HAWL Board of Directors

This past year has had two major accomplishments that will greatly benefit the residents of HAWL and add to our property values. We maintained a sound financial operation throughout the year and paid for all improvements without incurring any debt.

Our first major accomplishment was the resolution of our Southgate issue with the City of Picayune. After three years, three court appearances, and three decisions in our favor, the City of Picayune cancelled their third appeal of the decision. The City and HAWL met and negotiated a solution to the issues based on the Judge’s court order. We were able to move our ingress access date up almost two years and resolve other financial issues. The Judge reviewed our agreement with the City and issued a court order finalizing the agreement. We owe a sincere “thank you” to the new Mayor and new City Council of Picayune for their participation in the resolution of this issue. Please show courtesy to our neighbors in the Millbrook subdivision as we use the Southgate/Cooper Road access.

In the history of HAWL, there have only been two times that we received free assistance from outside resources. The first was after Katrina, when FEMA agreed to remove all the debris from HAWL at no charge to us. That was at a cost savings of two to three million dollars to us. The second event was when the Pearl River County Utility Authority (PRCUA) was able to obtain $5.9 million dollars of stimulas money to install a wastewater infrastructure in our community. Due to the bids for the cost of the sewer lines, there was sufficient money in the grant left over to cover all other costs and equipment for each home that would sign up during the three month sign-up period. The connection fee of $250 was the only cost to the property owner instead of the normal $4,000 to $6,000. A total of 817 properties took advantage of this offering and it will eliminate the same number of septic tanks. The sewer project should be completed in 2011.

Our planned projects and upgrades that were completed this past year are as follows:

Purchased new patio tables and chairs and new restaurant tables for a combined cost of $8,996.

Purchased a bush hog, weed cutter and lawn maintenance equipment for $3,310.

Widened the Southgate entrance and gate at a cost of $1,425.

Paved two miles of roadway, Southgate exit and miscellaneous repairs for the sum of $219,676.

Paid for road striping for new paving for $4,982.

Paid PRC property taxes for the sum of $18,335.

Purchased a new boat motor for $4,538.

Repaired the dam spillway and back spillway at a cost of $4,419.

Purchased a new pickup truck for our maintenance staff at a cost of $17,450.

Purchased chemicals to control weeds in our lake at a cost of $5,836.

Renewed tower, property, liability, umbrella and equipment insurance for the sum of $55,598.

Well water pressure tanks at Wells #2 and 3 were inspected and washed out for the sum of $2,300.

A contract was signed with Heritage Homes, Inc. for the following work:
        1. Construction of a new guardhouse at our Southgate.
        2. Exterior renovation of our guardhouse at the main gate.
        3. Culvert and drainage work at Southgate and Woodlawn.

The combined cost for all three projects is $58,317.

A “thank you” to all of our property owners, who last year voted to nullify an election for the Board of Directors if the number of qualified candidates equaled the number of open seats. This will be the third year in a row that this has happened. We saved approximately $1,500 by not doing the ballot procedure which would have the same results.

As this year comes to an end, we have accomplished our planned projects, completed unplanned events and managed our financials without any increase in dues for our property owners.

Thanks to all who are involved with maintaining and managing our community; also, a well-deserved “thank you” to all of our volunteers and committee members, who offer their time and experience so generously. The above efforts, along with the co-operation of our property owners will continue to ensure that our community remains the beautiful and unique place that it is.