Semi-Annual Report - Six Months Fiscal 2004 (year ending April 30, 2004)

Financial

The first six months of our fiscal year are recorded on the attached Income Statement. To date 84 households out of 106 have paid dues. A second dues notice will accompany this report. Our expenses have been, with two exceptions, as anticipated. Our largest expense, mowing, will approximate the $6,000 budgeted figure. On the Green, our mower, charges $200 per week, April-November, to mow six tracts of Association property. We may face an increase next year as landscaping costs escalate in the normal course of events. The two exceptions, fences and the picnic, are discussed below. A year ago, our property taxes increased almost 20% as the assessed values of the four tracts of Association property bordering the North River were significantly increased. We filed abatements on each, but were denied as Town Assessors asserted that all assessments on riverfront properties such as ours were dramatically increased. We do have an agreement with the Town of Norwell, negotiated in 1983, whereby our common land is under a conservation restriction which prohibits any building, dumping or cutting on the common land. In return, the taxes are at a reduced rate and the land is reserved for use by members of the Barque Hill Association. We will pay ~$1,700 more this fiscal year in real estate taxes as our final significant expense. Other expenses are in line with our budget. With some income from a second dues notice, we expect a surplus in the $1,000 range which will provide a modest amount of flexibility to undertake further improvements to our property.

Directors (Liz Hanson-Secretary, Al Bennett, Tom Flynn, Jon Keene, Matt Hendison & Tom Poor) met November 11 and reviewed the topics below.

Fences: In early November, several sections of the split rail fences which demarcate our common land were replaced. Although not budgeted, this expense was necessary as posts and rails had rotted and fallen. We expect to continue to replace fences every year or so as the aging process continues.

Flowers and Rocks: Jessie Chai and Loann Keene have done a wonderful job in planting flowers at the foot of Barque Hill Drive and Till Rock. They are preparing Christmas wreaths which last year added to our enjoyment of the season. Our thanks also to Loann for repainting the Barque Hill logos on the two rocks.

Shipyard Park: We have made great strides in reclaiming Shipyard from spreading growth. Wider spaces were evident at the Picnic and work is ongoing to open more space.

Clean-up: This fall some dead trees on Barque Hill Drive were removed by Mark Roman and Jon Keene. We are planning to rake some common areas before winter arrives and place reflective rebars along the road to protect the lawns from the sweep of snow plows.

Picnic - September 20 We had nice weather and a great time with activities and games organized by Matt Hendison, food prepared by Paul McCarthy and salads and desserts brought by many. One of the highlights was the resurrection of the infamous egg toss, won by Cindy Catri and Ben Phillips. A suggestion was made that we arrange for a portable toilet next year so that serious fun time would not be lost to the calls of Nature.

Halloween Parade

At Matt's suggestion, we held a Halloween parade at Shipyard Park on October 26 to give the kids a chance to show off their costumes in the daylight. There were more games and treasure hunts, accompanied by desserts, making for another successful day. Police detail: Phil Strazzula suggested we once again hire a roving policeman on Halloween night to hopefully prevent any mischief in the neighborhood. We had a patrol from 6-10 PM and had no incidents of any serious nature.

Speeding

Many reactions were received from residents in response to the Traffic Committee letter requesting a review of the speed in Barque Hill and the feasibility of STOP signs, particularly at the corner of Till Rock and Brigantine Circle. Among the concerns expressed was the obvious danger to children and walkers/runners and a desire to keep the neighborhood as free of signs as possible. The letter was sent in November; we await a response.

Rope Swing

During the hot days of summer, we had many kids from outside the area come to Shipyard Park to use the rope to swing out into the North River. This pastime has been a staple of the summer for many years, and the rope swing itself has undergone several reiterations. Despite the fact that the kids are generally well-mannered, chief among our concerns is our liability under the "attractive nuisance" doctrine should anyone be hurt. The fact that the kids are trespassing does not absolve us from responsibility. We plan to discuss this issue in more detail before next summer.

Other Topics

• Home Owner's Guide: This guide is usually given to new residents of Barque Hill. It was reprinted in the Spring of 1994 from the original version created in 1962 to provide design standards and general information for the development of the Barque Hill area by Norwell Associates. It would be nice to have a modern version; anyone interested in working on this project would be welcome.
• Social: The activities of the Association have been primarily geared for the children. In past years we have sponsored a dance/social occasion at places such as the North River Community Center. Sylvia Caira has mentioned the possibility of a similar gathering, perhaps in February, tied in with a charitable cause such as the South Shore Natural Science Center.
• Christmas Caroling: With the Christmas season soon coming upon us, Matt Hendison has again volunteered to look into arranging a caroling group or groups to serenade the neighborhood.

Respectfully submitted,

Tom Poor, President/Treasurer