President John Remias called the regular meeting of the Residents’ Council [the Council] to order at 3:00 pm on Monday, December 5  2023. 80 people were in attendance including  association members; Residents’ Council members minus five; Leslie Johnson, Charlestown Associate Executive Director;  Board of Directors Member, Pat Kasuda; Patty Santoni, Director of Philanthropy; Karen Leighton, Director of Resident Life; Jason Dennis, assistant General Services Director, Gladstone James, Finance Director; and Craig Nelson, Security Manager.

The Council observed a moment of silence for those who have passed away.

Previously distributed minutes of the October meeting of the Residents’ Council meeting were approved as presented.

Mission Moment

Music goes around corners and under doors, and its power brings people together. Sally Palmer warmly greeted Dave Cohn a couple of years ago when he moved into Harborview. She always appreciated his playing of Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace) as he practiced for his recorder group. When Sally died, David arranged a recorder quartet to play that piece to close Sally’s memorial service in the Gallery. Judy Plymyer nominates David because he cared enough to ensure that Sally was honored with the music she loved. David Cohn – we honor you!!

I am glad to share that we have a second Mission Moment this month.

Jean Tribulski has nominated Jim Fitzsimmons for his mandolin playing and singalongs that he shares with our Continuing Care residents and Intermissions participants. In addition, as a member of the Harmonizers, Jim brings his audio wagon to Harmonizers rehearsals to help the director communicate with the singers. Jim will be singing in the Harmonizers concerts starting tomorrow. Jim Fitzsimmons – we honor you!!

If you are aware of residents helping other residents in a way that promotes Harmonious Community Living, let the Mission Moment Committee know. Just send your recommendation to Phyl Lansing at phyllansing5@gmail.com or CR403.

Executive Team Reports

John Remias, President

I would like to share a few things that the Council will be involved in over the next few weeks or months.

First, we have a deer population problem on our campus with too many deer causing problems in many ways. We have been asked to bring ideas to the Administration as to how to deal with this sensitive problem. Dick Voelkel, our Grounds Committee chairman, is going to inform you about what is being considered and why.

Second, we are in the early stages of working on plans to see the level of interest in having a residents’ photo directory or album. During January, we will have information tables in the restaurant lobbies where we will show you previous photo albums and what is being considered this time around. There will also be other ways of informing you of how we might create the photo book, the first time since 2015, and its possible cost. Then, in February, we will do a feasibility study to determine the level of interest in doing this. Part of our challenge will be to find some of you willing to lead and carry out the project if the level of interest to do it is enough. Let me also say that this is a joint resident AND administration project, good support from Don and his team.

Third, your Council is also working with the Administration to solve the residents’ concerns in Herberts’ Run about the new furniture that has just been installed. We did an online survey and received 132 responses to a series of questions about the chairs dealing with things like their comfort, fit, pattern, color, match to carpeting and paint, and related items. It was plain that comfort and fit are very acceptable, but color, patterns and environmental match to the carpeting and wall paint were not considered acceptable. And we received and recorded well over 100 comments that have been shared with the Administration. I do want to give a shoutout to David and Betty Elder for putting together the online survey to give virtually all Herberts’ Run residents a chance to express their views. Leslie may speak more about this issue during her comments.

Diana Dunaway, Treasurer

Balance – October 31, 2023                            $8145.41

Revenue                                                          $            0

Expenses                                                         $  160.75

Balance November 30, 2023

Bank                                                    $8134.66

Checkbook                                          $7984.66

 

November 2023 Expenses Details

Health Services           $  10.75 —  Medical Disposal Supplies

President                     $100.00 –  Benevolent Care Fund

President                     $  50.00 —  Hospitality

Committee Reports

Benevolent Care, Carol Kefford

Benevolent Care Fund successes:

Total raised during Benevolent Care Month = $255,000 (Gala and BCF Campaign)

Two new realized gifts came in this week totaling  $144,000

Record Breaking Treasure Sale – over $45k!

Seven new planned gifts this year

$100,000 donated from the Jim Davis Foundation

There will be a reception early in 2024 to recognize persons with engraved red leaves in honor of the 40th anniversary.

There is still time to take advantage of tax breaks while giving to Benevolent Care, but residents should contact Philanthropy Department now.  Regular year-end gifts are possible all month.

The next meeting: January 24, 2024 in room CTS116 at 2PM.

