Hunters Mill

Retention Pond & Pool Closing

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Good Evening Neighbors!

 

We wanted to clarify the restrictions as they relate to the retention pond at the front of the neighborhood. As is currently posted, there is no fishing or boating permitted in that area. There have been multiple issues with trespassing from individuals who are not from our community and present as a risk of unlawful activity to include littering and vandalism. We would ask that homeowners refrain from using this area for recreational fishing and/or boating.

 

Also, please remember to join us for the pool closing gathering occurring this Saturday (10/1) from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Food and beverages will be provided. The official closing of the pool area will be 7:00pm on Sunday (10/2). This represents a significant extension of the opening schedule that we’ve maintained in the past and we hope that everyone has had the opportunity to enjoy the area.

 

Have a great night!

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HOA Update 9/22/16

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Good Evening!

 

We wanted to communicate a few updates and announcements.

 

Mr. Scott Morgan has recently submitted his resignation as a member of the Board. We’re thankful for all of his contributions and his presence will be missed. His dedication to social events and the engagement of homeowners was valuable and we're appreciative of his firm focus on neighborhood unity. We wish him well in his future endeavors and will always welcome his feedback and perspective on Association operations. As a result of his resignation, the Board has met with and appointed Mrs. Vicki Newman to serve out the remainder of his term which expires in 2018. The Board's appointment of Mrs. Newman is consistent with Article IX, Sections 5 & 6 of the By-Laws of our community. We look forward to working with Mrs. Newman and welcome her.

 

During the most recent Board meeting, some leadership changes have also occurred. Dr. Omar Troutman indicated his desire to resign from his role as President of the Association. His resignation was accepted and a motion was voted upon to affirm Mr. Keith Anderson as the Association’s new President. Dr. Troutman will continue his service to the community as the Treasurer and Secretary until a new Secretary is determined. Mrs. JoAnn Pitts was also nominated to the vacated position of Vice President. Her nomination was affirmed and she has accepted her new role.

 

A pool closing social will be held on Saturday, October 1st from 11:00am-1:00pm. Food and beverages will be provided as we mark the end of another successful pool season. Please come join your neighbors to share in the hospitality! The pool will officially close on Sunday, October 2nd at 7:00pm.

 

Have a great evening!

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HOA Update 9/4/16

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Good evening neighbors!

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We wanted to share some of the changes which have occurred recently.

 

It is with a heavy heart and much regret that the Board has accepted the resignation of Mrs. Amy Blackburn. She has been a staunch advocate for homeowners and a committed member of the Board. Her service and passion will be missed and we nonetheless wish her well in her future endeavors. As such, members of the Board met last Tuesday evening and approved the appointment of Mrs. JoAnn Pitts to replace her. Mrs. Pitts has graciously accepted her nomination and is willing to serve out Mrs. Blackburn’s term. The Board's appointment of Mrs. Pitts is consistent with Article IX, Sections 5 & 6 of the By-Laws of our community.

 

Dr. Omar Troutman has also indicated his desire to resign as President effective at the close of the next Board meeting in September. Dr. Troutman will continue to serve as the Treasurer/Secretary over the course of the remainder of his term. This is a role that is familiar to him and something he feels is best suited for him at the moment. In addition to the agenda items contained in the next Board meeting, leadership positions will also be voted upon.

 

Have a safe and relaxing Labor Day!

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Management Company Search Committee

 

Per the discussion at the last Board of Directors meeting, a management company search committee will be formed with the goal of either replacement or renewal of MJS as management company of Hunters Mill. This committee will be composed of two Board members and three homeowners. The committee will be co-chaired by Keith Anderson and Omar Troutman. In order for homeowners to be eligible to serve, they MUST be in "good standing" as was dictated in the qualifications to hold a position on the Board. Interviews of prospective management companies will be conducted by the committee with final approval being given to the Board per the recommendations of the committee. If additional interviews are required, they will be held by the Board with the concerns of the committee being expressly communicated to potential candidates. That decision will also be sent back to the committee to hash out any latent concerns. Homeowners will also be invited to communicate their needs/desires via online survey.

