Ashtabula Forfeited Land Sale – June 14th
The following information has been posted by the Ashtabula County Auditor’s Office. This sale includes properties in Roaming Shores. As this is a Forfeited Land Sale, all backed Dues and Assessments prior to this sale are no longer valid.
Current RRA Property Owners: If you win a bid on a Roaming Shores property during this sale, you will be charged for this lot as an extra lot. You will owe remaining Dues and Assessments from the time of closing to April 30, 2024.
Non current RRA Property Owners: As with all property within the Roaming Rock Shores Subdivision, you will be charged a one-time New Member Impact Fee of $1,000 to be assessed as soon as you take possession of the property. Dues and Assessments for this property will be charged at the same rate as all single-lot/no home property.
Please contact the RRA Office with any questions regarding Dues and Assessments at 440-563-3170. For questions regarding the Forfeited Land Sale, please contact the Ashtabula County Auditors office at 440-576-3783.
Click here for a map of properties
Click here for a list of properties
*Court Costs are subject to change. Starting bid will be the Total due/Starting Bid number. If unsold in first offering, properties will begin at $100. Properties are subject to removal prior to sale. Please email: TRFrable@Ashtabulacounty.us to be added to a notification list for future sales or for questions.
The properties listed have been foreclosed upon for delinquent taxes and have been offered for sale on two (2) occasions for the total amount of taxes, assessments, penalties and interest due. Having not been sold, the properties were forfeited to the State of Ohio by Court Order and remanded to the County Auditor for sale.
The auction will be held in the Ashtabula County Commissioner’s hearing room, sometimes referred to as the “Old Court
House,” located at:
25 West Jefferson Street
Jefferson, OH 44047
The following rules and policies are established to help facilitate the auction. Any interpretation, or issue not specifically covered by these rules, will be decided by the Auditor. In order to promote professional decorum, the Auditor anticipates all persons participating in, or present at, the auction will be courteous and considerate of others.
1. Attendance will be limited to seating capacity and is on a first-come basis. Seating will be reserved to registered bidders if our room becomes full. A picture ID with current residence is required to register. Once registered, bidders will be given a bid card and any other information needed.
2. Parcels withdrawn from the auction, for any reason, will be announced immediately prior to the day’s sale.
3. Only the registered bidder will be permitted to use the bid cards and make bids, meaning no sharing of bid cards.
4. Initially, each property will be auctioned with a starting offer at the lower of a) total delinquent taxes due, or b) current market value as determined by the County Auditor; plus, fees.
5. Any parcel not sold for the first offer will immediately be auctioned again “for $100 or the best price obtainable as determined by the Auditor,” plus fees. Any parcel not sold will be re-offered at a future forfeited land sale.
6. All sales are “As-Is” and “Buyer Beware.” Caution is advised. Many properties have characteristics which have prevented sales in the past. The County Auditor does not give any representation regarding possession, eviction, prior inspection, scheduled demolition, health code violation, or any other matter. The County Auditor will issue an “Auditor’s Deed.”
7. Forfeited Lands shall not be sold to any person that is delinquent on any real property taxes in the State of Ohio. Further, purchasers are prohibited from having a current ownership interest in the property being auctioned. An affidavit to that effect must be signed by the successful bidder. Further, any transfer of the property to a prior owner within the next 3 years will be referred to the County Prosecutor and may result in an immediate forfeiture of the property back to the State of Ohio.
8. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.
9. Fees are as follows:
a. Deed fee: $45.00
b. Transfer Fee: $0.50 per parcel
c. Envelope and postage: $0.63 per parcel
d. Recording Fee: $36.00 per deed of 2 pages, $8.00 for each additional page.
10. Payment in full – or — a minimum deposit of $250 must be paid upon end of auction. Upon payment of a deposit, the Auditor will issue a Certificate of Sale to the successful bidder.
11. Deposits and payments may be made by business or personal check with prior approval of the Auditor. Otherwise they must be in cash, bank money order, or certified check, and made payable to the “Ashtabula County Treasurer.” ALL DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
12. The Certificate of Sale, along with any balance that may be due, must be delivered to the Auditor by 3:30pm day of sale. Failure to pay the balance by 3:30pm day of sale will result in forfeiting any deposit, or payment, in full and the matter will be forwarded to the County Prosecutor for possible action. Bidding with the intent to delay the sale or hindering the Auditor from completing the sale may constitute the obstruction of official business. Persons suspected of this may be referred to the County Prosecutor as well.
