You recently received an invoice for your 2023 Association Dues and may have noticed that there was a
slight increase for 2023 over prior years’ dues. In an environment of rising costs, our Association
expenditures are no exception. Therefore, it was necessary for the Board to institute a slight increase to
help with the regular maintenance of the Association property to the standards we all would like to see
for our community.
In addition to the dues increase for the regular maintenance activities of the Association property, the
Board has been evaluating the condition of the front entrance (along 21 Mile). The landscaping at the
front entrance is over 20 years old and an invasion of undesirable sucker growth, invasive vines and
scrub trees have taken over much of the landscaping – especially within the Arborvitaes behind the
fence. In addition, erosion from drainage into the pond and culvert area has negatively impacted the
alignment of the metal fence. To correct these issues, the Board has come to a decision that a Special
Assessment is needed to pay for the necessary landscaping work to refresh our Association property.
The Association Bylaws under Section 3(a) “Budget” allows for the Board to levy such special
assessments as it deems to be necessary to “provide replacements of existing Common Elements”.
The Board has been meeting with several landscaping companies over the past weeks to help evaluate
and identify the most needed improvements along 21 Mile. We obtained four quotes and received an
economical solution to be conservative on spending while still accomplishing the highest priority work
that is needed.
The work will entail:
- Removal and replacement of the Arborvitaes along 21 Mile Rd.
- The realignment and straightening of the metal fence (east of Milonas).
- Removal of all sucker and invasive growth within four feet north of the fence.
The total cost for this work will be $29,375 which includes a $3,000 contingency for unanticipated
issues. The Board will utilize $10,575 from the Association reserves which are currently a little over
$19,000. The remainder of the cost will need to come from the Association members in the form of a
Special Assessment which will amount to $200 per Association member. You will receive an invoice
from JBC for this Special Assessment within the next week. The Association needs to have the funds in
our account in order to move forward with this project so the Board respectfully requests prompt
payment for the Special Assessment so we may schedule the work to be completed this Spring.
Please note, the Board thinks that it is important to point out that this is the first Special Assessment
that the Association has had in the 20+ years of the Association’s formation. As the community ages,
there are expenses that will arise from time to time to properly maintain our development. We
appreciate your cooperation and support regarding this matter to help keep our Spring Arbor
community looking the best possible.
Sincerely,
Your Spring Arbor Association Board of Directors
Curt Briguglio
Brigita Burnett
Brad Van Dommelen
