ourhoasite - the groves of hidden creek · the groves of hidden creek issue #3 for 2018 board...

The Groves of Hidden CreekIssue #3 for 2018 Board Meetings

All meetings are held in the clubhouse*

and Owners are welcome to attend.

Community Association News

Condo 1 – Meets on specific Wednesdays at 7:00pm in the clubhouse* 2018 remaining meeting dates:

9/19/18 10/24/18 11/28/18

Condo II – Meets on the following dates at 7:00pm in the clubhouse* 2018 remaining meeting dates:

9/6/18, 10/4/18, 11/1/18, 12/6/18 ( meetings are on the first Thursday of the month)

Community Association – 2018 meetings at 7:00pm on the following dates in the clubhouse*

Remaining dates

9/11/18, 10/23/18, 11/13/18

*If the meeting location needs to change, a notice will be posted at the clubhouse.

2019 meeting dates will be decided in the near future and will be posted at

the clubhouse and on your association’s website.

A few reminders…

The pool is now CLOSED. Unauthorized persons found trespassing in the pool area may be arrested and/or fined. Parents – please remind your children to not climb the fence around the pool.

Keep your pool pass in a safe place so that it can be validated next year if you have a square available for a new punch; otherwise you will need to have a new pass made which costs more than a punch.

The playground closes at dusk everyday for everybody.

Clubhouse renters need to make sure their guests are out of the playground area when it is dark outside. Thank you.

School has started.Look out for students and school buses.

BOO! Please turn on your porch light on Halloween to help Trick or

Treaters find their way to your door!

Reminder – set your clocks back one hour on

Nov. 4th


2

Question: Which Association do I belong to?

Answer: If you live on Brice Court, Emerald Bay, or Hidden Creek Circle – you belong to Condo II. If you live on any other street in the complex, you belong to Condo I. In addition, everyone belongs to the Community Association.

Each association has their own rules/policies. Please take the time to read the entire set of rules and declaration for your association so you are aware of the expectations of community living.

Private Property – Lake and area surrounding the buildingsThe lake behind the Condo II buildings (coach homes) is Private Property as it belongs to The Groves of Hidden Creek Condominium II Association. The land/grass around the Condo II buildings is also Private Property. Use of these areas are for Condo II owners/residents and their guests only. All others are trespassing. Please stay off of the top of the seawall. Thank you.

NO Solicitors in Hidden CreekHelp protect your neighbors and everyone’s privacy!

If you encounter any person going door to door for any reason, PLEASE CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY

and they can investigate and determine if the person is allowed or not so you do not need to approach the strangers.

Clubhouse Parking Lots The clubhouse is rented almost every weekend. Residents should park in their garage or driveway as much as possible to free up the parking bays and streets so visitors have a place to park, especially on the weekends. Please do not park in the clubhouse parking lots on the weekends in order to have parking spaces available for the guests of the clubhouse renter.

The spaces blocked out with yellow lines are not to be parked in as these spaces provide access to the sidewalk. Vehicles not moved for seven consecutive days are subject to towing at the homeowner's expense.

Residents are also reminded that there is no driving on the grass or sidewalks. This includes loading or unloading when you rent the clubhouse. Do not drive up to the clubhouse door. You may want to invest in a wagon or hand cart if you have heavy items to bring into the clubhouse.

If your guest parks on the street, please make sure they are not blocking a driveway and did not park in a fire lane, on the grass, or park backward on the street as they may get towed or ticketed.

Learn more about the Village of Palatine by checking out their website at www.palatine.il.us and the services they provide.

http://www.palatine.il.us/


3

THANK YOU ! ! !Thank you to the residents who pick

up trash in the complex. It is very much appreciated.

Power OutagesWhen there is a power outage, please be sure to call COM ED’s automated system at 1-800-334-7661 (1-800-EDISON1). You might want to put the number on your cell phone speed dial so you don’t have to look for the number in the dark! You can also reach a customer service representative and get automated outage updates by calling the same number. You can quickly and easily report your outage by entering the home phone number listed on the account or by entering your COM ED account number.

COM ED assigns repair technicians based on the amount of calls they receive for a particular area. By not reporting your household’s power outage, it may take longer to get the power restored. Don’t assume that others are calling to report the power is out in our area. They might not be home and do not realize there is an outage. Your call ensures that electricity comes back on faster for you and your neighbors!

Keep a working flashlight handy for when the power goes out. Check it periodically so you know the batteries are still working.

2017 AuditIf you would like a copy of the 2017 audit, please contact ABC Property Managers as it will be finalized soon and available for owner’s review.

Speed Limit is 20 M.P.H in the complex.Please remind your guests to drive slowly in the complex.

Many people consider it a nice pastime to feed bread to ducks and geese, but did you know that bread is actually unhealthy for them? Eating bread can actually cause a deformity called "angel wing" from which the bird will never recover. Feeding bread to birds is prohibited because it causes harm. Geese normally eat tender grasses and plant materials, such as roots, leaves, stems, and sprouts. They have plenty of food in the area, so they don't need to be fed.

Please – do NOT feed the wildlife

(squirrels, birds, ducks, geese, herons,

egrets, rabbits, etc.)

Please STOP at the stop signs in the complex!

Thank You!


4

Real Estate Tax Bill – Did you check it for exemptions? Refunds?

The second installment of your real estate tax bill arrived in July with payment due in August. It listed the exemptions you are getting which saves you money on your bill. For some owners, it may have listed a refund due if you had paid too much on a prior bill and you need to apply for the refund. As a homeowner, and if you live in the unit, you should get Homeowner’s Exemption. As a senior (65+), you may be entitled to a Senior Exemption or Senior Freeze Exemption. There are disability and veteran exemptions too. All Exemptions are listed on the Cook County Treasurer’s website at www.cookcountytreasurer.com

If you did not get an exemption you think you are entitled to one; get it corrected! Exemptions save you money! New owners may not see their homeowner’s exemption until next year but you need to apply for it. Owners can also submit a Certificate of Error for years missed and get a refund! Some exemptions renew automatically and others do not which is why you should check your bill each year.

