Nominations for Board Needed!

Hello Residents!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Holiday.  Tis the season to elect the upcoming board members for your HOA.  Please join us in our efforts!

Please present nominations for the Board of Directors

If you would like to nominate yourself or anyone else to the Board of Directors please email your nominations to rollingknolls@fuse.net or leave a voicemail at 513-721-1125 for Brad Swillinger. All nominations are due by December 15, 2012. Please include your name and the name of the person you wish to nominate.

There are six positions available.

11.19.12 Board Meeting Minutes

Present: Amy Bauer, Jill Hertenstein, Tonya Langenkamp, Brad Swillinger, Amy Volmer, Jen Newman
Absent: Brian Cox

1. Communication
Email to go out within next day to all homeowner emails we have on file (An opportunity to update emails will come in the January mailing.  In this email, the following will be included:
- Newsletter
- Opportunity to nominate for Board positions (6 available)
- New methods of communication: Email: rollingknolls@fuse.net
                                                     Facebook: search "Rolling Knolls Homeowners"
                                                     Blog
2. January Mailing
- Envelope stuffing - 1st week in January
- Contents:
      Ballot for Board Election (6 more positions available!)
      Dues Invoice (Voted to approve a $5 increase in dues from $35 to $40)
      Homeowners information (to be updated for the Directory to be distributed in late Spring 2013)
- Ballots and mandatory dues to be returned by Feb 1st, 2013

3. Directory
- Will need to get ads; Draft letter from the Board to current ad holders. Follow up w/call.
- To be delivered late Spring after updated information is received and compiled from January mailing
- ANYONE interested in being on a Directory Committee, please contact the Board (rollingknolls@fuse.net)

4. Estimated 2013 Budget
$2000   Real-estate taxes
$5000   Landscape(pending contract being negotiated with Landmark Enterprises, Inc.)
$750     Water/Utility
$500     Social
$900     Energy
$1000   Sprinkler Inspection/Maintance/Repairs
$500     Mailings (2xs/year -- Includes Directory to dues paying members)

5. Social
- Visit with Santa/Holiday Bonfire
    @ Windwood Pool parking lot (pending approval) on 12/16 from 3-4:30 pm
   Sign in 42 sign put up week of 12/3
- Holiday decorations to go up soon!!!

Rolling Knolls Residents,

With Black Friday quickly approaching, here are a few tips to keep you safe while out shopping!
Police Department offers
holiday shopping tips  
The West Chester Police Department encourages everyone to use extra caution during the holiday season.
When shopping in stores remember these tips:
- Park in a well-lit area during hours of darkness.
- Lock the car and set the alarm.
- Do not buy more that can be carried.  Plan ahead and bring a friend to help carry packages to the car.
- Do not leave purchased items visible in the car, Leave them in the trunk.
- Do not leave purses or purchases unattended. Leave expensive jewelry at home.
- Do not put a wallet out on a counter while paying for items.  
- Wait until asked before taking out your credit cards or checkbooks.  An enterprising thief would love to shoulder surf to get your account information.
- Whenever possible, swipe your own credit card and do not let the card out of your sight.
- Always cover the keypad when entering a PIN.
- Reduce the amount of credit and debit cards you carry and never carry your Social Security Card.
- Reduce pick pocketing by carrying  pursea close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front pocket. 
- Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package.  
- Remain aware of  surroundings at all times and move to and from your vehicle with confidence and "purpose". Have keys ready before getting to your car so you do not have to search for them while standing near it.
- Report suspicious people or activity to law enforcement immediately!

Hello Rolling Knolls Homeowners!

Here are some tips about fireplace safety to help keep everyone safe this holiday season!

