saw creek news

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDStroudsburg, PA

18360PERMIT NO. 322

5728 Decker RoadBUSHKILL, PA 18324

PUBLICATION OF SAW CREEK ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

F A L L 2 0 1 5

Collection Policy Resolution The Board of Directors of Saw Creek Estates Community Association, Inc.

Adopted _September 12, 2015

The following resolution has been adopted by the association pursuant to the Uniform Planned Community Act 68 Pa. C.S. 5314 & 5315 law, at a regular meeting of the board of directors.

Whereas the association is charged with certain responsibilities regarding the care, maintenance, and service of certain portions of the community, and

Whereas the association must have the financial ability to discharge its responsibilities, and

Whereas the board is required to collect assessments and other charges from owners, and

Whereas the board desires to adopt a uniform, non-discriminating, and systematic procedure to collect assessments and other charges of the association.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that SAW CREEK ESTATES COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, Inc. does hereby adopt the following procedures and policies for the collection of assessments and other charges of the association.

Due Dates. The annual assessment as determined by the Association and as allowed for in the declaration, articles of incorporation, and bylaws shall be due and payable in one (1) installment due on January 15th of each year. Assessments and other charges not paid to the association within 30 days of the due date shall be considered past due and delinquent.

Due Dates 6-Month Installment. The annual assessment as determined by the association may be paid in a 6-month installment plan and shall be due and payable on the 15th of each month beginning in January.

Due Dates 12-Month Installment.

Continued on 2

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

The 2016 preliminary Operating and Capital budget has been published and appears in this paper and we are now in the comment period. Over the last two months management, the finance committee along with other committees and Board members has vetted line items and capital plans for the coming year. As you are well aware, our community is a city and as such we deal with many items including waste removal, electric, water, insurance, public safety, road paving, stormwater management, snow removal as well as insuring all the amenities are kept in a pristine manner.

Over the last five years we have been able to keep increases to a minimum and two of the years there was no increase at all. This year we are projecting an increase of $100 to cover a number of operational and capital activities including a continued effort to pave roads, culvert work for stormwater management, upgrading amenities and a major overhaul of the Mill Pond facility.

According to our bylaws all members’ comments shall be submitted in writing to the Finance Committee. The remaining meetings open to comment are:

Saturday, Oct. 10th – Board meeting - 10 AM TOW-Mountain Room

Thursday, Oct. 22nd – Finance Committee Meeting – 7 PM TOW – Mountain Room

November, Nov. 14th – Board meeting – 10 AM TOW – Mountain Room

Clearly your management, board and finance committee realize the current economic environment and our need to maintain our community in a pristine way and yet control our expenses to the best of our ability. We believe this budget allows Saw Creek to continue to be the best community in the Poconos!

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ADMINISTRATION President’s Message 2 Dues Include Credit 3 Card Fees General Manager’s Report 4 Recreation Director’s 5 Report Attention Saw Creek 6 Landlords Do You Know Where Your 7 Assoc. Documents Are? Water Co. Warns Residents 7 There’s No “I” in Group... 8 Letters to the Editor 11 Treasurer’s Report 20 Classified Column 20

BUDGET Proposed 2016 14 Operating Budget 2016 Proposed 19 Capital Budget

COMMITTEE REPORTS Men’s Club 21 Beautification Committee 21 Women’s Club 21 Recreation Committee 22 Rules & Regulations 22 Building & Architectural 23 Annual Bylaw Committee 23

SCE NEWS Did You Know.... 24 Diversity Makes Our 24 Community Special! Guess Who’s Coming 25 To Dinner... Get Involved, Stay Informed, 25 Do Your Part What to Teach Kids 26 About Strangers DCNR to Resume Spraying 27 Woodlands

EVENTS Out & About Events 28 Happenings at the TOP 29

By Kathi Connell, President

Dear Homeowners,

It’s hard to believe that the end to our summer season is fast approaching. As we shift our priorities to back to school and preparing for winter, our focus also changes. Staff will be busy preparing our roads, facilities & ski hill for the winter; we have also been working diligently preparing our 2016 operating and capital budget.

