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FROM YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
This has been a busy summer of activity for the Woods residents. The officers and directors have worked hard to meet the needs presented by weather, time, and use. We experienced significant problems as a result of the harsh winter and summer storms. The management and board have worked to get repairs completed as quickly as possible, but we have been subject (at times) to the availability and schedules of the contractors. We thank those affected co-owners for their patience and understanding.
Among the projects we have addressed:
1) Removal of the 27 trees killed by the Dupont Imprelis application. The trees were removed in late spring. This past week 12 new trees were replanted between Chauncey and Eastman Courts. The new trees are 10-12 feet tall. Residents living near the replanting sites will be asked to provide water to allow the new trees to properly root before winter sets in.
2) Special thanks to Phyllis Rabbideau and Dave Davis for their efforts in overseeing watering for the new trees on Chauncey and Eastman Courts. In addition, a BIG thank you to Phyllis Rabbideau for her continued work and oversight on this project.
3) The Reserve Study Committee is working diligently on the recently completed study. They will verify or recommend revisions to the study and provide a final report and recommendations for future reserve account needs.
4) Following the resignations of board members Sue Gauthier (moved) and Ruth McNulty, the following co-owners were appointed to fill the remaining terms of office:
a. Phyllis Rutkowski has agreed and been appointed to serve as our treasurer for the remainder of the calendar year. Beginning in January, Frank Boley & Co, PC will prepare the monthly financial reports.
b. Jim Jones was appointed as director.
5) We have received many good reports from throughout the association about New Horizon’s lawn and yard service. We continue to make improvements to the grounds with some additional projects to be completed prior to winter.
6) Kudos to Phyllis Rabbideau and Judy Borowitz (and spouses) for their green thumbs and the beautification of the round-abouts on North and Pierce Drives.
7) Landscaping around the units. Many co-owners have opted to landscape and personalize the area around their units. Remember that this area technically belongs to the Association and any significant changes need to be approved by the board. Personal modifications become the responsibility of the co-owner to upkeep.
BREWER WOODS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION
SEPTEMBER 2014
BREWER WOODS NEWS
BREWER WOODS ASSOCIATION BOARD Phil Knight, President
Dave Crowle, Secretary
Mary Lee, Director
Jim Jones, Director
Dale Hopkins, Vice-president
Phyllis Rutkowski, Treasurer
Veronica Tatar, Director
Bruce Phillips, Property Manager
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8) Two tri-plex units on Eastman Court recently received new roofs. Current reserve study plans are that roof replacement will continue over the next 2-3 years until all units have been addressed.
9) Snow Removal. Following the excessive snow this past winter, we faced a tough decision regarding how to budget for the upcoming winter(s). In order to lock in a reasonable rate, the board has agreed to a 5-year contract for snow removal by Gardner Bros.
10) The survey of telephone, internet, and television services was completed over the summer. A summary of the results received is available on the website (www.brewerwoods.com) in the Co-owners Section.
11) And, regarding the website. Use of the website to access co-owner information is voluntary. Information available in the co-owner area (which can only be accessed with a personalized log-in and password) will include such items as: by-laws, master deed, newsletters, photographs, Michigan Condo Act, legal resources, and notification of planned activities and association projects, etc.
In an effort to be “green” and respectful of the environment, we encourage all co-owners with email addresses to use the website for information. Those co-owners without email addresses or internet access will still receive a printed copy of the newsletters and other association announcements.
Log-in information will be sent to each co-owner that has or will provide an email address. All emails will be kept confidential and not shared or given to other co-owners.
To gain access to the co-owner section of the website, please send an email to the property manager for retrieval at [email protected]
A reminder to all residents about winter parking…
Vehicles are to be in the garage for complete snow removal of your driveway. Removal of snow from parked vehicles in the drive will be the responsibility of the co-owner and not the snow removal crew.
