NEWSLETTER
– MARCH 2004
ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT
By Rob Gerberry
Please join your neighbors on
Sunday, April 4th for the Annual
Highland Park Easter Egg Hunt. Two
events will be held this year: One at 1:00
pm for children over 4 and one at around 1:15 pm for children under 4. Both events will occur at the Island between
Coronia Circle and Haverford Place.
Hope to see you and your little ones there! Please contact Jackie Gerberry (934-3077) if you have any
questions.
By Bob Odom
This is my
last letter as the President of HPHOA as my two (2) year term has come to an
end. It has been an interesting experience in which we, as a board, have
accomplished a lot for the betterment of the community. I think that the board has accomplished a
lot during these two years considering it was the startup period for the
association and it came with a lot of growing pains.
I would
like to thank all of the board members for their support during the past two
years. Without their help and guidance getting things accomplished would have
been much more difficult. I would personally like to thank Bryce Jones and Rob
Gerberry for their past 2 years of support.
I would also like to thank Rob Hallier and Ben Norton for their one year
of support from March 2002 – March 2003.
All four of these individuals did a great job and I thank them for their
time and efforts. During this past year
Theresa Perusek and Bill Mazzolini joined the board as terms of Norton and Hallier
came to a close. Again I wish to
express my sincere thanks to all for their service to the community.
At the
Highland Park Annual Homeowners Association meeting on March 2, new board
members were elected to a two year term.
I am please to announce that Dave Celznick, Sean Flaherty and Pete Just
have joined the board of managers. The
old and new board members met in late-March to transition roles and elect the
new board of managers. The new officers
and positions for the coming year will be as follows:
Bill
Mazzolini – President
Dave
Celznick – Vice President
Sean
Flaherty – Treasurer
Theresa
Perusek – Secretary
Pete Just –
Trustee
Each new
officer will also chair one of the community committees. See Committees section below for a listing of
the new committees and chairperson.
Since the
new and old board members were not able to meet until late-March, we made a
decision to hold off on the distribution of the March newsletter until this
time. Therefore, the March newsletter
is coming out a little later than expected.
I’m hopeful that you’ll find this issue informative and worth the
wait.
With the
passing of the gavel I wish the new board the best of luck in the coming years.
I will be glad to assist in anyway that I can when needed.
Sincerely,
Bob
Odom
By Bill
Mazzolini
Highland
Park Homeowner Association financial highlights are as follows:
·
The
initial homeowner’s board did a good job of budgeting in late 2002 given that
minimal information was available to use for comparison.
·
Deviations
in the 2003 budget resulted from some unplanned expenditures (e.g., replacement
of trees, shrubs and flowers that died, installation of a new pool chlorination
system, and pool vandalism due to broken glass bottles).
·
Carryover
bills from prior years have been paid.
Financial control systems are in place to monitor expenses and cash
balance each month to ensure that there will be a surplus going into 2005.
A summary
of 2003 Planned, 2003 Actual, and 2004 Planned budget is as follows:
2003
Planned 2003 Actual 2004 Planned
INCOME: (from assessments, 128,900 131,780 139,200
clubhouse
rental, etc.)
EXPENSES:
Management
fee 9,600 9,600 9,600
Legal fees 3,000 4,400 4,100
All other
admin/prof. fees 7,470 6,170 9,830
(including insurance)
Subtotal: 20,070 20,170 23,530
Landscaping/snow
removal 40,750 45,780 43,250
Pool and
recreation 15,000 16,970 17,000
All other
contracted services 6,100 4,450 5,800
Subtotal: 61,850 67,200 66,050
Utilities 10,700 8,730 9,400
All other
maintenance, 5,600 10,310 10,100
repairs and
taxes
Total
Operating Expenses 98,200 106,410 109,080
Expenses from Prior Year (20,000) (34,000) (8,630)
SURPLUS for
savings/emergency 10,700 (8,630) 21,490
fund or
(DEFICIT) carryover
By Bill
Mazzolini
In order
to gather residents input on what’s important to you, the Highland Park
Homeowners Board recently distributed a survey asking for your input. Input was received from 73 homeowners (about
23 percent of the total number of homeowners). The survey input is one means that the Board uses to conduct
evaluations, and define and establish priorities. Surveys are intended to help the Board get a sense of where
improvements and changes should be considered and are not intended to be
definitive “votes”. In addition to the
numerical input, eight pages of comments were received and more than twenty
people volunteered to help on various committees----that’s great news! All of the information collected will be
provided to the appropriate committees for consideration when planning
activities and expenditures.
