Gift Plantation HOA Community Newsletter

Transcription

1 Gift Plantation HOA Community Newsletter Oakley Drive, Johns Island, SC September 7, 2012 COMMUNITY POOL CLOSING: OCT 31 Our community swimming pool will close for the season on Wednesday, October 31. The closing is a little later than in past years as a result of a new pool service contract. We are looking for volunteers who will be needed on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 5:00 PM to help place the pool deck furniture in storage. If you can help, please contact David Haman at db.haman@comcast.net or Linda Krawcheck at lkrawcheck@yahoo.com. We only need a few volunteers to get the job done in minutes. Thank You! ANNUAL HOA FULL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: NOV 8 Mark your calendar! This year s annual HOA full membership meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8 beginning at 6:30 PM in the community Clubhouse. Written notification announcing the meeting and the program agenda will mailed to all members within 30 days of the meeting. GIFT home/lot owners are encouraged to attend this very important meeting. If you are unable to attend, please complete a Proxy Form to designate your representative. Proxy forms and board vacancy nomination forms will be included in the written meeting notification. Inquiries should be directed to Ernesto Smith at COMMUNITY HOLIDAY PARTY: DEC 2 The Board of Directors set the annual community holiday party for Sunday, Dec. 2, 4:00 8:00 PM. The party will be held at the community Clubhouse. More information will be forthcoming. We are looking for people to serve on this year s Holiday Party committee. If you would like to serve on this committee, please send an to Board member John Caputo at j.j.caputo@comcast.net or call him at GIFT WINE CLUB EVENT: DEC 6 Don t miss the next GIFT Wine Club event on Thursday, Dec 6 beginning at 7:00 PM. Dr. David Rogers, our witty and humorous local Wine Snob, will lead us through a delightful wine tasting adventure consisting of seven varietal wines. This evening will provide a systemic approach to identifying and tasting wines. Folks need not bring wine unless you want to share after the tasting is completed. We ask attendees to bring a wine friendly food to share (cheese, nuts, hors d oeuvres, finger food, etc.) and to not wear perfume or cologne to the event. For more information, please contact Michele Brand at

2 AUGUST- HOA BOD MEETING MINUTES Members of the Gift Plantation HOA Board of Directors recently met on Friday, August 17. Minutes of the meetings are posted on our community website at HOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING The next HOA BOD meeting is scheduled for mid-september in the community Clubhouse. If you have a request for the Board to consider, please contact a Board Member to discuss. THANK YOU! The Board wants to thank all residents who paid their HOA Special Capital Reserve Dues on-time. This makes our volunteer jobs easier and more enjoyable. Thank YOU! HOA COMMUNITY PROJECTS: UPDATE For the Period July August 2012 COMMUNITY WIDE Work is on-going in the common grounds area behind Pond #2 (Plantation Lakes Drive Pond). The work consists of removing trees and tree branches which are leaning into, or actually fallen into the Storm Water Retaining Pond. This problem has been an ongoing for years and unfortunately was not part of past HOA Budgets. The Board recently agreed to start addressing the problem in anticipation of storms that could result in debris clogging up drainage of water moving through the community. It is projected work will continue in Several of our community chaise lounge chairs in the pool area have been repaired. Thanks to Board Member David Haman for taking on this job! The four Storm Water Retention Ponds in our community received a second algae prevention treatment. The Pond Committee will meet this month to assess end-of-year requirements. PROJECTS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER Irrigation Well installation at Plantation Lakes Blvd. Common grounds irrigation has not been operational for many years and the well will allow the irrigation of this entrance when required. The irrigation system will function with a rain gauge to save water and electrical power. Other entrances and the Clubhouse may follow next year. Board member David Haman leads this project. Location, identification and repair of current irrigation valves and piping and testing of same to utilize what is already available to the community. Board member David Haman leads this project. Electrical power is the second highest expenditure in our community. We have an on-going study to obtain savings through the removal of 7-9 street lights on Chisolm Road and re-location of a couple of street lights to improve entrance illumination. This study will be presented for a vote at the Annual Full Membership Meeting on November 8. Your comments are always welcomed. Board member Linda Krawcheck leads this project. Review of Pond Maintenance and decision regarding installation of aerator. GIFT resident Hube Hopkins leads this project.

