P.O. Box 551, Linden, MI. 48451
Front Entrance Project
Summer 2024 Newsletter
Fenton Pine Lake Forest Association Residents:
Hi neighbors, this newsletter will focus on our annual meeting, upcoming projects with the roads and our front entrance. Also, we would like input from you on other sub activities and actions.
The Board of Directors met Thursday, June 6, 2024. While some additional interested Residents attended the meeting, the Board wishes to inform the Residents of issues discussed and report on actions taken.
The Annual Meeting of the Association will be held on August 20, 2024 at 6:30PM in the Loose Center in Linden. Please make every effort to attend as Officers and Directors will be elected and issues facing our community will be discussed and potentially decided. Ballots will be distributed prior to the Meeting but we need to expand the Board of Directors and add a couple of Officers to the existing group who serve year after year.
If you are able to serve, or have any questions, please contact me at the contact information below to be added to the ballot.
Road Repairs are currently scheduled for the end of June. We have hired a company to do major patching to problem areas. Repairs this year will be fairly extensive; expected to take 5 days. Please be understanding regarding the inconvenience as repairs are made. Some Residents may be asked to move vehicles to the street if road repairs are done in front of a driveway. Some roads may need to be closed off for short periods where the repairs are extensive.
Sub wide activities such as picnics and garage sales. The Association is willing to sponsor and underwrite such activities but only if a significant number of Residents are interested in participating (for instance in a Sub wide garage sale) or volunteering (in the case of a Sub wide picnic). While no date will meet everyone’s needs, July 20 / 21 is the tentative date for a Sub wide garage sale.
Homeowner Action:please contact me if you are interested in participating in the garage sale. If there is enough interest, we will take the necessary steps to have the garage sale, otherwise the idea will be shelved. I will report back in a week or two.
Entrance: The Board has agreed to clean up and refurbish the areas on either side of the entrance along Owen Road. This area has both dead trees and is covered with weeds; edging is destroyed in some areas and mulch is mostly nonexistent. Specific details are being worked out but this will be a large project and then require an annual maintence activity to maintain the investment. Reclaiming the front of the Sub that thousands pass each day on Owen Road will restore the Sub’s status as a premier place to own a home. For those few Residents who have a fence along Owen Road (yes, the fence belongs to you, it is on your property and you have the responsibility to keep the fence in good repair) we have been notified that the Township of Fenton has an ordinance requiring that the good side face out and the side with the supports face in towards your house.
Flowers: flowers have been planted at the entrance to the Sub. For a period, this spring our sprinkler system was down. It has been repaired. Thanks to Barb and Mike Fraser and Sue Ward for their hard work and dedication to keeping the Sub attractive.
Vendor Discounts: Some Residents have requested that the Association negotiate with reputable vendors for discounts on services like sprinklers, fertilization and grass cutting. Discounts from vendors would be based on the number of Residents that contracted with a given vendor. While the Association is willing to attempt to find vendors willing to consider such opportunities, no Resident is required to engage such vendors and individual Residents are responsible for the relationship with any vendor as is the case now. The Association will not recommend a vendor or take any responsibility for the activities of any vendor and only announce the availability of potential discounts available to Residents. Again, the Association will only engage in undertaking this effort if there are enough Residents interested. Homeowner Action: Please contact me via email or call if you think this is a worthwhile activity for the Association to undertake
Internet Service Provider: WOW is an internet service provider. WOW has contacted the Board, offering to provide Sub wide high-speed fiber cable service. After the Sub is wired, Residents could sign up for the service if interested. While WOW has a reputation for lower costs than other providers, there is no guarantee that rates will be lower than current providers. During the installation, there will be major disruptions as the cables are pushed underground along the streets, with the potential for lawn, road and driveway damage. Every Resident contracting with WOW for internet service will have an underground cable run from the street to their home internet connection. Homeowner Action: Please advise if you believe offering WOW access to the Sub is worthwhile.
Do you know the By-Laws?
By-laws:
Soliciting: There has been a significant increase in door to door selling recently. Soliciting is not allowed in the Sub. Engage these vendors at your risk as at least some appear to be less than honorable suppliers. If one of these vendors comes to your house, advise them that signs around the Sub say that no soliciting is allowed in this private Sub and that the Genesee County Sheriff will be called to remove trespassers.
Signs: Signs, except for standard size real estate signs are clearly not allowed by our Association Bylaws. Notice of violation and subsequent fines and liens, if necessary, will be levied. The definition of “sign” will be as defined in Websters dictionary, therefore flags, not the American flag, that depict a product or candidate will be considered signs. Signs, even those that advertise worthwhile activities, such as fund drive are not allowed. While Residents are encouraged to donate, volunteer and participate in worthy activities, signs regarding these personal activities are still not allowed. Note the Board may allow signs of general interest to the Sub at large, for instance signs that will remind Residents of the Annual Meeting. These Board authorized signs will be removed as soon as the activity is completed.
Keeping our sub beautiful, how can you help?
Please bag trash so it doesn’t fly when picked up.
Take in and store trash barrels out of sight.
Pick up and properly dispose of dog waste and watch that your cats stay in your yard. Dogs need to be leashed at all times when off your property.
Parking on the street overnight is not allowed and trailers, RVs and boats are not allowed in a driveway, except for short periods for cleaning, maintenance, etc. A short period is one that is less than 7 days.
The Board is interested in the views of our Residents. Please contact me with your opinions on the topics discussed above. The future of the Sub and our home values depend on the decisions made. Thanks for your attention.
Ed Bernice
President
On behalf of the Board
Fenton Pine Lake Forest Association
810 772 6382
Website: https://pinelakeforest.org/
2024 Pine Lake Forest Annual Meeting August 20, 2023
Thanks to all that attended the meeting.
