Letter from the President: provided by Dick Heilman.

Letter from the President - June, 09

Many thanks to Cleo for stepping in and replacing George Bowers as President of the POA. Please give her a big "Thank You" and a pat on the back when you see her. It was a big commitment for Cleo to make and once again she served the community admirably. I hope my shoes are big enough to follow in her footsteps. I will certainly try to continue the good work that she started.

There are some things that have changed or that need reminders so please note the information below about the fire protection and fire contract, reminders and cautions from A.D. about the roads and grounds and the storage lot and concerns about the loss of trees in Oak Ridge. Our next event is the Ice Cream Social in August. Hope to see you there.

Dick

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Fire Protection

We contract with Horseshoe Bay to provide fire protection for this community. The alternative is service from Kingsland or Llano. The POA is billed annually and they, in turn, bill the property owners. The amount you are billed is determined by the assessed value of your property. Payments may be made annually, semi-annually or quarterly. You should make sure that your insurance agent is aware of the local fire service as it will have a positive impact on you insurance premium. A change in the contract this year requires us to abide by the Horseshoe Bay rules pertaining to burning and fireworks. Call Horseshoe Bay Fire Dept Administrative Office at 598-6953. They will come out and check where you are burning and then issue a permit if it meets their requirements. Failure to abide by these rules could result in our loss of Horseshoe Bay fire protection.

Specifics having to do with Horseshoe Bay Rules related to burning, etc. that apply to Oak Ridge.

The new rules in the fire contract, as mentioned above, are based on Section I, Provision of Services. Section 1.3 "The communities of Oak Ridge, Llano County MUD#1, The Hills I & II, and The Hills III agree to comply with, abide by, and enforce the City's ordinances regarding the regulation of Outdoor Burning (and Burn Permits), Fireworks, and the Outdoor Use of Welding, Cutting and/or Open Flame Torch Agreement."

The 'request for outdoor burning permit' specifies that "burns can begin no earlier than one hour after sunrise and end one hour before sunset." In addition, "No burn will be left unattended. Burning shall not be commenced when surface winds are predicted to be less than 6 mph or greater than 23 mph during the burning period. A means of fire control and extinguishment must be readily available at all times (If a water hose is not available, 55 gallon drums of water and buckets may be allowed.). Due to radiant heat, the burn must be no closer than 100 feet to structures. Burning must be conducted downwind of or at least 300 feet from any structure containing sensitive receptors. No burn shall endanger other property. No burning shall be allowed during burn bans. Any time the burn or smoke from it creates a safety hazard or concern, it shall be extinguished by the responsible party. This permit does not exempt or excuse the responsible party from the consequences, damages, or injuries resulting from the burning and does not exempt or excuse anyone from complying with all other applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and orders of governmental entities having jurisdiction, even though burning is otherwise conducted in compliance with this regulation. Electrical insulation, treated lumber, plastics, non-wood construction materials, heavy oils, asphaltic materials, explosive materials, chemical wastes, and items containing natural or synthetic rubber must not be burned."

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Information from A.D. regarding roads and grounds.

Please use herbicide at the edges of your grass to prevent it from growing into the asphalt. If your sprinklers let the water spray on the asphalt, that promotes the growth of the grass. Our greatest costs in Oak Ridge pertain to the roads. Please do your part to control those costs.

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Storage Lot Rules

Please sign & return the storage lot agreements that you received with the POA yearly billings. If you do not renew your agreement, you must remove your property from the lot. Do not park anything at the storage lot before you sign the lot agreement. Please keep the new combination confidential. This keeps the storage facility secure. Using the lot is a privilege, not a right. Please do not abuse that privilege.

The lock should always be on the left hand chain. If you put it on the right hand chain then the combination is upside down. Please do not park in the alleyway past the gravel surface.

Thank you, A. D.

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Concern about dying trees in Oak Ridge

Hypoxylon Canker is a stress related problem for several hardwood trees. Infection of the tree takes place by the germination of spores in wounds and hyphae penetrate into the phloem and sap wood, Nearby trees are colonized by the fungus for several years before high wood temperature associated with drought allows or stimulates fungal development. Initial symptoms are light colored leaves and thinning of the canopy. In a few weeks limbs die back or the tree dies. Large sections of the bark become loose or fall off.

