Goldenwood West Newsletter Archives:
November 2003
Edited by John Anderson, 2003 BOT President
BOARD
OF TRUSTEES NEWS
Tom Watson was elected by the BOT at the September meeting to complete Mike
Hopp’s unfulfilled term. We want to welcome Tom to the Board.
The big news from the Board is the election of two Trustees on November 19.
Please read the letters in your October and November monthly statements concerning
the elections.
All meetings of the Board and the APC are open to the homeowners. The dates
and times are posted on the mail station bulletin board. Attend a meeting to
see what is going on in your neighborhood!
NEIGHBORHOOD RECOGNITION
The Architectural and Protective Committee (APC) is beginning a neighborhood
recognition program that will recognize homes for exceptionally attractive
appearance, including outstanding holiday decorations and outstanding yards
in the spring. During November and December, the APC will be looking for the
best holiday decorations, visible from the street. The winning property owner
will be contacted for permission before announcing them in the next newsletter.
SPECIAL THANKS
A special thanks to Mark Habkirk for bringing his crew to clean up the recreation
area. Mark also did some landscape improvements. We should also recognize Jackie
Habkirk, she volunteered Mark for the job!
LOOSE DOGS
Still our biggest neighborhood complaint!
HUNTING
Hunting or the discharging of any weapon is not permitted in GWW. A deer was
observed with an arrow in it and a cross bow arrow was found in a resident’s
yard. If you observe any such activities, please report them to the Hays County
Sheriff or Texas Wildlife.
PRIVATE PROPERTY
We are still getting complaints from property owners who have power line right
of ways on their property. Some residents do not want people crossing their
land without permission. This is not a POA issue but one of property ownership
and trespassing. Residents should not enter private property without the explicit
permission of the owner. Residents should check with the Sheriff or an attorney
to determine how to deal with trespassers.
RECREATION AREA
The modifications to the Recreation Area has been a definite improvement to
our neighborhood. We have seen increased use of the facilities. You may have
observed more notices of the meetings and parties being held in the pavilion.
The BOT, APC and Water Board have used the pavilion as a meeting location and
as a way of encouraging resident participation. Watch for the notices and attend
the meetings, they affect your neighborhood.
We have also seen an increase in vandalism of the recreation area. The tops
of the fence pickets appear to be a favorite target of the vandals. Over 25
have been broken off. These vandals are your children! Please report vandals
to the Hays County Sheriff, the GWW Administrator or a BOT member.
Questions have arisen concerning the sharing of the code of the combination
locks in the recreation area. We currently have approximately a dozen residents
who are in arrears of their dues. These residents are not in good standing
and loose their privileges to use the common facilities. DO NOT SHARE the combination
code. Also, please make your children aware of the situation and responsibility
on knowing the combination. There have also been complaints that people/children
were letting children into the pool without parent approval or knowledge.
DUES
There are several residents that are in arrears of paying their dues. The BOT
has just gone through a costly legal action on one property to collect dues.
This is a long and costly process. It is the intent of the BOT to take legal
action only if necessary. We recently discovered that the only way to protect
the POA is to file foreclosure notices on a timely basis. We are working with
our attorney to develop a process to protect the POA. There are two other properties
that foreclosure is under consideration. The BOT is encouraging anyone who
may be in arrears to pay their back dues or contact the Administrator to arrange
a recovery plan.
OTHER LEGAL ACTIONS
The BOT recently had to incur legal costs on a covenant violation. The legal
fee was charged back to the applicable resident. This cost could have been
avoided if the resident would have responded in the prescribed manner. Residents
need to understand that the POA is now obligated to follow the violation procedure
that was adopted and published last year. No one likes the idea of implementing
a legal action against a neighbor but neither do we want our dues to be used
for paying legal fees for violators. If you are involved in a covenant violation,
please read the violations letters and understand your rights under the violation
procedure and the Texas statue. The BOT and APC has spent a great deal of time
and effort to protect the POA and the rights of the homeowner.
ENVISION CENTRAL TEXAS
Tom Watson is involved with the Envision Central Texas organization. This non-profit
organization shares the common goal of addressing growth in our region. Tom
has asked that we visit their web site http://www.envisioncentraltexas.org
for more information.
