October, with its glorious fall weather and beautiful colors, is here at last.  It is a welcomed change of the seasons.  Speaking of seasons, we wrapped up the pool season last month.  We tried to extend the weekends in September, but due to the cooler weather which resulted in low usage, it just was not feasible to continue to keep it open on the weekends. However, the pool will be open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for Resident Swim only. Hopefully, you will continue to use the pool, lake, beach and other common grounds to enjoy the nice weather.

Last month, the first purchase of 100 new water meters from Central Pipe Supply, Inc. was delivered.  This capital purchase of $11,409.41 was paid from the Capital Reserve account.  This will be an annual expense for a few years to replace some of the older water meters (which is normal maintenance of the water system).  Our Maintenance Department will begin the installation of these first 100 meters this month with a projected completion date of March 2012.

The operating budget for our new fiscal year, which started October 1, 2011, was approved.  You can see the budget on Page 11.  Last year’s business and accounting will be audited by Kent Whitfield of Whitfield and Company, P.C.  This new budget brought some cuts and some additions.  This was a very tight budget, with so many expense increases (fuel, energy, etc).  The cuts we made are just a tightening of our belt.  I am hopeful that you will not notice a negative change to your community. Rather you will see only “better controls”.  The most noticeable change is additional usage hours at the Southgate location.  We have received many requests to extend the hours at this location, which requires a decal for entrance.  Please note that every additional hour costs the annual budget  approximately $4,000.  We increased the daily hours by two hours, which is an additional annual cost of approximately $8,000.  The new hours are Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. through 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. through 8:00 p.m., excluding holidays.  These times were chosen using  traffic counts and the many requests from property owners.  This time change will hopefully work for the greatest number of residents and we will continue to track usage and adjust the times if needed.  The Southgate location helps relieve traffic congestion at the main gate as well as facilitates ingress/egress for those individuals who utilize the interstate or businesses in this area. 

KEEP EYES AND EARS OPEN!  Since early June, our Security Department has been having problems with two individuals harassing the guards specifically and the community as a whole with issues such as throwing items at the guards, putting items in the roadways, and vandalism at the Lodge and Firehouse.  In addition, they trespassed on property owners land by jumping fences to get in and out of the community.  Early August, we caught them on video (Lodge camera system) throwing all outside furniture off the top deck.  These actions have always been between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.  Late August, I received, from outside the community, an anonymous tip on who the perpetrators were.  After working with our Security Department and the County Sheriff’s Office, two arrests were made on August 25, 2011.  Two young men, both age 20:  HOWARD HUDSON and EDDIE LOWERY, who called themselves “The Ghost Riders”, do not live in this community.  Four charges were filed against each offender: Simple assault, harassment of Security Guards, Trespassing and Malicious Mischief.  Both individuals have been banned from the Community.  Please always keep your eyes and ears open and report any suspicious activity.  I am thankful for the anonymous tip I received which put this issue to an end.  Our Security works hard for the HAWL community to protect and enforce the rules; we do not need nor will we tolerate actions such as these.

As we near the completion of many 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.