2016
Baldwin2015-02-02165912

December 2016

Burn Safely
Periodic maintenance is necessary to provide safe operation and minimize the possibility of the effects of carbon monoxide buildup. These items should receive your attention:

● All new furnace & water heater installations require a building permit issued by the City of Berea.
● Furnaces and hot water tanks should be cleaned and adjusted annually, to provide efficient and safe operation.
● All homes must have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed according to manufacturer's instructions. Proper location of detectors is important to prevent false readings and to insure that units are audible in sleeping areas.
● Do not warm up cars in the garage or park vehicles by backing them into the garage.
● Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are sleeping.
● Do not store propane gas tanks in the unit or garage. Return them to the dealer.
● Firewood must be placed away from the building to prevent siding damage and insect or vermin infestation.
 

June 2016

Property and Landscape Review

The Landscape Committee will inspect the property to determine landscape, preliminary concrete replacement and other building maintenance needs. Unit owner compliance with established standards, will also be observed. Most of the items noted for unit owners in the past have been the painting of patio, garage divider and air conditioner screening fences. Notices to owners will follow where attention to maintenance and architectural items is necessary. Your cooperation in the prompt correction of issues noted to enhance our curb appeal will be appreciated.

The paint colour for patio fences doors and wood trim is Sherwin-Williams Navajo White SW- 6126.

The Landscaper has been advised to review the list of concerns compiled late last year and assign crews to complete all outstanding items.

What Are Governing Documents?

We often talk about the association’s governing documents, but what are they?

State Law

In addition to the state corporation code, certain other provisions of the Ohio Revised Code apply to condominium associations.

Declaration of Condominium Ownership and their Covenants and Restrictions

Planned communities are created by declarations recorded on county records by the developer. These contain the restrictions that regulate residents’ behavior, define owner’s rights and obligations, and establish the association’s responsibilities to provide certain services and maintenance of property defined in the Declaration. These provisions require a super majority (75%) of the ownership interest’s approval for change and most declarations are amended infrequently. The recording of documents on county records provides constructive notice to all owners or potential owners of their existence and owners have agreed to be bound by the terms of the recorded documents by virtue of ownership of a home in a Community Association.

Bylaws

Bylaws address association operations such as procedures for meetings and elections, specifying the general duties of the board and certain financial matters. They detail such things as the number of directors, their terms of office, budgets and assessments. The bylaws are also established by the developer and recorded with the county. A majority of the owners must approve changes.

Resolutions—Rules and Regulations

Board members adopt rules and regulations that govern many day to day items such as parking, architectural design, paint colors and pets. Rules and regulations are noted as board resolutions. Resolutions must be consistent with the declaration, the bylaws and state law. Association governing documents are almost always trumped by state law. But, when association documents conflict among themselves, the declaration carries the greatest weight, followed by the bylaws and then the rules and regulations.

Protect Pets - and Common Areas - from Parasites

Dogs and cats can be great companions, but they also can carry fleas, ticks and parasites into your home and our community. Infestations can spread quickly through a community when flea-infested carpeting or pet bedding is disposed of improperly, when a flea-infested pet plays with your pet and when pet waste is left uncollected on common areas.

The Association requires that all pet waste be removed immediately after its deposit on the ground.

Help avoid harmful pests in your home and community with the following tips, and follow up with your veterinarian to learn more about other ways to prevent and treat outbreaks.

Apply a topical flea and tick pesticide. Fleas lay 40 to 50 eggs a day. Unless a pesticide kills 95 percent of the fleas, you won’t eliminate the problem. To do this, you need to use the products sold by your veterinarian. Over-the-counter products just aren’t strong or effective enough. Monthly applications will help keep pets healthy even when they’re exposed to parasites, mosquitos and mites.

Always leash your pet. Although you may trust your pets to obey commands, keeping them leashed lessens the likelihood they’ll be infected by other pets and wildlife.

Keep your pet clean. Even indoor pets should be inspected for ticks and flea “dirt,” which looks like pepper at the base of the coat on the skin. An occasional bath with flea shampoo is a good idea as well.

Monitor your pet’s behavior. Scratching is your first indication that fleas have discovered your dog or cat. Apply a topical pesticide immediately. Fleas, ticks and mosquitos carry potentially life threatening pathogens, so pets can experience a wide range of symptoms if infected; be suspicious of changes in behavior and discuss them promptly with your veterinarian.

Keep the situation contained. Once you’ve treated your pet and your home (and possibly your yard or outdoor surroundings depending on how severe the infestation), keep the pet close to home until the problem is resolved. Wash bedding and toys that may harbor eggs or larvae in hot water. Infested bedding or carpeting should be tightly sealed in plastic bags before disposing to reduce risk of spreading to others.