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Summer 2008 Newsletter
Inside this issue:
Neighborhood Watch is Back
3
Subdivision Road Repaving
3
Covenants & Restric-tion Committee Re-port
4
Change in Absentee Ballot Distribution
4
Millage Questions on Aug 5 Ballot
5
Pond Fun Day & Bake Sale
5
Home & Garden Beautification Awards
6
Building Plan Ap-proval Requirements
6
Thank You, Neighbor
Home Foreclosures in Holly Hill Farms
6
Treasurer's Report 7
May Semi-Annual Meeting Summary
7
Newsletter
Summer, 2008
Subdivision Picnic Scheduled for August 16th
Our annual picnic is scheduled on Saturday, August 16 from 1PM to late evening at the Putti’s home on Pond Ridge. All residents and friends are invited. Food and drink will be provided and there will be games and fun activities for the kids. The cost of the event is funded by the $10 annual social dues voluntarily paid by homeowners.
Plan on attending, having a good time and meeting many of your neighbors. A “Rain Day” is scheduled for Sunday, August 17.
Subdivision Garage Sale set for July 17-19
Our subdivision’s garage sale is scheduled for July 17-19. Mona Sokoloff is chairing the event and all residents are welcome to participate. The associa-tion will be placing an ad in the local paper and will place signs at the entrances. If you have any ques-tions, please call Mona at 248-626-0425.
Holly Hill Farms Home and Garden Tour
Plans are underway for our 2nd Holly Hill Farms Home and Garden Tour. Our first tour was held several years ago and participants were delighted to see the extraordinary homes and gardens here in our subdivision. Please contact Claire Srock (248-419-0985) if you are interested in opening your home or garden for the tour. Participation in the tour will be limited to subdivision residents only.
Thanks for your support of Holly Hill Farms
Page 3 Holly Hill Farms Newsletter Summer, 2008
Neighborhood Watch is Back!
My name is Shelley Kritzman and I am a Holly Hill Farms resident. I am the new Neighborhood Watch coordinator for our subdivision. We will be joining 121 other active Neighborhood Watch groups in Farmington Hills.
The Farmington Hills Police Department encourages residents to call the police concerning suspicious people, suspicious vehicles and suspicious activity. The police want our help! To report suspicious activity, call the non-emergency police number at 248-871-2600.
The City has provided me with a DVD that explains how Neighborhood Watch works and how home-owners can protect their homes. We will be able to post the Neighborhood Watch signs at the entrances to our subdivision when at least 50% of our homeowners watch this tape. You will be invited soon to watch the 10-minute tape at a neighbor’s house.
To learn more about becoming a Block Captain or for general information, please call Shelley Kritzman at 248-787-4646.
Our neighborhood is safe. This program will help keep safe. Farmington Hills is one of the safest cities in the country. One of the reasons is that it has a very active Neighborhood Watch program and we want to be part of the success.
Subdivision Road Repaving
Some homeowners have raised the issue of the worsening condition of the roads and have asked what can be done about repaving them. The Board of Directors has taken the position that they will begin the proc-ess when there is a “ground swell” of support for road repaving.
The city’s procedure requires that at least 30% of the homeowners sign a “petition of interest” in order for the city to prepare a cost estimate. Next, at least 50% plus one (70) homeowners must sign a “petition of support” before the city will initiate a road repaving project.. Our last attempt a few years ago yielded only 36% (50) homeowners signing the “petition of support.”.
The Board has indicated that it is willing to meet with the city to determine the most effective method of having the roads resurfaced.
In the mean time, we will continue to request the city fill the potholes each spring. The city has always responded well to our requests.
