New Board Elected / Duties Assigned

The Homeowners’ Association Board election was held during the Annual Meeting.  Three Board members announced they will not continue serving on the Westbrooke Homeowners Association’s Board.  President Tammie Hernandez resigned her post because she no longer lives at Westbrooke.  Richard Bianucci and Ebb Judd also decided to no longer serve on the Board.  They will be certainly missed as association leaders in our community!  The new Board was voted in by acclamation to join continuing term board member Ed Axelrod.  Reelected were board members Mary Ann Johnson, Mildred Zimmerman, and Pattie Carew. New members include Bob Broyles, Jim Denton, and Donna Riffe.  Jan Hinshaw, who is not a board member, will continue as the development’s treasurer.  At the new Board’s first meeting on July 8, new duties were determined.  Please look at the new listing on the left of this page.

President Mary Ann Johnson reminds community homeowners that the board members are here to help us all, but we must remember that most board members do have another job that monopolizes their time. At this point, residents need to now call the new board member in charge of each area.  When a resident leaves a question or concern with a board member, please allow 24 hours for a response, as has been the normal practice.  The board member being contacted might be at work, or on a business trip, or on a vacation; however, if there is no “call back” within 24 hours, residents should contact another board member.

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Details of Annual Homeowners’ Meeting:

The Roofing Assessment Decision / Discussion

The primary focus of the annual homeowners’ meeting on Saturday, June 12, was voting on the Board’s Roof Assessment recommendation.  There were enough residents present — either in person or through proxies — to meet the voting requirements in our development’s By-Laws / Covenant, so the group eventually did vote on accepting or rejecting the Roof Assessment Proposal after extensive information was discussed and many questions and issues were addressed (that information is in the next paragraph). When the homeowners voted, the Roofing Assessment Proposal passed by a nearly unanimous majority; therefore, the Roof Assessment is now in place. Therefore, homeowners are now responsible for paying the $2,500 assessment.

For the benefit of absentee owners and any residents who did not attend the meeting, here is a summary of what happened at that meeting prior to the YES vote.  Remember that the Board had been working on the issue of dealing with our aging roofs since 2008.  Initially, homeowners had voted against the Board’s roof replacement plan and assessment request this past year, citing that simply saying the roofs were in “bad shape” was too vague and that the replacement costs estimates were too incomplete. Also, homeowners had not wanted the assessment added to their monthly association dues.

Consequently, the Board’s research between the earlier vote and this June meeting included a lengthy report from a certified HAAG roof inspector the Board had contracted to examine the roofs in the development.  Board member Ebb Judd, who had been in charge of maintenance, reviewed the rising and repetitive costs of repairing roofs for the homeowners’ benefit.  He also shared the certified HAAG roof inspector’s summary about the roofs’ conditions as well as that inspector’s suggestions about how we needed to proceed.

In addition to the report’s summary, the Board shared its plan for beginning the project which is estimated to possibly cost at least $500,000 ($325,000 of the cost would be covered by the homeowners’ assessment while the remainder would be paid through the Homeowner Association’s financial savings).  Board members discussed the various ways homeowners could pay their assessment.  Furthermore, they stressed that the assessment would not be added/included in the monthly association dues.  President Tammie Hernandez added that their new plan included that a “Homeowners’ Roof Assessment Committee” would be formed to find the best roofing contractor for our needs and to determine the logistics of getting the project started, such as choosing a roofing contractor as well as scheduling the replacement order. Several homeowners readily volunteered to serve on that committee.

