Highland Park

Homeowners’ Association

Newsletter – November, 2009

Volume 7, Issue 2

Board of Managers Mission Statement:

To ensure that Highland Park homeowners’ value and living experience are maximized through (1) cost-effective management and maintenance of “common areas”, and (2) the administration and enforcement of the Code of Regulations and Deed Restrictions.

Carlyle Management Co. 28001 Chagrin Blvd. Suite 302 Cleveland, OH 44122 Phone: (216) 464-7465 Clubhouse email: HJohnson@carlylemanagement.com for information or Clubhouse reservations.  Property Management – Edward Fratus, Extension 228

Dates to Remember WHAT: 5K Turkey Dash WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009 TIME: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM WHERE: In Highland Park (see article on Page 3)

Board of Managers Dave Celznick, President 934-6174 Bill Mazzolini, Vice President 934-0710 Jeanne Stark, Secretary 934-3348 Kevin Malinowski, Treasurer 216-403-8233 Kathi Maxwell, Trustee 934-1818 Website: www.highlandparkassoc.com

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT By: Dave Celznick

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Kathi Maxwell to the Board of Managers. Thank You Bob Richenburg and best of luck. Kevin Malinowski remains as Treasurer and Jeanne Stark continues on as secretary. Thank You!!

Speed Limit 25mph - The posted speed limit in the Highland Park Subdivision is 25mph. This is perhaps one of the most critical safety issues in the development. I have had numerous calls and meetings. Multiple residents have had Avon Police place traffic counters and speed indicators at key locations within Highland Park. Statistics show that over a three day period over 3,000 (three thousand) cars passed through the development and some with speed in excess of 60 mph. Police have indicated quite frequently the speeders are residents. Please make all family members aware of this issue and please slow down!

Each fall, the Board of Managers sets goals and objectives for the upcoming year. Status on the 2009 Goals is as follows:

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Ø Budget and Finance - The financial outlook remains favorable allowing for continued maintenance and “must do” improvement projects. We have established cost-effective multi-year contracts with key vendors and continue to refine the Code of Regulations.

Ø Maintain and improve Highland Park Structures and Amenities. This objective is designed to keep Association property aesthetically pleasing, safe and functional. Key areas include the Nature Park, clubhouse, pools, tennis courts, playground and detention and retention water basins.

Ø Liability, Risk Assessment and Reserve Analysis. One aspect is to continue to predict lifecycle replacement of big–ticket items (pools, parking lot, tennis courts etc…). Another component is liability assessment which includes enforcement of the Deed Restrictions. Homeowners are responsible to understand their sub lot property boundaries. Resident swing sets, trampolines and other hardware items are not permitted on Association property primarily for insurance liability reasons.

Ø Mailbox - Improvement Plan – Continued action. This is backed by Deed Restrictions that includes sending notification to those homeowners whose mailbox and/or mailbox post is in need of upkeep. The expectation is no peeling paint, no unpainted surfaces, no rust or dents on the box and no cracked or missing components. Thank you to all that have responded to this effort. Well-maintained mailboxes contribute to the aesthetic value of our community.

Ø Zero Shutdowns for the Pool in the 2009 Season. The pools remained in operation from Memorial Day weekend thru mid-September. This season, we experienced five shutdowns (one 4-hour period to remove sharp non-glass debris from the pool bottom; and four 1-hour shutdowns to remove and chemically treat contamination to ensure a healthy environment). Also added for 2009 were pool pass gate checkers. This action significantly reduced the number of non-resident swimmers. Please follow the Pool rules. They are published for your safety and health. As the Highland Park Association continues to grow, many questions regarding pool capacity have been raised. I have asked the Board and Pool Team to look into the matter. (see related article on page 3)

Ø Playground Improvement – Added Swing set and tetherball as well as new playground mulch. Thank you Jeanne, Kevin and Playground Team.

The first fifteen minutes of each Board meeting are open to homeowners that would like to express concerns or comments to the Board of Managers. A few residents have taken the opportunity to discuss issues. Please call any Board member for the time and location of the next meeting and to specify your agenda item. This is your opportunity to address the Board with your concerns.

As a general awareness reminder we are all owners of Association property. The Board has set a high quality standard for our vendors and expects each homeowner to maintain property within the Deed Restrictions and Highland Park Rules. This agreement was part of the documentation each of you signed when you purchased property in Highland Park. Thank you!

CURRENT FINANCIAL REVIEW AS OF AUGUST 2009

BY: Kevin Malinowski

		YTD Actual Aug 2009	YTD Budget Aug 2009
REVENUE
	Revenue	$167.1	$166.1
TOTAL REVENUE		$167.1	$166.1
EXPENSES
	Administrative Expenses	$5.4	$6.1
	Professional Expenses	$6.9	$7.7
	Contracted Services Expenses	$71.3	$70.5
	Maintenance & Repair Expenses	$5.7	$7.9
	Utility Expenses	$6.3	$9.9
	Other Expenses	$9.6	$7.0
TOTAL EXPENSES		$105.20	$109.10

FINANCIAL COMMENTARY

We currently have 10 residents delinquent on some portion of their Annual Assessment Fee.