In addition to the Cook County Treasurer and Cook County Assessor websites, the Palatine Township office can help you with forms and appeals at 721 S. Quentin Road (corner of Quentin & Illinois). They also have information and links to forms on their website: www.palatinetownship-il.gov

If your bill looked correct and you sent in payment, take a moment to double check on line that your payment posted to your tax ID. You might have paid the wrong amount by mistake and still owe money or you paid too much and are entitled to a refund. Visit www.cookcountytreasurer.com to check your account.

Be in control of your dog

1. Dogs, cats and other household pets are allowed on Community Areas with the exception of inside the clubhouse, playground, or pool area. No pets are allowed in those areas unless legally protected (example: seeing-eye dog). Any pet creating a nuisance or unreasonable disturbance may be permanently removed from the Community Areas upon seven days written notice from the Board. All Village of Palatine ordinances must be followed concerning pets, including but not limited to: obtaining a pet license, current proof of rabies & vaccination shots, leash to be no longer than six (6) feet, etc.

2. When outside on the Community Areas, dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times with the leash in the Owner’s or caretaker’s hand. Leashes may not exceed six (6) feet.

3. Leads, leashes or ropes may not be tied around or fastened to any part of the Community Areas, fence, landscaping, or light posts. No placing stakes, hooks, etc., on the Community Areas to tie a leash to. Animals may not be left unattended or supervised by a child.

4. Any animal waste deposited anywhere on the Community Areas must be removed immediately by the animal’s owner or caretaker.

A fine will be assessed against the Owner for violations of these rules. In addition, any damage to the Community Areas caused by a pet shall be repaired at the expense of the Owner.

http://www.palatinetownship-il.gov/


5

Please – do NOT feed the wildlife

(squirrels, birds, ducks, geese, herons, egrets, rabbits, etc.)

Pre-Winter Safety Check in your HomePlease make sure all of your appliances are in working order:1. Furnace cleaned and checked for carbon monoxide leaks. 2. Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector is working with new batteries, fire extinguisher

has pressure.3. Electrical appliances and cords are not worn or damaged.4. Door closures are in working order.5. Fireplace chimney is cleaned.6. Dryer vents and bathroom fans are free of lint and dust build-up.7. Gutters are cleaned out and free of leaves and debris.

TIP - Change your furnace filter monthly. It will prolong the life of your furnace!

LOCK IT OR LOSE IT!Be Safe! Remember to lock your car doors!

Don’t leave items in plain view in your vehicle!Never leave a child or pet unattended in your vehicle!

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft!

Don't give out any information to callers claiming to be the IRS, Medicare, the Social Security Administration, a Credit Card company, a Bank or Credit Union, or a Mortgage/Loan Company, etc. They may not be who they say they are.

If someone calls claiming to be a family member in trouble and asks you to send them money, take the time to check with another relative FIRST. Is the person really out of town? In trouble? Etc. If you won a raffle and need to send someone gift cards to claim your prize, don’t do it. These calls are almost always a scam. Be SMART, Be SAFE!

Fire Extinguishers / Smoke & Carbon Monoxide DetectorsIt is important to have at least one working fire extinguisher in your home. It

can save lives, prevent damage to your home, and even save money on your

insurance. Fire extinguisher(s) should be kept where you can get it quickly if

there is a fire. In addition, each home should have working smoke and carbon

monoxide detectors. Test yours today to make sure it works. If you don’t have

one, please purchase and install one.


6

Parking Stickers & Village Vehicle StickersAssociation parking stickers for Condo I and Condo II must be affixed to the FRONT windshield, LOWER corner, on the DRIVER’S side. The Village of Palatine vehicle sticker goes on the passenger side of the front windshield in the lower corner. To park on the streets or parking bays overnight (2am-6am) a current Condo I or Condo II sticker or valid guest pass must be properly displayed.

Association parking sticker goes in LOWER Corner on DRIVER’S side of FRONT windshield

Village of Palatine vehicle

sticker goes here

Contact your management office to obtain a parking sticker or guest pass. Use of expired ones make the vehicle

subject to ticketing and/or towing.

A few reminders about parking…• No parking is allowed in a fire lane at any time. You may get ticketed and/or towed.• Do not park backward when parallel parking on the street.• Let the grass live – ensure that your tires are not on the grass.• Make sure your vehicle is not blocking a driveway or extending into the street.• Owners are responsible for their guests. Make sure your guests park properly when they come to visit.• Vehicles may be considered abandoned (even if you have a sticker) if they have not moved for seven (7)

days or more and may be towed at owner’s expense.• Make sure your license plate sticker is current. Expired plates may result in a ticket and/or tow.

Fire Lanes

Parking in a fire lane is prohibited at all times. Vehicles stopped or parked in a fire lane are subject to immediate tow. Patrols are checking for compliance on a regular basis and the cost to recover your vehicle after a tow is expensive. You may also be charged a fine for parking in the fire lane.

If you notice that a fire hydrant is buried in snow, please contact ABC Property Managers immediately so that it may be cleared for the fire department. If the hydrant is located on Emerald or Brice, contact Williamson Management.

Security & Safety Reminders: Lock your car doors * Keep your garage door closed * Keep all valuables out of sight, especially money and GPS systems * Turn on your patio light * Be on the look out for people walking & riding in the street * If your car window(s) get broken, please clean up the glass * Report suspicious activity * Caring for the complex is everybody’s responsibility!

Palatine Police recommend that you place a rod in your unit’s windows and sliding door tracks to help secure them from being opened from the outside.

Make arrangements for package deliveries so they are not left outside; tempting someone to steal them.