SCE’s Board of Director’s, Committee’s, and Staff have been busy preparing the “PRELIMINARY” 2016 Budget. As of the writing my message, 2016 dues will be $1,579.00, a proposed $100.00 increase over 2015. The focus has been and continues to be on maintaining our existing infrastructures and the associated amenities. In 2015 there were many large capital projects completed with no increase of dues to our members. The first of many significant projects was to continue the maintenance & paving of our 42 miles of roads and storm water management work. During the past six years, the paving and road repair costs have exceeded $1,900,000 with additional anticipated expenses of $250,000 for 2016. The second large project completed was the renovation of the downstairs TOW bathrooms at an expense of $85,750. In addition to these two projects, the VIP Walking Trail and Beach was updated and completed at a cost of $35,000. Costing approximately $35,200, we have also begun the repairs of the Mill Pond Dam and ordered new street signs at a cost of $45,000.

For 2016 our large capital project currently in the planning stage is improvements to the Mill Pond Amenity. Other capital projects for 2016 will be ordering of new skis, snowboards & snow boots; replacement of TOW windows; new fitness equipment and a purchase of a new dump truck and plow! Another large expense to our community for 2016 will be for gypsy moth spraying. Forestry bureau experts identify the gypsy moth as one of the most destructive forest pests in Pennsylvania and the Department of Conservation and Natural resources is bracing for what could be a pitched suppression effort to combat remnants of a statewide gypsy moth population posed for spring outbreaks across the state. Pike County was one of the most hard-hit in the state this year from that ravenous leaf eater, the gypsy month caterpillar. And now that their eggs masses have been formed, awaiting their spring rebirth, the association wants to protect their trees and is looking ahead to the invasion of 2016.

Over the last five years our dues have increased by $73 with two years having no increase at all. With commitment from the Board of Directors to maintain Saw Creek as a five star community and keep our amenities and infrastructures well maintained in order to increase our property values. This requires ongoing investment! I am encouraged that management will work just as hard through 2016 to use your dollars wisely and continue to move Saw Creek forward. I want to thank the Finance Committee and all for a job well done! I feel the best way to ensure our community continues to grow and get

S A W C R E E K N E W S F A L L 2 0 1 5 P A G E 2

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SCE BOARD OF DIRECTORSPresident Kathi Connell [email protected] James Hidalgo [email protected] John Mathew [email protected] Joseph Salerno [email protected] Bob Palmer [email protected] Glenn Zagoren [email protected] Bob Shrekgast [email protected] James Hidalgo [email protected] Suzanne Mark [email protected] Eda Dalfol [email protected]

MANAGEMENT TEAMGeneral Manager Dave Martin [email protected] of Public Safety Jim Andrews [email protected] Supervisor Steven Hanna [email protected] Recreation Director George McCormick [email protected] of Human Resources and Administration Peggy Gottschau [email protected] Manager Dave Hanf [email protected] of Member Services Jessica VanDerVliet [email protected] Director of Finance Cathy Wargo [email protected]

COMMITTEES & CHAIRPERSONSAppeals Norda Calder [email protected] Phil Cozzi [email protected] Peter Derrenbacher [email protected] & Architectural Dave Stagg [email protected] Maria Doe [email protected] Information Committee Donna Dillon [email protected] Recreation Ida Mathew [email protected] & Regulations Roseanne Prasse [email protected] Robert Harter [email protected]

Disclaimer: The comments, statements or written opinions expressed in the Saw Creek News are the sole responsibility of the signed individual/author and/or committee and are not edited. All Letters to the Editor and paid political ads do not reflect the opinions or views of the Public Information Committee.

