Mansion Farm

There is no pre-negotiated trash pick up contract with any service provider. In the past the Board attempted this only to have the company (Waste Industries) raise residents fees without notice. An attempt was also made to negotiate a community wide single provider contract with a reduced fee for residents. Providers wanted to require the Board to collect the service fees which is not an option.

Really Jean? ALL that was posted in the comment before yours and trash is the only thing you have a comment on? I don't even read this Neighborhood Link board often because it's such a joke. I used to be one of the biggest supporters of the board. Other than Brendon, the entire board of directors and what you "do" is a joke!

I really don't understand why this board gets so many complaints from homeowners! If you want to make changes then JOIN THE BOARD. Complaining but not helping out is completely unfair to those of us who have volunteered and are swamped! There are a total of 11 seats that are available and the current board (of which I am a newly added one) only has FIVE PEOPLE on it. Many of the people on the board have been doing it for a long time because no one else will step up and join! Most (if not all) of the people on the board have many other things to do besides this unpaid and underappreciated job!!!!!  The overworked five people on the board have limited responsibilities (thankfully). Negotiating contracts for trash removal is certainly not one of these jobs. Negotiating for pond maintenance, common grounds care, to replace our community sign, etc. are done by board. If you want to offer to negotiate trash prices...your neighbors (and the board) will appreciate your efforts. The board is currently spread so thin and has to listen to so many complaints that we have begun talking about totally backing off and hiring an outside company to manage the development. If this happens you can expect your dues to at least double! In addition to "mowing", there are multiple ponds to be maintained. Trying to collect dues from a large number of homeowners who do not pay on time or simply try to not pay can be time consuming and legally costly. Although most people ASSUME that snow removal is covered by our dues - it is NOT included in what the dues promise to cover. Our roads are supposed to be taken care of by the county but since they never come on time they offer developments a reimbursement program -- but only if it snows over four inches and only once a day (more senior board members know the details better than I do...so don't quote me). 

 

The five people on this board are only homeowners like you. Unpaid and underappreciated -- and small wonder it is nearly impossible to fill vacancies. So please do not complain without offering to help out first. We are not trained to do this job...and honestly we have been trying our best to keep it together for the sake of keeping the cost of dues low. We spend whatever time we are able to try and get a number of jobs completed -- but we are ONLY FIVE PEOPLE! We can use ANY HELP you are able to give. But PLEASE do not complain about the board unless your complaints are meant to shut down the board totally and increase your dues by double in order to pay an outside firm to manage us. Offer suggestions; come to a meeting; discuss ways to make things better...best of all...VOLUNTEER to help! But if you do not offer to be a part of the solution - you have no right to complain!!!

The question about trash removal (although not a mandated part of board duties) got me started on a quest to see what I can find out. I have contacted three waste management companies and am waiting on a call back from sales personnel on all three to see what it would take to negotiate a development-wide cost reduction. When I have some actual information from all of them I will publish a document to inform our neighbors. Here is what I have found out so far: 1-REPUBLIC SERVICES (also known as Allied Waste? Very confusing.) 302-658-4097. Trash/recycle: $65/QTR + $21.83 fuel & environmental fee = $86.83/QTR Yard waste: $15/QTR. trash/recycle/yard waste: $106.83/QTR There is also a delivery fee for new customers of $38.84 to get the new receptacles 2- WASTE MANAGEMENT 800-633-9096 I am waiting for a return call from someone in sales so the person I spoke to would only give approximate rates.* For 96 gallon containers (3 ??˜ H x 2??™ 9??? W x 2??™ 3??? D): $72/QTR + $35 setup for new account (charged on first invoice only) For 64 gallon containers (3??™ 9??? H x 2??™ 3??? W x 2??™ 3??? D): same price...just slightly smaller can. No senior discount at this time...but will try to negotiate lower rates. Probably will require commitment from percentage of houses. 3- WASTE INDUSTRIES 302-378-5400 Would not quote me any rates but submitted my request for a callback from sales to discuss neighborhood discount and current rates. If anyone has any extra information, please respond to this comment so I can include it in my future post. Not promising anything folks...but it is certainly worth a try!