New Year Update
Happy New Year to everyone! As we begin 2021 we wanted to share a couple updates with the community:
- Our next meeting will be held via Zoom on February 2 at 7:30. Check back here on the day of the meeting for the link.
- Over the next few weeks you will see crab apple trees being pulled from the islands and common areas on Darien Club Drive and Sweetbriar. Most of the trees have either died or are diseased.
- As the weather warms up, we will be planting new trees. We are in the process of identifying the appropriate type of tree.
- If possible please try to shovel your sidewalk. The community has been very active with many people walking on the street. For their safety and for drivers it would be best to stay on the sidewalk.
- Thinking of completing a large house project in 2021? Please check the design manual and reach out to Ellen should the you need approval from the Design Review Committee. In most cases a security deposit is required to ensure the job is done properly and with no damage to your neighbors.
- Interested in helping out? The board is always looking for help and input on how best to serve the community. Please let Ellen know if you are interested.
Summary from 2020 Annual Homeowners Meeting
The annual homeowners meeting had a great turnout with homeowners providing feedback, voting, and offering up time to help improve the community. The board messaged all the projects that were completed and others that are on the docket for 2021. Some of the takeaways from the meeting included:
- Targeting Q1 2021 for replacing the trees that are dying on the islands of Darien Club Drive
- Start to work on community building events
- Continue to look at modifications for signage
- Further enhance the seasonal decorations at the entrances
- Look at adding cameras to all entrances to help with any crimes that occur within the subdivision
The new board is back up to five members. Below are the current board members and their position:
- Linda Pecora – President
- Dr. George Battaglia – Vice President
- John Becker – Treasurer
- Anthony Pecora – Secretary
- Alan McNea – Director
For those who ran for positions or have an interest in getting involved in the community, please reach out to Ellen at Oak & Dale and let her know. The board is always looking for help and feedback to improve the community for everyone.
Mailbox Parts
At the most recent meeting, a homeowner offered mailbox parts to any homeowner on a first come basis. Please reach out to Ellen at Oak & Dale for more information.
End of Summer Update
With summer coming to an end, we wanted to provide an update on what is being worked on.
Given all the positive feedback the board has received in regards to the monuments, we are continuing to look for ways to enhance the entrances. The latest improvement will be spot lights on the middle island.
Over the years we have received communication from concerned homeowners in regards to the algae and water flow problems. We are now treating the water and removed tree trunks from the water. We are gathering information from vendors on how best to improve the water flow and flooding issues.
With the entrances being updated last year, we are shifting our efforts to improve the other common areas. We are looking to stop the soil runoff that is going into the ponds, enhance the look of cul-de-sacs and continue to cutdown and replace trees within the common areas. We are talking to multiple vendors to get ideas and best pricing. Given the size of the project, it will be a well thought out and vented plan that will be implemented over the next few years.
Birthday Celebration Drivers Needed
In these difficult times of social distancing, it is important that we celebrate the important moments in life and support our community. One neighbor, Sebastian, is celebrating his FIRST BIRTHDAY on May 4th! At 6:00 the Darien Police and Fire Department will be starting at the park and driving east to wish him a very happy birthday. He lives at the fifth house on the right as you drive towards Cass Ave. We are asking volunteers to join the parade via car or foot (while keeping proper distance) with signs and warm wishes. Let’s make the best of this trying time for one of our neighbors.
Commissions – Last Call
We have received a few applicants who are interested in joining select commissions. This is the final call for all those looking to have input into various aspects of our subdivision.
Below are a few commissions the board is looking to form:
- Landscaping – could include season plantings, common area maintenance and lighting and watering new plants
- Wetlands – the wetlands are in need of a lot of work. Anyone with experience in wetlands would be a huge asset
- Community – could include social activities such as block parties, book club, running/walking club
- Subdivision Appearance/Compliance/Enforcement – suggested by homeowners regarding other owners that are not following Rules and Regulations
- Parks/Amenities
- Holiday Entrance Decorations
- Communications
- Welcome Group for new home owners
If you are interested in volunteering for any of these commissions, please contact your property manager Ellen at edonovan@oakanddaleproperties.com.
Commissions
The 2020 Board of Directors is looking to form commissions to help keep the Association and property up to its highest standards.