 

The anticipated timeline is as follows:

- Formation of the committee by the end of August. 

- Initial meeting(s), brainstorming of concerns/needs of the community, and desired qualifications/services of the potential management companies identified and enumerated by the end of September. 

- Identification of potential candidates and interviews to be completed by the end of November and continuing into December if necessary. 

- Final recommendations will be delivered to the Board by the end of January.

- If additional interviews are required, these will be conducted by the Board in February with a final determination by the end of February. 

- Re-confirmation/transition period to coincide with the Annual Meeting in March/April.

 

If you are interested in joining this committee please reply to huntersmillsc@gmail.com. The positions will be filled by the first eligible members that reply.

 

Thank you,

 

Hunters Mill Board of Directors

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Neighborhood Update 7/12/16

 

Neighborhood Watch

Over recent weeks some of our neighbors have been the victims of illegal activities including car break-ins and vandalism of homes, such as egging. Cayce Public Safety has been contacted regarding these issues and have committed to increasing patrols in the neighborhood. There are steps you can take to make sure you don't fall victim to these activities. Please be sure keep your vehicles locked at all times and contact Cayce Public Safety with any concerns.

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Violations

Per the motion submitted and subsequently approved during the Annual Meeting, following is a summary of violations for the month of June:

 

Total Violation Reports Submitted: 32

Approved: 26

 

Pending Approval: 5

Corrected: 1

Total Indicated Violations: 32

Types of Violations: Landscape Maintenance (16), Dwelling Maintenance (12), Parking on Landscape (2), Parking on Street (2)

Violations by Street: Arthurdale Drive, Foxwood Court, Hunters Mill Court, Hunters Mill Drive, Hunters Mill Lane, Stonecross Court

Neighborhood Compliance: 89%

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Architectural Approval Application Reminder

The Board of Directors recently met for the monthly meeting and voted unanimously to streamline architectural application process. Homeowners can now submit architectural applications to the architectural review board WITHOUT BEING ASSESSED AN APPLICATION FEE. To submit applications for architectural review, complete the paperwork that can be found on the Hunters Mill website (http://huntersmillsc.wix.com/homeownersassoc), and email it directly to huntersmillsc@gmail.com. Again, homeowners are no longer required to submit architectural applications to MJS and there will no longer be a fee attached. They will come directly to the HOA email address for submission to the architectural review board.

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Neighborhood Update 6/10/16

 

In an effort to improve communication among the residents of Hunters Mill we are attempting something new. Our goal is to send out routine updates to keep everyone informed of what is happening.

 

Assessments

Just a quick reminder that the 2nd installment of the annual assessment is due July 1st. If you have any questions regarding this payment please contact MJS at 803-743-0600.

 

Events

Fire Safety Day will occur tomorrow, June 11th, beginning at 11am. There will be grilled hotdogs and Cayce Public Safety will have fire trucks there, as well as information on keeping your homes safe from fire.

 

Architectural Approval Applications

ATTENTION! NEW PROCEDURES! The Board of Directors recently met for the monthly meeting and voted unanimously to streamline architectural application process. Homeowners can now submit architectural applications to the architectural review board WITHOUT BEING ASSESSED AN APPLICATION FEE. To submit applications for architectural review, complete the paperwork that can be found on the Hunters Mill website (http://huntersmillsc.wix.com/homeownersassoc), and email it directly to huntersmillsc@gmail.com. Again, homeowners are no longer required to submit architectural applications to MJS and there will no longer be a fee attached. They will come directly to the HOA email address for submission to the architectural review board.

 

Pool Update

The security of the pool continues to be an important item for the summer. Please do not grant entrance to the pool to anyone. There are many reasons why someone may not be allowed access to the pool. If you, or a neighbor, are supposed to have access to the pool but the fob you have is not working please email us at huntersmillsc@gmail.com or call MJS at 803-743-0600. Also, it is important that all residents wear the yellow wristbands and their guests wear red. This is the easiest way for all of us to know if those in the pool/cabana area are residents of the community. If you do not have the appropriate wristbands, please contact MJS at 803-743-0600. The security of the pool is the responsibility of all members of the community and we appreciate your diligence.