Then, a lengthy discussion followed.  Many questions and concerns were addressed.  Furthermore, two longtime owners who have property in our development as well as property in nearby developments shared information about how these other developments dealt with this same issue, especially in finding the best roofing contractors for their needs.  Their information helped to steer our homeowners’ discussion about what needed to be done, as well as why the roof replacement plan had to be done.  One topic thoroughly discussed was the order of replacement.  Board members explained the reason for their suggested

initial order: “Some roofs are so damaged that they will be replaced as soon as financially possible because repair costs have become such a continuous and costly problem.” {Tammie Hernandez}  If the homeowners accepted the assessment proposal, the “Roofing Committee” would determine the order of repairs once the “really bad roofs” had been replaced.   When residents asked what would be done if the assessment idea did not pass, President Hernandez stressed that the Board was going to start replacing these badly-damaged roofs as soon as possible because of the mounting repair costs, regardless of whether the assessment passed or failed.  She surmised that once the Association money was depleted, the remaining roofs needing to be replaced immediately as well as any other roofs that would need replacement in the future would have to be done at that homeowner’s expense only, as there would be no other funds available for this or any other expense. After this discussion concluded, the residents voted to accept the proposed Roofing Assessment.

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Payment Process for the Roofing Assessment

Now that the Roofing Assessment of $2,500 is a reality, the Board has offered several options.  First of all, remember that the roofing assessment is separate from the $75 monthly dues.

The Board has set these minimal expectations about how we homeowners are to pay the $2,500 during this three-year assessment:  1/3 of the assessment is due each year — with 1/3 of the $2,500 ($834) due by December 31, 2011, the next 1/3 ($833) due by December 31, 2012, and the final 1/3 balance ($833) due by December 31, 2013). How those minimum deadlines are met is up to the homeowners.  For instance, we can pay the entire amount in full, or we can submit roof assessment money in thirds, as long as we do meet the minimum amount by each year’s deadline date.  Finally, we can pay on the $2,500 monthly, sending whatever amounts we can afford, as long as we pay the required 1/3 amounts by the set deadlines.  The roof assessment payments are to be mailed or hand-delivered to the same addresses where we pay our monthly dues.  If residents combine the money in a single check, they must include an explanation that clearly states how much they are sending for their monthly dues and how much they are submitting for the roofing assessment. Starting January 1, 2011, the payment coupons will address the option for residents who are sending dues and roof assessment money together.  Some residents have already started sending in their roof assessment payments!

Important Reminder about residences that are for sale:  For all residents who are selling or plan to sell their property during this three year assessment period, your prospective buyers must be informed of the pending assessments / liens against the property as part of the home sale procedures (i.e. This will automatically happen during the process even if you say nothing).

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New Pool Hours!

After a discussion initiated by residents at the annual homeowners’ meeting, this year’s hours on Friday and Saturday evenings have been extended to 9 p.m.  On other days, the pool closing will continue to be at 8 p.m. Thanks to the community volunteers and the Board members who helped Mary Ann Johnson get the pool and the furniture all cleaned up and ready for another season!   Many thanks also to the volunteers who have been maintaining, as well as opening and locking our pool area! They include present and former Board members Mildred Zimmerman, Pattie Carew, Jan Hinshaw, Ebb and Donna Judd, Mary Ann Johnson, and Bob and Toni Broyles.  Other volunteers who have also completed their turn at the pool already are Jim and Catherine McCormick and Julie Jenkins.   Keep up the good work VOLUNTEERS!  We have many more weeks to go!

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Overflow Parking Lots Being Misused

The Westbrooke overflow parking lots are meant to handle the overflow parking for residents and their guests.  The overflow lots were never intended for long-term storage.  Multiple residents have expressed concern over the reality that too many vehicles in the overflow lots are never moved; as a result, the majority of homeowners have no access to extra parking slots when they need them.  Moreover, some of the vehicles found in these lots are obviously in disrepair with broken windows, smashed bodywork, flat tires, etc.  Essentially, they detract from the development’s overall image, especially when prospective property buyers are driving through our area.  Because lots are always full, vehicles have been parked illegally in the grass beside these overflow areas, as well as on curbs throughout our development.  If these vehicles being stored in overflow areas are not moved, the Board will trace their ownership and possibly have them towed off the property.  Please be responsible residents and good neighbors… and share our common lots!

