The Morgandale
Connection
December
2015
Issue 208
The Council Members of Morgandale are …
Tim Cooney, President
Gary Cassel, Treasurer
Barb Crippen, Vice President
Beth Signore, Secretary
John Lyon, 2nd Vice President
Thank You
Thanks to the Morgandale Annual Holiday Party
Committee for an outstanding job in putting
together this year’s celebration. Also, a big thank
you to all our residents who contributed holiday
gifts for the Indian Valley YMCA selected family
in need this year.
Committee members are: back row, left to right,
Jill Geiger, Barb Crippen, Joan Cossman, Megan
Anderson; front row, left to right; Catherine
Leahy, Ray and Rose Davis.
Here are a few selected pictures of the festivities.
Please see the Morgandale Web site for additional photos.
Gary Cassel Announces Barb Crippen is Awarded
The Bob Farra
Making A Difference Award
at the Morgandale Holiday Party
Thank you all for attending the Morgandale Holiday Party. Each year we recognize a volunteer that has gone
“above and beyond” for Morgandale. This annual award is named after Bob Farra, the former Site
Committee Chairperson, who passed in 2011. Bob demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the beauty
and aesthetics of our community by serving for many years on the Site Committee and the Rules and
Regulations Committee.
The individual we are recognizing today has been volunteering for the Morgandale community for over eight
years. She started on Council as the Secretary, and is currently our Vice President. Her name is Barb
Crippen.
Barb is a committed volunteer who is dedicated to defining our vision of community; which is, Morgandale is
and will continue to be an excellent place to live. We are so fortunate to have Barb as one of our leaders in
this community. She works tenaciously with the Council for the good of the community-never self-servingand is even willing to wear a Hawaiian moo moo on Morgandale Day.
There are many projects and tasks that Barb accomplished over the years, but just recently Barb was actively
involved with the negotiations between the Association and the Township for the dedication and repair of the
sewer lines. She also played a key role with the renovations of the clubhouse. Because of Barb’s experience
with health insurance and customer service, Barb’s knowledge of business and personal relationship skills
have been invaluable to our Council.
In addition to her role as Vice President of the Morgandale Council, Barb is on five committees; the Pool
Committee, Yard Sale Committee, Morgandale Day Committee, Adult Pool Party Committee, and Holiday
Party Committee. This personal dedication is amazing and takes a great deal of time and organization.
I am privileged to present this year’s Bob Farra Making-a-Difference Award to Barb Crippen.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Council and Management Recognizes Jeff Derstein’s 33 Years of Service
To Morgandale, and Subsequent Full Time Retirement, During Annual Holiday Party.
Now, it is our pleasure, to honor an exceptional employee who spent 33 years of his life in consistent dedicated
service to the Morgandale community. Jeff Derstein retired from Morgandale in September of this year. His
faithful service to the community was an enormous help and extremely valued by the Council, Management,
his co-workers, and you – the Morgandale residents.
With Jeff’s knowledge and hard work, we have been able to accomplishment many large projects and maintain
this community to the high standards it deserves. Jeff easily stepped up to the plate as the Senior Maintenance
Technician. He was experienced, meticulous, and a dependable employee. With decades of involvement, his
understanding of the community was priceless.
Although it can be quite difficult to deal with the residents at times, it is impressive to observe the good
relationships Jeff had, and still has, with the Morgandale residents. He graciously and respectfully helped the
residents with their maintenance problems. In many cases, Jeff assisted residents in problem-solving their
maintenance issues, even when the repair was not the Association’s responsibility. In this way residents saved
themselves time and money by asking Jeff to take a look at their area of concern. He has helped residents
move, cleaned out their houses, went to the store for people, and some things we cannot mention Jeff is a
good listener, and a good friend to many of us. Because of his kind-hearted traits, he became close to many of
the residents.
Jeff always read the obituaries, and would inform us of who passed away. He respectfully attended their
memorials and offered his help to their family. He sometimes naturedly complained that he was ....getting old
and might be the next to go… But we all know he is healthy as a horse and will live to be at least 100!