PUBLICATION OF THE SAW CREEK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. © 20115728 Decker Road • Bushkill, PA 18324 P: 570.588.9329 E: [email protected]

PUBLISHED BY NIKI JONES AGENCY, INC.39 Front Street Port Jervis, New York 12771P: 845.856.1266 E: [email protected]

The Saw Creek News is not responsible for typographical errors, mistakes or misprints. All advertising, including photographs are the property of Niki Jones Agency, Inc and not that of the advertiser. The advertiser has purchased rights of reproduction in the Saw Creek News and does not have the right to reproduce ads in any other place or publication without written permission from the publisher. The Saw Creek News reserves the rights to exercise its discretion in the selection of advertisements.

Do You Know That Your 2016 Dues Includes $30,000 Of Credit Card Processing Fees? Saw Creek pays a tremendous amount of money every year to credit card companies. Every time you make a purchase or pay your annual dues with a credit card, it costs the association large processing fees. If this trend continues, as the processing fees rise, so will your annual dues. We know that credit cards are like your right hand, but you can change that.

I think everyone would be surprised if they knew how much it costs us when you use your card. It costs up to approximately 2.5 percent of your purchase. And for $2016, the estimated annual fees to the association are estimated to be an annual cost of $30,000. Think how much richer Saw Creek would be if that money would stay here and were used to improve our amenities.

What is a credit processing fee? A credit card processing fee is charged by credit card companies to the association for processing credit card transactions. The rates charged vary depending upon the type of card. Accepting credit card payments has become prohibitively expensive for the associations because of the fees being charged by credit card companies. This expense is currently being paid by the members as included in your annual dues at an expense of approximately $12.50 per member.

How can you help? When paying your annual assessment, please pay by check; either using an on-line electronic check through your banking facility, writing a personal check or using a debit card processed as “cash”. These options will help eliminate the high processing credit card fees and help keep your dues lower.

There are only two ways to help the association completely avoid paying credit card fees: don’t use

a credit card, or pay your balance in full by writing a check! Thank you!

better is each of us needs to take personal responsibility for our families and our community. Take personal responsibility for your homes, your lots, your children, your pets, and care for the amenities and roadways that make Saw Creek what it is. I am working to ensure management and the Board of Directors does their part and I’m asking that each of you do your part.

A community of our size and diversity requires a substantial amount of money to maintain and improve our facilities. We encourage all members to review the 2016 SCE operating budget and the capital budget available online through the association website: www.sawcreek.org or can be picked up at Member Services. Last chance to submit comments of the Association’s Strategic Plan for the future of your community…….the Board of Directors recently published a DRAFT Strategic Plan to the Association Members for their review and comments. If you have not already done so, please pick up a copy of the DRAFT plan at Member Services or online at www.sawcreek.org and please send us your comments a [email protected]. Based on your input, the plan will become a working document to guide the Association. Recommended actions will ultimately be expanded and criteria to measure the accomplishment level of the goals will be developed. The Strategic Plan will chart the course for Saw Creek reflecting the needs, desire and aspirations of the Saw Creek Property Owners and guests so necessary to the future success of the association. We need your input……please submit all feedback and/or any questions to [email protected] or [email protected]. Saw Creek is an amazing community and needs to ensure that Saw Creek prospers and retains its reputation as the premier community in the Poconos! I would like to thank the Board of Directors, and all volunteers for all their time and effort they give to this community and last but not least to all our employees.

Sincerely, Kathi Connell, SCE Board President


ADMINISTRATIONGeneral Manager’s ReportBy David W. Martin

Word is on the street and on the internet and it’s spreading rapidly. What word, you might ask? It’s the word about our little secret - Saw Creek Estates is a fantastic and inviting place, full of recreational fun, entertainment and relaxation for everyone - members, residents and their guests!