Snow Plowing

Each association is responsible for obtaining their own bids and entering into a contract for snow plowing services for their property with each association paying for their own contract.

The snow plow vendor for the 2018 – 2019 snow plow season for the Community Association is Ryco. Please contact ABC Property Managers with any complaints or compliments concerning Ryco so that the Board will know if their contract should be continued or be canceled.

Since each association has their own contract, residents must call the property management company which manages the property that your snow concern is regarding. If you call the incorrect company, you may be asked to contact the other management company with your concern. We realize this may be frustrating for the residents, but due to having separate contracts, each association must care for their own snow plow concerns so that the issue can be monitored and corrected.

Hidden Creek Circle, the parking bays along Hidden Creek Circle, and the clubhouse area are handled by ABC Property Managers. In addition, ABC Property Managers will take calls about snow plowing for the Condo I streets. Williamson Management will take calls about snow plowing Condo II property. Phone numbers for both management companies are as follows:

Call ABC Property Managers Inc. 847-985-4044 for issues regarding Hidden Creek Circle, parking bays along Hidden Creek Circle, clubhouse sidewalks, and Condo I streets.

Call Williamson Management 630-787-0305 for issues regarding Condo II driveways with addresses on Hidden Creek Circle, Brice Court or Emerald. In addition, call Williamson Management if there is an issue with the streets of Brice Court or Emerald. (Call ABC for the street of Hidden Creek Circle and not if the issue concerns the driveway for a Hidden Creek Circle address).

Plowing occurs when there is a 2 inch or greater snowfall and streets must be kept free of parked vehicles so that snow plow operations may take place. Vehicles left on the street or in parking bays and impeding snowplow operations are subject to towing and a fine. Costs to reclaim a vehicle belong to the owner; not the Association. Vehicles without a current Condo I or Condo II parking sticker or a guest parking pass are subject to towing at the vehicle owner’s expense when parked on the streets or in a parking bay between 2am-6am.

Please remember to watch the weather forecasts during the winter to be ready to move your vehicle if a snowfall is expected so that your vehicle does not get plowed in. The snow plow company will not shovel out vehicles they plow in due to the vehicle being in the way of snow plow operations. Owners will need to shovel out their own vehicle.

Any vehicle that has not been moved or used for seven (7) consecutive days or more is considered to be abandoned and may be towed. To ensure that a vehicle is being used and is not abandoned, Owners/Residents may not re-park their vehicle within 50 feet of the same area in which it was thought to be abandoned for a period of thirty-six (36) consecutive hours. Vehicles considered abandoned (on streets or parking bays) will be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense. If you will be away for more than seven (7) days or are unable to move your vehicle during a snow storm, please make arrangements with a neighbor to move your vehicle so that the space may be plowed. 7


8

SecurityTactical Security continues to patrol the complex and issue violation tickets. They are in the complex on random days at random times and are authorized to issue tickets for violations. Please become familiar with all of the rules in the complex. You can reach the guard via their patrol line thru their dispatch office at 847-263-1900 between 4pm – 2am daily. They are also authorized to trespass persons out of the complex if they do not belong here. Help protect your property and your neighbor’s by reporting suspicious activity. Residents are responsible for their guests, including tickets issued by security. Tickets written to renters will be placed on the owner’s account. Please remind your guests to drive responsibly and drive the speed limit which

is 20 M.P.H.; stop at all stop signs; and obey all parking rules.

Call 911 if you need Palatine Police.

Payment of fine is to be made payable to the association you live in (either Groves of Hidden Creek Condo I Association or Groves of Hidden Creek Condo II Association) and sent to the appropriate management office within ten (10) days. DO NOT PAY THE SECURITY OFFICER OR SECURITY COMPANY.

Snowmobiles, mini bikes (dirt, track, mud), motorized or battery operated scooters (including motorized bicycles), or other unlicensed motor vehicles (such as those plastic cars driven by children) may not be operated on Association property. The exceptions to this rule are wheelchairs or other equipment used by a handicapped person. Violators may be fined.

The Lakes in the Complex are DeceivingWith the freezing winter weather that will be here soon, the lakes might look like they are frozen solid - but they are not! All residents and their guests must stay off of the lakes. Parents – please remind your children of this.

There is an underlying current which does not allow the lakes to solidly freeze and it is impossible to tell by sight which areas are not frozen solid. Be safe – stay off the ice.

Want to get involved? Elections will be held in October for Condo I and Condo II. Come to your association’s board meetings and find out what is going on in your association and possibly run for a position on your board.

Condo I and Condo II appoint representatives to the Community Association board.

It is a good idea to make sure your pet has some kind of ID tag on them at all times so they can be returned to you when they escape your home. If your pet is missing, contact the Palatine Police Department as someone may have contacted the Police to pick up a stray dog or cat. Tickets/fines may be charged by the village if rabies is not current or animal is taken to a shelter – you will need to pay them for caring for your pet. To reach the police department about an animal…call 911.


Reminder – you must have a valid Condo I or Condo II parking sticker or valid guest pass to park on the streets overnight (2am-6am) or you may be towed.

Please inform your guests where to park and provide them with a guest pass if they are staying past 2:00 A.M. No parking allowed in a fire lane at any time. Vehicles in a fire lane or using an expired guest pass are subject to ticketing and/or towing at vehicle owner’s cost.

A parking sticker or guest pass is not needed if you park in your driveway or garage.

9

If you have an emergency or to report suspicious activity, do not hesitate:

always call 911.

Reminder – trash is to be put at curb on MONDAY night after dusk or TUESDAY morning before the garbage truck comes.

Do NOT set out trash on the weekend as it makes the complex look unsightly and gives more time for animals to rip open the bags and have trash blowing around the complex. Residents that put trash out too early may incur a fine.

Please make sure bag is securely tied closed and pick up any loose trash on your lawn.

