June 2006 Newsletter
The Riverbend At Hidden Lake Homeowner’s Association Newsletter appears to contain no copyright or other restrictions which would prevent the reproduction of its content on this site as a community service.
This is the June 2006 edition.
Community Wide Concern
Riverbend Has Its 25th Birthday
New Playground Equipment
Welcome New Owners
Trash Removal and Recycling
Pets Pets Pets and Considerate Owners
Landscape and Sidewalk Replacements
Parking
Open Board Meeting Schedule
Board of Directors and Management
Community Wide Concern
It is with great concern that an article like this must be written in our newsletter. Riverbend has always been, and remains today a beautiful and desirable community to live in. Unfortunately, vandalism in our community has reached new heights.
For some reason, unknown to us, the walkway lights in our community have become the target of vandals. Many of the light fixtures located within the wooden housings have actually been broken. The material that these vandals are breaking, is the plastic housing that holds the light bulbs, that light our walks. In some cases the damage is so severe that the actual wires are hanging out. Caveman, our maintenance contractor, has now installed screwed in Lexan covers as an additional protection to these lights.
We all know that when a light is out, it is extremely dark in that area, and these vandalized lights not only present an additional cost issue to all who own in our community, but also an additional limitability for us all. We now must contend with walking in the dark and not being able to see if anyone who doesn’t belong in our community is walking through our community at night. Our signs, fencing and sign lighting has also been targeted. We are offering a reward of $250 for anyone that provides us with information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for this vandalism.
PLEASE REMAIN VIGILANT, IF YOU SEE ANYONE WHO DOESN’T BELONG IN THE COMMUNITY, OR BECOME AWARE OF DAMAGE BEING CAUSED, CALL THE POLICE.
Riverbend Has Its 25th Birthday!
Did you know that the first homes in our community closed in 1981! Did you know that the community was first built by the Kaplan Organization and won several awards for design and landscaping. The owners in our community all have great taste! We know that because you all chose this community as your home.
It is now up to all of us to “carry the torch” so that the community can retain its outstanding property values and reputation as being the nicest community by far in North Brunswick. Remember your home is 25 years old and built mostly of wood. Maintenance of each home is the sole responsibility of each owner in the community. Take a good look at the outside of your home. This includes the roof, the windows, the siding, the deck, the chimney cap, the front stairs, the gutters and leaders and the siding. Also look at your rear fenced in yards. This is your property and if you keep it up you will enjoy it even more. Take pride in your home, plant annuals in the Spring and bulbs in the Summer – your participation makes a better community.
New Playground Equipment
The Board of Trustees has been investigating new playground equipment to replace the 25-year old wooden equipment that was originally installed by the developer.
A lot of research has gone into this proposed project. The following issues had to be considered:
- The age group to cater this equipment to
- The location for this installation
- The type of equipment
- The amount of money available
The Associations [sic] insurance carrier has requested that no swings or see-saw type equipment be installed, but rather climbing type equipment that is safer. In addition a mulch base would also be installed to cushion the fall of children using the equipment.
We are hoping that at the July Board meeting, a decision will be finalized that will allow us to order the equipment so that it can be installed this summer.
We will keep you all posted on the progress of this project.
Welcome New Owners
We would like to start a new article in our upcoming newsletters. If you have a special occasion that you want to share with your fellow community members we will be happy to publish it in this column. A special birthday, anniversary, new baby, etc. Send us your news and we will share it with the community.
In the meantime, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome the following new families who moved in to our community since January of this year:
Parikh, 125 Riverbend Dr.
Villar, 25 Riverbend Drive
Guerrero, 120 Riverbend Drive
Hobdy, 66 Riverbend Drive
Bertemtti, 49 Riverbend Drive
Hu, 53 Riverbend Drive
Gelormini, 44 Riverbend Drive
Bernstein, 47 Riverbend Drive
Trash Removal and Recycling
Now that the hot weather is upon us, it is timely to review the procedure that is in effect for garbage and recycling pick up in Riverbend.
The garbage is picked up by the Township of North Brunswick. There are 2 pick ups a week, one on Monday and the other on Thursday. Garbage should only be placed outside for pick [up] the night before the pick up, after 7:00 P.M. All trash should be kept in containers so that the wild life living in our area do not tear open the bags and leave trash all over our roads. If your trash is strewn on our streets, please pick it up. Riverbend does not have a maintenance crew who does this for us. It is up to each one of us to keep our community clean.
