Your Vote Counts

[geema]

Just think that someone needs to jump in here and discuss what the association dues are used for. I don't know all of it but I know they are used to maintain the boulevard (if you think you can get the county to take care of our property, cutting, mulching, weeding, pruning, watering and replacing trees, etc and do a good job that we are all proud of, I say GO RIGHT AHEAD and use your voice to make it happen!), the entrance, Christmas & Easter party for kids, 4th of July party, any other activity that is community wide, replacement of mulch, benches along the boulevard, paying of electric for lights, Christmas light contest prizes, etc.  EVERYONE benefits from these things even if they do not pay dues and these have nothing to do with the pool.  MANY subdivisions pay well over what we pay here for association dues outside of anything to do with the pools and their dues are stictly enforced. 

As far as why does it cost so much more than it did 10- 15 years ago?  I don't know about you but it cost me a LOT more to live than it did 10-15 years ago.  Insurance rates have greatly increased, electric has increased, fire protection has increased, and on and on.

I am glad we have this forum to hear ideas and opinions, I think we can all learn and perhaps move forward.

Again, I am proud of being in the Belmont West family and hope that we can resolve this in a positive and amicable way. 

[B.J. Roberts]

I did vote no for this as I am not in favor of the homeowners association funding the pool in the condition and status the pool is in today.  I am not opposed to an additional $50 or more if that money would be of benefit to all in the neighborhood.  How about lighting, walking trails, greenways, etc.

[SKS]

There are so many pros and cons regarding updating the BW pool.  Property value, liability, recreation usage are all reasons to renovate the pool.  But is it really financially feasible? 

If BWHA only collected $11,600 in fees last year (according to annual meeting minutes), then that is approximately the amount that will be collected for the $50.00 pool fee – if approved and if all families are willing to contribute.  If only 37 families join the pool (like last year) then only $10,000-11,000 will be collected from the $275.00–300.00 pool memberships.  That is only around $21.000.00!  Where is the rest of the money going to come from to pay for the $10,000-$15,000 balance for pool renovations, much less the chemicals, utilities, $3000.00 insurance, lifeguard salaries, etc for just the usual upkeep for this summer?  What about future problems that always plague old swimming pools? 

Is money set aside for in the “likely” event of broken pumps, filters, pipes, etc?  Does the BWRA plan to get bank loans to make up the difference?  Does BW RA believe that with the economy that there will be a sudden influx of new families interested in joining?  Other pools in the area offer so many more amenities – so that finding more families to join the BW pool will be difficult.  Gulf Park Pool (which is maintained completely separately from the GPHA) offers swim team, swim lessons, manager and lifeguards on duty, a pool slide and diving board, concession stand, tennis courts as well as tennis program, family nights, etc. For only $390.00 – that is only $90.00-115.00 more than BW.

The $50.00 fee that the committee wants to collect isn’t going to fix the problem.  Has anyone considered getting an estimate on how much it would cost to fill in the pool?

 I don’t consider myself a pessimist, but a realist!

[joethetaxpayer]

We agree with SKS....and we are pragmatists, not pessimists.
Regarding increased costs, the dues have quadrupled in 15 years. Thats 10% annual compounded for 15 years.
KUB, WKUD, Minimun wage, Payroll taxes, Property taxes, Chlorine have not increased at that rate. So we are trying to understand, like others, where does the money go?
A financial report from BWRA for the last two years would clarify what the operational costs are,and may continue to be.
Harry Bryan indicates he will post in on the home site, if provided.
Can anyone give a reason that this is not forthcoming??  The silence makes one raise an eyebrow.

(By the way,Two weeks ago, it appeared the filters weren't drained, froze and split the pipes. Also the Coke machine was still running two weeks ago, TVA loves that! $$$$)

[ajtrmom]

I would be 100% in favor of an increase in dues IF the pool was opened up to the community, not just the members.  The majority of newer neighborhoods have pools that are included at no extra cost.  I think if our pool was opened up to the neighborhood, more people would use it therefore more people would be interested in seeing it improve.

[jamesd]

We would be in favor of raising the dues to $100.00 to help support the pool

[birdfeeder]

First of all, it is great to hear and see that some giving people are working on trying to get the pool up to where it can be a benefit to the neighborhood.
I have a two questions in regards to the pool: there was an envelop attached to the newsletter saying that if we wanted to joing the pool to send in the fee. There was no information as to what membership means. No estimated hours or days it is usually open, no explanation of privileges such as outlining the rules regarding guests or if use of the pavillion for parties is available, etc, etc.  Before sending in what, though it is not a complaint, but is a lot of money for our budget, I would like to know what we are purchasing.
Along these lines, I would like to know how to access the notices of when board meetings or events, etc., are. We have lived here a few years now and in all that time we have received two newsletters.  We did not receive notice of the recent meetings regarding the pool and only heard of them because of a first time personal visit by an association member. Perhaps there are others in the neighborhood who would like to be involved and informed also but are in the same situation.
Maybe the calendar on this board could be updated, or, maybe one of the committees could be something like the communication committee. 

[Harry Bryan]

Birdfeeder, hopefully, the officers or chairs of committees calling these meetings will use this forum as a way of communicating with our residents. While printed newsletters are good, they have a way of blowing out of newspaper tubes and not getting to the residents. Since we have 200 email addresses in the database, we can assume these 200 residents have internet access. In addition to the forum, email can be utilized in announcing the meetings.

[steveb]

Hi neighbors, this is Steve Brewer and I am charged with maintaining the pool area.  I would like to invite any of you that are interested to participate in a work day this Saturday, May 9 and next Saturday, May 16.  Primarily what we will focus on will be painting the chain link fence around the pool area, removing/burning brush that has accumulated in the parking area, and pressure washing the deck around the pool.  I would like to add that I'm very excited about this year as many updates are in the process of being done to the pool.  The pool is being totally resurfaced to include a new coating and new tile to both the main pool and the kiddie pool.  Some of you might have noticed activity at the pool this week.  Workers began removing the old surface yesterday.  The project should take about 2-1/2 weeks to complete, weather permitting.  We are doing everything we can to be ready to open by Memorial Day, but we do not want to rush the major repair that is in process.  If we are a few days late in opening, it will be worth it.  We have 2 families that have been working during the week to prep the pool house for painting.  By the time our 2nd work day comes around, I expect the painting of the pool house to be completed.  The deck around the pool needs some TLC as several cracks and chipped concrete are evident.  We will be working to fix most or all of that over the next couple of week.

It is my sincere hope that when we open, we will have a "product" that everyone in Belmont West can be proud of.  We plan on making improvements to the pool area throughout the season and each year.

Thanks,

Steve

[gafarmer@knology.net]

By the way the Coke machine belongs to the Farmers. And after reading all of these postings, it seems that more people need to volunteer and see how truly draining and hard it is.  It took us 10 years of our time and to step down and have several good families step up and make changes that we fought and fought for a decade.  So put your time it and see how it all truly works.  We donated time, treasure and money for a decade!!! With no real thank you