At the meeting, neighbors voiced opinions on both sides of the issue. The final vote was 20 to 3 in favor of adopting the fee. The change will be enacted by a revision to Article XIV of the Wyatt Farm By-Laws. The new version of the by-laws has been posted to the neighborhood web site.

So, after much discussion, we are now formally presenting the idea of establishing an initiation fee to the membership. This change will be accomplished by a rewording of the appropriate Article in the Wyatt Farm By-Laws (one paragraph). This document shows the original paragraph and the proposed rewording. If approved, this change will go into effect July 1, 2010.

As you might expect, the amount of an initiation fee is a function of the amenities provided by a neighborhood. We created a list of the amenities at Wyatt Farm, and compared it to other neighborhoods with initiation fees. This led us to conclude that an appropriate initiation fee for Wyatt Farm would be a one-time fee equal to the current annual dues.

As part of this change we are eliminating the minor fee currently charged to buyers for the “homeowner packet” that contains information important for new owners and for the real estate transaction. We will still create and deliver the packet (electronically), but the cost will be subsumed by the initiation fee.

All homeowners are invited to vote, for or against, the rewording of the by-laws and therefore the establishment of the initiation fee. We will hold a special homeowners meeting for anyone wishing to discuss this issue, and then tally the vote. The meeting will be held at the home of Lisa and Mike Goatley, 2213 Birchleaf Lane, on Tuesday, June 1 at 7:00 pm.

Proxy votes are welcome if you can’t come to the meeting. No special form is needed — simply send email to info@wyattfarm.org with your vote. If you vote against the proposed change, please indicate your reasons so that the Board can factor them into further discussions.

Thanks to the homeowners who initially brought this idea to our attention!

[Update] The proposal files have now been separated for easier download:

• Proposal Summary (start here)
• 3D rendering of playground layout (landscape shown is not representative of our plan)
• Playground Model (top view), Annotated
• Playground Model (top view)
• Line item quote for playground equipment
• Line item quote for landscape elements

Homeowners are asked to download and review the proposal carefully, then come to the Annual Meeting on December 10 at which the playground committee will present the proposal and answer any questions. Following the discussion, a vote on the proposal will be taken.

If you absolutely cannot attend the meeting, you may submit your vote on the proposal by proxy, which must be signed and delivered to the meeting by another homeowner. Only one vote may be submitted, in person or by proxy, per lot. The proxy voting form can be downloaded here.

Please submit your dues no later than February 28, 2009. Our by-laws require that a $25 late fee be applied if dues are not received by the first of March.

The budget will be discussed further at the HOA annual meeting on December 2, 2008.