THE VERNON WOODS OWNERS ASSOCIATION
2019-2020 ANNUAL REPORT
Dear Neighbors:
The VWOA Board of Directors has scheduled our annual meeting on May 28th, 2020 at 7:30 PM. Due to the current Covid-19 lockdown, this meeting will be held as an online Zoom meeting with a phone option. Please try to participate either online or by phone.
Your attendance and input are very important. We need at least 20% of the Association members to be present either attending the Zoom meeting or by proxy. The Zoom Meeting link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87433776809?pwd=T2M3SW4wSkdkOVR3c3hLSTJlZHR1dz09 and the call in phone number is 312-626-6799.
If you join the meeting online you will need to have at least a microphone and speakers connected to your computer. Please use the call in number if you do not have these. The Meeting ID is: 874 3377 6809 and the Password is 503802. If you would like the link emailed to you, please email Rick Jamerson at the address below.
We are always seeking new Board members. This year, we have an open director position due to a resignation by one of the existing Board Member. Please consider becoming a Board member this year. New members with fresh ideas are always welcome. We’ve had quite a few new neighbors move into the area. Joining the Board is a great way to meet your neighbors and to better serve the community. A candidate form is included at the end of this report. We also need a Treasurer. If you are familiar with Quickbooks, please consider becoming our Treasurer.
Budget
We were under our budgeted expenses this year, by several thousand dollars. The snowfall was rather light, and the roads required less work than we had originally anticipated. These two items make up the majority of our expenses each year. The actual income and expenses will be reviewed at the Annual Meeting as well as our projected budget for 2020-2021. As of this writing, only one property is in arears. We anticipate that most assessments will be paid up by the time of the Annual Meeting. Last year, the Association dues were increased to $500 per property for those on the privately maintained streets. The Board has decided to maintain the dues at $500 for the 2020-2021 year. The assessment invoices were sent out on May 1st and are due by June 1st. Late payment fees will be assessed beginning on June 2nd.
The Roads
Once again, Herb Regan provided us with excellent snowplow service at a reasonable cost. As always, there were some challenges with ice this year and the winter though mostly mild, was hard on our roads. Many small potholes have appeared and will need to be patched. In May, we will examine all of the roads and get quotes for the necessary patching. Our roads were last resurfaced in 2008 and have held up fairly well. As the years move on, our roads will require more and more patching. The Board is working on creating a plan to grind down and repave our roads on a rotating basis as opposed to grinding and paving all of our roads at one time. A rough estimate to grind and repave all of our roads is $500,000. 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.
Many residents continue to have their landscapers park their vehicles and trailers on the side of the road. Besides being hazardous, due to the narrowness of the roads, this also hastens the deterioration of the pavement as the shoulders break away. The Board will be enforcing the Village ordinance on roadside obstructions. Roadside obstructions, especially along Thornmeadow, have made snow plowing more difficult as it was not possible to push the snow away from the edge of the road due to the various logs and rocks placed within inches of the edge of the road. Obstructions such as boulders and logs within 5 feet of the road will be pushed back at the owner’s expense. Notices will be issued to all lots that are in violation and if the obstructions are not moved within 30 days, the association will move the obstructions and invoice the property owner.
Drainage Ditches
The original design capacity and functionality of the storm water ditches throughout our subdivision have 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 and driveway culverts remains with each homeowner. There is a Village ordinance regarding this issue. Last year the Village cited at least two owners for having drainage ditches that were clogged with debris. Owners that do not comply with the Village’s request to properly maintain their ditches will face administrative hearings by the Village.
Lot 1
The Board will be keeping a closer eye on the paths in Lot 1 and will have them mowed on a regular basis. Fallen trees will also be cleared as quickly as possible. We hope to continue the clearing of invasive plants on Lot 1 and would welcome volunteers.
Building a Community
Kate Levinson has begun the process to build more of a community within the Vernon Woods Owners Association. She sent postcards to every household requesting permission to contact them for non-association business reasons. Many were not returned. If you would like to connect with Kate, please email her at the address shown at the end of this report.
Municipal Water
Several residents have inquired recently about acquiring municipal water. An informational letter on municipal water was included in last year’s mailing, but only three property owners responded. The Board does not have a stance on municipal water, but was in the process of scheduling two informational meetings by the Village when the pandemic started. We will once again schedule one or two informational meetings when it is safe to do so.
Board Meetings
Our meetings throughout the year will be held on the last Thursday of each month. If a meeting is cancelled for lack of business or lack of a quorum, a notice will be posted on the Vernon Woods Owner’s Association website, www.vernonwoodsowners.com. We would love to hear your input on these or other matters and we welcome your attendance at any of our Board meetings. Due to the lockdown, we have been holding Zoom online meetings and if you would like to attend, please contact Rick Jamerson for the link. The requirement to ask for a link is for everyone’s security.
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. Over 95% of the members have given us permission to conduct association business, such as invoicing and communications, via e-mail. If we don’t already have it, PLEASE provide us with your email address and permission to use it 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 (2018-2019)
Rick Jamerson, President 847-370-6565 rickjamerson22@gmail.com
Kate Levinson, Vice President 847-602-0701 klevinson1@gmail.com
Open Position, Treasurer vwoa9999@gmail.com
David Shimberg, Secretary 847-274-0276 dshimberg@gmail.com
Jerry Saperstein 847-948-7848 supersap0433@gmail.com