Communications, David Elder and Larry Taylor, Co-chairs

Upcoming Tech Bar – Our next Tech Bar is on Tuesday December 19 from 10 AM. to 12 PM. At the Chesapeake Restaurant area.  Please bring your NetworkA network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams. See also... READ MORE Passwords if at all possible.

Completed Issues:

Continuing Care Communication Survey was completed and approved by Council on November 15. and forwarded to the Administration.

Updated Xfinity/Comcast TV Channel Listing (Lineup) is now at the Lobby Desk.

The Council Communication Forms have been revised in CCI-Charlestown.org and MyErickson.  Also, these revised Forms are now at our Lobby Desks.

On-going Issues:

Wi-FiWi-Fi is a family of wireless network protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which are commonly used for wireless networking and allow nearby devices to exchange data by radio waves. Wireless local area networks (WLAN) are widely used in the world to link laptop computers, tablet co... READ MORE Connectivity issues – Persistent WiFi network disconnects: Network keeps changing from CCI-Resident to either CCI-Guest or CCI-Portal; this could be a security concern.  We are also seeing more Wifi TV Streaming disconnects at Brookside.

Xfinity/Comcast contract – Administration and Erickson Executives were asked about the Charlestown contract – still no reply.  The last contract for Residents dates back to 2017.

Residents have reported that their Landline Telephones are not displaying Caller ID correctly. Caller ID is part of Charlestown ConnectConnect or Charlestown or Erickson Connect Network is the name for the local telephone and Wi-Fi system at Charlestown. READ MORE Digital Service. Residents are advised to call IT Service Desk at (800) 677-0211.

Status of Dining Services WiFi tablets –  IT has found that these Tablet issues are caused by old Network Card in the Tablets.  Erickson is collaborating with the Vendor to get these updated or fixed.

Website Subcommittee – Our Website Subcommittee has prepared a list of recommended improvements for MyErickson and presented them to Home Office IT.  Also, Evergreen Topics for November were posted to CCI-Charlestown.org.

Increasing awareness of ccicharlestown.org – Residents need to be aware of why we have our Charlestown Website and how it can help them navigate life here in Charlestown.

The next meeting of the Communications Committee: Monday January 22, 2024 at 2:00,  preceded by the WEBSITE Committee Meeting at 1:00. Both meetings will be via Zoom.

Conservation, Mark Buehlman

Housekeeping reported on the recent electronics recycling event. 440 pounds were collected. While this doesn’t sound like a lot, the impact is significant. Most electronic devices contain some rare earth elements, the mining of which has created serious environmental and human rights problems. So, any of these rare earth elements we can put back into the manufacturing stream are very valuable.

On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, there will be a dumpster on site for the disposal of large items. It will be located near the garden plots. Before you dispose of anything, however, always remember the three “Rs” – reduce, reuse, and recycle. Consider if the item could be recycled or reused as a Treasure Sale donation.

Printer ink cartridges are now being collected and recycled by the Computer Club. Used cartridges can be left outside the door by either of the two computer rooms. Proceeds from this program are used to buy Computer Club supplies.

We passed a motion supporting the deer control proposal developed by the Grounds Committee. Dick Voelkel will talk more about that in a minute.

We heard updates from the three Sustainable Working Teams – Transportation, Dining and Grounds. All the Teams have met at least twice and have identified several areas they are researching. Many of their recommendations and proposed solutions will have the potential to be a win for everyone – Charlestown, the residents, and the environment.

Next meeting: Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 2:00 pm in Brookside Classroom 1.

Dining , Peggy Carey and Stephanie Leddy, Co-Chairs

Comments from Ken Zahn:

Leadership changes- Bailey Myers, who had been here nine years was at the Fireside and Chef Alex, from the Chesapeake have both left.  Recruiting and interviewing is taking place. There will be some shuffling of staff to ensure everyone is in the best place.

This is Flu season and COVID is still present. Staff are not allowed to work if they have flu symptoms.

Employee Engagement Survey. They improved on 10 out of 14 metrics. Of the four, one was down 1.1% and the others less than 3%

HOLIDAY SEASON: Holidays can be magical or lonely and sad. The “Joiners Program” encourages all to eat together and they asked our help in encouraging others to participate

FRUIT:  Cantaloupe has been recalled in 15 states so fruit cups were pulled- now minus cantaloupe.

