May 2005 | The Ledger
President | Mark Slavik
I want to thank all those residents that attended the Special Meeting on April 20, 2005. The purpose of this meeting was to vote on the proposed changes to our Covenants and Restrictions and Code of Regulations. Unfortunately, there were not enough residents present to vote. We are required to have 75% or 391 households represented (either physically present or via proxy) to vote on changes to the Covenants and Restrictions and 50% or 261 households to vote on changes to the Code of Regulations. Unfortunately, we had only 220 households represented.
In January 2005, Kiplinger & Company, CPAs, LLC (Certified Public Accountants) reviewed our financial records for the year end October 31, 2004. This review included: Cash disbursement journal, bank statements and cancelled checks, general ledger, and cash receipts journal. Their review found all records to be correct and in keeping with accepted standards. We continue to maintain a strong balance sheet and capital reserves are maintained monthly in accordance with the Association’s Reserve Study.
Due to the rising costs of workers compensation and liability insurance, we recently made the decision to contract our landscape and grounds maintenance services to Bohac Landscaping; who handles many of the other large homeowner associations in the area. After 16 years of exceptional service, Ed Pohjala will be leaving the Association. I want to thank Ed publicly for all his dedication and support to our community.
We established a new position (i.e. Maintenance Manager) to take care of the pool infrastructure and provide oversight on the maintenance of all facilities. This will include various maintenance functions that are not being outsourced. The new Maintenance Manager, Dave Csank, will work part-time during the school year and full-time during the summer break.
Lastly, we will start to review all properties in the neighborhood for maintenance and appearance. As you could imagine, this is not a responsibility that any trustee enjoys. However, each of our property values can be negatively impacted by residents that fail to adequately maintain their home and/or landscape. Several of the problem homes in Ledgewood are rentals. We will be working in concert with City’s building department to pressure these owners to be responsible.
Lampposts … If your lamppost is rusted and falling over or doesn’t work, we need you to fix it. These lampposts serve as our streetlights and are important to resident safety and security. Contact the Service Garage (238-6000) if you need a new globe ($43.50).
Please plan to spend time at the pool. If we can make the experience better or easier, let us know.
Email president@theledgewoodassociation.com
Pool | George Smith
The pool will open May 28th. Pool hours will be 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Until school is out, weekday hours will be 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Amy Krukemeyer will be the Assistant Operations Manager.
If you do not have a photo ID to enter the pool, your picture can be taken at the pool anytime. Only children seven (7) and older will require a resident or guest pass. If you send children to the pool with a nanny or babysitter, the nanny or babysitter will not require a pass if the primary purpose is to supervise children in the pool during the absence of the parent resident.
Thirty free guest passes will be permitted. A second thirty guest passes will be available for $50.00. Guest passes will remain at the pool and maintained by the pool staff. Guests must sign in at the front desk. You can send guests to the pool with your ID pass, if unable to be present. However, we would like the residents to check in their guests, and then depart if necessary. If you choose to send a guest to the pool with your card, you must pick up the pass in person the following day. This procedure guards against theft and unauthorized use of the ID card.
Swim lessons will be conducted this year for all age groups beginning July 18th through August 12th. Anyone interested should contact Amy Krukemeyer.
The campfire pit behind the pool is available for members use. If guests are going to swim, guest passes must be used. Member must be present when using the campfire pit. Anyone interested in using it will need to reserve it through the Assistant Operations Manager.
Email: pool@theledgewoodassociation.com
Financial | Bob Folino
A detailed analysis was done comparing the cost and liability of maintaining our own summer grounds crew vs. outsourcing most of the grounds keeping to a subcontractor. In summary, we should save at least $10,000 a year by outsourcing to Bohac, Inc. Frank Bohac came very highly recommended by several communities in this area. You may have already seen their trucks picking up twigs, trimming trees and putting down mulch.
This outsourcing also allowed us to eliminate the capital expense of replacing the tractor. We traded it in on a small utility vehicle called a John Deere Gator for about 20% of the tractor cost. When you pass Dave Csank as he cruises through Ledgewood in what looks like a green and yellow golf cart, please try not to run him over. His top speed is only 20 MPH.
The pool renovation has been completed on time and on budget. Both the main pool and the kiddie pool were up and running before the end of May. Heaters will be turned on in time for opening on Memorial Day weekend. Ledgewood residents owe a hearty thanks to Bryant Bay and the crew from Designor Pools for a job well done. As part of this renovation, the electrical systems in the garage have also been totally replaced along with the damaged doors to the pool equipment room. The conduit has been installed for the new parking lot lights and the wiring will be done next. After the electrical is done, we will restore the landscape around the creek and replant grass in the pool area. The only major outstanding issue is a wall at the hill end of the pool to stand as a last barrier to the water and mud that has historically flowed down the hill.
Email: treasurer@theledgewoodassociation.com
Architectural Review – Marcia Folino (Temporarily)
The board has been made aware that there are two homes in the neighborhood (1 on Hillcliff and 1 on Parkcliff) that have been vacant for an extended period of time and essentially abandoned. We have contacted the City about the properties. The City will contact the owners and they will be cited for numerous violations. The City will mow the grass until the situations are resolved. We thank the neighbors who have been trying to keep the properties presentable. If there are other properties in the same situation please notify the board.
One serious issue has come to the board’s attention. The purpose of cleaning up after your dogs with plastic bags as you walk them is not so you can fill the ravines in the common areas with them. When the snow melts and the temperature rises, the neighbors living near them are being driven out by the smell. Carry the bags all the way home and throw them in your trash. And one of the board members recently witnessed a resident throwing a bag over the clubhouse wall at the dumpster which has a lid on it. If this happens again, someone is going to be publicly embarrassed.
Email: architectural@theledgewoodassociation.com
Clubhouse & Rental Manager | Jain Baruth
If you are planning a party or family gathering and are considering the Ledgewood Clubhouse for your event, make your booking as soon as possible, as summer dates are rapidly filling up. Clubhouse rules and rental policies can be found on our website. Or you may contact me at (440) 238-3099 or, more readily, at (216) 401-7871. Email : clubhouse@theledgewoodassociation.com
We have made some improvements at the clubhouse; new wallpaper in the kitchen, new garbage disposal, new coffee maker and the clock has been repaired. We aspire to keep our clubhouse in tip-top shape for our residents.
