If anyone is interested in being part of the ARC, please email us at OUR NEW EMAIL: HOA@TheNewSalemLife.com
Dear New Salem Homeowners,
Thank you to those who attended our annual meeting on November 21st. Your ideas, suggestions, and concerns were invaluable. Although attendance was low (20%), a lot was covered, and it is clear that the members who attended hold a genuine appreciation for what happens around our community.
This meeting focused on transparency and sharing the analysis of all the data sets created throughout the year from historical information. Preparing for this meeting was time-consuming, but we strongly believe it provided answers to many of the questions heard at our last annual meeting. During the meeting, one member mentioned that the level of detail shared at this year's meeting had never been presented before, and we took that as a sign that we are continuing to move in the right direction.
As promised, the annual meeting materials and minutes have been posted below. If you were unable to attend, we strongly encourage you to read through them and reach out with any questions you may have. However, we kindly ask that you make every effort to attend next year’s meeting to ensure we can make the best use of the scheduled time. Addressing questions individually can be inefficient, and your participation at the meeting allows us to address matters more effectively with everyone present.
Thank you again for your continued support and involvement. We look forward to working together to make New Salem an even better community.
~ Carmen
The fence project has experienced a delay due to some lots not making timely payments. This caused a delay in the builder receiving the required payment for all the materials on schedule. However, after continued efforts by the board to collect most delinquencies, the builder is now ready to begin work. The gas lines have been marked, and the fence replacement has started. We’re excited to move forward and complete the project soon. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
~ Carmen
On behalf of the Board and personally, I’m excited to see all of you at our annual meeting next Thursday, November 21st. As someone who joined as a new homeowner in 2022 and then unexpectedly became Board President in 2023, I’ve had an incredible year of learning and discovering more about our community’s unique history and spirit. It’s clear there’s a deep appreciation here for what has been built, and it’s also evident that our community’s needs and expectations have evolved.
This meeting is all about transparency, shared vision, and charting our “North Star” together. We need your insights and feedback to keep our community a wonderful place to live, with rising home values (for the homes in the HOA), and a strong sense of belonging.
To make it easier for everyone to join us, we’ve arranged childcare, informal carpool options, and a raffle at the meeting, with a chance to win a full year of dues! Your input is invaluable, and we need your presence and feedback. If you know a neighbor who may need a ride and you have room, please reach out and offer—it’s important that as many of us as possible can be there. If anyone needs a ride, please let us know and we will arrange for it!
This meeting will cover important and impactful topics for our community’s future. While there won’t be any votes (except for Board elections), this is a key opportunity to discuss issues that we’ll soon vote on together.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
~ Carmen
The following letter was mailed out to each member:
Notice is hereby given that on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 6:00 P.M., New Salem Homeowners’ Association will hold its annual meeting at:
Rockvale Cumberland Presbyterian Church
8769 Rockvale Road Rockvale, TN 37153
We will discuss the budget in detail during the annual meeting. Given this was a special assessment year, and we have done well managing our expenses, fees will remain unchanged this year.
We will also be holding elections for the Board of Directors and the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). Nominations can be submitted via email before the meeting or in person during the meeting.
Please note that the upcoming meeting will not be streamed live on Facebook. As a self-managed association, our community's success relies on the active involvement and commitment of all members. We strongly encourage everyone to attend in person, as the annual meeting is a valuable opportunity to stay informed about the community and participate in important voting decisions. Your presence and contributions are vital to our collective success and our ability to operate as a self-managed association without the support of a management company.
To encourage attendance, this year we will have:
Free Childcare: Let your kids enjoy time with their peers while you engage in the meeting without any worries. It's a win-win for everyone!
Raffle for One Year of Dues: Attend the meeting in person and ensure your annual and fence payments are up to date for a chance to win one year of dues paid in full!
If you would like to add a topic to the agenda or have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact us at newsalemlife@aol.com.
