Here is a text version of the Winterchase Newletter
What a nice time at our 20th annual meeting😊 Everyone who came out enjoyed the company of friends and neighbors while discussing what is happening in and around our association. Afterwards, we ate some wonderful celebration cake to end our 20-year anniversary meeting with friendly smiles and welcoming conversations. Everyone was given an opportunity to speak. 2 items were clarified that involve all members.
First, when it came to continuing the services of HMS, Pat (previous president/treasurer) expressed the advantages of continuing the contract of a management company to manage our service needs. While there might be a day when volunteers will not want to take on those responsibilities, at this time we have a board willing and able to do so. Since it was nearly a unanimous decision of the membership, the BOD terminated the services of HMS to be effective December 1st, 2018.
The second point of concern is extremely valuable to all members, raising dues by 5% every year. Pat (previous president/ treasurer) expressed an interpretation of the Winterchase governing documents to read that dues should be raised by 5% each and every year. We took note of this, as this is the first time the idea was presented to the neighborhood. When managed, dues must be raised significantly to cover the costs associated with a management company. At the 2016 annual meeting, the minutes stated that there was no need to raise dues. We discussed why we would raise dues when previously there was not a need.
We are thankful for all the support and are glad to have a clear direction and mandate from our neighbors.
Over the next year the BOD will continue to refresh the neighborhood with assistance from members who are willing to volunteer to help keep cost low. We will then evaluate our cost saving efforts.  Our findings will be presented to the neighborhood to determine the need to raise dues or not. We are looking for volunteers to work on the fence. Can you pressure wash or stain the fence? Could you assist with a portion of the fence near you? Kent Bowen is leading the fence repair project, please email or FB to help him keep our dues low.
The next business to clear up is our financial statements. Our Treasurer Will has taken the time to update and evaluate our records. Since 2010, your BOD maintained continuous and reliable financial statements. We are prepared for self-management again. HMS confirmed our financial statements by using them to apply late fees and interest charges. The accountant did not conduct an audit or review required to evaluate our financial statements. Please move forward by not giving credibility to any defamation.
HMS does charge differently than Winterchase. Trust us; we understand and are here to help bring clarity. Please don’t give up or get frustrated before giving us a chance to resolve a problem.
Unpaid dues will be collected using the standard collections process. HMS confirmed our collection process. Both of us use lawyers to collect dues through late fees, interest charges, liens and eventual foreclosure. We will be going back to the policies that existed prior to hiring HMS (except no early discounts). Everyone will be treated fairly and with respect.  Here is the former policy:
- Payment of dues is from March through May.
- Dues are late on May 1st.
- Late fees will be applied after May 31st.*
- Interest charges will be applied after January 1st. *
- After 2 years of non-payment, a lien will be placed on the home.
- All fees for collections will be paid by the homeowner.
- Anyone can have all late fees and interest charges stopped when opening communications with the treasurer through email at [email protected] or via the PO Box. Any valid hardship will be taken into consideration. Please expect to be asked for written documentation.
*Late fees and Interest charges are applied once per year at the same time for all unpaid accounts in the amount of 10% of the annual dues. The exact day will be at the discretion of the Treasurer in accordance with BOD approval.
Our volunteers make Winterchase a great place to live! It is a wonderful thing to work with your neighbors. We want to thank Greg Thompson, our parliamentarian and a former treasurer, for initiating the policies of presenting annual financials, setting up the collections process, starting the website and spearheading the adoption of By-Laws. We fully support open communications and accountability. The By-Laws presented to the neighborhood were passed unanimously by the BOD and will be filed with the clerk by our lawyer.  Please see details in previous newsletters and the actual By-Laws located on our website, WinterchaseHOA.com.
Last but not least is the day to day happenings in and around our neighborhood:
Trash cans – must be placed in the garage or on the side of the house by the end of trash day (Tuesdays).
      Lawncare –  Connie will try and contact each homeowner personally before sending out the 10-day notice via postal service. After the 10-day period, the lawn will be mowed at the homeowner’s expense by FV Landscaping for $75. For those who want to use our landscaper, FV Landscaping (678.463.7523) charges:
- Corner lots $50 for weekly or bi weekly services
- If 10 or more residences want to start up service I will give a discount rate of $40 for weekly service and $60 for bi weekly. Included in the price is the mowing, weed eating, edging, blowing, weed killer in bed line, and pruning.
- Houses that have neglected their lawns and want to start up new service will have an initial clean up charge from overgrown shrubs, grass, and excessive weeds. Price cannot be quoted until a walkthrough of property is done.
      Pool key – contact BOD via email or mail, replacements cost $25.00 per key.
      Pool parking lot – registration with the ACC Chair required for 3-day parking or more. Cars will be towed at owner’s expense. Please take the time to inform the board via email should you need additional parking time to keep from being towed. We don’t know who the owners of the abandoned cars are.Â
       Police – Report any unusual activity in your area to Acworth Police department (770) 974-1232.
Email the entire BOD at [email protected] ; and on Facebook FB private and public
Board of Directors
Deborah Rogers (President) – phone/text 770.722.2940
Doug McMinn (Vice President)
William Godfrey (Treasurer)
Mark Perdue (Secretary)
Connie Keller (Director-at-Large & ACC Chairman)