 

Violations Update

Per the motion submitted and subsequently approved during the Annual Meeting, following is a summary of violations for the month of May:

 

Total Violation Reports Submitted: 48

Approved: 39

Pending Approval: 5

Corrected: 4

Total Indicated Violations: 50

Types of Violations: Landscape Maintenance (25), Dwelling Maintenance (17), Parking on Landscape (5), Parking on Street (1), Unapproved Structure (1), Unsightly Conditions (1)

Violations by Street: Arthurdale Court, Arthurdale Drive, Foxwood Court, Hunters Mill Court, Hunters Mill Drive, Hunters Mill Lane, Old Castle Court, Stonecross Court

Neighborhood Compliance: 84%

 

Have a good weekend!

-The Board

 

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Safe for the summer!

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As we head into the summer our focus will be safety.

 

We are very excited about our first event! Saturday, June 11th @ 11am we will be having a fire safety event. Cayce Public Safety will be in attendance with the fire trucks. There will be information for parents, as well as smoke detectors, batteries, and fun activities for the kids. We will also be grilling hot dogs for everyone. Hope to see you there!

 

On August 20th from 10am-12pm Edgefield County Emergency Management will be providing an earthquake simulator. The trailer has several features (fire safety, severe storm, and earthquake) to help members of the community learn how to prepare for and respond to an emergency or disaster.

 

We would like to take this opportunity to say congratulations to all the new graduates. We look forward to seeing you accomplish great things in the future.

 

The youngsters, as well as many of the more mature residents in the neighborhood, are excited for the summer to begin. Please be mindful of children playing as you drive in and out of the neighborhood. Also, remind your children to be aware of their surroundings when playing outside. Remember, Cayce Public Safety is here to help us if you see something that doesn’t seem to belong.

 

The pool hours are 9am-8pm (or dark, if earlier). Please review the pool rules with your children.  Children under the age of 16 and all guests must be accompanied by an adult resident who is current on assessments.  

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at huntersmillsc@gmail.com.

 

Let’s have a fun and safe summer!

 

-Keith Anderson and Scott Morgan

 

Sidewalks

 

Several homeowners were notified last year regarding sidewalks which have buckled, cracked or otherwise have lost their integrity. Lexington County has assessed our situation and determined that the degrading sidewalks are not a result of infrastructure and are therefore the responsibility of the homeowner. Should you be required to repair your sidewalk, the Association will provide you with estimates from vendors who have been used previously if requested. It would then be your choice to accept one of those estimates or obtain your own. If you decide to obtain your own estimate, it would need to be approved to make sure the repair is in keeping with the rest of the neighborhood. Application fees will be waived for this process. If the repair of your sidewalk would create a financial burden for you, the Association is willing to explore options to ensure the repair is completed in a timely manner.

 

Violations Commitee & Chair

 

To clarify some things which have been alleged and incorrectly said about the Chair of the Violations Committee, JoAnn Pitts.

 

JoAnn has one of the more difficult roles in our community. Not only has she been tasked with assisting with violation verification, she also provides the leadership necessary to move her committee forward in reviewing restrictive covenants and making suggestions for changes to those covenants. In her advisory capacity, she is often left in a void while the Board debates and comes to a conclusion on what is beneficial for our community without being overly restrictive in the interpretation of the covenants. There have been several occasions in which she has held the Board accountable when a revision is sent back which may appear vague or has the potential to not ‘sit well’ with the community. She has served extremely well in this capacity. She catches things which may have been missed and proposes considerations which may not have entered the debate.

 

Overall, JoAnn volunteers her time and takes the criticism with stride. The hurtful and negative comments offered are neither appropriate nor deserved. There are homeowners who sing her and the Committee’s praises for maintaining the standards that they understood would be upheld when they purchased their homes. We don’t hear those homeowners in the public arena, but be assured they do. It’s easier (safer) to praise in private instead of also being attacked by others who don’t understand the process and have no desire to do so. They sing her praises because she’s taking the time to make our community better. Again, her role is not easy. She and the Violations Committee have a responsibility and this Board is in FULL support of their efforts. They are consistently looking for new members and we encourage anyone who’s interested to become part of the process. Please email us at huntersmillsc@gmail.com if you’d like to assist in their efforts or at least learn more.