The summer of 2015 was one of the busiest seasons on record. There were 2,000 more visits to our amenities in July of 2015 compared to the same month last year. In August, monthly amenity use topped 2014 numbers by more than 3,200! That’s a whole lot more recreational fun, entertainment and relaxation for sure. But as a result, we also experienced a lot more stress on staffing, cleaning, maintenance and most other community resources.

A major contributor to rising amenity use has been the increase in non-resident vacationers and guests. The Member Services staff processed more short-term rentals and guest amenity badges than at any time in recent memory. They have reported that the increased number of guests is often compounded by larger groups of vacationers and even, ready for this…guests of guests!

Why have we seen such increased interest in Saw Creek Estates? Is it a good thing or not? And what if anything, should we do about it? To answer the first question, I checked our internet and social media stats. Google Analytics reports that for the period June – August, there were more than 56,200 views of Saw Creek Estates on Google

and Google+ pages. Facebook Insights put our total reach at 7,677 during the July 4th weekend alone and the popularity of our Facebook pages continues to growing steadily. In addition to our online presence attracting visitors from far and wide, we’ve also seen increased online marketing of rental properties within the community and greater local notoriety thorough efforts like hosting Pocono 96.7 Radio’s Gary in the Morning Show, live from Top of the World.

Whether or not all of this is a good thing depends largely on your perspective. If you are a landlord who is receiving additional income or a vacationer looking for a resort-like getaway, close to home at bargain prices, you are probably thrilled with Saw Creek Estates. If however, you are a full-time resident who is used to enjoying a quiet, relaxing afternoon at one of our pools, you may find the trend to be barely tolerable at best. In any event, we all need to acknowledge what is happening, why it is happening and accept that the trend is very likely to continue. That being said, what then must we do to address both the positive and potentially negative consequences of Saw Creek’s growing popularity?

First, the Board of Directors acted with uncharacteristic aplomb (oh come on, I’m joking!) in addressing the increased rentals and “guests of guests” issues by adopting policy changes and increased fees for rental registration and guest badges. Despite modest fee increases,

the fees remain lower than at many comparable communities in the area. Although these changes were necessary and appropriate as an interim measure, they do little to address the true costs and inconvenience to our members. The next step is to begin leveraging our positive publicity by extolling the inherent value of owning a Saw Creek Estates property. By attracting new dues-paying members to the community, the cost to operate and maintain services and amenities is shared by a greater number of members.

Attracting new members will require that we start taking even greater control of our messaging. The internet and social media sites are largely self-regulated and as a result, we have little direct control over what goes into online reviews, rental advertisements, Facebook posts and the like. Fortunately, the vast majority of comments and reviews are overwhelmingly positive, but again, those comments are not specifically aimed at potential home buyers.

Saw Creek is no longer in a position where cutting expenses, increasing efficiency or reducing services will make a big difference year-over-year or allow us to continue operating with only modest dues increases. Most if not all of the fat has already been trimmed and the efficiencies implemented. Those areas left for improvement on the expense side of the balance sheet include only small, incremental adjustments that will do little or nothing to prevent future dues increases.

Going forward, the best way to ensure that we continue meeting the needs of our members is to grow our revenue stream. That means focusing our attention on promoting Saw Creek Estates in a way that attracts new dues-paying members to the community and searching for new sources of supplemental, non-assessment income. We need to modify our thinking and our approach to budgeting and planning by putting more thought into revenue, without neglecting expense control. Assessments are the revenue engine which drives the community and we need to keep that engine running at peak performance. It’s time for a tune up.


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Recreation Director’s ReportBy George McCormick, Recreation Director

It is hard to believe that the summer is already over. Now that the new school year has started and as the leaves start to change colors, it is a prime time for the Recreation department to review what went well and what needs improvement from the season that just ended.