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]]> http://www.westbrooke.org/july-august-newsletter/feed/ 0 http://www.westbrooke.org/annual-homeowners-meeting-held/ http://www.westbrooke.org/annual-homeowners-meeting-held/#comments Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:13:25 +0000 tammie http://www.westbrooke.org/?p=63 The recent Annual Homeowners Association meeting was held Saturday, June 12.  The agenda included many tasks/decisions/topics.  A more detailed report will be included in the next newsletter; however, the Board wanted to share certain decisions as soon as possible.

After a discussion initiated by members, the decision was made to extend the pool hours to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.  Homeowners were reminded that there are still weeks where pool volunteer helpers are needed; if no one volunteers, the pool will not open on those weeks.  If you are willing to be in charge for a week, please contact Board member Mary Ann Johnson ASAP.

The Homeowners’ Association Board election was then held.  Three Board members will not continue serving on the Westbrooke Homeowners Association’s Board.  President Tammie Hernandez resigned her post because she no longer lives at Westbrooke. As president and Board spokesperson, Tammie has been instrumental in spearheading changes in our development as well as being responsible for maintaining the community’s set standards.  Richard Bianucci and Ebb Judd have also decided to no longer serve on the Board.  They will certainly be missed as association leaders in our community.  The new Board voted in by acclamation includes returning members Ed Axelrod, Mary Ann Johnson, Mildred Zimmerman, and Patti Carew, as well as new members Bob Broyles, Jim Denton, and Donna Riffe.  Specific duties of the newly-elected members will be decided at their July 8 meeting.  Jan Hinshaw will continue as the HOA treasurer.

Other topics discussed briefly included the reasons and importance for each resident to independently join Rural Metro Fire Protection as well as information about a recycling opportunity through Waste Management of Knoxville that any resident can independently pay to join if interested.

As everyone expected, the primary focus of the Saturday morning annual meeting was on the issue of voting on the Roof Assessment recommendation.  Our Board has been working on the issue of dealing with our aging roofs since 2008.  Initially, homeowners voted against the Board’s roof replacement plan and assessment request last year, citing that sufficient proof of the roofs’ conditions and the cost of replacements were too incomplete. Also, homeowners did not want the assessment added to their monthly association dues.  Consequently, the Board’s research this year included a lengthy report from a certified HAAG roof inspector they had contracted to examine the roofs in the development. In addition to the report’s summary, the Board shared their plan for beginning the project which is estimated to possibly cost at least $500,000 ($325,000 of the cost will be covered by the homeowners’ assessment and the remainder will be paid through the Homeowner Association’s financial savings).  Furthermore, the assessment would not be added/included in the monthly association dues.  After lengthy discussion, a vote was held since enough residents were present (in person or through proxy) to meet the requirements set forth in the development’s covenant/by-laws.  The issue passed by a nearly unanimous majority; therefore, the Roof Assessment is now in place.

What does passage of the “Roof Assessment” mean to homeowners?  For the roof replacement, a committee of 3 or 4 homeowners will help with the replacement plan of the roofs, especially in facilitating the selection of a contractor and the scheduling of replacement order.  Some roofs are so damaged that they will be replaced as soon as financially possible because repair costs have become a continuous and costly problem.

More importantly, all homeowners are now responsible for paying the $2,500 assessment.  The assessment is separate from the monthly dues.  The Board offered several options, essentially calling for 1/3 payment due each year (with 1/3 due by December 31, 2011, the next 1/3 due by December 31, 2012, and the final 1/3 balance due by December 31, 2013).  Options presently include that homeowners can decide to pay the amount in full, or in thirds, or in monthly segments. For all residents who are selling or plan to sell their property, your prospective buyers will be informed of all pending assessments / liens against the property as part of the home sale procedures.

More specifics about the assessment and the roof replacement plans will be given in the next Westbrooke newsletter.

President Tammie Slagle Hernandez

Residents, we need new people to serve on the Board.  Contact me for information if you are willing to be included on the ballot.  Also, remember June’s annual meeting is a critical one this year because of the roofing issue.  As I mentioned in the last newsletter, I am stepping down as president because I have moved out of the community. Thanks to everyone who has supported me through all the situations these past years. Specifically, my many thanks to board members Mary Ann, Mildred, Patti, Ebb, Ed, Dick, and Jan, as well as many residents for their support and friendship shown me throughout my term.

