Author: ALPHA Board of Directors

If you have already paid your 2013 ALPHA assessment, please disregard this notice.

This is just a reminder that if you have not paid your 2013 assessment, it’s due by April 30 to avoid late fees. Any payments postmarked later than April 30 will be considered late regardless of the date on your check.

For those that have not paid yet, a paper invoice will be mailed within the next few days.

If you have questions about your assessment, please contact the Board of Directors by email to info@arnoldlilacparkhoa.org or by telephone to 209.795.3807.

The number of reported thefts and burglaries in the Arnold area are on the rise and unfortunately, Lilac Park isn’t immune to it.

Just this past weekend, I received a report that a heathy, mature tree was cut down and partially removed from a homeowner’s property on Summit View. Apparently, the thieves were aware that the homeowners don’t live here full time and took advantage of their absence to steal a tree that was between 18 and 24 inches in diameter from a relatively remote section of the property. This is disturbing.

Over the last year, I’ve heard of several instances of cut firewood and other items being taken from various lots in the area, including Lilac Park. According to reports from several full time homeowners, break-ins over in Blue Lake Springs are up significantly and homeowners are frustrated because law enforcement is stretched pretty thin.

What can we do about it? For starters, make your home less of a target for thieves. Don’t leave valuables in plain sight and don’t leave curtains or blinds open. Consider an alarm system. The police may not be able to respond in time to catch a thief, but a loud alarm siren or bell will likely discourage a bad guy from going into your home should they force open or break a door or window.

If you see someone cutting trees on a Lilac Park lot and they don’t appear to be professionals (or they’re not the owner of the property), report it immediately to the sheriff’s department. Any living tree over 12″ in diameter requires the approval of the HOA and/or the county to remove. Trees already on the ground or that are dead, but still standing, may be removed without permission. All cut timber and slash MUST be removed in a timely fashion.

Recent advances in technology have made Digital Video Recording (DVR) systems relatively inexpensive and widely available. Installation is often no more difficult than installing a DVD player or other home entertainment device and can usually be done by homeowners with basic tools.

Take photos of valuables and record available serial numbers. While the sheriff’s office may not be able to investigate every incident, filing a police report increases your chances of the thieves being caught and the eventual return of your property. Report any theft, no matter how insignificant.

Finally, get to know your neighbors. Having an extra set of eyes on your property is never a bad thing, plus, you can keep an eye on theirs when you’re in town and they’re not.

Many of us come up to the mountains to get away from everyday life. Unfortunately, some elements of life will follow us regardless of where we go. We must be vigilant and take steps to protect our property.

~Mark

 

The ALPHA Board of Directors has opted to make some changes to how tenants of homeowners register to use the pool.

The right to use HOA common areas is automatically transferred to tenants of association members, including the ALPHA swimming pool. Homeowners cannot legally preclude tenants from using the pool. Our current method for tenant use of the pool requires the homeowner to complete an authorization form. If the homeowner doesn’t do this, our past policy restricted tenant’s use. This isn’t in line with state law.

That being said, it is also within the law for ALPHA to verify the identity of those using the pool so that it’s use is limited to authorized association members or their tenants.

For 2013, any renter or tenant of any improved lot may use the ALPHA swimming pool after they have provided the board of directors or its agent a copy of their rental or lease agreement.

This shifts the responsibility of registering tenants at the pool from the lot-owner to the tenant. If the tenant wishes to swim, they can do so without having to contact their landlord for authorization. Since the legal right to use the pool is automatically transferred to the tenant anyway, the only thing the tenant has to do is verify that they are a resident of Lilac Park.

A formal pool-use policy is being drafted for this year and will include these new rules along with general pool use information.