DEER PATH OF NOBLESVILLE
| a Beazer Homes and Centex Homes community |
|
DEER PATH OF NOBLESVILLE
|
|
|
Given the size of the neighborhood, committees are the most effective way to organize and make sure items within the community are acted upon and managed. Several committees are currently needed. If you have other committee ideas, volunteers, etc please let Steve or Kris know and they will be addressed. The resident directors will put a call for these committees into a newsletter send out to all residents. Pool Committee This committee will consist of parents interested in assisting to monitor the pool and ensure the pool is used according to guidelines. The committee volunteers will be required to monitor the pool under much the same guidelines as the pool monitor hired by the management company. Park/Common Area Committee This committee will be responsible for cleaning trash out of the common areas and park in order to keep the neighborhood presentable. Crime Watch Volunteers to this committee will set up and manage the neighborhood crime watch program according to police guidelines. The best approach for a neighborhood the size of Deer Path is for the neighborhood watch to be organized on a street level basis. Any larger and we risk not being able to meet quorum guidelines due to less concerned/uninvolved streets. For more information on current crime watch efforts, please visit the Crime Watch page of this website. Community Organization This committee will be able to set up neighborhood garage sales, block parties, community socials, etc. For example, some homeowners have expressed interest in assisting with a neighborhood garage sale and already have access to he needed signs. Communication Steve and Kris will contact Nancy Carr regarding any newsletters or communications that need to go out to the community as a whole. While not a committee per say, any ideas, suggestions, or items for the newsletter and website can be e-mailed to Steve and Kris directly.
At the 2008 annual meeting suggestions were made to modify the pool hours for the 2009 season, and much discussion occurred regarding the pool monitor, pool management company, conduct at the pool, and steps Deer Path homeowners can take to make next season safer and more enjoyable for all. Several homeowners have expressed interest in leading a Pool Committee, so to start and maintain the flow of communication feel free to send your ideas, suggestions, questions, or concerns to thepool@deerpathhoa.org. As a reminder, all homeowners are issued a pool fob granting access to the pool. Homeowners not in good standing with the HOA will have their key fobs deactivated, and the pool monitor is responsible for pool rule enforcement. Homeowners using the pool are encouraged to aid enforcement as necessary, and any questions or concerns regarding the pool monitor's conduct should be addressed with the pool management company. Replacement pool fobs cost $25.00. If you do not receive or cannot pick one up prior to the start of the pool season, you can visit CASI's office at 11711 N. College Avenue, Suite 100 in Carmel to get your fob. You can pick one up between the hours of 8:30-11:30am or 1:30-4:30pm. On 12/30/2008 the RDs requested CASI’s help to set up a meeting between the RDs / Pool Committee and Indianapolis Pool Management prior to the start of the 2009 season. CASI said that a contract has already been signed with IPM, such that RDs cannot request additional services. However, the intent is more to set expectations regarding rule adherence, rule enforcement, and maintaining some semblance of order at the pool; and how Deer Path homeowners intend to help the pool monitor in this regard. We also want to know whom to contact in the event there are concerns with the pool monitor. Tentatively CASI will try to schedule a meeting in April, and this might be held at the pool. CASI said the RDs can also accompany CASI when pool fobs are handed out, and we can disseminate copies of the pool rules to homeowners at that time. Back to TopSteve will prepare a written proposal regarding the purchase of video cameras to be installed around pool/park/playground area, to include up front cost and ongoing maintenance cost. Nancy and Sarah will talk with Becky Cruse on her return, and ask that she obtain additional bids for same materials. Becky will need to have conversation with Steve Cook, one of the Board of Directors, to obtain board approval for this expense. The up front cost would be several thousand dollars, and ongoing monthly maintenance estimated at $10-$50. The 2009 budget also includes funds ($1920) for a courtesy officer, which we would have to request to employ throughout the year. The RDs also inquired whether the masonry cost to put the letters back on the Meadows entrance sign in 2007 (approximately $3000) was ever recovered from the person(s) responsible for removing the letters, and CASI said no. When asked why this person(s) was never held accountable or prosecuted, despite the letters being returned, Nancy and Sarah said they don’t know if the letters were returned anonymously or in person, and that they were not involved with the return of the letters. So, they don’t know who returned the letters, if the person(s) who returned the letters were the same person(s) who removed them, and their belief is that recouping the masonry cost would be a civil matter between the HOA and those responsible. Back to TopPaper newsletters are definitely a bit pricey. We may be able to solicit advertisements from local businesses to put in the newsletter and offset the cost. The newsletter will also be asking for email addresses for both electronic distribution and homelink. Hopefully this will allow us to sent the majority of (if not all) newsletters via email in the future. We would just have to see if we can do it in such a way as to avoid or not be caught in spam filters that many email services have nowadays. Currently the newsletter will just have announcements and official news. If anyone has any information or articles they would like to include please let the resident directors know. We hope to start soliciting businesses during the next few weeks. If anyone is familiar with sales or knows anyone with experience soliciting advertising from businesses please send an e-mail to Steve or Kris as their experience would definitely be appreciated! CASI said the current delinquencies total $36,802. CASI does not have the attorney put liens on homes. Rather, delinquent homeowners are pursued through small claims court. Annual dues are payable in January, and are considered late if not paid by April 30. Litigation cannot start until after this time, and can take six months or more to resolve. Back to TopAs a new Deer Path tradition, we would like to implement annual Spring and Fall garage sales for all Deer Path homeowners. The first annual Fall Garage Sale was held on Friday-Saturday, September 12-13 from 8:00am-4:00pm. Moving forward the Fall Garage Sale will be held on the second weekend of September, on Friday and Saturday at the same time each year. Dates have not been set for the Spring Garage Sale yet, so if you have a preference or ideas on when