In this review process, there are three aspects we will look at. First, how were the amenities this summer? Well as expected (and sometimes not appreciated enough), the Saw Creek Maintenance department did a superb job keeping everything running with as little interruption as possible. Yes, the hot tubs acted up once in a while, but Maintenance got right on top of it and had them running back at optimal conditions rather quickly. As we can still see in September, the outdoor pools look nearly as pristine as they did when they opened in June. The rotating pool schedule approved by the Board in 2014 shows that it has worked in helping to minimize the effects of heavy usage. And there was plenty of usage this summer, more than 2,000 additional people visited the Top of the World outdoor pool this year compared to the same time last year. The other sites experienced higher volumes this year than last year, too. Again, Maintenance was a big part in helping to keep these pools so clean. Our other amenities were kept in good operating conditions through this busy time of the year, as well. We had few issues in the Fitness Center, the equipment was up and running through the whole season; and once again, when an issue arose, it was addressed quickly.

While most of the amenities were taken care of very well, there were some others that could use a little extra care. Our two playgrounds were in good shape, although we realized over the summer that some extra attention was needed to make sure

that all trash/debris was removed daily, the wood chips needed to be spread out evenly after rainfalls and equipment needed to be double checked more frequently to make sure the play pieces were safe to use. As these needs became apparent, the Recreation department made sure to have the staff inspect these areas twice daily to ensure these conditions were maintained. Another issue that has been ongoing through the summer is the apparent shortage of lounge chairs at the Top of the World. An order with our vendor was placed in early May, but due to some manufacturing delays, our order was not fulfilled until nearly three months late. Needless to say, the Recreation department rearranged our inventory from other pool areas to accommodate the need at the TOW. This situation provided just enough seating at each of the pools. With the late arrival of our order, we will add the shipment to our inventory and review our needs for next summer before the chairs are put away for the winter.

Another aspect in the review process is following through with the motions from the Board of Directors that apply to the Recreation Department and noting their effectiveness. Through the Summer 2015, there were only two “new” directives. One, maintaining the previously adopted rotating pool schedule from 2014; and as noted early, this operating policy was very effective in maintaining the pools in peak conditions. Two, requiring all amenity

badges and guest wristbands be shown and worn at all amenities. For Summer 2015, this initiative was to be implemented with an informational approach and enforcement. As witnessed by many, most members and their guests complied with this policy immediately. As we look to 2016, this policy will be more strictly enforced.

The third aspect in the Summer review process is evaluating our program schedule. Throughout the summer, Recreation hosted more than a dozen events from holiday pool parties, movie nights, tennis tournaments and more. All of these events received positive feedback. Although some could use a little polish and improvement to make them even better. Our big events, such as Community Day and the holiday parties were the most popular, as expected with the high volume of visitors. The summer camp will have a few changes made for next year to help improve the program. The success of these programs often hinges not solely on the Recreation Department and staff, but relies on contributions and volunteer efforts from the Recreation Committee, the Men’s Club, other departments and involved-community members. Thank you all for helping us to have a good summer this year. See you at the ski hill soon.

You can reach me at [email protected] or by phone, (570) 588-9329, ext. 2218.


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There have been some changes to Saw Creek Estates Community Association policies that affect you if you choose to rent your Saw Creek home. Despite direct-mail notices to all known landlords as well as articles appearing in these pages and our monthly bulletin, some landlords have commented that they were not made aware of these changes so let’s recap….

Changes in the Community Rental Policy: In March we mailed letters and polices to all members that the Association knew were renting out their properties. If you didn’t receive a letter, chances are you either haven’t rented your property in a while or have had the same long term renter for several years. The management team is continuing its effort to contact all members who rent their property to properly communicate these changes. If the Member Services Office became aware of a rental that was not registered they mailed warning letters and explained the new policy to the members and gave an ample amount of time to comply. If you are renting your property here is the bottom line:

All rentAl properties:

• On or about September 15th of each year, rental property accounts will be charged an annual fee of $150.00.

long term rentAls:

• A current valid lease must be on file with the Association for any rental of 30 days or more, including all renewals.

