Letter From the President (Jan/Feb/Mar 2020)
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
JAN/FEB/MAR 2020
Another annual meeting is in the books. Although we had a decent turnout, we still had only 4 candidates for 5 positions. Fortunately, we were able to convince a new resident to join us in 2020. His name is William Earnest and will be our Financial Director. William (Bill) was President on a previous HOA and has served in financial positions with other entities.
Bill Drake joined our Board this year after living here for numerous years. Bill is well known for helping many of our residents with home and yard issues. He has volunteered his time and efforts to the social committee events and has repaired various broken items in and around the clubhouse – too many to list actually. Bill will be leading the ACC team of homeowners through the homeowner improvement requests.
Welcome, Bill and Bill! We are blessed to get your talents.
We did achieve a quorum of votes and that allows us to go forward with our 2020 proposed budget. The 2019 budget produced an end of the year surplus of over $37,000 of unspent monies. This is in addition to the $36,500 which was placed into the reserves either through the capital program or monthly unspent dollars that was accounted for by budget designation. We spent almost $42,000 out of the reserves in 2019 for various improvements that were not part of our day to day budget. Overall we ended 2019 with a surplus of $31,500 so hopefully, we can duplicate that feat in 2020.
Looking forward we see less delinquencies beginning with 2018 – $50,000, $30,000 in 2019 to $23,000 in 2020. A large amount of the 2020 debt has been placed in agreed-upon payments which will bring those accounts current in the near future. This can be attributed to our aggressive and compassionate resolve to ensure everyone is paying their fair share. Shirley Cox our Secretary has taken the lead on this and works very closely with legal and CMA to ensure a good resolution.
I’ve spent most of my time talking about money which I believe is paramount to having a solid HOA, one that others would love to live in. Think about this, you move into Centennial Commons and you gain $1,600 of wealth immediately ($479,000 our bank account divided by 300 homes). I’ve said that the Board’s mission has to be the value of our homes. This thought should be in every decision we make, it (the decision) has to revolve around the thought of how will this improve the price of homes in our community.
Lastly, a successful community is one that knows and interacts with its neighbors. We have a social group that has events that attempts to get you out of your homes to interact with others. If you can find the time please try to participate and or join the committee if you’d like. We are always looking for new ideas and people to help.
Thanks for reading,
Don Roach, President
The 2020 Centennial Commons Board of Directors
NAME |
TITLE |
RESPONSIBILITIES |
Don Roach | President | Social/Landscaping |
Shirley Cox | Secretary | Minutes/Legal/Leasing/Website/Communications |
Chuck Whitaker | Security | Amenities/Security |
*Bill Drake | ACC | ACC (Architectural Control Committee) |
*William (Bill) Earnest | Financial | Finance |
* – New for 2020 | ———- | ———- |
UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS
Wine Tasting Event
Saturday, March 7, 2020
7:00 pm
A new event that the committee hopes will lure out the new and old-time residents to meet each other. Drinks and food will be provided by the HOA. There will be non-alcoholic drinks along with a few beers for those that don’t like wine. Oh my! The wines provided will be selected by the committee and will include some of their favorites I’m sure. Come join us for some easy conversation and meet your neighbors.
Bunco
Saturday, March 14, 2020 and
Saturday, April 18, 2020
6:30 pm
Bunco is a dice game that is fun and easy to play. Bring $5 per person, a snack dish to share and your drink of choice. We have a social half-hour between 6:30 and 7 to meet and greet. A game usually lasts from 7 to 9 or 9:30 dependent on the crowd. Come meet your neighbors!
Kid’s Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 5, 2020
2:00 pm
From 2:00 – 2:30 pm, the Bunny will visit the clubhouse for pictures with the kids and there will be crafts for the children. At 2:30 pm, we will divide the children into age groups and let them loose to find as many plastic eggs as they can. Inside these eggs will be edible goodies. Also, there will be a few special eggs that can be traded for gifts. Mark your calendar!
Ladies’ Game Day
TBD
Elaine Drake, Social Leader, sets up a day once a month (Thursday usually) for the ladies to get together to chat and play games. Elaine normally posts the dates, times and particulars on Facebook. Watch the calendar on our website and Facebook for the next date.
News in the Neighborhood
Best Holiday Decorated Home
The Social Committee, for the first year, had a contest for the best Holiday decorated home. There was a $50.00 Home Depot gift card to the winner and a $25 prize for second. The winners were 1st Jason & Chrissy Boone and Kim & Stephanie Davis. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to the residents for sprucing up their homes during the holidays. Good luck next year!
