutes and Manager’s Report
The board approved the September meeting minutes and the organizational minutes from October. The owner annual meeting minutes were noted as informational and not subject to approval. The manager’s report included routine updates on property transfers, disclosure packages, and welcome materials. There were no concerns or questions, and the tone remained procedural.
9:05–13:05 | Mariners Point, Villas, and President’s Report
Mariners Point reported a new board, winterization efforts, and a tree that had fallen across the kayak path. The Villas had no major updates after officer elections. The president reported receipt of settlement funds and a legal reimbursement, both deposited into reserves. A short-term rental covenant amendment effort did not reach quorum and was formally closed for the year, though signatures will be retained. This portion was informational and non-controversial.
13:05–17:12 | Treasurer’s Report
The treasurer, attending via Zoom, explained that a callable CD had redeemed, temporarily increasing available cash to roughly $151,000. The board discussed how much liquidity should be retained for possible water or HVAC failures. The reserve study suggested maintaining at least sixty-five thousand in accessible funds. Members balanced preserving liquidity with seeking appropriate yields. All officer and management reports were approved with little discussion.
17:12–23:17 | Landscaping Committee Charter and Name Change
The Garden Committee presented a request to adopt a new charter and rename itself the Landscaping Committee. The chair described the committee’s purpose as advisory, focusing on cohesive appearance standards, sustainable plantings, contractor research, and long-term improvement planning. The committee emphasized that it would not direct contractors or assume operational control.
Concerns emerged regarding language that allowed the chair to select additional advisors “at their discretion,” which some directors interpreted as granting excessive gatekeeping authority. The committee agreed to revise the language. Further discussion focused on funding limitations; several directors stressed that the HOA relies on a tight budget and that recommendations would need to be realistic. The committee clarified that its work would be scalable and sensitive to financial constraints.
A significant portion of the discussion centered on the boundaries between the Landscaping Committee and Building & Grounds. Some directors worried that the committee’s evaluative role could be perceived as checking or second-guessing maintenance operations. Committee members restated multiple times that their function was advisory only and agreed to remove any wording that implied oversight. Additional points were raised regarding unauthorized materials and decorations in common areas, prompting broader agreement that natural landscaping materials should be encouraged.
With the clarifications in place, the board approved both the name change and the charter, with one abstention from a director who had not had time to review the full document.
23:17–26:00 | ACC Report
The ACC reported approval of a homeowner request for a pathway, patio, and planting beds. The approval included the standard conditions outlined in the application. This section proceeded quickly without disagreement.
26:00–35:15 | Building & Grounds Report
The Building & Grounds report focused on extensive pool deck repairs, including a structural ledger beam issue that had required jacking and reconstruction. Additional work on the deck band was also underway to prevent debris buildup. The report also covered experimental repairs to the tennis courts using elastomeric material to fill cracks before winter. Early results were promising, and the board expressed appreciation that these repairs might delay larger capital expenses. No substantial conflict arose during this segment.
35:15–42:00 | Water and Sewer System Update
The chair described winterization of the water tank and coordination for septic inspection with Mariners Point to avoid duplicate billing. There was consideration of hiring technical support for the water system, though concerns about cost were noted. A discrepancy between pumped water volume and billed usage suggested at least one home meter was failing. Because many meters predate 2018, a replacement plan may be required. The discussion conveyed guarded concern about aging water-system infrastructure but remained constructive.
42:00–47:30 | Septic Enforcement and Owner Education
A proposed enforcement procedure for overdue septic pump-outs led to substantive debate. The policy established a sequence of notice, reminders, certified letters, and fines, citing the importance of maintaining a healthy drain field. One director expressed discomfort with punitive measures and preferred education only; others argued that without consequences, the shared system remains vulnerable. The board passed the enforcement policy with one dissenting vote. A related recommendation to require overdue condo tanks to be pumped was accepted without contention. This transitioned into a short discussion about owner misunderstandings of septic use and the need for clearer education.
47:30–63:00 | Kayak Storage, Unclaimed Boats, and Timeline for Policy Changes
The board revisited ongoing issues with kayak storage. Several unclaimed boats had initially been slated for donation, but new information prompted a temporary pause. A broader concern surfaced around fairness, as some residents had difficulty obtaining spots while others stored multiple boats. Members also noted that addressing the issue during the holiday and winter season would be impractical. After discussing logistics and ownership verification challenges, the board agreed to adopt a modified kayak-storage system beginning in 2027 to allow adequate time for communication and adjustment.
63:00–72:45 | Playground Concept Discussion
A director presented early ideas for a community playground, including considerations for equipment, safety, location, liability, and accessibility. He mentioned willingness to contribute personal funds and suggested community fundraising. The discussion was exploratory and positive, without opposition or formal decisions.
72:45–End | Final Remarks and Adjournment
The meeting moved toward conclusion without additional major topics. Remaining comments were administrative in nature. While some segments earlier in the meeting involved tension—especially around landscaping authority, septic enforcement, and kayak storage—the board ultimately made clear decisions in each area. The meeting closed with an understanding that several topics, including playground planning and water-system monitoring, would continue to evolve over the coming year.
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Carolyn Schott.
Carolyn Schott.-
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Carolyn Schott
Congratulations to the members of the Landscape Committee, formally call the Gardens Committee , for the approval of their new name and charter. These members: Jason Foster, Linda Gray, Henly Deutsch, Mark Deutsch, Stan Murphy, and Carolyn Schott have been diligently working for a year to bring this committee and its charter into fruition. The Landscape Committee will be advising the Board of Directors on matters relating to the appearance, design, and aesthetic standards of the community’s common areas. The Committee’s mission is to promote a cohesive, attractive, and well-maintained environment that supports property values and reflects the natural coastal beauty of The Coves at Wilton Creek. The Coves natural setting defines its identity. The following standards, by which the committee will be guided, will preserve and enhance the beauty that we love, through a cohesive “coastal casual” landscape character —– relaxed, natural, and timeless:
- Harmony with the environment: use plantings and materials that thrive locally.
- Low-maintenance resilience: favor self-sustaining, drought-tolerant species.
- Cohesive design: group plantings and consistent materials for a unified look.
- Respect for shared areas: keep all common spaces safe, tidy, and attractive.
If you would like to participate in this exciting endeavor or have questions, please contact: Carolyn Schott (cjschott@verizon.net) Jason Foster (JFoster1441@gmail.com), Mark Deutsch (mark@markdeutsch.com), Henly Deutsch (henlydeutsch@gmail.com), Stan Murphy (estanleymurphy@gmail.com), Linda Gray (mslggray@gmail.com).
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Carolyn Schott
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