The Treasurer for Highlands at Mechums River Homeowner's Association is Joe Lavernoich. Please don't hesitate to call Joe at 823-1145 or email him at lavernoich@embarqmail.com for any questions you may have regarding your dues or the Association's finances.

Please contact the Treasurer for information regarding budgets and profit-and-loss statements, and to request copies of these statements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dues:

Q: How much are the dues?
A: Currently they are $90.75/month payable on the first of the month.

Q: When should they be paid?
A: They are due on the 1st day of every month but there is a 30 day grace period in which to make payment.

Q: When is a payment considered late?
A: Quite simply, when it has not been postmarked within the 30 day grace period. We appreciate that lost checks do happen from time to time and we will make the necessary accommodations.

Q: If I pay 3 months at a time can I pay 1 month late to even things out?
A: No. Although we appreciate payments for more than one month at a time you will still be assessed a late charge if payment is not postmarked within the 30 day grace period.

Q: Is there a discount for paying multiple months?
A: No. Although we appreciate payments for more than one month at a time, we do not offer any discount.

Q: What happens if payment is late?
A: You will be assessed a late charge of $16.34 (18% per year). If payment was late because of a lost check, the late charge will be removed.

Q: How can I make things easier for the Treasurer?
A: Easy! Pay on time, the earlier in the month the better. Pay more than 1 month at a time. Put the month you are paying in the Memo field.

Q: If I put the month in the memo field, I don't have enough room to include the address of the property in the memo field as well.
A: Most checks already include the property address. In those cases where they do not i.e. rental properties, starter checks etc. please include the property address in the memo field and use abbreviations such as 1234 ARR (Amber Ridge Rd) or 5678 GK (Grassy Knoll). It is not necessary to include the lot number.

Q: Who should I make the check payable to?
A: Technically, it's the "Highlands at Mechums River Homeowner's Association" but "Highlands HOA" or "HMROA" will do just fine.

Q: What happens if I don't pay for several months?
A: You will accrue a $16.34 late charge for every month that you do not pay (18% per year). If you have not made payment by the 2nd day of the 3rd month i.e. if you haven't paid June or July and no payment has been received by August 2nd, you will be sent a Notice of Lien by registered mail. You will be charged $25.00 for this notice. You will then have 10 days from the date the notice was posted to make payment. Failure to do so will result in the Lien being filed in the County Court and you will be responsible for all Court costs, reasonable attorney's fees and interest from the date the Lien is filed.

Q: What happens if a check is returned by my bank?
A: The association charges a $25.00 returned check charge. This charge, together with the original dues must be paid within 30 days of receiving notice of the returned check to avoid a late payment charge.

Q: I paid my dues but I didn't pay the late charge and I've gotten another late charge. Why was this?
A: Not only do you have to pay your dues on time you also have to pay any other charges assessed by the Association. This includes late charges and returned check charges.

Q: How are the dues spent?
A: Most of the financial obligations of the Assocaiation are determined by the Covenants and the ByLaws i.e. grass mowing, termite inspection, maintenance of the roofs. Roughly 13% of the monthly dues is placed into a separate account for the future replacement of roofs.

Q: Why did the dues increase in June 2005 and some services were discontinued?
A: The Home Owners Association is responsible for the maintenance of roofs. This includes their ultimate replacement. This is a significant expenditure; estimates are in the range of $250,000 to $300,000. We were currently unable to cover services as stated in the covenants. Homeowners voted in April 2005 to discontinue HOA coverage of exterior maintenance and painting and increase the dues to appropriately cover future roof replacement.

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