Spring 2016

Nelson Farm Newsletter

2016 Board of Directors

President, Marshall Flug

Vice President, Bent Belt

Secretary, Ling Stewart

Treasurer, Martha Small

Director A, Joe Dowdy

Director B, Dan Knab

Community Manager Jillian Weaver, CMCA®

970-204-7777

Colorado Association Services – An Associa® Company

1063 W. Horsetooth Road, Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80526

C o l o r a d o A s s o c i a t i o n S e r v i c e s C o l o r a d o A s s o c i a t i o n S e r v i c e s C o l o r a d o A s s o c i a t i o n S e r v i c e s C o l o r a d o A s s o c i a t i o n S e r v i c e s ---- A n A s s o c i a C o m p a n yA n A s s o c i a C o m p a n yA n A s s o c i a C o m p a n yA n A s s o c i a C o m p a n y

We all owe Harvey Hotto, outgoing Board member and President, a huge thanks for all his

time and commitment to Nelson Farm HOA the past few years. He has successfully led the Board through some difficult and complex legal and financial issues. As he leaves the Board, NFHOA is in great shape both financially and administratively, with a plan for moving forward into 2016 and beyond. The pool and tennis courts are in excellent condition. In addition, Harvey has served on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) until very recently. We welcome our new member, Allen Turner, who stepped forward following the Annual Membership Meeting to serve on the ARC. We have recently completed a reserve study. Much more about this can be found in our Treasurer's article, by Martha Small, in this Newsletter. In Spring 2016, the pool received a new boiler. The tennis courts have some new wind screens, and the surface cracks were evaluated. Our thanks to Board Member Dan Knab for his input and expertise regarding the tennis courts. The Gator Swim Team will

again be operating at our Nelson Farm Pool and largely for our homeowner families. Board Member Joe Dowdy is our liaison to the team and all children are encouraged to participate as Nelson Farm residents. In short, our facilities are constantly evaluated by your Board and we are trying to protect our facilities by keeping on top of maintenance needs.

I want to stress the importance of you as homeowners in the Nelson Farm to attend

and participate in our Annual Membership Meeting. This is one good opportunity to hear what is going on in your neighborhood, and what may have happened over the past year. In addition, this is just one other opportunity for you to provide some feedback to the Board. However, you do not need to wait until the Annual Meeting. I encourage homeowners to use the NFHOA web site to provide input to the Board. Several people have made use of this over the past year and we want this to continue and increase. I can tell you that your input coming by email through our web site is taken seriously and given full consideration.

NFHOA BOARD: Migrating from 2015 to 2016

by Marshall Flug, Board President

N e l s o n F a r m H o m e o w n e r s A s s o c i a t i o n N e l s o n F a r m H o m e o w n e r s A s s o c i a t i o n N e l s o n F a r m H o m e o w n e r s A s s o c i a t i o n N e l s o n F a r m H o m e o w n e r s A s s o c i a t i o n n e l s o n f a r m h o a . c o mn e l s o n f a r m h o a . c o mn e l s o n f a r m h o a . c o mn e l s o n f a r m h o a . c o m

(Continued on Page 2)

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My only request is that you think about your input, have respect, and treat those of us on the Board as neighbors and friendly homeowners just like yourselves. We are all serving and giving our time as volunteers for the overall good of our Nelson Farm community. The Nelson Farm website (nelsonfarmhoa.com) is a great source of information. It is also the only timely source of information about pool hours and changes that may be made from time to time. We continue to encourage everyone to sign-up to get email notices of important items or communications from the Board. Glenn Gray continues to maintain this web site for us and he is owed a huge thanks from all of us for this effort, as well as all he does with the pool, landscaping and tennis courts. More on the web site and email sign-up is found in a separate article within this Newsletter. Very recently, some of the documents on the web site are now word search-able, thanks to our Secretary, Ling Stewart. The web site is also where you can find information

and forms to submit for Architectural approval. Remember that you are responsible for submitting and receiving approval for changes to the exterior of your home and property in accordance with the NFHOA covenants.