Board Introductions: Ed Bernice, President and Treasurer; Dwight Johnson, Director; Sue Ward Secretary
Resident Introductions, approximately 35 people
Voting: Candidates on ballot, Dwight Johnson, Jeremy Campbell, Brenda Johnson, Angela Braun. Jennifer Sass voice vote at meeting. All are elected.
Website: www.PineLakeForest.org has contacts and legal documents. We need someone who is familiar with websites to help update, contact Ed Bernice at EBernice@comcast.net.
Emails: Please make sure Ed or Sue has your email so you can get communications. pinelakeforest@gmail.com
Review and discussed the 2023 Budget and Financial Statements:
2024 Savings/ Checking: $133,704.53 We purchased a 9-month CD for $75,000 at 5.09% interest, earning about $2900 in interest. We previously weren’t getting much interest. We are a business and can’t get an interest-bearing checking or money market account among other rules.
2024 Projects:
Flowers: Mike and Barb Fraser purchased and planted flowers for front entrance, Sue and Bob Ward assisted. Mike also sprayed for weeds and pulled some big weeds, Brenda and Tori also helped with weed pulling. Thank you!!
Roads Repair: Roads were patched, about 10,000 sq feet of repairs, $18,000. There are other spots with quote for $3000 to do this year or next. This should be kept up annually so we can delay redoing the roads at a huge expense to each homeowner.
Sprinkler Repair: Some pine trees along front entrance fell over and damaged sprinkler heads and a 240 v power line. Cost of $3,000 to fix sprinklers, new box and electrical updates to code.
Trees and Front clean up: Pine trees were removed from the back row of pines as they were dead or dying of disease. Arborist recommended we remove all. Front row of short needle pines remain. We spent $15,600 on tree removal, $300 a tree. It looks bare in lots of spots and is noisier for some people by road. We are planning on planting Green Giant Arborvitae 4-to-5-foot trees. it is a rapid growing plant, growing 3 to 4 feet a year, plant every 10 feet; need 77 trees. These trees come with a guarantee, if we water them. May have to run more sprinkler line. Current cost is $14,045 for trees. These would be planted by hand. The Board approved planting for this fall.
For the main front repair project, we need weed pulling and mulch. Quotes originally for $6,000 for cleanup for weeds and fix edging and rocks. $23,000 for spraying in mulch and putting weed killer down. Estimated ongoing yearly maintenance cost is $5,000 – 6,000 unless sub volunteers can do the work required.
Question from homeowner about the terrible condition of front with weeds that should be pulled this year. Several homeowners volunteered to meet on August 29th at 6pm at entrance. Bring bags, gloves, any tools and pull weeds. Maybe mosquito spray. Please join in and thanks in advance for helping out to make our sub look great.
Potential Initiatives: Garage sale, picnic, etc. Please give more advanced notice next year.
Negotiated vendors: Not too many people responded, 2 possible vendors on your own for sprinklers. We will send out a note if you want to contact them.
2025 Projects:
Runoff from Owen Road: Water, debris and rocks rush down from Owen Road. Is it the road commission or township? Dwight will contact.
Road and front area Maintenance: As mentioned earlier, ongoing maintenance $5000 to 6000 each year. Questions about seal coating, this does not work and no benefit.
WOW Proposal: WOW sent a contract to install Fiber Optic internet service for sub. Another box would be needed, Miss Dig would have to be called. Could be messy. Internet speeds would be much higher for less cost to start with. We need more details on this. There was mixed opinions from homeowners as to if WOW is any better than Spectrum. Concerns about people’s sprinkler systems and disruption and mess. Let Ed know if you want to see more information. Would have to get an attorney to look at contract. We have 2 miles of roads.
Road Plowing and Salt: Salt usage very expensive, $10,850 in salt last winter. Plowing fixed rate $4500 no matter how much they plowed. Association is open to more quotes provided the company can come early, do a good job, possibly with a better truck so there isn’t wasted excess salt. We used $108,500 lbs. of salt last winter!
Dues Increase: We haven’t had an increase since 2014. If we do road repairs and front entrance we would be in negative with current dues. If we raise dues by $100, we would raise $13,000. We want the sub to keep looking good. Dues are very inexpensive compared to other subs. Everyone has paid dues in 2024. If dues are not paid, leans can be placed to ensure collection. You can pay your dues early if you want. Otherwise, association dues are due January 1, association will give you to mid-February to pay before a fine.
Recent Complaints and Reminders: NoOvernight Street parking, No visible trash and yard waste storage. Put trash out the night before only. Residents will get a notice and then a letter with a fine if they don’t follow through. We want the neighborhood to look nice so homeowner should do weed control and lawn care, possibility of issuing warning and take pictures if property is not kept up.
Cats and dogs, keep cats in at night and pick up dog waste.
Aesthetics: association has to approve major changes or additions to a resident’s property. Keep the front of your home looking good.
Lighting: Dwight called and got some street lights fixed. Thanks Dwight. Homeowners near lights can call Consumers to get them replaced.
By Laws: – By Laws safeguard the whole sub. The board will assure by-laws are adhered to.
Signs – advertising and political: Our bylaws say no advertising devices are allowed. That would include signs, flags, decorations. There was a Rule and Regulation that was adopted in 2020 to the bylaws. This limited Political signs, number of signs, holiday decorations etc. The board will review and communicate. We need to enforce the bylaws.
Fireworks Problem: Several homeowners said their neighbors were lighting large fireworks and shells were coming onto their property and very dangerous to their children and almost killed their 4-year-old daughter. Shells were denting driveway and going on roofs. Call the sheriff if this happens and alert the association as to who is doing this.
Minutes submitted by: Sue Ward, Secretary Pine Lake Forest Association
That’s All Folks