SEPTIC SYSTEMS
The Hays County Health Department changed septic system requirements several
years ago and most home that have been built in GWW over the past five years
have been required to install an aerobic type septic system. Most of the systems
require that affluent water be sprayed on the resident’s yard. When properly
installed and maintained the affluent water should be free of odor. If you
experiencing an odor from your septic system, it is usually a sign of an unhealthy
situation. My personal experience was that I had to have all tanks pumped and
cleaned to correct the problem. I also found that the instructions from the
County and the installer concerning maintenance to be grossly inadequate. Most
systems need pumping in 3 to 4 years. The maintenance of septic systems is
not a specific POA issue but rather falls under the Hays County Health Department.
If you notice a problem with a neighbor’s system, please notify the neighbor.
If the problem persists, contact the Hays County Health Department.
LETTER FROM YOUR PRESIDENT
I have enjoyed serving as the BOT president for the past year and on the board
for two years. Prior to that I was on the APC for two years. It has certainly
been my pleasure to meet and work with many of you. We have a great neighborhood
and so many nice people as neighbors.
I am proud the improvements we have made during my term:
• Capping the stone columns at the FM 1826 Entrance.
• Pavilion/Pool Improvement Project.
• Assemble Pavilion picnic tables.
• Installed new light fixtures at the GWW entrance and mail station.
• Coordinated the repairs to the sprinkler/bubbler system.
• Publishing the GWW Newsletter.
• Worked with Goldenwood and Radiance POA’s on improving the FM1826
entrance.
• Created a standardized violation procedure that complies with the revised
Texas law.
We have raised the bar and challenge future Boards to continue enhancing the
value of our neighborhood. As said, I am proud of these accomplishments but
would be remiss if I did not recognize all the participation of the many residents
on these projects. I have tried to recognize the many volunteers over the year.
If I have missed anyone, my profound apology. THANKS!
What has it been like to be on the Board? It has been great! I enjoyed meeting
and working with many of you. I found that the Purpose of the POA also met
a rather selfish goal. That is to preserve the natural beauty of the subdivision,
encourage an attractive neighborhood, and encourage development that would
enhance the value of our investment. Being a BOT member requires a commitment
to share or lead projects for the improvement of our neighborhood. We have
so many residents that are willing to work; we just need BOT members to show
leadership and guidance. There have been a few problems but looking at the
accomplishments and new friendships, it has been worthwhile.
I decided not to run for re-election to the board because I feel we should
encourage more residents to serve. We need new blood, new ideas and new energy.
There is one avenue of thought in that most residents do not want to see any
changes in our POA. As you have seen from my actions, I have disagreed with
this mode of operation and have encouraged improvements. It is up to you as
residents to determine what our mode of operation will be. Our BOT members
are our friends and neighbors. Their motivation to be on the BOT varies but
I can assure you that most of the BOT would welcome your inputs and recommendations.
Also, as you know being on the BOT is volunteer. The only reward is your comments
and appreciation. Please make your BOT members aware of thoughts on issues.
This will be my last GWW Newsletter; I want to thank all of you for your help
and support over the past two years.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
I want to recognize and thank Vanessa Kolar for the exceptional job she has
done as the GWW Administrator. Vanessa has worked with our attorney to resolve
a situation that had not been addressed properly in the past. She is working
with the Board and the attorney to better define some of our dues collection
process. You will also see when you review the 2003 budget that Vanessa has
also reduced the cost of the administrative position significantly. Good job,
Vanessa!
DRIFTWOOD METHODIST CHURCH – Located on the corner of RR 150 and County
Road 170 (Elder Hill Road) in beautiful Driftwood, Texas.
Services are:
Sunday School/Bible Study
9:30 AM, Sunday
Worship Service 10:45 AM, Sunday.
HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1700 Woodland Ave.
Austin, Texas 78741
512-444-5311
www.holytrinityaustin.org
A Community of Disciples Making Disciples in the Midst of Joyful Contemporary
Worship with Biblical Teaching and Preaching in the Episcopal Tradition. Located
on Woodland Ave. 1 block from I-35 in Austin.
PHONE NUMBERS
Fire Department 911
Electric – P.E.C. 888-554-7580
Garbage-Texas Disposal
Systems 512-421-1340
GWW Administrator 894-0650
Hays County Sheriff
Emergency 911
Information 512-393-7896
Animal Control 512-393-7896
Hays County Supervisor
Russ Molenaar 512-858-2654
Time Warner Cable 485-5555
Verizon Telephone 483-1000
Water – GWW Water 335-7850
GWW NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED BY:
john@johnlanderson.com
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