September is bringing summertime to an end and as the calendar pages flip, I would like to take the time to encourage everyone to make use of your community amenities.  The pool season is ending as well, see Page 9 for details.  This month, the pool hours will remain the same during the week, Tuesday — Friday 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., for Resident Swim Time.  Parents only may bring children to the pool area during this time.  The weekend schedule, however, will be determined by how many are using the pool.  Please come out and enjoy while weather permits.

Our water system received a “five” rating on our annual inspection conducted last month by the Mississippi State Department of Health.  Our water system has been on the top side of this audit for the past seven years. This rating is something for which to be proud and brag on since it takes good office, maintenance, and water operation associates as well as a Board of Directors who keep our water system a top priority.  I thank them all as well as we need to always be on top of the needs of our system.

Last month, we purchased a new riding mower for the Maintenance Department.  Purchased was a Poulan 42” 17.5 HP mower from Home Depot for a total capital purchase of $1,015.43.  This replaces an older riding mower which had become a cost and repair item.

Prime hurricane season is upon us.  I hope nothing comes our way.  However, please note that we have a storm preparation checklist/policy that is followed during these times which covers such items as the opening of the lake valve, preparation of all the amenities, readying our water system generator and having a heavy equipment operator/contractor on site to help us remove damaged trees from our roadways.  If a storm heads our way, please secure all items which could become projectiles, or which could congest culverts and ditches impeding our drainage system.  Always remember that pending electricity and cable outages, HAWL will update the website (www.hawlms.com) with necessary information. However, should we have those outages and phone services are inoperable, community-wide communication will be made through our guard house entrance gates and with bulletins.

In our last Echoes, I listed and discussed some of the community covenants.  Last month, we had the following violations:   yard maintenance =  29, signs = 7 and building maintenance = 12.  My office follows up weekly on outstanding issues and looks into any issues that need to be addressed.  The majority of this community complies very well with these covenants and for that, I thank you.  This monitoring and enforcement process takes much time and effort, but it is very important to protect this community and your property value.  I am listing a few more covenants this month which we have had to address most frequently as well.

27.a.Light-weight and/or free-standing carports or outbuildings either of canvas, tin, aluminum, or other similar material are prohibited.

32.No building shall be erected on any Lot until plans, specifications, plot plan, and other construction documents thereof have been approved in writing by the Club, its successors, or assigns.

48.Signage. All  signs,  billboards,  or  advertising  structures  of  any  kind  are prohibited on all  Lots  except  for the following:

a.Hide-A-Way Lake Club may display such sign on lots owned by the Club, or upon common property as may be necessary to inform Lot Owners of danger, restricted access, activities, events, meetings, or such other purposes as may be authorized by the Board of Directors.

b.A sign measuring 8" x 24" inches may be displayed by Lot Owner on his lot showing the name of the Lot Owner and address of the property.

c.In addition, a separate sign measuring 8" x 24" inches may be displayed by Lot Owner on his lot stating his telephone number.

d.No other signs are permitted on Lots within Hide-A-Way Lake Subdivisions, including but not limited to “For Sale” signs.

As we near the completion of the major improvements we have been working on for many months, let me again express my gratitude for your tolerance.  I know that there have been inconveniences which have been taxing (to say the least) on us all and while it has not always gone as smoothly as I would have liked, I do appreciate your continued patience.  My door is open to you and your suggestions and as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call at the office.