New ‘Report A Violation’ Page on Website
The “Report a Violation” page on our website is up and running. Please take the time to review it and make sure to report any violations through this site.
Landscaping News
Please do not call Kathy Andregg for landscaping issues in 2020. All landscaping issues will be submitted to our email centennialcommoner@yahoo.com. WWe will then forward to the 4 Seasons managers for attention and remediate action. Once the issue is resolved we will notify the resident of the correction or action recommended by 4 Seasons. We have burned out 3 volunteer Landscape Directors since I’ve been on the Board. We need to change the way we address issues so no one person is handling everything. While I’ll take on the challenge I will have many helping me through this endeavor. Have patience and I’m sure we will be able to handle most anything that arises.
Important: The 4 Seasons crew will be cutting back bushes that need the hard trim. If you do not want it done you need to let the HOA know ASAP. If you chose not to trim your bushes you may be cited later if they become unsightly and will have to trim them yourself at your cost.
Thanks, Don Roach, President
Kathy Andregg, Volunteer Landscaping Committee Person News
Tru-Green applied its first lawn treatment of the year February 14. There will be 5 others that will be done periodically throughout the growing season. These are applied to the front and side yards at no extra cost to you as they are covered in your monthly dues. If you want your backyard treated at the same time you must get on a list maintained by 4 Seasons and you will have to pay separately for those. The charge is $16 per treatment and payments are made directly to 4 Seasons. Call Linda Lane at 4 Seasons to get on that list at 770-452-4455. Our next turf treatment will be around April 18 so call now to get on that list for the April treatment.
The crew will start to “scalp” the lawns in mid to late March with mowers to bring down the grass tops. They currently are working at pruning back Crape Myrtles and roses in front and side yards. Front and side yard bushes will be fertilized in April.
4 Seasons is reviewing our holly bushes to determine if they need to be “hard pruned”. This is done periodically to keep these fast growing bushes from becoming too large for their space but we want to warn you that the end result can look startling and some residents have opted out of this treatment because they are afraid their bushes will die. We assure you that this will not be the case and the hard prune will only apply to the corner hollys at your house, not all the bushes. If you want to opt out of this hard prune for your hollys please email the Board asking for no hard prune.
Traffic Road Community Issues
Colin Ferguson has volunteered to be our communications person who will help the Board with issues that require interactions with city, county, state and police personnel, just to name a few.
We welcome Colin who has plenty of background and expertise in many issues that seem to affect our small area of Cobb and Cherokee counties. Here is the latest from Colin who worked on a report on speeding in the neighborhood called traffic calming:
Traffic Calming:
After contacting the Cobb County Police and Cobb County Transportation, here are options for the community curb speeding in our neighborhood:
- The HOA could install signs on our property to remind residents to slow down. Cobb County is responsible for maintaining the roads and signs, but we could install signs along the road, on our property, at our cost, to remind people to slow the heck down.
This option requires minimal involvement from residents, and a minimal commitment of community finances. - Create something like a neighborhood watch by working with Cobb County police through the Community Affairs Unit. This community initiative would help us identify and report speeding vehicles and other problems at the community. This option would require significant resident and community involvement.
- Request speed enforcement from Cobb County Police. Residents can go to the police precinct and complete a complaint about speeding, or do so online here: https://cobbcounty.seamlessdocs.com/f/traffic_complaints. People submitting complaints are required to submit their contact information, and information about the speeder, such as car color, make, model and license plate #. This option could be combined with option 2. This option requires individual involvement and may result in residents getting traffic tickets if the police get enough complaints to patrol the area.
- Request a traffic study for the area, where police would monitor speeds along Centennial Commons Drive. Only if the study determines there is a need would we move to the next step: submitting a petition to the county for speed humps. (Speed humps are not the speed bumps you see in parking lots but are the longer lower humps you see in many neighborhoods throughout Atlanta.) This is a lengthy process which would require patience and commitment of volunteers.
- As the board previously suggested, the community could hire an outside service to provide traffic calming and neighborhood patrols. When this idea was brought up last year at a monthly meeting, it was clear that there is no consensus at the community, but that could easily change. This option required a commitment of money rather than time and community involvement.
- Do nothing for the moment. Wait and see if the problem gets worse.