Thank you.

No ball playing/soccer in the playground.When playing in the grass, keep balls away from pool fence so that they do not go over the

fence and into the pool area. Playground is for use by residents and their guests.


Check your pipes for leaks. A dripping faucet or a running toilet can

increase your water bill.

Take the time to check your toilets, faucets and other water appliances. The most common water problems to look for include: Make sure your toilet is not "running" - ("running" is when you hear the water continually filling up the toilet bowl and tank). If this is happening, it usually requires a simple $5 solution of purchasing a new rubber flapper at the local hardware store and installing it in your toilet tank -- less than a 5 minute project. The hardware store can guide you through what to do and so will the directions on the flapper. This is definitely an easy, do-it-yourself project if you don't want to incur the expense of a plumber. Tip: behind your toilet, near the floor is a knob that controls the water onto the toilet; if you turn off the water to the toilet with this knob before installing the flapper, the job is even easier and your hands won’t get cold from the water.

Make sure the flapper in your toilet is not leaking. As the rubber flappers in the toilet tank age, the rubber gets old and can start allowing water to seep through. This is another huge use of water but one you probably won't hear. The good news is there's a very easy way to check for this. Lift the lid off the toilet tank, drop a couple of drops of food coloring into the tank (blue or green works best) and give it about 10 minutes. If you see any food coloring appear in the toilet bowl, you need to replace your flapper (again, an easy $5 part and an easy fix). Be sure to flush your toilet a couple of times after this test to clear out the food coloring so you don't discolor your toilet!

Dripping or leaking faucets - check the tub, shower head, bathroom faucets and kitchen faucets.Also be sure to check your other water appliances (including washing machine, ice maker, humidifier, hot water heater, etc.) Don’t forget about the water spigot for your hose.

Get your home ready for winter and save money on your water bill by eliminating drips from your home.

10

Police & Fire Emergency 911

Tactical Security 847-263-1900

ABC Property Managers Inc. 847-985-4044

(Condo I and Community Association)

e-mail: [email protected] Fax Number 847-985-5894

Clubhouse Rentals 847-985-4044

Condo I website = www.hiddencreek1.com

Williamson Management (Condo II) 630-787-0305

Fax Number 630-787-0336

Northwest Recovery (to claim a towed vehicle) 847-255-7360

Commonwealth Edison 1-800-edison1 = 800-334-7661

Nicor Gas www.nicorgas.com 1-888-Nicor4u = 888-642-6748

Groot www.groot.com 847-404-7668

As of 5/1/18

Clip and place by your phone or enter the numbers into your cell phone.


To place an ad in the newsletter:

Owners may place a small five line ad in the newsletter at no cost for selling items or services. Contact the management company for the Community Association to submit your ad.

Events in Palatine

If a vendor would like to purchase ad space, the prices are as follows: 1/4 page $20.00 per issue 1/2 page $35.00 per issue Full page $60.00 per issue

Check must be made payable to: Hidden Creek Community Association

11

Farmers’ Market continues every Saturday from 7am to 1pm through October in the Parking Lot of the Palatine Train Station. From November through April, it is held on the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month from 8am to noon in the train station.

Fire Safety TipsInstall smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Test them every month. If they are not working – change the battery.

Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice it twice a year.

Keep vital documents in a fire proof safe or in a bank safety deposit box.

If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT, and CALL FOR HELP.

Use appliances when you are home. Recently a clothes dryer had a small electrical fire but the resident was home and called 911. The fire department was able to put out the fire. If the owner had turned on the dryer and then left the home, the outcome would have been much worse. Remember to clean out your dryer lint tray after each use so the lint does not build up and also clean out your dryer vent.

Outside Plastic ProhibitedRemember that clear plastic used as insulation may only be installed on the INSIDE of your windows.

Exterior plastic is not allowed per the Rules and Regulations of the Condo I and Condo II Associations.

2019 Proposed Budget & Meeting NoticeOn the next page is the proposed budget for 2019 for the Groves of Hidden Creek Community Association. As you know, you pay your monthly assessment fee to your Association (Condo I or Condo II) and as an association, Condo I and Condo II pays a monthly fee to the Community Association which covers items (pool, clubhouse, playground, etc.) that are common to both the Condo I and Condo II homeowners.

A meeting will be held at the clubhouse, (1700 Hidden Creek Circle, Palatine, IL) on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 7:00pm to discuss and adopt this proposed budget.

Groves of Hidden Creek Community Association Proposed Budget 2019

12

2018 Condo 1 Board Meeting Dates (No meeting in Dec)Meetings start at 7pm in the Clubhouse. The schedule of remaining 2018 Hidden Creek Condo 1 Board Meetings is as follows:

10/24/18 11/28/18

13

r r r Condo I News r r r

Snow PlowingCondo 1 streets will be plowed by Ryco for this upcoming winter season. Please contact ABC Property Managers at 847-985-4044 with any complaints or compliments concerning the snow plowing of Condo I streets.

Snow Removal: Parking is not permitted on the streets after a 2” snowfall and vehicles may be towed. Parking is permitted after snow plowing is completed.

Fire Lanes

Parking in a fire lane is prohibited at all times. Vehicles stopped on or parked in a fire lane are subject to immediate tow. Patrols are checking for compliance on a regular basis and the cost to recover your vehicle after a tow is expensive.

If you notice that a fire hydrant is buried in snow, please contact ABC Property Managers immediately so that it may be

cleared for the fire department.

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR!CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR DOG!

REMINDER: Parking stickers should be applied to vehicles Oct 1. If you need an application, contact Pam or Taylor at ABC

Property Managers @ 847-985-4044.

Homeowner InsuranceAs a reminder, all homeowners must provide proof that their unit is insured.

Most insurance companies will fax or mail the necessary information to ABC Property Managers with just a phone call from the owner.

