Neighborhood Association for the Old Brook Farm Addition to the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana

THE EARLY YEARS...

In the beginning there was Harold D. Palmer, builder, Louis L. Bloom, attorney, and Harold Boggs, consultant. These three individuals envisioned a community of up-scale priced housing with an association of homeowners that would maintain a well-organized and well-run neighborhood for the betterment of all property owners. A pool, tennis courts and a covered bridge were portrayed as a part of the community ambiance.

 

The minutes of the first two meetings of homeowners, May 5, 1967, reveals that a majority of the property owners were present and that James E. Reynolds was elected Chairman of the meeting and Louis Bloom chosen as Secretary of the meeting. Three individuals were nominated as the Corporations’ Directors: Frank Irich, Fred O. Walter, and James E. Reynolds.

 

A second meeting was held immediately thereafter to select temporary Officers of the Corporation. James E. Reynolds became President, Donald Newman, Vice President, Donald McConiga, Secretary, and Fred O. Walter, Treasurer. These Officers and the temporary Director, Frank Irich, elected in the first session, retained their positions until the first Annual Meeting held in March of 1968. The other important items of business at this meeting were to set the annual, mandatory dues at $5.00, accept the corporate seal of the O.B.F.A., and opening a bank account.

 

Other meetings held between May 9, 1967 and the first Annual Meeting, March 3, 1968, had numerous items on the agenda. They contracted with the builder, Harold D. Palmer, for snow removal for the price of $7.00 per hour and only after the snow accumulation reached six inches. A special assessment of $5.00 was levied on each property for snow removal for the first winter (1967-1968). Other items included mosquito spraying, having a ball field constructed, the building of a covered, wooden bridge over the Krueckenberg Ditch on Sunbury Dr. which had been promised by H.D. Palmer, Inc., the status of a pool and its financing, clearing mud from the streets caused by construction vehicles and equipment, and the erection of street signs by Mr. Palmer. Since the streets had not yet been approved by either the Allen County Highway Department or the City-County Plan Commission, the builder was supposed to supply and erect the street signs. The minutes of every Board Meeting thereafter contain ample evidence of the increasing impatience with Mr. Palmer on this matter.

 

At the first Annual Meeting in the Spring of 1968, the main items of discussion were: clearing mud from streets, the continuing issue of street signs and the election of the Officers and Directors. Don Newman was elected President, Ron Deitrick, Vice President, Fred Walter, Treasurer, Don McConiga, Secretary, and three Directors: Steve Merz, Don McConiga and Bruce Oliver.

 

OLD BROOK FARM ASSOCIATION: THE "GAP”

Between 1968 and 1974 the Association fell into a period of general inactivity. The reasons are difficult to discern, but frustration with the builder over the issue of street signs, the scotching of plans for the bridge on Sunbury and the swimming pool and tennis courts on what later became Summerwood Court, may have contributed to the malaise. Or the disinterest of homeowners in attending the Annual Meeting in 1969, which the lack of a quorum to conduct business left the affairs of the Association in limbo, may have caused the cessation of activity.

 

Possibly, the problem was caused when several residents, besieged by visits from Board members pushing for financial commitments for the proposed pool and tennis courts, were frightened by the projected costs of these plans. Alas, maybe the blame could be placed on the Officers and Board members who didn’t exert the necessary interest and energy in maintaining citizen interest in their community? Who knows for certain, but Newton’s 3rd law of physics came into play: for every action (inactivity in this case) there is an equal and opposite reaction (a rekindling of interest among the body politic). Many new residents moved in, some of the previous leaders “saw the light,” and the result was a new life for the Association.

 

THE ASSOCIATION AND ANNEXATION...

Content will be added soon. Please check back in a few days.

 

TODAY'S NEIGHBORHOOD

Content will be added soon. Please check back in a few days.