We’re excited to announce that the fence build is set to begin in 6 weeks! While we had hoped to start in mid-October, we've encountered a few delays. The board has been busy reminding people about the payment deadline, and we've also faced some hold-ups with materials due to port strikes.
We appreciate your understanding and support. Timely payments really help keep things running smoothly, so thank you to everyone who sent their payment! We can’t wait to see the new fence take shape.
Dear Members,
We’re thrilled to kick off the planning for our upcoming Annual Meeting, aiming to make it the best one yet! To encourage and support your participation, we’re excited to offer a couple of fantastic incentives this year:
Free Childcare: Let your kids enjoy time with their peers while you engage in the meeting without any worries. It's a win-win for everyone!
Raffle for One Year of Dues: Attend the meeting in person and ensure your annual and fence payments are up to date for a chance to win one year of dues paid in full!
Don't miss out on these great perks—your involvement is key to our community's success!
We also need your input to ensure this meeting is a success. We understand it can be challenging to commit this early, but securing the venue, among other things, depends on your timely feedback.
Please note, you must be current with your annual and fence payments for your input to be considered.
Vote on the Date: Please take a moment to vote on the most convenient date for you. Your participation is crucial to ensure we select a date that works best for the majority.
Interested in a Board Position? Are you passionate about our community and looking to take on a leadership role? If so, please submit your name and join us in shaping the future of our community. We will hold the Board Members vote during the annual meeting, so this is your chance to make a difference!
Join a Committee: Consider joining one of our committees! We have openings in the following areas:
Architectural Review Committee (ARC): Help maintain the aesthetic integrity of our community.
Social Committee: Plan and organize events that bring us together and foster a sense of community.
Suggested Topics or Concerns: We want to hear from you! Do you have any topics or concerns you'd like to discuss at the meeting? Please share them with us so we can consider them for the agenda.
Your involvement and feedback are vital to the success of our community. Please provide your answers and input using the following form: 2024 Annual Meeting Survey
This survey will be closed on August 31 at 7pm. Note: After you submit your survey, you will receive a copy of your responses. You can also edit your survey responses until this date.
Thank you for your continued support and participation.
06/04/2024
Our new Middleton street sign has been installed. Please note that the wood is there just for support and will be removed once concrete has fully dried.
05/20/2024
We held a second special assessment meeting on December 12, 2023 to address the fence on Windrow. We successfully met the quorum requirements for voting and the vinyl fence was voted on by our community, reflecting a collective decision that it’s an important improvement for all of us
Subsequently, on April 30th, the Board held discussions with Powell Fence Company where we reviewed matters such as timelines, payment schedules, and logistical details. In line with these developments, on May 12th, letters were mailed to each homeowner containing payment details.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that fence construction is scheduled to commence in October 2024. The construction process is estimated to take approximately 1 to 2 weeks to complete, during which we appreciate your patience and cooperation.
Please remember, as a homeowner within the HOA, each member contributes to the maintenance and improvement of common areas and community assets, regardless of their specific location. These assets, whether the ponds, greenspace, gazebo or fence, benefit the entire neighborhood by:
1. Enhancing Property Values: Well-maintained common areas increase the overall appeal of the community, which can positively impact property values for all homeowners.
2. Providing Shared Amenities: The amenities and infrastructure maintained by the HOA are available for the use and enjoyment of all residents, and the fence at the entrance area, can serve as a symbol of community identity and pride.
3. Ensuring Equity: The HOA operates on the principle of shared responsibility. This means all homeowners contribute fairly to the upkeep and improvement of community assets, ensuring no single homeowner bears an undue burden. By contributing to projects like the new fence, we all help ensure that our neighborhood remains a desirable and well-maintained place to live.
The special assessment was carefully considered and approved according to our governing documents, which outline the collective responsibilities of all homeowners within the HOA. It ensures that necessary projects are funded equitably and that our community remains a desirable place to live.