It’s nice to see everybody out enjoying the spring sunshine. Winter is finally behind us, and it’s already time for our annual beach cleanup. Thank you, Rob Crow and family and Heidi Daniels and the Social Committee, for getting that set up. Please plan to pitch in May 2, from 1000-1200 (Bring rakes and gloves). The more “person power” the easier it will go, and the more time we’ll have to devour the goodies the Social Committee has planned for us.
Heidi and the social committee planned and carried out a fine St. Patrick’s Day celebration. They took advantage of the dance at the American Legion Post here in Chesapeake Beach, and paid part of the cover charge for each attendee from Chesapeake Station. The Legion had a corned beef, cabbage and potato dinner and then a dance with some awesome music. About 20 of us from CSHOA attended and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Look for more good things from the social committee.
Just over four months to go until the Chesapeake Station Home Owners Association annual meeting. It’s not too early to start thinking about volunteering for the Board of Directors or for a committee for 2010. There are five spots on the Board (two will be vacated this year for sure) and many spots on committees. If you think you might want to run for the Board, please let a current Board member know of your interest. We’ll have an election committee a bit later this year. To volunteer for a committee all you need to do is sign up and participate, so mark your calendar now for Saturday, September 12, for the Annual CSHOA Meeting from 10:00 to noon (coffee and donuts at 9:30).
I would like to thank those on the Grounds Committee and especially Chair Pam Johnson for their efforts toward keeping Chesapeake Station beautiful. Pam’s toughest task is keeping track of Andino Lawn Service and making sure all common areas are well kept. Everybody on the e-mail list got a copy of the recommendations from the Master Gardeners who visited Chesapeake Station last fall. They certainly did a thorough job and came up with some good recommendations. Thanks to everybody who e-mailed their comments back to the board. We received some thought provoking responses and good suggestions. Most of the Master Gardeners’ suggestions were about how we could do our part to help improve the water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and the overall Bay ecosystem. I was really disappointed that comments came back saying, “We’re (CSHOA) too small to make a difference and we’re already doing all we can.” Both of those are not true. There is always more that we as individuals can do for the Bay, and our group of 108 homeowners could really make a significant difference.
Speaking of disappointments, we have found some nicks in our sidewalk and damage to the new bench facing the bay. This seems to be caused by skateboarders. Skateboarding is not allowed on our property, and if the skateboarders were not residents or guests, they were trespassing as well. I’m pretty sure they were not here legally, but it’s worth a reminder that you’re responsible for the conduct of family and guests.
Finally, its not too early to think about volunteering to help CSHOA on the July 4th celebration that Chesapeake Beach has annually. This year the fireworks will be on Friday July 3rd. As usual, we expect to get the Town’s permission to control vehicle access to C Street from Mears Avenue to 17th Street. We need volunteers to help the Sheriff’s Deputies man the post. More will come out in the next newsletter about that. If you have questions and/or want to help please contact a board member.
Your Board tries to meet in the first or second week of each month. Sometimes there are conflicts so it is not always on the same night of the week. The meetings are open, so if you would like to attend, contact a board member for time, date and location. It’s easiest to contact us via e-mail. Our e-mail list is approaching 100 addresses. If you’re not already on it, please send an e-mail to George Newman, our secretary, at newfair@verizon.net. We use the list only for information necessary to keep our neighborhoods informed and connected, and we keep e-mail addresses confidential. Another resource, which has been under-used, is our website at www.chesapeakestation.com, generously maintained by Elizabeth Henderson. Access to the site has recently been made much easier. Details on that appear later in this newsletter.
Jim
Me$$age from the Treasurer: The cost of late payments
Beginning in 2008 we decided to allow quarterly payments due to the increases in our assessments. We hoped this would ease the after-holiday burden of a large expenditure and make it easier for homeowners to meet their obligations.
The great majority of homeowners are paying on time. Unfortunately, approximately 10 percent are late, some of them more than 90 days late. Ten percent may not sound like much, but it is costing the association critical funds:
- Summit Management charges the association $10 for every late notice they send out (after 30 days past due)
- Summit Management charges the association $15 for every delinquent notice sent out (after 60 days past due)
- After 90 days past due we go to the attorneys for debt collection, which is not a pleasant experience for anybody
In the first quarter of 2009 the Association has sent 12 late notices, three delinquent notices and three attorney actions. That adds up to $165. Over the course of a year, it comes to $660, not including any attorney’s fees. This is larger than a number of our budgetary line items. Put another way, it’s more than two-thirds of one homeowner’s assessment.
Due to recent changes in State of Maryland law, these expenses cannot be recouped from the delinquent homeowner unless the covenants of the association specifically authorize it. At the time our covenants were written this was not the case, so no such language exists. However, if the delinquency makes it all the way to court action, the fees the attorney charges can be recouped. These can obviously become quite significant.
