Hickory Hills Property Owners Improvement Association

Newsletter December 2004

From the President's Corner
The Holiday Season is upon us. Are we ready for it? This time of the year reminds me of the Christmas Pageant by Margaret Fishback. The third-grade angels, two by two, March in, their cardboard wings askew. A kindergarten shepherd skips; a halo from its mooring slips. The oriental kings, all three, wear Mama's costume jewelry, while spotlights from each ribboned wreath accent the braces on the teeth, and wise men, from the upper classes look very wise, in horn-rimmed glasses. I am sure we remember these times. Merry Christmas and a blessed Holidays Season to all.

The Lake:
Your Board has attended a number of meetings with Callender Lake POIA and both Lake Committees to discuss what to do with our Lake. We all know if the lake goes away, our property values go with it. What has been agreed upon at present is this: 1) secure drawings from Velvin & Weeks Engineering firm from Athens to correct the flume which is part of Phase III plan developed a couple years ago. We need the drawing to go out for bids to secure cost figures on what the project will cost. Presently we have agreed to $3,000 to do the drawing and its related work. This amount is to be split with CLPOIA. We expect this work to be done within the next two to three weeks weather permitting. Once that part is done, we will meet with Wayne Weeks of Velvin & Weeks and go over his findings. Then we will have a rough idea on the amount we are looking at for repairs to the flume and erosion problems where the water dumps out by FM 2339. As stated before, this erosion goes under the Dam some six feet or more. What we do know is Velvin & Weeks will work with TECQ to be sure the work meets their specifications. Also when the work is started, we will have to lower the lake level about 18 inches below the top of the flume so that if it rains no overflow will cause problems with the construction phase. No we don't like the idea either to lower the lake, but there is no alternative. 2) We have received a three (3) year plan from Aquatic Management Services to control all the vegetation growing on our Lake. This bid came in at $31,890.00 for year 2005, $25,500.00 for year 2006, and $22,850.00 for year 2007. All amounts are approximate costs. What both sides have agreed to is NTE $32,000 for HHPOIA, and NTE $35,000 for CLPOIA. We (HHPOIA & CLPOIA) signed a letter on December 6th to Aquatic Management Services stating that this contract will be shared equally and that each Board requests separate invoices. We also agreed that the costs for year 2005 NTE the amounts without prior written Board approval, again from both sides. For the second and third year of this contract, each year will be looked at for accomplishments and the annual cost estimates. For 3) we are looking at fixing the problem at the end of the boat ramp at the concrete pad where there is a drop off that is caused by erosion. We believe that a couple loads of large bedrock like what the State uses along their roads and ditches would take care of this problem.

While I have listed what we are presently looking at, it does not take into account the erosion taking place on the lakeside of the Dam itself, which will have to be addressed at a later time.

Maintenance Fees:
When you look at your enclosed invoice for the 1st Quarter 2005, you will notice that it states the new amounts as agreed upon in the Board meeting of September 2004. While I don't like the increase any more then you do, we have no choice but to raise the fees to pay for the Dam and Lake Management projects. Even with this increase, we may NOT have enough funds to cover the HHPOIA share of the costs. If that happens, your Board may be forced to secure a loan to pay these anticipated costs. No we don't want to borrow funds if we don't need to, it is just a fall back if needed. Yes, we are going after the past due property owners, as ANY and ALL over $200.00 past due have been turned over to our attorney for collection. Any questions, please talk with us.

Trees and TVEC:
TVEC and its contractor McCoy Tree Service have finished trimming the trees in our community. It appears they did a great job clearing the brush tree trimming, making our community safer, yet not giving the butchered look. No complaints were received at the office.

Donations:
Your Association would like to take this opportunity to thank Rod Dinsmore for the donation of 24 Lounge Chairs for our swimming pool area. They look very nice and are comfortable. Thanks Rod, we appreciate them.

We also want to thank our new property owner, Floyd Hackey and his wife Amy, for the Christmas lights at our entranceway. They put them up; turn them on and off. Thanks for making our entrance merry.

Street Signs:
I want to let the Community know that we have ordered 24 reflective Street Signs and three (3) Stop Signs with the funds received from the spaghetti dinner, sale of HHPOIS shirts, and donations of $500.00 from the Lake Committee and $300.00 from the Ladies Club. Thank you both for the donation toward the signs, we appreciate it greatly. These 24 sign sets cost just shy of $1,500.00. When we sell the property we own on Sycamore Lane we will almost have enough to finish our Community. We will be starting at Clearview Circle and work our way up to just beyond the second bathhouse. These signs will have the street name on both sides and be reflective at night.