FRUIT OF THE DAY: going to try different fruit option – adding a whole fruit to the menu. Suggested were Apples, Oranges and Bananas, grapes. Pears too. They would only be available from the server. The old fruit of the day had us losing $270,000 annually.

SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

ATRIUM:   Holiday buffets are back. Ken was asked what about other times for buffets? This doesn’t mean that other day’s buffet won’t happen

CHESAPEAKE

1. Better food overall, particularly at the Shortline.
2. Loved the Carving station at Shortline and Brunch.
3. Menu is not as good as last month.
4. The dining venues need to be specific about menu items and what is contained in the dish. Some residents are allergic to what one may consider insignificant ingredients.
5. Consistency still a problem- Vegetables still cold and lately underdone.

TERRACE

1. Line for Soup causing confusion. The soups are very tasty and well received.
2. Consistency is still a problem.

FIRESIDE – Mary Jo met with Chris Mitchell

1. Training is continuing for servers who are getting better at repeating back and checking back.
2. Brunch continues to be a problem -They get slammed between 12:30-2 after church lets out.
3. Suggested that more “Old Faithful recipes” and comfort food be on the static menu and the more unusual items be used as special.

DIETARY FOCUS

1. Gluten-free pasta is an available substitute for any other pasta
2. Non-dairy spread desired, but Ken is still working on procuring it

The next meeting: January 15, 2024 at 1:30 in Charlestown Square 116.

Finance, John Yoder

A report from the Dining Services Sustainability Work Group was received and discussed. The importance of having a representative of the Finance Committee serve in each working group was noted.

Operating margins continue to be healthy, driven in large part by strong occupancy in both Independent Living and Continuing Care. (All are above industry averages.)

Independent Living           94.6% (September)

Assisted Living                  95.5%

Memory Care                    98.5%

Skilled Nursing                  90.0%

Thirteen residents received Benevolent Care funds at the end of September. The funds (both current and Foundation) have benefitted from recent substantial gifts and a very successful treasure sale.

Budget for 2024 has been presented to, and approved by, Board of Directors. A letter announcing a 4.5% monthly fee increase went out to residents on 11/1/2023.

PNC Financial Planning seminar on 10/28/2023 was successful and well attended. A follow-up session is being planned.

The next meeting: January 30, 2024, 9:00 AM in Brookside #1

Grounds, Dick Voelkel

The Committee passed a resolution recommending bow hunting for deer control. Dick explained how reducing the size of the deer herd will improve the forest and the health of the remaining deer. Our neighboring churches and communities are also interested in controlled bow hunting in concert with Charlestown.

The Grounds management:

• Scheduled hydro raking for this winter
• Scheduled one more leaf blowing this winter
• Further tree pruning planned, but no plans for live tree removal

A new Subcommittee was formed to plan for new holiday decorations for 2024.

Next meeting: January 23, 2024, at 11am in Brookside classroom 1.

Health Services, Jean Tribulski and Connie Cooney, Co-Chairs

The Resident Services Coordinators Victoria Shirley, Robin Clay and Andres Lanasa, informed the committee regarding their roles within the community. Their primary goal is to assist residents and their families with problems and help them stay in the highest and safest level of independent living. They reiterated the importance of the File of Life given to residents on their entrance to Charlestown. It is important that it be displayed on your refrigerator door, the back of your front door or the butter keeper in your refrigerator so it is readily available to first responders. Replacements are available at the Medical Center or in their office. There is a secondary form if you are a caregiver and suddenly away. This form would have contacts and information on what needs to be done to provide for the person to whom you are caregiver.

The following reports were made:

• Lois Avery was appointed Assistant Director of Nursing in Continuing Care.
• The Home Health Advisory council met and will be focusing on falls prevention in the home.
• CVS Charlestown will give RSV shots during their regular hours Mondays through Fridays with a physician’s prescriptions.
• A technical assistance library is under development for residents with the most commonly seen impairments
• The Parkinson Group is having meetings for both patients and caregivers for information and support. They also have boxing classes for residents with mild or early-stage Parkinson’s to assist with tremor control.

Next meeting: December 12 at 11:00 am in Brookside Classroom 1

Housekeeping, Sebastian Petix

At the November meeting attended by 3 members from staff and 3 new volunteer residents the following questions and concerns addressed: frequency of vacuuming in hallways and elevators (once per week unless reported as needed); laundry room issues, odors and mechanical failures (mechanic checks equipment weekly, and use white board to report issues). Contractor messes are addressed regularly and should be reported via cciworkorders@erickson.com as all issue are reported.