The Board is taking action to ease this burden on the 90 percent of homeowners who pay their assessments on time.
- We have decided to eliminate the delinquent notice and go from late notice to attorney notification.
- We have asked our attorneys (on their recommendation) to draft changes to the covenants with appropriate language to allow for the inclusion of fees incurred in the collection process. This will require an affirmative vote from two-thirds of all homeowners. The 90 percent who meet their obligations on time should find it in their interest to vote for this change.
- If such fees are not approved, we will create a new line item in our annual budget for the funds spent to collect assessments, which means less money budgeted for common grounds maintenance or other improvements.
We are sensitive to the current economic climate. If anyone is having difficulty paying assessments, we strongly encourage contacting Summit Management, explaining the situation and making reasonable arrangements. This will allow the association to save the fees associated with an official notification and also prevent the attorneys from getting involved in the process. As always, if you have any questions or comments please contact me or another member of the Board. – Roland Schlehuber
Chesapeake Station Website
This attractive logo marks Chesapeake Station’s updated website (www.chesapeakestation.com). If you haven’t already visited it, do so now to see the latest postings and information. You can now comment on any article without having to log in or register. You can write your own article and have it posted by filling out the contact page. Look for updated information on social events, board meetings, and committee reports. A great source for information, with links to other area websites. Check it out!
Resident Businesses and Services List update:
This is the last chance to list your business or service and have it made available to the residents of Chesapeake Station. Caroline and Diane are hoping to hear from a few more of you before compiling the directory. Remember, services like babysitting, garden care, lessons and coaching are examples of listings that would be extremely helpful for the community to know about. And, perhaps get you some business that you might not have had otherwise.
Send or call your information (name of business or service, address, brief description, contact phone number, and email, if applicable, no later than April 30 to: Diane Halvorson, caseypub2001@yahoo.com, 434-960-1692, or Caroline Amsden, carolineshappi@yahoo.com, 443-404-1712. The list will be published in May. Many thanks!
From the Social Committee
This year your Social Committee is trying new activities to spice things up and see what interests our Chesapeake Station members. The St. Patrick’s Day event, attended by 21 resident leprechauns, was a lucky night indeed. Some of us met neighbors for the first time, while others expanded their friendships. The American Legion put on a plentiful, traditional buffet, and the music inspired everyone to shake it. They gave us designated tables right in the middle of the action. Attendance overall for the event has jumped from under 100 to over 200. In the event that we chose different activities next year, you might consider going to this public event on your own.
More social activities are coming soon, so please mark the following on your calendar.
- Beach Cleanup — 10 a.m. on May 2
- CSHOA Yard Sale — 8 a.m. on May 9h
- Luau — 5p.m. on June 6
Our next Social Committee meeting is April 18 at 11a.m. if you want to attend. Location has changed from Carousel Way to 7786 Dentzel Ct. – Heidi Daniels, Chair
Grounds Committee Report
The Grounds Committee has been focusing on several immediate projects as well as long-range plans. One of our most pressing projects is to obtain a Grounds Maintenance Contract for next year. Our current contract with Andino’s Lawn and Garden Maintenance expires on December 31, 2009. Considering the state of the economy, Jose Andino presented to CSHOA a two-year contract for 2010-2011 with no increase in his fees. In an effort to implement some of the recommendations of The Master Gardeners (previously sent to home owners via email), we have changed the Contract to allow the grass to be cut at a height of 3.5”-4”, one inch higher than previously. This change will be implemented this year. We expect approval of the new contract soon.
Proposals for additional maintenance work (outside of the C\contract) are being reviewed. We will make every effort to use native plants and trees, as recommended by the Master Gardeners, when new plantings are required.
Individual homeowners are encouraged to use native plants when landscaping your personal property. Listings of native plants may be found at www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/chesapeake/ or contact Pam Johnson at veritysailor@verizon.net. Please be reminded that changes to your landscaping must be approved by the Architectural Committee.
The Grounds Committee will be taking soil samples from the common ground turf areas for testing. The goal is to learn what chemicals will work best for our community and to eliminate any unnecessary runoff into the Bay. – Pam Johnson, chair
Architectural Committee Report
The Architectural Committee has met several times this year to review requests. I am sure spring will bring us more applications.
Remember that change request forms must be submitted for any change in the outside appearance of your home, including landscaping and additions of all kinds.
The Committee is taking this job very seriously to make sure we follow the procedures and guidelines established by the CSHOA Covenants and Resolution Three. We want to keep the harmony, charm and appeal of this unique and beautiful beachfront community.
Please contact me at 410-286-0071 if you need an application form or if you have any questions. – Penny Schmidt, Chair
