TWPOA Newsletter
Editor: Anne Fernandez	Spring 2008

Tara Woods Website - Get all the news about the association

President's Corner
by Mike Mann

Spring is almost here and I'm certainly looking forward to resuming activities at the lake. With the start of a new season, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on what the Board has accomplished since the last newsletter. We've finalized the 2008 Budget and were able to retain the dues at the 2007 levels. Based on the survey results, we will continue the fence maintenance program whereby the Association pays for the materials and the individual lot owners are responsible for installing them. We did not include any specific funds in the budget to resolve the boat slip issue; however, we have made significant progress and are now embarking on a solution path.  As I started to write about the approach to resolving this problem I realized that this is the most complex of all the issues the Board has dealt with over the past several years.

I joined the Board four years ago because I was concerned about the direction we were headed.  At the time I believed to be an imbalance between individual rights and the perceived community benefit. During my tenure the Board has dealt with a series of major issue that have gone a long way towards restoring an appropriate balance, or at least one that reflects the sentiment of the majority of owners. We've conducted multiple surveys, re-voted on covenant provisions, and worked very hard as a Board to make decisions with extensive member input.  Collectively we've come to resolution on the Board authority to approve construction in the lake easement area, rental rights and responsibility's, the balance between community services and individual responsibility for mowing and fence maintenance, and resolving budget shortfall to the point that we've accommodated State requirements to fully fund reserves without significantly impacting dues.  The boat slip issue is a little different because it doesn't affect all of us equally. The Association is responsible for maintaining the community property and all of us share this responsibility. However, only about half of our members have access to the slips, and then each of those members has a different situation depending on their needs and the specifics of the slip they are assigned. As more homes are being built and more members are actively using their assigned slips it has become clear that we have some serious deficiencies in the dock layout. We have 9 members who have asked for new slip assignments and we do not have enough useable slips to meet all of our commitments.

The Board created a Boat Slip Committee to understand the issue and make recommendations to resolve the problem. After a lot of work, and very spirited debate, the Committee reported out at the January 6 Board meeting. The legal position that I sent out with the last newsletter was pivotal in bringing this to closure. Their findings and solution options are attached to the end of this newsletter. In summary, their findings and decision approach were accepted by the Board. They identified two primary resolution options which were actively discussed with the Board and Association members who attended the meeting. In the end, the Board concluded:

1. The community has a responsibility to fix the unusable boat slips. On paper we have 2 more slips than we need.  However, there are 3 slips that are unequivocally not useable. There are at least 4 more that are significantly challenged because of access or depth. This problem goes all the way back to the time the Association accepted transfer of the community property from the developer. Nonetheless, the board believes every member entitled to a boat slip should have a useable slip.

2. The good news is that the construction alternatives to modify the dock configuration to achieve 6 additional high quality slips are relatively inexpensive. We should implement those changes as soon as practicable. A sub-committee was established to manage the construction process.

3. Our current management practice for boat slip assignments is part of the problem.   The construction solution will give us a technically useable slip for each qualified member. It will not solve the mismatch between needs and capability at the individual assignment level. This has been extremely contentious between those members who are happy with their assignment, those who are unhappy, and the waterfront members who generally don't want to invest more in the docks. In the end, the Board believes a more direct management of boat slip assignments, coupled with a fee based approach (either a lottery fee for new construction or user fees for preferred slips) will resolve continuing conflict and fund the additional construction costs. A second sub-committee was established to propose a new management approach for boat slips assignments.

I am very happy that we've been able to come to these decisions and believe we are on a path that will resolve this issue. This has been a very difficult process involving lots of strong opinions. However, I believe this solution approach will solve the immediate problems and materially reduce the potential for future conflict.

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Treasurer's Report
by Jack Perrigo

As of February 18, 2008 we have received 34 members dues for a total of about $12,000.  That is less than half.  The dues were due March 1st and the penality is 18% (19 Cents per day)
 
Please visit the website for the latest news about Tara Woods.

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News from the Secretary ELECTIONS
by Kathy Goldbeck

The process of electing members to the Association's Board of Directors has begun. Everyone should have received the nomination letters which were sent out on February 1, 2008 asking for your participation in the election process. The nomination letters were due back to Kathy Goldbeck by March 1, 2008.

Those members in good standing, having paid their dues by March 1, 2008, that receive three (3) nominations will be put on the official ballot letter which will be sent to you around March 9, 2008. They are due back to Kathy Goldbeck no later than March 31, 2008.

There are four (4) Director's positions to be filled that you will be voting on. Three (3) of the current Directors, Dick Dickens, Mike Miller and Jack Perrigo's three (3) year terms will be expiring in April, and Kathy Goldbeck's term of two (2) years that remain will be the fourth (4) position. Kathy is resigning due to health issues.

Your votes are very important to the community. Please become a part of the election process and cast your votes for four (4) new Directors to join the Association's Board in April.

Please keep us informed of any address or email address changes that you have. It's a way to keep you up to date on all our neighborhood news and happenings. You can contact either the Treasurer or Secretary and they will be happy to update the changes to keep you current.

Kathy Goldbeck, Secretary

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July 4th, 2008 10th Anniversary
by Nancy Lear and Maryhelen Perrigo

TARA WOODS 4th of July Parade will be on Saturday, July 5th.  We held a contest for the theme and Elaine Ellis Won.  Our theme will be:
 
Olympics:  come win a Gold, Sliver, or Bronze metal at our 10th Annual 4th of July Parade.
 
The parade starts prompltly at noon with a picnic to follow at the pavilion. Come and join the fun.  Decorate you bikes, wagons, tractors, boats, golf carts, cars, baby strollers or whatever tickles your fancy. If you would like to bring chips, crackers, or a dessert, it will be welcome and enjoyed. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.  Nancy Lear or call 540-894-9919 or Maryhelen Perrigo or call 540-894-0295. Updates will be posted at the TWPOA website

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Boat Slip Committee Report

Calendar of Events

LARS is Lake Anna Rescue. It is located on Rt. 618 (Bumpass Rd.) Take Rt. 652 left out of the subdivision to Rt. 601. Turn right and go over the railroad tracks. Take an immediate right onto Bumpass Rd. (I believe it is Rt. 618) and go 1 or 2 miles to the Rescue building on the left, 300 Bumpass Rd. Bumpass, Va. 23024.

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