We miss your good humor, and your willingness to listen to us - especially when we’re facing some real
obstacles. Jeff, we also miss all of your good work! Thank you for all you have contributed to this community.
We know you plan to work on small jobs around the community, and we hope you thoroughly enjoy the
adventure of more time as you wish to enjoy it. You are the captain of your retirement now and deserve the
very best of all that’s meaningful to you.
The Recycling Corner
We would like to thank the enthusiastic members of our Morgandale Recycling Committee
for their dedication and efforts over the past 5 years: (In alphabetical order) - David Bencker,
Gary L. Cassel (Chair), John Lyon, Esther Miller, and Marianne Natali.
We would also like to offer our sincere thanks to all of the residents of Morgandale that have embraced our
recycling program. We invite all others to join and make a commitment to start recycling. We encourage a
2016 New Year’s resolution and commitment to start recycling and/or continue recycling. It would be a
wonderfully healthy habit to develop for our environment now and our future.
We will continue to announce upcoming local recycling events in our Newsletter and/or by way of
Morgandale’s email blasts.
Our next Recycling Committee Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. in
the Clubhouse. If anyone would like to become a member of the Committee, please feel free to attend this
meeting.
The Morgandale Recycling Committee’s sponsored events have already been scheduled as follows:
Annual Morgandale Cleanup Day is Saturday, April 23, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.
Spring Event is Saturday, May 14, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
From our family to yours: Have a Safe, Happy and Prosperous New Year!
GO GREEN!
Gary Cassel, Chair
The Morgandale Recycling Committee
Carol Richard
Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Associa Mid-Atlantic Branch
We are so very pleased and proud to announce that our own Carol Richard was promoted to Vice President of
Sales and Marketing for the Associa Mid-Atlantic Branch. We know that she will be wonderful in that role,
because she has a sparkling personality, professional, smart, and an extremely hard worker. But rest assured
that we will still be seeing Carol, because she will still be overseeing Morgandale, as well as, several other
on-site communities and the Doylestown Office. Congratulations Carol!!!
Congratulations to the following Door
Prize winners at Annual Holiday Party.
Lynda Anders
Carol Antrim
Veronica Benton
Linda Bossert
Tim Cooney
Jennifer Brooker
Community Association Volunteer Leader
Carolyn Carr
of the Year
Tim Cooney
At the Community Association Institute’s
holiday party on December 10th at the
William Penn Inn, Tim Cooney was awarded
the prestigious Community Association
Volunteer Leader of the Year. This annual
award is for individuals who exhibited
excellence over the course of the past year in
the areas of management, governance,
finance and lifestyle opportunities. And, as
we know Tim has been exhibiting these
qualities for our community for over 35
years. Tim was very surprised when his name
was announced. But everyone knew he
deserved this award, because he received a
much
deserved
Standing
Ovation!
Congratulations Tim!
Lance Davidson
Ray Davis
Joan Fiorino
Kathy Floyd
Carmela Fusca
Mae Gerhart
Darryl and Cheryl Golden
Phil and Nancy Hommer
Joan Lutz
Jacqui Ottinger
Jane Pickering
Dan Pillie
Maria Riccio
Al and Regina Staehle
Lynn Stickler
Morgandale
2015 – A Year of Accomplishments!
Dear Friends,
The Council, Staff and Management of Morgandale Condominium want to take a few moments to review the
2015 year’s highlights with you, but first we all want to say “thank you” for your continued support
throughout each and every year. We feel strongly that our accomplishments are entirely a result of the
cooperation and faith you have in us to conduct the business of the Association in such a way as to benefit
your quality of life and maintain the value of your homes. We thank you for that, and welcome your
comments and participation in 2016’s meetings and events.
The big news this past year is the Morgandale Condominium Association and Towamencin Township's Public
Works Department identified the locations where storm water was entering the sanitary sewer system within
the Morgandale community. This year was significant in that both entities completed the repairs they were
obligated to do, and preliminary reports show a decrease in the inflow and infiltration into the sanitary system.
