Makeup of CHCA board clarified at July meeting

by Meredith Sonderskov

Clarification of the status of Richard Becker’s membership on the board of the Chestnut Hill Community Association and the content of minutes of the meetings took up much of the early part of the board meeting on July 28 at the Hiram Lodge.

Maxine Dornemann, president of the CHCA, introduced Stewart Graham, past president and current board member, who presented a memo of several pages indicating that Becker should have been reelected in 2005, not 2006, as Becker had claimed. There was considerable discussion by various members of the board questioning Graham’s findings, especially his reference to certain board member lists, which they alleged contained several errors.

Marianne Dwyer commented that the loss of Becker is a loss to the community and that he has been an active member, not someone who “just sits and talks.” Graham replied that “We are not dealing with Dick’s merits. The relevant evidence is in the memo.” A motion was then made and passed to adopt Graham’s findings. A resolution was then approved that thanked Becker for his many years of service to the board and the community and urged him to run for re-election as soon as possible.

On a separate but related note, Graham pointed out that he was serving in two positions on the board; one as former president and the other as an elected at-large member of the class of 2006. Graham offered his resignation from the latter, which was accepted. Martha Haley, who had received the next highest amount of votes in the April board member election, was then confirmed as a new board member and took her seat at the table.

Rising from his seat in the audience, Ed Feldman, former CHCA board member, asked to be heard and stated, in part: “The Community Association is supposed to be like a town meeting which is a free wheeling democratic institution; instead it is a nonprofit private corporation and is only interested in acquiring and buying real estate. Corporations work with other corporations, which is how McDonald’s got in. Corporations put new business at the end of their meeting agenda so that members of the community are too tired to wait around to be heard.”

Several board members called for a point of order and Dornemann asked Feldman to desist. As he headed for the door Feldman announced, “I will be back!”

Dornemann asked for approval of the minutes of the previous board meeting and Ann Spaeth submitted two additions. A discussion then followed with several members asking for more detailed minutes of the meetings. Ron Recko remarked that, “The minutes seem selective with controversial points being eliminated. The minutes should be more than bare-boned comments on the agenda. When we had a paid secretary she used to get everything down.”

Tia Burke responded that Robert’s Rules of Order call for a “record of what was done, not what was said.” Janine Dwyer pointed out that the secretarial position had been changed to a volunteer a year and a half ago. Mary Anna Ross Cowper reinforced Recko’s remarks saying, “It is important to communicate with the community. Bare boned minutes serve little purpose, the text of the discussion is important. We need fuller minutes, the substance is important.” A motion was made to accept Spaeth’s additions and the minutes for the June 23 meeting were approved as amended.

Zoning issues

Sanjiv Jain gave the report from the Development Review Committee asking that a letter be sent to the Philadelphia zoning board stating that the community approved the request for variance from Robertson’s Florists to redefine their properties at 5-7 E. Highland Avenue as one property. A motion to do so was made and approved unanimously.

Bowman Properties is asking again for support for its proposed changes to the building at 8491-03 Germantown Avenue and the offices to the rear at 3-9 Gravers Lane. There is no change in plans.

Several neighbors on Gravers Lane asked to speak and were recognized by the chair. Jim Dunn said that they were not objecting to the plans for the remodeled building but to the delay in construction and the use of the building to store heavy lawn equipment and for a truck that continuously parks in a public area. “[Bowman Properties managing partner Richard] Snowden said on August 2, 2004 that construction would start in the fall and finish in a year. Nothing is happening. What difference will it make if the board approves supporting the variance? The only issue we have is: how long will it take?”

Jackie Wivel, office manager for Bowman Properties, explained that Snowden has been out of town much of the year on family business but he will be back soon and will be in touch with the neighbors. A heated discussion ensued about Bowman Properties and the longtime empty commercial spaces that it owns on the Avenue. Finally, an amended motion was approved asking Snowden to complete the project within two years of the beginning of construction.

Water Tower

Bob Previdi made the report for the Water Tower Committee, pointing out that the Advisory Council was upset that the CHCA had not reached out to them. After some discussion between the groups there was agreement that the roof needs replacing and the plumbing is in disrepair. There will be another public meeting in October. The City of Philadelphia owns the building but funds to make needed repairs must be raised by the Advisory Council and CHCA.

New business

Mark Keintz proposed that any motion of the CHCA involving the acquisition of Hiram Lodge must be passed by at least a two-thirds majority of the board to have effect. This was approved.

In concluding the meeting, Dornemann acknowledged all the volunteers who worked so hard for the Police and Firemen’s Picnic, which took place the night before. Leftover food was donated to Run For The Hill of It.