Drought appears to be the most important factor associated with declines of oaks. Mortality tends to be highest on poor, shallow, coarse soils on ridge tops and southwest exposures. Other factors include late freezes, slope, and building activities.

Prune dead wood during dormancy if the tree is still alive. Should the tree be dead, then it should be cut down and burned in location.

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Board Meeting Minutes: provided by Cookie Puckett, Secretary.

Board Meeting minutes: Annual meeting and bar-b-que 5-16-09

Cleo called the meeting to order at 5:10 P.M. She stated that some of our trees are dying from a disease called Hypoxin Canker. These trees cannot be treated and the affected branches must be cut off and burned to prevent spreading the disease. She urged everyone to be responsible for their own trees.

There have been some complaints concerning our mail carrier doing unsatisfactory work. Cleo urged the members who were concerned to contact the United States Postal Service personally for the best results.

Because there has been some concern, the new board members will appoint a committee to research the possibility of changing some of our restrictions for Oak Ridge. We only want to do what will be an advantage for our community.

Thanks go to those who worked diligently on the new garden at the community building. The new garden is beautiful and we all thank all of you for your design and hard work. ( A special article from Suzanne Graham is being posted on the web site that describes the project from the planning stage to completion. It includes pictures of those involved in the work and gives credit to those who contributed in other ways.

Gil Blount, of the nominating, committee submitted these names for new board members for the upcoming year: Inger Lise Blount, Dick Heilman, Jan Harris, and Cheryll Mabray. After asking for other nominations from the membership, Cookie moved to accept these candidates by acclamation. Gil seconded. It was a unanimous vote. We thank these candidates for volunteering to serve Oak Ridge Estates POA.

Cleo asked Cookie to read the minutes. Gil Blount moved to approve them as read, and John Puckett seconded. They were accepted unanimously. Financial reports were available for those who wanted a copy. Bill Terrill gave a quick report from the architectural committee, stating that there have been very few new buildings and demolitions this quarter.

Doug Stroud asked to speak to the Board concerning eight acres that he owns here in Oak Ridge. He would like to re-zone from single family to multi-family, and build some nice apartments on this property. He assured the board that these structures will be well built and pleasing to the eye in overall appearance. He requests that we please consider this objectively.

Cleo thanked the previous board for serving this year. They are: Joel Houston, Marion Staton, Gerrie Graham, Cookie Puckett,Cheryl Mann, and George Bowers.

Cleo asked for a motion to adjourn. Cookie moved and Bill seconded. Motion was passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned.

Follow-up meeting - 5/19/ 2009

Cleo called the meeting to order. Marion Staton will not be able to finish the last year of his term due to illness. Cheryl moved that Cookie be accepted as a board member even though her term is over and replace Marion. That would give us the seven members that we need. Dick Heilman seconded the motion, and the vote carried unanimously. New members of the board are: Inger Lise Blount, Dick Heilman, Jan Harris, and Cheryll Mabray. Remaining members are Gerri Graham, Cheryl Mann, and Cookie Puckett (for Marion Staton). All of these members were present for this meeting, as well as Cleo Robinett. Cleo, outgoing president, informed us that we will be getting a new roof for the community building. Due to the severe hailstorm last month, our insurance paid $3076.00.

There were many ideas expressed about how to appoint committees this year. The consensus was to have sign up sheets available at the next event and see who is interested in each committee. We feel that there will be some important issues that must be addressed with dedication this year and want those residents who are passionate about these issues to be able to serve. There will be an " Amendment " committee to review the "Restriction, Covenants and Reservations" section of our membership information, to see what changes might need to be made, and if it is possible to change. We will have an "Annexation Committee" to look at everything concerning Oak Ridge in the event that Horseshoe Bay would annex us in the future. We want to be informed and prepared for the best plan of action. We will have the usual committees that we have had in the past:

• Architectural
• Roads and Grounds
• Social Co-Chair
• Courtesy-Welcome and phone committee
• Acorn Editor

These committees will be re-appointed, and any others who have expertise and would like to serve may sign up at our next function, (or contact a board member and let them know you are interested) and the board will gratefully consider new members. Until that time, the previous volunteers will serve.

