Bentwood Farms - Mallard Pond Homeowners Association

SUMMER 2005

Aug 01, 2005

www.neighborhoodlink.com/violettwp/bfmpassoc

SUMMER 2005

Notes from the President
By Jim McGrath

Wow ?– it?’s been hot. Flowers and grass are thirsty. Kids playing in sprinklers. Summertime in Ohio. We are fortunate that we haven?’t gotten all the bad (hurricane/tornado type) weather that many states have had to endure.
While tragedy has spared us in that aspect, we did lose one of our sons to the war. Marine Cpl. Dustin Derga, whose parents and step-parents both live in our subdivision, was killed May 8 while serving in Iraq. I?’m sure I speak for the whole neighborhood in saying that our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the entire family during this time. We know that what he did, as is the case with all of our military personnel, will help insure that we have a free America, and hopefully a more free world because of their efforts.
While many people treat athletes or Hollywood figures as heroes, the men and women that give their lives for us everyday are the true heroes. We have a tendency to take them for granted, along with policemen, firemen, EMTs, doctors and nurses, basically anyone who is trained to help us when problems occur. It?’s not until something bad happens that you are glad they are here, and that they have been properly trained. I?’d like to thank all of men and women that serve our communities in a variety of functions for all of their sacrifices.
I would also like to thank Chuck Zurhorst, who recently had back surgery, and therefore had to resign from his Trustee position. He also had been doing this newsletter, as well as spearheading the scholarship fund, and a variety of other special projects for our neighborhood. His tireless service over the years has been much appreciated, and we wish him a speedy recovery. Denise DeNunzio, who summarized all the survey info, has graciously filled-in for Chuck to do the newsletter, but we need to find someone who is willing to take this quarterly task full-time. If you have an interest, please contact me.
At our next meeting, we will be talking about implementing some of the suggestions brought out as a result of the survey. Have a great summer and please watch for children near the roads.

Communications Committee, Etc.
By Sharon Lach

Communications Committee:
This committee was established in an effort to improve the lines of communication between the Board of Trustees and homeowners. These volunteers distribute various flyers, newsletters and directories in our neighborhood. Thank you Sherri James for joining the group. More helpers are needed. The babysitter list is only updated when someone calls me with a change or addition. The new phone book should be ready by fall.
Grounds:
Upcoming improvements include a street light at the Harmon Road entrance, sidewalks where needed and reseeding at Harmon and Refugee roads (again!). In the past, I planted all the flower beds myself. Because my work situation has recently changed, I am no longer able to do this. If anyone would like to ?“adopt?” a bed, or just help for a few hours, please contact me.

Welcome Wagon:
If you have new neighbors or didn?’t receive a ?“Welcome?” folder when you moved in, please call me. The folder includes a welcome letter, neighborhood phone directory, map, information from the Fairfield County Sheriff and recent issues of our newsletter.


Neighborhood Survey
By Denise DeNunzio

In the first quarter of this year, we sent out a questionnaire to our homeowners, asking about various aspects of the homeowners?’ association (HOA).

We got a great response rate ?– over half (222) of our homeowners responded to the survey. (Winners of the gift certificates: Stacy & Steve Craig.) The Trustees have already begun addressing some of the questions and concerns of our homeowners, and I think you will see some changes in the months to come.

The following is an overview of the results from the survey, along with answers to frequently-asked questions written on the surveys.

Grounds and Landscaping
Keeping our common areas clean is the biggest area of interest for our neighbors. However, the areas that are considered less of a concern are also areas with which residents are less familiar.
The appearance of our neighborhood also factors highly into write-in comments:
?– Street lights
?– Traffic signals
?– Stop signs
?– Trees
?– Misc. landscaping comments Communication
Most homeowners are fairly satisfied with the current level of communication within our HOA. Only 4% said they are ?“not satisfied.?” The rest of the responses were fairly evenly divided between ?“very?” and ?“somewhat?” satisfied.


In general, our homeowners like the newsletter, but would like more frequent communication, and more communication about future plans and spending. A few residents felt that the newsletter has a somewhat ?“negative tone.?”

Website
Only a quarter of our residents have visited the website, and there appears to be low awareness of the website in general.

However, respondents would still like more information on the website. About half would like to see minutes from previous meetings, about 45% would like to see information on social events, and 40% would like to see budget information. In addition, several respondents had good ideas for additional information that could be added to the website:
?– Home sales and homes for sale
?– Issues / new items that will be voted on
?– Information about new residents
?– Newsletter
?– Pictures of events
?– Babysitter list
Social Events
Of the social events we currently sponsor, respondents are most interested in the garage sale ?– over half said they planned to participate this year. Fourteen percent said they would ?“definitely?” participate, and 43% said they ?“probably?” would participate.
The Egg Hunt is also very popular ?… over a quarter of our homeowners planned to attend this year. (14% said ?“definitely?” and 13% said ?“probably?”). Not surprisingly, this event is even more popular among families with young children (age 2-12) ?– 39% planned to attend this year.
About a third of the homeowners thought they would attend the pool party this year, and this was something that parents of teenagers were more interested in ?– 29% said they ?“probably?” or ?“definitely?” would come.
The Halloween party and Santa visits had the least amount of interest, with 21% and 22% expressing interest, respectively.
We had several requests for ?“new?” activities ?– some targeted toward adults and teens:
?– A basketball tournament for adults and children
?– Adult happy hour events
?– Block parties in summer (2 mentions)
?– Events for older teens
?– Progressive dinner
?– Creek clean up
?– Themed gatherings at pond during warm months
?– Have a party

