Fountain Trace Homeowners Association Directors

Summer 2022 Newsletter

 

The Fountain Trace Board of Directors for 2022 wishes everyone a safe and happy summer and hopes this newsletter finds everyone healthy and enjoying the outdoors.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Construction/Fencing/Improvement Request Submissions:

 

All requests for construction projects must be submitted via the online Architecture Review Committee (ARC) Request Form.  The form can be found on the fountaintrace.com website by clicking on the “HOMEOWNER INFO” tab and selecting “ARC Submission”.  This will open up an online form which, when completed, is sent to all ARC Committee members as well as the President of the Board to insure receipt.  The board attempts to respond with approval or a request for further information as soon as possible.  This has been typically within 48 hours over the past year.  Please read the notes and provide a detailed and complete plan with measurements and preferably a “to scale” visual depiction of the amendment/addition to be made.  This is the only acceptable request pathway.  Emails, notes, phone calls are not acceptable since they are not able to be tracked with complete oversight by the ARC and the Board.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

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Covenant Violations:

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Overall, violations have been drastically reduced from last year. The noted violations have typically been corrected promptly after the Lot owner receives notice of the violation- Thank you!  It is possible that the increase to $150 per violation assessment you approved at the annual meeting has encouraged this compliance.

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Vacant lots not being constantly maintained with the grass below 15 inches is the most frequently occurring violation noted.  It has been noted this is typically because the owner does not live in the subdivision and does not regularly check that their contractor is providing the services as expected.
 

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Annual Dues:

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Thank you to everyone that paid their annual dues on time.  As of this newsletter we only have 2 Lots that have not paid their dues, and their dues have increased $25 monthly.  Letters have been sent and we hope this is corrected shortly.  If not, then a lien will be placed upon the properties.  As a reminder, annual dues are due no later than the yearly homeowners meeting which is typically very early in February.  Dues received after the meeting will be increased $25 each calendar month they are late.

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Nuisance Knocking at Night

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We have received reports of multiple knocking on homeowner’s doors and windows late at night.  For the homeowners disturbed you should report each instance and any details/video to the Warren County Sheriff’s office.  They will keep a record of the disturbances, which if continued will probably result in investigations of the ones disturbing homeowners.  

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We know it is summer and kids get bored and want to create some fun, but this can be extremely dangerous for them to disturb others from a sound sleep, especially if those awakened think their homes are being burglarized or vandalized.  Please speak with your children/teenagers for everyone’s safety.
 

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Lot 119 Legal Proceedings

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The Kentucky Appeals Court ruled in favor of the Fountain Trace Homeowners Association.  The owners of Lot 119 must remove the construction or get approval to build a different structure.  Further action is awaiting the owners of Lot 119 appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court.  If the Supreme Court declines to review the appeal, then the Board of Directors will move forward with coordination of construction/amendment approval requests from the owners of Lot 119 as decided by the Architectural Review Committee in compliance with covenant guidance.

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Cemetery Road Construction

 

The Board has reached out to the roads commission for details about the forecasted road construction on Cemetery road.  We were informed that the flags placed mark utilities and not the size of the road.  Also, the work will probably not begin any time soon and is not expected to be completed for 3 to 5 years.  Studies must be completed to determine the best solution or which changes will be made and for environmental impact.

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Subdivision Road Repairs

 

A few streets in Fountain Trace need repairs to the asphalt.  We reached out to the local Magistrate and did not receive a direct response.  It was inferred that numerous streets in the county require resurfacing, there is a budget for it, but that the budget is limited and streets were in line to be accomplished.  We will reach out to the local state representative to see if we can get a more direct response or he can provide us with a point of contact that can provide better insight.

 

 

Repairs and Improvements

 

As your Directors we are extremely focused on where every dollar of your money is spent.  We have been and continue to review all maintenance costs (grass cutting, landscaping, fertilizer, irrigation, etc.) and have changed landscaping contractors to achieve costs and quality improvements.  We constantly search for cost efficiencies.  We continue to review and analyze every receipt and insure no single Director approves spending without oversight.  We are pleased to announce improvements completed over the past year have produced significant cost savings.  As of this newsletter, we are well below forecasted budget predictions.  At the annual meeting, we budgeted and received approval to draw up to $4,000 from reserve funds.  As long as we do not have any unforeseen costs, we hope to not draw any money from the reserve this year while still completing all planned repairs and improvements.  The cost savings have come primarily from reduced water and electricity usage as well as $600 in unbudgeted income from late dues.

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Front Fountain Work
 

The Front Entrance Committee and the Board of Directors continue to research costs and plans for repairs and/or changes to the front entrance.  The water has been turned off due to the leaks.  

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Costs to replace the two lamp posts is being researched.  Also, contractors have been consulted concerning sign repair/replacement as well as the island landscaping.  Options include:

-    Backlighting the signs and an aluminum overlay 
-    Leave existing curbing, remove the existing water feature and landscaping to replace with grass, mulch, shrubs and trees to mirror other islands in the subdivision
-    Demolish some of existing island and pour new smaller island
-    Potential to add a flagpole and lighting for the flag

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All options will include maintaining electricity and irrigation.
As of this newsletter, we await cost estimates on the different options.  
The need to paint the front entrance fence was also discussed and costs will be researched.

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Pond Improvements/Work
 

Special thanks to Director Todd McNeilage for his work on the pond area.  He spearheaded the repair of the well pump creating significant water costs saving.  He recently replaced a malfunctioning electrical breaker that was causing the pond fountain to turn off randomly.

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Along with Board President Steve Grilli, Todd has unearthed over 20 sprinkler heads that have been neglected.  It is still believed more sprinkler heads are buried and finding them is still ongoing.  Numerous new sprinkler heads have been purchased to replace faulty ones and extensions are also being procured to prevent the sprinkler heads from being covered over again.  Also, the well pump run time has been increased to 18 hours to help keep the water level at an adequate height to protect the liner.  Along with Board VP Kirk Tisdale they are researching a process to find the valves for all the sprinkler stations.  Some zones are not operating and there is not an existing map of the sprinkler valve locations.

 

It has been noted that the rock around the pond needs to be adjusted (moved) to cover the liner that is exposed.  This is a significant physical task and the Board expects to request community participation at a later date to help with this labor.  Depending upon budgetary constraints, it is also desired to add additional crushed rock around the pond to help protect the liner and hold the larger rocks in place.

 

If you have any suggestions for neighborhood improvements, especially any cost-saving measures, the Board of Directors welcomes your input.
 

2022 Board of Directors

Steve Grilli (President)

Kirk Tisdale (Vice President)

Chip Rice (Secretary)

Mark Minotti (Treasurer)

Joe Macrino (Member At Large)

Todd McNeilage (Member At Large)

 

 

Architectural Review Committee                             Front Entrance Committee Volunteers

Chris Champion (Chairman)                                                        Steve Grilli (Chairman)

Todd McNeilage                                                                           Christie Bellair

Kirk Tisdale                                                                                  Scott Mayo

                                                                                                     Mike Harney

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