Wynthorpe Minutes
Wynthorpe Community Meeting
July 27, 2006
(In addition to the board, Valerie Longhurst, Senator Dori Connor, and NCC Police Corporal James Gladney Jr. were in attendance)
Opening
Trish gave brief discussion of issues w/ basketball in the streets.
Trish gave update on vandalism occurrences within the community. T
The floor was opened to Corporal Gladney.
Basketball in the Streets
Until county attorney's office forwards complaints of basketball in the streets, police don't get involved.
Streets are state property, but the responsibility of the community.
When it is reported that people are playing basketball in the street, DelDot will send a violation letter to the owner of the basketball net. If the violation is not corrected, DelDot will retrieve the basketball net and leave a note.
If children playing basketball in the street do not move for oncoming traffic it is considered disorderly conduct.
Corporal Gladney stated he would drive through our community, specifically by the park, tonight.
Unclear whether basketball in the streets is a violation of county code or police code.
Call 911 if kids are playing basketball in the street and are not moving w/ traffic. Give police units the addresses of those involved.
Call non-emergency police number if kids are moving w/ traffic. Give police units the addresses of those involved.
Police will probably only tell the kids to move when cars come. Most police do not see this as a big deal compared to violent crimes. Sidewalk and end of driveway are considered right-of-way, not private property. The homeowner is responsible for the maintenance however.
Police Calls/Reports
It is the responsibility of the community president to report criminal mischief.
A report of a damaged vehicle is the only criminal mischief report received by police dept. to date.
Calls of Service Statistics (statistics printout was given to Chuck):
- 81 calls of service.
- 38 false alarms.
- 1 disorderly conduct.
- No burglaries.
When filing complaint report (911 or non-emergency), warn that someone has a scanner and may tip off offenders. (Phil had stated that someone had pulled up in a car and warned kids that the police were on their way).
Speeding
A resident told the officer that speeding is an issue on Saeinni Blvd. The officer noted that.
Playground
Corporal Gladney offered that a light in the playground could draw people in rather than deter them. His recommendation was for the community to monitor the park.
Community Watch/Patrol
Community Watch: Corporal Gladney stated that a house adjacent to the park could watch the park. Other possibilities as well. Training is required prior to implementation.
Community Patrol: Cars drive around the community w/ a maximum of 4 hours, 2 people in a vehicle [one hour in the a.m., 3 hours in the p.m. (9:00 - midnight, for example)]. Individuals must be 18 years of age or older. Requires signage on the car. Training is required prior to implementation.
Contact Corporal Gladney for further information and for contact for training.
Permit of Assembly/Noise Violations
Permit is not needed for large parties.
Time does not matter for noise violations. If it's too loud, it's a violation.
Ordinances
Can get ordinance information at county website. Corporal Gladney will get specific information to Phil on location.
Soliciting
Many residents complained of soliciting despite 'No Soliciting' signs placed in development.
May call 911 to report solicitors.
Corporal Gladney reported there have been many soliciting scams in the area.
(End of discussion w/ Corporal Gladney)
Ponds
Phil sprayed for primrose. Said it will take a couple weeks to take noticeable effect.
Community Member Concerns
Open Space in Wynthorpe (West)
Resident at 103 Covington reported dead trees and holes in the ground behind his house. He requested that the community fix this. Chuck informed him that the landscaping was done on personal property so it is the homeowners' responsibility to maintain. Told resident he may remove the dead trees.
Phil stated that under instructions by the county, we must keep the dead trees on community open space (not private property) since Mr. Capano is liable for reimbursement. There has been great difficulty receiving payment from Mr. Capano. There is typically an escrow held for this, but Mr. Capano was only issued a letter of credit; he was not required to keep cash in escrow.
Residents of Wynthorpe (West) say grass cutting is not being done in their portion of the development. Chuck agreed to look into the matter and contact Green Side Up if needed. Residents of Wynthorpe (West) feel beautification is being done at the route 9 entrance to Wynthorpe and they are not receiving equal services. They would like to have trees around their pond. Chuck will get landscaping estimates for Wynthorpe (West).
Signs
Residents of Wynthorpe (West) feel their sign and the sign on route 9 should be the same.
Denise and Stacey (former board members) explained that DelDot approved the size of the sign based on the amount of open space. .
Residents of Wynthorpe (West) feel if larger sign could not be approved for their area, then the route 9 sign should have been downsized to keep the signs equal.
Residents of Wynthorpe (West) would like gated portion of sign that is on the route 9 sign added to their sign as well. It was explained that due to size restrictions by DelDot, this could not be accommodated.
Wynthorpe/Wynthorpe West
Wynthorpe (West) residents feel they are "separate" and not receiving equal treatment.
Phil stated that Norman Spector reports there is no Wynthorpe West; the entire community is Wynthorpe.
Unresolved disagreement among members.
Beaverbrook Sign
Resident brought in picture showing a green Beaverbrook Crest sign attached to a Wynthorpe lamp post on Schaffer Blvd. Chuck will investigate.
Ryan Homes A/C
Resident (Keith Shaw, 328-0811), concerned w/ A/C provided by Ryan Homes. He said many Ryan homeowners in Wynthorpe and elsewhere have had problem w/ faulty coil pack.
Member would like letter of complaint from the community on the homeowner's behalf.
Shariah suggested that we could possibly put a notice in the newsletter for affected residents to contact him. She further suggested that they could take their complaint to the county and send letters to Ryan Homes.
Dori also suggested that the resident contact Steve LeFreve, President of the Homebuilders Association at 994-2597 ext. 17 or 5151 W. Woodmill Drive Wilmington, DE (zip code not immediately known).
Question
Chuck mentioned that he is having problems w/ false alarms on his security system. A couple other residents stated they are having similar issues.
Landscaping for Signs
Valerie Longhurst stated that she and Dori Connor have funds to help w/ landscaping around the signs.
WMC is to lay out the design; however, there are restrictions on what plants may be approved.
Community contacts for landscaping:
DeAnne Wimbish - Wynthorpe (West) resident
Rick Dixon - Wynthorpe resident, WMC Vice-President
Street Turnover
Phil stated that the community needs the architectural survey that is supplied by Mr. Capano.
Need to get update from Carolyn Haag regarding recourse against Mr. Capano.
Dori Connor said that the developer is responsible for the roads for the first three years. Wynthorpe is entering year four. She will work to get the streets turned over.
Valerie stated she will call to get an update.
Valerie forwarded names to Chuck of engineers from DelDot that may be able to help w/ street turnover: Richard Fain and Ralph Reeb.
CMS
Rick explained CMS contract and collections process.
Phil stated that Norman Spector said Steve Blanchies uses aggressive tactics and that WMC could be sued for harassment.
Dori Connor stated Steve does well and gets results. She would recommend him.
Valerie Longhurst
Gave updates on future park plans in our area.
Gave handout for Bear Babe Ruth.
Dori Connor
Gave handouts for YMCA groundbreaking, Route 40 corridor update, and energy savings handout from Delmarva.
Update on route 9 - study of route 9 flooding was performed. Road runs 1/2" - 18" below sea level. Plans are being made to repair the road. A private housing development and condominiums are being planned for construction along route 9 (near Dobbinsville and Riversedge, respectively).
Legislation update - increased age for drivers permit to sixteen. Also increased supervision requirements once licensed.
Stated that the senate is out of session until January.
Email address: doriconnor@comcast.net.
(Adjourned)
|