A Message of Condolence and Community Support

Dear Community,

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of a dear member of our Craneridge family, Terry Twichell. Terry’s warm spirit and kindness touched the lives of many within our community, and her presence will be dearly missed.

We express our heartfelt sympathies to her husband Eric Twichell. Friends may gather to pay their respects on Sunday, March 10, 2024, from 2-4 PM at the Smith-Weismantel Funeral Home, 271 E. Main St. Springville, NY. https://memorials.smithweismantelfuneralhome.com/terry-l-twichell/5389011/index.php

In times like these, let us come together as a community to support one another, offering solace and strength to those who are grieving.

Next BOD Meeting – Monday March 4th @ 6:45 pm via ZOOM

Monday, March 4th, 2024  @ 6:45 pm
Via Zoom– 
This meeting will be held online via Zoom and is open to all community members. This meeting is password protected. To obtain the link and password for the online meeting, please log into the Craneridge Homeowners page: https://craneridge.org/homeowners-2/

Craneridge Association BOD Meeting Agenda:

Mission Statement: Enhance our living environment through woodlands stewardship, shared property maintenance, and community building.

Outcomes [or Intended Results] for this meeting: 

By the end of this meeting we will accomplish the following: 

– Discuss the 2024 Budget Plan; 
– Understand the latest developments occurring within our committees;
– Update BOD on the progress made on “Actions we agreed to complete” that are outside of the committees;
– Schedule the date/time of the Annual Members’ Meeting; 
– Understanding the Reserve Account- Emphasizing the importance of a reserve fund for anticipated expenses;
– Pool Heater Room Upgrades – Voting to approve expenditure for upgrades;
– Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation Treatment – Discussing payment responsibility and treatment frequency for HWA infestation.

Sections and TopicsLeaderTime (minutes) 
CONNECT – Check-in Shannon W. 5
COMMENTS – Member’s Public Comments WelcomeN/AN/A
Meeting Minutes Meeting Approval for February 2024Shannon W. 5  
CONVENE – Quick review of Outcomes, Agenda, and rolesShannon W. 5
CONSENT AGENDA – Officer & Committee ReportsPresident, Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer/Finance ReportCommittees Executive Secretary Officers, Committee Chairs & Executive Secretary 1 minute each

(~10) 
CONTEXT – Review Follow-up Action Plan Template ItemsShannon W. 5
CONTENT – with “open,” “narrow,” or ”close”
Schedule the Annual Homeowners Meeting (O,C) – Discuss and schedule the date and time for the 2024 Annual Homeowners Meeting. Shannon W.5
Understanding the Reserve Account (O) Discuss the function of a reserve fund as a financial buffer for anticipated expenses and highlighting the necessity for improved planning by the BOD of its utilization.Shannon W.15
Pool Heater Room Upgrades (N,C) – Review needs for upgrades, the Scope of Work and the estimate. Vote to approve expenditure. Shannon W.10
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation Treatment (N,C) –Discuss and determine who is going to pay for HWA treatment. We will need to treat yearly as new infestations arise and then treat again every five years until a permanent bio-control has been established. Gwen A.30
Any other Topics that need to be Discussed N/AN/A
CONTINUE & CONCLUDE  – Summarize, Action Plans, Next MeetingShannon5

NOTES: ONC label meanings
O = Open (Talking about it for the first time & opening the discussion)
N = Narrow (Focusing on Options & narrowing down the discussion)
C = Close (Making a decision and closing the discussion) 

Alert: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) Found in Craneridge and Sprague Brook Park

Within the past month, the devastating Hemlock Woolly Adelgid was found in Sprague Brook Park and in Craneridge. A majority of evergreen trees in Craneridge are Eastern Hemlocks. Without treatment, once infested, 100% of Hemlock trees will die within 4-10 years. For the month of February, we are asking ALL our neighbors to look for HWA in their Hemlocks (your property and nearby common property). Click to for a simple “How to ID HWA.” Contact information is also included in this flyer.

Learn more about Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.

Next BOD Meeting – Monday Feb. 5th @ 6:45 pm via ZOOM

Monday, Feb. 5, 2024  @ 6:45 pm
Via Zoom– 
This meeting will be held online via Zoom and is open to all community members. This meeting is password protected. To obtain the link and password for the online meeting, please log into the Craneridge Homeowners page: https://craneridge.org/homeowners-2/

Craneridge Association BOD Meeting Agenda:

Mission Statement: Enhance our living environment through woodlands stewardship, shared property maintenance, and community building.