Next meeting scheduled for 1/15/20204 will be rescheduled due to MLK holiday.

Legislative/Political, Paulette Hammond and Art Johnson, Co-Chairs

The Meet and Greet session with our elected state and county representatives held on November 7, 2023 was a successful event with more than 100 residents in attendance. The meeting was televised on channel 972 the following week. Special thanks should be given  to Paulette Hammond who organized the meeting.

The committee discussed plans for tracking state legislation during the 2024 General Assembly session. The committee also discussed the possibility of holding candidate forums and/or other events during the 2024 primary and election seasons. Finally, the committee received information about the League of Women Voters training for those who wish to register voters.

The next meeting:  January 10, 2024 at 10 a.m. in Brookside Classroom #1

Maintenance and Engineering, Jerry Donaldson

There are three General Services Action Items for dates that require inputs from outside sources. Two involving Baltimore County Permits are the repair of the Herbert’s Run to St. Charles bridge support and the relocation and rebuilding of the bridge on the Nature Trail. The third is a date from Otis for the installation of a new elevator in Chapel Court. The contract has been signed and Otis needs to supply the start date.

The Caton Ridge renovations foundation work is scheduled for completion in the January/February time frame. The completion of the new Physical Therapy area in Caton Ridge is currently scheduled for the first quarter of 2024.

The bids for the roadway wooden guard rails have been received and are currently being evaluated. This will be a multi-year project and is scheduled to start in January 2024

A solution for the high noise levels for an HVAC unit at Courtyard Crossing has been identified and is in the process of final testing.

General Services was requested to brief the M&E Committee on the status of the Water Intrusion efforts to date. The highlights of their briefings are as follows:

The outside Engineering firm, A. J . Adams, has been retained to perform an evaluation of the water piping in Brookside and make recommendations to Charlestown as to what Charlestown can do to best address future apartment flooding. To date, A. J.  Adams has completed the majority of their field work and are currently reviewing their findings and working on recommendations. The time frame for the completion of their recommendations to Charlestown is estimated to be in  January 2024

The leading HVAC pipe constraining concept, developed with the joint effort of General Services Engineering and Charlestown residents, has been shared with A. J.  Adams as an input to their evaluations and recommendations.

As additional flood reduction efforts, General Services is continuing Employee and Contractor training. This is expected to be an on-going activity to improve response time to water intrusion incidents. This will reduce the probability of a water intrusion incident becoming an apartment flooding incident. To that end, a second unannounced drill was held on November 27.  Again, the total response was extremely impressive with over 25 units and equipment in place within approximately 8 minutes. Additional drills are planned by General Services for the near future and will include drills on the weekend and overnight shifts. These drills for improving the response time to a water intrusion incident is currently the most effective way to reduce all types of apartment flooding. And, finally, an analysis of the HVAC Loop water flow monitoring proposal will be addressed in the A. J. Adams final recommendations.

General Services had planned to brief the M&E Committee on a plan to address the clogged gutters in the Charlestown complex. However, due to other pressing issues, they requested deferral of this activity until 2024. Any 2023 clogged gutter issues will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

The general consensus from this discussion of the campus wide signage was that it would be appropriate to establish a standing Signage sub-committee to review all signage issues in Charlestown. General Services agreed to review this need and report back to the Maintenance and Engineering Committee at the next meeting with their plan for establishing the Signage

The next meeting : January 23, 2024 in the General Services Conference Room at 2:00 PM

Resident Life, Nancy Fayer and Margaret Vincent, Co-Chairs

At the November meeting, the Resident Life Committee continued to present programs by the Resident Life Department,  with Tom Moore, Manager of Chanel 972/971,  as guest speaker. One of Tom’s signature improvements for the station has been to bring virtual reality  programs to Charlestown. Tom brought  virtual reality headsets to use. They are basically small computers which are strapped to the viewers’ forehead. Following the business meeting, Tom projected a virtual reality film and introduced participants to a virtual reality experience.

Margaret Vincent, speaking for the Welcoming Committee, encouraged participants to talk with new residents and ask them the biggest challenge they experienced when moving into Charlestown, and to summarize the new residents’ experiences at the January RL meeting.

