Annual Meeting Announced
ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE & BOARD CANDIDATE RESUME REQUESTS
Dear Riverbend Homeowner:
The Annual Meeting of the Riverbend Townhouse Owners Association will take place on Thursday, November 4, 2010, at 7:00 P.M. The meeting will be held at the North Brunswick Municipal Complex, on Hermann Road, in North Brunswick. At this meeting two (2) homeowner will be elected to the Board of Trustees for a three -year term.
Attached please find a copy of the “Board Candidate Resume” form. If you are interested in volunteering your time and expertise for your community, please complete the attached form and return it to management at the above address. Your completed form will then be forwarded to the Nominating Committee for consideration. All owners are encouraged to consider becoming active in the community, by running for the Board.
Please mark your calendar accordingly, and ensure that if you are interested in becoming a Board member, the management office receives your resume, by no later than October 1, 2010. A subsequent mailing will be sent including the candidates’ information, a proxy and a copy of the agenda for this meeting, in November.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have in this regard.
Very truly yours,
Janice Barber, PCAM, CMCA
Managing Agent
On Behalf of the Board of Trustees
Advisory
Yesterday many/most/all of you received – or should have received – an email message sent by Janice at Executive Property Management. The subject line was Notice Regarding Electric Shutoff – 9/8/10 (Tentative) and it’s reproduced on this site for your convenience.
The reason for this advisory is to tell you that if you didn’t receive it – assuming that EPM has your correct email address on file – the message may have been culled as spam.
It was for me.
So, if you haven’t seen the message in your inbox then one or both of the following remedies may be in order.
- Ensure that EPM has your correct email address on file by checking your profile on the official Riverbend Web site (not this one, the official one, which doesn’t seem to be online as I’m writing).
- Whitelist the addresses that EPM using to send their broadcast messages.
Contact EPM if you’re still having trouble receiving their broadcast messages.
PSE&G Notice
ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2010
YOUR ELECTRIC SERVICE
WILL BE OFF FOR A SHORT TIME
As another step in our continuing program to meet our customer’s needs, we are making major improvements to the electric supply lines in your development. On Wednesday, September 8th, 2010, for approximately 2 to 3 hours, sometime between 8:30AM and 5PM, your power will be off. PSE&G will be energizing new underground cable and equipment that serves your building. Should the weather be inclement on Wednesday, the outage will be on Thursday, September 9th, 2010, during the same time frame.
We hope this interruption will not inconvenience you. We will try to be as quick and considerate as possible.
If you should have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. John Grabenstein, of this office, at 732-764-3067. Thank you for your cooperation.
Very truly yours, /1,1
Eric L. DeGrave
Distribution Manager
Electric Engineering
Central Division — PSE&G
Administrator Note – This was dropped by PSE&G personnel at everyone’s door. See the related post from EPM on this site.
Notice Regarding Electric Shutoff – 9/8/10 (Tentative)
Dear Homeowners,
Please be advised that we have received word today, from PSE&G that they are planning to shut off the electric in Riverbend on September 8th for a few hours. (date not confirmed) We assume this is to hook up the electric from the newly installed wiring from their construction that was done in the community earlier this year. Please let you neighbors know.
Remember that those who have electric garage door openers, you will not be able to get into your home through the garage when the electric is off. You should take a front door key with you if you leave your home to prevent being locked out during this period.
Please look for further notice from PSE&G that should be posted on your front/garage door and possibly the mailboxes as well.
Janice Barber,
Executive Property Management
Township Recycling Schedule Changes
We’ve received notice that North Brunswick Township has adjusted their recycling schedule for the remainder of 2010. The changes will affect the Riverbend community which is in Zone 3.
The calendar on this site has been adjusted to reflect the correct dates for Zone 3 as shown in the notice. Here’s a summary of the changes.
- September 2 – unchanged
- September 9 – formerly scheduled for September 16
- September 23 – formerly scheduled for September 30
- October 7 – formerly scheduled for October 14
- October 21 – formerly scheduled for October 28
- November 4 – formerly scheduled for November 11
- November 18 – formerly scheduled for November 26
- December 2 – formerly scheduled for December 9
- December 16 – formerly scheduled for December 23
- December 30 – new date, not previously scheduled
The full revised schedule is on the township site.
Official Website Announcement
Dear Riverbend Homeowner:
We are proud to announce that the official Riverbend web site is up and running at www.riverbendtoa.com. This web site will contain the following information shortly:
- Newsletters
- Monthly Board Meeting Minutes
- Event Calendar
- Rules and Regulations
- Landscaping request forms
- Current budget and audit results
- Community updates and alerts
- Community Notices
- And so much more …..