The in-house staff was a tremendous help with assisting our contractor with the logistics of the property and
repairs, and assisting the residents that were affected by the work.
We were happy to report that because of proper planning of the Council, and assistance from our in-house
staff, the Association spent $15,635 less on this project than anticipated. We are thrilled that the residents did
not have to be special assessed for this project, and the capital fund continues to grow for our future major
replacements.
This was our #1 accomplishment for 2015!
Maintenance Accomplishments:
The past year has been an active one for our amazing in-house staff, Michael Bossert, Matt Frisco, and Luke
Kleiger.
In May of 2015, the Association hired Luke Kleiger. Luke is a ‘Jack of All Trades’ with experience in
painting, masonry, stucco, brick laying, metal faming, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, drywall, carpentry, and
snow removal. He also can operate forklifts, cranes, hydraulic systems, and backhoes. Luke has a good sense
of humor, is a hard worker, and gets along well with everyone. We believe that he is a great addition to our
team.
Jeff Derstein officially retired at the end of September. Jeff worked for Morgandale for 30 years full time and
3 years part time. We wish him luck, and thank him for 33 years of valued service. We are fortunate that we
will still see his smiling face around Morgandale because he will be doing jobs for the residents.
The in-house staff worked incredibly hard this past year, tirelessly going from season to season, project to
project, without a complaint or pause. We are so very fortunate for each of these men, their dedication, good
work ethics, and varying personalities.
Aside from the routine work orders, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, snow removal, repairs, painting,
cleaning, etc., the following are other improvements that occurred this past year:
New Light Poles: The in-house staff replaced ten light poles throughout the community this year.
Asphalt Maintenance: Asphalt patches were done around Morgandale Drive, and crack sealing of all
roadways, curbs, and the walking path were done in 2015.
Landscaping: With the help of Clarke’s Landscaping, your Association removed 20 dead or damaged trees
and many stumps throughout the community. These trees were either at the end of their life cycle or were a
problem with the sewer lines. After removal, the in-house staff worked very hard renovating old tree beds.
The process of removing the wood chips, backfilling, grading, seeding and haying these old tree beds was a
great deal of work. Turf renovations, tree fertilization, and backfilling around low lying areas were completed
this past year as well.
Power Washing and Door Painting: The power washing and door painting of the homes in the following
courts were completed this past year: Clemens, Christopher, Centennial, Devonshire, and Stockton Courts.
Shutter Replacements/Painting: The shutters on Christopher and Clemens Courts were painted and/or
replaced this past year.
Roof Inspection:
At the end of 2015, all of the roofs throughout the community were inspected by Lemus
Construction. A complete report was presented to Council on their findings, with recommendations for roof,
gutter, and downspout replacements and warranties. The Council will be meeting with Lemus at the end of
January to discuss their report and proposal.
Swimming Pool Facility: New pool furniture and umbrellas were purchased to replace old and damaged
pieces. A special shout out to Matt for maintaining the pool area.
Split Rail Fencing: Each winter the in-house staff replaces damaged or missing split rail fencing.
Trash Enclosure Light fixtures: Approximately ten light fixtures were painted in 2015.
Tennis Court Maintenance and Basketball Court Renovations: Top-A-Court caulked some minor cracks
on the tennis courts, repaired the structural crack, and then painted the basketball court.
Administrative Accomplishments:
Emergency and Disaster Plan: Management completed and distributed our new Emergency and Disaster
Plan this year. New homeowners are given a copy when they move in, and this Plan can be conveniently
found on our web site.
Exterior Modification Form: The Association’s attorney, Carl Weiner, recommended changes to the Exterior
Modification Form to ensure the form was in compliance with the Association’s legal documents and the PA
Condo laws.
Financial Accomplishments:
2015 Budget: As a follow up to the budget meeting in November, we are projecting that your Association
will have a budget surplus at 2015 year-end. One of the key elements of effective financial planning is the
ability to estimate the Association’s operating and capital budget for multiple years. Our budget is intended to
be a management tool enhancing the decision making for Council.
