August Fox Talk
Digest
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 8 2000
Deadline for Submissions:
1st of each month
Editors: Maurice & Ruth Dean
147 Foxboro Drive

http://www.geocities.com/foxtalkbackissues/bann01.gif

Articles:
Summer Time
FGHA
Grounds
Equipment
Baden Development

Events:
Calendar
Upcoming Events
History Presentation
150 Anniversary
Oktoberfest
Past Events

Social:
In Touch
Care
June Davies
Wood's Edge Ct.

Notices:
Tai Chi
Social Com.
'' Statement
Zehrs

SUMMER TIME

Summer Time and the living is easy! As though it isn't easy here in Camelot all the time! The line itself is good, as good as Gershwin could make it but where is the "summer"? It seems that every time we have a couple of what we regard as "normal" south western Ontario summer days they are followed by a veritable deluge. At least we haven't had to spend a lot of time dragging hose and placing sprinklers for optimum coverage.

Still, despite the unusually wet weather, the community is getting along very nicely. The tennis courts are being put to use. The golfers appear to be getting in their rounds and, judging by all of the floral displays, the gardeners among us are having a ball. It seems that the good plant growing weather is also good in other ways, as a couple of "Stop" signs have sprouted recently, much to the relief of many residents. Approved, of course, by the Board.

The recent trial balloon idea to install some traffic lights doesn't appear to have very much support. The service station also seems to be a non-starter. Perhaps we can drum up support for a "Drive Slowly Geese Crossing" sign or two? A bit like the "Deer Crossing" signs we see around the area. Admittedly we wouldn't really know where to install them as, based on the evidence, the geese cross the road anywhere (or is that everywhere?). Maybe a portable sign could be used. Of course the community would have to participate. Drivers would stop and re-locate the sign if the geese were crossing at a different point from that which was used previously.

Another idea, with a great deal of support by the way, is to buy the gondola from the owner of the one in Victoria Park in Kitchener. It doesn't seem to get much use. We could have moonlight gondola rides (cruises?) on the pond. Maybe FGI would be interested in contributing to the purchase. After all, what a selling feature for the remaining home sites! Any community can have a couple of swans but a gondola, wow! So all you male singers start practising "O Sole Mia". Hey! If we charge a small fee we may be able to solve the Social Committee's problems.

Homeowners' Association
Keith Boughey

A new Foxboro record was established on July 6th, 2000, when the Board of Management meeting lasted a total of seven and half hours and had to be continued the following day in order to complete the agenda. Many in the audience had gone home for their "jamee's" before the meeting adjourned for the night, only to be continued at 3:00 p.m. the following day. I had thought we should apply to the Guinness Book to see if in fact we would qualify.

Since the meeting the Executive Committee has restructured the format of future meetings. So hopefully, I wont need to pack my overnight bag to attend future meetings.

The committee looking into the hiring of a property manager submitted their report, and were instructed to proceed with the process and selection of a property management company to take over the daily running of the community. The final selection and a list of the duties will be presented for final approval by the community and the board.

The results of the ballot on revisions to by-law#1 was 156 in favor out of a total of 164 votes cast, so the amendments were adopted.

The procedure suggested by the rules committee was approved, so now your input is required if you would like to see any revisions made. Now is the time. Remember we can only change the rules as they appear in your homeowners handbook, section "D" starting with 9(c). Rules for Alterations/Improvements to Homesites (approved August 10, 1998), and including section 9(d).

A letter from the Region outlining the cost of paving the shoulders at the main entrance was tabled, with the projected cost of close to $30,000.00. The executive committee will approach our local area council representative to seek support for safety improvements, and also will contact the association's lawyer with a view to placing on record our concerns.

The treasurer advised that the budget process is now in full swing preparing the 2001 budget. The 2000 fiscal year which ends September 30th should result in a surplus of approximately $30,000.00, and a refund will be made to the condos. The association will now take over the collection and payments for the water system, while FGI will continue to collect the waste water fees.

FGI reported that 13 homes including models remain to be sold, and that the next condo should be registered by end of October, with the final condo being registered in the spring of 2001.