3 Repairs to Community Floating Dock and Fixed Pier (result of boat fire). Two bids have been received and forwarded to the boat owner s insurance company for review and approval. Once approved, work will be scheduled and the dock will be closed for a few days. GIFT resident Robbie Wall leads this project. If you see something in the community that should be improved and/or corrected, please notify a Board Member. NEW SERVICE VENDOR FORCOMMUNITY POOL The Board has approved a change in our service vendor for the community swimming pool. The bid was awarded to Meadows Pool & Spa (MPS) and their staff will start service on October 1. The change was made to improve overall pool amenity experience for our residents. MPS has been in business for about 10 years and services community swimming pools for such areas as Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island and Kiawah River Estates. The basic services for our community pool will include check pool chemistry; maintain pool water balance; maintain required DHEC logs & certified pool operators inspection; brush and vacuum pool; furnish chemicals; shock pool as needed and maintain water chemistry; check pool and filter systems daily; back wash pool filters, clean pump strainer, baskets, & skimmers. Additionally, the contract includes an increase in the number of days the pool area is serviced: 1. Summer Increase from three to five visits per week. 2. Winter Increase from one to three visits per week. In addition, the service will include routinely blowing the pool deck, arranging pool furniture, cleaning the clubhouse/pool restrooms and replacing lights when needed. The change to MPS will also allow us to increase the number of days the pool is open during the year. We will now keep the community swimming pool open each year from April 1 to October 31 (instead of May 1 to September 30). WELCOME NEW GIFT OWNERS! Frank and Mary Beth Osusky have just purchased lot 83 on Gift Blvd. This lot is located on the cul-desac at the north end of Gift Blvd. Frank and Mary Beth currently live in New Jersey and will be relocating to our beautiful community in the future. Their address: meobeach@gmail.com Please join the HOA Board in welcoming our new neighbors.

4 MAILBOX DAMAGED ON GIFT BLVD. A GIFT resident s mailbox was hit by a vehicle on Sunday, Sept 2 between 1:00 1:30 PM in the afternoon. Unfortunately the person who did the damage did not stop and report it to the homeowner. Anyone having information relating to this incident should contact Phil or Michele Brand at The Brands will have to incur the cost of repairing and reinstalling their mailbox. FYI-the HOA has a temporary mailbox that can be placed on loan in the event you have a similar experience. GIFT PLANTATION COMMUNITY COVENANTS AND BY-LAWS COOPERATION For many years, the Gift Plantation community has been blessed with volunteers who have served on various committees and boards involved in all aspects of running our HOA. There are many HOA communities in our area that pay for the services of HOA property management companies for most aspects relating to HOA operations. Many management companies charge in excess of $15,000 per year for services to communities similar in size to GIFT. Our Board is made up of a volunteer group of residents your neighbors. To help ensure the quality standards of our community appearance, these neighbors many times contact GIFT residents asking for co-operation in adhering to our Covenants (Rules & Regulations) and By- Laws. In the majority of cases, GIFT residents/neighbors immediately respond positively to the request. In some cases, it takes a little more forceful effort something that no one wants to do. Keeping the above in mind, three members of the Board recently met with our HOA attorney to ask for guidance and direction on various community issues. One of those issues is the establishment of imposing monetary fines/penalties to residents who do not comply with GIFT s Covenants (Rules and Regulations) and By-Laws. Your HOA Board will meet in the near future to review and discuss the attorney s proposal and then draft a letter to the full membership listing specific fines and the process to be implemented. Our Community is a Charleston Gem and it takes every single resident to keep it that way. Please cooperate! Gift Plantation s official Covenants and By-Laws are posted for your viewing on our community website at They were established, approved and adopted to protect each and all GIFT residents and their property. If a resident(s) and/or lot owner(s) has issues or suggestions to change any articles contained in our covenants or by-laws, there is a process by which the HOA Board can present to the full membership and authorize a vote on whether to accept the proposed change. If you are inclined to debate our Covenants or By-Laws, the HOA Board invites you to become a part of the solution by joining our Covenant Committee.

5 HOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: LISTING Here s a list of addresses for your current HOA Board of Directors: John Caputo, Vice President J.J.caputo@comcast.net David Haman, Member at Large db.haman@comcast.net Robin Heidenreich, Treasurer giftplantationtreasurer@gmail.com Linda Krawcheck, Member at Large lkrawcheck@yahoo.com Ernesto Smith, President smithernestoj@aol.com CHARLESTON COUNTY CONTINUING EDUCATION REGISTRATION It s that time of year when GIFT residents can register to attend Charleston County Community Continuing Education classes. Classes include studies in culinary arts, health and fitness exercise programs, home and garden projects, personal enhancement seminars such as budgeting/financing and computer skills. Go to the Charleston County Dept. of Education website at for registration and fee information. SOUTHSIDE 17: YOU ARE INVITED TO AN ANNIVERSARY GALA Come out in your finest attire to attend the 1 st year Anniversary Gala at Southside 17 on Thursday, October 4 beginning at 6:30 PM. Guests will walk the red carpet as they are greeted by owners Doug and Travis in matching tuxedos as spotlights parade across the sky. There will be a wide assortment of hors d-oeuvres, finger food and a special anniversary cocktail in honor of the occasion. A Champagne toast will be offered during the event and guests will enjoy continuous music. Owners Doug and Travis are extending this invitation to show their appreciation to the community of GIFT as well as other local supporter. For more information contact Doug or Travis at (843)