August 2005 – Issue 8/13
thesummitadvisor.com ... Links & Archive
In this issue: Town Hall draws Moderate Crowd...Where are we Headed?...Board Approves Sale of Utility Company...Destruction Imminent
August 2005 – Issue 8/13
thesummitadvisor.com
... Links
& Archive
In this issue: Town Hall
draws Moderate Crowd...Where are we Headed?...Board Approves Sale of Utility
Company...Destruction Imminent
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Town Hall draws Moderate Crowd
The July 30 Town Hall meeting was attended by 80-100
residents and opened with the financial status of the utility
company. This was defocused by a number of questions, many posed
by the same resident regarding the expectation of service
expansion to membership lots. Comments from other residents, some
inaudible, included "What do you expect for $5000" and
"could we move on to the next topic please". The board
presenters did explain in detail the POA position on expansion,
including development initiatives that owners could take, and
added that the Association is not a developer and is under no
obligation to expand to areas consisting of membership lots.
A proposal to buy the utility company by Aqua America was
announced, which will be reviewed by the board shortly. At this
point many of the details are under negotiation, but the sale
would likely benefit the POA in a number of ways. It would result
in metered water, the rate of which can only be estimated as
"maybe less" based on comparison with other
communities, and the notion that the company has access to long
term funding. Also noted was the likelihood of expansion to
membership sections, which is how the company makes their money.
A clubhouse update revealed no change in plans to rebuild, amidst
the grumbling of residents adamantly opposed to its destruction.
The revised documents were discussed and promoted, and it was
noted that the forty revision issues are detailed in the August
Community Newsletter. These are the issuses raised and board
recommendations passed to the lawyers for incorporation. It is
recommended reading. We encourage residents to attend Town Hall
meetings.
Where are we Headed?
Are our Children in danger by the board's actions selling the
bus stop lot? I think they are. No question they will be more
closely exposed to the growing 701 rush hour traffic flow, both
by cars and foot traffic. Good move by the board? Good move for
whom?
We have and continue to hear how the Declarent has contributed
thousands referencing the utility company and our legal
obligation. Is that the leading force that makes our board
continue doing business practices that appears poor or poorly
thought out? A perfect Example would be selling the prime front
lots including the mailbox area and the school bus area for
prices that are diluted by any standards with or without sewer
and water. To get the maximum price these properties should have
been publicly advertised and offered to the general public or
better, sold thru a real estate company. The Declarent may have
the right of first refusal, but quietly being given the
opportunity to purchase selected lots at possible diluted prices
is indeed not in the best interest of this community. So who is
making these decisions? Is it time to address some of this type
of issues? It is the board who has the ultimate responsibility
and it is time the Board understands the difference between Good
Will and Good Business.
The board has voted to demolish the clubhouse. Based on what? A
verbal 1.3 M possible cost. Not a bid or even a good guess? So
what are we running here? How many real sealed bids were acquired
before their decision? My understanding is none. So why the rush?
The board has indicated that Aqua America is now making another
offer. The sale of the Utility Company may be good but only, only
if the terms, conditions, and future costs can be agreed on and
tolerated by each property owner. The cost is already to high
once sold, we have no say. Only bill's.
I feel the board is in over their heads. Good intentions and time
served have never been the issue. The lack of good business and
good judgment is. What say you?
Board Approves Sale of Utility Company
In a 6-2 vote, the LHCC board approved a motion to allow the
board president to proceed with the sale of LHEUC to Aqua
America, in a special meeting held Aug. 2. The actual sale is
expected shortly. A number of homeowner questions were answered
at the meeting but no financial details were disclosed.
The revised governing documents were also discussed. The changes
made by the lawyers regarding the list of 40 concerns were deemed
unacceptable, and are being re-revised. Two of the documents, the
Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws will be scheduled for an
early vote, followed by the Deeds of Dedication at the annual
fall meeting. Attendees were polled as to preferred method of
distribution and most favored receiving full hard copy of the
revised documents.
Destruction Imminent
The rush to destroy the clubhouse continues, and
appears closer at hand than before. With the sale of the Utility
company, borrowed funds become available to move ahead (or
backwards) with the illiberal plan. As a last ditch effort at
sanity, the following alternatives are offered to save and
restore the existing clubhouse.
Reform the Clubhouse Committee and authorize them to seek
bids on individual improvements. The excuse about residents
unable to find competitive bids is probably due to their lack of
experience and credibility. No contractor or sub is going to
entertain a unauthorized bid or estimate.
Wait until the building boom is over. Save up now and hire
contractors when they are looking for work.
Dump it on the new board. Why rush to "accomplish"
something that 90% of the community opposes? What a legacy!
Get subcontractor bids. This is how the roof and siding got done.
Independent contractors who I spoke to laugh at the $1.3M
figure for renovation saying the estimate is outrageous.
Get focused on the essential work to pass inspection and get'r
done. Stop screwing around with surveys and restaurants, exercise
rooms and gourmet kitchens and other distractions. Get real.
Allowing the board to dissolve the Clubhouse Committee was a huge
mistake. It has been shown that decisions made by committees are
more likely to agree with the public than individual decisions.
The clubhouse project has changed direction a number of times,
but the path has always been a singular one. It seems that
alternatives are just not an option with certain individuals.
Starting July 2005 we are printing residents e-mails for the Month right here on the front page! This simplifies your navigation and our maintenance. The same rules generally apply as the original forum page, which is now an archive. Be a star reporter or commentator and sent your e-mail to thesummitadvisor@adelphia.net !
Date: Thursday, July 28, 2005 12:22 AM
Subject: The new bus stop
At the 7/26 board meeting, Pres. Alison was asked by
2 residents to explain the financial reasoning of selling the 3
lots near the Summit Center for $28,000 each and then building a
new school bus stop for about $130,000. His answer was to suggest
that he and these 2 property owners get together for coffee so he
could explain this action.
Anyone else bothered by this "good ol' boy" way of
doing business? Am I the only one hearing echoes of Carl Simms?
Or was I mistaken and was he offering to take ALL the property
owners out for coffee?
Date: Thursday, August 11, 2005 11:31 AM
Subject: Oh My God!!
Well it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure
out what's going to happen around here. The hard working people
who live here are screwed. Three lots that were sold for 28,000
doesn't equal 130,000 for the new bus stop. A recent flyer sent
to all the residents which had lots for sale starting at 50,000
each from LHCC is a good sign there in trouble. I bet they didn't
get that for all those lots with no trespassing signs on them.
Can you see the horrible trend here? When this is all said and
done, Carl Simms is going to look small blip on the radar. I
suggest everyone stock up on Vaseline and Preparation H because
they aren't finished yet. I'm sure if you could be a fly on the
wall at some of these close door meetings, you would have already
went to the gun cabinet. For all you folks who don't know how
your going to make it, don't feel bad. Your not the only one in
that situation. MAY GOD HAVE MERSEY ON OUR SOULS. We know who is
responsible. You will find there cars at the office nearly
everyday. Hint. There black and silver, like there hair. I'm not
telling you anything you didn't already know but a shot in the
arm every once in a while never hurt anybody. Well in closing I
hope everyone has luck finding that second job. You'll need it!!!!!!
I got a feeling where not in Kansas anymore..................
Awaiting your E-Mail...
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