Vice President Steve Schuck discussed the preparation of the directory for printing. He has reformatted the data from a publishing format into a database so that more flexible reports, mailings, and printable directory listings can be tailored as needed. The layout of the book was demonstrated to the Board's approval. The book will contain the bylaws, information on services by local residents, a cross index of street addresses to homeowner names (when available), and the main directory itself. Some advertising will help offset part of the printing costs.

The Board discussed how best to distribute various materials. It decided to mail out the formal request for dues, with return envelopes, to fit into a normal pattern of billing and payment, rather than use door-to-door flyers which might get discarded too easily. Bulk materials like the newsletters will continue to use local kids, while Block Captains will get involved by asking them to deliver the directories and keep any extras to give to new residents.

Ideas for the newsletter to accompany the directory were discussed, and relevant parts of the Montgomery County codes covering things like pet waste, unkempt yards, trash, leaves, and other topics will be included.

The state of the neighborhood roads was discussed and Bob Gross reported the substance of his conversations with County representatives. In brief, the County has insufficient funds to do all the work that it should do, so there is an indeterminate wait on getting roads resurfaced or repaired. After water main work in the southern portion of the Association, the water authority, WSSC, must repair the damage to the road. However, their practice is to pave just the areas trenched out, not the whole road. Getting the water authority and the County to collaborate and just fix the whole road at the same time was suggested by Bob, but without any action by the County. Short of hiring lawyers or lobbyists to be more aggressive in badgering the County, there appears to be no work forthcoming in the near term. Bob will continue to see if neighboring associations such as Regency Estates are lobbying the County on the same issues and align with them where possible. If an association member has the time and energy to pursue this more actively, he or she should volunteer for the Roads Committee chair and work on it.

Bob brought the Board up to date on the Seven Locks Sidewalk and Bikeway project. A new project manager has been assigned as the project moves ahead into the next planning phase, Phase II. In this phase, survey work for rights of way and topography will be done and a facility planning estimate will be completed. If this work is completed as scheduled, it will result in a budget request being submitted along with others in the June 2009 timeframe. The project manager will be happy to meet with representatives of the Association. This is another area needing volunteer help to stay in contact with County officials.

The Board discussed landscaping plans and contracts. The decision was to retain the current contractor for the next season, with pansies to be planted for fall. Landscaping will continue to be the largest expense for the Association in 2009.