13. Back-up bidder’s information will be taken at the time of the sale. If the successful bidder fails to pay any balance, the back-up bidder will be offered the option to step in as if the successful bidder (for the original winning bid amount).
14. The Auditor will then issue the Auditor’s Deed, have it recorded with the County Recorder, and have it delivered to the purchaser. The conveyance of the real estate by the Auditor shall extinguish all previous title and invest the purchaser with a new and perfect title that is free from all liens and encumbrances, except taxes and installments of special assessments and reassessments not due at the time of the sale, federal tax liens, and any easements and covenants running with the land. If there is a federal tax lien on the tract of land at the time of the sale, the United States is entitled to redeem the tract of land according to law.
15. The purchaser becomes the legal owner at the time the Auditor delivers the deed to the County Recorder. This will take a minimum of 60 days as the homeowner has 30 days right of redemption after the date of the sale.
16. The purchaser is not to set foot on the property until it has been recorded by the County Recorder’s office.
17. NOTE FOR ROAMING SHORES PARCELS: Parcels located in Roaming Shores are buying into the Homeowner’s Association that carries a $1,000 new member fee and future charges of membership dues and water/sewer fees.
2023 Summer Concert Series
Mark your calendars for this year’s scheduled concerts to be held at the Kathy Crandall Entertainment Pavilion at Beach 1.
Concerts are free for RRA Members and their guests only. Concert days are RRA Special Use days which means there will be no parties greater than 25 guests at Beach 1. Membership cards will be checked upon entry. Concerts are tentatively scheduled for 6:00pm to 9:30pm with food service beginning at 5:00pm. Enjoy from Beach 1 or by boat.
The Beach 1 area will be NO WAKE beginning at 5:00pm on concert nights as boaters will be anchoring for the concert. Boaters, there will be an area to park your watercraft marked by buoys near Beach 1. Please park within the buoyed area.
56th Annual Meeting Overview
The RomeRock Association held their Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the clubhouse with the following directors present, Scott Soble, Rory Marshall, Nadine Pope, Bob McClintock, Louise Lisac, Rick Brothers and Jeff Grosse.
President, Scott Soble called the meeting to order at 1p.m. and introduced the Board of Directors. Cheryl Fain gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Scott welcomed everyone and Nadine Pope read the Certification of Service of Notice of the Annual Meeting. Nadine followed with the Membership Report. There were 63 New Members in 2022, which included new homes, lot owners and sales of existing homes and lots to new owners. We have a total of 1,317 total Membership Units.
Bob McClintock reviewed the 2022 Treasurer’s Report and reviewed comparisons to the previous three years. It was noted that Annual Operating and Capital Expense took a significant jump from the previous year. This was due to additional employees and large projects and purchases in 2022.
Rick Brothers explained that because only two board members, Scott Soble and Louise Lisac filed for the two available seats on the Board of Directors, no election was necessary.
Scott Soble gave us the 2022 Association Overview. Completed projects were: A new pool heater was installed at pool #2. Bathrooms were refreshed at both beaches. New signs were purchased for the clubhouse, parks and lots being sold by the association. The tennis/pickleball court was resurfaced. The marina gate was replaced. Repairs were made to the barges used for dredging. A guardrail was installed on Rome Terrace. A new plow truck, a new, slightly used, dump truck for dredging and a used pickup truck for hauling equipment were purchased. A new dredging takeout point was added. AEDs were installed at the clubhouse and beach 2 and 3.9 miles of roads were chip sealed.
Jeff Grosse reported on some of the 2023 improvements. The dock at the Marina Boat Launch has been replaced. There is a new pump house at pool 1. Our barges are being sandblasted and painted. Our maintenance crew built a new push boat to aid with dredging. New concrete has been installed around the clubhouse. Swings have been purchased for both playgrounds. Floating docks are being installed at beach 2. The seawall at the island will be repaired. There are new signs at both pools and at the concession stand at beach 1. The clubhouse roof has been repaired and a new, more efficient computer system has been purchased for our office.
Jen Addair reported on the new HOA/Accounting software. It will greatly improve our efficiency and streamline many tasks that are now done individually. We are hoping to have most features up and running by fall of this year.
