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VOX VILLAGER

“The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it is possible.”*


OUR GOAL: Provide accurate information to Heritage Village residents as to issues soon to be considered by the Board of Trustees so that they are represented in decisions affecting our community.

  Discalimer: Although our aim is to provide accurate information, we are not infallible. Please make any corrections by email. ([email protected]) Thanks. 


WE ARE NOT NEUTRAL!
WE WANT TO
KEEP
OUR CEDAR-SIDING REPAIRED AS NEEDED

(aka RESTORATION)

AND OUR BOTTOM LINE LOW!

THE HV BOARD OF TRUSTEES MAY PROPOSE A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TO OVERLAY OUR EXISTING CEDAR WITH ONE OF THE FACTORY-MANUFACTURED SIDINGS (SEE SAMPLES ON FIRESIDE) ON ALL 2580 UNITS! THIS WOULD MEAN AN OBLIGATION OF $250 TO $400 EACH MONTH IN ADDITION TO YOUR HOA FEES FOR 15 YEARS!

IF THE HV BOARD OF TRUSTEES PROPOSES A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT, A BALLOT WILL FOLLOW REQUIRING A RETURNED VOTE FROM ALL OWNERS WITHIN 15 DAYS.

CIOA (Common Interest Ownership Act) bylaws allow up to 60 days for the return of ballots. In a community such as ours, at least 30 days would make more sense in order to reach "snowbirds" and owners who are not residents.

TO CHANGE THE NUMBER OF DAYS REQUIRED TO RETURN A BALLOT WE NEED A TRUSTEE TO MAKE A MOTION AND ANOTHER TRUSTEE TO SECOND IT AT A BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING!

The cost of cedar repair as needed (RESTORATION) was included in our HOA fees before the pandemic when it was paused. It was not restarted because our COO says there was no point in making repairs since he assumed the siding project would be approved. Residents were not so informed.    

       Do some units need repair? YES!         
             Do most units need repair? NO!
IF
a special assessment is passed, the contractor will overlay your existing cedar-siding with one of the factory-manufactured sidings at an added monthly cost to you for 15 years and an encumbrance on your property upon sale.

Note: Call your realtor to ask what effect this would have on the sale of your unit if indeed a special assessment is voted in.  

On December 8, 2022, Carlos Garcia of the Falcon Group wrote to Joseph Samolis, Deputy Chief Operations Officer at Heritage Village Master Association, with an assessment of the existing wood siding. Falcon performed ground-level observations at approximately 50 buildings, one of each model. On Tuesday, November 6, 2022. Under Recommendations, Mr. Garcia writes, “Overall, siding is in fair but aging condition, the maintenance plan that the Association (has) appears to be successful…”

In the report there are pictures of parts of units’ cedar siding with some minor damage. 

Based on this limited inspection, Mr. Garcia recommended a complete residing (RENOVATION) of all 2,580 units with cedar over a period of time. No mention is made of the fact according to the estimate of Mario LaPorta, former HV master carpenter for 40 years, that 70% of units sustain no damage at all. Furthermore, the average annual cost of repair when LaPorta oversaw the work was approximately $365.00 for the entire Village. How could that scale to $5 million annually as Dan Drew now claims RESTORATION would cost?

The HV Management is, apparently, sending a survey to all owners asking them to choose between a factory-manufctured siding (even though most don't want such a siding) and the RENOVATION of all condos with cedar. Either would cost millions in a special assessment. There is no option for RESTORATION even though that was approved as a successful maintainence plan by The Falcon Group and the preference of most villagers.

Note: SUCH A SURVEY IS MEANINGLESS BECAUSE IT DOESN'T REPRESENT ALL POSSIBLE OPTIONS!

Please email or write to HV Management and Dan Drew to ask that cedar repair as needed (RESTORATION) be included in the survey.


IF YOUR TRUSTEE IS NOT REPRESENTING THE WILL OF YOUR RESIDENTS AT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETINGS, YOU CAN REMOVE HIM/HER! 

Legislative Office Building Removal of Condominium Board Members By: James Orlando, Chief Attorney September 28, 2023 | 2023-R-0216 Issue Summarize the process to remove condominium board members under Connecticut’s Common Interest Ownership Act (CIOA). Summary CIOA generally authorizes unit owners to remove any executive board member or any officer elected by the unit owners, with or without cause, by a majority of the votes cast. The voting may occur in person or by proxy at any unit owners meeting at which a quorum is present, or by a vote without a meeting as specified by law. These provisions apply despite any provision of the declaration or bylaws to the contrary. The vote may not occur unless that matter was listed in the meeting’s notice or in the notice of the vote by ballot. If the vote occurs at a meeting, any member or officer considered for removal must be given a reasonable opportunity to speak before the vote is taken. If the vote is taken by ballot without a meeting, the person being considered for removal must be given a reasonable opportunity to deliver information to unit owners. However, CIOA provides that (1) a member appointed by the declarant (developer) may not be removed by a unit owner vote during the period of declarant control (separate provisions apply to removals under this exception; see CGS § 47-245(d)) and (2) a member appointed by a government agency or nonstock tax-exempt corporation during or after the period of declarant control (see CGS § 47-245(g)) may be removed only by the appointing party (CGS § 47-261d). 2023-R-0216 September 28, 2023 Page 2 of 2 Unit owners holding 20% or more of association votes (or a lower percentage specified in the bylaws), the president, or a majority of the executive board can call for a special meeting of the unit owners, and take up removal at that meeting. The notice for any annual or special meeting must include the meeting agenda, including any proposal to remove an officer or a board member (CGS § 47-250(a)). CIOA additionally requires the association’s bylaws to specify, among other things, the manner of removing executive board members and officers and filling vacancies (CGS § 47-248). Background ─ Common Interest Ownership Act CIOA governs the creation, alteration, management, termination, and sale of condominiums and other common interest communities formed in Connecticut on and after January 1, 1984 (CGS § 47-200 et seq.). Several CIOA provisions also apply to common interest communities created in Connecticut before January 1, 1984, but do not invalidate existing provisions of the communities’ governing instruments. Common interest communities created before that date can amend their governing instruments to conform to portions of CIOA that do not automatically apply (CGS §§ 47- 214, -216, -218). JO:kl

Note: Dan Drew has said in at least two condo meetings that it would be "too expensive" to let all 2,580 owners know what may be proposed. (Many without a computer or email have no idea what is afoot.) He had no response when it was pointed out to him that everyone gets The Bulletin monthly where any and all information could be spelled out without additional cost. 


DOCUMENTS, RESIDENT LETTERS AND COMMENTS ,

*Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Published by Nancy Tobin