Published: November 24, 2009 03:56 pm      

Board approves 2010 budget — no hitches

Fairfield Glade Community Club president Charlie Woll began the Nov. 19 monthly board meeting with the good news of the Good Samaritan Society's groundbreaking on Tuesday. "About 250 members attended the dedication services at the Community Center," said Woll. "Our hat is off to the many folks who worked so hard for this cause. Special thanks go to Wyndham Corporation for their donation of 25 acres of land, and the many members and businesses who have donated time and money to make this dream a reality!"

With the 2010 budget on the agenda for approval, Woll said, "This budget does a great job of controlling spending, without sacrificing the quality of services being offered to our members or the continuing maintenance of our infrastructure. The budget is always a delicate balance of the amenities provided versus their cost.

"Director of Golf Steve Kraft has firmed up July 20-24, 2010 as the dates for the Tennessee Woman’s Open to be held at Stonehenge Golf Course. This tournament is sponsored by the City of Crossville and conducted by the TGA. Steve will be giving more details of the event in the future.

"I have received information from the County Mayor Brock Hill and our county commissioners Carmin Lynch and Clyde Cramer that the widening of Peavine Road, from Fire Tower Road to just past Lakeview Drive, is moving ahead. Engineering and acquisition of right-of-way are under way now and next year. Construction should begin in 2011."



General Manager Harvey Hoffman brought news about revamping what had become an obsolete Channel 12. New software and hardware are being purchased and installed, with training to follow for staff. The channel should be operational in about 60 days. Satellite users will not have access to the channel.

ACC committee — reported by Ernie Poland

Single family dwellings — 56 (83 in 2008)

Manufactured housing — 1 (1 in 2008)

Mobile homes — 0 (1 in 2008)

Houses under construction — 61 (2 cancellations)

Miscellaneous projects — 492

Completed houses — 81



Long Range Planning — Bob Diller

Diller, John Muldoon, and Jan Frazer, the LRP committee members, submitted the LRP report to the board of directors earlier this week. The board has not had time to look through it yet, but after they've looked at it and feel satisfied, the document should be posted on the club's Web site for everyone to look at. The committee and the board are thinking of the report/study as a "living" document that can be adjusted and changed as needed.

One item Diller hopes will be very successful is the formation of small task forces which will each handle just one problem, as the problems come up. The committee feels more people will be willing to volunteer if the assignments are short-term. Pat Davis was thanked for her technical support and assistance in preparing the report for the board. Cathy Muldoon was thanked for proofreading the plan.

Applications are being accepted for new members to the LRP committee. Five are needed.



Tennis Committee — Ed Steele

Clay courts will remain open for play until the wet/freezing weather sets in. Planning is taking place now for 2010's tournament schedule. A junior tournament remains on the 2009 calendar.

A men's team has been chosen as the "wild card" for sectionals.

USTA-generated lessons for kids under 12 will be offered at the tennis center.

Of interest is that the tennis courts will be taking on some pickleball overflow on Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturdays, noon to 2 p.m.; and Sunday afternoons could be added if there is a need.

There will be an open house at the Tennis Center, 1:30-3:30 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 6. Refreshments will be served.

The tennis committee needs two new members for next year.



Fire committee — Howard Robb

In Jim Etzel's absence, Chief Robb presented the committee's news. The survey worksheets required for an ISO re-evaluation are currently being passed around and filled in. It is a lengthy process and no one expects it to be finished before possibly August of next year.

The department continues to get all of its volunteers certified in the Firefighter 1 category.

Pump and hose testing are completed for this year.

The committee elected new officers:

Chief, Howard Robb

Deputy Chief, Tom Rosenbergh

Fire Marshall, Roland Gamelin

Treasurer, Jim Davis

Administrative officer, Jim Etzel



Departments:

Controller — Regina Welch

The new budget handout and a slideshow have been posted on the Web site. Click on "Corporate Financial Info."

Cash on hand at the end of October was $6.8 million; operating funds were at $3.1 million. Welch expects operating funds to end the year somewhere around $2.4 million.

The club has 2,153 delinquent accounts, with 811 of that being investor accounts; the rest are individual accounts.

