Thomas Ruthz works his artistic magic on the signature Monarch Butterfly that graces the entrance to Meadow Walk’s community entrance.

Pat DeSteno was also on hand to lend a steady hand on the scripted type below.

As of 2022, our community of 65 homes has been in existence for about 23 years. Past all-volunteer boards have done well in maintaining the community and keeping the HOA dues at a reasonable rate, but at the 20-year mark, irrigation, lighting, and landscaping need updating.

After carefully considering current, ongoing, and future community needs, the board has decided to increase HOA dues to $765.00 per year for 2023. If you choose to pay by credit card there is an additional merchants services charge of $26 for a total of $791 due on or before January 31st.

• Wall Maintenance – recurring expense. This item is budgeted on a 5-year cycle and is fully funded. The wall is to be repaired and painted in 2023.
• Well pump for the irrigation system – recurring expense. This item is budgeted on a 5-year cycle and is fully funded.
• Rewriting HOA documents (Marketable Record Title Act) – This legally required rewrite of the HOA documents every 30 years is beginning in 2023 and not fully funded. It is budgeted to be funded to $7K over the next two years. The earlier they are completed, the less legal costs to the HOA.
• Entry lighting upgrade – one-time expense. This project is currently unfunded.
• Completion of the exit side irrigation system move to the curbing – one-time expense. This project is currently unfunded.
• Replanting the hedge along the community exit – one-time expense. This project is currently unfunded.
• Replanting the center island at the entry – one-time expense. This project is currently unfunded.
• Landscape maintenance – recurring expense. The base cost of this service is estimated to be between $1800 and $2500/month.
• Miscellaneous landscaping work – a one-time expense of up to $6000, is currently unfunded.

The HOA budget is evaluated annually. Should the board discover that dues need to be adjusted upward or downward that decision will be made at the annual budget meeting held every October.

Using a volunteer board to manage our community has allowed the HOA to hold the annual dues to a reasonable amount. Hiring a management company to handle the affairs of the HOA would result in a considerable increase.

The Meadow Walk HOA’s annual meeting was held on November 30th. Forty-six homeowners appeared in person or by proxy. Frank covered the budget and explained each budget item. The board then voted unanimously to approve the budget as presented. As a consequence of the budget, the annual member dues were increased to $765.00. The invoices for the dues have been sent out. If you have not gotten yours, please contact Frank or Nancy. Their contact information is below and is also on the web page.

One of the major costs to the budget is landscaping. Frank and the board looked at 3 bids and selected the one that will hopefully provide the best service. Another major cost is electrical. Again, Frank and the board chose a contractor from three bids. Soon, the entry to Meadow Walk will be lit and visible as you approach it.

Another major cost, but not a budget item, is the repair and painting of the perimeter wall. Frank received more than 3 bids for this project. The money for the wall is already in the bank in a reserve account. While it is not a budget item for 2023, this reserve account will need to be replenished over the next several years.

Homeowners adjacent to the ponds were advised to keep about a 4 foot buffer of uncut grass along the perimeter of the ponds. This will help to keep run-off from our lawns causing algae or the growth of invasive plants.

Held over for next year is the proposal for a gardening committee to keep the entry way decorated with seasonal plantings and the like. Also proposed were written notices to homeowners who are not keeping their properties in a condition consistent with specific provisions in the governing documents. Credit for the Notice of Violation form goes to David Johnson, the former secretary. The current secretary simply fine tuned it.

Lastly, Craig Rapihana was appointed to the board by unanimous appproval. At the board meeting immediately following the general meeting, the current officers were re-elected:

Frank DeSteno | President frankmwhoa@yahoo.com
Joe Stewart | Vice President joestewart@mac.com
Nancy Woodrow | Treasurer toothfairy713@yahoo.com
Mary Lynn Endter | Secretary mlendter@gmail.com
Vivia Martin | Director vivnsrq@verizon.net
Nick Stine | Director nstiney@gmail.com
Craig Raphihana | Director bwrapihana@gmail.com