HIGHLAND PARK

HOMEOWNERS  ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 2004

Volume 2, Issue 2

 

 

 
 

       

Board of Mangers Mission Statement:

To ensure that Highland Park homeowners’ value and living experience are maximized through cost-effective management and maintenance of “common areas” and administering and enforcing the Code of Regulations and Deed Restrictions.

 

Upcoming Events:

Homeowners Associatin Mid-Year Status Review Meeting – Clubhouse 7pm-8:30pm

 

Pools Hours:  

Pool will remain open until Sept. 19

9am-8pm - 7 days/week

 
Carlyle Management Company

28001 Chagrin Blvd.

Suite 302

Beechwood, OH 44122
Clubhouse Rental - April O’Brien

Property Management–Ed Fratus

216-464-7465

 

Board of Managers:

President - Bill Mazzolini 934-0710

Vice Pres. - Dave Celznick 934-6174

Treasurer - Sean Flaherty 934-3492

Secretary – Theresa Perusek 934-3260

Trustee - Pete Just 934-2330

highlandparkassociation@yahoo.com

 

 

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

By Bill Mazzolini

 

HEADS  UP!   All homeowners are invited to attend the Homeowners’ Association Mid-Year Status Review Meeting:

 

Date:            Thursday, Sept. 16th

Time:            7pm to 8:30pm

Location:     Highland Park Clubhouse

 

Nothing formal, no presentations----just Q & A, with emphasis on how we’re doing regarding the six 2004 objectives, see below.

 

2004 Objectives:

  • Achieve a balanced budget and generate a reserve for contingencies.
  • Revise the Code of Regulations to require a vote by homeowners for implementation of “significant” changes.
  • Implement procedures, rules and facilities so that there are zero shutdown incidents at the swimming pool.
  • Generate revenue through Newsletter and Directory advertising.
  • Conduct at least two adult and three family-oriented activities.
  • Generate active community involvement through communications and teamwork.

 

The Board approved the path-forward for revising the Code of Regulations to ensure that a formal vote by all homeowners is taken for significant changes to the “common areas”.  A small team of interested stakeholders will develop the changes and present them to the Board to obtain formal ratification by homeowners.  It takes 75% approval to revise the Code---so please “jawbone” with your neighbors to ensure that we get a high turnout of voters to approve this change.

 

HOMEOWNER INPUT AT BOARD MEETINGS………….By Bill Mazzolini

 

Second notice……..recall that to provide another mechanism for homeowner input, the first 15 minutes of regular Board meetings are open for Q&A, critique, etc.  After 15 minutes, owner input ceases and the Board begins its work using the planned agenda.  Homeowners are allowed to remain and listen to the entire meeting if they choose.  To allow fair time for all, please call Mazzolini for ground rules.  See the calendar on highlandparkassociation@yahoo.com for future Board meeting dates. 

 

MERGER  UPDATE.......By Bill Mazzolini

 

Nothing new to report.  No further action is planned until the 37 homeowners in Highland Park Phases 1 and 2 conduct a formal vote.  

 

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Financial Update…….By Sean Flaherty

 

I am pleased to report that the 2004 financial picture is looking good.  I have data through the month of July and we are well within budget parameters in most areas.  We are on pace with our expected year-to-date income with a 100% collection rate of the homeowners annual association dues this year.  We thank you for your prompt payments. 

 

Our financial summary through the month of July ’04 is as follows:

 

Operating Fund – Summary

July 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year to Date

Annual

 

 

Revenue

 

 

Actual

Budget

$ Variance

Budget

 

 

 

Total Income

136,562.04

137,866.67

-1,304.63

130,570.00

**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL REVENUE

136,562.04

137,866.67

-1,304.63

130,570.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,000.00

Contingency Reserve

 

 

 

 

 

 

120,570.00

Net Revenue - Reserve

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Administrative

2,844.06

3,558.33

714.27

6,100.00

 

 

 

Professional

7,410.00

7,991.67

581.67

13,925.00

 

 

 

Contracted Services

27,303.28

28,231.55

928.27

49,050.00

 

 

 

Maintenance & Repair

19,877.16

17,127.67

-2,749.49

22,100.00

 

 

 

Utility

 

3,137.71

5,476.33

2,338.62

9,400.00

 

 

 

Other

 

6,518.38

7,037.00

518.62

8,500.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL EXPENSE

67,090.59

69,422.55

2,331.96

109,075.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Revenue/Expense

69,471.45

68,444.12

1,027.33

11,495.00

 

 

 

**This figure includes the $-8630 deficit carried over from last year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
ACTIONS FOR MAKING HIGHLAND PARK A BETTER COMMUNITY

 

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.  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!!!!  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 COMMITTEE

By Pete Just

 

For a listing of Highland Park Community events visit http://calendar.yahoo.com/highlandparkassociation.

 

A big THANK YOU goes out to Pete Just and the members of the Social Committee for coordinating another successful Movie Night on Friday, June 28.  Another big THANK YOU goes out again to Pete Just and the members of the Social Committee, as well as to Melissa Nelson, from The Big Show catering, for coordinating the first wine tasting party.

 

LANDSCAPING

By Dave Celznick

 

Front Entrance

Flowers at the front entrance were installed by Pulte in July.  The Team is planning to planting bulb's this fall.  The Team is also in the early planning stages to determine what can be done to illuminate the front entrance area with lights and decorations this coming holiday season. 

Nature Park Update

The Landscape Team continues the process of improving the Nature Park.  The mowing frequency of the Nature Park has been increased in order to improve park usability and aesthetics.  An adopt a mound program is in full swing for Fall plantings.  The concept of the adopt a mound program is that a family/volunteer plants and cares a for a mound along the Nature Park Trail. 

