Rules should be created and enforced reasonably, fairly, and consistently.
We Need Inspections, Maintenance, and Repair (Feb. 2017)
Professional, independent, and quality property inspections of common and limited elements cost much less than having to perform emergency repairs and then permanent repairs along with replacement of damaged homeowner property and community property.
Proactive and Preventive Maintenance
Identify problem areas before they get worse: If deterioration of common elements is detected early, it could save the HOA money if repairs are made before the damage becomes even more costly.
Different seasons bring different property risks. Season-specific inspections—such as checking chlorine levels in an outdoor pool during summer, leaf buildup in eaves and gutters in the fall and sidewalks for ice in winter—should be done along with regular inspections.
Sept. 2018 Request for Maintenance Plan-No Plan/No Response
Email request sent to the Board September 24, 2018 - NO RESPONSE FROM HOA BOARD
"Please provide me with a copy of the community's current maintenance plan. Not the new "matrix", but the current, comprehensive property maintenance plan that has been executed since January 2017.
If it is available in electronic form you can send it to this email address. Or, if there is a website where the plan is located, please provide the URL.
Please send me a copy of the existing Property Maintenance Plan no later than Tuesday, September 25, 2018.
Thank you."
Ignoring or neglecting necessary inspections and maintenance can have very serious consequences.
Lack of action - No preventive maintenance plan
16 April 2019
The board has had two years to develop a maintenance plan. Yet they have taken no action to encourage a proactive, preventive maintenance plan. We still do not have one.
Even when a homeowner reached out to the board and asked if we had one - the board chose to ignore the homeowner and did not reply.
We have been way overdue for proper inspections and proactive, preventive maintenance. All we have been doing is reactive maintenance for at least two years.
analysis paralysis
We haven't heard anything from the Asset Management Project Team since JULY 2019.
JULY 2, 2019 - they haven't taken any productive action...they're still busy "strategizing" and "planning."
WE'VE BEEN ASKING FOR INSPECTIONS AND PROACTIVE, PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR OVER TWO YEARS!
The board announced (3/28/2019) they formed an "Asset Management Project Team." Not an original idea or timely decision. There has been a lack of action for over TWO YEARS and it is costing homeowners thousands of dollars.
We are long overdue for proper inspections and a proactive, preventive maintenance plan. Reactive maintenance isn't working.
7/8/2019 WE'RE STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE BOARD ABOUT OUR OFFER TO HELP.
4/2/2019 WE VOLUNTEER TO WORK WITH THE BOARD AND HELP THEM IMPLEMENT MORE OF OUR IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS! NO RESPONSE YET.
2019 WE NEED FEWER PROMISES AND MORE ACTION.
EQUIVOCATE: to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or mislead.
We have been asking for inspections and preventive maintenance to be performed for over TWO YEARS!
We have been asking for inspections and preventive maintenance to be performed for over TWO YEARS!
5/28/2019 Board Response: "The Board is aware of Declaration, Article 3.3, Section (e), page 6 which allows for inspection of all Common Elements and Limited Common Elements on a regular basis as reasonably necessary as well as all unit owners receiving reasonably detailed written reports following such inspections. The Board’s fiduciary duty to maintain roofs and siding of units requires a data informed and effective combination of both preventative and restorative maintenance activities and inspections to inform of maintenance efforts. As the community’s units age, we are aware of the need to inspect units in order to determine the requirements for both preventative and restorative maintenance. The Board has appointed an Asset Management Project Team who currently is working to develop a strategy and process for inspection of the areas of individual units for which the HOA has maintenance responsibilities. Once this strategy and process is finalized and approved by the Board, an implementation plan which will include the time frame, the companies and/or individuals performing the services and the costs of the inspection services will be shared with all residents."
WE NEED FEWER PROMISES AND MORE ACTION.
We have been asking for inspections and preventive maintenance to be performed for over TWO YEARS!
We have been asking for inspections and preventive maintenance to be performed for over TWO YEARS!
We have been asking for inspections and preventive maintenance to be performed for over TWO YEARS!
