RomeRock Association – Page 79 – Property Owners Association of Roaming Shores

County Forfeiture Sale

Published June 30, 2016 | By admin

The Ashtabula County Auditor will be conducting a forfeited land sale on July 13th, 2016. This will be an auction of properties that had been delinquent in taxes, foreclosed on by the County, and forfeited to the State of Ohio. The auction will be conducted in the Commissioner’s meeting room. Registration begins at 8:30 am, auction at 9:30 am.

Following are links regarding the auction:
July 2016 Property List
July 2016 Auction Rules
County map of properties to be auctioned

If you have any questions please feel free to call the Auditor’s general line for real estate questions at 440-576-1437.

If you purchase a lot in Roaming Shores in the forfeiture sale, 2016 Dues and Assessments for the lot will be paid to the Association. Purchasers will be responsible for water and sewer available for use charges upon the filing date of the deed.

Please provide both the RRA and RSV with a copy of the deed to the property, once received.

Water Testing of Lake Roaming Rock

Published June 30, 2016 | By admin

By David Ernes – Lake Management Committee

We are definitely seeing signs that the winter has left us and we can begin to enjoy our lake for yet another fun-filled season of swimming, skiing and kayaking. This also marks the start of the Lake Management Committee’s (LMC’s) efforts to monitor the water quality to insure that it is safe for these activities. In past articles, we have discussed the issues related to algae blooms and the toxins that may sometimes be present. The LMC coordinates testing for these toxins to make sure that water at the two beaches is safe to enjoy. These two areas are where the greatest number of people swim at any one time. It should be noted that no result from the past three years has ever exceeded the guidelines set forth by the OhioEPA. We hope that this season will be the same. It should also be noted that many private lakes only test their beaches for bacteria, and not algal toxins. Should the levels of toxins or bacteria be exceeded, signs will be posted to warn of high levels.

This year we will be adding an additional type of testing. If you have used the many public beaches across the country, you may have encountered signs warning of bacteria contamination. This is based on testing for the presence of fecal coliforms, which are bacteria commonly found in the gut of most animals. Some, but not all, bacteria of this type can cause illness in humans. The LMC has decided to conduct testing for bacteria to insure that the levels are safe, again focusing on the two beaches. For bacteria, the results will be reported as “cfu/100 mL”. These units are strange and do not have any real correlation with concentration. For those geeks out there, the units represent “colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water”. A volume of 100 mL is roughly equivalent to a third of a cup. The current OhioEPA guideline for posting advisories for bacteria is 235 cfu/100 mL. This type of testing is routinely done for Ohio’s many public beaches. On the Ohio.gov web site, you can see the results from surrounding public beaches in their BeachGuard section.

If you see these signs, it will be your responsibility to decide if it is appropriate to swim in the water or to “take a day off” and use the pools. As with the toxins, those at the highest risk are the young and the “more mature” residents. In addition, since one potential source for bacteria is from run-off, the levels are often highest just after a significant rain event.

BE LAKE RESPONSIBLE

FIREWORKS: SATURDAY, JULY 2nd

Published June 22, 2016 | By admin

PLEASE ANCHOR YOUR BOATS AROUND THE BUOYS
(rather than down the lake)
FOR SAFETY & THE BEST VIEW
OF LOWER & SKY DRIVEN DISPLAYS
TRY TO BE IN PLACE BY 9:30/9:45

THE PROMOTION CLUB WISHES TO
THANK TO ALL OUR ROAMING SHORES FAMILIES
WHO SO GENEROUSLY DONATED
TO MAKE THIS GREAT EVENT HAPPEN

BOB & CAROL DELLY
PROMOTION CLUB
563-3203

^{RAIN DATE: SUNDAY, JULY 3rd}

How About IF…

Published June 15, 2016 | By admin

Boating Safety Committee
By: Bruce C. Bower

How about if we, as a community try to think once per hour, whilst driving your boat, about the other people who are in OUR community? What if while you are driving your boat, you merely turn around and look at your wake. Look at how your wake affects everything from where you are all the way to the shoreline. Take a quick glance at how moored boats are almost jumping out of the water from the wave you just created. Try to imagine your beloved possession getting slammed around at your dock by a wave such as you just created. Take a quick look behind you and see how that poor guy trying to fish in a small boat is hanging on for dear life because that wave you just created almost swamped him and his tackle. Take a quick look around you and watch how that massive wake you just created is slamming into the seawall of your neighbor’s place. Just think of your neighbor’s investment as the THREE foot wave you just created beats up his property. All it takes is a little bit of empathy for your neighbors, just try to be a little more considerate this season.

