The holiday season is fast approaching, and we might be busier than usual. Let’s hope we can slow down enough to enjoy this time of the year. Your CC Board of Trustees sincerely wishes everyone in our Community a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.
In the past month, the Board has addressed these and other issues:
The 2025 Operating Budget - The Board is pleased to announce that the 2025 Operating Budget has been finalized and accepted by the Board. The chief takeaway is that the Cranberry Creek HOA Maintenance Fee will remain the same at $170 a month. Members of the Finance Committee, Corner Property Management, and the Board worked intensely on developing the budget. The 2025 Operating Budget will be formally approved at the next Open Board Meeting. In Other News below, read what might have impacted next year’s Budget.
Second Fall Cleanup - The Board is working with Fresh Cut to determine the best time for the additional cleanup. The snow pole markers should soon be put in place (if not already), and Fresh Cut’s snow removal equipment will be parked and ready on our premises. Please read the 2024-2025 Snow Removal Procedures in this Chatter.
Clubhouse Landscaping - Hopefully by now, all residents have had a chance to see the new fresh landscaping in front of the Clubhouse. After twenty+ years of growth, the large overgrown hedges have been removed and new shrubbery has been planted. Several Board members, along with the Garden Committee, specifically Lorrie Meier and Bill Van Der Vort, worked together to renew the landscaping.
Annual Clubhouse Fire Inspection - Following the annual fire inspection in November, the Board was informed of several items needing maintenance. The Clubhouse fire extinguishers were going to pass their “usable life” date, so they were replaced as needed. Also, Building and Grounds replaced two rechargeable batteries for the emergency lighting in the Clubhouse.
Other news: The NJ Structural Integrity Bill
Earlier this year, New Jersey passed the Structural Integrity Bill. This bill was passed in response to the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers in Florida back in June of 2021. The Structural Integrity Bill imposes new requirements on community associations concerning structural inspections and reserve studies. Per our discussion with our engineering consultant, the structural inspections section of the bill does not impact our Clubhouse or Community. Single-family homes and low-rise, wood-framed construction are not included within the scope of the law’s structural inspection requirements.
However, the part of the Structural Integrity Bill that does impact our Community is that part requiring associations to update and fund their reserve studies. If more than five years have passed since an association’s last reserve study, an updated study must be obtained within one year. Associations with reserve studies performed within the last five years must obtain an updated study within five years from the previous study. Cranberry Creek HOA had Becht Engineering perform a complete Capital Reserve Study last year.
In addition, the bill states that if a Capital Reserve shortfall is identified through an updated study, associations must immediately begin making up for the deficiency through increases in dues and other budgeting methods. This year, the Board requested Becht to execute a minor update to the report (updated interest rate received) which benefitted the community. Our Community is fortunate that our past and present Boards have worked to contribute to the Cranberry Creek Capital Reserve account thereby rendering it adequately funded. No increase in HOA fees is required for the implementation of this new bill.
