Dec 2023 President's Letter
Dear All,
We hope this letter finds you well and enjoying the Holiday Season. I wanted to give everyone an update since my last letter in August.
Water: Our water committee, spearheaded by Alex Ingols, and our water contractor, Environmental Inc, finally were able to complete the long overdue updates to both the circuitry and the sensors that control the filling of the tank at the top of Tree Top. The electrical post that holds the circuit breaker had been hit so many times by lightening that the existing wiring and conduits were unreliable and dangerous. Duke Energy installed a new 100 AMP circuit and rewired as required to the pump house. In addition, Environmental installed new sensors that turn the pump on (when the tank is below a pre-designated level) and then turn the pump off again when the water rises to the fill level. This replacement/upgrade has been needed for a couple of years and I am happy to report that it is all working perfectly. The total cost of this project was $10,420 which was taken from the water reserve account.
From the hydrologist report that Lisa and I commissioned during the summer (at no cost to the members), we have a pretty good idea of where we might find water within the confines of GSPOA in the future. I had high hopes that the #2 well, when retested, would provide better flow and no uranium. However, that is not the case so we will have to find another water source at some point if we don’t want to continue to rely on the 107 well for our only source of water. Your water committee is in the process of reaching out to both the Western North Carolina Water Utility as well as The Tuckaseigee Water & Sewer Authority (TWASA) to understand their strategic planning in the Cashiers area.
Covenants and Bylaws: The comments from the community are incorporated in the final drafts of the updated Covenants and Bylaws. The Board reviewed them at the meetings on 14 November and again on 6 December and we will be getting them out to you just after the first of the year. This process has spanned nearly three years, two different Boards, and over $25,000 of association funds. The effort is worthwhile because it improves our ability as a community to govern ourselves, make improvements where needed and maintain/increase property values in a warm and vibrant community. It also keeps us up to date and in compliance with the NC Master Community Act. John Murphy has dedicated himself to doing this work, working with many of you on edits and getting it approved by our members. Please anticipate that a Board member will reach out to you to go over the documents to obtain community approval. When you talk to or see John, please thank him as well as Bill Wallet who made new covenants and bylaws the focus of his board presidency. Your seven-member board is 100% in support of approving both documents.
In addition to the new documents, your Board has been busy bringing some longtime residents of Gana Sita into membership by consent as well as concluding road use agreements. I am pleased to report that Glenn and Jan Cox as well as Manton and Danielle Grier became official members of the POA. Will and Nancy Monahan have agreed to a road servicing agreement on lots #23 and #24. The new property that I own (formerly Shiltz) at the top of Watch Hill Lane also has a new road agreement with the POA. These two road agreements provide for income to the POA and assure that we continue to control our roads within the association.
Finance: As mentioned above, our reserves and assessments from last year have allowed us to get to the end of the year. You should have received the proposed 2024 budget. Please ensure that you vote your approval. We are including an assessment of $625 per homeowner for 2024 to replenish the funds used for the power upgrade and sensors mentioned above.
For discussion in the early part of 2024, we will be sending out a list of potential future capital improvements for your comment (via an interactive survey) This isn’t meant to be all inclusive so if you have other items you would like to add please let any of us know. These projects include drilling another well, electronic gate, new signage, future paving of existing road AND/OR dirt road. This is NOT binding on anyone, but it is imperative that we have a clear vision of what the community wants.
DCR/Rybert Development: Because of our proximity to the project, GSPOA applied for and was granted standing (I flew back up to testify at the hearing on 13 November). Develop Cashiers Responsibility (DCR) hired and coordinated with the attorney and expert witnesses that represented GSPOA. I would encourage you to financially contribute to DCR, if you have not already done so. We would love to be able to stipulate that 100% of the owners in Gana Sita contributed to the effort. Donations are tax deductible at www.savecashiers.org or send a check to Chattooga Conservancy making a note that funds should be allocated to Develop Cashiers Responsibly.
The next hearing is January 22nd and we will keep you updated. Big shout outs to our own Jamie Moran (she is a mover and shaker and keeps DCR on track and representing our community) as well as Harriet Holliday who has tirelessly led the PR and marketing effort.
Ceder Creek Management: CCM is not renewing our contract at the end of year. All vendors that are essential to Gana Sita will convert over to GSPOA directly with no interruption in service (whether that be water, road, snow and ice removal). Bette Crowder was able to get us a referral to a new property management company which will take over in January (slightly less expensive but with great technology and capability to communicate with our association members).
GSPOA Community News and Happenings: Thank you to Bette Crowder, Jan Cox and Kay Bostick for hosting our Leaf Turning Social in October. We all gathered at Kay’s beautiful home for great food and of course wonderful drinks. Since that social event, we have new members. David and Martina Henderson purchased Susan Hamilton’s home last month. Their contact information is in the updated directory so please reach out and welcome them. Glenn and Jan Cox have sold their home to Andy and Jeanne Thompson. The Cox’s said not to worry, they would still be around the community but are excited for the new owners to join and contribute to our wonderful slice of heaven.
Another new member has not yet arrived but many of you know that Rachel and Alex are expecting a baby girl in the next few months. Thank you to all who contributed to an Amazon gift card to help them welcome their new bundle of joy.
Since we won’t be together officially until our Annual meeting in July, your Board would like to ‘host’ a Community and Cocktails Zoom call. This is how it works. You mix your favorite drink and be ready in a round robin to share with all the rest of the community how you made it and what it tastes like. In addition we can catch up with our new members as well as discuss some of the upcoming budget, covenants and bylaws, and capital improvement priorities. A January date to be announced shortly.
Lisa and I wish you a happy holiday season and a healthy and vibrant new year.
Glenn (904-612-6259) gullmann@ullmannwealthpartners.com