If you would like to plant and care for a mound or want more information on the Landscape Teams activities contact Dave Celznick (934-6174) or Karri Furness (934-7219).

 

COMMUNICATIONS

By Theresa Perusek

 

E-Mail Address

In order to continuously improve communications, an e-mail address is available 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”.

 

If you would like to be included in periodic e-mail correspondence that contains important information about upcoming Highland Park community activities and events, please take a minute to send us an email with your contact information.  Our email address again is highlandparkassociation@yahoo.com.

 

 

Neighborhood News

 

 

      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:

 

 

Clubhouse and Recreation Area Committee

By Sean Flaherty

 

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable spring and summer season filled with fun and family activities.  The Clubhouse and Recreation Committee has been busy this summer.  We added new baby changing tables in the clubhouse washrooms in June.  I hope that this new addition made some residents pool and clubhouse visits a little more enjoyable.  The clubhouse has continued to have a steady stream of rentals.  We had the carpeting cleaned and it looks to be in much better shape.  We had one large unplanned expense this summer when the air conditioner compressor malfunctioned and needed to be replaced.  Luckily the unit was still under warranty but we did incur the expense of labor and freon for the cooling system. 

 

The playground swings have taken a beating from the sun and snow, and are looking like they are on their last leg.  We have ordered replacements and they should arrive shortly.  We are looking into options for installing window treatments in the clubhouse.  In addition to providing added décor and privacy we think this will help lessen the load on the heating and cooling systems by providing some much needed insulation.  If the Board of Managers approves this expenditure, window treatments will then be installed sometime before the end of the year. 

 

The clubhouse continues to be wonderful asset to our community.  It is available for rental and is an ideal place to host community or family events this fall and/or winter.  To arrange clubhouse rental please contact the Carlyle Management Company at (216) 464-7465 - Option 7.  This is a voicemail box so please leave your name, contact number(s), a good time that you can be reached and your first and second choices on rental dates.  A representative will reply to messages within 24 hours (Mon-Fri).

 

The park and play area are also wonderful assets to the community and we need your help to maintain the safe and fun environment for all our children, families and surrounding neighbors.  The playground is open to children of all ages.  Children enjoying the playground should be under adult supervision whenever possible.  When using the facilities, please exercise caution, common sense and common courtesy to make everyone’s playground experience an enjoyable one.  Please remember to dispose of your trash properly.  We will be adding a trash receptacle near the playground this fall.  In the meantime, please be sure to take your garbage with you.  Please report any safety issues to someone on the Board of Managers or to Carlyle Management.

 

A big THANK YOU goes out to Mike Mazola, Highland Park resident and owner of Signature Electric for the nice job on the lighting project at the clubhouse.

 

Please email us at highlandparkassociation@yahoo.com if you have comments, suggestions or would like to join to the Clubhouse and Recreation Area committee.

 

 

 

 


 


 

SWIMMING POOL

By Bill Mazzolini

 

The pool will remain open each day from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm through Sunday, September 19th.  Lifeguards will cover on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 8 pm.  Safety Alert:  please ensure that children under 14 are supervised by an adult at all times, including weekends.

 

The Swimming Pool Team is pleased to report that the 2004 objective was met (zero shutdown incidents at the pool).  We used the solar cover about 60% of the time.  It worked well, reducing water/chemical usage, and conserving heat built up during the day. 

 

 

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

By Bill Mazzolini

 

Committee Members:  Theresa Robertson, Joe and Renee Terebieniec, Scott and Shelia Buchanan, Stephanie Grady, Mary Petzinger, Krista Skinner, Julie Delaney and Geoff and Patty Schneider.  Thanks to each of you for your contribution!

 

“No Soliciting” signs will be installed shortly.  Avon is developing a “no soliciting” ordinance to put some teeth into enforcement of posting no soliciting signs.  If after the signs are installed, unwanted solicitors approach your home, kindly ask them to leave the development.  If they do not cooperate, call the police. 

 

REMINDERS

 

To promote courtesy and consideration of your neighbors, please remember to:

 

  • Obey all driving rules, especially the 25 mph speed limit.

 

  • Comply with the “Restrictions to be Placed in Deeds for Highland Park Phase 3” which are part of your Code of Regulations.

 

  • Pick up after your pets and ensure that your dog does not roam “at large” (per Avon ordinances).

 

  • Maintain and upkeep your mailboxes.

 

  • Minimize wind-blown debris by putting garbage out no earlier than Sunday evening.

 

 

 

NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING

By Theresa Perusek

 

Do you have a business you’d like others to know about?  Have you been satisfied with work completed by a local company for which you like others to know about?  If so, why not advertise or ask the company if they’d like to advertise in the Highland Park Newsletter?  As of June, an advertising section has been added to promote residential or outside businesses.  The cost to advertise for residents is $25/quarter or $85/year (four newsletter issues are distributed each year) or for non-residents is $40/quarter or $150/year for a business card size advertising section.  Please see this issue’s advertisements on the back cover and support these local businesses whenever possible. 

 

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. 

 

Thank you again to Alex Fensore for his continued involvement in helping to promote newsletter advertising.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

Newsletter Advertising Form

 

Please check one of the following:

 

Resident:

Non-Resident:

 

Quarterly Advertising (resident:  $25   non-resident:  $40):

Annual Advertising (resident:  $85   non-resident:  $150): 

 

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!

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The next newsletter will be distributed in early December.