This web site is evolving and will be enhanced in the months ahead. That is why we need your help. Please visit the web site and send your comments to: randbsoptonline.net or kenboots@aol.com.
Your user ID and PASSWORD have been preset to ******, i.e. ****** (example ****** at ******). For security reasons we suggest that your password be changed by logging in using your preset login and password and then updating your user profile to change the password, for security reasons. [sic]
We are hoping to reduce our mailing costs by distributing information via this website. If you want to continue to receive US postal mailings, please mail in the attached form.
Very truly yours,
Board of Trustees
Riverbend Townhouse Owners Association
Administrator note: For security reasons, the default userid/password scheme described in the Board notice has been omitted, for security reasons. It’s also worth noting that the official Riverbend Web site URL has apparently changed. In earlier notices from the Board (see Spring Update and Update on Recent Activities) the site’s URL was www.riverbenddrive.org while in this notice it is www.riverbendtoa.com. The earlier URL redirects to the one announced here – in other words, both function equally, but it’s confusing. Perhaps the Board will provide an explanation later.
July Site News
The first round of bug fixes for the latest major revision of the site’s software were released a few days ago. This morning I took the plunge.
Everything seems to test out fine, but if you notice anything awry then please tell me. I’ll get it fixed. Thanks!
Meeting Reminder
The next Board meeting is Tuesday May 18 at 7 p.m. in the EPM offices at the Hidden Lake Town Center.
One of the topics of discussion will be the Board’s new Web site.
Spring Update
Dear Riverbend Homeowner:
WEBSITE:
The web site www.riverbenddrive.org has been launched. This site will be the primary source of information for the community and where announcements will be made. If any homeowner does not have web access, they need to make this known to Executive Property Management. You MUST let EPM know if you want information mailed to you. If we do not hear from you requesting this mail, we will NOT send it and the web site will serve as the newsletter.
The site is in its infancy and we are in the midst of loading some basic information. There will be a good deal of public information. There will also be password protected data that will be restricted to only homeowners. This will be of a more sensitive nature.
We need VOLUNTEERS to act as administrators for the site. If anyone with a background in web site construction/administration is available for an hour each month to update the site, contribute to its improvement and participate in the community is encouraged to let EPM know of your interest.
LANDSCAPING
We are always looking to improve the look of Riverbend. Because of our limited resources this year, we will be removing overgrown plantings along Riverbend Drive to refresh the “curb” value of our community. As our budget allows we will address the overgrowth along each of the walkways.
Homeowners will be getting notified shortly about dealing with the jungle like private areas near your homes. The recent March storms showed the danger of having oversized trees/plants within the private areas. There were a number of trees blown down and against the houses. Major damage was largely avoided this time but we saw what might happen if we don’t remove these trees as they outgrow the spaces. You can contact our landscaper, Growing Concern about removal.
New Mulch has been added to the playground.
PAINTING/REPAIRS
Letters will be going out in the next few weeks to homes where there is an obvious need for maintenance. Now is a great time to contact local painters and handymen to book the work that needs to get done.
Be courteous to your neighbors. Please pick up after your pets. When you see a loose piece of paper, cups, bottles, etc., please pick it up and throw it away.
LIGHTING
The walkway lights have been installed since the community opened in 1981. These bulbs/fixtures are outdated and inefficient and the state has told us that we have to deal with replacement. We are working with a lighting engineer to negotiate the purchase and installation of low maintenance and cost efficient fixtures that will enhance the walkway lighting and improve safety.
CABLE INSTALLATION
Contractors for P S E & G have been working in Hidden Lake for nearly six months. They are installing tubes and cables that will improve electricity delivery among other things. They are completing their work that will allow us to finish our landscaping and mulching.
Enjoy the Spring!
Board of Trustees
Riverbend Townhouse Owners Association
Snow Assessment
Dear Riverbend Homeowner:
As you are well aware, we have experienced a severe snow season. It is a relief to know that Spring is finally here, however, our budget has been severely impacted from this winter.
The snow budget for the year was $45,000. We have incurred costs in excess of $50,000. This does not include any potential snowfall that may occur in November or December 2010, which is estimated to be $15,000. In addition, the 10″ snowstorm in December 2009 cost an additional unbudgeted $5,000. Based on the above our snow expense has negatively affected our budget by approximately $25,000 and another $4,000 of resultant damage to landscaping and trees.
The Board of Trustees has carefully reviewed the impact of this budget shortfall and has passed a snow assessment on March 16, 2010 requiring each homeowner to pay an additional $200.00 to make up the budget deficit. This amount is payable in eight installments of $25.00 each commencing May 1, 2010 through December 1, 2010.
