SUMMERWOOD CONDOMINIUM TRUST
300 FALMOUTH ROAD, #1G
MASHPEE , MA . 02649
508-477-1404
FAX 508-477-4101
summerw1@verizon.net
www.summerwoodcondominiums.com
FALL 2011 NEWSLETTER
There were good responses from the owners who attended the Annual meeting in August. Our financial position is healthy and there are copies of the financial reports at the office for those who would like to have one. The improvements that have been made at Summerwood are noticeable and appreciated.
The Board and Deborah Yorke, Summerwood's Accountant, have met and completed the Budget for 2012. The good news is that at the present time, it appears as though the Condo Fees will remain the same as in 2011 and there will be no 2012 assessment! According to the Budget, the Income received from Condo Fees will be enough to cover the expenses incurred by Summerwood for the year. A copy of the 2012 Budget is included with this newsletter. It should be self explanatory, but if you have questions, you may contact the Board at summerw1@verizon.net.
The walkways in all three phases have now been completed. New lines were painted on all of the parking spaces. We are repairing chimneys and roofs as needed. We continue to manage our failing septic systems as directed by the administrative consent order mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection.
With winter approaching we would like to remind you that:
If you are leaving for more than three days, you should shut your water off in your unit and keep the temperature in your unit at 55 degrees.
Do not put your Christmas trees in the dumpster or in the woods.
During a snow storm, the plows will keep the roads open. After a storm is over, the plows will return to plow out individual parking spaces. Walkways will be shoveled when the storm is OVER. When the plows return to plow out parking spaces, it is YOUR responsibility to move your vehicles so that the parking spaces may be plowed correctly. The plowing of PARKING SPACES will almost always be done during the daylight hours. Proper plowing of parking spaces cannot be accomplished without moving your vehicles. If you are elderly or disabled, call the office and we will try to help you. If you are going to be out of town and leaving your vehicle on the property, please move your vehicle to one of the “overflow lots” prior to leaving. If you refuse to move your vehicle to allow the proper plowing of parking spaces, then we can and will TOW your vehicle and issue fines to the unit owner. The plows cannot sit and wait for hours until a resident decides to move their vehicle. Summerwood Condominium Trust will not shovel out individual parking spaces once the plows have left. We simply do not have the manpower or the funds to do this. We will also hold a unit owner liable if there are any “slip and falls” or other accidents related to a unit owner or his or her tenant not allowing Summerwood to properly remove snow. ATTENTION LANDLORDS!!! It is YOUR responsibility to inform your tenants as to how to snow removal is handled here at Summerwood.
Pursuant to Summerwood Rules and Regulations, all units with fireplaces must maintain them and have them cleaned on a regular basis. Owners of the fireplace units must provide proper documentation of maintenance and cleaning to the Board when requested.
ATTENTION LANDLORDS!!! In the past year, we have had more than our share of issues with renters here at Summerwood. Several of theses issues have involved narcotics, the apprehension of fugitives from justice, police responding to domestic issues along with a host of other problems. We have some extremely responsible landlords who have consistently rented out their units to responsible persons, and we have never had a problem. On the other hand, we have had and continue to have owners who have rented out to DRUG DEALERS, DRUG ADDICTS, known CRIMINALS and other UNDESIRABLE PERSONS. It is clear that some of our fellow owners could care less about who they place into our community. It is clear that very little if any background checks or any other screening is being done. As we have stated before, SUMMERWOOD CONDOMINIUM TRUST will do everything that we can do to protect our community. Condominiums in Massachusetts are protected under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 183A. We have used these laws in the past to protect our community. Each and every time that we have had to use these laws in order to protect ourselves against some landlords or to enforce some of our rules and regulations, we have prevailed. In each instance, fines were collected and all of Summerwood's attorney's fees were assessed against the landlord. In a most recent instance, a Summerwood owner had to pay all of our attorney's fees along with our fines. The amount totaled over $12,000. This involved an owner who rented out his unit to an entire family of drug addicts. Their friends then came in and out of Summerwood. They had people living in their cellar. Hypodermic needles and syringes were being found around the unit. The owner was given every opportunity to rectify the problem. He chose not to. As long as his rent was coming in every month, he chose to look the other way.
We ask all owners who rent out their units to please properly screen your tenants. Pursuant to the Summerwood Rules and Regulations, BEFORE you give control of your unit to anyone, you must FIRST submit a copy of the lease to Summerwood Condominium Trust so that we may ascertain its conformity to Summerwood Rules and Regulations. The lease must state that there are no pets allowed. The lease must state that your tenants have read and agreed to abide by all of Summerwood Condominium Trust Rules and Regulations and that repeated violations of said rules and regulations may result in termination of the lease. The lease must also specifically state the names of all persons who are allowed to live in the unit and that no other persons other than those listed on the lease are allowed to live there. The lease must state that resident parking stickers will be obtained by the tenant within 10 days of moving in. The lease must state that the cellar or basement of the unit cannot be used as a bedroom or dwelling. If you choose to rent out your unit without first following the Rules and Regulations then a fine will be assessed against your unit.
If you see any suspicious activity In Summerwood, you can contact The Neighborhood Watch representatives Russ Maloney at 508-477-7718 or Sandy Goglia at 774-208-8259.
If you see a crime being committed, contact the police first and then call a neighborhood watch representative.
A few other reminders. We ask that all dog owners pick up after their dogs in the common areas, the paths surrounding Summerwood and the access road. This is a health hazard.
We would like you to continue to only put your own household trash in the dumpsters.
Enclosed is the Summerwood 2012 annual census form. The form must be returned no later than February 1, 2012. Census forms are very important documents. Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 183a, you must respond. Please fill out all information. These forms provide a lot of information. The most important item is how we can contact you.
Beginning in 2012, we are going to attempt to use the Internet for all communications. We do not intend to do any more mailings. It is important that you list your e-mail address on your census form. Also, from time to time, people may change their phone numbers or e-mail addresses. If and when you do this, please remember to contact the Board so that we may update your contact information.
We wish all Summerwood Owners a safe and Happy Holiday Season!
Sincerely,
Tom Sullivan, Chairman
Carole Morgan, Treasurer
Ann Talbot, Secretary
Charlie Gilmette, Trustee
Sandy Goglia, Trustee
Marc Robinson, Maintenance Manager
Deborah Yorke, Accountant
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