Regarding the year-to-date Actual, we are under budget. The individual expense items that contributed most to the negative variance in Contracted Services was Mulch (-$4,310.85) and Pool Contract (-$3,266.26). That said there were other savings within this expense category that reduce the negative variance to about -$800. The individual expense item that contributed most to the negative variance in Other Services was Bad Debt (-$1,602.85).

The Board continues to use a frugal approach to help keep our annual expenses down as much as possible.

5K TURKEY DASH ---IMPACT ON HIGHLAND PARK

By Bill Mazzolini

Heads up! The 5K Turkey Dash will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, from about 8 – 10 am. This race, in its sixth year, has been a very successful fundraiser for the Karen P. Nakon Breast Cancer Foundation. The sponsors are expecting about 1,000 participants. Planning is underway to ensure that Highland Park residents are not inconvenienced. The course is as follows: Begin at Avon High School, up Stoney Ridge, into Highland Park on Harriman Trail, then Truxton, South Park, North Park, Truxton, Bellcrest, Truxton, Harriman; then back to the High School. Highland Park’s Stoney Ridge entrance will be closed for a short period of time (30 minutes) when the majority of the runners enter. Our eastern entrance at Rt. 83 will remain open. Sponsors have requested the following from us: (1) No parking on streets during the Run (2) Drive very slowly; (3) Watch out for runners/walkers

A flier with additional details will be delivered by Foundation volunteers in mid-Nov. If you have questions, or would like to volunteer, call Stacey at the Nakon Foundation (440-933-7621).

SWIMMING POOL

By Bill Mazzolini

Our Code of Regulations allows Highland Park Association, Phase 3+, to increase to 614 homes (including 9 homes in Phase 1 & 2). There are currently 438 occupied homes in our Association, with several under construction in the southwest corner. To manage the expected increase, the Board of Managers has developed a rough plan for expanding the swimming pool complex. Here’s a high-level view of where we are in the process. Please keep in mind that the dates are tentative and are used herein only to provide a possible timetable:

***To minimize the capital cost and operating expenses, the existing facilities at the corner of South Park and North Park will be expanded.

***Four alternatives have been scoped . They range from a modest 50% increase to a doubling of pool size, a new kids’ pool, and revisions to the parking lot (if needed).

***We will work with the developer/builders so that the costs and benefits are fairly shared among existing and new homeowners.

***To obtain input from all homeowners, “Town Hall” meetings will be held in 2010. The input will help us fine-tune the “best” alternative.

***Because this is a “significant change” to the common areas, and a one-time special assessment will most likely be required, a subdivision-wide vote is required. It will be held later next year.

***Assuming a majority vote “yes”, a detailed construction plan and timetable will be developed and communicated to all homeowners. If you have questions or input, please email or call any Board member.

CLUBHOUSE UPDATE

By Jeanne Stark

Certainly by now you have seen the new additions to our Nature Park that included a Tetherball for our older kids and an additional bay of swings. The feedback we have received from homeowners has been very favorable with most folks complimenting that the mulch looked great and the swings are a much appreciated addition. We hope you and your families get to enjoy that new equipment some day soon. The new swing set that was installed is smaller than the existing swing set for two very good reasons: 1) That existing size was no longer available 2) Even if it were available, the additional clearance space we would need to comply with the requirement of distance between the two sets would have added quite a bit of cost to the project to excavate a larger play area. So we decided to go with a smaller but complimentary set.

CLUBHOUSE NOTICE…..SEE THE NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS ON OUR WEBSITE: To reserve the clubhouse, send an email directly to Heather at Carlyle Management: HJohnson@carlylemanagement.com.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM

By Bill Mazzolini

The Board has heard of recent vandalism incidents in Highland Park. We can help each other by using the Neighborhood Watch Program concepts. By augmenting Police Department resources, this Program is intended to create a greater sense of security because neighbors can “Look Out For Each Other”. Signs are posted at both entrances. The key concepts for homeowners to use are as follows:

*** Know what is “usual and customary” about your neighbors, so that you can tell what is unusual and out of the ordinary”. Don’t be a busybody or invade anyone’s privacy----but do be familiar with who lives in houses (children and teens as well as adults), types of vehicles and daily routines.

*** “Look out for each other” during vacations or extended absences. Use common sense and don’t leave signals indicating “no one is at home”. For example, take action to cover your mail, newspaper, circulars/fliers, garbage cans, and lights.

*** Adhere to good observation techniques: (a) observe secretly, whether in your home, your car or on foot; (b) don’t confront suspects; (c) watch for suspicious people, vehicles or sounds; (d) trust your judgment and recognize when to call for help; (e) write down “what, “when”, “where”, “who”, and license plate number, if it’s safe to obtain it; and (f) periodically practice your observation techniques.