 

Again, JoAnn and the members of the Violations Committee she chairs are valued and appreciated members of our community who volunteer their time to make our neighborhood better.

 

Respectfully,

 

Dr. Omar Troutman
President
Hunters Mill Homeowners Association

 

 

Annual Meeting

 

Each of you should have received notification of the Annual Meeting by US mail. The purpose of this meeting will be to provide a review of the past year, address specific homeowner concerns and allow the members of the Association (the property owners) to elect two new members of the Board of Directors for the Association. The Meeting will take place at 10:00 A.M. on May 7th, 2016 at the Community Pool Facility.

 

Homeowners who would like a specific concern addressed should submit a request to be placed on the agenda via email: huntersmillsc@gmail.com. While all concerns may not be discussed at the meeting in the interest of time, please know that all concerns will be addressed in a timely manner.

 

The following is information related to the election process. This information, as well as other information relating to the operation of the Association, will be explained at the meeting. Please review the information in this correspondence.

Instructions on how to vote are also included:

 

Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will have two (2) new members with terms as follow:

 

                                    2 Directors                               3 years

 

The two (2) candidates receiving the most number of votes will serve as the new member of the Board for three (3) years. At each successive “Annual Meeting”, Directors will be elected for any terms expiring that year for three (3) year terms. The staggered terms provide consistency and the opportunity for change.

 

 

Number of votes: There will be only one (1) vote for each lot (home) in the community. This single vote will consist of listing or checking the name of two (2) candidates for the two (2) Director positions that are available. (You can vote for less than two candidates, but not more than two.)

 

Nominations: If you would like to be a candidate for election to the Board, please contact MJS Inc. as indicated below. No homeowner may serve if they are in violation of the covenants or are currently in default (By-Laws: Article VIII:b). Homeowners who have received violation letters which have not been verified as corrected are also ineligible and their proxy votes will not be counted.

 

A list of candidates for election to the Board will be kept for presentation at the meeting. Any member who is interested in becoming a Director should understand the commitment, time requirements and responsibilities that a Director must face. The list of candidates will be finalized four (4) days before the Meeting so that the names of the candidates will be available for members who will vote by proxy. The list will be made available to all other members at the meeting. Any member who would like to be considered for nomination should contact MJS Inc. as indicated below by May 3, 2016.  Any member who wishes to be a candidate for election to the Board of Directors, can also be nominated “from the floor” at the Annual Meeting.

 

Proxy Vote: If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like to cast your vote, you can do so by delivering the attached Proxy Vote to the individual listed below. You will not fill out a ballot, but will allow another individual who attends the meeting and who is listed on the proxy form to cast your vote for you. If an owner who plans to give their proxy to another individual would like to know whom the Nominating Committee plans to nominate, they can contact MJS Inc. at (803) 743-0600 after May 3, 2016. The list will be made available to all other members at the meeting. The proxy form must be submitted to the Nominating Committee member listed below in advance of the scheduled time of the Special Meeting. You must designate a person to cast your vote on the form. A proxy vote can be rescinded at any time prior to the actual vote at the Annual Meeting.  Again, there will be only one proxy vote for any lot.

 

Meeting Decorum

 

Homeowners will be expected to respect the feedback and opinions of each other. Use of foul language or the display of aggressive behavior, which is not in keeping with the collaborative process, will not be tolerated. While order will be attempted to be maintained throughout, should this become ineffective, the meeting will be adjourned immediately with any remaining business to be conducted in an alternative manner.  

 

MJS Inc.

4910 Trenholm Road, Suite C, Columbia SC 29206

(803) 743-0600 phone

mjs@mjsmgt.com

 

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting!

 

 

2016 Assessments

 

This is a friendly reminder that the 2016 Annual Assessment was due on January 15th.

 

Homeowners had a choice to either pay the full assessment in the amount of $305 or submit a partial payment of $165 with an additional payment of $140 due by July 1st. For those who have yet to submit their assessment/payment, the Association will continue to honor the payment option until March 15th. Homeowners who have yet to submit payment by March 15th will forfeit their payment option and therefore be required to submit payment in full within 10 days.