Certificate of Deposits: Your Association invests the monies in accordance with your Investment Policy,
only with products that are FDIC insured. The CD’s are laddered over the next three years, in order to
maximize investment income. CD laddering is a strategy that gives the Association the benefit of receiving the
higher-interest rates of longer term CDs, but still providing the Association with some liquidity with short
term CDs for capital improvement projects in the near future.
Master Insurance: The three-year master insurance policy package ended on May 1, 2015. Therefore,
Management obtained proposals for the Master, Umbrella, Crime, and Directors and Officers Insurance
policies from Smith Insurance, Univest Insurance, Inc., and AIAI. The Council accepted the package proposal
with Smith Insurance.
Administrative Resolution Number Twelve (Collection Procedure):
The Association revised
Administrative Resolution Number Twelve, the Delinquency Collection Procedure, to be in compliance with
the PA Uniform Condominium Act (PUCA).
Community Building Accomplishments:
Towamencin Business Alliance: Morgandale joined the Towamencin Business Alliance organization in
2015. This organization is a non-profit, member supported group, created to serve the needs of businesses in
Towamencin Township. They meet on the first Tuesday morning of each month to openly discuss and share
ideas for improving the business community within the Township.
Exercise Classes: Summer Spangler, resident of 2111 Marshall Court, gives free total body workout classes to
the residents, at the clubhouse, on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
Adult Pool Party: The Adult Pool Party on August 7th was a great success. Thank you to our Committee
Members. The musician, food, and cheer were organized by the following volunteers:
Beth Signore, Chairperson
Megan Anderson
Gary Cassel
Tim Cooney
Barb Crippen
Cathie Leahy
John Lyon
Carol Richard
Holiday Party: This year’s holiday party was extra-special because your community donated gifts to a less
fortunate family affiliated with the Indian Valley YMCA. The following volunteers organized this fun event:
Megan Anderson
Joan Cossman
Barb Crippen
Ray and Rose Davis
Cathie Leahy
Recycling Events: The Recycling Committee was very active this past year with two recycling days, raffles,
informative monthly newsletter articles, and e-mail blasts. They also organized a community Clean-Up Day.
The following are the green volunteers:
Gary Cassel, Chairperson
Dave Bencker
John Lyon
Esther Miller
Marianne Natali
Yard Sales: The two Yard Sales this past year were community-building and fun events. Thank you to our
organizers, Barb Crippen and Cathie Leahy.
Morgandale Day: Morgandale residents “boogied down” this year with our 80’s theme. The Towamencin
Fire and Police Department, volunteers, staff, and residents made this day a big success. Thank you, as
always, to our Committee Members:
Beth Signore, Chairperson
Barb Crippen
Cathie Leahy
Kathy McCann
Marianne Natali
Swimming Pool Committee: We had another safe and enjoyable year at the pool this year. This Committee
was instrumental with maintaining relationships with the lifeguards and pool manager, to ensure that our
community pool is safe. The Committee also recommended replacing damaged pool furniture and umbrellas.
Thank you Barb Crippen and Cathie Leahy.
Newsletter: The monthly newsletters are informative, have great pictures, and are fun to read. We thank Tim
Cooney for all his hard work in putting together the articles and pictures for this monthly publication. If you
would like to submit an article or suggestion for the newsletter, please feel free to contact the Management
Office at 215-368-6350.
Librarian: We want to thank Dan Pillie for keeping the library neat and orderly.
American Red Cross Blood Drive ~July 29, 2015: A total of 22 pints were donated on July 29th, which
helped save 66 patients in our area.
Site Committee: The Site Committee was very busy this year, and approved 87 Exterior Modification
Requests, including inspecting and reviewing the numerous window replacements and deck requests.
John Lyon
Tim Cooney
Association Recognitions:
Tim Cooney ~ Community Association Volunteer Leader of the Year: At the Community Association
Institute’s holiday party on December 10th at the William Penn Inn, Tim Cooney was awarded the prestigious
Community Association Volunteer Leader of the Year award. This annual award is for individuals who
exhibited excellence over the course of the past year in the areas of management, governance, finance and
lifestyle opportunities.
