Volunteer needed for Nominating Committee

The HOA's annual meeting notices and call for board nominees will be mailed out soon. I'm looking for a replacement volunteer for one of the Nominating Committee members. Committee duties include recruiting nominees if no one volunteers in response to the mailing, organizing the list of nominees for the ballot, and counting votes at the election. The time commitment is fairly short. If you can help with this, please e-mail Amanda at , subject line "OHOA Nominating Committee."

The board recently reviewed the plats containing HOA-owned areas and determined that several non-HOA owned areas were inadvertently being maintained. The first is a grass strip below 781-783 Oella Ave. It will be turned into a flower bed by volunteers. Mowing the grass strip along Mary Jo Way and trimming the bushes along Mary Jo Way will be discontinued. These areas are on private property. The county should be contacted if the vegetation grows into the roadway, since it is a county road. Anyone may contact the county at highways@baltimorecountymd.gov, 410-887-3560, or by filling out an online form here.

Keeping mosquitos at bay

This is prime mosquito season in Oella. Help keep the mosquito population down by removing any standing water from your yard. Mosquitos only need a few tablespoons of water to lay eggs. Drain those trash can lids, flower pot saucers, and buckets!

Foreclosure help for homeowners

A new wave of foreclosures is expected to hit the country. Here are some resources to help if you are facing foreclosure. The state offer FREE assistance.

www.mdhope.org

fhadirect.hud.gov/local/md/homeownership/foreclosure.cfm

www.msba.org/departments/commpubl/publications/brochures/foreclosure.htm

www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/foreclose.htm

Tentative Oella HOA Meeting Agenda - Monday, July 19th at 7pm

1. Call to Order – 7:00pm
   
   
2. May/June Meeting Minutes – Discuss/Revise/Approve
   
   
3. Treasurer’s Report
   
   
4. ARC Update
   
   
5. HOA Landscaping & Common Areas
   
   
6. Guidelines Committee update
   
   
7. Board Action Items from Management Report
   
   
8. Old Business
   
   
   1. Collections/Fine Policy
      
      
   2. Quote for 2nd opinion regarding limited assessment allocation
      
      
9. New Business
   
   
   1. Budget Discussion
      
      
10. Questions and comments from residents
    
    
11. Move to Adjourn

Ellicott City/Columbia area ranked as one of the top places to live by Money Magazine

We all know it's a great area. Read the article here.

Budget Discussion at July 19th Meeting

Due to the high cost of snow removal this year as well as recent legal guidance surrounding the use of the limited assessment, the HOA is facing a significant budget deficit for the 2010 year. This budget shortfall will be an important item of discussion at July 19th board meeting. This discussion will encompass analysis of the current budget situation including accounting of year-to-date expenditures, implications surrounding the possible reallocation of the limited assessment, as well as strategies for mitigating this deficit including the possibility of additional cuts and/or special assessments.

As always, board meetings are held the third Monday of the every month at 7pm in the Westchester Community Center and are open to all HOA members.

(A full agenda for the July meeting will be forthcoming, but we wanted to give sufficient notice on this important topic)

Nature series at Banneker Park

Beginning July 10, and continuing through late August, the Benjamin Banneker Historical Park & Museum will host its "Summer Saturdays Nature Series" at 300 Oella Ave. Activities include a campfire/night hike, a quilting workshop, and various arts and crafts revolving around the themes of ecology, recycling and the environment. Admission is free. For times and more information, call 410-887-1081.

First Fridays on Main Street-Starts July 2

From Historic Ellicott City:

Come Celebrate our new FIRST FRIDAY event in Historic Ellicott City.

Starting on July 2, 2010 we will begin a new tradition the first Friday of each month through December. Shops will be open late and there will be food bargains and great music. Each month there will be a theme and we will have activities to accompany the theme. Please tell your friends and neighbors and join us for a joyous first event on July 2nd. Please join Historic Ellicott city and celebrate the First Friday in July.

On July 2nd, we will have great music performed by local-legend guitarist Bill Hooper.

See You There!