Following
is a summary of the survey input (NOTE:
Percentages refer to survey respondents only, not to percentage
of all homeowners):
Section
1: Swimming Pool
·
Sixty-nine
percent of survey respondents plan to use the pool “a few times per week” or
“almost daily” in 2004.
·
Sixty-seven
percent do not feel that a lifeguard is needed during all hours that the pool
is open.
·
Sixty
percent do not support eating at the pool.
·
Sixty
percent support some form of heating system for the pool.
Lots of
comments regarding lighting (and other forms of “vandalism control”);
umbrellas; pool hours; pop machine; and as you might guess, strong feelings
both for and against a pool heating system.
Section
2: Clubhouse
·
Fifty-seven
percent don’t plan to rent the Clubhouse in 2004.
·
Ninety
percent felt that maintenance and housekeeping were OK.
·
Eighty-four
percent felt that the fee is “just right.”
Key
comments: Lower the fee to boost usage;
add an oven; add window coverings.
Section
3: Tennis Courts
·
Sixty-one
percent don’t plan to use the courts in 2004.
·
Seventy-three
percent support a basketball area (in the tennis court area or parking lot).
Key
comments: Strong feelings both for and
against a basketball court; slight majority were in favor of putting the
basketball court in the parking lot vs. the tennis courts; need to be sensitive
to surrounding neighbors and noise.
Section
4: Playground and Equipment
·
Fifty-two
percent plan to use the playground “a few times per week” or “almost daily” in
2004.
·
Fifty-three
percent feel that additional equipment is not needed.
Key
comments: Interest in adding swings, suggested
received to add another bench or two, garbage cans; modify or add equipment
that is safer for the younger kids (6 and under).
Section
5: General Appearance
Seventy-five
percent feel that trees, shrubs and flowers in the “common areas” as done in
2003 were OK.
Eighty-seven
percent felt that mulch in flower beds and around trees as done in 2003 was OK.
Sixty-five
percent do not feel that additional landscaping is needed in Highland Park
“common areas.”
Key
comments: Bring back some lights and
Christmas lighting at the Rt. 83 entrance; nature park and trail need some
addition flowers/trees; use more perennials.
The board has been
working to continuously improve the community we all live in. Here’s what we’ve been doing:
Committee Updates
Each of the board members has been assigned to oversee each of the community
committees. The entire list of all
volunteers will be communicated in the next Newsletter. Thanks to all who have already volunteered!!! The committee leaders and Board liaisons are
as follows:
Ø
Social
– Pete Just (934-2330)
Ø
Landscaping
- Dave Celznick (934-6174) and Karri Furness (934-7219)
Ø
Directory
– Jeanne Yeagley (934-4778)
Ø
Communications
– Theresa Perusek (934-3260) and Pete Just (934-2330)
Ø
Swimming
Pool – Bill Mazzolini (934-0710) and Dave Celznick (934-6174)
Ø
Clubhouse
and Recreation Facilities and Spaces - Sean Flaherty (934-3492)
Ø
Neighborhood
Watch Program – Bill Mazzolini (934-0710)
GET INVOLVED!!!! A big thank you
goes out to those who have already volunteered for one of these
committees.
The community activities will only be a success if community
members pitch in and help coordinate and organize various events and activities. We can’t do all of these things without you. If you are interested in joining one or more
of the above listed committees, please contact one of the listed committee
members.
