The Parkway At Folsom Owners' Association

I think we could halve the yearly membership fees . Before I moved here 13 years ago, I lived in American River Canyon , a development of 687 mostly custom homes just across the river. I was on their board from 1983 to 1987 and I have a copy of their current budget. For 2015 each lot is assesed $210 for the year and that pays for the services they get from their association. They mow their own lawns, the common area's including the parkway and all street bulb ends and the parway fences are maintaned by the association. They have no roving patrol yet their petty property crimes are no higher than ours. Their total administration costs will be $20,400 for 2015 and all the rest including landscape maintenance and replacement, fence and all other repairs , all utilities and taxes will be $ 156,200. for a total operating expense of $ 176,685. Take the time to drive their development and see what it looks like. Our association is now past 20 years old and has gotten more than a little out of date and obese. We should sever all ties with Serrano, eliminate the patrols, reduce paid staff to a part time 4 day a week secretary, rent out the stone house for about $3500 a month to a good tenant like a real estate and insurance agency save for the front room for our staff and take a hard look at all other expense. And--- Forget about changing the CC&R's as it is near impossible and in my opinion unnecessary. See you all at the meeting, Regards, Jack Edwards

We like our roaming patrol, very effective with stupid people who leave barking dogs outside for hours. There's crime in the Parkway. Mailboxes broken into, theft, underage partying. Youngster who tears around on a broken down looking scooter with loud muffler. We do enjoy the very nice lawn crew who handles the front yard. We like our neighbors yards to be in perfect condition, just like ours. CCRs are very important. But we all know homeowners don't like being considered minority's when changes are introduced, and board members claim to know it all.

Our fees have increased since the change-over and the on site benifits are minimal at best. I would do away with the whole association and retain the lawn service as a start.