Page 4 Holly Hill Farms Newsletter Summer, 2008
Covenants & Restrictions Committee Makes Recommendations at May Semi-Annual Meeting
The Covenants & Restrictions Committee, approved at the November, 2007 Semi-Annual meeting, made its report to the Association’s Board of Directors at their April meeting. Their recommendations were approved by the Board and were then presented to homeowners at the May Semi-Annual meeting. The committee reported that the subdivision’s Covenants currently do not include a clause specifying how the Covenants can be amended and that any change to the document currently requires a yes vote by 75% (104) homeowners. The committee, considering input from a meeting with a group of homeowners, rec-ommended that the covenants be amended to include a procedure for making future changes to the docu-ment and that the required number of yes votes be changed to at least 55% (76) homeowners. They also recommended that votes on amendments be by secret, written ballots and that there be one vote per lot.
Homeowners at the semi-annual meeting endorsed the committee’s recommendations. Information and the specific language of the amendment will be sent to homeowners later this summer. Members of the election committee will distribute ballots to homeowners’ homes in early September.
The committee would also like to inform homeowners that this change is not related to previous petition drive to repave roads in the subdivision. The rules and procedures for requesting and approving road repaving are established by the city, and are not related to our subdivision’s Covenants and Restrictions.
The Board and homeowners at the May meeting expressed their appreciation for the work of committee members Gail Haynes, Harold Larsen, Irv Miller, Ric Olenzek, Ken Snodgrass, Craig Srock and Kathy Sterbling.
Change in Absentee Ballot Distribution
Due to a court ruling, the City can no longer automatically mail absent voter ballot applications to any registered voter, including those 60 years of age or older, unless the application is specifically requested by you, the voter. However, the law allows the city to establish a permanent mailing list and mail absentee ballot applications prior to each election to anyone who has requested to be placed on this permanent list. If you wish to continue to receive an application for an absentee ballot prior to every election, and you have not already requested to be placed on the city’s permanent mailing list, you may do so by calling the city at (248) 871-2416; e-mailing your request to [email protected]
FYI: There is a drive-up, green drop box outside of City Hall for all Election material. It is located in the parking lot median along Eleven Mile Road, between the Police Station and City Hall, west of the post of-fice boxes.
Page 5 Holly Hill Farms Newsletter Summer, 2008
Important Millage Questions on August 5th Ballot
In addition to the primary elections, voters will be deciding two millage questions on the August 5th ballot. The first calls for renewing 0.4882 mill (48.82 cents per $1000 of taxable value) for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. (A fact sheet provided by the city is included with this newsletter.) The second question is for a new 0.1 mill (10 cents per $1000 of taxable property value) Oakland County tax for sup-port of the Detroit Zoo.
Residents of Holly Hill Farms will vote at Precinct 11, located at the Highmeadow Elementary School.
2nd Annual Spring Pond Fun Day and Bake Sale
Our second annual Spring Pond Fun Day and Bake Sale was held on Sunday, June 1. The day was a huge success as everyone had a good time with about 50 people attending.
The weather was beautiful and the pond was enticing with many people canoeing and fishing. The children had a good time running and playing. Many new neighbors attend which provided a time to make new ac-quaintances.
The bake sale and hot dog sale was a great success and netted about $220 which assist in the pond treat-ments and beautification. A big thank you goes to Jon, Felicia, Elizabeth and Samantha Putti and Joe and Kathy Sterbling for their hospitality and organization of this great event. Jon does a great job in working with the pond treatment company that has kept our ponds in wonderful condition.
Page 6 Holly Hill Farms Newsletter Summer, 2008
Call for Nominations for the Holly Hill Farms Home and Garden Beautification Awards
It is that time of year when we recognize the time and effort our neighbors have invested in the exterior appearance of their homes, landscaping and gardens with the annual Home and Garden Beautification Awards. The Beautification Committee will be selecting homes in July for the awards and the committee would certainly like to hear whom you believe desires this recognition. Please call Ken Snodgrass at 248-851-7618 if you would like to nominate a neighbor for an award or if you are interested in joining the committee.