Social
By Rob Gerberry
On
December 13, the Social Committee sponsored a Trim the Tree Party. At the party, several residents brought wrapped toy donations for the St. Augustine Church and Hunger Center
in Tremont. This organization serves
homeless and needy people throughout the Cleveland area.
A letter from Rev. Joseph D. McNulty, St.
Augustine’s Pastor was recently received to show his appreciation for these
generous gifts. The letter is as
follows:
Dear Jackie and Friends: (Jackie Gerberry, coordinated the toy donation – Thank You
Jackie!!!)
What a wonderful gift you are to those in need and
to those who serve them. We deeply
appreciate your care and concern for the needs of families and children who
come to St. Augustine. We are
especially grateful for the gifts you so lovingly purchased and wrapped for
them.
Each day in our prayer at the hunger center, in church
and individually in our own prayer, we thank God for the gift of you. Please keep us constantly in your prayers
for without that we would not be successful.
Take care of yourself in the New Year and know that you are remembered
in our daily prayers. May our God of
love keep and hold you always in the palm of His hand.
Signed, Rev. Joseph D. McNully
Thank you
again to all of those who made the life of a child a little brighter during the
holiday seaon!
The
Highland Park Social Committee is also planning a Wine Tasting tenatively scheduled for May 22. Watch your mailbox for more details.
Landscaping
By Dave Celznick
The
landscape team kick-off meeting will be held on Monday, April 5th at
the Clubhouse. For those who have
already signed up, we’ll see you there.
For those who are interested in joining, please stop by.
Communications
By Theresa Perusek
New E-Mail Address
In order to continuous improve communications, a new e-mail
address has been setup for you to submit questions and comments. Please send questions or comments to: highlandparkassociation@yahoo.com.
You can also contact a board or committee member, if you
prefer discussing your question or comment “live”.
Neighborhood News
Garage Sales
Friday and Saturday - May 21-22 – 9am-4pm
36747 Cranlyn Terrace
If you’d like to coordinate having your garage sale at the
same time, please contact Leslie Szalai at 934-3326.
Warm Welcome to Our
New Neighbors
We would like to give a warm welcome to the following families/individuals
who recently, within the past 3 months, moved into the Highland Park
Community:
The Paschal Family The
Sefchick Family
Bellcrest Drive Glendenning
Street
June 2003 July
2003
The Thompson Family The
Simer Family
Truxton Place Glendenning
Street
June 2004 July
2003
The Coulter Family The
Campana Family
Haverford Place Bellcrest
Drive
July 2003 August
2003
The Evan’s Family The
Flaherty Family
Bellcrest Drive Silsby Court
July 2003 August
2003
The Hanuscin Family The
Nolan Family
Wetherill Court Bellcrest
Drive
July 2003 August
2003
Annual Meeting Summary
The annual homeowner’s association meeting was held on Tuesday,
March 2 at the Avon City Hall.
Residents from approximately 50 residential homes were present. The meeting primarily focused on the
following:
1.
Improvements
made over the past year, based on suggestions from last years annual homeowners
meeting. Theses included:
Ø
Pavilion
vs. green space debate – After asking residents for their input, a decision
were made to turn the park area back into green space.
Ø
Speeding
problem – Avon police have been monitoring the streets and have issued several
tickets. Jeanne Yeagley has also purchased
several signs which residents have placed in their front yards indicating
children are present and to slow down.
Thanks Jeanne!
Ø
Improved
communications – This was achieved through the creation of a quarterly
newsletter, the addition of a mid-year homeowners meeting, the installation of
a bulletin board at the clubhouse and pool, the distribution of surveys to
obtain residents input on what’s important to them, and the distribution of
flyers to inform residents of community activities (e.g. pool vandalism and
broken glass in pool)
2.
Development
of a 5 year plan. This plan was
created, again based on residents input, needs of the community and up keep
required to maintenance the common areas within Highland Park. The 5 top priorities for 2004 include:
a. Looking into the
options and costs of replacing the fill in the playground area
b. Installation of
lights in the parking lot by the clubhouse and around the pool
c. Looking into the
options and costs for installing a basketball hoop in the parking area or in
the tennis court area
d. Looking into the
options and costs of installing a pool heater
e. Seal coating the
bike trail
Nominations for 3 new officers were taken. When voting ended, the following individuals
were elected to the board: David Celznick,
Pete Just and Sean Flaherty.