Community’s June 12 Annual Residents’ Meeting

This very important annual meeting will be held Saturday, June 12, 10 a.m., under the shelter beside the pool.  Picnic table seating is available, but residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.  The Board expects (and hopes) for a large turnout of property owners. Any resident interested in serving on the Board should contact Tammie Slagle Hernandez ASAP if he/she has questions about the Board election or wants to add his/her name to the ballot.

All owners will receive notification letters about this meeting through the mail.  That mailing will include this meeting’s expected agenda, proxy forms, and ballots for the new Board.  The agenda  should reference information about the various issues slated to be discussed.

As all residents know, the central issue at the meeting will be about the results and recommendations of the recent roof evaluations by a certified technician, the suggested plan and schedule for roof replacements, and the new roof assessment.  Since this issue is so important to every single owner, as well as being such a financial commitment, attendance  is vital.

Other announcements  / discussion topics could inclusafety issues, opportunities to involve more residents  in this development’s  activities, Rural Metro fire protection, termite prevention opportunities, budget information, voting for the new Board, as well as a Question/Answer period.

Westbrooke’s Neighborhood Garage Sale, May 15

Saturday, May 15, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., has been designated as our neighborhood garage sale day.  The more residents who are “open for business” on their driveways and/or garages, the more shoppers we will have.  In order to increase the traffic in the development, we will place an advertisement in the local newspapers as well as posting signs out on the main roads in the area and at the entrances.  This year, we want to include more specific information in the advertisement, so we want to find out how many residents are participating as well as mentioning  some of the “big ticket items” on sale (such as, furniture, tools, appliances, sports equipment, collectables, etc.).

Therefore, for better advertising, we want to know ahead of time how many people are participating and if there are any “big ticket” items that would be available.  Please call (531-6126) by Tuesday, May 11, identifying  yourself as a garage sale participant along with your name / phone number; also, please identify  any specific major sale items you may have.  Donna Riffe will compile this information for the Board.

Neighborhood Safety Issues

Due to recent vandalism and break-ins, the Board has been discussing steps that residents could take to improve this community’s safety.  Primarily, residents should focus on NOT INVITING TROUBLE!  For all automobiles parked outside, residents must keep the doors locked at all times; plus do not leave any valuables in the vehicle.  Remember, this is a “no soliciting” neighborhood; if sales people or any others come into this neighborhood, advise them that there is “no soliciting” if you feel safe enough to open the door to them.  If you see suspicious vehicles or people, stay inside and call the non-emergency police number (215-7450).  Also, report any vandalism that you see to the police non-emergency number ASAP.

To keep intruders out of your home, there are several precautions you can take.  First, keep your garage door closed whenever possible.  Too many people leave garages partially or completely open during the day or night. It is best to also keep the garage door into your house locked.  Next, when windows are closed, keep them locked.  Most hardware stores or big box stores (like Lowe’s or Home Depot) sell special rods / brackets, etc. that increase the safety of “locked windows.”  Cautiously consider what might happen before you leave your house with the windows open.  Consider upgrading / replacing locks with the “key-only” deadbolt locks.  Furthermore, take steps to discourage anyone from lurking / creeping around on your property.  Lights should be “on” in the front (“street side”) of your house; motion detector lights would be more economical.  Keep your back yard lights on nightly; there are devices that you can screw into the light sockets which will keep lights on at night and then automatically turn off the lights in the daylight.  For example, these devices are available at Home Depot.  Remember: LIGHTS DISCOURAGE LURKING OR CURIOUS INTRUDERS!

Spring / Summer Mowing Has Begun

Former resident Adam McGowan’s A-1 Landscaping lawn crew has resumed the weekly mowing; as a result the neighborhood looks much better.
The Board has already started receiving positive comments from residents who have recognized the improvements, especially the clean and neat lawns and Pavestone islands.  Residents have also commended   A-1’s work as the crews have cleaned the ditch line on Hickey.   The Board requests that residents tidy up their porches, yards, garden areas, and patio areas.  For instance, it might be time to put away the Christmas decorations on the porches.

