The Greenbelt Homes, Inc., (GHI) town hall meeting held December 5 was the first in-person meeting GHI has held since December 2019, announced President Stefan Brodd as he opened the meeting to a round of applause. About 75 GHI members attended the meeting in which the new General Manager, James Claggett Jr., was formally introduced, the 2024 budget was presented and the upcoming pipe replacement program was discussed. Members were encouraged to ask questions directly in the meeting or submit their questions for later follow-up by the appropriate staff person.
Although Claggett has already met many members in an informal meet-and-greet when hired in July, many members were introduced to him for the first time at the town hall. He discussed his background and prior experiences (see November 23, 2023, issue of the News Review) and presented his goals and objectives for GHI. After learning how GHI works and reviewing current processes, he wants to build on the “investment and commitment” of the members in pursuing such priorities as infrastructure issues and continuing the relationship with the city to mutual benefit.
Budget
The 2024 budget was approved by the Board of Directors in November after two readings in open meetings. As presented by GHI Director of Finance Joseph Perry and Treasurer Chuck Hess, the budget has increases in real estate taxes and insurance costs causing a 3.4 percent increase in operating charges, which will be collected through member fees. The Board also approved an overall 4 percent increase in employee salaries for 2024. Perry emphasized that GHI is in a “strong financial position.” All documents detailing changes to the budget for 2024 are available to all members on the Yardi member portal, and letters will be mailed soon to all members regarding their 2024 fees.
Pipe Replacement Program
Most of the meeting was a presentation by Claggett and Thomas Williams, GHI’s director of technical services, concerning the upcoming pipe replacement program. They explained how the water pipes, especially in the frame homes, are at the end of their expected life and are experiencing a high rate of failure. After much research and planning, volunteers for a pilot project have been selected, a firm has been selected to provide engineering services, and a request for proposal for contractors to bid on the work has been drafted. The first phase of the pilot project is due to begin in March 2024 and will provide useful information about the best method of replacement and the impact of a home’s pipe replacement on members. The entire project of replacing the pipes in frame homes is expected to take about 10 years, and then plans will be made to replace the water pipes in masonry homes, the larger homes and then additions. Claggett and Williams provided information about the funding of the project from replacement reserves and reminded members that all information provided at the town hall was also available on the Yardi member portal. Members had many questions, some of which couldn’t be answered at this stage of the project, but were reassured that homes would be restored to what is currently there after the replacement is completed and that no other ongoing projects in the homes would be affected by the pipe replacement program.