The Brewer Woodsmen
The Woodsmen are a group of men that meet quarterly to socialize and find worthwhile projects to improve Brewer
Woods. All men in the association (Chauncey and Eastman Courts) are welcome to participate.
The current project is the LITTLE FREE LIBRARY. With the assistance of the Marshall High School Industrial
Arts instructor, the first library will be constructed and installed on Chauncey Court soon. If you are not familiar
with the LITTLE FREE LIBRARY, it is a “take a book, return a book” concept where neighbors share their favorite
literature and stories. In its most basic form, it is an accessible weather-proof box full of books where anyone may
stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share. With the cooler days of fall and winter
approaching, it is a perfect time to find a good book to take to your favorite chair and read!
If you would like to attend a Brewer Woodsmen gathering, contact Dick Rabbideau at [email protected]
so he can add your name to the list and contact you for the next meeting.
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For property concerns, please contact Property Manager, Bruce Phillips at 269-209-1034
Turn in your email addresses for the website’s co-owner-only section access!
BRUCE PHILLIPS, PROPERTY MANAGER
My report for this fall newsletter is more of a summary of this past summer and reminders of the
upcoming winter months.
This past spring/summer season was full of surprises from Mother Nature and created some additional
unbudgeted expenses for repairs and replacements. Even with our insurance coverage we found that
State Farm will not pay for total tree removal - even if it hit a building and caused structural damage as
well as cosmetic damage. After the July first winds, co-owner Shirley Coulter at 104 Chauncey was the
victim of tree damage into her lower unit area as well as the building exterior. All repairs should be
made whole by 19th of this month. Spring rains again overflowed our enlarged gutters. There are two
schools of thought on why: 1) gutter guards are blocking leaves from getting into gutters but retaining
the debris on top causing rain to overflow, and 2) too much roof area draining into under-engineered
gutter/drain spouts in front of most units. We are working on different approaches to see if we can
mitigate the water overflow.
Winter will bring snow, ice and the usual complaints on where it is piled. Please know Gardner Brothers
does not purposely pile snow to block views getting out driveways. Also remember all ground
surrounding the units is common and governed by the Association Board of Directors, thus it may save
money if we can maximize the onsite storage of snow versus having it hauled off site.
Not all Dupont Imprelis damaged trees were replanted due to soil conditions and/or root systems being
too numerous to plant. Former Association President Phyllis Rabbideau graciously accepted this task
and worked with an arborist and DuPont to get us growing again. Not a fun job, but she cheerfully did it
and deserves a great deal of thanks.
As a management person, I try hard to make your living in Brewer Woods a care free experience giving
you a time to enjoy retirement or work without having to worry about the outside. Being human I can
error but try hard to return all phone messages if I don’t answer it when called.
This summer has brought a number of new co-owners to your community and I hope you will welcome
them and help them adjust to condominium living.
Mail Delivery Reminder
The postal carrier is NOT required to get out of his/her vehicle to attempt to deliver mail to mailboxes. If access to the mailbox is blocked, the postal carrier will not be required to deliver the mail until the obstruction is removed.
Do NOT park within five (5) feet of either side of the mailboxes. Blocking the mailbox restricts delivery of mail to all households using the row of boxes.
As we enter another winter season, be reminded that the access to the mail boxes can also be made difficult by the street plows. Any co-owner willing to shovel or help keep the area in front of the mailboxes open is greatly appreciated.
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Note to Co-Owners:
We have received many calls and requests for
individual projects concerning personal
beautification and grounds enhancement. The
management and board will take individual
requests for improvement under consideration,
but its primary responsibility is to maintain those
areas that impact the association as a whole. If
requests for changes to the plantings are deemed
to present a safety or structural problem, we will
review the concern and seek a safe and effective
means to resolve it in a cost effective manner.
Top Left: Dupont Imprelis replacement trees. Center: Recent plantings near the retaining walls.
Thanks to Gardner Bros. and New Horizon’s for their work in enhancing the look of our community.