The department is offering members a new service. If you have never given the department an e-mail address, you can and they will e-mail your monthly statement. They will waive the $1.25 monthly fee associated with paper billing for those who sign up. "We'd like to be able to grow the e-mail database for statements," said Welch.



Public Safety — Charlie Seiber

Radar hours — 54

Traffic citations — 19 (including 13 for speeding, 1 suspended/revoked license, 3 no driver's license, 1 no insurance, and 1 for traffic control device)

Arrests — 8 (including 1 for domestic violence, 4 on outstanding warrants, 1 driving under the influence, 1 suspended/revoked license, and 1 disorderly conduct/public intoxication)

Ambulance emergency calls — 42

Accidents without injury — 4

No accidents with injury

No ACC violations



Offense reports of interest are an aggravated burglary on Royal Circle on Oct. 2; a DUI arrest on Ivy Lane on Oct. 5; and a burglary on Hampshire Lane on Oct. 7.



Fire department — Howard Robb

The department had five incidents in October.

10/03/09 – Peavine and Woodgate, LZ landing EMS assist

10/16/09 – 117 Anglewood Dr., gas leak

10/20/09 – 128 Stonehenge Dr., false alarm

10/21/09 – 1390 Northridge Dr., ruptured gas line

10/27/09 – 112 Gilford Terrace, grease fire

Meetings:

10/05/09 – Safety meeting

10/06/09 – Communication meeting

10/09/09 – Fire department committee meeting

10/09/09 – Fire department meeting

10/22/09 – Board meeting

Training:

10/17/09 – Department training

10/13/09 – Engineer training

Miscellaneous:

10/06/09 – Crab Orchard Water Report

10/05/09 – Training Tower construction is ongoing

10/26/09 – Upper Cumberland Fire Chiefs' meeting in Livingston



The fire chief reminded everyone to please call for the location of utility lines before digging.



Community Services — Harvey Hoffman (for Jeff Warren)

The repair work on Dartmoor Dam is finished, but divers will be sent down next month to inspect the valve on the front side of the dam. Bids are in for the spillway repair project. The best bid was $165,000.



Food and Beverage — Tommy Lee

October was busier than expected at the Community and Conference Center. Average daily pool use was at 87. Daily average gymnasium usage was 14. Timeshares were the biggest users.

Stonehenge Grille finished in the black before allocations and depreciation for the third month in a row and exceeded budget and 2008 net revenues for the first time this year. Although the golf course is now closed and the building is undergoing a facelift, the grille will remain open through November and December.

Legends operations posted its second highest gross revenues of the year, as the food and beverage division continues to outperform budget, and is $1,800 from break-even year-to-date through direct operations. Food and beverage served 18,624 meals in the month of August.

In recreation, the division continues to operate well on the whole, considering the $124K negative variance to gross revenues year-to-date.

The Operations Department is now sending out monthly comprehensive e-mail blasts with short weekly updates to approximately 2,500 e-mail addresses. The department is now asking for additional e-mail addresses at all of the restaurants and the community center from all those who might be interested in receiving information on specials, events and activities.



Golf — Steve Kraft

The director of golf tried to cheer up the audience before reporting the sad news: Rounds were down 2,853 in October, mostly due to weather. They were down from 2008 by 4,360. During the month, the department had 14,082 paid rounds, with 17,344 players served.

The PGA Performance Track averages for September were:

National — 2,655

Tennessee — 1,962

Druid Hills — 4,777

Dorchester — 4,569

Heatherhurst — 8,716

Stonehenge — 4,370

Dorchester and Druid Hills golf courses will be open Thanksgiving day, from 8 a.m. When they close will be dependent upon the weather.

There will be a pro-shop sale beginning Thanksgiving Day until Sunday. With a $100 purchase and above, a 10 percent gift card will be issued to the customer. Dec. 8-10, the annual sale of golf and tennis items will be at the Community Center.

If you're wondering about dates for 2010 events, check golf news at the Web site.

Board actions:

Approved: 2010 capital and operating budget

Approved: Purchase of electric table top kettle for Legends, $5,403

Approved: Dorchester Pro Shop and cart barn roof replacement, $19,708

Approved: Self-contained blower for Dorchester golf maintenance, $4,092