Longtime employees honored

The POA board of directors used part of their regular work session to honor long-term employees.

Employment milestones of five years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 30 years and 35 years, were recognized.

Only one employee hit 35 years in 2019, maintenance and construction director Mike Taggart.

Taggart didn’t grow up in Bella Vista, but he visited as a child and remembers swimming in the Kingsdale Pool. The pool and the pool house building are still in use.

It’s the people that have kept him in Bella Vista, he said. Over the years, he has turned down many job opportunities, but Bella Vista is worth staying around, he said.

“It’s a good place to raise a family.”

Pat Harper was recognized for working 30 years.

Six employees were recognized for 20th work anniversaries; four for 15 years; eight for 10 years and 15 for five years.

Much of the staff of the Branchwood fitness center was recognized. Recreation director Joan Glubczynski explained that there’s little turnover at that location because many of the people working there live in the area and feel an ownership of the facility.

There was a reception for the employees after the recognition.

The board had a short work session. Members discussed a

couple of maintenance projects that will come to a vote next week.

One was roof repair at several buildings in the Metfield Complex. After insurance, the POA’s share went more than $10,000 for repairs to the roof at the clubhouse. It must be handled as a capital project in this budget year. The work has been completed.

There will be a capital project on the 2020 budget to repair the approaches to two bridges at Scotsdale. The first step, surveying, engineering and permitting, will cost about $38,000 and will come out of the 2020 budget.

The board also discussed a recommendation from the lakes committee but decided to postpone a decision. Since the lakes are not used as much in the winter and since the committee has been discussing the issue for two years, the board agreed to take more time and consider the recommendation.

Photo submitted Employment milestones were recognized at the POA board work session on Thursday. The longest term of employment was 35 years for Mike Taggart, director of maintenance and construction.