Thank You, Neighbor
Michelle Najor would like to thank the anonymous Good Samaritan who has been cutting branches and cleaning her yard on the corner of Highmeadow and Summer-wood. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop
Planning on Making Exterior Home or Lot Improve-ments?
Just a reminder that the subdivision Covenants and Restrictions require approval of the Architectural Control Committee before starting construction of fences, out buildings new driveways or additions or non-cosmetic changes to existing buildings. Committee approval is required in addition to building permits issued by the City. Please contact Ric Olenzek (248-865-3359) to request approval of your plans or if you have any questions regarding this requirement.
Home Foreclosures in Holly Hill Farms
The City of Farmington Hills recently identified a city employee responsible for insuring foreclosed prop-erties are properly maintained. Betty Lurie has agreed to be our contact person with the city regarding
maintenance of foreclosed houses in Holly Hill Farms. The city quickly re-sponded to Betty’s request for lawn mowing at one of these homes. Please contact Betty Lurie or Ken Snodgrass if you have any questions or con-cerns regarding foreclosed homes in our subdivision.
The association board of directors closely monitors the status of home ownership and knows of two homes currently in foreclosure, which is much lower than average rate for Oakland County.
Page 7 Holly Hill Farms Newsletter Summer, 2008
Treasurer’s Report
Of the 138 lots in Holly Hill Farms, 116 have paid their 2008 maintenance fee and 100 have paid their so-cial dues, slightly ahead of most years. Two lots have not paid their 2007 maintenance fee and liens have been placed on those properties with the clerk of Oakland County. A second billing will be mailed in July.
While most expenditures are within budget, snowplowing this winter cost $7100, $2300 above budget. This increase was a result of higher salt costs and the near record snowfall last winter. Costs of other services are expected to increase due to the high cost of fuel. While these cost increases can be con-tained in the near term, the board will need to consider cost savings or changes in services in the future.
May 27, 2008 Holly Hill Farms Association Semi-Annual Meeting Summary
The meeting was held at Fire Station #2 and was called to order by President Harold Larsen at 7PM. Board of Director members Harold Larsen, Craig Srock, Irv Miller, Dave Kendall, Russ Rusinoff and Kathy Sterbling were present along with 20 homeowners.
The minutes from the Nov 12, 2007 Semi-Annual Meeting were read and approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Ken Snodgrass’s report is summarized on page 6 of the newsletter.
President’s Report:: Harold Larsen explained the board’s current position regarding repaving the roads, which also can be found on page 3 of this newsletter. Several homeowners expressed their concern about the poor condition of our roads and the lack of action to have them repaved.
Maintenance Committee: Russ Rusinoff reported that the city had been out to repair potholes and that he would call them about several that had been missed.
Architectural Control Committee: Harold Larsen reported that were several committee approvals. He reminded homeowners that Architectural Committee approval for exterior building or lot construction is required in addition to city issued building permits.
Welcome Committee: Harold Larsen reported that welcome packages have been delivered to our new neighbors and encouraged homeowners to welcome people who have recently moved into our neighbor-hood.
Page 8 Holly Hill Farms Newsletter Summer, 2008
Social Committee: The Pond Fun Day is scheduled for June 1, the annual picnic is scheduled for August 16, and a subdivision garage sale will be held in July.
Election of Board of Director Members: The following neighbors were elected to non-officer positions on the board: David Kendall, Irv Miller, Russ Russinoff, Kathy Sterbling and Bob Kuhn.
Covenants & Restrictions Committee Report: Ken Snodgrass reported on the recommendations of the committee. His report can be found on page 4 of this newsletter. Homeowners endorsed the report of the committee. A vote on the proposed amendment to the Covenants is scheduled for September.
Neighborhood Watch: Coordinator and homeowner Shelley Kritzman explained the importance, objec-tives and requirements of the Neighborhood Watch program. Shelley played the training video for the group and distributed program material. Homeowners endorsed Holly Hill Farms participation in the program. More info can be found on page 3 of this newsletter.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15PM.