In addition to mowing the open space areas, the mowing crew will mow yards on Tuesdays (weather permitting).  Any resident, who doesn’t want his/ her yard mowed, should contact Mary Ann Johnson; she will bring a “DO NOT MOW” flag to put in the yard; if that flag is in the yard on mowing day (Tuesday), the crew will by-pass that yard.

POOL NEWS

Pool Prep Day—Volunteers Needed May 8:  Our new pool technicians, Campbell Pool and Spa, will prepare the pool for opening at the end of April.  Then, on Saturday, May 8, at 9 a.m., Board member Mary Ann Johnson will need resident volunteers to help her get the pool area ready for the season.  We will need to clean the deck area and bathrooms as well as unpacking and cleaning the deck furniture.  If Mary Ann has enough help, this task can be completed quickly that morning.  Volunteers are especially needed for the physical lifting and moving of that furniture.  We need the volunteers to sign up ahead of time, so Mary Ann will know that there will be enough help.  Please leave your name and phone number (identifying yourself as a pool volunteer) by Wednesday, May 5, with Donna Riffe, so Mary Ann can be assured that helpers will be there on Saturday.  {If we have inclement weather on that Saturday, volunteers are asked to call Mary Ann the new day.}

Opening Day:  On Friday, May 21, the pool will open for the residents.  The pool hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until September’s Labor Day weekend.   During the pool season, parking outside the fence is for pool visitors only.

Residents are reminded that they will need to always bring their pool keys in order to gain entry.  The two gates at the pool must remain locked at all times.  After-hours swimming / parties are not allowed.  No pets are allowed in the pool area.  Other rules / expectations are posted at the pool.

Several people have already indicated they need a pool key. We are making keys to distribute.  If you have not had a key or are new to the neighborhood, it will be free; however, if this is a replacement, the cost will be $20. Contact Mary Ann Johnson (690-9649) for a key.

Weekly Pool Volunteers Needed:  All residents are reminded that weekly we need volunteers who will open and close the pool (which includes daily removing and then replacing the padlocks on the gates, straightening/cleaning/ restocking –if needed — the bathrooms and the pool deck area, adding water to the pool — if needed, checking  and  emptying both morning and evening the pool’s baskets for leaves / bugs / animals, removing floating debris in the pool, ascertaining that the pump is working, emptying all the trash cans within the enclosure, replacing trash bags when necessary, closing/ locking the bathroom windows, turning off bathroom lights,  straightening and keeping chairs and chaises away from the pool’s edge as well as away from the fence, and checking for vandalism).  These volunteers must also move the large garbage can over to the road for the Monday trash pick-up and then back to the covered picnic area after pick-up.  Other than adding water to the pool if necessary (and this is seldom needed), the other tasks take perhaps 10 minutes.

Mary Ann Johnson will have the sign-up sheet at the June 12 annual residents’ meeting.  Residents who want to work specific weeks are already signing up; if you would like to have a specific week, you should call Mary Ann to get your preference.  Without these volunteer pool folks, the pool cannot be opened.  Last year, every week was quickly covered; we hope the same will happen this year! Get involved!

Parking

Residents, please remember there is to be no overnight parking on the streets. Our streets are too narrow for parked cars. Also, the “parking overflow areas” are provided for temporary parking for residents and guests of residents.  Many residents have multiple vehicles and use these areas for parking.  These overflow areas are not intended for long-term parking or for “storing” your vehicle.  If you need to store your vehicle, please contact board member Patti Carew for a space in the RV storage area.  Plus, remember that the parking slots at the pool are for pool users only. Unidentified cars that are left unattended  for long periods of time will be towed.