We are looking forward to a great year at the pool. Please take advantage of the pool, the swim team, swim lessons, the tennis and pickle board courts, your neighborhood pathways

and enjoy Nelson Farm. We are adding more new lounge chairs to the pool again this year, replacing some of the awning over the sign-in and chair storage area. Details about the Fourth of July party will be available at the pool and of course on our web site. As a last reminder, be considerate of others as these facilities are shared resources for all Nelson Farm homeowners.

NFHOA BOARD: Migrating from 2015 to 2016

by Marshall Flug, Board President (Continued)

Join us for the 4th of July PicnicJoin us for the 4th of July PicnicJoin us for the 4th of July PicnicJoin us for the 4th of July Picnic

The Nelson Farm HOA will provide The Nelson Farm HOA will provide The Nelson Farm HOA will provide The Nelson Farm HOA will provide

burgers, hotdogs & drinks.burgers, hotdogs & drinks.burgers, hotdogs & drinks.burgers, hotdogs & drinks.

Please sign up at the guard table Please sign up at the guard table Please sign up at the guard table Please sign up at the guard table to to to to

bring a side dish or dessert to share.bring a side dish or dessert to share.bring a side dish or dessert to share.bring a side dish or dessert to share.

Greetings Nelson Farm! Just a few quick words from your treasurer. The Board had a reserve study done this year, and the results confirmed that we are in good shape. The

purpose of a reserve study is to determine if there is enough money in the bank (reserves, current and expected) to cover expenses over the long term (30+ years). For a homeowner, you might figure that you'll need $800 for the water heater in 3 years, $3k for the furnace in 10, $7k for the roof in 20, painting, fence replacement, driveway repairs, etc., then estimate how much you'll need to set aside each year or each month to handle those predictable expense plus maintenance. The pool and tennis courts are the main HOA assets and expenses. The goal of the study is to avoid surprises that would require the HOA to ask members for a special assessment or to take out a loan. NF has never done either and we want to keep it that way! We also have some of the lowest dues in the area, particularly given the amenities, which we strive to keep in good condition and a neighborhood attraction.

We are currently 79% funded, which puts us in the "Low Risk" category with an estimated 2% chance of going over budget. There was no increase in dues last year. The dues were raised $15 dollars this year to keep in line with inflation and move towards 100% funding. The study is on the NFHOA website: https://nelsonfarmhoa.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/nfa-reserve-study_2016-02-01.pdf. Reserve studies are generally repeated every 5 years. Our biggest expense this year was replacing the pool heater. It was original and had far outlived its expected life, putting us at risk of a mid-season failure and extended pool shutdown. The new heater should reduce utility expenses as well. Have a happy summer. Martha Small. Resident since 1998.

The Architectural Review Committee, or ARC, main goals is to preserve a harmonious design for the community and to protect the value of our properties. ARC members interpret the community’s covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CCR's) in order to maintain consistent aesthetic standards. The ARC consideration is primarily focused on preserving uniform control while making sure not to impinge on civil liberties. All homeowners agreed to the CCR’s when purchasing your home. Please submit Architectural Review Form for all exterior changes and upgrades. Request forms can be found at nelsonfarmhoa.com under the forms tab. We are always looking for individuals to join the committee and we appreciate everyone keeping Nelson Farm beautiful. Thank you, ARC

Association Finances and the Reserve Study,

by Martha Small, NFHOA Board Treasurer

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Architectural Review and Approval

A Few Reminders from Nelson Farm HOA’s Management Partner, Associa by Jillian Weaver, Community Manager, Associa Please contact Associa Colorado at 970-407-9990 or

jweaver@associacolorado.com with any questions or if you need your account ID.

