Archive for the ‘General’ Category

7 May

Reminder: Dog Regulations: Licensed/Leashed/Cleaned Up After

Posted by hiddenvalleymeriden in General.

Dear Neighbors,

As we have all taken to the outdoors with the warmer weather, I’d like to take this time to remind everyone of the Association and City of Meriden’s rules for dogs.  Per Section 2.2.4 of the Association’s rules and regulations:
1.  All dogs must be licensed by the city
2.  All dogs must be kept on a leash when not on the owner’s property (i.e. walking around the neighborhood)
3.  Dogs must always be under the control of the owner or be capable of being restrained via the owner, fence, invisible fence, etc.
4.  There is no outside keeping of dogs (unattended greater than 60 minutes)
5.  Owners must always clean up after their dogs.
These rules are in place by the Association and the City of Meriden for the well being of all who live within our community.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation in abiding by these rules.  Failure to do so can result in further action by the City or the Association; actions that we prefer to avoid if possible.
Thanks,
Steven Tommell
President
Hidden Valley Association, Inc.
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4 May

Special May BOD Meeting

Posted by hiddenvalleymeriden in General.

Dear Neighbors,

The vote for the landscaping contract was 4-1 in favor of approval.  However, because it was not unanimous, it can not be passed outside of a BOD meeting.  Therefore, the BOD will host a special meeting on May 13th at 7pm at Platt High School.  The agenda will only include the landscaping contract and a new motion to purchase an updated version of QuickBooks (See Meeting Minutes page).  We will not be able to contract the landscaping company until after a motion is approved.  The motion will not require a unanimous vote at the open meeting. As always, the meeting will be open to the Association members.  If you cannot attend but would like to provide input, you may do so by emailing the Board.
Regards,
Steve Tommell
President
Hidden Valley Association, Inc.

11 Mar

2015 Budget Approved: Quarterly assessment payments to be re-aligned

Posted by hiddenvalleymeriden in General.

Dear Neighbors,

I’d like to thank all those that voted on the 2015 Budget.  It passed on a vote of 13 in favor and 6 opposed.  It passed both by a majority of votes in favor and a lack of a majority of the total Association members opposing it.  This budget shall provide for the 2015 operating costs and continue to fund our reserves for future required capital improvements.  The new quarterly assessment amount will be $194.
The Board also voted to re-align the quarterly assessment payment schedules of all homes to occur on 4/1, 7/1, 10/1, and 1/1.  Currently, approximately 1/3 of homes pay in each month of a quarter.  By re-aligning all homes to pay on the same date, we will reduce the level of effort required to operate the Association and make budgeting and payment tracking more accurate. In the coming weeks, you will receive more detailed information.  However, please feel free to contact the board with any comments or concerns.
Thank you,
Steve Tommell
President
Hidden Valley Association, Inc.

9 Mar

2015 Budget Vote: Financial Reports Available

Posted by hiddenvalleymeriden in General.

Dear Neighbors,

The financial reports for December, January, and February are available on the financial tab.  Please review them for any questions at Wednesday’s board meeting.
As a reminder, the Association will be hosting a vote at the March Board of Directors’ meeting on March 11th at 7pm at Platt High School.  The vote is on the 2015 Budget and associated common expenses.  The new budget is available on the financial tab and results in a 10% overall increase for a new quarterly assessment of $194.  This increase is inline with the budget presentation and is required to assure we have the necessary funds and reserves to serve the needs and the Association. The 2015 budget will be subjected to a vote that will require a majority of the entire Association membership to reject the budget, otherwise it will be considered approved.
Households may vote in person at the meeting, online, or submit a proxy.  If voting online at this link, you must list the email address already registered with the Association.  You will receive a confirmation email at a later point.
Please take the time to vote and have your voice heard. If you have any questions, please contact the board.
Thank you,
Steven Tommell
President – Hidden Valley Association, Inc.

1 Mar

Budget Vote: Vote Online Now

Posted by hiddenvalleymeriden in General.

Dear Neighbors,
The Association will be hosting a vote at the March Board of Directors’ meeting on March 11th at 7pm at Platt High School.  The vote is on the 2015 Budget and associated common expenses.  The new budget is on the financial tab and results in a 10% overall increase for a new quarterly assessment.  This increase is inline with the budget presentation and is required to assure we have the necessary funds and reserves to serve the needs and the Association.  The 2015 budget will be subjected to a vote that will require a majority of the entire Association membership to reject the budget, otherwise it will be considered approved.
Households may vote in person at the meeting, online, or submit a proxy.  If voting online on the link on the voting tab, you must list the email address already registered with the Association.  You will receive a confirmation email at a later point.
Please take the time to vote and have your voice heard. If you have any questions, please contact the board.
Thank you,
Steven Tommell
President – Hidden Valley Association, Inc.

25 Feb

Notice: Motion to BOD to recommend 2015 Budget

Posted by hiddenvalleymeriden in General.