Just a note, it was agreed not to have a Board Meeting in December due to the Christmas holidays. Our next meeting will be January 25, 2005. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all from your Board of Directors.

That's the happenings of the Board, till next time, Godspeed.

NOTE:
If you are a property owner that has renters, please provide them with the Deed Restrictions and the rules of our Community. It appears that some of the non-burnable at the Burn Pile has come from some of these homes. Please help us with this problem.

Your Association has a Lot For Sale:
If you know of someone who might be interested in a Lot at Hickory Hills please have them call Janis Eggert at Rose Realty, 903-567-5267. We have Lot 22, Block 7 on East Sycamore Lane for sale at $5,900. It is a fairly level lot with no improvements. The proceeds from this sale will go toward the purchase of additional street signs. Any help is appreciated.

Maintenance:
I would like to take this opportunity to THANK everyone who has helped to keep the trash picked up around Hickory Hills. This helps make the Community look nicer. I would like to ask all homeowners to help our maintenance man by putting your garbage INTO the trash dumpsters. He spends at least two (2) hours or more a week picking up the garbage that is placed outside of the dumpster. I realize sometimes there is no other place, but most of the time you can get it into one of the dumpsters. If you know of a pothole, come by the office and fill out a work order. The hole will be filled as soon as TIME and WEATHER permits. We are trying to keep the potholes filled as soon as possible. A lot of time has been spent trying to keep the culverts from two branches that flow into the lake cleared. This in itself is time consuming. We are trying to get the water flowing at the one by the back bathhouse. HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Freddie Scaggs

Architectural Control Committee (ACC):
First of all ACC would like to thank everyone that took care of the old and abandoned cars, trucks and boats. For those that have not complied we will be taking the next step after the first of the year. If you have trouble getting rid of them, please call the office, as we have someone who will haul them off for you at no cost. Things are looking better and for this we greatly appreciate it. If we all work together we can make this a great place to live just by living up to our Deed restrictions. Thanks. We have several new homeowners this year and as of this writing, more to come yet this year. So please let's pull together and help each other get Hickory Hills in shape so we can get more new folks. Just a reminder that there will be a Roll Off Dumpster here either Thursday January 6th or Friday January 7th for our continued use to clean up our yards. Also, according to our Deed Restrictions, one needs to have a permit (which is free) for room additions, storage buildings, fences, carports, driveways and/or headers, septic systems, decks, porches and homes coming either in or out. Just contact the Office and they will let ACC know and we will see that you get a permit. Thank you and May the New Year bring you Peace and Joy. Layne DeSandre, Chairman

Pets...Again:
The office has received many complaints on dogs and cats running loose in our Community. Remember the Restrictions state 'Your pet must be contained in your yard or on a leash at all times'. In talking with the Sheriff's Department, unless the animal bites someone there is nothing they can do. If the animal comes in your yard and appears to want to attack you, you have the right to shoot it.

Also we are having a number of problems with Beavers in our Community at the little lake as well as at the main lake. Again we are asking for volunteers to have target practice with them. Give the Office the receipt for ammo and we will pay you.

Ladies Club:
The Hickory Hills Ladies Club has had another GREAT year. I wish to thank everyone who helped with all the fundraisers and parties. We were able to help with a donation to the Edom Fire Department and a donation to the Association for the purchase of Street Signs. The new officers for 2005 are Layne DeSandre, President, Nora Freemantal Secretary/Treasurer and Betty Miller Sunshine Chairman. Our Christmas Party was held at Linda Chambers' home and everyone enjoyed themselves. Thank you Linda for a great job. We hosted an Easter Egg Hunt and Halloween party with a hayride. I would like to thank the Board for the use of the tractor and Loren Lockhart our Maintenance man for driving.

Everyone had a good time and hope that more kids come and enjoy the fun next year. The Ladies would like to invite all the women of Hickory Hills to come and enjoy the fun and companionship. If you have any questions about the club please feel free to call the office and they will call me to answer any of your questions. We meet the second Wednesday of the month at the pavilion. The next meeting will be the 12th of January at Noon and will be a potluck at the pavilion also. May your new year be full of Joy and Peace. Layne DeSandre President.

HELP:
Your Association has been asked a number of times who lives where in our Community regarding renter's names etc. If you have Renters, we would appreciate receiving their Name, Address, and Phone Number. We are developing a list to help us in the office and would appreciate your help in this matter. Some of you have come forward and we appreciate your help. Thanks.

Hickory Hills Shirts:
Your Association is selling Hickory Hills T-Shirts for $10.00 each. They are available in all sizes and can be ordered at the office.