• The lease must contain the following language; “Lessee has received a copy of the Rules and Regulations of Saw Creek Estates Community Association, Inc. and agrees to be fully bound by them. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary included in this Lease Agreement, any violation of such Rules and Regulations by a Lessee, tenant or guest(s) thereof, shall constitute a default under the terms of this Lease Agreement and shall be sufficient grounds to permit eviction of the Lessee by the Lessor. The Lessee agrees to the Crime Free/ Drug Free Lease Addendum included with the Lease Agreement provided by the Lessor”.

ATTENTION: SAW CREEK LANDLORDS Recent Policy Changes Are Now In Effect

• Member Services can provide you and your tenant with a copy of a Crime Free/Drug Free Lease Addendum which must be signed by both parties to ensure your renter is properly registered.

• Tenants need to appear at the Member Services Office to register as tenants, obtain gate cards and provide information on vehicles, occupants, etc. Gate cards will be limited to the length of the lease so if a valid lease is not on file the gate card will be temporarily deactivated.

• Landlords with long-term tenants should release their amenity badges to the tenants. Additional badges will not be issued to the tenant.

short term rentAls:

• A Renter/Tenant Registration form must be on file prior to the renters arriving in the community. This form must be completed by the landlord or an authorized agent. Only the landlord/agent may authorize the number of guest badges which may be purchased by short-term tenants, subject to any price and quantity limitations that may be in effect at the time of purchase.

• Landlords must register all tenants online using the Gate Manager visitor registration feature on our website.

• There is a $25 charge will be applied to rental property accounts for each and every short-term rental transaction.

• A copy of your PA Hotel Occupancy Tax or state sales tax certificate must be on file with the Association.

The rental policy changes have been carefully reviewed by management, the Board of Directors and the Association’s attorney. The current policy is comparable to what other numerous other communities require of owners who wish to rent. The changes were necessary for a number of reasons. Saw Creek has experienced a significant increase in weekend and short-term guests as a result of rentals. Many landlords advertise their properties and the community as a resort

on popular websites (e.g. Homeaway.com, AirBnB.com, and VRBO.com). As a result, the Association has recorded increased amenity usage – as much as 3,200 more amenity visits per month. This requires added labor and costs to staff and maintain community services and amenities. For example when rental properties are occupied most weekends for the entire summer, often to groups of up to 15 people or more, here is what can and often does happen.

More garbage in the compactors, increasing fees for waste removal.

Compactors overflowing or becoming inoperable require increased Maintenance staff time and effort.

More traffic at the gates, longer wait times for members and residents that live here.

More staff at the pools to provide extra coverage for the safety of a greater number of guests.

Guests exceed the amount of pool furniture available, requiring additional purchases to meet demand.

More staff hours and longer wait times at Member Services to process guest badges, directions, inquiries, etc.

More house parties, loud music, fireworks, traffic violations which Public Safety must respond to.

Increased wear and tear on virtually everything, requiring more cleaning, maintenance and replacement costs.

Landlords in good standing pay the same amount of dues and are entitled to the same privileges as all other members in good standing, but there are limits so everyone can enjoy the same privileges. Rentals should not place an added burden on Association funds and resources which is proportionately greater than that of other members. When rental properties place a clear and disproportionate burden on community resources, the Association is justified in raising fees or placing certain limits on rentals in order to offset the added burden. Raising the costs for rental transactions from $10 to $25/per rental is not unreasonable. Neither is raising the guest badge fees from $5/week to $5/day to offset some of the additional burden. These costs can and should be passed on to those who choose to rent, whether that means the landlords or their tenants. What’s not reasonable is to tell someone there are no lounge chairs at the pool or to take their garbage home because the compactor is full or we need to spend more on cleaning, maintenance and repairs while those who rent are receiving a disproportionate return on their investment in a Saw Creek property.

The bottom line is that the Association is trying to protect the equitable interests of all members and the Association.


