ROAMING SHORES— In response to residents’ petitions turned in last month, Rome Rock Association directors have agreed to hire a certified public accounting firm to do yearly audits on the association finances. No formal audits have been done in years, according to Shirley Ray, chairwoman of the petition committee.

“We now have over a million dollar operation budget. We all need to know how our money (dues) are being spent. Our committee had no problem getting signatures,” Ray said.

When Ray questioned RRA board president, Ed Baitt, if an audit was to be undertaken, he replied a firm is being hired. Cost is $500 a month and the firm will handle the accounting and do the audit.

Later board director, Gary Stamm, identified the firm as S.R. Snodgrass Accountants with an office in Ashtabula and other cities. “I’m not sure which office will be doing the books,” he added.

RRA directors did not indicate when the accounting firm would start, but money would be put in the 2009 budget for the financial work, said director Richard Hocevar.

Ray afterwards said the committee still got no response from the board to do an audit for 2007 and 2008, which was requested.

The association’s general manager, Gary Phillips presented the board with several proposals to do chip and sealing of the roads, which are maintained by the homeowners association. After much discussion the board approved a bid of $165,000 from Russell Standard Co. of Union City, Pa. to do 13.8 miles of roads this year.

The bill will be paid in two increments, half this year and the other in January 2009. Phillips said the Pennsylvania contractor has been the low bidder and done work for 15 years in the community.

Three proposals were received, Russell Standard, Koski Paving, of Ashtabula, and Suit-Kote Co., of Meadville, Pa. Phillips also reported attendance at the main pool and beach is up to 15,000 for the season. In addition, 1,057 boat decals were sold by the office so far, an all-time record.

Shores Village council member, John Ball criticized the RRA for advertising empty lots for sale at $5,000. Ball complained about the lot sale signs posted contending it undermined home values in the lake community

Phillips said the association has more than 33 lots for sale, which were taken back in default of dues payments or foreclosure. He asked the board if they wanted to hike the lot price. No decision was made on this issue.

In other action, the directors, after some discussion, decided to begin lowering lake levels effective Nov. 3. It would allow lake front property owners opportunity to make repairs to boat slips and docks, said Gary Schuster, chairman of the lake management committee.

Village Councilman Bob Cook said the Shores Village officials want the RRA directors to lower the lake one foot a week. Concern from the village focuses on being sure water and sewer lines built across the lake do not freeze through the winter, he explained.