Rick Brothers reviewed information from several of our area clubs. The Polar Bear Club raises funds for our local schools at the Polar Bear Plunge and Rick reviewed their upcoming events. Contact President Mindy Fier at 330-507-4917 for detailed information. Both Men’s and Women’s golf leagues meet at Hemlock Springs Golf Course on Thursdays. Shores HoldEm meets at the clubhouse two Fridays a month. The PickleBall Club began their season on April 28th. Contact President Marie Kaufman at shorespickleball@gmail.com for more information. For information about the Roaming Shores Community Preparedness Club, contact President Cheryl Fain at RSCPClub@gmail.com. STARS Club, who raise funds for and sponsor our annual 4th of July fireworks can be reached by contacting President, Barb Buckley at 440-645-7365. Other clubs in the Shores are Friends and Neighbors, Marge Morris President, Fishing Club, Dave Emick, President and the Quilting Club, Jeanette Gage, President. The Village Volunteers also meet to help beautify Roaming Shores
Louise gave an overview of our Standing Committees. Rory spoke to us about the importance of Lake Safety. Know the rules and make sure you and your guests follow them. Be sure to take a Boater Safety Course and don’t let anyone use your watercraft if they haven’t been properly instructed. Please remember that you, as a property owner, are responsible for the actions of your guests. Rory also let us know that two members of our Roaming Shores Police Department recently received ODNR training to be certified to patrol our lake. So hopefully they will be looking out for our safety in the near future, along with the efforts of our own Lake Patrol. Please remember that these two caring groups of individuals only want to make sure everyone on our lake stays safe. They are not there to ruin anyone’s fun on the lake, just to be sure it’s an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Dave Ernes gave us an overview of what Lake Management had accomplished in 2022 and what they hope to accomplish in 2023. In 2022 a single algaecide treatment improved the clarity of our lake. Professionals were on the water to spot any problem areas. Tributaries were tested to determine nutrient inflow. Use of lasers continued to reduce the bacteria levels by deterring the geese. A fish study was completed letting us know that the fish in our lake are healthy.
In 2023 we will continue with algaecide treatments on the whole lake and dockside invasive weed control. We will also continue with the goose deterrence program and weekly testing at the beaches. We will continue increased surveillance of the lake by AquaDoc. Our weekly testing results over the past two years are greatly improved. Please be sure to check our website for all of the very informative information Dave posts there concerning the health of our lake.
Dave also stressed that members can also help by doing their part. Avoid fertilizers with phosphorous, keep grass clippings, leaves etc. out of the lake, create buffer zones and ask if you have a question by emailing Lake Management at romerocklmc@gmail.com.
Bob McClintock and Maintenance Manager Randy Ruebel gave a dredging update. Our maintenance team met with directors last fall to review what they thought were some of the issues slowing down our dredging. Many great ideas resulted from this meeting because those doing the actual dredging process know where the problems are. Randy is developing a three year dredging plan. A new takeout point has been added, as well as a new used dump truck has been purchased. Our maintenance department also built a second push boat over the winter. All of these things should greatly improve the efficiency of our dredging program.
Louise reminded us that we all have a vested interest in our lake and it is every members responsibility to help to take care of it. The Lake is the reason that we are here. Let’s all make sure it thrives.
Nadine reminded everyone of the Celebration of Life for Pat Sowry that was held Saturday evening. It was a beautiful, although sad event. So many people spoke so highly of Pat. She wasn’t just our employee. She was our friend and our neighbor. She will be greatly missed. A permanent memorial will be decided upon in the near future, to be located by the clubhouse.
Scott Soble thanked everyone for attending. The meeting concluded at 2:30 p.m.
Thank you to everyone who attended.
Nadine Pope, Secretary
Good job so far!
By Richard D. Gainar, CEBS – Lake Management Committee
The Canada Goose goslings began hatching out around May 1st. We did a pretty good job neutralizing the goose nests that were located earlier thanks to your support and reports we received from concerned residents. Now and through June is the time to be vigilant in watching for goslings and begin harassing them the day they show up.
According to Geoffery Westerfield of the ODNR, harassing the goslings is very important for limiting the number of resident geese on our lake during the rest of the year. Separating the goslings from their parents even for a short time is an effective form of harassment. Geoffery advises that whenever you can, try to separate goslings from the adult geese by stepping between them shooing the goslings away from the adults by waving your arms and making loud noises (do not make contact). “Don’t stop anywhere short of the geese leaving your property”, says Geoffery. Keep up the consistent and persistent harassment. Your goal is to send the message to the adult geese that your property is not a safe place to raise their young and to the goslings that Lake Roaming Rock can be a scary place.
