HERITAGE PARK CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER-

Transcription

1 HERITAGE PARK CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER- SPRING 2018 Robert H. Wise Management Co., Inc. Rita McHale Property Manager 453 Baltimore Pike, 2 nd Floor Springfield, PA T: F: rmchale@robertwisemanagement.com March 2018 Volume 4 Spring Issue 1

2 Hello Neighbors, I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2018! We ended 2017 with a surplus of money in our snow budget!!! This surplus has replenished part of the funds that was borrowed, by the previous board, from our Capital Improvement funds. The following is a list of the Associations accomplishments in 2017: Painting the interior of the Clubhouse, including the installation of ceiling fans, an AED Medical Kit & Defibrillator. This will help defray insurance costs as well and support your safety and well being while using any equipment in the Clubhouse. Signage at the entrance of our community has been redesigned. The brick and concrete structure will be refurbished also, in the spring. Front entrance landscaping has been redesigned Concrete walks and drainage grates have been fixed and or replaced. New signage through out the community include; SPEED (15MPH) Handicap, and Stop signs. Roads I the development have been sealed which will aide in their longevity. Trees and shrubs have been either trimmed or removed through out the community that will help prevent damage to the buildings. It has also enhanced the development aesthetics. We ve had a productive year that included the review of yearly contracts; lawn care and snow removal. Our focus also included working with Wise Mgmt. on our collections issues. The Budget is in good shape. We will continue to keep our residents well informed on any projects on the horizon for YOUR ATTENTION REQUESTED: There are 2 positions open this election year, April 16, As always thank you for working with the Board. We appreciate your patience and your understanding of the processes that the Board takes with governing our community. ~Sal~ Scheduled Meetings

3 Board Update April 16, 2018 Annual Meeting and B.O.D. Elections ANNUAL MEETING: On Monday April 16 th, 2018 at 6:00 PM the annual meeting will be held at the Clubhouse. A review of he activities for the past year will be presented. There will also be an election for 2 open board positions. If you are interested in serving on the board, we ask that you review the time requirements and what characteristics are necessary to be affective on the Board. ( please refer to the next page for characteristics of a board member) REQUIRED: Fill out and send in the Application for a Board Member (can be found our website-under documents) Fill out and submit the Petition of Candidacy (can be found on our website-under documents) The above is required to Rita McHale- Robert Wise Management by March 30 th, Ballot and annual Meeting information will be sent to unit owners. FHA APPROVAL: Heritage Park is FHA approved for 2 years, therefore ending in November The association will NOT seek approval after that time. The Board has adopted a resolution that anyone purchasing in Heritage Park and using FHA financing will be required to pay a fee of $ to help defray the costs of becoming FHA approved.

4 Board Update Want to be a board member? Consider the following before you submit your name to be on the board: 1. Have you served on any committees to get a feel of how the association works? 2. Have you attended open meetings and participated in discussions? 3. Do you have the time to devote? a) There is a monthly meeting that can last serval hours b) There are committee meetings to attend, c) There are phone calls and s between board members and the property manager d) s and calls from residents to respond to e) Overseeing large projects as they arise. f) Special meetings when hiring contractors 4. Do you have initiative, drive and personal communications skills? Traits of Good Board Members Do you have what it takes to be a good board member? If you have a mix of some of the following traits and skills, consider running for a seat on the board. We d love to have you. Respect. If you can give others respect and expect it in return, you can help keep board discussions civil, productive and on point. We re looking for people who can lead by consensus, not by command. Good listening. People want to be heard. Can you listen to board members and residents with sincere interest? You may have a few ideas of your own, but everyone benefits by sharing and discussing. Thick skin. Sometimes, residents even other board members can be mean and insulting. Are you good at turning a conversation around and finding out what s really bothering people? Egos aside. If you can give others credit, the board will operate better as a team. Agenda aside. Members who come to the board looking to help only themselves are a problem. A board is more productive when members don t have a personal punch list. Are you able to look after the community, not just your own interests? Are you willing to compromise? Skill. An association is a business. So having board members with accounting, organizational behavior and teambuilding backgrounds can help. Someone with a financial background, for example, might make for a good treasurer. The ideal board comprises a mix of management styles, professional skills and temperaments. If you know people with some of these traits or relevant skills, ask them if they d be interested in joining the board. Some people don t think about running for a seat unless asked. You don t have to know everything when you join, but you should be familiar with the governing documents and the responsibilities of the job. Fellow board members and managers can help you with the transition and train you on board responsibilities, current work, projects and hot issues. Leaders can come from different places and backgrounds. There s no one mode that fits all. Share your knowledge and passion with the community.

