Bentwood Farms - Mallard Pond Homeowners Association

December 2001

Dec 18, 2001

Notes from the President
By Jim McGrath

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah!
I?’ve been asked to relay a few items to our residents. First, it is great to see all the patriotism in the neighborhood, with all the flags flying. Did you know that there is a proper way to fly the flag? Always make sure the stars are on the upper left, positioned as people from the street would see it. Also, if you leave it up at night, it must be have a light on it. Please treat the flag with its proper respect.

Second, there have been a few ?“for sale?” signs out at the entranceways. While we encourage those selling their homes to advertise, you can understand that we may have upwards of 40 houses for sale at any given time in the neighborhood. If everyone put up a sign, our entranceways would look pretty cluttered! The trustees would like to ask that you limit your signs being posted at the entranceways in the same manner as the realtors, only putting it out when you are having an open house. It would be reasonable to place it on a Friday and remove it after the open house on Sunday, as is the realtors?’ custom. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

Third, there has been discussion about planning how the pond should be look and be maintained in the future. If you have any comments, please email me, or come to our annual meeting, which is next month, January 7, 2002 at the Violet Township offices, 7pm. My trustee?’s positions has expired, so one position will be elected at that meeting. Contact any trustee to be put on the ballot, or come and be nominated. I wish everyone the best of health and happiness during the holidays and in the New Year. Please drive safely

Santa is coming to Town!
The flyers are out; the mailbox is up. If you want to have Santa visit your home, please get your RSVP in, as the deadline is Wed the 12th. Santa and one of his Elves will be here Sun Dec 16th from noon until 6pm.

Welcome Wagon
If you have new neighbors, contact Sharon at 861-0325 so they can receive a ?“Welcome Folder?”.


Join Us At Our Annual Meetings
The Board of Trustees encourages all neighborhood residents to join us for monthly Trustee meetings. The meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 at the Violet Township Offices located at 12970 Rustic Drive. Next month is the annual meeting, where we will be voting on upcoming dues, the annual budget and other important issues.

Social Committee News
By Andrea Turner

Well, another year done. Thank you to everyone who came out to the Halloween party. I am sorry if you didn?’t get to hit all the game stations. Unfortunately we didn?’t have enough volunteers this year. We had several high school volunteers. I would like to thank Kara Breitinger, Allen DeCarlo, Erin DeCarlo, Lisa Iannarino, Randy LeMaster, and Kelly Meighan. Other volunteers were Holly Amos, Jacque Bailey, Beth Boyd, Donna Breitinger, Denise Denunzio, Sharon Lach, Amy LeMaster, Debbie Segbers and Craig Turner. The above people were a big help in planning, setting up, and running the Halloween party.

Our costume winners were as follows: (under 6) Jordyn Monnin-funniest, Ryan DeGeeter-scariest, Morgan Bittengle-most original, and Austin Carita-Best over all (over 6) Emily Craig-funniest, Zach Matthews-scariest, Jordan Grubb-most original, and Taylor Stewart-Best over all. Congratulations!

Some of the prizes at the Halloween party were donated by these local businesses: Arby?’s, Big Bear, Block Buster Video, Burger King, Catalfino?’s Pizza, East of Chicago, Fairfield Federal, Graiters Ice Cream, Kroger, Longhorn, Massey?’s Pizza, McDonald?’s, Montana Mining, Pickerington Athletic Boosters, Sears Hardware, Subway, and Taco Bell. Thank you!

I hope to see many of you again next year. If you are interested in helping out on a certain function, please call me at 577-9311. Our next activity will be the Easter egg hunt. Thanks again to everyone who helped make all this year?’s activities a success.
Communications Committee
Did you like the new Neighborhood directory? If you notice a mistake, please contact Sharon Lach, or Curt Anderson (who keeps the files) to make corrections.
Sharon has asked that everyone look at the hook or screw we use on their mailbox to hang flyers, newsletters, etc. Many of them are two short or even missing, which just allows all the hanging stuff to blow around and litter the neighborhood! Please thank the following volunteers who deliver the various printed communications to your door or mailbox; Carla Searfoss, Jim & Jennifer Hellmich, Billy Kelly, Terry Egan, Lori Goddard, Megan Snare and Kim Wright. If you have time to help, more volunteers are always needed for this committee.

Grounds
The last fertilization and cut have been done. We have negotiated a contract for next year?’s common area maintenance. Please pick up trash if you can.

We are planning on a work party in the spring for the pond area, and as mentioned earlier, want to implement a plan for the pond that can be followed and also give direction to our maintenance group.

Advertisers help keep our costs down-
This month?’s Advertiser- Franklin Painting! As pictures do not post here, please see the website home page for their ad.


Would you like to advertise in our Newsletter? If so, contact Jim McGrath for rates, etc. at JMVETT@ aol.com Rates are reasonable?… and you will get a posting on our website too, just as Franklin Painting did! Please support our advertisers.

Babysitter Listing
To help our residents who may need sitters, we are attempting to get a listing of those willing to babysit, either during the day, or at night and on weekends. To be included in this listing, contact Sharon Lach at 861-0325. We will publish the listing on our website to help both the sitters and those in need of childcare.

Spring Garage Sale
The Community garage sale is set for the first weekend in May. Start cleaning now and turn your stash into cash! More details will follow in March

Treasurer?’s Report

2001 Actual/ 2002 Budget:
2001 2002
Expenses- actual budget
Accounting costs 175 50
Community events 797 800
Electric 810 1,000 Grounds maintenance 212 1,600
Insurance 910 1,000
Costs for liens/ other fees 166 200
Mailings/ newsletter supplies 1,086 600
Taxes on common areas 1,515 1,500
Bad Debts/ uncollected dues 320 800
Legal (lawsuits) 5,805 24,000 Emergency Reserve - 800
Erosion Control (pond) 42,451 -
Lawn Care/ mulching, etc. 11,958 15,000
Total Expenses 66,205 47,350

Income-
Lot owner dues 33,680 33,680
Collection of liens 653
Other income 136 200
Interest 1,437 900
Total Income 35,906 34,780
Cash carry over-prior yrs 43,120 12,821

Total available cash 79,026 47,601
Less expenses from above 66,205 47,350

Net Cash available 12,821 251

This 2002 budget will be voted on at the annual meeting. If there are any questions, please direct them to Curt Anderson at 861-1206.