Grounds and Pool Update

Another Leaf Pick-Up Is Scheduled

Mowing season is over.  A-1, our lawn service, will have another leaf pick-up once all the leaves are off the trees on Monday, December 21.  The Bradford Pear trees still have quite a few leaves left on them, so an exact date will be announced once those leaves are off the trees.  We will try to remind you a few days before the pick-up day to give you time to rake your leaves to the curb. Thanks to all the homeowners who participated in Adam’s first leaf pick-up.  We have hired a new company to service the pool next season. With our pool getting older, we felt like we needed a company with more experience and one that could keep a watchful eye out for any problems we may encounter. Campbell Pool & Spa will be taking care of the pool; they also will service it twice a week. –from  Mary Ann Johnson

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

This will be our last newsletter until “next year.”  WOW, what a year we have had!  I want to recap some of the important issues that our board accomplished this year. The board has worked extremely hard on trying to keep our community beautiful.  Recently, we had our roads resurfaced and they look great.  Last summer, we had “Carlton” removed from our by-laws since he no longer is a part of this community.    The Board is currently removing “Carlton” from the Westbrooke signs.  Also, we have worked with Adam throughout the year to help us maintain our common areas.  Adam has also done many “extra” things for our homeowners.  Thank you, Adam!

Lately, the biggest task the board has been working on is our dues.  As you may or may not know, the Board called a “special” meeting on November 14 concerning our roofs.  The board felt that we needed to start collecting more money as our roofs will need replacing in the near future.  After several homeowners felt we needed to have someone inspect our roofs, and the vote was in favor of no, the Board decided to regroup and rethink our roof situation.  Therefore, the Board will start looking for someone to do inspections on all our roofs.  We would also like for these inspectors to look inside the attic of each home.

We will make sure they can do this in the evening so you can let them inside your home.  Please understand that we will try to accommodate everyone, but we need everyone’s cooperation in the matter.

On a more personal change, for anyone who doesn’t know, I have sold my unit and have moved.  After talking with the board — and with their approval — I will continue in my position until June.  I feel that I should finish my term and try to complete projects that are in the works.  I have truly enjoyed living here and have made many dear friends; I want everyone to know that I always tried to make the right decisions that would be best for our community.    – From Your President, Tammie Slagle

A Special Thank You to the Board

I want to give a special “thank you” to all the Board members.  As the President of this association, I have had many trying times.  You, the Board has been especially supportive of and with me.  Thank you for helping me with every suggestion, complaints, and whatever came my way.  I could not have done the job (good or bad) without each and every one of you behind me.  Again, thank you for working hard and supporting not only me, but also this community.  You do a great job!    – From Tammie Slagle

Monthly Dues Information

The coupon books for the 2010 monthly dues have been ordered and will be distributed by the middle of December, if all goes as planned.   –from Jan Hinshaw

Maintenance Report

A roof repair was completed on Gate Post.  Then we had a dry spell and no roof problems were reported.  When the rains returned, two roof problems occurred on Tinsmith which were repaired.   I was disappointed in the poor response to our called meeting to address roof problems.  With the fee increase defeated, the next step will be community-wide roof inspections.  No further action will be taken until the May general meeting.  –from Ebb Judd

Here is an early reminder:  residents need to put a covering or a “boot” on outdoor faucets to avoid them from freezing this winter.  If water freezes in the faucet, it could burst when you turn your faucet on; and it WILL flood your condo. The HOA is not responsible for your faucets or the damage that might result, so please cover them when the weather gets colder. These “boots” and other coverings can be purchased at stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot for a small cost.

THE STATE OF THE COMMUNITY      from HOA President, Tammie Slagle

I hope everyone has noticed our roads.  The paving company resealed our roads recently.  I know that this was an inconvenience for us all, but I want to thank all of you who were patient and understanding.  I hope everyone will enjoy the new look of our roads.  This resealing should help our road maintenance for 4 to 5 more years.  Many thanks go to Board member Ebb Judd who made all the initial contacts with various paving / resealing companies and who made arrangements for the work.  As we all know, we have not had any major renovations in our community for many years.  Unfortunately, the time is coming when we will need to address those major repairs.  The board will try its best to choose what repairs or renovations are the most crucial, hoping that all homeowners will trust the board with those decisions.  At our special August community meeting, we were able to vote on accepting the revised Covenant and By-Laws for our development.  Now that the community has voted to accept the revised documents, we are in the process of filing them with the Knox County Registrar’s Office.  Residents can now refer to the revised documents when looking for information or rules.  Board member Dick Biannucci thanks his street representatives who worked diligently to get the proxies collected for the August community meeting.  I would like to thank the board members who have done a wonderful job so far this year.  They work hard to maintain our property’s high value!

