A Message from Your Board
Greetings neighbors!
Due to the Governor’s restrictions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Farmington Square Homeowner Association annual meeting originally scheduled for Monday, December 7, 2020 is CANCELED. The information that would have been shared at that meeting is summarized in this newsletter.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a new year filled with good health, happiness, and peace.
Appreciatively,
Your Neighborhood Board of Directors
President – Mike Kasper
Vice President – Mickey Nagler
Secretary and Communications – Natalie Lowenfeld
Treasurer – S&S Bookkeeping
Director of Welcoming – Sandi Soens
Director of Social – Donna Drotar
Directors of Grounds and Security – Mark and Grace Alent
Directors of Restrictions – Dan Kasperek
Board Responsibilities
The board works to maintain the beauty of the neighborhood and maximize home values for the benefit of everyone in the subdivision. Responsibilities include collecting and managing association dues, maintaining commons areas, making capital improvements to shared assets and common properties, and enforcing covenants and bylaws.
2020 Accomplishments
· Grass cutting and edging of perimeter sidewalks and interior bike path
· Fertilizing and weed control on exterior and interior commons
· Playground maintenance
· Tree spraying and maintenance
· Culvert upgrade, repair, and maintenance
· Entrance landscape rejuvenation and seasonal décor additions
· Sand/salt barrels at the entrances
· Friday socials
· Enforcement of restrict
· FSHOA was once again awarded a City of Farmington Hills Beautification award
2021 Annual Dues
Annual Association dues will be increasing from $220 to $231. The dues must be received on or before February 28, 2021 to avoid late charges and penalties. This is only the second dues increase since 2014 and is necessary to cover the increased costs for commons and entrance maintenance and the main commons retention pond drainage improvements. Dues notices will be sent in early December to allow extra time for mail delivery. We appreciate your timely payment to avoid late charges and collection fees.
2021 Board Nominations
Nominations for 2021 board members:
· Treasurer – Ashley Egan
· Secretary – Layla Stufyan
· Restrictions – Lela Glousin
· Communications – Colleen Irvin
· Grounds – Dan Irvin
· Vice President – Mike Kasper
· Social – Donna Drotar
Special Thanks
There are several board members who will not be continuing their service on the board next year. We would like to thank Mickey Nagler, Natalie Lowenfeld, Mark and Grace Alent, and Dan Kasperek for their years of dedicated service on the board.
Fall Yard Waste Pickup Ends
During the Week of December 7 - 11
Yard waste pickup will end this year in Farmington Hills on your regularly scheduled pickup day during the week of December 7 – 11, 2020.
Starting December 14, yard waste cannot be picked up in accordance with the City’s refuse contract and Michigan laws governing yard waste disposal. Any accumulated yard waste should be stored until spring pickup resumes in April 2021.
Acceptable yard waste includes leaves, grass, shrub clippings, twigs, and plant materials. There are three options available for yard waste disposal:
- Pace yard waste in a trash can (35-gallon size limit) with a yard waste sticker on both sides. Yard waste stickers are available free from City Hall or the DPW.
- Put yard waste in brown paper yard waste bags. Please do not over stuff bags.
- Use a mulching mower and recycle leaves and grass clippings back into the lawn.
Small limbs (six inches in diameter or less) and brush must be tied in bundles that do not exceed four feet in length or weigh more than 60 pounds per bundle. Unbundled brush and large limbs will not be picked up. Brush or twigs placed in cans or bags should not stick out above the top of the container. Also, large quantities of dirt or sod are not accepted for pickup.
If you have questions, please contact the Division of Public Works at 248-871-2850.
Friendly Reminders
Home Improvements and FSHOA Approval
It is always great to see all the wonderful home improvements throughout our neighborhood! Please remember that our FSHOA has bylaws and covenants that were established to help maintain the beauty of our neighborhood and maximize home values for the benefit of everyone in the subdivision. One of the Board’s roles is to enforce these bylaws and we are grateful to you for your assistance.
Before beginning any outside projects, please review the bylaws and covenants at http://www.farmingtonsquare.info/rules--regs.html and contact the board for approval. This helps us maintain consistency throughout the subdivision and eliminates controversial situations. Questions and requests to make changes to the outside of your home or property should be emailed to farmingtonsquarebod@gmail.com. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Landscaping Parameters
As you plant trees and shrubbery, please plant within your property lines and allow space for growth and maintenance between your neighbors and the City easement. For your safety, Michigan law requires that all utility lines be flagged before beginning an excavation project. Residents are encouraged to contact Miss Dig https://www.missdig.org, a company that offers free services to fulfill your legal requirement and avoid costly fines.
Contractor's List
Speed Limit – 25 MPH
For the safety and courtesy of your neighbors and children, please do not drive faster than 25 mph in our subdivision. Thank you!
Pet Waste and Leashes
Please help keep our neighborhood clean by picking up after your pets. Also, remember pets must be on a leash when walking through the neighborhood and all common areas.
Yard Maintenance
To maintain curb appeal and comply with neighborhood and City ordinances, please remember to keep grass cut to 6 inches or less, trim bushes and shrubs, and remove weeds from flower beds and from between driveway and sidewalk cracks. In the winter, please remember to shovel in front of your mailbox and around fire hydrants on your property. Thank you!
No Dumping in the Commons
The commons areas are for all to enjoy. Thank you for not disposing of any yard waste or other debris (i.e. grass clippings, branches, fire wood, ashes, concrete etc.) in these areas.
General Information
Notice of FSHOA Board Meetings and Annual Meeting
FSHOA board meetings are held the second Monday of each month (except July when there is no meeting, and December when we have our annual meeting) at 7 p.m. All residents are welcome. Due to COVID-19, in-person meetings have been suspended and are held via conference call. Please contact the board at farmingtonsquarebod@gmail.com for call-in instructions if you are interested in joining the meeting. The annual meeting is held the first Monday in December. There will not be an annual meeting in December 2020, due to the Governor’s restrictions regarding COVID-19.
Association Dues
Per the FSHOA Bylaws, annual dues must be received by February 28 each year to avoid late charges. FSHOA will send out 2021 annual dues notices in early December 2020 to each address.
