Willow Springs Watch - East Village Master Association

Willow Springs Watch
 Volume 19, Issue 2                                                                   February 2018
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From the President’s Desk
Jane Harris

As Celless Beck did an excellent job of enumerating your board's 2018 goals in her summary of the
annual meeting, I will not repeat them here. Instead, I want to focus on a 2018 project which should be
near and dear to most, if not all, of Willow Springs Homeowners (hereafter referred to as WSH)
regarding our neighborhood, and our property value.
There will be two ad hoc committees, crucial to Willow Springs’ health, created and operational in 2018.
These are the "Ad Hoc Reserve Fund Committee" and "Ad Hoc WSHA Neighborhood Opportunities
Committee." I expect these two committees may experience some "overlapping" in a few areas.
More information regarding the goals and opportunities of these committees (for WS) will be shared as it
becomes available--but certainly beginning in March. We have some folks who have offered to serve on
these committees and we will be searching for more so that we have a good representation of our
community.
 I leave you, for now, with this reminder:
VOLUNTEERS ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF A VIABLE HOA. A VIABLE HOA RETAINS, AND
INCREASES, PROPERTY VALUES.
Become a member of the select WSHA Volunteer Core.… C'mon….ya know ya wanna do it!
Good news: WSH are understanding, and complying with, completion of ARC forms prior to initiating
work on their homes as per directions from our governing documents. YEA!!
Bad news: Michaele James has reluctantly resigned as ARC Chairman.
More Good news: Michaele remains as WSHA Board Secretary.
Even More Good news: Some lucky WSH will have an opportunity to chair the ARC Committee--and I
have a plan to make it painless!
Even Much More Good news: There are requests for future "Beer Garden" festivities (which include beer
and hot dogs, of course) and "Pizza in the Park" festivities (which include pizza and beer, of course). This,
of course, will require intricate and deft communication and coordination between the garden people and
the social people, under the auspices of our very own Social Committee, and from which all Willow
Springs will benefit!
All in all there is more good news than bad news!

Notes from the Annual Meeting
The Annual Membership meeting was held on Monday, Feb. 12, at 1:30 with 31
homeowners attending. Reports were given by the officers and committee chairmen.
The meeting was enhanced by the great snacks and drinks provided by Angela Johnston.
 President Jane Harris shared goals from 2017 that were set and met. They are as follows: fill all board
positions as defined by the governing documents; assign “contracts” and Legal and Rules to board
members; create a dependably functioning irrigation system; create a Fining Committee; activate the
ARC as defined by the governing documents; create an ad hoc paint committee chairman.
 Jane outlined the 2018 goals as follows: meet governing document directions to the board regarding the
common areas; explore irrigation zone timing and revise if appropriate; transition to, and evaluate, new
vendor performance (mowing and chemicals); create a committee to assist with Reserve Fund
opportunities; create an Ad Hoc committee to envision “renovation;; create an Ad Hoc committee for
garage sale guidelines; support EVMA as appropriate.
Our treasurer Larry Ziegler reported that this year’s efforts were focused on the appearance of structures
and grounds, giving extra attention to irrigation, chemicals, trees and the berm. To offset some overages,
there were savings in other areas. In 2018 there are some changes in place that will reduce overall costs of
maintenance for the grounds and continue to improve the overall appearance of our community. He
reported that the HOA cash position is strong as of the end of 2017.
 Karen Yerich, vice president, reported that she has been reviewing contracts to understand what the
vendors were expected to do and what we expected of the vendors. She will continue to review the
contracts with the new vendors in the coming year.
 Michaele James, secretary, reported that all association forms have been reviewed and modifications
made where necessary. All changes were presented to the board for approval. As Architectural Review
Committee chairman, she set goals to establish an ARC committee, develop guidelines to ensure
consistent approval and declining of ARC requests and begin covenant compliance checks.
 John Johnston reported the insurance policies remain in force through 2018. He has contacted two other
insurance agencies requesting quotes for similar policies but has not heard back at this time. He will
continue to monitor the insurance requirements and make appropriate contacts to ensure that we are
getting the best “bang for our buck.”
 John is also responsible for the web site. He continues to update it by providing needed information for
homeowners. It is administered by the East Village Master Association.
 The Vote on Wavier of Compilation and on the Operating Surplus passed. A new board member, Angie
Skinner, was elected by acclamation. The board for the 2018 term includes Sam Fasciano, Jane Harris,
Ashley James, Michaele James, Angie Skinner, Karen Yerich and Larry Ziegler.
                                                                                               Celless Beck
                                                                                                Staff Writer

In Memoriam
       Long-time Willow Springs resident Arlene Goldberg died Jan. 17 in Indiana.
       Arlene will be remembered by her many friends in Willow Springs.

