Candidates running for positions on the Association’s Board of Directors were asked to give their views on the following question:
What do you think will be the most significant questions/challenges facing the board in the next year?
Here are their responses.
Mary Ferris
Hickory Woods residents have been going through many lifestyle changes including becoming members of a new community and home owner’s association. We need to come together to be a model development where we all feel part of the community, where resident’s concerns are heard, information is shared, our monthly fees are spent wisely, and our Board represents our needs. I believe we have many challenges in establishing our association, but we first need to feel we are all part of the community (to the extent you want to be), and represented by the Board. We have already seen a few bumps in the road and miss-communication on how the club house can be used. Many of these issues can be easily resolved with a board that works together as a team. Let’s not focus on problems, but find solutions before we have problems. I believe we can function best without creating too many rules, following common sense choices, and fostering good communication.
The Board will need to review all budgets, expenses, and contracts in detail to ensure your money is being spent wisely. We already know what our projected income is, but defining the expenses will tell us if we have funding available for other community enhancements, such as outdoor club house furniture. Also key, is the selection of a management company. We can learn from the experiences of other over 55 developments in the area, carefully research the options, and make the best possible choice. Since they will be responsible for many of the day to day maintenance, it will be important to have our services well managed.
There may always be challenges, but if we work together, we can meet our needs and establish an ideal maintenance free community that provides us with the active lifestyle we all deserve.
Link to BOD Application by Mary Ferris
John J. Goglia
Since I do not have prior experience on any condo board like several of the other applicants I can only guess at what will be on the minds of our community members. First and foremost I would think they would be concerned with keeping condo association fees as low as possible for as long as possible. Judy and I have owned multiple family homes in several states over the past 40 years and have been very diligent about maintaining them and avoiding financial surprises or at least keeping those surprises to a minimum. I would take the same careful approach with everyone else’s money weighing current expenses against the longer term implications. I think one of the first things our Board of Directors should do is review any existing contracts and if necessary and possible obtain competing bids and try to negotiate better deals. Another concern might be what expenses does the Association Fee cover and what should be covered separately by individual groups that may be using certain facilities. I know there have been some discussions about this already. The Board probably will have to establish an overall policy going forward.
Other questions I might expect as our development nears completion later this year and the weather gets warmer is what will or will not be allowable in the way of putting our personal touches on each of our individual properties. Those questions could cover everything from plants, shrubs, dog/cat runs, fences and other decorations to capital additions (decks/patios/hot tubs), etc…I would think the Board would apply any existing Association Rules to those types of questions and if no rule applies weigh each request independently as to the effect on the overall community paying special attention to any abutting properties that may be impacted in anyway. I also anticipate there will be issues with various current and as yet unformed groups wanting to make specific changes or requests involving the Clubhouse. My general approach to all matters that are not specifically addressed elsewhere is to gather all the facts, do some appropriate research, listen to those involved, discuss those requests with the other Board members and then give my opinion.
Lastly, I think the tone and the direction of the community has already been set somewhat by those of us that are here and have already participated in various activities and so far I think things have been great. I see us as an all-inclusive active adult community trying to welcome everyone regardless of any differences but yet allowing everyone to maintain their independence and privacy as they so desire and if elected I intend to support those observations.
Link to BOD Application by John Goglia
Brian Wells
There will be many challenges over the next year or two. The transition from Hickory Woods LLC management to home owner management will take a great deal of work. This will include defining the budget. The existing actual cost data is inadequate for making a complete budget. We will need to answer many questions related to the costs of running the HOA. The board and HOA will need to start taking over management from Hickory Woods LLC. We will need to answer the question, “who will our management company be, and how much do we pay them.” Perhaps the biggest question will be “when do we declare Hickory Woods LLC and the development complete?”