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When are assessments due?When are assessments due?When are assessments due?When are assessments due? Assessment payments will continue to be due no later than April 30th of each year. If you have ongoing concerns about your account with the HOA,

please contact me for assistance. Architectural Review and Approval Architectural Review and Approval Architectural Review and Approval Architectural Review and Approval If you are planning a home project this summer, remember to submit architectural requests for approval of any alteration to the exterior of your property. The committee has up to 30 days to respond. Usually they’re quicker, but do plan ahead. Remember that any exterior painting project must also be submitted for architectural approval. Painting your home is a great way to enhance its value, and it improves the value of the community as well. Find the architectural review form on the community website. Submit requests to Aaron Turner, Assistant Community Manager with Associa at aturner@associacolorado.com. ParkingParkingParkingParking

Please be reminded that no inoperable or unlicensed vehicles may be parked on a lot unless screened from public view or parked/stored within a fully enclosed garage. An inoperable vehicle

is defined as one that has not been moved under its own power for a period longer than 72 hours. Additionally, recreational vehicles (RVs) such as boats, campers, trailers and motor homes shall not be stored or parked on a Lot for more than 72 hours unless either screened from public view behind the front setback of the Residence or parked/stored within a fully enclosed garage. The 72-hour period for RVs is allowed for loading and unloading before and after trips.

Pet Waste Pet Waste Pet Waste Pet Waste Please clean up after you pets and do not allow them to damage the Association common areas. Clean up immediately after your pet whenever you walk in the community. Trash removal and recycling Trash removal and recycling Trash removal and recycling Trash removal and recycling

We should all store trash bins out of view on non-collection days as required by the Associations’ governing documents and the City of Fort Collins. Old furniture,

appliances and junk items left outdoors and not in a trash bin are considered a public nuisance and a potential health hazard. If you will be leaving any of these items out, call your trash provider to arrange for an extra pickup. Contact Ram Waste at 970-226-3396 to ask about discounts for trash service in our community. You can also negotiate rates with other providers to find the right service for your trash and recycling. The City of Fort Collins Nuisance Hotline at 970-416-2200 will respond to your trash complaints within the city if you are struggling with a neighbor whose trash is not properly discarded. VandalismVandalismVandalismVandalism Vandalism is a frustrating crime and often can be expensive to fix. However, repairing damage and covering over vandalism is one of the best ways to discourage it from the neighborhood. If you see vandalism in the community, report it immediately online at fcgov.com/police/coplogic-start-report.php. Select ’This will alert the City and help police track and discourage vandalism’. Please also contact Associa or a Board member to report vandalism. While not all vandalism can be fixed immediately, contacting us will get the ball rolling as quickly as possible for repair or removal.

Keep up with Nelson Farm HOA doings:

Register at Register at Register at Register at nelsonfarmhoa.comnelsonfarmhoa.comnelsonfarmhoa.comnelsonfarmhoa.com to receive updates in your email inbox. To register:to receive updates in your email inbox. To register:to receive updates in your email inbox. To register:to receive updates in your email inbox. To register:

1. Go to nelsonfarmhoa.com

2. At top of right column find “Register for Updates”

3. Enter your email address in box and click button underneath it

4. Check your email inbox for confirmation email

5. Click link to confirm your registration

Once registered you will receive all new Nelson Farm HOA posts in your email inbox. Most will likely concern you, for better or worse. Some will ask that you take action. And/Or “Like” facebook.com/NelsonFarmHOA to get the same updates in your Facebook account.

With the new boiler in place ready for a summer pool season, Nelson Farm is also

ready for another great season of summer swim league. Of the many things our HOA provides, support of the “Nelson Farm Gators” is one of our most impactful and meaningful pursuits. Nelson Farm Swim Team is about families and kids. Learning strong swimming skills, sense of team, and knowing other kids in the Nelson Farm neighborhood literally is life changing. This year the Nelson Farm HOA has given the Gators ap-proval to hold City Meet, if they choose, at our pool on July 22 and 23. This has been requested because of our team’s strengths in recent years and our beautiful pool and grounds. If your children are not currently strong swimmers, (they only need to be able to swim across the pool one time), please consider enrolling them in swim team. You will be amazed at how quickly they

progress. If you have teenagers that want to get in shape for other sports, swim team is an easy and low cost way to do that. If you do not have kids at home this summer, practices and meets are always open and we encourage you to stop by and watch your Nelson Farm Gators. The swim team info is on the NFHO website or Sarah Putman, Team Treasurer, can be reached at 970-225-1268. Thanks to the Gator’s Board and all the dedicated parent volunteers that make a successful swim team happen.

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Swim Team Gators open to all