SURVEYORS ASSOCIATION OF WEST JERSEY

SURVEYORS’ ASSOCIATION OF
WEST JERSEY
JANUARY 8, 2009
MINUTES OF MEETING
Carlucci’s Waterfront
876 Centerton Road, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

President Bill Haggerty called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM. There were 22 members and guests present. The minutes of the prior meeting, held on November 11, 2008, were read and approved. No business was conducted at the December meeting.

President Haggerty introduced two guest speakers, Dolores Dios and Matt Price, from “Accurate Abstracts,” in Totowa, New Jersey. They spoke in detail about the various services their company provides for surveyors. Their expertise is in making title searches in the various County facilities around the state. Then using modern computer technology they respond via e-mail to the client. They outlined their process and answered a variety of questions. Upon completion of their talk, dinner was served.

After dinner President Haggerty thanked our speakers and called on Pete Burgess for the Treasurer’s Report, which Pete read and is summarized following.
Checking: 5,655.93
Saving: 5,667.12
Duck Fund: 882.38
Scholarship Fund 1,351.28
TOTAL 13,556.71
A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the report.

NJSPLS BUSINESS
Lou Marchuk reported that the State Society is concerned about non-members voting during open meetings at the Atlantic City Conference which is scheduled for February 2009. Lou said that the State Society is concerned, and has no solution yet, but continues to seek a comfortable process to use.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Bill Haggerty reported that “Get Well Cards” were recently sent to: Merv Chew, Bob Sundermier, and Bob Lee. He also announced that we have received a “thank-you letter” from the African Country of Mauritania and United Nations for our gift of Metal Detectors. The detectors are being used to locate old buried land-mines, which are very hazardous to the citizens and farm animals.

NEW BUSINESS
President Bill Haggerty stated that we need a few volunteers to review our By-Laws and report as to their adequacy and need for updating. Contact Bill if you can help out.

Avi Luzon brought up an issue that is important to his survey business. The problem is related to payment for surveys of properties when the sale of the property is cancelled. This contingency type of agreement, which leaves the surveyor without recourse, is a major problem with property surveys done in South Jersey. Avi understands that North Jersey Surveyors do not have this problem and receive payment even when the property sale is cancelled. He is requesting guidance from NJSPLS concerning where he can seek information as to how the North Jersey Surveyor was able to get a better agreement. No one present seemed to have any suggestions. Any member who can provide information is requested to contact Avi Luzon at 609-261-4947.

THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:30 PM
Allan Ritchie, Recording Secretary