Association Fee Increase

I expect that by now everyone has received a letter like this one, complete with the good news - our association fees have been increased.

If your old rate was $164, your new rate is $194; an increase of $30 or 18.3%.
If your old rate was $177, your new rate is $213; an increase of $36 or 20.3%.

This increase is effective as of July 1^st, 2020.  But the fun isn't over!

A second rate increase of $20 will be effective as of January 1^st, 2021 - and a very happy new year to you, too.  If you believe our board of directors and property manager Tom Jones, these increases will bring the residents closer to the amount deemed necessary by the reserve study.  Translation: Plan on future increases, and plan for these increases to be significant.

For anyone who isn't familiar with this reserve study, let me begin by stating that we, the residents of McNaughten Village, paid for it.  The reserve study cost us three thousand dollars ($3000).  The original study stated that McNaughten Village was in good shape, financially speaking, and no increases in association fees were necessary beyond a normal cost of living increase - 3% to 5%.  When that result didn't satisfy the board of directors and the property manager, the study was revised and resubmitted so as to justify an increase in fees.

Again, we paid for this study (both studies, actually) yet we haven't been sent a copy of the study, and for $3000 I, for one, believe the board of directors should have been much more transparent about this.  I also believe that if our association rates increase by 20%, the residents should have had the opportunity to review a list of maintenance items and costs that were incurred last year, along with the maintenance and improvement plan for the following two years.

One resident suggested that a general meeting was in order, one that included everyone who lives here.  If we assembled, maybe we could address this increase in fees along with other problems that are unresolved.

Official Letter

Annual Meeting for 2019

Our annual meeting for the year of 2019 will be held on Monday, January 27th, 2020.  The meeting will start at 6:00 PM and run until 7:00.  The meeting will be held at Donatos Pizza, 1815 Brice Road, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

Important!

There will be free pizza and free soft drinks at the meeting.  If nothing else, come and enjoy the pizza.

Elections!

Almost as important as the free pizza, but not quite.

There are three vacancies on the McNaughten Village Association Board of Directors.  In particular:

Bob Jackson (1841 Misty Way) has come to the end of his three year term.  During the past three years Bob has managed to step on enough toes to fill a podiatrist's office several times over, but that's just a part of his charm.  As of this writing, it is unknown if Bob will run for office again, but we certainly hope he does.

Joanne Kitchen (1862 Misty Way) has come to the end of her three year term.  Joanne has served on the Board of Directors for about 80 years, much of that time as President, and has been gracious enough to host the board meetings in her own home - for which the board thanks her.  Thanks Joanne!  Although we are uncertain of Joanne's determination to run for yet another three year term, and thus to nobly suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take up arms against a maelstrom of migraines and by opposing, end them, we wish her good fortune and encouragement.

Terry Hogan (1857 Misty Way) has officially turned in his resignation for reasons best known to himself.  Terry was willing to serve for a short time when Sandra Mathews unexpectedly resigned from the board, and for that he has our thanks.  Thanks Terry!  Terry's term would normally have ended on December, 2021, so the board now has an extra slot to fill.

While The Board of Directors certainly hopes everyone who lives in McNaughten Village will attend this meeting, we also hope you'll let us know you're coming.  We don't want to run out of pizza prematurely, for one thing.  For another, this is your chance to ask The Board any questions you might have about the way your money is being spent.  Remember, this meeting is for everyone, even those residents that The Board hates with a passion!

See you all at the meeting!

Association Fee Increase as of January 2020

Effective January 2020, the monthly condominium association fee is being raised by $3 (three dollars); from $161.00 to $164.00 for a small unit, and from $177.00 to $180.00 for a large unit.

The property management company, Advanced Realty Management, has elected to hire a processing center.  The new mailing address for your condo fee is:

McNaughten Village Condominium Association
c/o Advanced Realty Management Processing Center
PO Box 97173
Las Vegas, NV 89193-7173

Be sure to write the following information on the check:

Account Number: 4870704852515366
Mgmt Company ID: 7569
Assoc ID: 122
Unit Nbr: (your four digit street address)

Make the check payable to: McNaughten Village Condo Association.

Please note that all fees are due on the first of each month.  While there is a ten day grace period, if your payment isn't received on time a penalty will be assessed.

Meeting for New Development

On or about October 18^th, 2019, the 7.33 acre parcel located at 198 McNaughten Road was sold to a developer.  The developer wants to build 9 three story apartment buildings, divided into 216 apartments.  To begin construction, the developer needs to get the zoning changed.

Should this development be allowed to complete, there will be a significant increase in traffic in an area which is already overcrowded.  The development would be located across the street from a firehouse, and in close proximity to Mt. Carmel East.

Residents who oppose the development are attending a meeting this Thursday (Nov. 14).  If you're opposed, please let the government know your opinion by showing up for the meeting.

Columbus Development Commission Re-zoning Request Meeting
Thursday, November 14th, 2019, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Michael B. Coleman Government Center
111 N. Front St.
Columbus, OH 43215

There will be a security check at the door, so please remember to bring your ID and plan to arrive early, as the line will be long.

Thank you.

Columbus PD Community Liaison Officer

One way or another I discovered that the Columbus PD provided everyone with a community liaison officer.  I didn't know the PD had such a position, let alone who our officer might be, so I sent them some email explaining as much.  This morning I got a visit from officer David Laroche, our official community liaison officer.

Here's his card and contact information:

David Laroche #1034
Police Officer
Community Liaison Section | 14 Precinct
120 Marconi Boulevard | Columbus, OH 43215
T 614-645-1414 | F 614-645-4111
dlaroche@columbuspolice.org

Business Card

Porch Pirates

The remains of a cardboard box addressed to 1823 Misty Way and left on their front porch.  In a crime of opportunity, thieves cutting through Misty Way stole the package then left the (now empty) package on someone's front lawn close by.

This isn't the first time something like this has happened, although it's still fairly rare compared to the rest of Columbus.  Please keep your garage door closed and instruct delivery services to hide your package in the bushes.

Please be aware of non-residents walking or driving through Misty Way, and be sure to pick up your packages when they're delivered.

Keep Our Neighborhood Looking Nice

McNaughten Village is a nice place to live.  We have a fair amount of green space, the buildings are kept in good repair, and when it comes to crime we are literally the hole in the doughnut.  We have no crime in McNaughten Village.

Flowering Shrubs

I think, however, that last statement may be changing.  As I was walking the other day, I saw a few things that I find disturbing.