Enclosed please find eight (8) coupons to be used each month starting May 1st with the revised monthly payment through the end of this year in the amount of $210.00 ($185.00 monthly fee plus $25.00 snow deficit).
Non-payment of this assessment will result in the Association following the normal collection procedures that are followed for any other outstanding dues to the Association. If you are selling your home during this period, you are required to make the purchasers aware of this assessment that is due each month from May through December 2010.
Feel free to contact our management office should you have any questions in this regard.
Very truly yours,
Board of Trustees
Riverbend Townhouse Owner’s Association
Enclosures
Note from the Administrator: The mentioned coupon book is omitted from this posting for obvious reasons.
Update on Recent Activities
March 4, 2010
RE: An update on recent activities and the impact on the community
Dear Riverbend Homeowner:
Like everyone else in the Northeast, we have suffered through an historic winter. February saw more than three feet of snow in central New Jersey. By contrast, last year we got less than two feet of snow for the entire winter. Like most municipalities, our snow removal expenses have exceeded our budget. And we still have more weather to get through before we see Springtime.
In short, there will be a need for a “Special Assessment” in order to cover our excessive snow removal costs. Historically, our snow budget has always been very close to our expenses, but this has been an extraordinary year. The exact amount of the assessment will be determined once we receive the final billing from our vendor.
Once the snow melts away, we will be able to do an evaluation of the damage done to our landscaping and lighting. There are sections of walkway lights that are out now. They will be fixed as soon as our contractor can dig up the lines and make the necessary repairs.
EPA guidelines on lighting are changing. The Board has met with an engineering firm to work with us to install new sidewalk lighting fixtures. The current lights are costly to maintain and not efficient in delivering adequate lighting. We are evaluating fixtures that are inexpensive to maintain, deliver greater amounts of light and attractively fit into the “Riverbend look”.
The Board has contracted with a vendor to produce a Riverbend web site. Very shortly, the web site www.riverbenddrive.org will be the primary location for ALL community announcements. Communication and awareness is critical and this is the most timely and cost effective way to immediately get messages out to each resident. More detailed information will come shortly. The offerings and data on the site will expand as we get feedback and move forward.
Let’s all hope for an early Spring!
Very truly yours,
Board of Trustees
Riverbend Townhouse Owners Association
Riverbend Census 2010: Second Request
February 2010
SECOND REQUEST
Dear Riverbend Homeowner:
In December 2009, a letter was mailed to all homeowners enclosing the 2010 Census Form which was required to be filled out and forwarded to management.
We are now enclosing another copy of the Census Form for you to fill out and return to our management office by March 15, 2010, because to date, we have not received your form. This information will be kept on file and used for emergency purposes only.
Please complete and return this form promptly.
Very truly yours,
Board of Trustees
Riverbend Townhouse Owners Association
Enclosure: Homeowner Census Form – 2010
January Site News
Happy New Year!
I’m pleased to tell you that the recycling dates on our calendar are now current through the end of 2010.
I’m equally displeased to report that my tax bills arrived in the same envelope. Maybe you noticed a slight reduction in your taxes? Try not to spend it all in one place.
I updated the software that runs this site to the latest and the greatest, a minor point-rev. The update was trouble-free, but as usual if you notice anything amiss then please let me know.
Enjoy the weekend.
New User Registrations
Long-time readers may recall when I reported large numbers of spam accounts being created here, and the measures I put in place to combat them. Subsequent monitoring showed the move to be an effective one and the problem is no longer bothersome.
A side effect of these measures is that sometimes, unfortunately, a legitimate user registration may be rejected. Most of the time this is because the would-be user’s email address is with a provider that’s known for the ease with which ‘bots can create email addresses for their own use. Providers like Yahoo, Google (gmail), Hotmail, AOL, and AIM, etc. are just a tiny few examples of the more well-known providers that might be affected. To be fair, these providers work hard to serve their legitimate users. But as everyone knows, the larger the target the more attractive it becomes to spammers.
If you’re having trouble that you think might be related to this, especially if you’re trying to set up a Resident account, then please don’t just go away frustrated. Drop me a line instead and let’s get it fixed.
I’m not particularly happy that the ‘net has turned into a medium where such measures are necessary but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
December Site News
I just finished a handful of software updates to the site. Everything went smoothly, but as usual if you encounter any difficulties then please let me know.
I was seriously underwhelmed by today’s massive snowstorm. The forecasts were for some serious accumulation but nothing much came of it as the front slid to our south.
The holiday season is once again upon us. Celebrate responsibly!
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