June 1st is an important date. Geese will begin to molt (i.e. lose their flight feathers) around June 1st. If you don’t harass them off the property by that date, it becomes very difficult to remove them and you will likely be stuck with the geese till mid-July.
Geese excrement is a contributor to the E. coli levels in our lake. In addition, it provides excess nutrients that feed the algae and weeds. We love our geese, but a few less wouldn’t hurt either.
Thanks for being lake responsible!
2023 Village Cleanup Day May 6th
Mark your calendars for the 2023 Cleanup Day to be held Saturday, May 6th from 8am to Noon in the Clubhouse Parking Lot.
Cleanup Day is your opportunity to get rid of your “unusables”. This event is FREE to residents of Roaming Shores Village. There is no limit on loads, however, no commercial or landscaping vehicles will be permitted.
Unacceptable items include tires, refrigerator appliances, batteries, barrels or drums containing liquids, bullets or shells, commercial waste, dirt, rocks, bricks, tree stumps, combustible liquids, hazardous waste, toxic materials, paint cans, yard waste, food waste and gas cylinders.
Goodwill of Northeast Ohio and Northwest PA will be available during Cleanup Day to accept donations and provide tax-deductible receipts.
Please review their unacceptable items:
• Tube Televisions
• Large electronic items that do not work (i.e. copy machines) or any electronic items that do not work
• Any items with stains, tears, wet, moldy, pet hair or other damages
• Automobile tires
• Paint or chemicals of any kind
• Kerosene and gas heaters/appliances, propane tanks, oil lamps and lamp oil
• Weapons: firearms, ammunition, knives, BB guns, pellet guns, air guns/rifles, etc.
• Fireworks and sparklers of any kind
Project Helping Hand
In conjunction with the Community Clean Up Day scheduled for May 6, 2023 and to further serve the community of Roaming Shores we would like to announce the trial run of Project Helping Hand. On May 5, 2023, the Roaming Shores Police Department in partnership with the Roaming Shores Utility Department will be offering a helping hand to residents who are physically unable to move or transport miscellaneous and unusable items from their residence to the collection site located at the Clubhouse.
Those who are eligible and wish to take part in this program must contact the police department prior to April 31, 2023 indicating the items in which you would like to have removed. Upon contacting the police department, an officer will schedule a date and time to visit your residence to determine how much of and if the unusable items can be removed. Following the inspection of the items, the officer will then place your name and address on a list citing the items to be picked up on the 5th.
If participating in Project Helping Hand you MUST be present at your given address from 9 AM to 1 PM on May 5, 2023 for pick up purposes. If you are not at the given residence during this date and time the items will not be collected.
Unacceptable items are as follows: tires, refrigerator appliances, batteries, barrels or drums containing liquids, bullets or shells, commercial waste, dirt, rocks, bricks, tree stumps, combustible liquids, hazardous waste, toxic materials, paint cans, yard waste, food waste and gas cylinders.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Roaming Shores Police Department at (440) 563-3135 or by email at rspd@roamingshorespd.org
RRA Buoy Placement and Use Procedures
April 11, 2023
There has been a proliferation of buoy placement throughout the lake over the past few boating seasons. Over utilization of buoy marks can become unsightly and leads to additional navigational hazards on our small lake.
The RRA Board has provided the following guidance to the RRA maintenance department for the upcoming boating season:
- The primary purpose of a buoy marker is to designate restricted slow and no-wake areas such as coves and fingers. In most instances, a single buoy marker should be set at the entrance of a cove or finger to designate a no-wake area. The buoy should be located so as not to protrude into the main body of water beyond the land mass defining the cove or finger opening. Larger coves and fingers may require additional buoy marks at the mouth and further up stream as a reminder to maintain slow speeds (south end and Plum Creek).
- Buoy markers shall also be used to designate slow speed areas near the dam and no-boating areas around beaches 1 and 2. Buoys may also be set at the discretion of maintenance personnel for marking underwater hazards (logs, sunken object, etc.).
- Watercraft operating above no-wake speed are required stay at least 75’ from shore. It is not practical to utilize buoy markers throughout the lake to designate the 75’ requirement. Members are encouraged to swim in no-wake zones, beaches, pools or other designated swim areas.
- Maintenance management should consult with the Board for clarifications or exceptions to the above.
Members are reminded that the Village ordinances prohibit any floating apparatus or devices 20” from shore; additionally, the Covenants and Restrictions of the RomeRock Association do not allow for these devices without written approval.