Since most insurance policies expire annually, proof will need to be provided annually. Most insurance companies can make a note in the records to send the information automatically each year if you ask them to. Please work with your insurance company so that you are in compliance.

r r r Condo 1 News r r r

InsuranceCondo I has an insurance policy with American Family Insurance which covers the common elements. Homeowners still need to have their own insurance policy to cover their unit and

personal belongings. The policy runs from March 15, 2018 to March 15, 2019. If you are refinancing or selling your unit and need a certificate of insurance, contact American Family

Insurance at Ph 847-246-4044.

Homeowners should be insured for the Association's deductible of $5,000. Homeowners should contact their own insurance agent to add the coverage.

For owners who rent their properties:When owners obtain a new tenant, Management MUST receive a new lease packet. It needs to be complete (all signatures and pages returned along with a copy of the new

lease) and reviewed BEFORE any new tenants move in.If owners need a copy of the lease packet they can contact management and ask for

one. Owners are required to forward management a copy of their license from the Village of Palatine yearly as it renews. All leases must be for a minimum of 12 months.

Owners need to arrange alternative garbage pickup when rental units are being cleaned out. Owners will be responsible for fines incurred due to garbage being put out prior to sunset the evening before regularly scheduled pickup. Please make note of the Village's

refuse holiday schedule.

PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOUR GARBAGE OUT TOO EARLY.Residents of Palatine may place an unlimited amount of household trash out for weekly collection. No personal cans are allowed at the curb. Please have your material out by 6:30 AM to be assured pick up.

If garbage is placed out earlier than sunset of the evening before pickup, homeowners may be assessed a fine.

Check out the Hidden Creek Condo 1 Website!www.hiddencreek1.com

14

Please Note: Moving or switching parking stickers without written authorization from ABC Property Managers could result in the

immediate towing of the vehicle.

15


Need our Rules?

All homeowners should have a copy of Condo 1's rules. It is very difficult to follow the rules if you don't know what they are.

Rules were most recently sent out in June 2010. Homeowners who purchased their units since then should have received the current rules at the closing.

If you don't have our rules, it is easy to get them. Updated Condo 1 Rules and Guidelines are available on our website at www.hiddencreek1.com.

Homeowners can also request a copy by emailing [email protected] or by calling ABC at 847-985-4044.

Don’t get towed!

You must properly display current Hidden Creek 1 parking permit(s) on your vehicle(s) on all Hidden Creek streets and community parking lots for overnight parking (Brice Court & Emerald Bay require HC2 parking permit) between 2am - 6am.

• Stickers are numbered and are assigned to a vehicle. • Stickers cannot be moved back and forth between vehicles. • Stickers cannot be adhered to a piece of paper, plastic, or any other item, only directly to the

windshield.

Moving or switching parking stickers without written authorization from ABC Property Managers could result in the immediate towing of the vehicle.

Any vehicle not moved for seven (7) consecutive days can be towed from the property at the owner's expense. If your vehicle(s) was towed you must contact Northwest Recovery directly @ (847) 255-7360 to retrieve it. Thank you for your cooperation!

Except for reasonable guest parking only vehicles owned, rented or leased by residents may be parked in the common areas of Condo 1.

Vehicles with Dealer Plates should not be parked on the property at any time. This is a violation of the rules and takes up parking spaces designated for resident use.

<<<<< Vehicles with dealer plates will be towed immediately. >>>>>

Parking stickers should be applied to vehicles Oct 1. If you need an application, contact ABC Property Managers at 847-985-4044.

Pre-Winter Safety Check in your HomePlease make sure all of your appliances are in working order:1. Furnace cleaned and checked for carbon monoxide leaks.2. Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector is working with new batteries, fire

extinguisher has pressure.3. Electrical appliances and cords are not worn or damaged.4. Door closures are in working order.5. Fireplace chimney is cleaned.6. Dryer vents and bathroom fans are free of lint and dust build-up.7. Gutters are cleaned out and free of leaves and debris.

TIP - Change your furnace filter monthly. It will prolong the life of your furnace!

Disconnect Garden HosesWith the arrival of the cold weather, please disconnect your garden hoses from the wall valve. Although these valves are referred to as ‘freeze-proof’ a hose filled with water and connected to the valve defeats the design of the valve.

Left connected, the water inside the valve could freeze and burst the tube inside the wall. This will not be discovered until spring when the water is turned on and begins to leak inside the wall.

Keep Your Gutters CleanIt is important to keep leaves, branches and other debris out of your gutters. Debris in gutters can clog them. In the fall, leaves often clog gutters. In the winter, clogged gutters can cause ice to build up and damage the gutters, siding and/or roofs.

Please check to see if your gutters are clogged. Some gutters with plants growing out of them are obviously clogged.

Other clogs are visible only by climbing up to the gutter. Any debris in the gutters should be removed. Gutter guards are available which can prevent leaves from getting into the gutter.

Holiday DecorationsOutdoor holiday decorations are allowed only from Thanksgiving to

January 31st. When installing or removing holiday decorations, please be careful to not damage the exterior of your unit or any of the

landscaping.

16


Please Request Approval Before Making Changes

Many improvements require approval from Condo I. These include:

Replacing Roof, Privacy Fence or Windows

Building a new deck or patio

Expanding an existing deck or patio

Adding a satellite dish(es)

Adding a wall inside a unit

Removal and/or addition of grass, bushes or trees

Please check the rules for more information. An Architectural Request form (and a copy of

the contractor’s Certificate of Insurance) needs to be submitted to get approval. Forms are

available at www.hiddencreek1.com or by calling ABC at (847) 985-4044.


17

Board Meetings – Did you know?

Every board meeting has a pre-set agenda of association business. Prior to each meeting, board members receive a packet to review, containing financials, quotes, homeowner requests and concerns, among many other items. To have requests/concerns included in the packet of information board members review and for inclusion on the agenda, homeowners are asked to please contact Pam Stanish a minimum of 10 business days before the next regularly scheduled board meeting. Contact ABC Property Managers, [email protected], [email protected] or call 847-985-4044.