CONCERNS ABOUT THE GROUNDS’ APPEARANCE

At the June annual meeting several homeowners asked about what could be done about the yards that were not being maintained.  A committee of several homeowners has been asked to “take notice” of the yards in the community that need attention and cleaning up. When the list of these yards is submitted, the Board will review the list; then a letter will be sent to the owners, asking them to please clean up their yards.  This does not require landscaping; we may request that you trim your shrubs and trees that have hanging limbs, pull the weeds in your flower beds, clean the debris and trash off your front porch and back patio, and / or put your trash can away. Please note:  If residents need some help and are not able to do this work themselves, call Board member Mary Ann Johnson so that the Board can work something out. Let’s all work together to keep our community looking nice and neat because Fall is the perfect time to clean up and put away.  Residents, please remember that Waste Management will not pick up debris such as tree limbs unless they are bagged, tied in bundles, or placed in the company’s trash cans.  Any resident who would like to hire someone to do yard work can contact Board member Mary Ann Johnson who has a list of “handymen” who have worked for others in the development at reasonable rates. She also has a list of other tradesmen for other repair work.  Recently, a large dead tree was removed from our property close to the intersection of Bob Kirby and Chesney.  The surrounding area that was on our property was also cleared away.

ISSUES INVOLVING MAINTENANCE

Repairs and replacements have been completed for three faulty street lights. Some gutter problems and minor roof problems were addressed after being reported.  Also, minor repairs were made to the small fence between the upper end of Gate Post and Greylock.  We have addressed the issues involving our roads.  As everyone is aware of by now, the company cleaned the roads, repaired the cracks, and sealed the asphalt.  Anyone who has maintenance issues should contact Board member Ebb Judd.

ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL  ISSUES

Once again, please remember that any exterior changes (including satellite dishes and landscaping) must be submitted in writing first.  Then, this written request must be approved before the resident starts the project.  Compliance to these rules maintains the value of your property as well as your neighbors’ properties. Please call Board member Ed Axelrod if you have any questions.

The nursery at the corner of Lovell and Hickey is petitioning the city to have its zoning changed from agricultural to commercial (business).  A meeting has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on September 10, 2009, at the Knox City / County Building.  The other posted information directs people to call Michael Brusseau at 215-2500 with questions concerning this rezoning.  The File Number is 9-A-09-SP 9-A-09-RZ (James McCain).

A resident here at Westbrooke has questioned whether we residents should be concerned about this rezoning and whether it could be a problem for this subdivision since the nursery is so close to our property.

Upon preliminary investigations, there are various questions we might want to explore/clarify:  1)  How will the nursery change if it is rezoned as Business (commercial)?  2) Will it increase in size and be selling equipment and other products?  3) Will this change increase traffic, noise, and possible vandalism in our area?  4) Once the Nursery is rezoned as Business, would any further land that it purchases automatically be zoned as Business also (In other words, could the business grow in size to actually reach our property lines)? 5) If the land would be rezoned, could the nursery then sell the property to another commerical interest?

Concerned residents should call the number above or go to the meeting.

We will need to have an extra meeting for the By-Laws that were changed early this year.  The ONLY changed that was made is the name Carlton was replaced by Westbrooke.  Carlton is no longer a part of this and we felt it should be deleted.  We did not reach the number of votes we needed to make this change, so we will need another meeting to get this passed.  That date will be annouced soon.

We also want to hear from you….. the homeowner.  If you have ideas or something you need the board to look into, please contact the board.

I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and please stay in touch with Westbrooke using this website. 

Thank You – Tammie Slagle / President