The grounds committee presented a ballot form for approval on the sediment ponds. The matter was referred to the condos for your input to determine the future of these ponds. Should we retain them to be part of the landscaping features of the community, or return them to a grassed drainage ditch? A policy on the repairs to the home irrigation system was approved in order to clarify any confusion as to the responsibility of the Association, and the homeowner. See details in the Grounds Management Organization's Report.

Homeowners are encouraged to do minor repairs to keep common expenses down (i.e. replacing tap washers or handles). All homeowners should be aware that if they have a breakage on their property that there is a shut off valve for their lot under the green cover on their front lawn.

Len Budden presented a report from the committee investigating insurance requirements under the new Condominium Act, and advised the board of the problem of determining what is a standard unit, One solution may be that homeowners provide their own insurance. It was agreed however that we extend the present policy for another year, this could also avoid any potential problems of conflicts with FGI as we both use the same company.

At the request of condo 257 discussion took place on the matter of a controlled entrance, FGI advised that the system would be operational on the completion of the community, It will then be responsibility of the community to determine if the system be implemented.

Concern was raised over speeding on Golf Links Drive, in an attempt to correct this the board approved the installation of three-way stop signs at the corners of Golf Links and Foxboro Drives near the pumphouse.

The next board meeting is August 28th, 2000 at 7:00 p.m.

Grounds Management Organization
George Walker

This month the Grounds Committee saw the completion of: -

1. The RV Compound Rules & Policy

This clear cut set of rules was put together in workshops and committee meetings and adopted by the Board on July 6th.

2. Homesite Irrigation System Policy Statement

This defines the responsibility of the Homeowners Assoc. for any problems with the Homesite Irrigation System.

Briefly, FGHA will repair any problem with the system from the lake to the faucets on the homesite. Excluded from this coverage are private sprinkler systems and any damage caused by the Homeowner or his agent.

Damaged asphalt driveways will be patched. The cost to repair other types of driveways damaged by the Irrigation System will be offset by FGHA in proportion to the cost of patching an asphalt driveway.

This policy was approved by the Board on July 6th.

3. The Pond Information Ballot was drafted and approved by the Board for Homeowners to vote on whether or not to retain the three settlement ponds as wet or dry ponds.

Geese The end of the unusual rainy weather has enabled us to begin spraying Avigone to deter the geese from overrunning our lawns. We will continue to spray the areas where they choose to congregate.

Lakes and Ponds Lou Hill was appointed as team leader in charge of the Lake and Ponds.

In a report to the GMO on July 26 Lou informed us that the small pond by the Rec. Centre was treated with "biosurficants" to balance the PH factor of the pond. Two more treatments will follow and we should see a significant improvement in its appearance.

He recommended:-
a) the immediate purchase of a mechanical Algae Mills to be situated in the Lake near the Gazebo and
b) that as soon as the voting results are known liaison with FGI be established to discuss the desilting of the 3 settlement ponds.
A series of organizational meetings within the GMO resulted in the formation of a: -

Service & Equipment Committee

Their purpose is to have a standing committee dedicated to looking after specific equipment, functions and necessary jobs.

The Paths:
The paths are one of our great assets but an asset that is dangerous in their present condition. It should be a high priority to improve the paths to make them safe. There is an excellent committee in place ready to do this headed by Ron Bleier.

Other sub committees which already have a volunteer team leader include: -
Roads & Snowplowing, RV Compound, Hydro & Lights:- Richard Shantz
Homesite Irrigation System:- Stewart Bowring
All Fences:- George Jones
Inventory of our Assets:- Sven Orum

The following are two of the jobs we need someone to fill:

Service Manuals:
Equipment that is not properly serviced breaks down much sooner than it should. Let's have experts in place that understand the systems and equipment we own and would enjoy seeing that it is properly looked after by competent professionals.

Work Parties:
Partying is fun. Even work parties can be fun and work parties have already saved us many thousands of dollars.

What a contribution to the community someone or some group of people could make if they would accept the responsibility to phone a list of willing volunteers and post a notice of the date and time when a work party is needed.

These and other meaningful jobs need to be filled. Give George Walker a call at 634-5232.

Baden Development
Herb Stamm
On July 24th , The Wilmot Council had a meeting. One of the items of interest to us, was the vote concerning the building of a 736 house development. This has now been reduced to a maximum of 589 units.