The Bob Farra Making the Difference Award: This year’s recipient of the Bob Farra Making the
Difference Award was awarded to Barb Crippen, for her long-term dedication to the Association.
Carol Richard ~ Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Associa Mid-Atlantic Branch: We are so
very pleased and proud to announce that our own Carol Richard was promoted to Vice President of Sales,
Marketing and Ancillary Services, in addition to her Regional Director role.
The Council takes each and every issue seriously, working very hard behind the scenes and at the monthly
meetings, to address the concerns of the Association. Our perspective is fueled by a desire to have a well
maintained and strong sense of community. When we all maintain and get involved in our community, we
invest in it; we help it grow, flourish, and reach its potential. We thank you for your partnership in this.
Our joint involvement brings about activities and improvements. We socialize, learn, and celebrate together.
We provide service to help others. We use and develop our abilities as leaders, neighbors, family, and friends.
When we involve ourselves in these ways, not only do we have fun and enjoy the fellowship, we become
partners in the evolution of Morgandale. Something tells us 2016 will be even better.
In closing, as one year ends and another is about to begin, we wish all our residents and your families the best
in the holiday season and health, peace and prosperity in the New Year.
The Council and Staff of Morgandale Condominium
Tim Cooney, President
Gary Cassel, Treasurer
Barb Crippen, Vice President
John Lyon, 2nd Vice President
Beth Signore, Secretary
Christmas Tree Disposal
The Towamencin Public Works Department will start collecting Christmas trees within
the community on Friday, January 8, 2016. They will continue to collect Christmas trees each
Friday the month of January.
Residents are asked to place trees on the outside of the dumpster enclosures, so that the trash
bins are accessible.
Christmas trees can also be dropped off at Fischer’s Park at the designated spot near the
dumpster.
If your tree is not picked up right away, we ask that you please be patient. The Public Works
Department will strive to do their best to remove your tree in a timely fashion.
Please be reminded that Christmas holiday decorations need to be removed by January
15th. Also, next year remember that inflatable decorations are not permitted. All other
decorations must be placed on the home or in the flower beds, not on the grassy
areas. Thank you!
Bulk Items Disposal
Management Office
215-368-6350
Towamencin Township Information:
www.towamencin.org
Recycling Committee:
Dates to Remember 2016
Council Meeting, Thursday, January 28th,
6:30 p.m., in the Edwardian Clubhouse. 2016
Budget Review/Approval
Total Body Workout, Monday Evenings,
6:30 p.m., Edwardian Clubhouse. If questions, email
[email protected] or call 267-421-8856.
Management Contact Information
Gary Cassel
215-450-2373
[email protected]
Carol A. Richard, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
Regional Director & Vice President of Sales and
Marketing , 215-368-6350
Esther Miller
215-368-7951
[email protected]
Jill L. Geiger, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
General Manager
215-368-6350
[email protected]
John Lyon
215-368-0204
[email protected]
David Bencker
215-361-8548
[email protected]
Marianne Natali
215-432-4427
[email protected]
Carolyn Carr, CMCA, AMS
Community Administrator, 215-368-6350
[email protected]
Office Hours—Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. Other times by appointment.
Fax: 215-368-6375
www.morgandalecondo.com
BERKSHIRE
HATHAWAY
HomeServices
Gary L. Cassel, GRI
Broker / Owner
Relocation Certified REALTOR 7
Keystone Properties
2131 N. Broad Street, Suite 200
Lansdale, PA 19446
Bus 215-855-1165 ext.120 Fax 215-855-3136
Cell 215-450-2373 Direct 267-638-2120
[email protected]
www.bhhskeystone.com
A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC.
Selling condos since 1975
Homeowner in Morgandale
#1 Selling agent in Morgandale in past three (3) years
Morgandale Condominium Association, the Council for Morgandale Condominium Association, and Mid-Atlantic Management
Company/Associa does not endorse any of the above advertisements. This advertisement page is supplied as a convenience to homeowners.