As you can see, the survey generated a lot of ideas ?– but any changes will take time and volunteer hours to enact. If you would like to help develop any of these ideas we would love your help. For example ?…

?– We?’d love for someone with website expertise to help us update our website.

?– If you have ideas for teen-related activities or if you think there are ways we could make our current activities more attractive to teens ?– please contact Rhonda Van Arsdale.

?– We also need someone to create this newsletter (four times per year).

?– Help us keep the common areas clean and looking nice! Volunteer to help with the flower gardens!
FAQs
Why are we spending so much on lawn care? $23,500 is a lot to pay for mowing grass!
Our neighborhood has many common areas (too many to list here!), which together comprise over 10 acres. Maintenance of these properties includes more than simply mowing the grass. Our lawn service also includes mulch, fertilization, spring & fall clean-up, weeding, maintaining paths, trash pick-up and more. In 2004 our lawn care provider also created a new path around the pond, removed damaged trees, and repaired vandalism. At the end of 2003, we solicited competitive bids from two other companies, and our current provider was the least expensive. A detailed list of expenditures is available from the board upon request.
How often is the newsletter printed?
The newsletter is printed quarterly, and timed to coincide with our social events so that we can save on postage.
I don?’t know when the meetings are
The meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday of each month and are at the Violet Twp. building on Rustic Drive. We also place notice boards at each major entrance (Harmon, Steeplechase, and Bridle Terrace / Bentwood Farms Drive.)
Please control the number of rentals in the neighborhood
Unfortunately, rentals are often a result of foreclosures, which we cannot control. If a vacant or rented house near you is not being maintained, call the number on the realtor sign. If there is no sign, call Sharon Lach.
I think we should plant trees by the sidewalk
Violet Township does not allow trees to be planted on their right-of-way, per the Ohio Revised Code. If you would like a copy of the letter from the Township Engineer detailing this policy, please contact Sharon Lach.

Other reminders:
?• RVs, boats and trailers are not to be stored/parked on your property for extended periods of time.
?• You cannot park a ?“Car For Sale?” in your front yard.
?• Cars parked regularly on the street and not the driveway may be ticketed by Violet Township.
?• Any exterior change or alteration to your house must be submitted to the ACC for approval.
?• Any homeowner in good standing can request a ?“dues sponsored?” social/community event, approved by the trustees after public voting.
?• When boating at the pond, everyone must wear a life vest.
?• Remember to keep your garage doors closed ?– day and night ?– to prevent theft.
Social Committee News
By Rhonda Van Arsdale

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!
With that being said, please mark your calendar for August 20 for our Summer Pool Party (rain date August 27). Please return the enclosed RSVP by August 7. If you would like to help plan activities, or have any questions, please call Denise DeNunzio at 759-9958.
We are going to try something new for the Halloween Party this year -- having it on a Friday night so as not to interfere with football parties (GO BUCKS). More details will follow in the Fall newsletter. Directory

President . Jim McGrath jmcgrath@insight.rr.com

Vice President . . . . Open
Treasurer . . . . Curt Anderson, 861 1206
Secretary / Social Committee-Rhonda Van Arsdale,
577-9337, frvanarsdale@netzero.com
Trustee . . . . . .Eric Chiudioni, 367-1697
Trustee / ACC . . .Darryl Murphy, 501-4707 dm@core.com
Trustee . . . . . . . Open
Trustee / Communications / Grounds / Welcome Wagon . . . Sharon Lach, 861 0325

Architectural Control Committee Chair . .
Karen Austin, 759-8044. bop_pie@yahoo.com

Architectural Control Committee . . . Robert Barnhart, 759-0930. leah@core.com



Community Baby Sitting List
Adults:
Stephanie Charache (PM Kindergarteners)
PacerDrive . . . . . 860-0227
Teresa Harness - Harness Place . . . . . . . . . 755-2861
Kelly Marcum - Arabian Ct . . . . . 861-9058
Tina Murphy - Derby Court . . . . 501-4707
Teenagers: (Listed Under Parents?’ Name)
Terry Anderson - Thoroughbred Dr . 861-1206
Laura Goslee (2 Teenagers) - Saratoga Ln. 755-9567

Jannet Hausmann - Mallard Pond Dr. . 759-9390

Contact Jim McGrath at jmcgrath@insight.rr.com for information on advertising in the Duck & Pony Show