 

Please know that the Association will continue to work with any homeowner who is currently experiencing a financial hardship. Options will be considered on a case-by-case basis, however, homeowners must contact MJS to initiate this process. MJS will then bring the request to the Board for review and approval.

 

We understand that this could have been overlooked and remain committed to working with our neighbors.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Recent Pool Incursion

 

We wanted to provide a more detailed update on the unauthorized access which occurred at the pool area.

 

At approximately 3:39am on January 7th, a white male wearing a hoodie entered the parking lot on a bike. The individual rode around the area before ultimately storing his bike in the wooded area bordering the car wash. He then climbed over the fence and entered the cabana area. He then attempted to access the secured rooms until ultimately pulling out a laptop and attempting to access the WiFi which is password protected. He then returned to attempt accessing the secured rooms. He was able to break lock to the pump room and gain access. During his time in the pump room, damage was done to the valves which resulted in the pool being drained approximately 1-1.5 feet, urinated in the area and stole the chlorine pump which is not currently used by our maintenance folks. He then exited and entered the pump on several occasions until ultimately leaving the area.

 

All of this has been reported to the City of Cayce who is currently investigating and believe that they may have the individual in custody. A flash drive with the entire video contents of the event has also been provided.

 

The total cost of the damage is still being ascertained and the Board is reviewing additional measures to maintain the security of the pool area.

 

Happy Labor Day!

 

We hope that everyone has had a smooth adjustment to the beginning of the school year and is enjoying the cooler, albeit more rainy, days.

 

The summer has flown by quickly and as such the pool will be closing on Saturday, September 26th. We plan to close the pool the same way we opened it, with a party. More details are to come, but there will be food, music and good times.

 

We’ve received confirmation from the Lexington County Engineer stating that Traffic Calming Devices (TCD) are not permitted on county maintained roads due to concerns for emergency services. A copy of this email is posted on our website under the Documentation tab. Any future inquiries regarding TCDs should be addressed directly to Lexington County.

 

Several homeowners have received violations related to sidewalk maintenance. The Board has contacted Lexington County to assess whether the damage is infrastructure-related and it has been determined that it is not. We’ve waited to address this issue until the county had the opportunity to assess the situation. Given their assessment, sidewalk maintenance remains the responsibility of each homeowner. Should you receive a sidewalk-related violation, the Association will provide you with estimates from vendors who have been used previously. It would then be your choice to accept one of those estimates or obtain your own. If you decide to obtain your own estimate, it would need to be approved to make sure the repair is in keeping with the rest of the neighborhood. No architectural fee would apply. If the repair of the sidewalk would create a financial burden for you, the Association is willing to explore options to ensure the repair is completed in a timely manner.

 

Some homeowners have noticed that we’ve added a Marketplace tab to our website. This section is intended to display all of the wonderful home-based businesses as well as vendors outside of the neighborhood who have agreed to give residents a discount on their services. So, if you’ve got a business that you’d like the neighborhood to know about, email (huntersmillsc@gmail.com) us the information and we’ll post it.

 

Have a great day and please contact us should you have any questions.

 

 

 

New Pool Security System 

 

The final mass distribution of key fobs for the new pool security system will occur tomorrow, May 25th at the cabana from 10:00am to 2:00pm. We’ll have free sodas and a snack during this time as well. If you have not retrieved your fob by 2:00pm, you’ll need to contact the Board (huntersmillsc@gmail.com) to schedule a time to do so. Please be aware that neighbors who are renting their homes should arrange with the homeowner to pick up your key fob. This can be done as simply as having the homeowner send the Board an email approving release of the key fob to you.

 

The system will be completely activated on Wednesday, May 27th. As such, the key pad will be disabled and your key fob will be required to access the area and the restrooms. Access will also be limited to coincide with the operating hours of the pool. The entire area is currently being monitored by the cameras, which will be used to maintain the security of the area by collecting evidence of trespassing and vandalism. Be aware that homeowners who are in collections or in active violation of the covenants will not have access. Further, no one in the area should ever allow access to homeowners or anyone else without a key fob. Should this occur, the homeowner(s) identified will lose their access to the pool.