Current activities of the Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) sub committees: The recently formed the Ageism/Ableism subcommittee led by Ann Mackay, is working to bring a heightened awareness of accessibility problems at Charlestown to residents and staff. They have identified and produced a list of accessibility issues around campus, which was sent to the Executive Director.  Ann met with the Joint DIB Council to discuss conducting an organization assessment as a baseline in several domain areas. Language and communications, the topics for the committee’s October 17  presentation, will be their next area of emphasis.

The newly formed Core DIB subcommittee met November 3 to consider how to continue its work as an incubator for ideas and programs for DIB. Facilitator Nancy Fayer focused  the discussion on program development ideas.

Joe Carrick, Chair of the Sustainability Transportation Working Group,  a Resident Life partner,   reported the group is looking at off-campus transportation options, reducing use of private cars, reducing reliance on electric motor vehicles, and are investigating the possibility of having an area circulator bus stop for Charlestown residents.

The “Light Up Charlestown” committee, led by Virginia Antevil and Margaret Vincent,  have been busy ordering, selling, and distributing  battery and electric  candles on campus. Residents have purchased over 1000 candles. Nancy encouraged people to take a moment  when they are outside at night,  to notice the many candles in the window of the buildings on campus, and enjoy their sparking light and beauty this holiday season.

Next Meeting:  Wednesday, January 19, 2024 at   2 PM in BR 1

Safety and Security, Ed Appel

• Water leaks and smoking incidents were resolved quickly by Security. A smoking microwave that evoked large fire response resulted in no injury or damage.
• The committee requested briefings on security operations and cyber security. Much happens behind the scenes to protect us. We want to understand and communicate Security accomplishments
• There was a preliminary review of pet owner rules violations. The Pet Owners’ group has the lead for reminding owners of rules.
• We are continuing to monitor pedestrian/traffic safety
  • Peg Buehlman exploring with Jason Spivey use of mirrors for elevators & hallways
  • Receiving information on and passing on incidents such as speeding, and running stop signs – Security can identify and cite some offenders and places needing safety upgrades
• Misuses of reserved parking spaces: Some desirable reserved spaces are used by unauthorized people

Recent incidents (not further described) have illustrated how well Security and staff from bottom to top provide emergency response immediately to protect residents, ensure health and safety and get residents the help they need.  In over many years, I have not seen as effective and friendly security measures as we enjoy here.

Next meeting: January 11, 2024 at 2:00 in Charlestown Square Classroom 116

Remembrance of Vicki Barr

Jackie Dunn and Bernice DeBels were close friends of Vicki Barr whose untimely death occurred while dining at the Chesapeake. Their compassionate words are as follows.

I, Jackie Dunn, along with Bernice De Bels have been asked to speak briefly about a life-threatening experience that occurred last Wednesday, November 29 in the Chesapeake Restaurant involving Vicki Barr. I will relate to you how I saw the emergency portion of Vicki’s experience being handled and Bernice will speak of responses afterwards.

I was one of six people at Vicki’s table that evening. We had just received our entrees and were busy eating them. I looked up for a moment and noted that Vicki had stopped eating and had a blank expression on her face. Simultaneously out of the corner of my eye I saw a student server rushing to Vicki’s side. He inquired if she could breathe. Based upon her shaking her head “no” the student server immediately started the Heimlich maneuver and continued expertly until the manager who works in the Chesapeake and Short Line relieved the student. The manager was followed by the Security Team who diligently and competently worked. Following Security was the Baltimore County EMT team. After working with Vicki for a long time at the Chesapeake the EMT team took her to Saint Agnes Hospital.

What I observed throughout the giving of care was that all individuals and teams made continuous and heroic efforts to give the best care to Vicki.

Then Bernice De Bels spoke:

The response from the administration to all of us who were affected by this traumatic event was genuine and heartfelt. The executive team-Don Grove, Leslie Johnson, Lisa Roeder, and Victoria Shirley either phoned or visited us. They gave us space to express our grief and assured us of the availability of resources to help us cope. Their response underscored the fact that they valued us and that community is central in the life of Charlestown’s beliefs. We are grateful for their compassionate leadership and we feel proud to be part of such a caring and loving community.

If I can be of any help in furthering this positive image of Charlestown, I would be happy to do so.

Comments and questions from Residents and Guests

John Remias introduced Leslie Johnson, Charlestown Associate Executive Director, who gave an administration update.