Some of our Foxboro Green residents attended and after presentations and speeches, Herb Stamm (representing Foxboro Green) said a few words. Then the vote was taken.

The Baden Committee for Responsible Growth is sorry to report that they were defeated by a vote of 7 to 2.

Keeping In Touch
Care Committee

Bill & Jean Goddard, Doug & Donna Fixter and Bob & Linda Piccinin have been welcomed to our community in July.

Faith Mundy (Care Coordinator of Care Area #3) had surgery this month and received flowers and a card from her friends in the community. A plant and a card were sent to Mavis Crawford after her surgery.

Zehrs Tapes
Joan Roberts
When you deposit your tapes into the envelope in the mail room, how do they get turned into gold? How does your purchase of eggs or bread or magazines eventually help our community?

These tapes have to be collected, counted and bundled into units of $10,000. As you can imagine this is a time consuming job. Ask Nancy Arbuckle. Nancy has been doing this since 1996, with some relief when she and Jim take their vacations.

To date we have received $818.00 as a result of purchasing groceries from Zehrs Stores.

So please continue to save you tapes, this is one project that provides the Social Committee with the means to support the work of the Care Committee.

Thank you Nancy for your many hours at the adding machine.

Keep those tapes coming!

150th Anniversary

Wilmot Township
150th Anniversary-Millennium Celebrations

For the many activities that will take place between August 4th and 6th, see the brochure in the Mail Room.

Care Committee Report
Marg Macdonald
Again a reminder from Marg that the Care Committee Coordinators continue to be available to offer assistance and guidance to any resident with difficulties. Please call your Coordinator if you need help or if someone in your neighbourhood could use some encouragement. We are here to help and we have lots of volunteers who also love to give their help!

June Davies

Thank You, June Davies

We appreciate the time and effort that you put into decorating our village for the Wilmot Township 150th Anniversary. It looks great! Upcoming Special Events Marg Macdonald

CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY
AND ITS CITIZENS!!!

Thursday September 7th, 5:00 p.m.
(changed from Friday September 8th)

We plan to serve shaved beef in a bun accompanied by Wilmot Township Sweet Corn along with other goodies. Mark your calendars today.

We will be selling tickets in mid-August. Please watch the Special Events Board for dates and times. Advance sales help enormously in planning for quantities of food needed. We appreciate your help with this.

AIRPLANE FLIGHTS We cancelled this event temporarily as people were too occupied with visiting family and friends. We will offer this again in the fall when hopefully, we will have time to take flight!

NATURAL HISTORY PRESENTATION

Thursday, September 21st

There will be a presentation of "The Grand River Watershed, a Canadian Heritage River" by Warren Stauch of Shunpiking Tours. More details In September Fox Talk!

OKTOBERFEST

Blanche Douey has been organizing for Oktoberfest 2000.

Tickets have to be paid in advance. To get the tickets on a prime evening, we must order early (August 1st). Consequently, we had no time for a sign-up but Blanche tried making direct calls to individuals.

We hope that those who wish to go have their names in now.

Taoist Tai Chi
Graham Macdonald

Every Wednesday afternoon since mid-May twelve residents have gathered in the Rec. Centre to explore the twists and turns of Tai Chi movements under the guidance of instructors from Stratford and New Hamburg. By the end of August we will have completed the 108 moves of the Taoist Tai Chi set and will be ready to continue practice and development in ongoing practice classes at New Hamburg and more advanced classes in Stratford. There are no plans to repeat the beginner classes at Foxboro Green, but classes will be starting on Monday, September 11th (2:15-4:00 p.m.) at St Georges Anglican Church Hall in New Hamburg. Anyone who attended our demonstration in May or is interested in this gentle and healthy activity is invited to contact Graham Macdonald (634-5633) or the Stratford Club (273-5614).

Community Calendar

August 2000

Thur.	3 rd	10.30 a.m.	Special Events Mtg.
Fri.	4th	4.30 p.m.	Happy Hour
Thur.	10th	??	FG 200 Golf Tournament
Mon.	28th	7.00 p.m.	Board Meeting
Wed.	30th	9.00a.m.	Social Com. Meeting

September 2000

Fri.	1st	4.40 p.m.	Happy Hour
Thurs.	7th	5.00p.m.	Barbeque
Thurs.	21st	??	Natural History Presentation
Sat.	30th	??	Pancake Breakfast

Past Events

Foxboro Green Went to the Races Wilma Wilkinson

I would like to tell you that we needed a Brinks' Escort to accompany us all home, but that was not the case. We had a little FLUTTER, but it "sorta FLUTTERED out" by the end of the evening. However, the roast beef dinner was very nice.

