Do you get the e-mail blasts?

Are you getting the e-mail blasts? (Hint: the last one was sent on 10/26, titled "Mt. Si Cottages: Snow Removal Plans". If you didn't get this email, you're probably not).

You'll want to be sure you get these. These e-mails are the best way to receive important alerts, because we don't budget for frequent newsletters.

If you don't receive these e-mails, please confirm that CWD has your correct email address(es) on file:

• To check, just log in to the CWD website, click "Directory" and verify your information -- https://www.associationvoice.com/member/signin_secure.asp?assn_id=14539. (You can also check by calling Sandy Cobb, our association manager.)
• You can add/change your e-mail address by notifying Sandy Cobb, at 206-706-8000.
  
• To avoid spam filters, confirm that Messenger@AssociationVoice.com is added to your e-mail's "safe list".

Snow Removal

Winter will be here before we know it!

If it snows like last year, we want to communicate the Association's snow removal plans early. (Remember how crazy last December's snow storms were?!?!) Here goes...

• Professional snow removal will not be hired. (We explored this last year, but plowing could cost thousands of dollars, and the plow company will not take responsibility for any damage they cause to your vehicle.) The city plows the streets, but the parking lots & walkways are up to us.
  
• Homeowners are encouraged to work together to keep walkways clear, and make parking lots accessible. We recommend that each home purchase an inexpensive snow shovel, and be prepared to pitch in when help is needed.
  
• Homeowners are requested to shovel the walkways in front of their homes within 24-hours of snowfall. If you need help, please contact the Board & we will try to help connect you with willing volunteers (or hired help).

• Please let the Board know if you are willing to serve on a volunteer snow removal committee, or if you are available for hire. Our community can use this information to organize ourselves for snow removal.
  
  

23 Trees!

Update: Planting will begin on November 16th.

Quadrant Homes is replacing 23 dead (or dying) trees throughout our community (at no charge to the HOA), thanks to the big effort of two homeowners!

Thanks to Doris Shelton for educating the Association about the bond that qualifies us for these replacement trees. And thanks to Sue Swanson for working hard with the City of Snoqualmie & Quadrant Homes to makes sure these trees get replaced. Great work Doris & Sue!

Budget Philosophy

The Board has adopted this budgeting philosophy. It will guide our budget decisions on the 2010 budget.

1. We will use the least amount of funds to obtain maximum benefits.
2. We will protect home values, and maintain our community’s established standard of living.
3. We will enhance home values where possible, while remaining true to our community’s origin as an “affordable community”.
4. We will encourage a sense of community, and look to homeowner volunteerism as a means of maintaining standard of living and keeping assessments as low as possible.
5. We will properly insure the Association.
6. We will adequately fund our Reserves, for planning purposes and to protect against special assessments in the future.
7. We will use a zero-based budget approach (which assumes a $0 starting point for all line items, and requires each to be justified before we fund it).
8. We will remain open to homeowner recommendations & input.

Garbage Can Bandits

Apparently a few garbage cans have disappeared from our street after being left out for garbage day. (At least three homes have reported this.) Please be on guard. You might consider marking your cans with your house number so they're identifiable.

And a related reminder: with windy fall days here, it's important that we each strap our lids down (to keep trash from blowing all over). This will help keep our community clean.