Now here comes my next plea. How about if the pilots of the wake board boats would turn down the volume on their stereo systems a couple of notches. We know you’re enjoying the music, but everyone else may not think as much of it as you do. The people you are towing should enjoy the ride almost as much, if the music isn’t quite so loud. And as a sidebar to that, there is a lake rule that states that stereo systems may not produce more than 60 decibels, as measured from 50 feet from the boat.

Let’s sum it up, how about if you go over the boating rules before you go out the next time. How about if you go over the boating rules and laws with your guests before you flip them the keys to your jet-ski. Remember the owner is responsible for all infractions and who knows what your insurance company thinks, if there is a problem. How about if you stay further from shore than you have been to give the shoreline a break. How about if you put the jet-ski away before sundown. How about using the proper lights after sundown. And finally, how about just using a little more common sense to make this season a safe season. Make sure and read my “From my deck” annual article next month, which lists the moronic things that I see on the weekend of the 4th. Hopefully I won’t have anything to report.

NO WAKE AFTER 8:00 PM ON FIREWORKS NIGHT!

Think Safety, Bower out!
Cell 216.906.2301

Garage Sale List 2016

Published June 14, 2016 | By admin

Updated: 6/17/16

The following addresses have informed us that they are participating in the Community Garage Sale this weekend:

West Side:
6 Callender Rd.
9 Roaming Rock Blvd.
254 Morgan Terrace
269 Morgan Terrace
272 Morgan Terrace
283 Morgan Terrace
299 Morgan Terrace
305 Morgan Terrace
344 Rome Terrace
355 Rome Terrace
403 Conneaut Terrace
428 Jefferson Point (Sat.)
483 Owl Point
490 Peacock Lane
494 Peacock Lane
510 Peacock Lane
526 Jay Point
557 Rome Rock Creek Rd.
Storage by the Shores – Rome Rock Creek Rd.
582 Thrush Dr.
600 Oriole Dr.
637 Oriole Dr.
735 Lark Court
829 Western Star
850 Rome Rock Creek Rd.
870 Evening Star
933 Long Shadow Lane
974 Long Shadow Lane.
1025 Lode Star Dr.
1082 Evening Star
1092 Evening Star (Sat.)

East Side:
1315 Morning Star Dr.
1321 Lake Vue Dr.
1359 Lake Vue Dr.
1418 Lake Vue Dr.
1432 Lake Vue Dr.
1437 Lake Vue Dr. (Fri.)
1460 Lake Vue Dr.
1461 Lake Vue Dr. (Sat.)
1550 Lake Crest Dr.
1565 Sugar Creek Dr.
1566 Sugar Creek Dr.
1588 Pierpont
1591 Soncere Dr.
1636 Sugar Creek Dr.
1684 Lake Crest
1782 Viscaya Circle
1852 Morning Star Dr.
1856 Morning Star Dr.
1933 Morning Star Dr.
1972 Calabria Lane
2026 South Plaze Dr.
2150 Deer Run
2153 Deer Run
2159 Morning Star Dr. (Sat.)
2292 Morning Point (Fri.)
2392 Plum Creek Dr.
2419 Plum Creek Dr. (Sat.)
2423 Plum Creek Dr.
2424 Plum Creek Dr.
2447 Plum Creek Dr. (Sat.)
2471 Plum Creek Lane (Fri.)

North Side (Roads off of Hayford Rd):
2501 Willowbrook Place
2508 Tupelo Dr (Sat.)
2525 Tupelo Dr.