Good afternoon, everyone. Most of the updates that I have you’ve already touched on. I just wanted to add some and just let you know that they remain top priority for us in the administration. I was going to start off my update with a mission moment to share the story that was just shared with us and thank you so much for having the courage and the kind words to come and speak. I know it’s a difficult topic. It’s hard to talk about a mission moment and to celebrate those when it comes out of a tragic event. But when you talked to Don and I and asked us what keeps us up at night, it is just that when tragedy hits our community, we wonder how we will respond. How will we pull together as a community and move forward? I want to recognize the staff members talked about and the young student. When Ken and I met with him the day after, I stood in front of this young man that is the same age as my oldest son and just thought he woke up today. He’s going to work like he does every day. But little did he know the impact that he would have on somebody else’s life, on all of our lives in our community. Sean Broschart was that student. We did thank him and recognize him and we will continue to do that in a larger venue. I would also like to recognize Isaiah Gonzalez, Jawan Smith and Travis Stinson, dining associates that responded to the residents needs immediately. As that call went out to security, they responded. To give you some perspective. The national average for EMS response time is nine minutes. Here at Charlestown our first responders average is four minutes. In this event security was on site within one minute. As the employees reflect back on what they did, the question if they did it differently, if I just did this. We want them to know they did everything that they possibly could. Security responders, Bres’Che Jones, Charles Meade, Jonathan Franklin, Taron Robinson,  Kenneth Francis, Tamyria Virts, and Nancy Lyles; we thank them as well. We sat down the next day with residents that were close to our loss. What brought me comfort is talking to another former ER nurse and hearing her say what our response was right on. Vicki got the best care at the end. And that is what we want to share with you and with our employees that so they know that they did make a difference. And that’s what keeps gives me comfort. I just wanted to pause for a moment to think about the loss of our community but also to thank our amazing employees.

Communication is a top priority for us. You heard that A. J. Adams is continuing to wrap up their work to give us their proposal. You heard about the drill that occurred last week, and that we will continue those training drills and the drills is what is going to increase our responses and mitigate the level of involvement when we have a water intrusion. And then hopefully A. J . Adams will give us additional efforts for prevention and mitigation. The drill call went out at 9 am through security dispatch. Within three minutes engineering responded to the apartment. Within 10 minutes there were over 20 employees there. We learn something new every time we do a drill.  This is where the additional equipment came from. They made adjustments to the height of the ladder that is needed. As we continue this to do the drills, our response times will improve; we will learn more. And we will continue to do this over and over. We’re also training vendors and following their work closely so that we’re holding them accountable. And again, these drills will be held on off shifts, weekends, in the middle of the night, just so that we’re prepared at all hours of the day.

We also spoke to the Herbert’s run furniture issues and want to touch on that. We asked for some feedback and boy did you deliver and we really appreciate it. Don sent me out to take some pictures and see how it looked. When I got to the elevator residents were so excited. “Oh, come to my floor.” We went through taking pictures and I came back to Don and he said, well, how did it go? And I said, I don’t want to give you the pictures because the pictures actually make it look better. Please note that we hear you. We’ve compiled all of the feedback from the survey that was conducted. It was wonderful to be able to compile that and take it back to the design team with specific pictures and feedback on the painting, the fabrics, the patterns. That feedback was given to the design team. And now we will be working on a resolution. I don’t know what it will be. I don’t think we are going to get all brand-new furniture but we are looking into what our options are. Is there going to be a cost? But the one thing I do know is that this is custom furniture so the resolution will not be a quick one. As soon as we get that information, we will give it to you. Please know that we are working on those changes.

The last thing is deer. We’ve heard a lot. I have learned so much about deer since I’ve taken this role. It’s amazing and I’m sharing it with all kinds of people that don’t want to hear my new knowledge. But we just want you to know that we appreciate the council’s partnership. A decision will not be made without the Department of Natural Resources and the input from the county and local governments. We’ve been doing a lot of research. So more to come on that. But we welcome the feedback and we will be moving forward as we see appropriate.

Resident Elva Tillman expressed her thanks at living here at Charlestown. Evidently her apartment was one of those flooded. On that subject, Charlestown needs to do more to get the information out about the on-going efforts and he intends to stay on top of the work being done.

A couple of residents rose to complain about the lack of Harmonizers’ tickets at the last sales venue. Pat Remias explained that the Harmonizers are aware of this problem and will be discussing solutions at their next executive team meeting.

Respectively submitted,
Nancy Meier, Residents’ Council Secretary