TWPOA Newsletter
Editor: Anne Fernandez	Winter 2010

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President's Corner
by Mike Mann

I certainly hope everyone will have a blessed holiday and take advantage of the opportunity to be with friends and family. The early snowfall we had was an abrupt portends of the change in season, but it does raise a little hope that we will have a white Christmas, something that hasn’t happened in a very long time.  As I wrote that thought, it made me think our major community accomplishment this year, and one that has a similar timescale.    As a community we have finally finished the boat dock construction.  The configuration changes we implemented this year, coupled with the investment in new “lifetime” decking last year, have dramatically improved our most expensive community asset.  More importantly, for the first time in the history of the Association, we have enough fully useable boat slips to accommodate all of the members who are entitled to a slip.   

2009 will also be remembered as the year of the tragic airplane crash.  At our last meeting the Board spent some time discussing what we could do to help the community become better prepared to deal with medical emergencies. The truth is we are pretty isolated and the nearest hospital is 45-60 minutes away under the best of conditions.   Towards that end, Donna Bobbish and Bob Wilson agreed to form a committee to focus on community preparedness.  Their ultimate goal is to develop a guidebook specific to our situation.  In the interim, they will bring some emergency preparedness experts to our Board meetings to make recommendations and provide advice.  Towards that end, Lake Anna Rescue, who operates one of the two emergency response groups available to us, will  make a presentation and provide recommendations at the January 2010 Board meeting. I would encourage all members to attend.  

At that same meeting we intend to establish both the 2010 budget and set the dues.  One of the things we will include in this year’s budget are funds to conduct another “Reserve Study”.  We are required by Virginia law to conduct an assessment of our physical assets and financial reserves every five years.  As the last study was done in 2005, we must complete a new one by October of this coming year to ensure that we are setting aside enough funds to maintain our common property.  If you recall, we did our first study in 2005 and were faced with a significant problem funding the $9100 annual reserve contribution required by that study.  I believe we will be in much better position this year.  We made major adjustments to Board expenditure profiles and have been able to fully fund the reserves during each of the past four years.  In addition, we have completed every major maintenance effort identified in the study and our investments in the boat docks should extend the structure life which will enable a lower annual reserve contribution.  I am hopeful that the result will create the potential for future dues reductions.

It’s time to start thinking about electing new board members.  In the upcoming election we have two current directors whose terms will expire and an open position that was not filled during 2009.  The Board is only as good as the individual Board Members.  It is critically important that we have high quality candidates and that you understand their capabilities and interests so that you can have an informed vote.  The nomination process is wide open, and you can nominate any association member.   While you are thinking about the people you would like to represent you, I would encourage you to start thinking now about your personal willingness to become involved in the Board. These are important jobs and, as we have learned from the past, the Board can dramatically affect the community culture.  Don’t miss the chance to become more involved in the community.  If you have any questions, please get in touch with our Board Secretary, Dave Bolden at (703)978-4168 or email..
Looking forward, I'm hopeful 2010 will be a good year for all of us.  

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Treasurer's Report
by Jack Perrigo

As of October 5, 2009 the Association receipts were $30,311.48.  The dues are the largest line item and totaled $28,120.  There is still one lot that has not paid their dues, but I expect that to resolve in the near future.  Disbursements are $22,207.05.  The two largest expenses are the Boat Slip Reconfiguration ($7,540.58) and purchasing fence materials ($3,903.26).

The operating fund balance is $18,317.96 and the Capital/Reserve Fund balance is $61,976.  Total fund balance is $80,294.17.  The operating fund is used for ordinary expenses of the Association.  The reserve fund is required by law and is used for major repairs or replacement of Association assets.  The two largest assets are the docks and the pavilion. 

Next year we are required by law to conduct another reserve study.  At the last board meeting we discussed a low cost update by hiring contractors to provide replacement estimates for the docks and the pavilion.  However, the board decided to hire an engineering firm to perform a full reserve study. 

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ELECTIONS
by Dave Bolden

It is time to begin the process of electing members to the Association’s Board of Directors.  There are three positions that need to be filed this election year; each will be for three (3) year terms. The three year terms currently held by Mike Mann and Dave Bolden expire this year, 2010.  The special one year term vacant from last year will also expire this year, 2010. Nomination Forms will be mailed Friday, January 22, 2010. Nominations for the positions should be returned to the Association Secretary at the address shown no later than Friday, February 26, 2010.  No more than three names may be submitted as nominees for each lot owned.

David R. Bolden
Secretary, TWPOA
8618 Canterbury Drive
Annandale, Va. 22003

Association members in good standing, who receive at least three (3) nominations, will be listed on the ballot.  Incumbents are eligible to run for re-election if nominated and members may also nominate themselves. Ballots will be mailed on Thursday, March 4, 2010 to all members who have paid their dues by March 1, 2010.  Ballots must be returned to the Association Secretary no later than Friday, March 31, 2010.

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NOTICE: Boat Slip Auction January 10, 2010

Notice is hereby given that an auction of six vacant boat slips at the community marina will be held on  January 10, 2010, at Lake Anna Rescue Squad building, immediately following the scheduled Board of Directors meeting which begins at 1:00pm.     

Specifically, available for auction will be Category I slips numbered 13 and 35, which allow direct access to the slips from the lake, and Category II slips numbered 25,  27, 29, and 30 which are on the inside of the “U” formed by the two piers.  See the attached chart.  All should provide good access for most boats.

Property owners in good standing (all dues and fees paid and with no Covenant violations) who are already assigned boat slips in the marina are eligible to participate in the auctions.  Successful bidders will be assigned the new slips immediately upon payment.

The successful bidder for any boat slip will receive use of that slip so long as the present owner holds title to the property in Tara Woods.  Upon sale of the property, the boat slip will be auctioned.

The minimum bid for each of the Category I slips is $500; the minimum bid for the Category II slips is $300.  Successful bidders must remit payment to the Treasurer, TWPOA, within seven calendar days following the auction or the slip will be assigned to the second-highest bidder.

Any eligible member may designate a proxy to bid at the auction either by (1) sending the Boat Slip Management Committee a written or electronic mail notice of the identity of the designated proxy or (2) by signing a proxy designation that is presented at the beginning of the auction.  Proxy designations may be emailed or mailed to the Boat Slip Management Committee, TWPOA, 115 Scarlet O’Hara Court, Bumpass, VA 23024.

The auction will be conducted as a “live” auction, with bids taken until the Boat Slip Management Committee members determine that no other bids are forthcoming for an individual boat slip.  At that time, the auction of that boat slip will be final and the highest bidder will be obligated to pay the bid amount.

All members who intend to bid at the January 10, 2010  auction are asked to bring picture identification for presentation at the time of the auction. Questions may be directed to any member of the Boat Slip Management Committee by email:

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Calendar of Events

LARS is Lake Anna Rescue. It is located on Rt. 618 (Bumpass Rd.) Take Rt. 652 left out of the subdivision to Rt. 601. Turn right and go over the railroad tracks. Take an immediate right onto Bumpass Rd. (I believe it is Rt. 618) and go 1 or 2 miles to the Rescue building on the left, 300 Bumpass Rd. Bumpass, Va. 23024.

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