BFA Meeting Minutes

04/08/08

 

Attendees:

 

Carnes Flatt

Brett Franklin

Darlene Gardner

Gene Gardner

Jon Hazelip

Mike Locke

Diane Luebke

Hugh McNaughten

Clara Pharris

Ann Reeves

Judy Roberson

Ken Roberson

John Tollini

 

 

Contact list distributed to all board members to make revisions, add phone numbers etc.   (Since the meeting the master file has been updated)

 

3/31 Meeting Minute corrections – The minutes have been updated to reflect a $100 donation made by Ken and Judy Roberson to subsidize the cost necessary to file a non profit application.

 

Priorities Defined - Mike Locke called the meeting to order and set the stage for the discussions to follow.   The group agreed that we should not attempt to do too much too soon. The plan will be to target a few goals where the group can build the foundation necessary for future projects and ideas to be successful. 

 

Mike suggested the group consider focusing on the following priorities:

 

  • Secure non-profit status
  • Develop network of block captains
  • Neighborhood Watch
  • Neighborhood Entrances

 

 

Secure non Profit Status –

  • Hugh McNaughten advised that assistance was necessary to complete the 27 page application.  It was suggested that Hugh contact Gary Greenstein who lives on Brandywine Drive.  Gary originally volunteered to review to non profit charter during the initial meeting at Andrew Jackson School.  Mike Locke agreed to contact Darren Jernigan to ask for his assistance as well.
  • Diane Luebke also donated $100 to assist in covering the application costs to Hugh McNaughten.
  • Mike Locke recommended that we wait until our non profit status has been secured to organize the next “public” meeting.

 

 

Develop network of Block Captains –

  • Judy Roberson shared the results from her research which provide the names of each home owner by street.  
  • Hugh McNaughten shared the list of the individuals who originally signed the “block captain list” during the meeting at Andrew Jackson.   
  • Mike Locke suggested that a neighborhood map detailing each lot would be of value.  Hugh McNaughten indicated Joy had one that they could share.
  • Carnes Flat enthusiastically agreed to spearhead this effort.  Darlene Gardner volunteered to assist.  

 

Neighborhood Watch

  • This effort can not launch until Block captains are in place and has been tabled until the next meeting.
  • Brett reported once a point person is identified, they could contact Sgt. Todd Leach who would provide all the information necessary to get the effort off the ground.  Todd would also be a great speaker at the next all neighborhood event.  In addition, Brett can also provide the point person with the reference notes used by Shelly Cargill in the Village.

 

 

Neighborhood Entrances –

  • Brandywine Drive Entrance
    • The team agreed that a “high profile” project the group could set as a priority would be the main entrance.  Everyone agreed this would drum up much enthusiasm for the BFA.  In addition, this would be a great opportunity to rally community spirit and participation.
    • Hugh McNaughten agreed to lead this charge.  Mike Locke requested Hugh form an action team of 3-4 people to spearhead this cause.  Hugh will begin efforts to develop a plan.  Once a plan is ready then we can accurately determine the cost of the materials required to complete the job.   Hugh reported the block and brick are in good shape, with the exception of some graffiti.  It is likely we will maintain the same design, yet the “roofing material” used will be contingent on cost and budget.  Composite Shingles, Cedar Shakes, and Metal Roofing materials were all mentioned.  Mike Locke volunteered to accompany Hugh to take a look in the next few weeks.  Darlene Gardner reported that Chip Adkins had been voluntarily poisoning the weeds and vines that cover the entrance structure.

 

  • Montchanin Terrace Entrance
    • Ann Reeves reported that the residents on Montchanin Terrace would like to have their entrance closed.  Mike indicated this was something where Darren Jernigan could offer some assistance.    This entrance invites unnecessary traffic into our neighborhood, which has become a safety hazard.  
    • Comment was also made that reducing the # of entrances would be positive for neighborhood security. 
    • Jon Hazelip asked if anyone knew what happened to the bricks from the Montchanin Terrace entrance.  It was suggested that the bricks were removed by Rick McClintock and were being stored by Lorette Geyer.  Judy Roberson suggested this be confirmed.  Jon agreed to investigate by contacting Rick McClintock. 
    • If repairs are to be made, Hugh McNaughten reported he had a business card from a brick mason who said he could match the mortar.
    • This is something that should be investigated further before effort is spent to refurbish the Montchanin Terrace entrance.  

