THE HOA. The Homeowner Documents that you were given at or before closing explain what you will need to know, at least initially, about the HOA and the community as a whole. We’ll hit some highlights, though, in the paragraphs below. Suffice it to say that as lot/dwelling unit owners you have a vote (one per lot), either directly or through the Board of Directors in every issue that the community faces. We encourage you to participate in the process of managing your community and, thereby, making it everything you hoped it would be when you signed the contract to buy your house. Please take the time to read the Homeowner Documents cover to cover. We know they are dry and, at times, written in “legalese,” but they will answer almost every question you could have about the community.

HOA DUES. Every homeowner in Cabin Branch Forest pays HOA dues. Effective January 1, 2004, homeowners pay $100/semi-annually ($200.00/year). HOA dues should be made payable to “CBFA” and mailed to the address on the letterhead. (You are certainly welcome to pay you annual dues with one payment at the beginning of the new calendar year.) The HOA assesses a $10.00 late fee for late payments postmarked after the 10th of the month in which they are due.

HOA MEETINGS. Board of Directors meeting dates, times and locations are announced via the HOA WEB page, please views the HOA WEB page at www. Cabinbranchforest.org. Org by flyer approximately a week prior to the meeting. Board meetings are open to all homeowners and all are encouraged to attend. The Annual Meeting is held in February. At the Annual Meeting, new Directors are elected to fill vacant positions.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS. A 3-member Board of Directors manages the HOA. Homeowners with questions or issues for the Board can bring them to the Board’s attention at any Board meeting or they can contact the Board in writing at the above address. Serving as a Board member requires no special experience or qualifications and all homeowners are encouraged to “give it a try” during their stay.

COVENANTS. Cabin Branch Forest is a land-use restricted, covenants-controlled, planned community. Covenants are the method by which communities like ours seek to maintain architectural and aesthetic consistency and harmony through the development. To that end and not unlike its covenants-controlled cousins, the Cabin Branch Forest governing documents provide for an Architectural Review Committee (ARC) whose charter is to adjudicate requests for exterior structural and land use modifications and grievances raised with respect to the same. All significant structural modifications (e.g., decks, fences, additions) and landscaping changes (e.g., walkways, flower beds, trees, gardens, etc.) require applications which must be submitted to the ARC at the above-listed address. Please use the form contained in the Homeowner Documents. It is easy to complete and should be signed by your adjacent neighbors in whose direct sight line your proposed improvement will lie. “Under what circumstances should I submit a request?” you ask. The key word, here, is “significant” which is subjective, at best. The rule of thumb is “When in doubt, fill it out.”.