Chapter 17 - The Meeting We Could All Attend
The annual meeting was held six weeks after the tree came down. The clubhouse smelled of burnt coffee and fresh floor cleaner. Twenty-nine homeowners attended in person, with more represented under the association's voting rules. Pilar had posted the proposed maintenance standards two weeks earlier.
Ben presented the budget impact first. Trail inspections and debris cleanup would cost money. So would hiring independent arborists for disputed major pruning. Homeowners could reject the expense, but they would be choosing to continue the old gaps.
Roger complained about rising dues. Another resident asked why clubhouse painting had gone ahead while the drain remained damaged. Ben admitted the priorities had been wrong. There was no big speech, only numbers, uncomfortable questions, and a board finally answering them.
Cynthia stood when her turn came. “I believed the tree was a safety problem,” she said. “I still believe the fruit on that trail needed attention.”
“So did I,” Helen replied.
Cynthia gripped the back of her chair. “But I approved an instruction that was broader than the board authorized. I didn't correct it when Pilar raised concerns. That's on me.”
Someone muttered, “About time.” Nobody cheered.
She went on. “I got one of the courtesy notices for my magnolia. I was furious before I even finished reading it. That should've taught me something sooner.”
The board adopted the revised procedures and a schedule to inspect and repair the low trail section. Cynthia said she would not seek another term as president. Elections proceeded under the bylaws at the end of the meeting; Ben was chosen to chair the new board.
I didn't stand to accept congratulations. I helped Pilar stack chairs while people argued about the maintenance fee.
Outside, Cynthia stopped beside me. “My daughter says I care more about appearances than people,” she said.
“Mine said something similar to me.”
Cynthia looked at the empty space beyond our fence. “I'm sorry about Danny's tree.”
I believed she meant it. That didn't make us friends.
May you like
“Please make sure the new rules are followed,” I said.
For once she didn't promise she could control everything. She just nodded.