To solve this issue, it will take a commitment of time and energy from people at the community. The Board is happy to assist and provide framework and direction. Speeding complaints should go to the police first, and then provide a copy or the details of the police report so we can track them. If you have an issue that you are not sure which way to go you can reach Colin by using our email centennialcommoner@yahoo.com. We will the forward the inquiry to Colin and he can address it, and you will receive a reply. Thank you Colin!
Other News
Bike Rack
If you haven’t noticed we had bike rack installed at the tennis court by the walkway to the playground. This will eliminate bikes or other wheeled items from being stored in the breezeway. Remember to lock your stuff at the rack to prevent theft.
Homeowners Must Be Present with any Visitors Using the Amenities
If you or your family bring or allows visitors to use the HOA amenities, some adults from your household must be with them continuously while they are using the amenities. We have had numerous occasions of visitors who are unaware of our rules and become offended when we tell them to follow the rules and procedures. Please help us with this issue.
Holiday Decorations
Remember to put your decorations in the pine straw if we are still mowing. Decorations should be removed promptly after the holiday is over. Thank you.
Tennis Court Usage
The tennis courts are made for playing tennis and pickle ball. Any other activities can result in damage to the courts, nets and fencing. Skateboarding and roller blades will result in damage to the surface. Additionally, proper footwear is required to protect the surface and the user. The costs to maintain the courts are in the thousands and therefore we need to follow the procedures for playing at the courts. Please respect this amenity.
Facebook Page
Our Facebook page is the best and fastest way to get immediate information regarding the subdivision, i.e.; looking for recommendations on home issues, posting events in the community, lost dogs, found dogs, and yes, even our recent bear sighting! If you have not already done so, please go to CCHOA in Acworth on Facebook and ask to join the group. We need to remind homeowners that this page is not somewhere to post a personal grievance that you feel the board should handle. The board does not handle the CCHOA business via FB. If you want the board to act on a complaint, make sure to send an email to centennialcommoner@yahoo.com. Your email will be forwarded to the proper person to handle. (Make sure to take the time to read the conduct policy regarding all posts.)
The other way to get information is to join our email list. You are getting this because we have your email information and can send you important information quickly. If your neighbor doesn’t know why they are not getting this, it’s because the Secretary, Shirley Cox, does not have their info. Tell them to drop her a line at shirleycchoa@gmail.com. And she will add you to our community email list.
Parking
The covenants prohibit parking on the street. Consistent violators will be fined. Also if you’re unavailable to move your car at any time you are in violation of the fire code and could be ticketed according to Cobb County Police. Our streets are too narrow to allow parking in the street. If you need to park your car short term, try to park on one (right) side of the street. Don’t create a blockage (where two vehicles are face to face) on the road and be mindful of your neighbor’s ability to get out of their driveway.
One other item I will mention, there we will be major changes to our front entrance landscaping in the next month to replace the 16 year old, over mature shrubs that we have out there right now and improve sight distance uphill on Woodstock Rd.
Pickleball
The pickleball group had started back up playing with the warmer weather arriving but things sort of stopped because of a lack of players. If you are interested in playing let us know at centennialcommoner@yahoo.com. A paddle and balls are supplied so all you need to do is wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes.
Instructions will be provided. If we have enough interest we play very Saturday at 10 AM until June and then move the time back to 9 AM due to the Atlanta heat.
Dog Feces
We have received many complaints regarding homeowners who walk their dogs and do not pick up after their dog. Neither the board nor CMA has any recourse to this action without specific information. In order to notify CMA to issue a violation, we must have either the dog owners name and/or address. Also, if possible take a photo and include it, would be helpful. Just a photo by itself, without any other information renders us helpless to pursue the homeowner.
Roofs
As I’m sure you’re aware of we’ve had problems with the roofing shingles that the original builder installed. Many residents have replaced theirs but there are many more homes that may need it to be done. The insurance companies and roofers are well aware of our issues so be careful with both. Review your insurance contract yearly as some insurance companies are writing in a different coverage for roofs that may raise your deductible for a replacement. Others are insisting on partial replacements (that most likely would be unacceptable to the HOA) or temporary repairs until what time the roof runs out of life and or they will only pay a small portion of the cost. Also be very careful of whom you hire as some these companies go out of business within one or two years and who would you go back against for poor workmanship if they no longer exist.
Thanks for reading!
Don Roach, President and the Board of Centennial Commons, Directors, William Earnest, Finance, Chuck Whitaker, Amenities, Bill Drake, ACC Coordinator and Shirley Cox, Secretary