October Board Meeting

Spring Pond Estates Homeowners Association

Board Meeting Minutes

October 13, 2014

The monthly Board Meeting was called to order by President, Bill Bannister. Bob Mirisola and Gerry Rainforth were absent.

Secretary's Report
Minutes had been given to all board members previously.

Motion to accept with no corrections or omissions was made by Sally LeMon and seconded by Ernie Wheeler. Passed 3-0.

Treasurer's Report
Treasurers report was given to each board member. (see attached)

Motion to accept was made by Sally LeMon and seconded by Ernie Wheeler. Passed 3-0.

Landscaping Committee Report
(see attached)

Maintenance Committee Report
Bill Bannister is waiting to hear from Dick Dewey regarding the replacement of some of the kick boards.

Social Committee Report
Some of the residents enjoyed a great trip around Lake Winnipesaukee last Friday.

Old Business
We are still considering putting in a storage shed on the right of the Community Center, downstairs. Bill will investigate the cost and material.

We are still investigating the name of the homeowner on Smith Field Lane to finalize the issue of removing the berm (garden) so emergency vehicles could either enter or exit if needed.

Also, we want to resurface the walkway to 15a, 15b Spring Pond Circle and also to the entrance of the Community Center. Bill will try to speak with someone to let us know what the proper material would be.

New Business 
The new residents at 25 Spring Pond Circle asked if there was some way to block out some of the light from the light pole at the entrance to the driveway at the Community Center, as it shines into their home. This will be taken under consideration.

Some residents have received an unofficial letter from a company in Portland regarding residents' responsibility with water pipes from our homes if there should be a problem with these. Sally Hudgins will speak with the water department and report back to the board. [see: Warning about HomeServe Water Service Line Insurance]

Motion to adjourn was made by Sally LeMon and seconded by Bill Bannister.

Respectfully yours,

<signed>
Sally Hudgins, Secretary

Warning About HomeServe Water Service Line Insurance

Neighbors,

We have been asked by Carla Robinson at the York Water District (crobinson@yorkwaterdistrict.org) to pass along this warning about a mailing being sent by HomeServe USA Repair Management Corp.

According to police and the Better Business Bureau, this is not a reputable business.

Seacoast residents are being warned about a mailing sent by HomeServe USA Repair Management Corp., which is a sales pitch for "water service line (insurance) coverage."

On Monday night, Greenland police issued a statement about the mass mailing that warned, "This letter looks official. The company tries to sell insurance for your water pipes. A quick Internet search shows that they have been investigated for deceptive business practices in several states, including Massachusetts, Ohio, and Kentucky. Please pass this information along and inform your elderly relatives and neighbors." 

Residents in Portsmouth also received the mailing Monday which states that "Portsmouth homeowners may not be aware that they are responsible for the water service line on their property." The mailing also informs residents that "your water company is responsible" for installing and maintaining water mains up to property boundaries and that homeowners are responsible for plumbing on their own property which could "fail without warning,' requiring "expensive" repairs which "typically" aren't covered by homeowners insurance. 

The company then pitches its insurance for that purpose at a cost of $65.88 a year.
In Portsmouth, the "water company" providing water service to residents is the city. Public Works Director Peter Rice said there are companies that provide that type of insurance and he urged residents to make sure that anyone they do business with is endorsed by reputable organizations, that they "read the fine print" and be sure the company has a good track record.  

According to the Better Business Bureau, there have been 314 complaints filed against HomeServe, 98 of which were about "advertising sales issues," while the BBB gives the company a rating of A-. Included in the the BBB report is a notation that the state of Massachusetts reached "an assurance of discontinuance" with HomeServe, that was a settlement containing allegations that "HomeServe designed and mailed solicitations and renewal notices to 946,000 National Grid customers in Massachusetts that gave the impression the notices were bills from the utility itself, rather than solicitations for optional repair service contracts." 

"The settlement also contained allegations that the solicitations gave false impressions about repair costs, as well as whether the repairs are the responsibility of the utility company, the homeowner, or the homeowner's insurance company," according to the BBB Web site.  

HomeServe agreed to pay a $125,000 fine in lieu of a civil penalty and did not admit to any guilt, according to the BBB.  

- See more at: http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141007/NEWS/141009400#sthash.YQqJz4zV.dpuf

Monthly Board Meeting Next Monday, October 13

Just a reminder...

Monthly Board Meetings are held in the Community Center on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM.

The next meeting is Monday, October 13, 2014.

All homeowners are invited to attend.