Bentwood Farms - Mallard Pond Homeowners Association

December, 2000 Newsletter

Dec 23, 2000

Notes from the President
By Jim McGrath

As we move into the Holidays, we want to remind everyone that lives or travels through our neighborhood to watch out for our children. The little ones don't often remember to look for cars when going out into the street.
We have replaced two of our three Architectural Control Committee members recently, due to time constraints on the members. We thank Joan Huey and Jim Miller for all of their hard work in the past. Those of us who volunteer for any of the positions needed to help run the Association normally don't hear about the good things or the praises that should be vocalized. There is a tendency to only hear the griping or negative comments. So, at this time I want to thank those who do volunteer their time to help this place we call "home". The current trustees are Jeff Fix, Curt Anderson, Sharon Lach, Jim Miller, Nick Lacy and Jerry Foltz. The ACC members are Craig Turner, along with our two newest members- Jim Reigle and Holly Amos. Please thank these residents as well as the ones listed in the Communications Committee report in the next column for all of their help.
Here's what is going on with the pond- we hired an engineering firm to do a study of the severity of the pond wall deterioration, and they did some test borings of the composition of the wall. This enabled them to design the fix of the wall more appropriately. At this point, we are in the process of locating contractors to give us a bid on the restoration of the wall. There are Federal approval requirements that are also being secured, as well as the attempt to work with local and county officials to see about helping us pay for all of this.
The two lawsuits, one on a fence, one on the green house, are both in process, the wheels of justice turn very slowly. We will update you as progress is made on either action.
We wish all of you the best this Holiday Season.

Communication Committee
Trustee Sharon Lach has been trying diligently to pull our community together. The communication committee was formed to help improve the lines of communications between the board of trustees and the homeowners. Please thank the following people for volunteering to walk or ride the various newsletters, flyers, and phone directories to your door or mailbox; Carla Searfoss, Jim & Jennifer Hellmich, Billy Kelly, Lori Goddard and Kim Wright.
Sharon's ongoing projects include updating the community map and phone directory. The new phone directory should be out in conjunction with the March 2001 newsletter. One more volunteer is needed for the communications committee.

Grounds
Sharon is also our grounds trustee. She is responsible for ensuring the grass is cut and the flowerbeds maintained in the common areas. A more aggressive approach will be taken next year on the weeds. If you notice any vacant houses where the grass is not being cut, or have any questions or concerns, please call Sharon.

Welcome Wagon
If you have new neighbors, contact Sharon at 861-0325 to receive a "Welcome Folder".

Ho Ho Ho
Santa will be making his annual visit to our community Sunday December 17th from 12 noon until 6pm. Use the attached red flyer to RSVP by Thursday December 14th if you wish to have Santa visit your home. There will be a decorated mailbox at the corner of Steeplechase Ave. and Winners Circle. For more information, call Sharon.

Don't forget to visit our webpage at: "www.neighborhoodlink.com /pickerington/bfmpassoc"

Social Committee News
by Andrea Turner

The Halloween party was the best event this year. All the children (and adults) had a really good time. We had numerous complements from the community. Please thank the following volunteers for all their hard work for making the event possible . . . Holly, Neil, and Josh Amos, Jacque Bailey, Donna Breitinger, Denise Denunzio, Christy Dumford, Jackie Hogan, Sharon and John Lach, Chris Murnin, Craig Turner, Susan Turner, Mrs. Raozada, and Suzie.

I would also like to thank the following businesses for their donations . . . Lowes, Smith Farms, Sherwin Williams, Ross Labs, CVS, Dairy Queen, Executive Jet, Judy Gang and Associates, Block Buster, Skyline Chili, Pickerington Athletic Boosters, Dominos, Donatos, Odd Lots, and Fairfield Federal Savings and Loan.

We had a wonderful turnout for our first year of activities. The social committee activities however, are over for the year. Our next event will be at Easter time. If you are interested in volunteering for next year, please call me at 577-9311. Please read and return the attached flyer for our Santa visit this year- Sunday, Dec 17th.

Thank you again to everyone who helped and participated this year.


Treasurer's Report
by Curt Anderson
As of 12/1/2000, total expenses for the year was pretty much as expected. We did incur higher than expected expenses for community events though. Some of those expense are one time purchases for re-usable items. We have had two major expenses totaling $7,900 for engineering and design work to correct the erosion problem of the pond embankment. There were also expenses relating to taxes that were not expected. We had filed to have taxes abated for common areas and were granted the abatement last year. The tax department notified us this year that we still owed taxes for some of the common areas. A second abatement was filed although the tax needed to be paid first. We expect to receive the abatement and a refund of $1,500 next year. This year we had 7 homes that failed to pay our Association fees. One home from last year has failed to pay for 2 years. The total amount outstanding is $648, not including interest and fees. Liens have been filed against these homes and we are charging an interest rate of 12% per year on the outstanding balances. The estimate we have received for repair of the pond is approximately $70,000. Currently the association has saved $43,000 towards the fix. Fees for next year are expected to remain the same depending on the finale estimate for the pond. The Association is looking into assistance from many areas, and as a last resort there may be a special assessment for 2001. The following is a break down of income and expenses for the year:

INCOME-
Dues-Homeowner Dues 31,476.00
Interest 1,909.79
Insurance payment for entrance wall repair 4,750.00
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TOTAL INCOME 38,135.79

EXPENSES-

Accounting & Supplies 181.64
Community Events 1,401.32
Electric- 661.95
Grounds Maintenance, pond exp,
wall repair, mulch, 14,161.50
Signs, fence rails 559.87
Insurance- 910.00
Lawn Care- 13,301.24
Legal fees or government fees 128.00
Mailing Supply-Mailing Supplies 372.42
Returned Check Fee 10.00
Taxes 1,515.60
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TOTAL EXPENSES 33,203.54


Annual Homeowners' Assn Meeting

Save the date!! Our Annual meeting will be held Monday, January 8, 2001 at the Violet Township officers (same location as the monthly meetings). The meeting will start promptly at 7pm and will run until we are finished. We will have three of the trustee positions up for election, Jeff Fix, Curt Anderson, and Jerry Foltz. If you would like to be considered for a trustee's position, including all the perks of free cars, lavish expense accounts and unlimited vacation time (ok, maybe we don't get any of those, but we try to have a good time) please contact Jim McGrath at 552-5607 (days) and plan on attending the meeting. Now is your chance to get involved. To help us improve, you have to participate!

**** HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!****