Due to a limited amount of time to get through all pre-set agenda items, attending homeowners addressing the board are asked to please keep comments short and to the point. Work orders should be called into the management office, not brought to the meeting. Homeowners may be asked to give their contact information to our Property Manager to have their concerns followed up on. Our board members are volunteers and we need to be respectful of their time, while making sure homeowners are having their needs met. Thank you for your cooperation!

Don’t be the last to know!

To find out the latest and most recent news about your association, sign up for ABC’s free email blast service to receive important notices from your management

company!

(You will still receive other written correspondence from management via US Mail.)

To sign up, please email your unit address and the email address you’d like to receive notices at to Pam Stanish, ABC Property Managers, [email protected].

http://www.hiddencreek1.com/

mailto:[email protected]



18

Web Site Access - Remember to create your on-line account on Williamson Management’s website www.williamsonmanagement.com If you no longer have the letter that was mailed out with your initial password to set up your account, call Williamson to obtain your code and instructions on how to set up your account. By having an account, you can: check your assessment payment status and history; enter work orders & receive updates on their progress; submit architectural improvements (satellite dishes, cameras, windows, etc); keep your contact information updated; etc. The site is also used by Williamson / the Board to send out mass email notices so you are informed faster about things going on in the complex if you provide your email address, such as water outages, cancelled Board meetings, etc.

Condo II – Meets on specific Thursdays at 7:00pm (except for the October meeting) in the clubhouse. 2018 remaining meeting dates: October 4th November 1st December 6th

For the October 4th meeting, the Board Meeting will start at 5:30pm with a budget workshop and then recessed at 7:00pm to hold the Annual Meeting & Election. The

Board Meeting will resume after the election with the new Board members.

A separate mailing with a proxy form for the annual meeting will be sent to all owners. Please return the proxy in a timely manner so that a quorum can be established for the Annual Meeting. Send in your proxy or give it to a current board member and then if you decide to attend the meeting in person, your proxy will be returned to you. If you end up

not attending, at least we have your proxy to be counted for a quorum.

Owners are needed to serve the association. There has been two vacancies for many months and the association should be run by a five person board.

Please consider getting involved with your association. If you are interested in serving on the Board, please contact Williamson Management.

2019 Board Meeting Schedule will be posted at the clubhouse, on the bulletin board in the lobby of your building, and on the website once the dates are determined.

If you have concerns to bring up to the Board or Property Manager, you do NOT have to wait for a Board Meeting! Contact Williamson Management to have your concerns

addressed anytime during the month.

Board Meetings & Annual Election

Williamson Management may be reached at 630-787-0305Email: [email protected]

Condo II News

http://www.williamsonmanagement.com/

19

Insurance ReminderAll owners are required to provide proof that the contents of their unit are insured. Please have your insurance agent send a copy of your declaration page to Williamson Management at 215 William Street, Bensenville, IL 60106 or fax it to them at 630-787-0336. Homeowners not in compliance will be fined and not permitted to rent the clubhouse, obtain parking stickers & guest passes, nor pool tags. Since most insurance policies expire annually, an updated copy must be sent each year. You may want to request your insurance company to provide the information automatically each year at renewal time. It is recommended that homeowners are insured for the association’s deductible. Depending on the claim, the association can charge the association’s deductible to the homeowner at fault. You may contact Williamson Management to check if they received it from your insurance company as sometimes it is not sent, but you think it was.

Thank you for picking up after your dog. Please dispose of the dog waste properly and

do not leave bags of dog waste outside the buildings.

No SmokingThere is no smoking permitted in the main hallway or the garage hallway. Appropriate precautions must be taken at all times to prevent fires and the escape of smoke into the common areas or other units. Discarding of cigarette/cigar butts on the Common Elements or Limited Common Elements is not permitted. Proper and safe disposal of smoking materials is required.

Recycling BinsYour green recycling bin must have your address and unit number on it and it should be

easily visible. Bins must be stored in your garage or unit. Owners with bins left outside past

sundown the day following pick-up may be fined. If it cannot be determined whose bin is

outside the building, all owners of that building will receive a letter. Please work with your

neighbors to clean up the front of your building and get the bins stored inside. The bins are

only for recycling materials. Do not put your regular garbage in the bin as it will not be

emptied. Bins left on the driveway can cause problems for the snow plow. Please put your

bin away so your driveway can get plowed.

SecurityPlease make sure the building’s front door closes/locks behind you. If you notice a problem with the door not latching or it is slamming shut, contact Williamson Management. Until it is repaired, please close the door yourself so it latches or to stop it from slamming. If you have a problem with your door buzzer to allow people to enter, contact Williamson Management to have it repaired.

All garage doors should be closed (unless you are working in the vicinity) and locked so that intruders may not enter the building.

Condo II News

Assessment Payments Save a stamp! The association has a Direct Debit Program that utilizes electronic funds transfer to provide you with a timely, accurate, and convenient method to pay your assessments. Accounts will be billed on the seventh (7th) day of each month; one day later following a legal holiday. To sign up for this program, contact Williamson Management to obtain a form. Assessments are due on the first of month and will owners will be charged a $25 late fee if received after the 15th of the month.

Shoreline All residents, especially those that have a view of the lake, are asked to be on the look out for trespassers and to call police at 911 if you see suspicious activity around our lake. Nobody should be walking on the seawall and once the freezing weather is here, nobody should be on the ice as the lake does not solidly freeze.

Remember, only line fishing from the bank is allowed. No other activity is allowed on the lake. The bank is the land behind the seawall.

Do not sit, stand, or walk on top of the seawall.