Outcomes [or Intended Results] for this meeting: 

By the end of this meeting we will accomplish the following: 

  • Discuss the 2024 Budget Plan; 
  • Understand the latest developments occurring within our committees;
  • Update BOD on the progress made on “Actions we agreed to complete” that are outside of the committees (i.e. e-voting, Water flow study, Ad-Hocs groups, Homeowner Advisory Group, Fire safety and prevention, etc.);
  • Elect a Nominations Committee Chair for 2024; 
  • Discuss a strategy to address the identified Hemlock Woolly Adelgid infestation, ensuring effective communication and coordination among members, and establishing proactive measures for ongoing monitoring and response;
  • Evaluate different software platforms in order to improve community operations and finalize a decision on the most suitable platform and agree upon the budget required to support its implementation.
Sections and TopicsLeaderTime (minutes) 
CONNECT – Check-in Shannon W. 5
COMMENTS – Member’s Public Comments WelcomeN/AN/A
Meeting Minutes Meeting Approval for January 2024Shannon W. 5  
CONVENE – Quick review of Outcomes, Agenda, and rolesShannon W. 5
CONSENT AGENDA – Officer & Committee ReportsPresident, Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer/Finance ReportCommittees Executive Secretary Officers, Committee Chairs & Executive Secretary 1 minute each

(~10) 
CONTEXT – Review Follow-up Action Plan Template ItemsShannon W. 5
CONTENT – with “open,” “narrow,” or ”close”
Nominations Committee (C) – Elect a nominations committee chair to organize the BOD Candidates for 2024 election Shannon W.5
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infestation (O,N) – We’ve identified a concerning Hemlock Woolly Adelgid infestation in Craneridge, prompting the need for immediate action and coordinated response. Gwen A.10
Review of Software Platforms for Enhanced Community Operations (O,N) The Communications Committee will present their research and input for utilizing new software to address various community needs, including communication, database management, resident log-in, billing, and more.Shannon
+ Matt Lux
20
Any other Topics that need to be Discussed N/AN/A
CONTINUE & CONCLUDE  – Summarize, Action Plans, Next MeetingShannon5

NOTES: ONC label meanings
O = Open (Talking about it for the first time & opening the discussion)
N = Narrow (Focusing on Options & narrowing down the discussion)
C = Close (Making a decision and closing the discussion)

Walk Scheduled: Hunt for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA)

A majority of the pine trees in Craneridge are Eastern Hemlocks, and Hemlocks are under attack from Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, an invasive, aphid-like insect. Once infested, 100% of Hemlock trees will die within 4-10 years.

Join Gwen Alegre from the Woodlands & Habitat Committee to learn how to identify HWA, which can only be spotted in the winter. Exact meet-up location to be shared prior to the event. We’ll also talk through how to use iMapInvasives (free app) to record findings to be verified by Cornell. Get a jump start and learn how to install and setup the app here.

Some good news: In early 2023, after conducting searches, we found no HWA in Craneridge or Sprague Brook Park. And the bad news: Woolly Adelgid has been positively IDed as close as four miles from Craneridge. Treatment is available, but it is costly. Our best bet is to ID early, and then treat where we can.

Learn more about how YOU can help us “Take A Stand Against HWA.”

Next BOD Meeting – Monday Jan. 8th @ 6:45 pm via ZOOM

Monday, Jan. 8, 2024  @ 6:45 pm
Via Zoom– 
This meeting will be held online via Zoom and is open to all community members. This meeting is password protected. To obtain the link and password for the online meeting, please log into the Craneridge Homeowners page: https://craneridge.org/homeowners-2/

 Craneridge Association BOD Meeting Agenda:

Mission Statement: Enhance our living environment through woodlands stewardship, shared property maintenance, and community building.

Outcomes [or Intended Results] for this meeting: 

By the end of this meeting we will accomplish the following: 

  • Discuss the 2024 Budget Plan 
  • Understand the latest developments occurring within our committees
  • Update BOD on the progress made on “Actions we agreed to complete” that are outside of the committees (i.e. e-voting, Water flow study, Ad-Hocs groups, Homeowner Advisory Group, Fire safety and prevention, etc.)
  • Discuss the Executive Secretary position opening, job description and compensation
Sections and TopicsLeaderTime (minutes) 
CONNECT – Check-in Shannon W. 5
COMMENTS – Member’s Public Comments WelcomeN/AN/A
Meeting Minutes Meeting Approval for December 2023Shannon W. 5  
CONVENE – Quick review of Outcomes, Agenda, and rolesShannon W. 5
CONSENT AGENDA – Officer & Committee Reports President, Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer/Finance Report Committees 
Executive Secretary 
Officers, Committee Chairs & Executive Secretary 1 minute each

(~10) 
CONTEXT – Review Follow-up Action Plan Template ItemsShannon W. 5
CONTENT – with “open,” “narrow,” or ”close”
Executive Secretary position opening. Discuss the Executive Secretary job description/job opening and compensation. (N,C) Shannon W.10
Any other Topics that need to be Discussed N/AN/A
CONTINUE & CONCLUDE  – Summarize, Action Plans, Next MeetingShannon5

NOTES: ONC label meanings
O = Open (Talking about it for the first time & opening the discussion)
N = Narrow (Focusing on Options & narrowing down the discussion)
C = Close (Making a decision and closing the discussion)

Craneridge Townhall Summary & Next Steps!