The Lawsuit Referendum Ballot

Published June 10, 2016 | By admin

By the Board of Directors

The Settlement Agreement for the lawsuit, filed by Neighbors for a Better Roaming Shores. Inc, Barry O’Connell, Joseph W. Petraus and Pat Long against the RomeRock Association et al, required a Referendum Ballot over Bylaw Article 2. Section 16. This Article/Section essentially requires the Board of Directors to seek Member approval for borrowing or assessing over $500,000. A simple majority of Yes votes would remove this Bylaw.

The Ballots included in the count were to be received by June 7, 2016. Ballots received by this date were counted on June 9, 2016 by the respective party’s legal counsels. The results were then Certified by the respective legal counsels.

The results were 80 Yes votes and 426 No votes. This means that Article 2. Section 16 remains as a Bylaw.

The Board thanks all voting Members for exercising their right to vote.

Additional information about the Lawsuit will follow.

Reminder: Membership Cards

Published June 3, 2016 | By admin

Members: Remember to bring your Membership Cards with you each and every time you come to any Association Properties and Facilities. If you do not have your cards, you WILL be asked to leave and come back with them. This applies to anyone who has been issued a card (children, spouses, grandchildren, etc.).

Please, do not assume our Gate Guards “know you”. If you are a weekender, don’t forget to bring all of your cards with you when you head out to Roaming Shores.

Your Membership Card is for you and you only. Giving your Card to anyone who is not a Member in Good Standing or bringing them as your guest is not only unfair to those who pay their Dues & Assessments, it’s grounds for your card to be confiscated.

We have to be proactive because we want to protect the rights of the Membership.

President’s Comments May 2016 Board Meeting

Published May 30, 2016 | By admin

By Tom Sopko | RRA President

Summary of the Election for Directors
1. Election for 3 Directors to serve for 3 years.
2. Candidates
  1. Ed Baitt *
  2. John Lindemann *
  3. John Martin *
  4. Jack McMillin
3. * indicates winning the election
4. Thank you to all the candidates for running.
5. Congratulations to the winners.

Officer Elections for the 2016/2017 Association operating year, same as last year.
1. Tom Sopko – President
2. Jim Swartz – Vice President
3. John Martin – Treasurer
4. Dave Emick – Secretary

Is there or has there ever been a Dredging Fund?
1. The issue has come up several times recently.
2. There is no fund and never has been a Dredging Fund.
3. We could find no record of a Dredging Fund
  1. It may have been discussed by previous Boards, but was never implemented.
  2. The last major Assessment increase, $85, went into the General Fund.

Police on the Lake
1. The Village and Association reached agreement on providing police coverage on the Lake at varying times.

Summary of the Ohio Lakes Community Association Meeting sponsored by Hide-Away-Hills and Pine Lakes.
1. Summary provided separately.
2. This fall’s Ohio Lakes Community Association Meeting will be held here in the Clubhouse.

Hide-Away-Hills/Pine Lake Summary

Published May 29, 2016 | By admin

By Tom Sopko | RRA President

Hide Away Hills and Pine Lakes jointly sponsored the Spring 2016 Ohio Lakes Communities Association (OLCA) meeting held at Hide Away Hills. We did not see any of Pine Lakes. Jen Addair, one of our office employees, is a Board Member for OLCA. RRA Board attendees were Dave Emick, Jim Swartz and myself. Dan Mullins, our Association Manager attended.

Hide Away Hills (HAH) General Description
1. Extremely rural, heavily wooded.
2. Completely gated. 5 gates. One main gate, manned 24/7. Other gates operated by key fob like our lake boat ramp gate.
3. Lot sizes about an acre.
4. 710 Members
5. Roads are very narrow and rough. Chip and tar on bare ground.
  1. Many places too narrow for two cars to pass, no pull offs, courtesy required.
  2. Buses are not permitted.
  3. Speed limit, 19MPH. Lucky to get up to that speed.
  4. 37 miles of roads.
6. 40% occupancy, year around.
7. Average property sale price with a home on it before dam failure (dam failure discussed later) $178K in 2012 and $161K in 2013. After dam failure about $136K, average price in 2015. About 35 realtor sales per year from 2012 to 2015; private sales not tracked.
  1. Homes seemed very nice, well kept.
8. Mail received in central locations, little buildings, not at a mailbox at each house.
9. Off lake property with no home has little value, sometimes lots being given away.
10. About 200 homes on lake and 500 homes off lake.
11. Water supply is by individual well. Sewers by individual septic.