*** When necessary, call for help using the following protocol:

For bona fide emergencies (any crime, fire or serious medical problem in progress or suspected to be

in progress)----call 9-1-1.

For non-emergencies (crimes which have already occurred, non-life threatening situations, minor mischief)--call the Police at 934-1234. Be prepared with “what”, “when”, “where” and “who”. And don’t hang up until instructed. Key Point No. 1: don’t hesitate! When your judgment tells you something wrong is happening or about to happen, immediately call the Police !

Key Point No. 2: call immediately, but do not take personal risks to prevent a crime or make an arrest. That’s the responsibility of the Police.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here’s a few FAQ’s received by the Board. There’s other FAQ’s on the Highland Park website.

Q: I am concerned about vandalism and other security issues. Any advice?

A: Always report incidents immediately to the Police. We encourage every homeowner to use Neighborhood Watch concepts. Please see the related article on page 3-4.

Q: Winter is on the way. Along with driving slowly and carefully, are there other “need to know” items?

A: Here are a few reminders from Section IV Highland Park Handbook of Rules and Information:

*** Maintain sidewalks in good repair. Remove snow/ice within twelve hours (Avon

Ordinance Chapter 660). But, do not shovel snow/ice onto the streets. It is prohibited

(Ordinance Chapter 412). Inform your snow removal contractor of this prohibition, if

applicable.

*** Parking is prohibited on streets when more than two inches of snow has fallen during

any twenty-four period (Ordinance Chapter 452).

*** If your mailbox gets struck by a snow plow, contact Avon Services Dept. (934-5424) for

repairs.

Q: I am not familiar with the Highland Park Deed Restrictions and “home-grown” rules. How

can I learn about them?

A: Obtain a copy of the May, 2008 “Highland Park Handbook of Rules and Information” from Carlyle Management or from any Board member. This booklet contains a simplified version of the Deed Restrictions, along with other Highland Park rules, some useful Avon ordinances, etc. An official copy of the Deed Restrictions can be obtained from your builder or from Carlyle.

Q: With respect to the “Highland Park Handbook of Rules and Information”, who is responsible for enforcement of Deed Restrictions, rules, ordinances, etc. listed in the Handbook?

A: (i) Per the Code of Regulations, the Homeowners’ Association and, by delegation, the Board of Managers is responsible to administer and enforce Highland Park’s Deed Restrictions (Section III of the Handbook).

(ii) Avon’s Police and Zoning Enforcement Officer are responsible for enforcing Avon’s Codified Ordinances and zoning restrictions. Generally, the Zoning Enforcement Officer handles land use-related issues, and the Police handle all other. As a convenience, the Board of Managers

includes a small number of relevant ordinances in Section IV of the Handbook. This is by no means a complete list! The Board of Managers does not enforce local, state or federal ordinances, laws, rules or regulations.

HELLO, NEW NEIGHBORS! By: Jeanne Stark

Please extend a “warm welcome” to the following families who moved into Highland Park recently. If we missed your name, we apologize. Please let us know.

Young Family on Bellcrest Drive	Kuharik Family on Truxton Place	Rini Family on Huffington Circle
Truax Family on Huffington Circle	Kellum Family on Truxton Place	Alberini Family on South Park Drive
Goodelle Family on South Park Drive	Muth Family on Wendell Street	Stefanik Family on South Park Drive
Horwatt Family on South Park Drive	Oleary Family on Southington Court	Schuller Family on Haverford Place
Nogueira Family on Astoria Way	Boyd Family on Astoria Way	Guo Family on Astoria Way
Prusak Family on Haverford Place	Chawla Family on Billingsley Row	Traynor Family on Montrose Way
Doubler Family on Wendell Street	McNally Family on Montrose Way	Arnold Family on Sanfordshire

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NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING

Thanks to the residents who have used the Newsletter to advertise their businesses. The fee structure for a business card-size ad is noted below.

To advertise your business, please mail in the “Newsletter Advertising Form” below or e-mail your company info to MazzOhio@aol.com. If you have a company logo that you’d like included, please enclose it.

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Newsletter Advertising Form

Mail to: Bill Mazzolini 3861 Silsby Ct. Avon, OH

Please check one of the following (assumes three issues per year):

HP Resident: □ □ Single Issue Business/Service Advertising (resident $25 / non-resident $40)

Non-Resident: □ □ Annual Business/Service Advertising (resident $60 / non-resident $105)

Company Information:

Company Name:_________________________ Contact Name:________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________

Business Description:__________________________________________________________

Additional Information:__________________________________________________________

Please enclose a check payable to Highland Park Homeowners’ Association for the appropriate amount.

Please support our advertisers.

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WENDY & DOUG ROUNDS

People with Vision, Helping People with Dreams

216-348-3128 Voice Mail

440-497-8000 Doug Cell

440-497-8001 Wendy Cell

rounds@howardhanna.com –email

wendyrounds.howardhanna.com - website