Grand View Heights Association Newsletter

Transcription

1 Grand View Heights Association Newsletter May 2013 Treasurer s Report We have approximately $160 to $180 owed when invoices arrive for hosting our website. We received certified copies of the maps of the parks that have been surveyed and we just authorized and completed surveying and staking out two more parks. The invoices have not been received yet for that work, but it is expected to range between $1,200 and $1,800. Each Newsletter mailing cost just for postage is approximately $200, not including copying. If you haven t paid your dues, please do so. Thank you for your support. General Meeting Notice The upcoming June 13th meeting is a General Meeting. The meeting is at the Lakeview Community Church at Long Pond Road. It starts at 7:00 PM. At the January General Meeting, two petitions were started. One to stop the Town from using oil and stone on our roads, and one to get the unsafe, old telephone poles removed. We have been in direct contact with Frontier Communications regarding the transfer of wires and removal of poles. They have responded that they have started the work and will continue to do so until the work is complete in our neighborhood. We still need more Board Members. Let us know if you re interested. History The year was To set the stage, it preceded World War II, and any Code and Zoning requirements in the Town of Greece. The original developer of GVHA, H.T. Hughes created a neighborhood association with the very specific language demonstrating intent. The GVHA is responsible to maintain the parks for the common use and benefit. The burden assigned to the GVHA is that if we do not meet the intent, then they revert back to the heirs of the original developer. I moved down here over 21 years ago (1991), and in several homeowner s view, I m a Newbee. Many people have lived here since their childhood, with property passing from family member to family member. Sometime in the 50 s the GVHA Neighborhood Association gave the parks over to the all volunteer Grand View Heights Fire Department, as they had become somewhat of the social butterfly of the neighborhood. The parks then called right-of-ways were used to draw water from the ponds to fight fires. Over time, the volunteer Fire Department was absorbed by the Town of Greece Lakeshore Fire District. Fast forward to , the Town of Greece puts a notice of intent to sell the parks, due to the nuisance they have become, and not wanting to deal with complaints. This action sparked interest and controversy, and resulted in a public meeting to which approximately 150 people showed up. Out of that public meeting, the GVHA was reinstated, a Board of Directors was created strictly by raising of hands. The 1st Board was charged with getting the Town to turn them back over. (Continued on page 2) Page 1

2 History (continued) The Board got the Town to turn them over, but at a price. The Town levied an unprecedented series of tax bills totaling more than $32,000. They valued our parks at a total aggregate value of $1.75 million. We took them to court and won removal of all future tax, but still had to pay the $ In 1992, several committees were formed. The two most notable ones were the By-Laws, and the Parks committee. The By-Laws committee was charged with creating rules by which the GVHA was to operate. The Parks committee was charged with cataloging the condition and use of the Parks. This was an undertaking by a group of people that took evenings and weekends to go as a group and present photos and write-ups of the conditions and use of all eight parks on Long Pond and another eight (8) parks on Cranberry Pond. The results of the cataloging demonstrated multiple uses aswell as multiple problems and needs. The resolve of the Board from the beginning was that we cannot possibly police the actions of neighbors, and that we should maintain Status quo, rather than create a series of unenforceable rules. If you think about it, the parks have been in use since 1928 without signs, without rules, without major problems, relying on good old cooperation and consideration of others. The By-Laws paralleled that line of thinking. The charge of maintaining the parks for the common use and benefit has not been without it s unique problems. They include several land infringements, chains blocking access, adjacent land owners telling others that they cannot use the parks, unauthorized posting of signage, and more! We have been asked by some of neighbors to set more rules to tidy up some properties thought to be unsightly. This is not one of our charges. While we would all like to see things be perfect, it is impossible for us to police such rules. We are an all volunteer organization, and many of us have now given years of service. Some over twenty years of service. All are unpaid, and we have taken our share of remarks from certain neighbors. Help us by being considerate of our efforts, and of the efforts of our neighbors who maintain them. After all,... we have the ability to share this great resource not found many other places. Birth Notices Marty and Debbie Parent of South Drive are the proud parents of twin boys, Connor & Cooper, born on February 21, Christopher (Chris) and Erica Fronczak, of 24 South Drive also have a new son, Lucas Gregory, born on April 8, Both families are fairly new to the neighborhood. Welcome and congratulations. Death Notice Clara Maynard, of 155 South Drive, passed away on March 23rd, at the age of 93. She was the adored mother of Jim (Donna) Maynard, and Richard Maynard that both live on South Drive, and six more siblings, many grand children and great grandchildren. Our condolences go out to the family. News to Me! Shelley Mason of South Drive is one of the members of the Hilton HS Drumline. They competed and won an International title back in April. Here s the link to the article and video: DrumlineWGI13.htm. Congrats to Shelley and the rest of her team! Page 2