Hide-Away-Hills Lake
1. 110 acre
2. Clear water as described to us. From high up, it looked a little green. Close up it was clear enough to see a few feet down. No floating material.
3. Water shed includes no farmland, meaning no fertilizer runoff.
4. Lake Speed limit 30mph
5. Power boating not suggested on Lake in 2015. Not suggested for 2016. Lake down about 2.5 feet due to dam failure. Water needs to be down about 8 feet to make repairs.

Hide-Away Hills Dam Failure
1. Earthen dam slippage and failure noticed in November 2013
2. ODNR required a new dam to be built, or the Lake to be drained
3. Dam repair to cost about $2.5million, about $4000 per Member.
4. Member vote required, 66-2/3% must approve to assess this amount.
  1. Actual vote was 85% in favor of doing Dam Repairs and assessing each member $4000.

Revenue Sources
1. Bar & Brewery and Food Service in Clubhouse
  1. Bar & Brewery is profitable
  2. Food service is not profitable. However, pizza service is profitable.
2. Dues, $1910/year per member
3. Road Assessment, $200/year
4. Impact or Amenity Fee, $4200 per property transfer

Amenities and Volunteerism
1. Amenities are funded through Impact Fee. Fee is $4200 per property transfer. Allocation of this fee:
  1. 50% to amenities
  2. 40% to general fund
  3. 10% to other
2. Amenity fund about $100K, fluctuates based on money in and out.
3. Use of amenities was free to members
4. 24 Committees, examples
  1. Sound system in Club House.
  2. Airstrip
  3. Golf course, 9 hole
  4. Shooting range
  5. Long range planning
  6. Nominating
  7. Tennis
  8. Swimming pool (one pool)
  9. Chapel
  10. Organic gardening
  11. Amphitheater, outdoor entertainment
  12. Many more
5. Each committee must raise some of their own money, before being able to request money from the Amenity fund.
6. Board did not allocate Amenity money, but had the final vote on installing an amenity.

Pine Lakes (PL) General Description (Pine Lakes was the co-host, but we did not get to see any of their facilities)
1. 14 acre lake. This is not a typo, it is 14 acres.
  1. Electric motors only on lake
  2. 1 mi around lake
  3. 39 homeowners, all on lake
2. Founded in 1964
3. Major activities
  1. Golf cart poker run
  2. 4^th of July Fireworks

Pine Lake Revenue Sources
1. Dues
  1. $600 per lot with a house
  2. $120 per vacant lot
2. Selling Timber
  1. Last two years, $30K and $15K
3. Restaurant and Bar
4. Bingo cards. $36K revenue last year after all expenses were paid including property taxes on the building and property used for ticket sales, and employee wages. One person paid to operate Gambling.
5. Associate Members for swimming, $50/couple/year
6. Campground rental space, $840/year

Membership, three types
1. Members, owning property
2. Swim associate members
3. RV Campers at the campground.

Amenities
1. Playground
2. Swimming pool
3. Bar and grill

Summer Season Opens This Weekend

Published May 25, 2016 | By admin

This weekend, the Pools, Beaches, and Concession Stand open for the Season! The Pools and Beaches will be open from 10am – 10pm, 7 days a week beginning on Saturday, May 28th. The Concession Stand will be open from 12pm – 6pm, 7 days a week.

Remember to bring your Membership Cards with you each and every time to visit RRA facilities. If you do not have your card, you will be asked to leave.

Out of towners, make sure when you’re packing for the weekend that you bring your Membership Cards. If you are bringing your boat to get decals for the 2016 season, don’t forget your Title AND current state registration!