 

  • Willow Bough Entrance
    • Hugh asked if anyone knew if that entrance had electricity for lighting.  No one could be sure, but the assumption was there was not. 

 

  • Neighborhood Posting Board – it was suggested that the BFA sponsor a neighborhood posting board at the main entrance.

 

 

Communication –

  • Mike Locke suggested the “HERALD” newspaper may be willing to do an article about our efforts to launch a neighborhood association for Brandywine Farms.   Mike plans to research
  • Ken Roberson suggested there is a section in the Tennessean that may be willing to do an article as well. 
  • Brett reported that the domain www.brandywinefarms.org has been secured.  An interim web page with a picture of the main entrance has been posted.  Brett will update the site within the next week to include some limited copy to encourage neighbors to submit their name, address, and email address on line.  There will also be an option for residents to “refer” the webpage to other residents.   The data obtained through this effort will result in a database that can be leveraged for future BFA updates.  
  • Brett shared a sample draft of a newsletter concept for the neighborhood.  This concept has been tabled until the BFA receives it’s non profit status.

 

 

Other Misc. Discussion

 

Neighborhood Mixer / Social –

  • Mike suggested that we wait to have the neighborhood get together once we secured grant money and host the party as a neighborhood celebration. 
  • The event would also “kick off” the project to refurbish the entrances to Brandywine Farms.   
  • Mike Locke volunteered that he had tables and chairs that could be borrowed which would seat 50 people.  Brett advised he has 30 chairs and two banquet tables that could be used as well.
  • Hugh McNaughten reported that Jack Cole could not host the event, but would provide the cooking equipment and volunteer to cook.  Hugh also reported that the catfish would be donated.
  • RSVP – Brett indicated that an invitation along with an RSVP link could be distributed to all residents once we had a complete database, then the remaining residents who do not have access to email could be contacted by their block captains.

 

 

Street Lights & BFHA

  • Lights paid for by BFHA - There is question among the group what lights are paid and what common areas are maintained by the $30 dues requested by the BFHA.   Hugh McNaughten indicated that he pays for the light on Rising Sun Court, in addition the Fontenot’s in Brandywine Place pay for a street light at another location.  Brett Franklin indicated that the light in the cul-de-sac on Rolling Mill was paid for by Mike and Janet Richardson (former residents). 
  • It was reported that BFHA has approx $4000. on hand
  • Diane to find out from Gene Ward at NES if she can get a copy of the bill that goes to BFHA which is paid for by BFHA treasurer Evonne Polk. 

 

 

Action Committee vs. Board of Directors – Brett voiced concerns from a few neighbors who wish they had been included in the original meeting where the board of directors was formed, and raised the question if we should be an action committee vs. a board until the non-profit status is obtained, then at that time organize an all neighborhood vote, with a formal nomination process.    The group decided that we should remain as we are organized currently and push forward.   Going forward we can let residents know that there will be many opportunities for everyone to get involved.  The group invited to the 3/31 meeting were those people who sighed up with interest to serve on the neighborhood board during the original meeting at Andrew Jackson.  The board of directors was formally formed so we could proceed forward with the BFA initiative.

 

Garden Tour – Anne Reeves suggested the group consider the possibility of sponsoring a Garden Tour in June in an effort to raise $.

 

BFHA – Jon Hazelip suggested that once they get the sewers behind us he would personally encourage the leadership from the old BFHA to join this group and give a commitment that they would not accept an office for four years.   He also reported that he talked to Richard Geyer to come and see Doug Collier and he felt that was a start a potential new beginning.   Jon goes to church with Lorette. 

 

Septic Sewers- Mike reminded everyone how positive we could be in all communication.  Giving true communication vs. biased communication is very important.   It was agreed that the BFA should not take a stand pro or against this effort.

 

Elderly Neighbors in need – Hugh voiced his concern about neighbors in need.  The group agreed that until we had an organization and a network of block captains, there was little we could do.  In addition, we needed to carefully determine what types of assistance we could truly provide.  Comments were made that perhaps by developing a sense of community and neighborhood that the neighbors within the block would provide assistance.

 

 

Next Meeting - Mike Locke to host at his home.  This meeting is scheduled for the 19th of May.