Recycling is picked up on a Friday. [Ed: Actually, that's Thursday and not Friday. We are Zone 3. Dead link to schedule on Township site removed 3 January 2008.] You are required to separate paper and cardboard, and place clean bottles, plastic containers and cans in a separate container for pick up.
Large items can be picked up by special appointment by calling the Township.
Pets Pets Pets and Considerate Owners
Riverbend has 142 homes, and many of them are shared by pets who are important members of our family.
Pets that live indoors are not a problem to the community, however, pets that are kept outside, or enjoy your back yards or the common property in our community are causing concern. Quite frankly, it is not the pets themselves that are the problem, but rather their owners. Not all pet owners in our community are selfish. This article is directed at the dog and cat owners who allow their animals to roam our community either unattended or unleashed. We have received numerous complaints about cats and dogs running loose in our community. In addition to that some owners allow their dogs to stay outside, in their private yards unattended. These dogs bark all day at anything that moves, including people and other animals. We live very close to our neighbors, and may not realize that this disturbs our neighbors. Please be a considerate pet owner.
- Leash your pet
- Clean up after your pet
Landscape and Sidewalk Replacements
Landscaping
Landscape replacements will be done this season. However, nothing will be planted until the hot weather is over. Management and the Board are in the process of assessing the areas that may require new/replacement plantings. We will also be working with a landscape architect to assist in choosing plants that are best suited for our community conditions. Such as soil type, shade/sun conditions and water availability. Our budget is limited so that means that not every dead plant or open space will be taken into consideration. You will also notice that certain trees in the community have been marked for removal. This is still being taken into consideration by the Board and no decisions have been made as to what will actually be removed. Consideration is being given to trees in poor health, too close to homes and a potential danger to those homes and trees that have roots that are causing trip hazards in the community.
Sidewalks
Management recently completed a walk through with a mason to mark the walks that should be replaced. Depending on the funding available, the worst ones will be replaced first.
Parking
Parking has always been a concern in our community. Overall each owner has one space in their garage and another space in a court. That does not necessarily mean in the court you live in. Unfortunately some courts have less spaces that actual homes in the court. However, other courts have additional spaces.
Years ago, each court got together and if the owners in the court could agree, a parking plan was agreed on. Since then, many owners have moved out and others have moved in. The fact is that there are no assigned parking spaces. If people in the courts can agree amongst themselves which space is best for each home, then that is fine. If, no such agreement can be reached, then parking is on a first come first served basis.
Commercial vehicles cannot be parked in the courts. This includes vehicles with commercial plates as well as vehicles advertising a business or carrying equipment such as ladders and the like.
Remember that Riverbend Drive itself is a Township road. It is patrolled by the police and vehicles are subject to the ordinances of the Township. You are encouraged to call the Township to complain about the poor condition of the road surface on Riverbend Drive.
Open Board Meeting Schedule
July 18th, 2006-7:00 P.M
September 19th 2006-7:00 P.M
Annual/Election Meeting
November 21, 2006-7:00 P.M
(Hidden lake Clubhouse)
Board meetings are usually held at the management office in the Hidden Lake Towne Center.
Please call the office to confirm the meeting date: 732 821-3224.
Board of Directors and Management
The Riverbend Townhouse Owner’s Association is run by a 5 member elected Board of Trustees. These Board members are homeowners in the community just like yourselves who volunteer their time and expertise for the benefit of our community.
Each Board member is elected at the November Annual meeting and serves for a term of 3 years. These terms are staggered so that at no time are all 5 members totally new to the Board. This ensures that there is continuity regarding the business of the Association. Volunteers are always welcome to serve on committees. The committees that currently exist are Architectural Committee, Welcome Committee, Newsletter Committee and Grounds Committee. If you are interested in volunteering your time to serve on any of these committees, please contact the management office.
The Board dedicates their time for Board meetings and community inspections on a regular basis. In addition they are charged with making any decisions related to the community. They also sign all contracts and community related checks.
THE CURRENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Ron Senchesak, President
Harrison Lewis, Vice President
Toni D’Angelo, Treasurer
Ken Bierstein, Secretary
Celestine Grimes, Board Member
COMMUNITY MANAGER
Janice Barber, PCAM, CMCA
Hosting donated by…
