Highlights of the Homeowner's Meeting

The Homeowner's Meeting was held October 25, 2008 at 5:00p.m. in the common area on the curve. There were approximately 12 people in attendance out of 197 homes.

The yearly budget garnered much attention especially the allocation for lights. Unable to satisfy the questions of a concerned resident, the Treasurer asked the potential volunteer to investigate the situation and see what he could do .


No one volunteered to become an officer. Four people volunteered to become board members and "help out."


The approximately $4000 deficit, as a result of unpaid dues received much attention. One theory thrown out was that perhaps residents forgot to pay their dues. Possibly going to the homes of these individuals asking for the dues was an idea volleyed about. Several of the volunteers stated that they would be willing to do this.


One of the residents asked about the front entrance and its appearance along with no lights on the marquee as well as the weedy flower bed. The explanation included lack of funds for plants, no volunteers while two people try to keep things going and making a statement regarding the state of the community. Planting low maintenance, ground hugging, evergreen shrubs is a future possibility.


Allowing a management company to operate things was a viable solution to all of the HOA woes. Most in attendance were in agreement with this with the only reservation being how much of an increase there would be. HOA management by an outside entity is being seriously explored.


In the newsletter you received the following were listed under "Bills." This is a more detailed explanation of each.

There are 197 homes. If each person pays their dues($55/year) the amount collected would be
$10,835.


ALABAMA POWER=$588 mo.=$7,056 yr.
There are 3 sectors to Heather Pointe. The first sector was built by one builder and the second and third sector built by D.R. Horton. Allegedly, the developer, John Millington was not pleased with the first sectors builders because they didn't deliver on what they were contracted to do such as landscaping entire areas from one property to the other. Streetlights for sector one were installed by the developer. No streetlights were in the plans for sectors two and three. If you were here before the lights were installed in these sectors, you literally could not see your hand in front of your face. Board members looked into getting lights for sectors two and three. Alabama Power had to come out and create places for the lights which they placed strategically by the large power boxes you see behind each streetlight. These lights were purchased to provide a safer environment for these areas.


WATER & SEWER=$30 mo.=$360 year
Sprinkler system in front for flowers. Hot weather requires more water than usual for plants. Maintenance of sprinkler system.


GRASS=$75-$100 every other two weeks=$375+$500=$875 year.
The grass at the entrance to the subdivision, the area across from the houses on St. John, the common area of the curve and properties up for sale that are not maintained by the owners. Someone asked if volunteers could not do this to defray costs. This has been tried in the past and failed.


FRONT ENTRANCE PLANTS=$200 twice yearly=$400 year
The entrance is planted twice a year. Pesticide, fertilizer, 4-6 flats of flowers.


PROPERTY TAXES=$450 year
This is for the common area, front entrance, land across from the houses on St. John that faces Highway 75. The property tax you pay at your home is for your home and does not include other land that is part of Heather Pointe. These uninhabited parts must be paid for too.


BACKFLOW TEST=$100 year
This test is to prevent the back up of sewage, polluted and unsafe drinking water to homes in the Heather Pointe subdivision. County codes require that this test be done every year by a certified tester. Heather Pointe has been using Bo's Plumbing. The results are sent to the Birmingham Water Works Board by the certified tester.


INCIDENTALS=$500 year
Things that come up unexpectedly such as vandalization of lights at the entrance.
Having to rewire the lighting system because it was incorrect from the beginning.

Annual Homeowners Meeting

The annual Homeowners meeting will be held October 25, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will take place in the curve on the common area next to the former model home. Bring a chair. In the event of rain Brent Powell is offering his garage as shelter.

COMMUNITY LIGHTS

Funds in the HOA treasury are critically low. It was not long ago that Heather Pointe was so dark at night not even the next house could not be seen. Streetlights have allowed residents to take night strolls with their families and pets. On average the cost for the streetlights is over $500 a month. Within the next two months Heather Pointe will be dark. Why? Over 50 people have not paid their dues. "Place a lien on the property!" is a mantra I hear often. When a lien is placed on a property, the HOA will not get the money until after the property is sold. The money is needed NOW! All homeowners in Heather Pointe signed a covenant. New owners alleging no knowledge of this should contact their seller. Copies of the Covenant can be found in the July 10, 2008 Archives on this site.

RESPECT FOR SELF AND NEIGHBOR
The outside of a home often reflects its owner. Heather Pointe homes are built close together. One person's lifestyle often oozes over into a neighbors. Most often an offense is not intentional. Whether or not the offending neighbor is aware or not is unknown. The covenants and restrictions of this subdivision were formulated so that each residence is afforded the same rights. Below are the most common complaints from Heather Pointe residents.

1. Unkempt lawn. Grass not cut on a regular basis. Keeping the street area clean around your home is appreciated. Pick up trash. There is no Public Works service in Pinson.

2. Disabled car(s) in various modes of repair. This is an eyesore and brings down property values.

3. Garbage cans in front of the house. Garbage cans are to be kept from view. Put it in the back or inside the garage.

4. LOUD music. Music that shakes a neighbors windows, with foul lyrics, and disturbs the peace of others is not welcomed.

5. Blocked access on the streets due to cars being parked on the street. While this is necessary from time to time, frequent parking on the street is a nuisance to those entering and leaving Heather Pointe. Not to mention firetrucks and police unable to enter for an emergency because of parked cars on the street.

6. While your property is yours, constant parking on the lawn creates bald spots and puddles that create an unattractive appearance.

7. Children should not use anothers property as a shortcut, meeting area (loitering), or play area. This is trespassing.

8. Your pet is yours and not the community's. Confine your pet and his/her toileting to your home or property.

9. The common areas are not to be used for parking and storage.

Moving to a better neighborhood most likely was your reason for moving to Heather Pointe. Be a good neighbor. Think not only of yourself but also of others. Your home whether you rent or own is your responsibility. If you fall into any of the categories above, be considerate, take pride and right the wrong.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Terms of office for the two present members of the Heather Pointe HOA board will expire at the close of 2008. If you value your home investment and your future become a part of the Homeowner's Association (HOA). There has been some discussion of dissolving the HOA and allowing community matters to be handled by a property management company. Dues would be substantially higher.

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