🌟 Thank You for Making the Townhall on Nov. 14th a Success! 🌟

A heartfelt thank you to all attendees and a special shoutout to our neighbor, Mitch Alegre, for leading engaging World Cafe-style discussions.

📄Handout Highlights Craneridge’s Unique Spirit
Explore the handout capturing Craneridge’s essence—shifting from “Us vs Them” to a collective “WE are the THEY” mindset. Essential for our volunteer-led initiatives and reflecting the evolving population. Access the document [here]

🤔 Analyzing Your Feedback: Townhall Organizers’ Insights
Shannon Wichlacz and Gwen Alegre, the Townhall organizers, dove into your ideas and feedback on building community, supporting property maintenance, and stewarding our woodlands. Discover their analysis [here] including exciting Next Step ideas to sustain our progress.

👥 Missed the Townhall? Join the Next Steps!
If you couldn’t make it, but want to be part of the Next Step initiatives, contact Shannon at 716-432-4778 or scmenter@yahoo.com.

🌳 Let’s Enhance Craneridge Together!
Join us in creating a more connected, responsible, and vibrant Craneridge. Let’s nurture our woodlands and maintain our unique community spirit.
Keep Craneridge Unique! 💚

Next BOD Meeting – Monday Dec. 4th @ 6:45 pm via ZOOM

Monday, Dec. 4, 2023  @ 6:45 pm
Via Zoom– 
This meeting will be held online via Zoom and is open to all community members. This meeting is password protected. To obtain the link and password for the online meeting, please log into the Craneridge Homeowners page: https://craneridge.org/homeowners-2/

AGENDA:

Mission Statement: Enhance our living environment through woodlands stewardship, shared property maintenance, and community building.

Outcomes [or Intended Results] for this meeting: 

By the end of this meeting we will accomplish the following: 

  • Review and discuss the Follow-up Action Plan Template as the primary tracking mechanism for commitments made by BOD members outside of committees, ensuring comprehensive documentation and facilitating ongoing monitoring of progress.
  • Reflect on the recent Townhall, highlighting successes and areas for improvement, exploring the perceptions and takeaways of attending members, and discussing “what’s next” actions aligned with our mission to enhance community engagement;
  • Engage in an open-ended and straightforward discussion regarding the implications of the recent house fire in the community.
Sections and TopicsLeaderTime (minutes) 
CONNECT – Check-in Shannon W. 5
COMMENTS – Member’s Public Comments WelcomeN/AN/A
Meeting Minutes Meeting Approval for November 2023Shannon W. 5  
CONVENE – Quick review of Outcomes, Agenda, and rolesShannon W. 5
CONSENT AGENDA – Officer & Committee Reports
President, Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer/Finance Reports
Committee Reports
Executive Secretary Report
Officers, Committee Chairs & Executive Secretary 1 minute each

(~10) 
CONTEXT – Review Follow-up Action Plan Template ItemsShannon W. 5
CONTENT – with “open,” “narrow,” or ”close”
Post-Craneridge Town Hall Meeting. Review of Townhall, Discussion and Next Steps.  (C)Shannon & Gwen 10
Recent House Fire in the Community. Chat about updates, implications and any next steps.  (O,N)Jen & Andrea10
Any other Topics that need to be Discussed N/AN/A
CONTINUE & CONCLUDE  – Summarize, Action Plans, Next MeetingShannon5

NOTES: ONC label meanings
O = Open (Talking about it for the first time & opening the discussion)
N = Narrow (Focusing on Options & narrowing down the discussion)
C = Close (Making a decision and closing the discussion)

Community Support for Donna’s House Fire Recovery

In times of adversity, our community has always come together to support one another, and today, we extend our heartfelt concern for our neighbor, Donna, who recently experienced a devastating house fire.

Many of you have expressed a desire to help Donna during this challenging time, and her family has set up a Fundly campaign to facilitate donations for her house fire recovery. You can contribute to the fund by visiting the following link: Fundly Link: https://fundly.com/donna-wyglon-house-fire-recovery?fbclid=IwAR1SMs6lb40R9iRppLs5M-46vvtvLswspUBcWEuPY1QU_NpTmIj6-BSjcyw#

In addition to financial assistance, we understand that gestures of compassion and support are equally meaningful. You are also welcome to send cards and prayers to Donna at the following address:

Donna Wyglon
PO Box 135
Glenwood, NY 14069

Your kindness and generosity will undoubtedly provide comfort to Donna as she navigates through this challenging time. Let’s come together as a community to show our support and solidarity.

Thank you for your compassion and consideration.