 

As an added measure, please be sure to have your wristbands. The Association is offering wristbands at no charge until May 31st.

 

On another note, the Neighborhood Watch will meet on Tuesday, May 26th at 7:00pm. The meeting will occur at the cabana and be directed by Board Member Keith Anderson. All homeowners and children are welcome. Please tell your neighbors.

 

Finally, if you haven’t done so already, please subscribe to the Association’s newsfeed via our website: http://huntersmillsc.wix.com/homeownersassoc to stay current on all neighborhood events.

 

 

Hello all!

 

Warm (literally) greetings from the Board!

 

The key fobs for the new security system are in and ready for distribution. They will be distributed on the following dates: Thursday, May 21st from 6:00pm-8:00pm, Saturday, May 23rd from 8:00am-12:00pm and Monday, May 25th from 10:00am-2:00pm.

 

Distribution will occur at the pool and homeowners must present a valid photo I.D. indicating their current address which matches with their home address in the neighborhood. Only adults, listed as the homeowner, will be permitted to receive their fobs. Neighbors who rent their homes must contact their landlord/management company to receive their fob.

 

Homeowners who will be unable to collect their fobs over the course of the dates indicated will be able to schedule a time to retrieve them until May 30th by contacting the Board at huntersmillsc@gmail.com.  After May 30th, fobs must be collected from MJS. Please note that homeowners who are in collections or in violations of the covenants will have fobs which are not activated.

 

The system will be completely activated on May 27th. The keypad will no longer be available after this date.

 

If anyone has any questions, please contact us at huntersmillsc@gmail.com.

 

Have a great week!

 

 

Update

 

Your newly elected Board of Directors met on May 7th to begin charting a course for the upcoming year.

 

One of the first outcomes of the meeting, was the election of Directors to leadership positions. Dr. Omar Troutman was elected as President, Mr. Keith Anderson was elected a Vice President and Mrs. Amy Blackburn was elected as Treasurer/Secretary. Mr. Jeff Flanders and Mr. Scott Morgan will serve as at-large members.

 

The second outcome was the assignment of particular areas of responsibility. Mrs. Joann Pitts will continue as Chair of the Violations Committee, Jeff will continue as Chair of the Architectural Committee, Keith will begin as Chair of Neighborhood Watch, Scott and Keith will both serve as Co-Chairs of the Social Committee, Amy and Scott will serve as Co-Chairs of the Pool Committee and Omar will be directly involved with finances as well as actively managing overall operations.

 

Six overarching goals were identified to guide the direction of Board activities.

1)Clarification of Expectations and Strict Adherence of MJS’ Responsibilities to our Neighborhood

2)Creating More Transparency with Regard to Board Operations

3)Reviewing and Revising Restrictive Covenants

4)Improving Traffic Functioning

5)Increasing Neighborhood Social Activities

6)Improving Communication Between the Board, MJS and the Neighborhood

 

We look forward to serving Hunters Mill to the best of our ability and ask homeowners to please subscribe to the email listserv on our website so that you can stay up to date with all of the activities in our neighborhood.

 

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The new security system is installed and ready to be fully activated. The cameras are already actively monitoring the area. The last steps in the process are to program the key fobs and distribute them to homeowners. Distribution of the fobs should occur next week and we’ll do our best to make sure everyone is informed.

 

Two dozen pool chairs have also been ordered and we await their arrival.

 

Thank you for your continued patience!

 

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Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Meeting today. This was one the most highly attended meetings since the beginning of our Association. Every year we have the opportunity to engage with homeowners, address their concerns and chart a new direction. We would like to remind everyone to contact us (huntersmillsc@gmail.com) with any concerns or ideas to improve our community.

