Altermatt Farms Subdivision
Page 2
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT - FRANK A. CUSUMANO, JR.
December 25, 2013
DEAR NEIGHBOR,
December 25, 2013
DEAR NEIGHBOR,
Well, the delinquency rate payment of the annual maintenance dues seems to have bottomed out. A total of ten (10) of the 173 homes this past year (2013) did not pay their $50 annual dues. That is down from the past years' high water marks, as is see below in the table. When I volunteered to do this job, there weren't many lien and discharge tasks involved. When the so-called "Great Recession" hit, the work increased exponentially, and will continue until the 2008-2011 delinquencies work their way out.
As you can tell from the annual financial reports, we are in a position to seriously talk about a getting a subdivision sign for the front of the subdivision off 25 Mile Road, and funding it - in total - without any additional dues, fees, or assessment from you. This has always been a source of discussion among Altermattfarms Subdivision residents. I raise this issue to encourage participation of all co-owners in the process, and seek their input. We will call a special meeting soon to discuss a subdivision sign and filling of the vacant AFSA Board positions. We can keep costs low and use what we collect to pay all the annual bills and for long term maintenance. We don't need a management company, nor can we afford one on $50 per year per household.
Finally, we collectively should discuss the long term solution to the retention basin dredging maintenance issue. The retention basin is a long term maintenance issue, and the $20 plus a year (per household) which has not been spent is accumulating for that maintenance purpose. That way all new owners (capital contributions), past owners (annual maintenance fees not spent and accumulated) and current owners (annual maintenance fees) share this expense, not just those here when the basin work needs to be done. We need to find out how long we have (projected date) before the basin needs to be dredged, and navigate a path to take care of it when that day comes. I mention it because I am loathe to the Township setting up a special tax district to fund it out. Watch out if that occurs because I am confident we will pay at least double over the long term.
We run a very tight ship financially and have consistently built reserves which should cover most, if not all, the retention basin dredging expense. Some of us may not even be here when this occurs, but we need to be prepared. The increased $250 capital contribution for each new homeowner should build that funding more quickly.
On a personal note, I want to thank all the AFSA co-owners who pay their annual maintenance fees without 2nd and 3rd notices. I promise you that I will continue to watch every penny so we don't have to crawl to the Township and get walloped. Yes, it can be done, and we are doing it. So when your elected officials claim to need more of your money every year, just tell them "no."
Frank A. Cusumano, Jr.
Our annual association maintenance fees paid & unpaid.
| Year | Paid | Unpaid | Total | % unpaid |
| 2013 | 163 | 10 | 163 | 5.8% |
| 2012 | 158 | 15 | 173 | 8.7% |
| 2011 | 152 | 21 | 173 | 12.1% |
| 2010 | 157 | 16 | 173 | 9.2% |
| 2009 | 165 | 8 | 173 | 4.6% |
| 2008 | 167 | 6 | 173 | 3.5% |
| 2007 | 170 | 3 | 173 | 1.7% |
| 2006 | 170 | 3 | 173 | 1.7% |
| 2005 | 172 | 1 | 173 | 0.6% |
Archived 2012 Message:
AT $50 PER YEAR FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS, WE HAVE NEVER REALLY HAD A PROBLEM COLLECTING OUR ASSOCIATION DUES, BUT AS THE DATA ABOVE SHOWS, IT IS AN EVER INCREASING PROBLEM.
IN 2011 WE GOT HIT WITH INCREASES IN WATER WHICH FORCED US TO CHOOSE BETWEEN WATERING THE 25 MILE ROAD GRASS OR FERTILIZING AND CUTTING IT. BY DISCONNECTING THE METER, WE SAVED ON THE WATER BILL AND ON AN ELECTRIC BILL WHICH WAS ALMOST 100% ATTRIBUTABLE TO JUST HAVING THE ELECTRIC METER ACTIVE OUT THERE.
LOSS OF REVENUE FROM NON-PAYMENTS OF DUES AND THE EXPENSE OF LIENS (WHICH MAY NEVER BE RECOVERED) HAS ADDED UP. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE ARE STILL REVENUE NEUTRAL AND EXPENSES ARE UNDER CONTROL.
THE LIENS FOR PAST DUE ASSOCIATION DUES ARE ZIPPED IF THE HOUSE GOES INTO FORECLOSURE BY THE SHERIFF'S SALE. SO WE NOT ONLY LOSE THE REVENUE, WE LOSE THE LIEN EXPENSE. ON THE UPSIDE, IF THE HOUSE IS PURCHASED, WE RECOUP SOME REVENUE FROM THE ONE TIME CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION FEE FROM THE NEW HOMEOWNER.
STREET LIGHTING BILL ON YOUR TAXES
EVERY YEAR WE GET BILLED FOR ELECTRICITY TO POWER OUR STREET LIGHTS. THE BULBS USED IN THE STREET LIGHTS ARE HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM BETWEEN 250 WATTS AND 100 WATTS. I AM LOOKING INTO 35 WATT LED BULBS WITH 3000 LUMENS. I AM IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE TOWNSHIP (THE CUSTOMER) AND DTE ENERGY. OUR ELECTRIC BILL WOULD DROP FROM $82.23 TO $11.54 PER YEAR.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT - TOGETHER WE HAVE MAINTAINED THE LEAST EXPENSIVE, AND STILL OPERATIONAL, HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION IN MACOMB COUNTY!
Frank A. Cusumano, Jr.