2017 AuditIf you would like a copy of the 2017 audit, please contact Williamson Management as it will be finalized soon and available for owner’s review.

2019 Proposed BudgetThe 2019 proposed budget will be sent to owners in a special mailing. Please take the time to review it and contact management with questions.

20

Hoses must be put away - If you still have a hose connected to the spigot,

please disconnect it and store your hose properly. It is only from April through September that one hose may be left connected to the spigot provided it is wound up neatly and stored behind the shrubs. Hoses may NOT be left connected to the outside spigot October through March yearly nor stored on the common elements. You can still use the water, just do not leave your hose connected to the spigot or left outside starting October 1st.

Drip…Drip…Drip… If you notice that a water spigot is dripping after you have turned off the

water, please let management know so that it can be repaired. Every drip counts as money spent for the water bill. In addition, if you have a dripping faucet or a running toilet in your home, please take the time to get them fixed and help save the association money on the water bill for your building.

Brighten up the complex at night by leaving your porch/patio light on!As a reminder, the porch lights are the unit owner’s responsibility to maintain. If you plan to change your light fixture, please change it to one that looks similar to the others in the complex.

Condo II News

Building MaintenancePlease take a moment and look around your building (interior and exterior) and advise management of anything that you think needs to be cared for. Example: gutters clogged at your building (plants growing out of them or water not coming out of a downspout during a rain storm); lights out that need replacing; bushes/trees that need trimming; new plants needed, etc. If management/Board does not know about the issue, they can’t have it cared for. Don’t assume your neighbor called in the issue. Take ownership of the problem you notice and call management yourself. They can be reached at 630-787-0305. If you notice a problem with a building other than your own, you can call that in too. It might be that the residents in that building have not noticed the issue that you notice. Let’s all try to keep the property looking nice. Thank you!

"For Sale," "For Rent" or other signs may not be displayed on the common elements or in the windows of the individual units or vehicles. Signs announcing an open house or a garage sale are permitted to be placed on the common elements on the day of the event only and must be removed by 7:00 pm on the same day the sign was posted.

Sale of UnitThe sale of a unit requires a release from the Association which you need for your closing. Before the release is granted, all assessments, late fees, fines, penalties and legal costs must be paid in full through the month of the closing.

Once you have a signed sales contract, go to management’s website of www.williamsonmanagement.com and click on the link for Resales/Refinances. When you are ordering documents, you should also choose the resale instructions which will inform you of the requirements that need to be met before the paid assessment letter will be released.

Rental of UnitA copy of the rental dwelling license, which and Owner must obtain from the Village of Palatine upon payment of a fee and inspection of the unit, is required to be submitted to management along with a copy of the lease. Please review the rules for additional requirements. Visit the Village’s website on how to obtain the rental dwelling license.

All holiday decorations are permitted to be displayed thirty (30) days prior to the holiday, and must be removed thirty (30) days following the holiday. Damages caused will be repaired by the Association and charged back to the Owner. Outlets in the hallway are for use by the cleaning company only. Residents are NOT allowed to plug in decorations, lights, or any equipment to the common electricity in their building. Thank you.

21

Condo II News

http://www.williamsonmanagement.com/

22

Plumbing Issues

All residents are asked to not pour grease down the drains or flush items down your toilet that may clog the sewer lines. Some items that should NOT be put down the sink or flushed down the toilet include:

Diapers; Wipes; Food; Grease; Paper towels; Feminine sanitary products (tampons/pads); etc.

Only bodily waste and toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet. Items that should NOT be put in garbage disposal: celery, artichokes, asparagus, lettuce, corn husks, carrots, onion peels, potato peels, and non-food items.

If you have a dripping faucet or a running toilet – please get them fixed so you do not waste water. Every drop counts and costs the association money!

Second floor owners are responsible for caring for damages caused to the unit below them or to common elements due to a water leak in their unit.

If you need to shut off water to your unit, use your main valve located in your laundry room. Take time to become familiar with how to turn off your water and make sure your valve works so you can use it in an emergency or when you are having plumbing work done. If you need to replace your main valve and have water turned off for the building, you must arrange this with management beforehand as all residents in your building & connecting building must be notified.

If you do experience a sewer back-up or any water leak, please contact Williamson Management immediately at 630-787-0305.

Private Property – Lake and area surrounding the buildingsThe lake behind the Condo II buildings is Private Property as it belongs to The Groves of Hidden Creek Condominium II Association. The land/grass around the Condo II buildings is also Private Property. Use of these areas are for Condo II owners/residents and their guests only. All others are trespassing.

Please call the police or security to have trespassers removed from the property. Those who live on Hidden Creek Circle, Brice, or Emerald belong to Condo II and should be able to prove to police that they live here and are not trespassing. Signs have been installed advising that the area is Private Property and No Trespassing is allowed. Please do not walk on the seawall.

Due to the slope of the land to the lake, Condo II residents should use caution when walking behind the buildings. When possible, the landscaper or maintenance will remove debris from the lake. We are using Apex Landscaping again and part of their contract is to clean up along the lake/sea wall each week they are in the complex. If you notice trash that is not being picked up weekly, please contact Williamson Management with the location.

The lake is not to be used for swimming, boating or skating. Recreational activities, other than line fishing from the bank are prohibited. Fishing from the bank is allowed. Use of remote-controlled devices is not permitted.

Condo II News

Condo II News

23

Architectural Improvements – Obtain approval BEFORE you do the work!

If you plan on doing any work outside of your unit, or may change the look of the building, you mustsubmit an Architectural Improvement Form and receive approval prior to work being done. If unsure if you need to submit a form or not, contact the management office.

Any change to the Building, Common Elements or Limited Common Elements must have approval by the Board. A sketch or photo of the location of the work is required to be submitted with the form. The more information you provide, the better. Please note that satellite dishes are not permitted to be installed on the roof.