5 Board Update ****************************************************** FINANCIAL: The Board has been working with Rita and or Attorney to collect monthly assessment fees, late fees, and legal costs from several units! We currently have 3 units that owe in excess of $ each. We also have a few unit owners that owe 3 or more monthly assessments. The policy on delinquent accounts, is the association will seek payment if a unit owner is 3 months in arrears. The association will send a demand letter first, giving you 30 days to clear up your account. If your account is not paid, then the association Attorney will become involved which then adds costs to the unit owner. The association will file in court and will proceed with a sheriff s sale to recover the funds that is owed to the association. Delinquent accounts affect everyone. The remaining units in the development end up paying for the services of ALL those unit owners that are delinquent If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact Rita to see if we can make some type of arrangements BASKETBALL & TENNIS COURTS: The courts are open 8:00AM-5:00PM until March 30 th Court hours will then change to 8:00AM-8:00PM Please do not try to enter the courts before or after the posted hours. Your key fob is recorded and will not grant you access. TRASH: Trash is to be placed out by the curb the night before pick up. (Tuesday) Trash and recycle cans are to be removed no later than 10PM on the day the trash is picked up (Wednesday). Please cover your recycle bins or place recyclable items in plastic bags and secure. When we have windy days, the trash and recycle items are blown around the development. SPRING PROJECTS: The following project will take place starting this Spring: Cement work- additional area that were not completed last year. Railings-community owned-will either be repainted or replaced. Front entrance sign- the wall will be repaired and painted and a new light will be installed. Replacing the fence at the children's garden Grounds committee- will be working on plantings for Spring at the front entrance

6 LEASING A few reminders about leasing your unit: A copy of the lease is required to be sent the management office with 7 days of execution. Administrative lease fee of $ per year needs o be paid. No short tem leasing leasing must be for a period of no less than 1 year. Trappe Borough requires a license to lease your unit and they require inspections. (contact Trappe Borough for more details). Leases must have a section indicating that you have given a copy of the rules and regulations to the new tenant and they have signed off on them. Please adhere to these guidelines as well as any others that are on the rules and regulations that can be found on our website. We suggest you get reference and a credit report on possible tenants, perhaps even a background check. We recently had a unit owner who was not getting paid by their tenants. That resulted in a delinquency of the account putting the unit in arrears. The unit owner was charged late fees, interest, and was assessed legal and court fees. (i.e.: a demand letter from our attorney will cost a unit owner at least $250.00) Save yourself the money and grief by doing a thorough check of your possible tenant(s)

7 HERITAGE PARK CONDO ASSOCIATION Budget as of INCOME 1/31/2018 BUDGET ASSESSMENTS $36,695 $440,640 INTEREST 189 1,000 DUE TO ASSOCIATION CAPITAL 0 9,000 FINES $1,900 FINES 35 0 REPAIR/MAINT $455 MISC LATE FEES $1,838 LEASE ADM FEE 0 3,200 LEGAL $4,392 LEGAL FEE INC 0 4,000 MONTHLY ASSESS $20,427 LATE FEE 275 2,300 NSF $35 TOTAL $37,229 $460,340 PRIOR BALANCE $7,720 EXPENSES TOTAL $36,767 ADMIN 9,033 55,900 UTILITY/OPER ,210 MAINT/REC 13, ,540 TAXES/INSURANCE 3,652 50,200 TOTAL $26,625 $318,850 RESERVE $10,637 $136,640 Assets Cash in Bank $50, Reserve $97, Capital $29, CD's $200, Liabilities/Equity Member Cap $54, Operating Fund Bal -$60, Replace Fund Bal $321, Reserve Interest $ Reserve Earn $59, Net Income $3, Prepaid Fees $23,123.12

8 Committees Committees We Need Help!!! The following committees need help!! We are looking for volunteers to help with the committees listed below. If we don t get any volunteers, there will be no recreational activities for children and/or adults. Events

9 Board Update REGISTER ON OUR WEBSITE: heritageparktrappe.org Get the latest information, submit a suggestion, classified ad, see calendar events and find all important documents there. The Board and Management company use addresses to communicate with you us. Please register and those that are registered check that your information is correct and current Congratulations To the Winners of our Holiday Decorating Contest 1 st Place- 211 Weiser 2 nd Place-503 Hagey 3 rd Place- 501 Hagey Honorable Mention 843 Dewees 137 Royer

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12 Next Newsletter is June 2018 Deadline for your ad is May 15 Heritage Park Condo Association 701 Gilbert Street Trappe, PA 19426