to hold the spring sale, please notify Tom Vernier, the event organizer, at vernierfamily@comcast.net. A meeting to discuss dates for the Spring Garage Sale will be held in the spring of 2009. Tom Vernier will be conducting this meeting, and more information will be posted on the time and location. Back to TopGuidelines for Problem Resolution Covenant Issues or violations on a homeowner’s property/common area: If you have a violation to report you can contact a Resident Director, and if we can address the issue directly we will; if not we will forward the complaint on to CASI, the property management company. Email addresses of RDs: Another option that may prove quicker depending on RD availability is to go to the Deer Path HOA set up by CASI. You need to have a password which will be granted soon after application. The URL through CASI's website is http://acw.associawebsites.com/Deer.Path/forms/forms_violation.htm Additionally, you can call CASI at 317.875.5600. If the violation involves a city ordinance such as parking near a fire hydrant, etc. please call the Noblesville Police Department at 317.776.6340. Issues found on private property: The RDs and/or management company can't take any action on private property, other than for covenant violations. Instead, residents should call the police on these issues. Examples include cars broken down/on blocks in the street for extended periods of time, semi trucks parked on the side of the road, vehicles/structures on undeveloped lots, etc. Homeowners, please make sure there is a safety or pressing legal issue to ensure a timely response from the Noblesville Police Department. Any special considerations or questions can be emailed to Steve or Kris. Back to TopPer Sarah & Nancy only about 10 Deer Path homeowners responded to CASI’s request in May 2008 to provide their contact information for this program. They said 100% homeowner participation is required before it will be implemented, and some larger communities that CASI works with have taken years to get 100% participation. One effective means was for the community to be divided into streets or “blocks”, and for volunteer homeowners to go door to door to get homeowner contact information – not unlike what we face for the Crime Watch program. So, as of right now the Home Link Notification System is dormant because we do not have 100% homeowner participation. Back to TopRegarding the semi truck that is often parked along 156th street, adjacent to the Deer Path community, the Police were dispatched and have advised that the vehicle is not deemed a hazard. So, no citation was issued. This means that at this time there is nothing illegal about the vehicle being parked in this location. Other semi trucks have been seen and reported within the Deer Path community. According to the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCRs) of Deer Path, Section 6.17 Semi-Tractor Trucks, Trailers, Etc "No semi-tractor trucks, semi-trucks, semi-tractor trailers, boats, campers, mobile homes, disabled vehicles, and/or trailers shall be permitted to park on the Property or a Lot unless fully enclosed in a garage, or unless the same is necessary and incident to the Declarant's, builder's, or Association's business on the property." The RDs will provide an update on these other locations and outcomes. Sarah will also contact the Noblesville City Council to see if there is a formal application process if we are interested in obtaining “No Parking” signs for areas within the community. Since most of our streets are public streets, approval is likely needed first. Back to TopAccording to the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCRs) of Deer Path, Section 6.18 Sign Limitations, "No sign of any kind, other than those installed by the Declarant, the Association, or a Builder may be displayed to public view on any Lot, except that one sign with an area of not more than six (6) feet may be displayed with the purpose of advertising the Lot for sale." This means that "For Rent", "For Lease", "Rent to Own", and other signs are not permitted for display in the home's front yard, home's entryway, home's interior window(s), etc. Recently several "For Rent" signs have been reported by Deer Path homeowners, and in a few cases the RDs have removed these signs from display and notified the rental company of the Deer Path CCRs and their violation. Homeowners are encouraged to continue reporting this sort of violation to the RDs, so we can keep on top of the issue, and keep rental or leasing agents and landlords apprised. Back to Top Lengthy discussion about algae control took place at the annual meeting, and Becky Cruse mentioned that lack of rainfall, heat, and fertilizer/chemical runoff could be to blame. Several homeowners pointed out that garbage is also being disposed of in retention ponds, and Becky Cruse said CASI would look into the issue. As far as the contractor employed in 2008, Nancy Carr said that this is the same company that we used last year, that Associa is using for most of their managed properties, and that she hadn't heard of any issues other than this one pond. For 2009 the RDs have made this issue a priority, and in their first meeting with CASI Steve and Kris will discuss the idea of creating a regular pond maintenance schedule for the upcoming season, such that the contractor can stay on top of things before algae becomes a real problem. In the short term fountains likely won't be attainable for homeowners, but Steve and Kris will gauge homeowner support for this project as a long-term item, and with adequate homeowner support can start to price fountains for the community. During the meeting with CASI on 12/30/2008, Nancy and Sarah advised that regular treatments were scheduled and performed in 2008, and that this season was unusual regarding the number of communities that had algae issues. Back to TopWe discussed concerns voiced by homeowners regarding non-homeowner use of the soccer fields, field maintenance, liability if a non-homeowner were injured on community property, parking issues, etc. Because this appears to be a sensitive subject for homeowners, the RDs decided to table the discussion until our first meeting on 02/26/2009. We hope to have more lively discussion about this topic with those who attend the February meeting, and work toward a mutually agreeable solution for all homeowners at that time. Back to TopPer Sarah the word from Becky Cruse was that there was no money in the budget for these in 2008. That said, neither Sarah or Nancy could identify what part of the 2008 budget these would have been funded from. Sarah showed the RDs a catalog with sign examples, and the signs CASI will order are approximately $100 each. These are resin signs that will be affixed to each community entrance sign, and right now Deer Path has 7 completed entrances (entrance at Old Pond Road & 156th Street not yet finished). The cost for all signs will be approximately $700, and Sarah/Nancy committed to having Becky Cruse make this a purchase priority early in 2009. Approval from the Board of Directors does not appear to be a problem, and hopefully the signs will be up by the end of January. |
|
|
