Annual Meeting Notes
I attended the annual meeting of the Riverbend Board Wednesday evening. It seems like the same people are always in attendance. I counted 12 non-Board homeowners, 5 Board members (who are also homeowners) and 2 Executive Property Management employees. That’s a pretty poor showing for a community of 142 homes. I just don’t understand how homeowners can remain so apathetic year after year.
Needless to say, we did not have quorum so the election did not take place. Ballots were collected from those present and everyone else can be expected to receive a proxy. Regardless, two seats up for election and only two (incumbents) have thrown their hats in. I suppose the results can be predicted.
Our community is 30 years old now, having been created in 1981. While the structures have withstood the test of time rather well, much of the landscaping is overgrown and shows its age. That’s why so much work has been done in that area – to keep the community looking fresh. I think you’ll agree, recent projects – the entrances, signage, play area, lighting, tree work, plantings – have been effective. That our home values have fared well when compared to others in the area and the economy in general proves that out. The work will continue. The next big project is said to be modernizing the irrigation system, which makes sense as it will provide better care for the new plantings.
Despite the capital improvements, the association fees for the next year will remain unchanged. The budget wasn’t presented at the meeting, which is unusual. The Board said they would be mailing the budget around later.
There’s always talk about our snow removal contractors and this meeting was no exception. The general level of homeowner dissatisfaction continues, for various reasons. The current contractor will remain for the near-term; they are about midway through a 3-year contract. If you have specific issues, like damage and such, please document it and bring it to the Board’s attention for resolution.
The Board has been actively seeking alternative materials to reduce homeowner maintenance costs and the latest has been paints and stains. Most recently, the old Sherwin-Williams products have been replaced with a BEHR product. The new oil-based latex stain holds up better while being less expensive at around $100 per 5-gallons. What’s more, it’s carried at Home Depot. It’s said that the new colors are posted on the official Riverbend site.
Speaking of Web sites, the Board reported that their official Riverbend site isn’t doing as well as they hoped it would. It seems that only about 59 residents have registered there for a login, and some of those a multiples in the same home. Back in March the Board said that they were seeing “no more than a handful of hits each week” and that “only a quarter of residents” had provided contact email addresses. That kind of growth isn’t very encouraging. I must admit, though, while I have an account on their site I can’t recall the last time I visited…
There was some talk in the Q&A part of the meeting concerning some of the unmaintained properties in the community. The Board appears most interested in the assessments that are in arrears – one unit alone at over $9K if I recall correctly. Some of the problem properties from last year have new owners and are no longer issues, but some remain. When it comes to that, though, the Board has no power to do anything. My suggestion is that it’s an issue to be taken up with the Township. Write them with a letter of complaint. Personally, I’ve got one of those properties nearby and I plan, in the coming weeks, to approach my neighbors to enlist their support.
In the coming weeks the Board will be conducting a walk-through.
Finally, with Halloween approaching, a reminder that it’s a good idea to keep lights on for safety. As usual there will be security personnel on patrol October 30th and 31st. Earlier this month the Township adopted a resolution imposing a curfew. The curfew prohibits persons under 18 from being present on the streets and public areas of the Township past 8PM on October 30th and 31st. Wow, that seems awfully restrictive to me, but it is what it is.
Have a safe and happy Halloween!
Just A Reminder
Administrator’s Note: Ken Bierstein, Board of Trustees member, emailed the following. The all-caps boldface style is Ken’s.
JUST A REMINDER
ANNUAL MEETING 10/26 AT 7:00PM AT TOWN HALL
IT’S ALSO ELECTION NIGHTIF YOU CAN’T ATTEND PLEASE SEND IN YOUR PROXY.
HALLOWEEN IS COMING 10/31. ONCE AGAIN WE WILL HAVE PRIVATE SECURITY ROAMING THE COMMUNITY ON 10/30 AND 10/31.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR BACK DOOR AND FRONT DOOR LIGHTS ON FOR SAFETY.
HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON
The Riverbend Board
Annual Meeting Announced
October 4, 2011
Dear Homeowners:
The Annual/Election Meeting of the Riverbend Townhouse Owner’s Association will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, at the North Brunswick Municipal Complex, located on Hermann Road, North Brunswick. The meeting will start at 7:00 P.M.
The primary purpose of this meeting is to elect two (2) members to our Board for a term of three (3) years. Currently there are two (2) homeowners running for these open positions and their resumes are included herein. In addition, the Board approved, 2012 budget will be presented to the community which reflects no increase for the coming year. There has been no increase in the monthly fee despite the new walkway lighting project that was recently completed. We will continue to monitor ongoing expenses and be as fiscally prudent as possible. We do believe, however, that enhancements to our community are critical to maintaining the safety of our community and the value of our homes.
It is important that you take an active role and participate in this meeting by supporting the people whom you feel will be responsible and effective in the process of managing our community association.
Voting will take place by proxy/absentee ballot if you are unable to attend the meeting and by ballot at the Annual meeting. If you plan on attending the Annual meeting, you will be given a ballot when you sign in. For those who are not able to attend the Annual/Election meeting, enclosed please find an official Proxy to record your vote. Please return the proxy by October 24, 2011, in order to be a valid proxy. Please note that only owners in good standing (with no outstanding dues) are eligible to vote in this election.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Very truly yours,
Board of Trustees
Riverbend Townhouse Owner’s Association
Attachments:
Agenda
Proxy
Minutes of the 2010 Annual Meeting
Administrator’s Note: This site is, of course, available on the public
Internet and so the candidate resumes are deliberately omitted from
this article in order to protect candidate privacy. The budget, although
mentioned in the notice, does not appear here by request of the Board.
If you don’t plan to attend the meeting (but you know you
should, right?) then be sure to mail your proxy to the
Executive Property Management office to be received by close
of business October 24, 2011.
Recycling
| 13 January 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 27 January 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 10 February 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 24 February 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 10 March 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 24 March 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 7 April 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 21 April 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 5 May 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 19 May 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 2 June 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 16 June 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 30 June 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 14 July 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 28 July 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 11 August 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 25 August 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 8 September 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 22 September 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 6 October 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 20 October 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 3 November 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 17 November 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 1 December 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 15 December 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
| 29 December 2011 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
There is a recycling pickup today.
The pickups of plastic, glass, newspapers, and cardboard usually occur between 8 AM and 10 AM on alternating Thursdays. Riverbend is in Zone 3.
As of October 2007, North Brunswick’s recycling materials were picked up by Central Jersey Waste and Recycling, Inc. of Trenton, NJ. You can reach them at 609-656-4200.
Learn more about Middlesex County’s Solid Waste Management programs, including the schedule for Household Hazardous Waste Days.
Please be a responsible citizen and recycle!
Hosting donated by…
Event Calendar
« Sep 
Nov » October 2011 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