Fire Department offers fireplace safety advice Wood-burning and gas fireplaces are designed to safely provide comfort, warmth and relaxation, but without proper precautions and maintenance they can pose a danger to residents. Before lighting the first fire of the season, the West Chester Fire Department offers this advice: Preventative Maintenance - Have the chimney inspected annually, and cleaned as necessary, by a professional chimney sweep to ensure it's clear of obstructions and creosote - Have a cap installed at the top of the chimney to avoid the possibility that debris or animals can block the chimney - Install both a smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure the batteries work - Keep a fire extinguisher on hand - Make sure the area around the fireplace is clear of furniture, books, newspapers and other potentially flammable materials (three feet away is a good rule).  Lighting a Fire - Clear away ashes from previous fires - Build a safe fire - Open the damper - Use a fireplace grate - Keep glass doors open during the fire - Use fireplace tools to tend the fire - Always close the fire screen when in use  Using Common Sense - Never burn garbage, rolled newspapers, charcoal or plastic in the fireplace - Never use gasoline or any liquid accelerant to help start a fire - Keep small children and pets away from the fireplace - Never leave a fire unattended - Don't close the damper until the embers have completely stopped burning - Make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house - When cleaning the fireplace, store ashes in a non-combustible container with a tightly fitting lid and place the container away from the house   Follow These Tips When Using Fire Pits Before breaking out the fire pit this fall, there are a few important things to know about open burning.  Butler County is regulated by Hamilton County Environmental Services (HCES) with regard to "open burning". The HCES defines open burning as any kind of outdoor fire.  Most are prohibited in Ohio, although there are a few exceptions: cooking, heating tar, welding torches, and heating for warmth.   Residents building bonfires, camp fires, and/or using outdoor fireplace equipment must follow certain guidelines, whether they are being used for cooking, pleasure, religious ceremonies or recreation.  These fires must be fueled by clean firewood, natural gas, or an equivalent material.  The total area of the fire must be three feet or less in diameter and not more than two feet tall.  Fires cannot obstruct the visibility from road ways or railroad tracks, and burning is prohibited whenever there is an air pollution warning, alert or emergency in effect. Fires may not be used for waste disposal purposes, because burning yard waste, garbage or leaves can result in air-borne pollutants that may cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headache, loss of coordination and nausea.  The burning of a standing structure, such as a shed or abandoned building, is also prohibited, even if it is on private property. Any other kind of open burning requires a permit, applications for which can be obtained at the West Chester Fire Department, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Keep in mind that you are legally responsible for any fire you start—so remain present at the site at all times and have a means of putting out the fire nearby.  Even with a permit, fires must be extinguished if a complaint is made.

SPRINKLER BLOW OUT!

On October 24th, the Lawn Management Sprinkler Co. shut off and blew out the sprinkler systems at both entrances: Friar Tuck and Windwood.  The backflow valves have been disconnected and are in winter storage at Amy Bauer's residence. We look forward to springtime when the systems will be activated once again!

Keep your kids safe and warm while they are Trick - or - Treating this year! Be sure they have flashlights or reflective costumes! Hope they get every treat they want!

Board Meeting Minutes 10.15.12

Present: Brad Swillinger, Brian Cox, Jill Hertenstein, Tonya Langenkamp, Jen Newman
Absent: Amy Bauer, Amy Volmer

• Andrew DeVilliers, co-owner of W.C. Landmark Enterprises (and a RK resident for 20+ years), attended the meeting with the purpose of providing details and contract information for landscaping and upkeep of the Rt. 42 and Friar Tuck entrances. Services were described in detail, as well as, prices, and possible recommendations for the  entry ways. Mr. DeVilliers already maintains 40 RK homes as well as other HOAs. After disappointing services from our previous landscaping service, the Board decided to research other possibilities. (Jill H.  - will be the contact person between RKHA Board and Mr. DeVilliers.) After studying the budget, a decision will be made whether or not to hire W.C. Landmark Enterprises as our landscaping provider.

• Financial - A cost breakdown will be coming soon. (Brian C.)

• Communication - Good use of our Blog so far; Visit us on FACEBOOK as well! Mailing to be organized and sent out in December, which will include: Ballots (You can add your name if you'd like to join the Board - There can be 10 members at a time. There are currently 5 spots open), financial breakdown, homeowners information form, dues statement (due in January, 2013) (Tonya L. - working on generating a current mailing list of homeowners.) (All - There will be an envelope stuffing party in December!)

• Investigating claims regarding overgrown grass on Rt. 42 property. (Brad S.)

• Social - Ideas? Bonfire in December at Windwood Pool's parking lot? (Amy V. - call Windwood Pool board members to ask)

Updates!

Hey Neighbors,

Here are a few updates for activities coming up and news about Rt. 42.

U.S. Route 42 project wraps up with final pavement going down week of Oct. 15th The Ohio Department of Transportation reports that the rough grading of U.S. Route 42 in West Chester will be completed this week and surface pavement will installed the week of October 15th.

The U.S. Route 42 improvement project has been under way for more than a year and is reaching its conclusion in the next few weeks. The project included widening the roadway to accommodate a center turn lane and intersection improvements at West Chester Road.

Jurgensen will pave the surface beginning October 15th and anticipates 4 to 5 days to complete.