Below are a few commissions the board is looking to form:
- Landscaping – could include season plantings, common area maintenance and lighting and watering new plants
- Wetlands – the wetlands are in need of a lot of work. Anyone with experience in wetlands would be a huge asset
- Community – could include social activities such as block parties, book club, running/walking club
- Subdivision Appearance/Compliance/Enforcement – suggested by homeowners regarding other owners that are not following Rules and Regulations
- Parks/Amenities
- Holiday Entrance Decorations
- Communications
- Welcome Group for new home owners
If you are interested in volunteering for any of these commissions, please contact your property manager Ellen at edonovan@oakanddaleproperties.com.
2020 Darien Club HOA Meetings
Darien Club HOA Meetings are scheduled for 7:00 at the Darien Police Station on the following days:
- Monday – April 6
- Monday – June 1
- Tuesday – September 8
- Monday – November 2
Please join us to discuss the future of our subdivision. We welcome homeowners who want to get involved by becoming a board member or through various commissions that are being started.
Looking for a Few good people
The board is looking for a few volunteers. This year the association has 3 open board positions. Only one homeowner has stepped forward to be on the board.
While a few homeowners have attended the last two meetings. We are looking for more homeowners to take a more active role on the board. While the board can continue with only three members all votes must be unanimous in order to be approved. One dissenting vote and the work cannot move forward.
What happens if the board falls below 3 members?
If the board falls below 3 members, the association is effectively dissolved. According to section 5.08 of the Declaration.
A Brief History
The Darien Club Owners Association was incorporated on April 23rd, 1990. It was managed by the developer until 1996 at which time it was turned over to the homeowners. At the time the board was made up of 7 board members.
Around 2005, the board was consistently struggling year over year to fill all seven seats. In 2009 it was voted to reduce the board to 5 seats and everyone agreed to spend the money on legal fees to update the By-Laws to reduce the board to only 5 seats.
Here we are in 2019, just 10 years later – and we are now struggling to fill seats on the board with only 5 members. The current outgoing board members have served on the board for 2, 10 and 15 years. It’s time for others to step in. Recent outgoing members served on the board for 14 and 16 years respectively.
The annual meeting is scheduled at 7:00 PM on Nov 12th, 2019 at the Darien Park District. Please consider volunteering for the board. While the time has passed to put your name on the ballot, you can write your name in to volunteer.
The roles and responsibilities of the board member varies. Each member provides and unique perspective. This association is only successful if homeowners continue to play an active role in maintaining the common areas, and overseeing the regular care and feeding of all common areas.
The board receives guidance from the contracted management company on all homeowner communication, legal issues as well as provides recommendations for on going contracts for maintenance and repairs. The board meets 4 to 5 times per year with much of the research taking place outside of regular meetings to allow board members to work on things that do not require a vote.
Please consider volunteering for the Board. It is a two year commitment.
Your Community does not work with out YOU!
Upated Monuments
Well the monuments have been completed. In addition to the replacement of the monuments, other improvements to the entrances have been made.
Irrigation on Fairview is new. For many years plantings and landscaping on this entrance have been limited due to lack of irrigation. Well, no more. This year we now have irrigation on that entrance so that we can entertain the idea of having annuals and other flowering shrubs for an enhance entrance.
Updated Landscaping. Since much of the landscaping was really old (some of it original to the subdivision) and damaged much of the landscaping in front of the monuments needed to be replace. While the plantings this year were small the board chose plants that will grow much larger in the near future and will fill in nicely without blocking the sign. The plans do have room for annuals on both entrances to give it that pop of color. I expect next year to look even better then they do currently.
Updated Lighting. The board needed to update the lighting on both Cass and Fairview entrances. The Cass Ave. entrance saw the more drastic change with the addition of a second light. The size of the monuments required an additional light for the additional coverage. The Fairview entrance while still only needing a single fixture, required an adjustment. Both entrances received new light fixtures.
Painted Letters. Once the monuments were in place. We received many comments from homeowners that the lettering was hard to read. We heard you. The letters are now painted and visible from the street.
While the project was not without hiccups and the build took significantly longer to complete then originally anticipated, they are a vast improvement.
Any questions or comments can be emailed to dchoa2014@gmail.com