Our response to the Board:
SO, YOU IGNORE THE DECLARATION AND AFTER TWO YEARS OF NEGLECT YOU NEED TO "DEVELOP A STRATEGY" TO CONDUCT INSPECTIONS?
JUST GET ON WITH IT, GET THE JOB DONE AND STOP WITH ALL THE BUREAUCRATIC BUSYWORK, EQUIVOCATING, AND ONE-WAY B.S. MESSAGES!
Homeowner Comments about the Board's Response
We have been asking for inspections and preventive maintenance to be performed for over TWO YEARS!
Homeowner Comments about the Board's Response
"There is no reference to when the project mgmt team is to give them any information. Therefore they could take another two years before doing anything. What a waste! How about some action not just appointing another team to do something. This place is getting worse not better."
(Resident name and address withheld by request.)
"They might as well have said, "We don't know sh*t about what's going on." (Resident name and address withheld by request.)
"These incompetent gas bags are eventually going to drown in their nonsensical verbiage. It is obvious that they have no clue how to run this place and that they are terrified of the people who do." (Resident--Patriot Lane)
Example: No Inspection and Poor Maintenance
May 2018 - Clubhouse Closed
"The Great Room, Kitchen and Dinette areas of the Clubhouse will be closed and unavailable for use Monday, May 7 through Friday, May 18. During this time, the Great Room flooring will be removed and replaced." (Source: HOA Website)
April 2018 - Clubhouse: another roof leak develops
"Great Room Repairs – The entire floor will need to be replaced...The back part of roof has been repaired and (is) no longer leaking, however now the front roof seems to be leaking and in need of repair." (Source: Sewickley Ridge Clubhouse & Pool Committee Meeting Minutes, April 5, 2018)
March 2018 - Clubhouse roof begins leaking again
Residents and Central Blood Bank representatives witness the ceiling leaking. The Central Blood Bank's equipment had to be moved to prevent damage to the computers.
(Source: March 2, 2018 SR Blood Drive)
February 2018 - Ice dam causes interior leaking and damage
"...the ice dam that developed on the clubhouse roof resulting in interior leaking and damage to the Great Room and the steps being taken to have the roof as well as the Great Room repaired." (Source: February 10, 2018 Special Meeting of the Executive Board of Directors)
January 2018 - Clubhouse: ice jam, leak in wall and ceiling
"As a result of what we believe to be an ice jam/dam in the gutters of the clubhouse, a leak has developed in the wall and ceiling of the clubhouse Great Room." (Source: email from noreply@sewickleyridgehoa, Thursday, 1/18/2018)
September 2017 - Clubhouse: roof leak
Roof leak at corner back of the clubhouse. (Source: Property Management "Report", September, 2017)
Gutters + Downspouts = Common Elements
The Board's Duty to Maintain Common Elements Cannot be Delegated to Individual Homeowners
October 24, 2018
The Maintenance Matrix is incorrect. The Board is obligated by law* to provide maintenance to all common elements. That duty cannot be delegated to individual owners. It is improper for the Board to expect homeowners to take over its obligations and force homeowners to spend money on inspections and maintenance (in addition to the regular, monthly assessment already being paid.)
* PA Uniform Planned Community Act; § 5307. Upkeep of planned community.
Homeowner Concern: Artillery Fungus
Siding
Siding
Siding
"We have these small black spots that look like specks of tar, all over the vinyl siding of our house. It's on the porch, my windows, but it is worse on the siding. It goes all the way up to my second-story windows, and is even under my soffit and on my gutters."
Source: www.personal.psu.edu/users/
Cars
Siding
Siding
It is common on the sides of automobiles when cars are parked near mulched areas that are infested with the artillery fungus.
Mulch
Siding
Why has there been no action to effectively address the artillery fungus issue?
Click on the button below for information: "Solutions for Artillery Fungus." https://extension.psu.edu/solutions-to-artillery-fungus
Why has there been no action to effectively address the artillery fungus issue?
How long does the Board need to review a problem? Stop reviewing and start doing!
Why has there been no action to effectively address the artillery fungus issue?