Elsie Hall seemed to be the big winner of the evening. Bob Price said he had a nice time; he liked the pen the track gave to him and it only cost him sixty dollars.

Our group used Sharpe Bus Tours, who were very reasonable and the bus was surprisingly comfortable for a school bus.

We agreed it was not a profitable evening, but it was fun.

Woods Edge Court
First Annual Barbecue Party
by Mary Anne MacLean

A grand time was had by all on Wednesday, July 19th

Terrific weather
Delicious food
Fabulous neighbours (100% attendance)

Thank you to all who contributed and helped to organize it.

Ross & Mary Anne MacLean
Tom & Marilew West
Betty Scheid
Betty & Harvey Riedlinger

Editors' Note: This is a great way to meet your immediate neighbours. We who live on the upper part of Foxboro Drive are about to have our Fourth Annual Barbecue.

Canada Day
by Marg Macdonald
More about Canada Day Well done Pat Tibbles, Beryl Boughey & Blanche Douey who co-ordinated the many volunteers. Special thanks to Ellen Walker who designed and produced the very attractive tickets for this event. Congratulations as we managed to have a BBQ with a substantial profit of $500.00. Ticket sales raised $1327.50. Expenses for food were $817.61.

Social Committee

To: Foxboro Residents There is a problem...

The initial proposed Social Fee of $25.00 per household has been enthusiastically supported by the majority, but unfortunately not by all households. To date, there are in excess of 30 households which have not contributed, while still receiving benefit from all that our caring, socially oriented community provides.

The activities in which the Social Committee is involved include the Care Committee, the Special Events Committee and the purchase of numerous items for the Recreation Centre. These items require 100% participation in funding to cover our ongoing expenditures. The Care Committee, especially in their vital role of providing a link between residents and perceived needs in times of illness and/or bereavement, requires substantial funding.

Purchases that were made for the Recreation Centre alone, come to a total of $3743.00. Some of the purchased items include the following:-

barbecue tables bridge tables and chairs Christmas lights projector screen software program for first aid patio tables and chairs benches for the change rooms Fund-raising is vital, but it must be appreciated that it requires a lot of work and ideas from dedicated, hard-working volunteers. If our expenditures exceed our income it will not be too long before we become insolvent. We must have income to continue our activities.

Unfortunately, as rumours go, there is a false impression that the Social Committee account is "loaded" with money. To clarify the "actual" situation, we have shown on the reverse side of this letter, an all-inclusive financial statement from conception in November, 1995 to the end of June, 2000.

Meanwhile, it would be most helpful to receive Social Fees from 100% of our residents. If you are among the 30 plus households, or you are not sure , please contact Audrey Darbyshire, Treasurer, 634-9782.

Thank you for your support.

President: Gail Hovey Care Convenor: Eileen Fairweather Secretary: Val Grant Newsletter: Ruth Dean Treasurer: Audrey Darbyshire Special Events: Marg Macdonald Past-President: Joan Roberts

Foxboro Green Social Committee
Financial Statement
November, 1995 - June 30,2000

1995/96

Receipts	$1,382.29	Fwd.
Expenditures	(578.33)
	803.96	803.96

1996/97

Receipts	$974.40
Expenditures	(779.81)
	194.59	998.55

1997/98

Receipts	4,467.70
Expenditures	(2,397.40)
	2,070.30	3,068.85

1999

Receipts	1,121.77
Expenditures	(2,397.40)
	(304.35)	2,764.50

2000

Receipts	$1,586.73
Expenditures	(1,496.79)
	89.94	2,854.44

June 30,

2,854.44

Receipts include:	Expenditures include:
* Social fees	* Care Committee
* Social functions	* Social functions
* Fund Raising	* Rec Centre Purchases
* Donations	* Bank Charges

per pro
FOXBORO GREEN SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Audrey Darbyshire
Treasurer

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