Dear Neighbors,

I have requested the BOD vote outside a BOD meeting to recommend the attached budget for the 2015 fiscal year beginning April 1st.  This is the same budget reviewed at the December BOD meeting with some minor increases to the insurance and accounting lines based on recent actual costs.  The total budget remained the same as presented with a slightly small reserves contribution for a total increase of 10% in the quarterly assessment.  This increase is in line with the budget presentation during the past two years. Upon the Board’s recommendation, the budget will be subject to a vote by the Association members at the March 12th BOD meeting.  That vote will require a majority of the association to reject the budget.  If not rejected, it will be considered approved.  Further info on this vote will be distributed before the March BOD meeting.

To provide for the needs of Hidden Valley Association, I (Steve Tommell) put forth the following motion:

Approve the 2015 fiscal year budget titled “2015 Budget Sheet Rev 2” as distributed on February 25, 2015 to begin on April 1, 2015

I am providing this motion to the Board at the same time that you are receiving this notification per our bylaws and the vote result with be sent out afterward and recorded in our next meeting minutes.  The 2015 budget is available under the fiscal tab on our website.  If you have any questions or concerns for the board on this matter, please contact the Board by replying to this email.

Regards,
Steve Tommell

President
Hidden Valley Association, Inc.

26 Jan

Blizzard Prep: Snow Removal / Fire Hydrants

Posted by hiddenvalleymeriden in General.

Dear Neighbors,

With the impending storm approaching, I’d like to remind all homeowners of our responsiblities when it comes to snow removal.  Per the rules and regulations, homeowners with fire hydrants and drainage basins in front of their homes must clear them within 24 hours of the completion of the storm.  Please view the attached recommendation from the Meriden Fire Department.  However, all homeowners are encouraged to help their neighbors with regard to these requirements as all our homes will benefit.  

• All vehicles should be removed from the street. This will allow our snow removal contractors easy access and more efficient cleanup of the street.  Any costs incurred for additional visits due to cars on the street will be assessed back to those specific homes.

• Under no circumstances should snow from the driveway be thrown back onto the street. All snow should be piled in the yard.

• Residents should not be calling the snow removal contractors to come and plow the neighborhood. All concerns and requests should be directed to the Board of Directors

Thanks,

Steve Tommell

President

Hidden Valley Association, Inc.

Hydrant clearing

11 Dec

BOD Meeting: Election Results / Discussion Topics

Posted by hiddenvalleymeriden in General.

Dear Neighbors,

I’d like to thank the neighbors who came to the meeting last night and those that participated in the Board election online.  Mick and I were re-elected to another two year term.  Any officer changes will be discussed among the Board and communicated to the Association shortly.
We had a good discussion of the many topics on the agenda and will be posting the meeting minutes in the near future.  Generally we are on good financial footing now and the budget for next year will continue that trend.  Any cost increases within the operating budget were kept to a minimum and the projected assessment increase for next year will be 10%.  The Board will formally approve the budget after any final tweaks and present it to the Association for your final review.  The Board will host an Association vote on March 10, 2015 at which a majority of Association members would be required to turn down the budget, otherwise the budget stands as presented.
We also discussed aligning the quarterly payments so all homes are paying on the same day.  Currently 1/3 of the homes pay in each month of the quarter.  The board generally agrees on this approach but will need to finalize the pro-rating scheme prior to implementation.  The current plan is to begin this on April 1st with the start of the 2015 fiscal year.  We will send out explanations with invoices after formally approving the policy.
Thanks,
Steve Tommell
President
Hidden Valley Association, Inc.

4 Dec

BOD Meeting Agenda: Elections and Budget: Anticipate 10% Increase

Posted by hiddenvalleymeriden in General.

Dear Neighbors,

Happy Holidays! We will be hosting our second quarterly Board of Directors meeting on December 10, 2014.  The agenda is posted under the meeting minutes tab.  The monthly financials will be uploaded by Sunday, however the budget, reserve study, and budget presentation are available now under the financials tab.

Some highlights include hosting the election, discussing the pine trees at the end of Hidden Valley, and most importantly, reviewing the preliminary budget for 2015 and the anticipated 10% increase in quarterly dues.

The meeting will be held at Platt High School, Rm 9, at 7pm on December 10, 2014.

Thanks,

Steven Tommell

President
Hidden Valley Association, Inc.

4 Dec

Board of Director’s Election: December 10th, 2014

Posted by hiddenvalleymeriden in General.

Dear Neighbors,
The Association will be hosting the annual election on December 10th, 2014 to fill two director’s positions for new two year terms.  The election will take place at 7pm at Platt High School (weather permitting).  The bios and pictures of the announced candidates, Mick Parikh, Jack Malz and myself are available under the voting tab.  Other neighbors may announce their candidacy at any time up to the meeting as a write-in candidate.
Households may vote in person at the meeting or submit a proxy.  Electronic Proxies must be submitted via the web at the link under the voting tab on this website.
Please take the time to vote and have your voice heard.
Thank you,
Steven Tommell
President
Hidden Valley Association, Inc.
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