BTP Homeowners and Residents,
Monday – November 18th, 2024
Notes to the Community
Good morning, everyone. We’re moving into another week at Bell Tower Park. Beautiful weather, more and more returnees, and of course several issues to report on.
Tennis Court Renovation – As most of you that are here have seen, the project finally began on Wednesday, November 6th. The Sports Surfaces demolition team quickly tore down the fences, ripped up and removed the clay tennis courts and began other work. However, there was a discrepancy over permitting to do the job. Communications back and forth between Brandi and the Lee County Permitting Department have been ongoing since then. Sports Surfaces has claimed all along that there was not a need for a permit to do this portion of the project (the new Bocce court does require one as does the new fencing to be placed around the new Tennis/Pickle Ball and the Basketball court). However, other sources have claimed that a permit was required. Conducting a project like this one in Lee County without obtaining a required permit can result in a heavy fine for the customer (i.e. the BTP-POA) Brandi has spoken with at least four different members of the Lee Permitting group over the last two weeks. Their explanations and answers haven’t been constant. She’s been trying to clarify the issue, daily, since last Monday with a gentleman in the Department that is apparently responsible for signing off on these types of projects — but to no avail. She will be back at it again today.
Because of this confusion, we had them shut down the project on Thursday the 7th again due to these inconsistencies, hence the pile of dirt where the Tennis courts once were. The good news is that Sports Surfaces is scheduled to be back here on Thursday to resume work on the new Courts, contingent of course on clarification from Lee County Permitting. And another note — DO NOT approach the workers that will be doing this work, for any reason — under any circumstances. Please leave them alone. Should you have questions, comments or any concern – contact the office. This is a big disappointment to those that were looking forward to a new, fresh look at the Sports Complex, particularly our pickle ball enthusiasts. However, we’ll have to wait until sometime in the 1st quarter for the completion of the project.
November Board Meeting — The monthly POA Board Meeting will take place tomorrow night. The 2025 POA budget will be approved. Also, a presentation will be made by representatives from Edward Jones Financial as to how to better maximize the money in our Reserves. We will also be discussing: Our new Safety Committee/Parking initiatives, an update concerning our new BTP/POA owned web site, our gate issues. A neglected topic until this year – preserve maintenance. And other topics of interest. The meeting begins @ 6PM in the Annex, or it can be viewed on “zoom”, as indicated on the email that was forwarded from the office.
Community Pressure Washing and our Driveways – GreenEarth will be here around the 1st of December to begin this project, last word was that the work will first begin in the common areas of the Community. Several hundred owners have signed up and paid to have their driveways/walkways – and in some instances, Courtyards power-washed. Thanks to all of you that have come forward, and for those that haven’t, and think that having theirs done would be a good idea, please contact GreenEarth @ 954-777-6977 or 410-300- 5053. Again, we have until Thanksgiving to sign up and submit payment.
Another point about our Pools – We discussed several issues concerning our pools recently: no smoking, some rules and courtesies to follow, etc. One problem that wasn’t mentioned was the habit of some of owns/renters/visitors of keeping the gates open by placing an object (rock, stick, etc.) between the gates and the metal fence so that the gates won’t close, and others can gain entrance without a fob. (or to just let themselves in and out without one). Folks, this is a problem — A gate that’s left open after hours – either on purpose, or inadvertently – can allow entrance by people that shouldn’t be there. Should an incident occur while the pool is officially closed, the POA can be held liable, and could face a disastrous lawsuit. SO PLEASE, don’t leave the gates open at ANY time of the day!!! Overall, these are a few rules and suggestions to help make everyone’s use of our pools a pleasant one.
Sealant test – The sealant was applied last Wednesday, and traffic is back to normal. The Board will now monitor the performance of the sealant, as well as discuss the process with other companies that do these kinds of projects as well as communities that have used the process.
Our gates continue to be an issue – Envera as well as the two gate companies that we use are all involved. Brandi is in the process of straightening out the situation and all should be rectified this week. It’s a week and a half before Thanksgiving. We still have several projects that need to be completed before the year’s end. We will keep everyone abreast as to what’s going on as best we can over the next few weeks.
Thanks, and all the best,
Ron Mc Ewan
Board President – Property Owner’s Association