THE VERNON WOODS OWNERS ASSOCIATION
2015-2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Dear Neighbors:
The VWOA Board of Directors has scheduled our annual meeting on May 24th, 2016 at 7:30PM at the Jamerson residence, 3223 Blackthorn Road. Parking is available in front of the garage, across from the garage, and by the barn. Please try to attend. Your attendance and input is very important to help us function. We are in need of one new Board member. Carol Lieberman is regretfully stepping down as a Board Member. I want to take this opportunity to thank Carol on behalf of the Association for her years of dedicated service to the Association. We are also in need of a new Treasurer. Mike Clayton has filled this position for several years and has requested to be replaced due to family commitments. Mike will stay on the Board, but he is also willing to step down if a new member is willing to handle the Treasurer’s position. Please consider becoming a Board member this year. Many members of the Board have been involved for many years. New members with fresh ideas are always welcome. We’ve had quite a few new neighbors move to Vernon Woods in the last couple of years. Joining the Board is a great way to meet your neighbors!
Budget
We are below our budgeted expenses this year in almost everything. There was very little road repair necessary, we had less snow, we did not do any ditch maintenance and we were not able to schedule volunteers or contractors to work at Lot #1. Please keep in mind that the Association assessments are billed in May and are due by August 1st. Association members whose assessments are paid after this date will be charged a late fee. This is not a new policy. As of the end of our Fiscal Year, we have $7,410.75 in unpaid assessments and penalties and which eventually results in property liens. The Board has also explored other remedies in extreme cases. Please keep your assessments current. Unpaid assessments are burdens upon all those that do pay their assessments.
The Roads
Once again, Herb Regan provided us with excellent snowplow service at a reasonable cost, and as I said we were below budget. Last year, the Board approved the cutback of vegetation along the roads. This year the Board will review the vegetation again, and, if necessary, have it cut back once again. The good news regarding the roads is that there are only some small repairs needed. We will attempt to get these repairs done early in the season as the price of oil is keeping paving costs down. Let one of us know if you see any road repair that should be addressed. The Board will also be investigating adding gravel to the shoulders. Currently, there are several locations were the shoulders drop off several inches. These drop offs hasten the deterioration of the side of the roads. Our goal is to build up the shoulders with recycled crushed asphalt in the areas where the drop off is the greatest. Also, we will be enforcing the Village ordinance on roadside obstructions. Obstructions such as boulders and logs within 5 feet of the road will be reported to the Village. Roadside obstructions, if too close to the edge of the pavement, can be hazardous to pedestrians as well as vehicles that meet head on along our narrow roads.
Drainage Ditches
The original design capacity and functionality of the storm water ditches throughout our subdivision has been altered due to years of forest litter decomposition and the increased demand on the system from sump pump water pumped into them. The result has been flooding on some properties. The ultimate responsibility for cleaning the storm water ditches remains with each homeowner and the Board has decided to begin requesting that the Village issue citations. However, we budgeted $3,000 for the last two years and didn’t spend anything. We will plan to review the ditches again this year and are budgeting $6,000 to address any issues.
Lot 1
We hope to continue the clearing of invasive plants on lot 1 and would welcome volunteers.
Board Meetings
Our meetings throughout the year will be noted on the calendar published in the Village Voice and the Village website. We would love to hear your input on these or other matters and we welcome your attendance at any of our Board meetings. We had two meetings this year.
The Board wishes to thank both of its advisors, Greg Mancuso and Irene Gagerman, for their insightful contributions as we work to keep Vernon Woods both functional and beautiful.
Finally, we are trying to reduce our paper usage requirement and to communicate efficiently with the VWOA members. Emails save the board time and money. If we don’t already have it, PLEASE provide us with your email address when you pay your annual assessment. We respect your privacy and will use your email address only for official Vernon Woods Owners Association business. We would like letters to be distributed via email unless a specific request is received. Be sure to let us know if you change your email address.
VWOA Board of Directors (2015-2016)
Rick Jamerson, President: 847-370-6565 rjamerson@jbelectric.com
Carol Lieberman, Vice President 847-236-9863 hiflyr1@core.com
Mike Clayton, Treasurer 847-667-0947 mclayton@marauder.net
Herb Regan 847-800-3009 herb@chicagotoysow.com
Tim Tomkovich, Secretary 847 940 7597 ttomkovich@yahoo.com