Resident Question

Question:My neighbors and I have been talking about the pool and have not heard anything about what is been going on. We are very concerned about not having our pool open. This summer is going to be hot, and we do not have a place to take the kids. We are also wondering why this issue wasn't mentioned last year, and why now that is time to open the pool all these problems are mentioned? We want to know if we are allowed to use the other pool? We pay our portion of the HOA dues on time and expect for pool service to be available on time. Please let us know if there is any chance that we can use the other pool ASAP. Thank you

Board Response:
Thank you for your e-mail. The pool will be closed for the 2009 season to make necessary repairs and bring the pool up to code. The pool has been a continuous topic at our Board meetings since the beginning of the pool season last year. After the Virginia Graeme Baker Act was put into law by congress and was effective in December 2008, we knew that we would have to make the upgrades to the pool. Also, after Hurricane Ike, the pool facility buildings sustained damage that we would also need to repair.

We knew that closing the pool would be a difficult choice to make, but because of the gross neglect of previous boards concerning the upkeep of the pool the amount of repairs that were necessary were overwhelming. We sent out letters to all residents and took a poll to gather the opinion of the residents regarding how to address the pool issues. The response was overwhelming to close the pool for the summer and make all the repairs to create a safe and healthy environment for the residents of our community. This was a very hard decision to make, but for the overall best interest of the community it is the right one.

We understand that it is frustrating considering that you, like the Board, pay your HOA dues, but let me remind you that the dues that you pay as a homeowner also cover other expenses that we have as a community such as the streetlights, landscaping and many other overhead costs. We had to make the decision to use the monies that we would normally pay a pool management company for the summer and use them to make the repairs. Our community does not generate enough income for us to have the pool season and make the repairs, it is one or the other.

Regarding the Chimney Hill I Community pool, their board has made the decision that due to liability concerns that they would respectfully decline our request to allow our residents to use their pool. A notice was sent by the management company on June 15, 2009 to this effect and the contents of the letter have been posted on the community website.

Our goal is to be a proactive Board and we hope that you trust us to make the decisions, no matter how difficult, to do what is best for the community as a whole and what will ensure a prosperous future for our community. The liability and risk with the pool and its facilities pose a danger to the residents of our community and it is our goal to be able to provide you, your family, and your fellow neighbours, a safe, happy, healthy facility that we can all be proud of.
The Board