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SAW CREEK LAUNChES NEW WEBSITE!Getting information about Saw Creek just got

easier! We’ve put your association online to

provide you with a wealth of online services.

With just a few mouse clicks, you can:

• Access community documents such as

Board meeting minutes, CCRs and more in

the Resource Center

• Submit online forms to the appropriate

person using the Management Office

• Get the latest community News and

Announcements

• Register Guests

• Check the Special Events and Committee

Meeting Calendar for upcoming events and

meetings

• Update your information in the Resident

Directory

• Peruse the Photo Gallery to view photos

from the last community event or to check

the status of community renovations

• And so much more!

In addition, we are hoping in the future to offer

online payment, member surveys, and voting all

through our website.

Setting up a Sign In name and Password is easy

and will allow you access to secured areas

of the site. Please note, any information you

enter will be considered private. To set up your

account, follow these easy steps:

Go to www.sawcreek.orgClick on “New Resident? Sign Up Here” under

Resident Services menu.

Complete the required fields:

First Name, Last Name

Street Address, City, State, Zip Code

Now choose your own Sign In Name

and Password

Enter your preferred contact email address

Click on Agree to the Terms of Service

It’s that easy! Enjoy your new website!

Do You Know Where Your Association Documents Are?When you bought a home in our community, you should have received copies of all our governing documents—including the rules and regulations—prior to or at closing. Sometimes these documents get lost among all the other papers you received at closing. And many homebuyers are so involved moving into their new homes, they don’t take the time to read all the fine print.

As a homeowner, you have a right to these documents; so, if you don’t have copies for any reason, let us know, and we’ll provide them to you. Of course, it’s your responsibility to provide the association with your current address and phone number (particularly nonresident owners). This enables us to meet our obligation to provide all owners with information from the association.

It’s very important to have copies of the governing documents because you’ll be expected to know and comply with all rules and regulations of the community. You’ll also want to stay informed by reading all materials provided by the association. It’s our responsibility to make these documents—the bylaws and the covenants, conditions, and restrictions—as understandable as possible, so if there’s anything you don’t understand, please let us know. We’ll be glad to clarify any confusing language or give you other materials that answer your questions. Please feel free to contact [email protected] for any questions you may have regarding these documents. That old expression—ignorance of the law is no excuse—isn’t exactly our motto, but it’s close.

Pennsylvania American Water Company Warns Our Residents! The Pennsylvania American Water Company would like remind all residents about winterizing their water lines this winter season. Many part time residents turn off their electricity service in order to save money but forget to turn off the water for the house. Often, this leads to frozen pipes and ruptured water lines, which can be very costly to the residents. The water company is encouraging all residents to weather proof all pipes, wrapping pipes with heat tape often eliminates these risks. For more tips please contact the water company at 1-800-565-7292.


hOMEOWNERS REqUIREd TO REGISTER GUESTS VIA ThE WEBSITEA number of years ago we had a program

developed that converted our guest

registration from the old TOPS software to

the new Gate Manager software. There were

many reasons for the change but one important

one was that homeowners could register their

guests via the Saw Creek Website instead of

calling the Dispatcher at Public Safety. We do

not have someone dedicated to taking these

registrations. The same person who fields calls

for Public Safety assistance and dispatches

Public Safety Officers and coordinates multi-

agency response to serious situations is

handling the large call volume created by

guest registrations. A number of residents

have already begun to take advantage of the

system and have seen how easy it is to “Do it

Yourself”. In an attempt to free the Dispatcher

to handle Public Safety matters and to cut

down on the number of guest registrations

that may fall through the cracks during a

high call volume period we will be requiring

homeowners register their own guests,

deliveries, contractors, etc. via Gate Manager

If you do not have access to the internet or

do not own a computer you may still call

Dispatch to accomplish your registrations.

Otherwise when you call in you will be advised

that we will take your registration on that call

but future registrations must be done via the

website. Registering your own guest is simple.