 

One of the major takeaways from today’s meeting was the apparent disconnect between our management company (MJS) and some of the homeowners. We would like to remind everyone that final clarification and decision-making is handled by the Board. Please contact us if you feel that you’ve received information or a violation from MJS that you feel is incorrect or not in keeping with what you observe. This is the only way that we can ensure the utmost consistency with operations. When in doubt please contact us first before looking for clarification from other homeowners who may also have incorrect information. Additionally, all neighborhood documentation is located on our website (http://huntersmillsc.wix.com/homeownersassoc) and we encourage homeowners to review the information posted.

 

Two new Directors were welcomed to the Board, Keith Anderson and Scott Morgan. Mr. Anderson was one of the founding Directors and we welcome him back. Mr. Morgan is a new Director and we look forward to working with him as well.

 

Linda Kelly and JoAnn Pitts completed their service to the Board today and we are indebted to them for their tireless effort and eternal focus on the welfare of our community. They both have committed countless hours of work to an endeavor which is often thankless but nonetheless rewarding as we all work to maintain and improve our community. We sincerely thank them for their service and hope that they’ll continue to remain involved albeit in a different capacity.

 

The pool party is scheduled for next Saturday and we look forward to seeing everyone out there. While the installation of the new security system and distribution of key fobs will more than likely be delayed, the pool will open nonetheless. Homeowners will be able to use the access code, which was distributed last year, to access the pool until full system installation.

 

The annual meeting of the Association will occur tomorrow (4/25) at the pool. The agenda is posted under the Neighborhood Documentation tab. We look forward to seeing everyone.

 

 

It’s come to our attention that there are several concerns that homeowners have voiced regarding our neighborhood and the operations of the Board which governs our homeowners association. While there exists a fair amount of misinformation, we welcome the opportunity to clarify anything which may be confusing, unclear or just plain wrong. This is handled in one of two ways. The first being attendance at the annual meeting of homeowners which will occur in the pool area next Saturday, April 25th at 10:00am. During this meeting: an update on the operations of the Board, an explanation of financials, key neighborhood concerns as well as the addressing of particular homeowner concerns is conducted. As a second avenue, homeowners are always encouraged to email (huntersmillsc@gmail.com) the Board to express any concerns or gain clarification of issues which may be confusing or unclear. Engagement by way of any of these activities is strongly encouraged and we make every attempt to address concerns to the best of our ability and with the assistance of our management company, MJS.

 

To address some of the specific concerns we’ve seen on the unofficial group site we offer the following:

• The possibility of installing speed bumps/humps has been addressed previously. Per Lexington County regulations, we are not able to have these installed. This is per county ordinance as we recognize the need for these deterrents because speeding in the neighborhood is an issue. More technically, our roads are deeded to and the property of Lexington County. As such, we are bound to existing regulations regarding their modification. From an enforcement standpoint, we would encourage homeowners to collect the license plate numbers of these vehicles and report them to the City of Cayce. Of note, many of the speeders are homeowners.

• The pool party is being organized by Omar Troutman. The solicitation of volunteers was included in the Annual Meeting Notice/Spring Newsletter. Please contact him via the HOA email (huntersmillsc@gmail.com) or his personal email address (troutbaugh@gmail.com). He would greatly appreciate the help. Food has already been arranged, but activities and volunteers to help setup and cleanup are still needed.

• Violations, such as parking, are not approved as soon as they are received. Instead they are observed over the course of several days to make sure that the violation is not a one-time occurrence. Homeowners who would like to appeal a violation can contact MJS to have their concerns communicated to the Board. The Board is more than willing to work with any homeowner who is willing to work with us.

• Minutes of Board meetings are posted on our dedicated website (http://huntersmillsc.wix.com/homeownersassoc). These are typically delayed by one month as the minutes must be approved at the following meeting. Board meetings are not public as private homeowner information is discussed which is inappropriate to be disclosed publicly.

• If anyone is having issues communicating with or having their needs met via MJS, you are strongly encouraged to email us so that we can address it. In the past, when we have made issues known, MJS is quick to respond.

• Changes to regulations are typically communicated at least quarterly in the newsletters which are distributed. These notifications are sent to the address on file with MJS. If you are not receiving these, please contact MJS to update your contact information. If you are renting your home, these notifications are sent to the homeowner.