Horseshoe Bay has added a section in our fire contract concerning fireworks and permits for fires. Any community receiving fire protection from Horseshoe Bay must follow Horseshoe Bay's rules in regards to fireworks, permits for fires. We need to inform our residents in the Acorn and by e-mail concerning the new requirements. We will do that in time for the new Acorn that is coming out in June. We discussed the need for a sign stating those restrictions as you enter Oakridge, and will contact the HSB Fire Dept to see if something like that is available through them. Cheryl Mann will check the accurate wording in the current contract so it can be published in the Acorn.

We are all enthusiastic about this board, and are looking forward to another great year in Oak Ridge.

Cheryl moved to adjourn and Cheryll seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

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Further developments regarding Oak Ridge Estates Committee Structure

Further developments regarding Oak Ridge Estates Committee Structure - Board workshop, JUNE 30, 2009 Attended by Dick Heilman, Cheryl Mann, Cheryll Mabray, Gerri Graham, Jan Harris, Cookie Puckett.

The minutes of the last meeting were unanimously approved as printed in the Acorn.

Justin Dunk has requested a replat so that he can sell part of his property. It is for lots 12A and 12B. (Designation changed to 12C and 12D upon replat). His request is in agreement with Oak Ridge Estates deed restrictions. The board took some time to survey these plats and discuss it together, and subsequently unanimously approved the replat.

Dick then led us in a discussion concerning a few interpretations of the current procedures and what their options are in the meetings according to our by-laws. We are hoping to make this much easier to understand and practice in the future.

There have been some complaints concerning members who rent out their houses for weekends. .and have large numbers of people residing temporarily. This has been a problem for the septic systems. We questioned how to control this problem.. Should there be a fine? Can we do anything about this legally? Several suggestions were discussed.

The board must appoint members of several committees this year. There will be the usual standing committees that we have had in the past. We also hope to incorporate one or two new committees that we feel are needed. Before we appoint these members, there will be sign-up sheets available at the ice cream social, and at the POA meeting in September. Our hope is to encourage those who are interested in these needs of the board, to become involved in a tangible way.

Architectural: to ensure compliance with our deed restrictions and prevent encroaching on the property of others.

Legal/By-Laws: to review and interpret the corporation by-laws and recommend changes where appropriate, and in agreement with the majority of the membership and/or the board. They would also provide legal guidance to the corporation on issues that may impact the corporation in the future and recommend courses of action on current issues.

Community Center: to oversee all activities involving the community center, including scheduling of activities, set-up, cleaning, providing supplies, decorations, and internal maintenance. Subsections of this committee would include one for the external maintenance of the building, and another for the maintenance of the grounds and Oak Ridge entrances.

Social: provide for social activities for the membership that promote a culture of caring of our neighbors, etc. Also includes ice cream social, Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas cookie exchange, and monthly luncheons.

Communications: to provide new residents with a positive first impression of the committee. This will be a resource of all members to provide recommendations for services, etc. Also will assist members with general well being of the members (visit the sick, provide rides, run errands, etc.)

Roads/Roadside and Grounds: to provide assistance to the corporation regarding maintenance of the roads/roadside, and boat storage.

Publications: pertaining to those who do the website, Acorn and Oak Ridge E-mail.

We also agreed to appoint an assistant to the Secretary and one to the Treasurer for the purpose of assisting during the year if needed.

Dick offered us goals for this term:

1. Re-organize committees
2. Roof Fascia for community center
3. Organizing of POA records
4. By-law/covenant restriction evaluation

We agreed that they were appropriate and attainable.

Jan moved to adjourn, and Cheryl seconded.

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Other News

Miss Kassey Drummond won the 2009 Little Miss Aqua Boom title in the Age Six category. Kassey, who will be entering 1st grade at Packsaddle Elementary in the Fall, is the daughter of Charles and Kay Drummond of Oak Ridge and the granddaughter of Jerry and Marian Drummond, formerly of Oak Ridge.

For those who might remember Margie and Dub Kelso, members of this community in its infancy, Margie passed away this week in Mansfield where she has lived for the past few years near her daughters. (Dub passed a couple of years ago.) A memorial service was held at the Mansfield Church of Christ on Sunday, July 7.

Bill Manno's mother, Josephine Manno, age 96, died Monday June 15. Services were held at San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church in San Antonio.

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Financial Statements: provided by Cheryl Mann, Treasurer

OAK RIDGE ESTATES
Balance Sheet
As of April 30, 2009

OAK RIDGE ESTATES
Income Statement
May 1, 2008 - April 30, 2009

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