Congratulations to each of you on your new role!
The Board then opened the meeting up to residents for a
question and answer session.
Please contact Theresa Perusek at 934-3260, if you have any
information you’d like included in a future newsletter, in the Neighborhood
News section, or suggestions for improving communications.
Swimming Pool/Clubhouse
By Bryce Jones
Clubhouse
One of the biggest assets of living within the Highland Park
Community is the clubhouse. Located at
the intersection of South Park and North Park Drives, it is available for
rental to all members of the development.
The room will comfortably accommodate 40 to 50 people, and is ideal for
events such as baby or bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, or birthday and
anniversary parties. The room is
equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, folding tables, portable chairs, and
even a gas fireplace for those holiday and winter parties.
The fee to rent the room is $175 dollars, $75 dollars of which
is the actual rental fee, the other $100 dollars is a refundable security
deposit that will be returned to you if the room is cleaned, left in good
condition and an inventory of equipment, supplies and furniture is taken. The room may be reserved by contacting April
O’Brien at Carlyle Management Company at 216-464-7465, extension 245. The proceeds derived from room rental stay
within Highland Park. This is a
wonderful asset to the community, and it is becoming more popular as the
community grows. Call to reserve your
date today!
Pool
The new pool team is up and running.
More details will be provided shortly.
In order to ensure we are all courteous of our fellow neighbors,
we’d like to remind you of the following:
Ø
All
homeowners are required to comply with the “Restrictions to be Placed in Deeds
for Highland Park Phase 3”. These are
included in the Code of Regulations.
Ø
Please
remember to pick up after your pets.
The state of Ohio has a legal requirement, which requires pet owners to
do so. This will also help to ensure we
live in a clean and sanitary community.
So the next time your out for a walk with you pet, don’t forget to bring
along your plastic bag!
Ø
The dumpster outside of the clubhouse is not for personal
garbage, including
pet waste. Anyone caught dumping
their garbage in the dumpster will be billed $65.00. This is the cost to the association for emptying the dumpster.
Ø
When
transferring or selling a home, please ensure you notify the Carlyle Management
Co. and Real Estate agent of this transfer in order to ensure the new homeowner
is included on future directory listing, they are able to obtain a pool pass
and will be assessed for their portion of the annual dues and future dues.
Ø
If you
have not received a copy of the Highland Park directory, please contact Ed Fratus at (216)
464-7465 or at the toll free number (800-433-7465, ext. 228)
Ø
If
you are currently not listed in the Highland Park directory and would like to
be, please send an e-mail to the Highland Park mailbox at highlandparkassociation@yahoo.com
and include your name, home address, and e-mail or phone number. A new directory will be available
soon.
Newsletter Advertising
By Theresa Perusek
Do you have a
business you’d like others to know about?
If so, why not advertise in the Highland Park Newsletter? Beginning with the June newsletter issue, an
advertising section will be added. The
cost to advertise will be $25/quarter or $85/year (four newsletter issues are
distributed each year) for a business card size advertising section.
If you are
interested in advertising your business, please complete the following form and
return it to Alex Fensore 36112 Haverford Place or Theresa
Perusek – 3445 Truxton Place or e-mail your company information to theresa.b.perusek@accenture.com. If you have a company logo which you’d like
included, please ensure that you include it in the e-mail you send. Checks should be made out to Highland Park
Homeowners Association.
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Newsletter Advertising Form
Please check one of the following:
Quarterly
Advertising ($25):
Annual Advertising
($85):
Company Information:
Company Name:
Contact Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Business
Description:
Additional
Information:
Please enclose a check to Highland
Park Homeowners Association for the appropriate amount.
Thank You!
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The next
newsletter will be distributed, the beginning of June.