• Adherence to the regulations of our neighborhood is accomplished by way of violations submitted by homeowners or the Violations Committee. This form can be found on our website. The Board can act and homeowners can only be held accountable when a violation is submitted or a violation of gross proportion is observed. Please note that neighborhood regulations are superseded by those of the City of Cayce. Responsibility for adherence is all of ours. Violations are not now, nor have they ever been, used as a means to collect revenue. The operational budget of our association is achieved through the annual assessments collected. Moreover, targeted efforts by the Board to reduce costs have resulted in a reduction of fees over the course of the last few years.

 

It is our hope that we’ve been able to address the concerns voiced to this point. Further clarification can be found in the FAQ section of our website. Please feel free to contact us via email should any concern not be clarified and we look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting on April 25th at 10:00am.

 

Spring Newsletter

 

Annual Meeting

 

Our annual Homeowners Association meeting will be held Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 10:00am. Two positions on the Board will be voted on each with 3 year terms.  If anyone would like to serve our community by serving on the HOA Board please call MJS to have your name put on the ballot. This year we are changing the location of the meeting which will be held at the pool cabana, so please bring a chair with you.  

 

We still need committee leaders and could really use your help, especially with the Neighborhood Watch.  If you would like to volunteer to be on or chair a committee, please contact the Board by email at huntersmillsc@gmail.com  

 

Annual Assessment

 

The annual assessment was reduced yet again this year to $305 due to the Board's diligent work and continued fiscal responsibility as well as homeowners paying their assessments on time, which appears to have been made easier by separating the amount due into two payments. However, to date, 54 (20%) of homeowners have not paid their assessment. It should be understood that the Board will continue its efforts to collect payment as regular payments, as well as cost-cutting strategies, have led to the ability to split and lower the assessment for the second year in a row. Regular payment as allows us to care for and maintain our neighborhood accordingly. If any homeowner is having a financial hardship, you are encouraged to contact MJS who will then contact the Board to examine any available options.

 

Pool & Cabana

 

Two major changes will be coming to the pool area this year. The first change will be the installation of a comprehensive security system. The system will both control access as well as provide 24-hour monitoring. Access will be controlled via proximity tags (key fobs) which will be issued to each individual home (1 per home). Additional tags can be obtained at a cost of $30. The tags can be activated and deactivated as homeowners maintain compliance (i.e. payment of annual assessments, no outstanding debts and no current violations). In addition, homeowners will only be able to access the pool area and restrooms during the hours of operation. This will replace the current code system which is typically disbursed at the beginning of the season. Monitoring will be accomplished with multiple motion-activated cameras which will be capable of providing a video record of any vandalism or unauthorized access. Please note that this system will be in addition to the mandatory use of wrist bands.

 

These installation of an advanced security system is the result of homeowner suggestions as well as our continued attempt to secure the pool area for everyone’s safety and continued enjoyment. In the end, security continues to be the responsibility of all of us as these changes are not a cure-all.

 

General refurbishment of the cabana area will also be completed prior to the opening of the pool. This will include a thorough pressure washing, painting, installation of additional picnic tables, as well as the replacement of the water fountains and ceiling fans.

 

A neighborhood pool party will coincide with the opening of the pool on May 2nd from 1:00pm-5:00pm. Food, drinks and other activities are currently being planned, however, if you have suggestions, we’d love to hear from you. Volunteers would also be welcome. Access key fobs will be distributed to homeowners who are current on their assessment during the party. If you are unable to attend the party, your key fob may be obtained Thursday, April 30th from 4:00pm-7:00pm or Tuesday, May 7th 4:00-7:00pm at the pool. Key fobs will only be given to adults who provide a valid photo ID which includes proof of address. Key fobs not arranged for pick up by May 30th will be sent to MJS.

 

Violations

 

There continues to be an increase of parking on the landscape in our community.  This is not allowed anywhere in our community at any time for any reason.  Most of the violations are vehicles parking on the landscape between the sidewalk and road. This is still considered to be parking on the landscape. Please make sure your vehicle and your guest’s vehicle have all wheels on the road and not on the landscaping. 

 

With Spring winds kicking up, please also be aware that any debris which blows on to your property is your responsibility and should be removed as soon as possible.