Winter 2022 - Community Information (General)

1. Complaints/Suggestions: The board, since as far back as 2010 or further, has always stated that if there are any suggestions, complaints or problems that arise, the board is to be notified via writing or the topic to be brought up at meetings. In the last 3-5 years, the board has done a lot of work in "modernizing" this process, whereas, members can alert the board via email, phone/voicemail, through the website and still via writing and/or the board meetings.
   1. To get information to the board, no matter what it is, whether it be a complaint, observation, grievance or suggestion, please follow the proper channels. Those are:
      1. Website contact form
      2. Email
      3. Phone
      4. In writing sent to PMLE's address
   2. Facebook explanation. Both Facebook pages, PMLE 5,6,7 & PMLE 5,6,7 - Yeah I Wanna Know, are NOT owned, nor operated by the PMLE Board. They are community pages, started by community members, for community members. They are NOT an official extension of board information, therefore, it's a place where members of the community can reach out to each other and ask for recommendations on services/vendors. They can sell or barter items, offer services or even ask for help. They can share social events that they think others may be interested in, etc.
      1. The Board DOES as a matter of convenience, post the links to the website for news, quarterly newsletters, meeting reminders and major updates when we remember to. We'd prefer not to have to post anything on Facebook, but we find that members seem to only be programmed to use Facebook as some sort of "news" agency, when in truth, it's not. It's social media with the focus on "social".
2. Mailbox Area: The board was alerted to the fact that our contractor’s machine used for clearing our mailbox area was down. He did shovel a small path for our members and our mail carrier. He’s working to get the machine up and running, or bring in another machine that can fit within the path between the 2 rows of mailboxes so that we don’t run into this issue again. His goal was to get that area cleaned up yesterday, if possible, with wider paths. He did state that he’d address it as soon as he had the machine available, but will work to keep a path shoveled in the interim.
3. Winter (General): As much as the board, or anyone would love to tell you that our roads will always be perfect, they won't. Six years ago, through winter, the same complaints and gripes existed then, that do today. There's always going to be disgruntled people for one reason or another. Human nature is that we’ll focus on the negative, never the positive. That being said, there are some things that need to be understood by all members of the community:
   1. The Contractor: He/She is not "called" in. The contract was written in a way that he's responsible to ensure our roads are passable, as best as he can during any event, so that emergency services and inbound/outbound traffic can navigate through the community. Once the event is over it's expected that he'll clean up, widen the roads, and treat the hills/curves/intersections accordingly. The contract is built in such a fashion to be autonomous, whereas, the contract is paid, if the contractor is performing his/her duties.
   2. Snow & Ice Committee: While we'd love to tell you that this has active participation, the bottom line is that it doesn't. Active participation is something going to the wayside in this community (this will be discussed in more detail below). That said, please know that there is no Snow & Ice Committee, at least with active participants.
   3. Expectations: If anyone is expecting to see no snow or ice on our backwoods roads, then expectations are being set too high. This is reality. Reality is that we don't have the PennDOT, NJDOT, NYDOT budget. We don't even have the Township budget, quite frankly. The goal is to have passable roads if caution and a speed prudent to the conditions are being used.
   4. Patience is a virtue: I know that most understand this statement, so quite frankly, have some patience. The contractor has been instructed that the snow route is a priority, as well as hills and curves. During any event, while ongoing, the contractor simply doesn’t have the manpower to ensure your road is completely devoid of snow or ice. The fact is that we have so many trees blocking out the sun, many roads don’t see sunlight to be able to warm up or melt. We have to learn to adapt. Therefore, please have some patience and drive a speed prudent to the road conditions.
   5. Complaints/Observations/Suggestion: Please DO alert the board to areas that may be trouble. The board members also have jobs and families and may not be aware of problem areas. However, please refrain from excessive complaints in the midst of a storm and when/if you do make a complaint, please do so through the proper channels, which also means that it will be addressed faster. If you post a complaint on Facebook, it may not be addressed, as board members do not go on Facebook or use Facebook to view/address complaints, therefore, it will most likely be missed.
4. Participation: This topic requires its own discussion. Participation in this small community is rather low. It's been on the decline for, at least, a decade. Participation at meetings is poor, where maybe 10 people show up, at most, at any given meeting. Reading the quarterly newsletters, being engaged, looking for opportunities to be a part of the solution, not the problem are things that seem to go by the wayside around here. In fact, some of the most vocal people are the least likely to be involved, but they sure are quick with criticism, sarcasm and finger pointing.
   1. Community Volunteers: The community always needs people to help out. Things like cleaning up garbage on the roadsides. Weeding/Raking out culvert/drainage ditches. Clearing trees/brush along the roads. Weeding/Mowing the mailbox area and the lake area. See, these things are always needed, and typically, the same small group of people actually handle them.
