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Maple Hill Homeowners Association
2008 Fall Newsletter
Maple Hill Homeowners Association
PO Box 190957
Boise, ID 83719
Past Newsletters ● 1- 2008 Newsletter ● 6- 2007 Newsletter
2008 has been a very challenging year for all of us on the board. We want to thank all homeowners for their support and trust during our struggles to manage a tight budget, while keeping the common area functioning and presentable. Even with the dues increase it has still been very difficult to do necessary repairs and updates throughout the year. 2009 will bring new challenges and opportunities. Our longstanding contract with our current lawn maintenance company expires in November, so our new common area director, Teresa Owen, spent weeks writing a new contract and soliciting bids for future lawn services. The new bids have come in and the interviews are over, but the prices are all staggering! Of the four companies that responded to our bid requests, the cost increases ranged between 62% and 110% over the current base contract! At the meeting, you will receive a copy of the 2008 year-to-date budget and we will present the budget needs and projected expenses for 2009. We expect that you will come with questions and suggestions, but keep in mind that we are all unpaid, conscientious volunteers on the board. We trust that you will be helpful and respectful of those that work so hard in your behalf.
Our budget would not be so tight if everyone would fulfill their obligations and pay their dues and assessments every year. Currently we have 27 homeowners who are in arrears for a total of $7,207.37 that should be in our budget right now! If you want more details about this, feel free to call me and I will be more specific. Believe me; we are using every means possible to force these people to pay their bills. Our treasurer, Margaret Storrs, watches our payments and expenses carefully and our secretary, Sharon Kerr, keeps accurate records of all board actions and decisions.
I hope that all of you have been able to enjoy the new landscaping in
Phase I of the common area restoration, starting at the water feature on
Maple Hill Drive. In addition to this section, we had to do unscheduled
work on the south side of the pond in order to cure the chronic
drainage, erosion, and pollution problems in that area. Removing the
overgrown shrubs and scrub trees along the pond and replacing them with
a rock wall really helped keep the pumps and filters operating this
year. (It looks much better too.)
A few homeowners have donated money specifically for the common area upgrades. We appreciate their generosity and hope others will donate to this Fund too. The costs for labor and materials increase every year, so the sooner we can complete each section the more we save. This project was tentatively scheduled as a five year project. With 30 year old plantings and landscape, these upgrades are long overdue. Notice in Phase 1, that we have simplified the plantings with more open spaces for easier maintenance and better views.
We all love our pets and enjoy walking them. Please be considerate! The ‘remains’ from your pets are unsightly, smelly, rude and they burn the grass and plants. Plan ahead for these outings by taking cleanup bags with you. Littering of any kind ruins the look of our neighborhood. Ducks and geese may look adorable from a distance, but they create messes and health risks. We must not feed these wild birds. Hand feeding discourages their instincts to seek proper refuge and food elsewhere. We also need your cooperation to explain to your family members, that they must not play with the rocks at the edge of the streams and pond. These rocks were positioned to prevent erosion & stabilize the edge of the water features.
Many homeowners are landscaping, painting and replacing old roofs and fences. Thanks for showing pride of ownership, your efforts benefit all of us. A few other owners need to follow this example and fix up their properties now too. Our landscape director, Leland Cantrell, is very supportive of most home improvements. Please give him a call to discuss your plans or ideas ahead of time for written approval.
I hope many of you will volunteer your time and talents to be a part
of the board of directors. If you are able to take a more active role in
your neighborhood planning and maintenance, please contact one of the
board members. It is the responsibility of all homeowners to be
proactive and do their share of the planning and work. At the meeting,
we will accept nominations from the floor for board positions. As you
can see by our numbers, we are currently required to wear many hats! We
need you to step up now. All that is required to be considered is a
sincere desire to participate and be open-minded, fair and respectful of
others’ opinions concerning the needs of the entire neighborhood.
Majority rules for all decisions. The board meets the first Monday
evening of each month from 7:30 to 9:00. Regular attendance is expected.
We follow an agenda to address needs, expenses, plans and strategies. We
do have special projects occasionally where extra help is needed. Maybe
you can offer to assist the board on an as-needed basis. Consider coming
to a board meeting to see how it all works. It can be fun and rewarding!
For up to date information refer to the Maple Hill Subdivision website:
www.maplehillsub.org
Your board of directors thanks you for your support!
| Board Members | Phone | |
| Pat Strand, President | 376-1716 | |
| Rosemary Wimberly, Vice President | 383-3766 | vp@maplehillsub.org |
| Sharon Kerr, Secretary | 376-6870 | secretary@maplehillsub.org |
|
Margaret Storrs, Treasurer |
376-0103 | treasurer@maplehillsub.org |
| Leland Cantrell, Architecture Director | 323-2706 | architecture@maplehillsub.org |
| Teresa Owen, Common Area Director | 672-1917 | commons@maplehillsub.org |
| Dave Turner, Common Area Asst. | 376-2919 | m3@maplehillsub.org |
| Russell Storrs, non voting, At Large I | 376-0103 | m1@maplehillsub.org |
| Tony Eason, At Large II | 376-7664 | m2@maplehillsub.org |
If you can’t make it, please bring your signed proxy form to Pat Strand at 9113 Maple Hill no later than 4:30 PM Oct 13th. There will be a drop-in envelope on the front porch. (One proxy – one vote per lot.) You may designate any board member or neighbor in attendance at the meeting to vote in your behalf.
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Strand, President
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