January 4, 2019 Grounds & Safety Minutes:
"7. Artillery Spores
The issue with these spores in the mulch areas around homes is being reviewed by the Board. They can release spores a significant distance from the ground, causing small dark hard spots to be attached to siding and windows, and possibly leaving a stain behind when removed."
How long does the Board need to review a problem? Stop reviewing and start doing!
How long does the Board need to review a problem? Stop reviewing and start doing!
How long does the Board need to review a problem? Stop reviewing and start doing!
January 12, 2019 Special Meeting of the Board:
A homeowner asked about the artillery fungus problem. The Board President indicated the Board was "aware" of the problem and was reviewing it.
August 2019: EIGHT (8) MONTHS SHOULD BE ENOUGH TIME TO REVIEW THE ISSUE AND DEVELOP SOME SOLUTIONS AND/OR OPTIONS.
We paid $52,965.91 for mulch in 2018 and $52,027 in 2019 = $104,992.91
How long does the Board need to review a problem? Stop reviewing and start doing!
How long does the Board need to review a problem? Stop reviewing and start doing!
$104,992.91 for the last two years of mulch (and artillery fungus).
The growth of artillery fungus and it's damage to siding and cars continues....
Check out the Message Board - General - Miscellaneous - "Small black spots on siding" topic on the HOA website to see a discussion by homeowners regarding their frustrations dealing with artillery fungus and the Board's lack of action.
If you have to follow the rules, the HOA board does, too.
The Board is ignoring requirements of the Declaration.
TO: Sewickley Ridge HOA Executive Board of Directors
July 29, 2019
As part of the purchase agreement for all units within the Sewickley Ridge community, purchasers are provided with information relative to the governing Community Documents and agree to abide by the provisions of these documents. The Executive Board of Directors are homeowners elected by homeowners to represent the Association. Transfer from Declarant control to the homeowner-controlled HOA Board occurred January 2017.
Article III Units; Boundaries; Homes; Certain Maintenance Responsibilities of the Declaration requires that the Association, after transfer of Declarant control to the Association shall, through a qualified independent contractor, inspect all Common Elements and Limited Common Elements on a regular basis as reasonably necessary, for the purpose of determining the condition of the Common Elements and Limited Common Elements and need for Maintenance work. Reasonably detailed written reports of such inspections shall be prepared by the independent contractor and submitted to the Association, and copies shall be made available to all Unit Owners.
The Board has failed to follow the required procedures. Furthermore, the Board has acknowledged their awareness of the Article III contents. Yet the inspection, maintenance and reporting requirements continue to be ignored. The Board’s ongoing lack of compliance results in the neglect of both Common Elements and Limited Common Elements.
The Board has ignored its responsibilities under Article III for 2.5 years. As a consequence of their failure to adhere to the requirements of the governing Community Documents, the Board should be assessed a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00). Said fine is payable to the Sewickley Ridge HOA.
Failure to comply with Article III may result in the imposition of additional fines and legal action under the processes outlined in the Community Documents.
Sincerely,
Concerned Homeowners
Neglect of another common element
The longer the delay, the more it will cost...
DECEMBER 2019: Retention pond still not repaired.
April, 2019: Retention pond stops functioning.
June 2019: Vendor contract indicates a "documented 8' X 8' sinkhole."*
HOA paid $4,850.
September 13, 2019: Grounds & Safety Committee meeting minutes--
"The crack in the small pond ended up being 20 feet long ... it appears that the crack may be extended beyond what was capped, so the pond is still leaking water."
November 9, 2019: When asked about the retention pond at the Budget meeting the Board announced it will be waiting until, at least, January 2020 to "look at the problem with the new management company."***
Really? The retention pond hasn't been functioning for NINE MONTHS! It is an important component of our storm water management system and the HOA's responsibility.
If this problem cannot be resolved, the cost to completely rebuild the pond could cost $30,000 - $50,000.**
*Source: Vendor contract, June, 2019: "Excavation of 8' X 8' documented sinkhole."
**Source: October 10, 2019 Board Meeting, Treasurer's Report
***November 9, 2018 Budget Meeting