                  Board Meetings Rescheduled
                  The regular board meetings of the Willow Springs Homeowners Association, which had
                  been changed earlier this year, have been rescheduled to the original time. They will now
                  be held at 10 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month. Don’t forget to note the change on
your calendars.

        Painting Contractors Offer Extra Services
Gulfside Painting Contracting Inc.is currently in the process of painting the
exterior of the homes in Willow Springs. As a part of the process, the
exterior of each home is power-washed before the painting is started. At the homeowners’ expense,
Gulfside has offered to power-wash driveways and sidewalks at a cost of $80 and lanai floors at a cost of
$40. In addition, Gulfside has also offered to paint driveways, sidewalks and lanai floors. This additional
painting is also at the homeowner’s expense and priced out separately per unit.
An ARC form is required to be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval prior to any additional
painting. Arrangements for the additional power-washing and any painting must be coordinated through
Gulfside. Call 941-355-1233.

Did you know…?
,,,If you plan to have a tree removed, alive or dead, you must first ask
permission of the board of directors prior to cutting down that tree. Also, you
must remove the stump left over after that tree is cut down.
…If you as a homeowner decide to kill the weeds or unwanted grass in your
lawn, it is your responsibility as a homeowner to repair your lawn with sod or
plugs.
Michaele James
WSHA secretary

The Social Scene

                                 February Ladies Luncheon
The February Willow Springs ladies luncheon will be held at noon Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Carrabba’s on
Route 41 in Venice. Reservations must be made by Sunday, Feb. 18, with Connie Burrell at 607-316-
3552 or cvburrell42@yahoo.com or with Joan Schum at 941-223-5839 or wjschum1@gmail.com. Hope
you will join us.

                                          Pot Luck Social
Just a reminder that a Willow Springs pot luck social will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 2, at the
East Village clubhouse .An e-mail notice is being sent out and a flier will be posted at the mail box center.
Bring a dish to share, and dessert will be provided.

Looking Ahead….
Feb. 21: Willow Springs Ladies Luncheon, noon Carrabba’s, Route 41 Venice.

March 1: Next board meeting, 10 a.m. at the clubhouse

March 2: Willow Springs social, 5 to 8 p.m., at the clubhouse

From the Editor
Phyllis Hammer
Read any good books lately? Those of us who frequent our library at the East Village community center
complex can certainly respond in the affirmative. At our library you’ll find a plethora. (How do you like
that word? I just threw that in to get your attention. You’ll find millions more in the books at our library.)
Our library is made up of books donated by East Village residents…paperbacks and hardcover, mostly
novels, but a few more serious works. I read mostly novels (because I got enough of the serious stuff as a
four-year English major in college.) And I personally prefer paperbacks because they’re a lot lighter to
hold than the heavy hardcovers. (I guess you can call me a lightweight reader.)
I also prefer the paperbacks because I really hate paying the price for hardcover books that I read once
and never open again. I own a few hardcover books—“War and Peace” (which I’ve read three times) and
Isaac Asimoz’s “Foundation Trilogy,” (which turned out to be a five-part series, and which I‘ve read
twice). I think I’ve gotten my money’s worth!
Our library offers a wide range. Whether you prefer the action/suspense books by the likes of Tom Clancy
and Jack Higgins or the more secret agent/political suspense like Vince Flynn (you can see where my
tastes lie) or medically-oriented thrillers by Robin Cook, or mysteries like those created by Agatha
Christie. You may get a kick out of the Randy Wayne White books which are set on Sanibel Island on
Florida’s Gulf Coast with frequent references to familiar spots like Sarasota and Siesta Key. There’s even
a whole “plethora” of romance novels (and maybe even a few “bodice rippers” thrown in for good
measure!)
There are biographies, travel, even some self-help books in the card game room behind the library. If you
notice, my information on these sections is rather sparse. You’ll have to check it out yourself!
There is no limit on the time you can keep a book. Just return it when you’re finished.
Stop in at our library which is located next to the office at the community center. Its hours are 6 a.m. to
10 p.m. daily with access by your card.