Thank you for your cooperation,
RRA Board of Directors
Resident Canada Geese
By Richard D. Gainar, CEBS – Lake Management Committee
Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are a modern success story for wildlife management. In Ohio, there are several races that migrate through the state in the early spring and late fall, but the giant Canada goose is the race that commonly nests and breeds in Ohio. True to its name, the giant Canada goose is the largest of all the races; a full grown adult averages 11–13 pounds. These local geese are often referred to as “resident geese” and have limited to no migration patterns. These resident geese populations are mostly responsible for the conflicts and problems associated with geese today.
At one time, numbers of Canada geese were in decline. However, time and the actions of various wildlife agencies have brought their numbers in Ohio to well over 100,000 individuals. Unfortunately, this dramatic increase in population has resulted in some negative consequences including contributing to excess nutrients and bacteria in our lake which encourage nuisance weeds and harmful algae.
Did you ever wonder how the geese that are congregating on our beaches and in your backyard are affecting the ecology of our lake? Considering each goose can produce 1 to 2 pounds of droppings each day, and a giant Canada goose may poop 28 times a day, it doesn’t look good for homeowners – or our lake.
By April we have seen geese pair up to select nesting sites typically found near the lake within direct sight of the water. To limit geese production your Lake Management Committee notes these nest sites for a timely visit by ODNR-licensed individuals to addle the eggs. Addling is a humane process to prevent eggs from hatching while encouraging geese to continue incubating their eggs and not re-nesting. If eggs or nest are removed before the goose has satisfied the nesting instinct, it will simply build another nest and lay additional eggs. Association residents that discover goose nests on their properties or nearby recreational areas could report the sites by email or telephone to the RRA Office (it@roamingshores.org or 440-563-3170) to arrange for egg addling.
You will be hearing much more about geese conflict management and damage prevention strategies from your Lake Management Committee this summer including some techniques to help keep the resident geese moving along out of our area.
Love our lake and be lake responsible.
2023 Annual Meeting – April 29th
Saturday, April 29th will be the Annual Meeting of the RomeRock Association. This is the Association’s biggest meeting of the year. It will be held at the Clubhouse beginning at 1pm. The Annual Meeting is where the Treasurer’s report for fiscal year 2022 will be presented and the Directors will report on activities of the past year and plans for the upcoming year. Refreshments and pizza will be served at the Clubhouse following the meeting.
Please make an effort to attend as the growth and success of our association depends on the active participation of its members.
**Please note, the Office will be closed during the Annual Meeting and will not open until after the Meeting is adjourned.
Help Wanted: RRA Summer Positions
In anticipation of summer, the RRA is now accepting applications for its part-time summer positions.
Note: All applicants must be 18 or older (with the exception of concession stand). Please stop by the RRA Office during normal business hours (currently Tues. – Fri. 9am to 5pm) to pick up an application. $11 to $18/hr depending on job and experience.
Gate Guards:
Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day. Will include nights and weekends. Gate Guards supervise pools; check for valid membership cards; monitor restrooms, beaches, and grounds for vandalism or trash; check in party reservations, maintain radio contact with office to assist membership; watch pools for problems with chemicals, dirt, heat or mechanical operation; and monitor weather. They turn pool lights on and off, lock up both of the pools and restrooms at the end of the day. They also keep tally of visitors, keep written logs, and note any trouble or injuries.
(Rate: $11/hr starting)
Lake Patrol:
Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day. Will include nights and weekends. Candidates must be an experienced boater and have passed a State Approved General Boating Education Course. A clean driving record is also required. Training in first aid or experience in law enforcement is a plus.
(Rate: $15/hr starting)
Concession Stand:
This position is open to ages 16 and up. Perfect for High Schoolers. The Concession will operate on weekends from 12pm to 6pm Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
(Rate: $11/hr starting)
A somber message from the RRA staff
It is with a heavy heart that we inform the Roaming Shores community of the passing of longtime RomeRock Association employee, member, resident, and friend Pat Sowry.
Pat has been with the RRA since 1987!
Please keep Pat’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
Pat was the cornerstone of our organization. We ask the community to please be patient with the RRA office as we learn to operate without her presence and knowledge.
Thank you,
The RomeRock Association Staff
Jen, Wendy, Randy, Mark, Darren, Dave, Dan, and David
Celebration of Life
Please join us for a Celebration of Life in honor of Pat to be held at the Clubhouse on Saturday, April 29th at 6:00pm. This is the same day of the Annual Meeting. Please join us in celebrating the life, dedication, and memory of Pat Sowry. Light refreshments will be served.
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