Additional Comments regarding the clubhouse/pool and the raising of the Association fees for 2007

The pool and clubhouse were purchased from the developers on 12/29/06. We paid $100.00 plus we paid half of the property taxes for 2006. The total was around $2400 - $2500.

The Board is required to carry insurance by Association's By-laws. We obviously had to purchase more insurance because of the pool and the clubhouse being added. I have been assured by several insurance agents that we have bought adequate insurance to cover our new liabilities.

The October newsletter had an article about the dues being raised in it. At that time we did not know what the amount would be, but that they would have to go up. This is the first time the dues have been raised since the neighborhood was first developed. Over the years the Association has had to take on a lot more maintenance of common areas in the neighborhood and the price of taking care of the areas has continued to rise. It had gotten to the point that even with new houses being added, they were not making up for the difference.

No vote was taken by the general members of the Association before we purchased the clubhouse and pool. Our by-laws give the board the power to make such decisions. If we would have had to have taken out a mortgage for the assessed value of over $600,000, yes we would have had a vote of the general members of the Association, but since for all practical purposes the developers gave us the clubhouse and pool, we as a board thought we could not pass this opportunity up.

Residents will still have to pay dues to join the pool. These rates are still in the committee phase and have not been finalized by the board yet.

The rates for renting the clubhouse have been set. In years past you had to be a member of the pool to even rent the clubhouse. Last year it was, from what I have been told, $250.00 to rent the clubhouse. Now any member in good standing can rent the clubhouse. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights it is $125.00 for six hours. During the week and on Saturday and Sunday mornings/afternoons it is $60.00 for six hours. This is a benefit that is open only to members of the Neighborhood Association.

Another benefit is that the pool will be managed by a new management company. For years, the Association's Board received comments/complaints about the past management company, but were unable to do anything about it. We are attempting to start a swim team for the kids in the neighborhood. We are going to try to utilize the clubhouse in a way that will benefit the neighborhood as a whole.

It is the general agreement of the board and other people that I have spoken with that the clubhouse and pool add value to your house even if you never rent the clubhouse or join the pool. Simply living in a neighborhood that has this type of facility makes your house worth more money than neighborhoods that do not have them.

Steve Gahafer
President MSNA