3 Grand View Heights Association MULTIPURPOSE FORM General Information Name(s): Grandview Heights Address: Mail to alternate address (if different than above): address: Phone: Home: ( ) - Work ( ) - Membership As a home owner within the Association boundaries, you are a member. Suggested dues $20 per household / larger donations are welcome and appreciated. If you contribute, please return this form filled out. Make check or money order payable to: Grandview Heights Association Mail checks to: Carl Maier 156 South Drive Rochester, NY Membership Dues helps fund GVHA projects. We are completely reliant on your contributions. Method of Payment: Check Cash Money Order Amount Paid: $ Participation / Volunteering I would be willing to help with: (circle as many as apply) Finances: Budget, Grants, Audit, Fund Raisers, Tax Matters Newsletter: Write, type,, Layout, Artwork, Reproduce, Assemble, Mail, Deliver Website and Computer: Maintain website, membership list, archive papers & minutes Activities: Picnic, Party, Neighborhood Yard Sale, Clean-up, Property Maintenance Public Relations: Government and media relations, phone tree Parkway & Beach: Maintenance, Management & Improvement I use / help to maintain the park next to (provide address) Professional: Environmental, Legal, Tax, Other: (please specify) Special Use Permit Application Request I am making application for: Dock, Boat, Boat Hoist, Picnic, Party, Temporary parking (one-day parking) at the park located next to (provide address) Special Use FROM (Date, time) TO (Date, time) Attach a separate sheet of paper describing your request in detail. Include drawings of dock, hoist location. Mail to Treasurer (address above), or hand deliver. Board Members will review and get back with a decision within one (1) week. Be sure to complete the information at the top of this form. (Rev 05/13) Page 3

4 Current Officers & Board Members Alan Hain- President Joe Baker (past President) Michelle Carrozzi - Treasurer Jim Maynard - Secretary (past President) Lynne Oswald - Member (past President) Carl Maier - Member Mardou Case - Member Darlene Meulendyk - Member Eileen Cowey - Member GVHA Board Business The Board voted and acknowledged that our parks need to have the survey pins marked in a permanent and unobstructed way. The Board agreed to use sunken concrete markers. It was additionally recognized that we do need to provide identification, if nothing else to give adjacent and owner s some assistance, particularly those that own undeveloped adjacent lots next to the parks. Both items now require that good old volunteer effort to accomplish this. The Board also approved the posting of a sign stating Review rules and regulation before use. One sign will be posted at each park in an out of the way place, near a corner marker. In the future, that will be the method by which our parks will be identified. First with temporary signs and later by more permanent signage. Additionally, the faded POSTED signs that have long since served their purpose, will be removed along with any other unauthorized signs. The duties of the Treasurer were passed from Carl Maier to Michelle Carrozzi at the May meeting. The Board voted and approved payment of $50 to go toward our new Welcome endeavor that has been undertaken by Darlene. GVHA Board Meeting Dates for 2013 June 13, 2013 General Meeting July 11, 2013 August 8, 2013 September 12, 2013 October 10, 2013 November 14, 2013 December 12, 2013 GVHA Website Many of you are unaware that there is a GVHA website. It was created several years ago, and had badly been in need of updating. Mardou Case has come on board to do that for us, and as has been done in the past with others, we commandeered her to also become a Board Member. We are working on updating the website. You can see what is there currently by going to GVHA is also required to provide educational services to maintain our not-for-profit status. The website has information about local services, etc. If you are in need of taking the boater safety course, which all boaters are now required to do, you can Google US Coast Guard Auxiliary Boater Safety Courses, and you will find information about courses offered locally. You can also schedule a vessel check. Summer is here Another Boating Season is upon us. Docks, and boats have already started going in. Memorial Day weekend will kick things into high gear. Remember if you use a park for docking your boat, you need to submit a Special Use Permit (part of the Multi-Use Form in the Newsletter. The application must contain a copy of your Homeowner s insurance policy to cover damages and injury. Have a great summer & be safe! Page 4

5 GVHA Park Locations Park Address Old Edgemere Dr. at Lowden Pt. Rd. ( The Beach ) 101 North Drive 93 North Drive 107 North Drive 147 North Drive 141 North Drive at Beachwood Park 153 North Drive 193 North Drive 187 North Drive 199 North Drive 241 North Drive 233 North Drive 247 North Drive 291 North Drive 281 North Drive 295 North Drive 333 North Drive 327 North Drive 341 North Drive 385 North Drive 375 North Drive at Shore Vista 387 North Drive Bordering Property Addresses 2584 Edgemere Drive 2600 Edgemere Drive 419 North Drive 411 North Drive (no house - private lot) at Interlaken 429 North Drive 110 South Drive 100 South Drive 114 South Drive 140 South Drive 134 South Drive at Beechwood Park 148 South Drive 250 South Drive 240 South Drive 254 South Drive 300 South Drive 290 South Drive 302 South Drive 340 South Drive 338 South Drive 352 South drive 410 South Drive 402 South Drive 418 South Drive 460 South Drive 452 South Drive (no house - private lot) 464 South Drive 500 South Drive 496 South Drive at Interlaken 508 South Drive The property next to 188 South Drive is private property. Although it looks like a park, it is not. In addition to the 17 parks listed above, GVHA owns an 18th property. That property, the easternmost portion of the Grandview Heights Playground, was leased to the Town of Greece for a period of 99 years. This information is available on the website and is generally published only once per year.

6 Grand View Heights Association, Inc. 421 South Drive Rochester, New York Important - Please Read