The 2024 Annual Meeting of the Willow Lake Homeowners Association was called to order on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. It was determined we had a quorum.
Ray Hopkins made opening remarks and thanked the Common Area Committee for their work on the front entrance. Ray also apologized that the budget approval was not on the ballot. The community members unanimously agreed to a show of hands vote on the proposed budget.
As stewards of this community our primary goal is to protect and increase our property values. There were a few general conversations concerning upkeep within the community. They were:
- Remembering to remove mold and mildew from your property
- No grass clippings in the road – both a safety hazard and visually unattractive
- Out of respect for neighbors, control excessive dog barking
Luke reviewed the financial documents sent to each homeowner prior to the meeting. He presented a snapshot of our financial position as of 9/30/24 and reinforced that we are in a strong financial position. Luke reported in most categories we were under budget.
Based on the proposed budget, the 2025 Assessment for Willow Lake is $538.60 per lot…$430 for operating and $108.60 for reserves. The due date for the Assessment payment is January 1, 2025. You may give your check to any board member, or mail it to the Willow Lake HOA, PO Box 1897, Millsboro, DE 19966.
A few financial issues to consider going forward:
- Luke’s three year term ends in 2025. The community needs a volunteer to take over the responsibility of the Treasurer.
- We are likely to need to hire a tax accountant to do taxes in the future.
After a healthy open conversation, several items were discussed:
- Maintaining a healthy lake – it was suggested we hire a professional company to test the water yearly and build that into the budget. A healthy lake will reflect on our overall property value.
- Understanding the HOA is responsible for the maintenance of the swales, a team agreed to look at the swales to determine if any need maintenance.
- A new team has agreed to take over the addling of the goose eggs. The appropriate training for applying for federal permits has taken place.
- The Common Area Committee are getting estimates from a number of Landscaping companies and will make a decision on who will get our contract going forward. Included in the estimates is maintaining the trail.
- The Common Area Committee is getting estimates to remove two dead trees and trim back the crepe myrtles that are overgrown.
- Robyn will continue to be our webmaster for a modest fee of $50 per year.
Jean LaMontagne was voted in as the 2025 President of the HOA. Ginny Smith Morris was voted in as Secretary. Luke Nyman will finish his 3 year term this year as Treasurer.
Luke and all attendees thanked Ray for his leadership and dedication to this community for the past 3 years.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.