You may obtain the Architectural Improvement Form by contacting Williamson Management at 630-787-0305.

Inspections/Violations – Items are not permitted to be stored in the closet under the stairs. If you have items stored there, please remove them immediately.

If you made an alteration to the building without approval, send in an architectural improvement form so that management can inspect the areas and bring it to the board for determination of approving your change or requiring the owner to have the area restored to its original condition at the unit owner’s cost.

The association has the right to remove unauthorized changes and charge back the unit owner for costs to bring the area back to its original condition.

It is the responsibility of each homeowner & resident to know the rules and regulations of the association as violations may incur a fine as well as a

charge back to owners for repairs. Owners are responsible for their guests.

No burning of materials (including but not limited to wood, leaves, paper, etc.) is permitted anywhere on the property at any time, including contained fires in “kettle pots,” grills, fire pits, etc. In addition, Tiki Torches are not permitted anywhere on the property. No more than three (3) small candles are permitted on the balcony/patio. Gas grills, electric grills, and charcoal grills are permitted for cooking food and customary use of materials, such as charcoal or wood chips, is permitted. Residents using charcoal grills must have a temporary protective metal flooring under the grill. Repairs for any damage caused to the property from grilling will be charged back to the unit owner.

No Bon Fires Allowedon Condo II Property

Gutter Problems - If you notice water overflowing a gutter during a rainstorm, or plants growing out of the gutter, please report it to management. The gutter may be clogged and needs to be cleaned out. In addition, please check the downspout during a rain storm and see if water is coming out of it. If no water is draining, there is a clog somewhere and it needs to be reported to management so that it may be cleared.

Snow PlowingApex Landscaping will be doing the snow removal this winter for the Condo II driveways, sidewalks, and streets of Emerald and Brice. Please let the Board know of any issue you find with their work or if you have suggestions on how they can improve. If you notice any damage caused by the plow, please contact Williamson Management immediately so that Apex may be put on notice of the damage.

Frozen PipesThough the Board has taken all recognized measures to prevent freezing of the pipes during extremely cold weather, your cooperation is still necessary. When the temperature falls below zero degrees Fahrenheit, please let your faucets run slightly, being sure you are drawing from both the hot and cold water pipes. This is particularly important if you live in one of the end units, where most of the frozen pipe problems have occurred. If you will be gone for more than a day or so during the winter, you can shut off the water to your unit and drain the pipes or arrange to have a neighbor run your water should it become necessary.

24

Winter is Coming

Barrels of salt (plastic garbage can) will be placed at each building’s front entrance. All residents should feel free to put salt down on the walks and the drives to help melt any snow/ice during this winter season. If you need more salt in your bin, contact Williamson Management at 630-787-0305.

Please wipe your feet upon entering the building to help keep the hallway carpet looking good over the winter months. Try to limit the amount of salt you track into the building. If your building experiences ice build-up which needs to be chipped away, or the barrel needs a refill, call Williamson Management.

Hallway Heaters During the winter months, the hallway heaters are set at 55-60 degrees in order to keep the pipes from freezing, not to heat the hallways. The heaters are used only when necessary, as they are very expensive to operate. Owners/Residents may not reset the thermostats, or turn the heaters on or off at any time.

Please, Be a Good Neighbor…

* Do not slam your unit door. * Keep your TV / stereo volume at an acceptable level * Leave the hallway and stairs clear of personal items * Keep pets on a leash at all times – do not let them wander the common areas * Clean up after your pet * Refrain from smoking in the common hallways and from depositing cigarette butts around the buildings * Noise can be heard in other units – please do not cause loud pounding or hammering noises late at night as your neighbor may be trying to sleep. * 2nd floor units – please do not allow your children to run and jump, causing a disturbance to your neighbor below * Use the salt in the barrels provided by the front door and spread salt on any icy areas. This may also help to melt the snow. * Put your trash (in securely tied bags) out on the curb after sundown on Monday night or on Tuesday morning. Do not leave trash in the hallways or near your unit door.

Thank You!

Condo II News

Comcast is proud to service your community we hope you are you using the latest technology with the X1 platform, what is XFINITY X1?

X1-delivers the simplest, fastest and most complete way to access all your entertainment. With X1, you experience TV and Internet together like never before with advanced search, personalized recommendations, apps at home and on the go. The fastest in-home Wi-Fi for all rooms, all devices, all the time.

The X1 Voice Remote (specific models)-allows XFINITY X1 customers to find what they want faster by using voice commands to change channels, search for shows, get recommendations and more. Customers can use their voice to quickly find their favorite content, tune to channels, search and control their DVR. Discover new favorites-Get recommendations based on what you're watching, even by what's trending on Twitter. Search for a title, genre or actor.

X1 DVR-Take your DVR with you, watch your recorded shows from anywhere, even while you're offline. Just download your content to any device and tune in whenever and wherever you want. Record and watch up to 6 shows at once, 500GB of storage, take your entire cloud DVR library with you. "Last" button-doesn’t just flip back to the last linear channel watched. Customers have the option to flip between channels, quickly resume a show saved to DVR or watch shows on Xfinity On Demand.

NETFLIX & SLING TV- With X1 you can now watch all your favorite Netflix & Sling TV shows and movies, without changing inputs. You can even use the X1 Voice Remote to find the program you wants.

XFINITY STREAM APP-More to stream, on any screen. Stream live TV, your DVR library, and XFINITY On Demand on any smart device, at home or on the go. All TV, all the time, from anywhere.

XFINITY INTERNET-Comcast provides the fastest hotspots with the most coverage both at home on the go included with over 19,000,000 hotspots nationwide. You can even save on your wireless data plan. Visit us at: www.XFINITY.com, 1-800-XFINITY

Find out about FREE Mobile Service.

http://www.xfinity.com/

ourhoasite - the groves of hidden creek · the groves of hidden creek issue #3 for 2018 board...

Documents