President’s Message 2011

Good morning to you,

As I’m sure you are all aware, last month  Dr. Larry Stemple, unit 3030, passed unexpectedly.  I ask for a moment of silence.

It’s amazing how quickly Mother Nature can transform what was and subsequently continues to be an otherwise magnificent summer.  I trust by now most everyone has cleaned up.  In the grand scheme of the recent events, compared to other parts of the tri-state area, The Landings faired rather well.  At least we continued to have electricity and cable/phone services.  The rising water, although damaging, receded quickly, allowing for a speedy interior cleanup. I personally am still waiting for the return of these services in midNassau. 

 But onto more positive things. Since our last meeting The Board has completed the replacement of all flower boxes.  We have smoothed down the discrepancies in the cement walkways to lessen the possibility of tripping.  Decaying Split Rail fencing has been replaced.  A most rewarding project was the replacement of the chain link fencing facing the water.  The new fencing and gates has opened the magnificent water view.  A new hi/lo shower has been erected pool side.  The water fountain has been rebuilt. A chronic problem with the water feed to the pool has been permanently rectified.  And  in answer to last year’s complaints about so many “strangers” utilizing the pool-some invited guests,  but many uninvited “guests”-implemented a wrist band system for pool use identification.  But our most important and biggest accomplishment has been the startup of our website.  More about this a little later from Henry.  But what is on everyone’s mind is the proposed property tax increase which we all received in the mail.  From the initial receipt of the notice, I have been back and forth with our legal property tax lawyer.  Good news that I just this week we have received official written confirmation that that in December we will all be receiving an adjusted tax statement reverting back to the previously agreed upon reduced tax basis.

With the recent devastation up and down the coast and statements from insurance carriers, I must temper my promise that for yet another year thru the Board’s diligent hard work and careful management of expenses, the maintenance would remain fixed.  Through no fault of The Board, if any increase in monthly maintenance is necessary,  it would be solely to offset the increase in insurance premiums which are renewable in January.  

 This fall The Board will have all the decks and railings cleaned and preserved.  We had hoped to complete the project before the opening of this season, but a combination of extremely wet weather, underestimation of the labor intensiveness, and poor contractor selection side tracked the project.  We are also receiving bids from sign companies to rebuild our Westhampton Landings Street-side signs.  New ordinances preclude us from outright replacing the signs, even in like and kind, so therefore we must rebuild in order to maintain the size and number of signs.  Since the storm, we will need to re-evaluate the trees, bushes and shrubs, saving and nurturing what we can and removing those that we can’t.  Additionally, now that the weather is getting cooler, the arborist will come in to trim, prune and shape the larger trees.

 We as a community have been working very hard to continually improve the appearance and conditions of the grounds, and I for one feel that the grounds have never looked better, that was before the hurricane.  We are still assessing the plant and shrub damage caused by the sea water flooding of much of the property.  A preliminary estimate is in the $10-12,000 dollar range.  Once the assessment is complete, and we might have to wait until the spring to see what will recover, The Board will restore the property to it’s previous magnificent appearance.

There is another issue for which The Board is reaching out to the community.   It is the ongoing problem with dog owners walking their pets on the property ruining sections of the grass with their pet’s business and worse failing to clean up after them.  If you have ever found a “surprise” on your shoe you will commiserate with us.  It is not only unsightly but a health hazard to all.  It is a nuisance to adults but especially problematic to all the children enjoying the green grass running around shoeless.  Please do you part in not only walking your pet off the property, but reminding anyone you might see walking their pet on the property to please do so off the property.  An equally disturbing problem is all the debris-food, wrappers, bags, cups, bottles-left both in and around the pool and the entrances to the pool.  Eating is not permitted by the pool.  We intentionally have not placed trash receptacles by the pool to discourage the consumption of food poolside.  Leaving any sweets or food wrappings pool side only encourages bugs and vermin to share our great pool. If you must eat, please sit in the Gazebo and remember to clean up after yourself.  And remember, never any glass items are permitted by the pool.

Listening to the recent comments made by the insurance carriers regarding the extensive damage sustained from the hurricane, coupled with the recent decimation of our plantings, shrubs and grass, I must temper my promise that for yet another year thru the Board’s diligent hard work and careful management of expenses, the maintenance will remain fixed.  Our insurance policies come due in January and we will need to wait until the spring to re-evaluate the extent of damage to the plants, shrubs and grass.    

 In closing, I hope that all you unit owners are as proud of The Landings-the property, the structures and the community- as we The Board are.  And with your continued support and trust we The Board pledge to continue the good work!