Annual HOA Board of Directors Meeting to be Held, December 1, 2011
The Winter Brook HOA annual meeting will be held on December 1 at 7:00 PM at Walkersville Town Hall. As always, this is an opportunity for homeowners to have a say in how the HOA is run, to share concerns, and to obtain information first hand on issues affecting Winter Brook. Contracts for the upcoming year will be discussed, the annual statement of expenses will be presented, and a new budget for 2012 will be voted on. Other topics will include upkeep of the common area and lots, development on the Staley property, and the election for the Board of Directors. Nominations for the Board of Directors should be sent to the Property Manager (posted by the BOD, Sept 2011).

Distressed and Vacant Properties
Winter Brook continues to deal with distressed and/or vacant homes, whether in foreclosure or otherwise abandoned. This has been a persistent problem since 2007 and shows little sign of improving. Fortunately, we have one fewer at this point than we did at the beginning of the year with the settlement of 242 Winter Brook Drive in August. We are pleased to welcome a new family into the neighborhood!!!!!!!

Meanwhile, the HOA has been proactive in dealing with upkeep issues on these properties either with the absent and/or delinquent owners, property agents, and others responsible for the properties. We have also enlisted the help of the Town of Walkersville in dealing with such matters. When necessary, we have acted directly to address issues on these properties where conditions present a health and safety concern or hazard, and we have worked aggressively to recover the HOA’s costs incurred in these situations. However, neither the Board of Directors nor the Property Manager can be everywhere and see everything. If you are aware of particular issues or have concerns with any distressed or other properties, you are encouraged to email the HOA Property Manager, the Board of Directors, and to call Walkersville Town Hall so we are aware of the problem and can take appropriate action.

Vehicle Maintenance and Storage on Lots
The HOA’s Property Manager has received a number of verbal and written complaints from concerned homeowners regarding vehicle maintenance and improper vehicle storage on lots in the subdivision as well as for vehicle maintenance and the parking of prohibited vehicles (e.g., commercial vehicles) on streets within the subdivision. Please note that Article IX, Section 6 of the community’s Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Section III(3) of the Rules and Regulations stipulate that:

All motor vehicles shall be stored or parked only in designated parking areas on a Lot or the Common Areas. All such vehicles shall be in working order, properly registered, and no repairs, shall be permitted to be done on any such vehicles on any of the Common Areas or on any Lot, unless such work is done within a fully enclosed garage on such Lot.

The Property Manager, under the direction of the Board, will investigate and take appropriate action to address any violations of the Covenants and Rules and Regulations on lots within the HOA. Complaints regarding vehicle maintenance and parking of prohibited vehicles will be referred directly to the Town Code Enforcement Officer or the Resident Troopers, as appropriate, as the HOA has no jurisdiction over town streets.

FALL Maintenance Projects and Architectural Change Approvals
Please remember to submit an Architectural Change Request (ACR) Form if you are planning any exterior improvement or alteration (e.g., fence, shed, patio, porch, deck, addition, roof work). Forms are available on this Web site or from the Property Manager. See the Rules and Regulations and descriptions of improvements which do and do not require approval (see the HOA Documents on the website). These governing documents are also on file as part of the Frederick County Land Records.

If you have completed a change, please submit your change on the ACR Form to the HOA, as this is your only documentation of HOA approval. Note that real estate agents representing sellers and prospective buyers are required to obtain from the HOA certain information pertaining to the HOA’s covenants and rules and regulations in accordance with the Maryland HOA Law. Regulated architectural changes which are not approved may be subject to enforcement action (posted by the BOD, Sept 2011).