Capes News – November 2015

We love our furry office visitors!
We love our furry office visitors! (Photo courtesy of Karinda Boone)

2016 HOA Dues

The Board of Directors approved the proposed 2016 Capes Budget at the October 17, 2015 board meeting, and would like to remind everyone that the 2016 HOA dues will increase as follows starting in January:

  • Vacant Lots – $118/month
  • Single Family Homes – $125/month
  • Cottages – $125/month
  • Townhomes – $246/month

For those of you that utilize your bank’s autopay system to pay your monthly dues, please be sure to adjust your payment amount after your December payment is sent!

On a related note, the end of the year is a good time to bring accounts into balance. Watch your inbox for an email from Jenny over the next couple of weeks – if your account has a credit balance, or maybe you owe a couple of extra dollars because you paid the old dues amount instead of the new last January, she will send you an email to let you know what your adjusted payment (for December ONLY) should be.

Coupon Books vs. Emailed Statements vs. No Reminders

While we’re on the subject of next year’s HOA dues, here’s a two-part question for you: Would you like to be reminded each month when a payment is due, and if so, how would you like to receive that reminder? In order to collect the answers to these burning questions, we’ve created a short survey, and hope that each of you will take just a quick minute of your time to fill it out. (It’s literally ONE question, and a minimal amount of contact info!) Even if you pay for the entire year at once and do not need or want monthly reminders, please take the survey to let us know that you don’t need them! Click here for the survey. [Note: This survey is time sensitive – please respond no later than 11/15/2015. Anyone who does not specify a preference by then will receive monthly emailed statements and will NOT receive a coupon book.]

2016 Dates to Remember

Board meetings for 2016 have tentatively been set, and are noted below. Typically the board does not meet in August and December.

[themify_col grid=”2-1 first”]♦ January 16[/themify_col]♦ June 18
[themify_col grid=”2-1 first”]♦ February 20[/themify_col]♦ July 16
[themify_col grid=”2-1 first”]♦ March 19[/themify_col]♦ September 17
[themify_col grid=”2-1 first”]♦ April 16[/themify_col]♦ October 15
[themify_col grid=”2-1 first”]♦ May 21[/themify_col]♦ November 19

Mark your calendars for these events, as well. We hope to see you there!

♦ April 16, 2016 – Annual HOA meeting at the Netarts Fire Hall at 10am
♦ May 28, 2016 – Memorial Day Weekend Ice Cream Social at the Bridge House
♦ July 2, 2016 – Independence Day Weekend BBQ at the Meadow
♦ September 3, 2016 – Labor Day Weekend Wine & Cheese Social at the Bridge House
♦ October 15, 2016 – Brats and Brews Social at the Bridge House

Don’t Be Alarmed…This is Only a Test

By now, you may have noticed some flagged areas in the grass in the meadow, on Capes Drive near the cottages, and near the observation platform at the bottom of Promontory Lane. These areas are part of a test being conducted by our landscape team, Ground FX to determine what mixture of fescue, other grasses, and fertilizer will grow best to create a waterless eco-lawn. Our goal is to find just the right combination of elements to create a drought tolerant blend that wears well, crowds out weeds, is deep-rooted for sandy soil retention and requires little-to-no maintenance. Once they’ve determined what works best, the plan is to use it to fill in those turf areas around the property where the grass has died out, leaving only sand visible. We’re excited to see the end result!

November/December Office Schedule

Please be aware that the office will be closed on the following dates in November and December, due to staff vacations:

  • Sunday, November 29, 2015
  • Saturday and Sunday, December 5-6, 2015
  • Saturday and Sunday, December 12-13, 2015

We *will* be open, however, for most of the long Thanksgiving weekend (November 26, 27, & 28, 2015).

Oh Deer!

Last week, the office received notice of a dead deer on the property, and by the time arrangements had been made to have it removed the next morning, some other animal had taken it upon themselves to remove it for us. We are unsure at this time as to whether that other animal is a bear, a cougar, or a coyote. Please be wary when walking out on the property, especially on the wooded trails. If you see any large predators on the property, please inform the office.

Brats and Brews Photos

We had a very modest turnout to our annual Brats and Brews event this year, with only approximately 20 homeowners in attendance. Photos from the event have been uploaded to our Gallery page, and can be viewed here: 2015 Brats and Brews