   2. Board Members: If you are unhappy with the way things are currently handled, we are happy to welcome additional, or new board members. As a board member you can be an agent of change. Something that the members don't realize is that the board, within the last 4 years, has cut a lot of costs to keep our dues from being raised. Prior to the last 3-4 years, the dues were being raised, on average, every 2 years. Whether it was a $5.00 or $10.00 increase is insignificant. What most people don't realize is that the dues were being raised to cover the costs of the one's not paying. While it was touted as inflation raises, the truth of the matter is that not every single neighbor pays his/her dues/share. In fact, I'd bet you'd be surprised to find out that some of the complainers are ultimately not paying members. It’s the nature of the beast. So, we’re on the subject of board participation, let's talk about what happens when we get none or board members get tired of having to deal with the constant drama.
      1. Board Members Resign: This should be a given, considering you know that new board members are not popping up. If board members resign, then who runs the HOA? Who ensures that your roads are being plowed? Who can you gripe to so that you can get your road fixed, plowed, sanded, salted, etc.? Where does that leave the members who are expecting someone else to handle it?
      2. HOA Management Company: The board has explored this as a possibility. The problem is that we're not "profitable". For an HoA Management company to take us on, we need to be able to pay the company what they feel managing us is worth. That means we either raise dues and then turn it over, or we manage ourselves, like it's been done for the last 20+ years.
      3. The above are just some of the problems that this HOA is facing with a lack of volunteers. There are people within this community who have served on this board (on and off) for the last 15-20+ years. Why did they do it? They loved their little slice of the Poconos. They took pride in the community to keep it running and keep it running without $1100.00 per year dues. That’s the same reason that we have 3 of out 6 board members held over for another year. In some cases, some of these board members have been in a Board seat for 5 years. They need their lives back, their privacy and their sanity. They need a break. Don’t they deserve that much?
         1. Board Positions needed and expectations:
            1. President: Handles or oversees the day to day within the community. As of today, the job of the President is to oversee PMLE's debt. This includes court presence for the judgment(s), negotiating the debt on behalf of the community, etc. His/her job also entails running of the Quarterly Meetings. Other duties may include, answering complaints/grievances, dealing with vendors, resale certificates, etc.
            2. Vice-President: The Vice-President handles all of the same duties as the President, in the President's absence. However, while the President is active his/her duties may include answering complaints/grievances, dealing with vendors, resale certificates, etc.
            3. Secretary: The Secretary's job is to attend all meetings and record notes/minutes from the meeting(s). This also entails letter writing to members, vendors, etc. May include other duties as prescribed by the President.
            4. Treasurer: This position is the most important position. The Treasurer is in charge of all community funds, including payout(s), deposits, balancing the books, taxes, creating our budget plan, checking PMLE's mail, etc. May also include other duties as prescribed by the President if needed.
            5. Member At Large: These positions typically handle any duties prescribed by the President. It mostly consists of resale certificates, answering communications (such as complaints, grievances, realtor inquiries) (written or phone), dealing with vendors, etc.
            6. Entire Board: In this day and age, the entire board has been trained/equipped to be able to handle anyone else's position in a time of need, sickness, emergency, etc. The only exception is the Treasurer duties, which remain with that board member to ensure accountability. However, the board can be structured to handle tasks as they all agree upon, ensuring that no one board member is expected to handle more than any other.
            7. For PMLE to function, per our by-laws, PMLE will require no less than 5 Board Members at any given time, up to a total of 15 Board Members. Board positions are for 3 year terms and requires a 1-year break in service before being re-elected to a board seat.
            8. Board Requirements:
               1. Computer/Software Usage. Most of the tasks we do are done on PC's and/or Mac's. This would require some familiarity with MS products such as Excel and Word, as well as PDF documents, Quickbooks, Email, etc.
               2. Must be a deeded member, meaning on the deed of the home/property.
               3. Must be at least 21 years of age and a member in good standing.
               4. Willing to donate time for Quarterly Meetings as well as time to handle PMLE tasks. Typically, it involves about 10 hours per month and meetings are held exclusively on Saturday's.

If any of us moved here with the hopes of getting NY/NJ quality roads, sidewalks and street lights, while paying cheap PA taxes, then I have to inform you that you did it wrong. Most members of this community moved into it because the taxes were cheap, the dues weren’t burdensome and it is quiet/peaceful.

Finally, the board asks that you all gain a perspective and learn some patience. The board exists because they are adamant about preserving PMLE's little slice of the Pocono's. They understand that this isn't a NY or NJ suburban neighborhood where we're installing sidewalks and streetlights. Each and every board member has their own social life, families, events and activities. They volunteer to be members because they want to do their part within this community. Therefore, respect them, their lives, their time, their privacy, etc. They don't do this because they are paid well, let alone even getting paid at all.