Towne Station HOA Newsletter

Happy New Year 2015 to Everyone!

Invoices for 2015 Assessments

By now, you should have received your Invoice for the 2015 Assessments, in the amount of $200.00. If you haven't received an invoice, please drop us a line, with your contact info (include your address and Lot#, if you know it), and we'll make sure you receive one.

NOTE: Full payment of invoices must be received by February 28th 2015, in order to avoid a monthly late fee of $25.00

Payments may be mailed to our PO Box, or you're welcome to pay online via credit card. No, there's no convenience fee or anything like that added in. 

Please don't put your payment in a Board Member's mailbox... please mail it, pay online, or bring a check to a Board Meeting.

2015 Assessments - Why'd They Go Up?

The increase for 2015 is $25. The increase was a business decision voted on by the Board of Directors, after open discussion at our most recent General Assembly. The amount of Assessments is not actually something that’s voted on by the Membership, but the Board did seek discussion and opinion of the Membership in attendance at the aforementioned meeting. We were encouraged by the Homeowners present, to increase Assessments from $175 to $200, as most were in favor. The following is a list of a few of the reasons for the increase:
 

• We increased the number of “cuts” to the common grounds mid-way through the year, 2014. Previously, the common grounds were cut every two weeks during season. Due to complaints and concerns from Homeowners about the growth and height of grass between cuts, we increased the cut frequency, which added an additional $300 to $500 in monthly expenses during those months.
• We greatly increased the common ground area that we cut. Previously we bush-hogged near the back retention pond a couple times each year and allowed the grass to grow in those areas. In 2014, when houses starting being built in the area, we began regularly cutting the grass all the way to back of the subdivision, which is a much larger area. As such, the cost of each “cut” went up about 40%. So we increased the cut frequency, and each cut went up significantly as well.
• We anticipate the strong possibility of having a new large expense that we’ve not previously had, related to the drainage in the neighborhood. This pertains specifically to the retention pond near the front of the subdivision. We expect this expense to be several thousand dollars, so we must properly prepare for that.
• We anticipate needing to replace the entire length of fence in the front of the subdivision, that runs parallel to Louis Wilson Rd, in the next year or so. Cost of such is expected to be between $7,000 to $10,000.
• Just a couple years ago, the HOA had a net operating LOSS of approximately $3,600 for that calendar year (2012). 
• We incurred an unbudgeted expense of just over $1,000 in 2014, for the beginning of a lawsuit the HOA is defending from a Homeowner in the neighborhood. The case is pending and, unfortunately, attorney fees are increasing as well (currently approximately $2,000). IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the fact that the case is pending, we are VERY limited in what we may discuss with the case, via email and/or phone. NOTE: If you would like a copy of the suit, please send us an email.

Website Update!

We've added a section/tab for "Documents". Go ahead, click on it, and it'll take you to the page. Here's a list of the documents on this page:
 

• New Homeowner/Resident Welcome Notice
• Statement Stuffer that was sent with the 2015 Invoices
• Info on "How to Get Involved"
• Most Commonly Broken Covenants
• Financials for last 5 calendar year (since inception in 2010 through 2014)