West Chester to Host The Great Pumpkin Fest 2012 

On October 13, children of all ages can enjoy some fall-themed fun at West Chester Township’s annual Great Pumpkin Fest. The event will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. at Keehner Park, 7211 Barret Road.

There will be plenty of family-friendly activities for children to enjoy, including inflatable rides, a Not-So-Scary-Haunted trail, crafts, pony rides and a petting zoo from Honey Hill Farm. A pumpkin patch will be provided by Station Road Farm where pumpkins of all shapes and sizes will be available for purchase.

The Primrose School of West Chester will once again host the Costume Contest, which will begin at 3 p.m. on the Amphitheatre stage. Registration for the contest begins at 2 p.m., and children will be entered into categories based on age.

In addition to pumpkins, concessions and some trinkets will be for sale at the event, but all activities at the Great Pumpkin Fest are free. For more information, please call (513) 777-5900.

Burglaries!

All Homeowners take notice! Brad our president just received word that at least 3 homes on Windwood have been burglarized in last 1-2 weeks.  A homeowner contacted him to see if we can send out an alert/caution statement to the association. 

Please be careful and exercise caution when you are home.  Keep your garage doors closed, lock your windows on the first floors and be sure to leave lights on when you aren't home at night.  Leaving a television or radio on in the house if you are away during the day can discourage burglars.

If you have any questions or need to report suspicious activity, contact the West Chester Police department on their non-emergency number.  Please call 911 if you are in immediate danger!

Be careful and use a bit of common sense to keep your families safe!

Meeting Minutes-9/11/12

Rolling Knolls Homeowners Association

Meeting Minutes – 9/11/12

Board Members present:

Amy Bauer, Brian Cox, Jill Hertenstein, Tonya Langenkamp, Jen Newman, Amy Volmer

·         Membership  -  There are 465 residents on the Rolling Knolls database; Discovered that 53 were incorrect names of residents

-    Amy V. and Tonya L. will collaborate on checking all lists and databases to check accuracy of names of current homeowners in RK

-    Amy V. will be printing individualized invoices for next year’s dues; RK residents can update information on this form when paying dues fee.

·         Communication – The website has been eliminated. New modes of communication were discussed and decided upon:

-          Email blast (rollingknolls@fuse.net),

-          an ongoing blog (http://rollingknollshomeowners.blogspot.com),

-          and a Facebook group page (Rolling Knolls Homeowner’s Association)

-    Amy V. has gotten the email blast up and running after entering all email addresses available from RK residents. Emails will need to be updated as inaccuracies are discovered and when dues invoices come in with updated information.

-    Board members will be able to add to the blog when necessary; Jill H. will add interesting West Chester events to the blog.

-    Brian C. has been maintaining the Facebook page; Amy B. will send yard sale information to Brian C. so that it can be added to the above mentioned communication venues.

-   Jen N will place these addresses in display case on Rt 42 entry lot

·         Business Contracts – Discussion about dissatisfaction over West Chester Lawncare services, specifically with the poor maintenance on our Rt 42 entry lot; Also, there has been issues with the sprinkler system on the Rt 42 entry lot.

-    Brad S will provide current contract with West Chester Lawncare to Jill H so that she can research other companies

-    Amy B will follow up with maintenance on the sprinkler system on Rt 42 entry lot

·         Social – Discussion about the upcoming yard sale (October 5^th & 6^th, 8:30 am-3 pm). This will be happening in conjunction with West Chester Station’s (WSHA) yard sale. Ads were placed for the event, courtesy of WSHA. Ideas were brought to the table regarding future collaboration with WSHA on other social events (ex- 4^th of july parade, easter egg hunt, SantaVisit). WSHA president is Diane Caruso and could be contacted at WSHA@cinci.rr.com.

-    Amy B. confirming yard sale ads

·         Miscellaneous – Speeding on Windwood

-    Jen N will contact Eric Niehaus of WCPD regarding placement of temporary speed signs on Windwood

Welcome Neighbors!

Hello Fellow Neighbors!

We are starting a new communications effort to reach our community.  We, the board, have decided to use the Blogger.com with our new RKHA blog as a tool to do so.

We will be posting updates on all sorts of topics including schedules of events, meetings, points of interest, etc.  Please check here often as we will be providing updates to what is going on with RKHA.

In addition, for those of you on Facebook, we also have a group page (click here) that will mirror the events and other information provided here.  So look us up there too!

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the late days of Summer!

Regards,

Brian Cox
RKHA Treasurer