The Secret Woods March 10 board meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Board President Joe Miller in the conference room of the YMCA on Belfort Road.

The following board members attended: Bill Bortzfield, Jim Cowling, Byron DeLong, Joe Miller, Jeff Gibson, Tom Bozak  and Horst Pophal. Residents Carol Bozak, and Christian Bassett also attended. 

Joe opened the meeting by updating board members on our  insurance cancellation with State Farm.

Our current policy with State Farm expires April 18 and State Farm will not renew it.  State Farm charges Secret Woods $1,500 every quarter. Replacement Insurance quotes are starting to come in.  Joe reports the quotes are triple the current rate.  Joe plans to check with Secret Cove to see which carrier that neighborhood uses.  An emergency meeting to vote on the quotes will be held Monday, March 24.

Joe also informed the board that there is a leak in the pool.  The pool's main motor has also seized.  The motor costs $880, or about a $1,000 for a quieter model.  Portofino Pools has agreed to pay a third of the cost to replace the motor. Leak Detectors is coming out to find the cause of the leaks.  The board approved spending $400 to repair the leaks and the funds needed to replace the pool motor. However, the costs could run higher, depending on the source of the leak. Repairs were expected to be completed in time for the weekend.

Joe also updated the board on the fountain at the front of the neighborhood. The pond repair company from Orlando came up and said the fountain motor has burned out.  The company said it would charge $1,000 to buy and install a new fountain motor.  Horst agreed to get some estimates from local fountain companies to see if we can get a better price than what the Orlando company would charge.

Joe then told the board that he cancelled the contract last fall with the man who had been fertilizing the common grounds grass.

Two neighbors have submitted plans for fences.  One plan was rejected because the proposed fence would violate height restrictions.  The other plan is still under review.  Joe also suggested getting estimates to replace the fence at the back of the neighborhood behind the Lovings' property. The current fence, which was put in by the neighborhood, has rotted out.

Raising the annual home owner fees from $250 to $260 a year was discussed.  A motion to raise the fees was defeated.  The board agreed to revisit the issue as soon as a finance report was available for each board member to review. 

It was reported that Byron DeLong and the Bonnie Cowlings were the only ones who showed up at the last workday.  The workday has been rescheduled for April 5.  A sign up sheet will be posted at the mailbox.    Work will start promptly at 8:30 a.m. at the front of the neighborhood.  Residents will re raking, planting and generally sprucing up the commons area.  The board decided a pizza lunch will be provided.   Neighbors should bring rakes, shovels, trimmers, weedwackers and hedge clippers.   The board will supply  garbage bags.  

The board voted to hold the annual homeowners meeting Thursday, April 24. 

Dues letters will be mailed out next week.  The annual dues are $250.

The next board meeting was scheduled for Monday, April 14. The  meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m.