Just sign into our website at www.sawcreek.org.

Under the Resident Services tab you will find

a menu item that says Guest Registration. This

will take you to the link to register your guest.

Simply follow the on line instructions, click save

when done and your registration is now in the

system. This can take less time than a phone

call to Public Safety and most importantly

allows the Dispatcher to more efficiently

handle Public Safety calls. If you should have any

questions about how to sign up for the website

or complete a guest registration you may call

the Member Services Office for assistance.

**Please note, you must register with both the

website and Gate Manager in order to register

your guests.

In the Saw Creek Community, there are many people who want to come together for various reasons. More often than not, they share the same interests or hobbies, or they want to address a particular community issue or concern.

WhY Form A CommUnitY groUp or ClUB?

It’s an excellent way to interact with new people, enjoy activities, learn new skills and become directly involved with the community. Now remember, groups and or clubs are not just limited to just fun and games; they can also enable people to share information and help each other to solve issues, stimulates debate and discussion in order to provoke community action, bring together a variety of people with different skills, ideas and resources to address particular issues, and can help a community to access funds to improve the local area.

Saw Creek currently has 10 committees and 4 (known) groups. The types of groups/clubs where you might find people who share some of the same interests are endless: cooking, fishing, hunting, driving, running/jogging, exercising, weight lifting, knitting/sewing/crocheting, scrapbooking, photography, skiing, swimming…. How about a pet group, an antique car lovers group, sculpting or a yard sale / bargain hunters club? Ideas can range to the more intricate of food and financial fundraising for the needy or sick children, disabled vets, or the homeless. Bottom line the options and possibilities are endless!

Saw Creek Community groups/clubs are fundamental to creating sustainable communities. People coming together to form a group help improve a community and the social environments within it. Groups/clubs are meant to alleviate exclusion, and increases the amount of people directly involved in their community – all essential ingredients for any community striving to be sustainable.

There’s No “I” in Group or ClubBelinda Basnight – Communications

PLEASE PAY ThE ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS BY ChECK IF YOU CAN!Credit card fees are an expense in the budget and we have budgeted $30,000 in credit card processing fees for 2016. It has already cost Saw Creek $23,000 so far in 2015.


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http://www.sawcreek.org

S A W C R E E K N E W S F A L L 2 0 1 5 P A G E 1 0

http://www.alltechmech.com

LETTERSLetters to the editor

LETTERS TO ThE EdITOR PROTOCOL

Do you have questions about our

community? Concerns? Looking for

advice? Can you share insights or

solutions to some issues that affect you

and/or your neighbors?

All SCE residents in good standing may

write a “Letter to the Editor.” Letters of

300 words or less, in MS Word format must

include name, lot and section number. The

lot and section number will be used for

verification of member status only and will

not be printed.

The Public Information Committee makes

every effort to see that facts are printed as

available space permits. Your letter may be

directed to: Saw Creek Public Information

Committee at 5728 Decker Road, Bushkill

PA 18324 or emailed to [email protected]

DeADline: Last date for submission of

letters for the next issue of the Saw Creek

News is November 30th.

To The Editor:

I want to thank all the members who voted for me in this last election. I appreciate all that you have done.

I am not going anywhere and I will continue to voice my concerns for this community’s future and financial positions.

I am currently on the BOD now with the passing of Michael Campea whose place I am filling.

The Finance Committee is in the process for the 2016 Budget

The next Finance meeting are as follows held at the Mountain Room

The remaining dates are as follows:

• OCT.1st to NOV.st PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

• Nov. 14th Joint meeting of FINANCE and the BOARD to Finalize 2016 Budget and annual assessments

Do not hesitate to email me with you concerns and or comments.

Thank you again. Eda Dalfol

To The Editor:

I’m very pleased to have been elected to a 3rd Term on the Saw Creek Board.

To the Community, I welcome the opportunity to continue to serve all of you.

To all who took the time to “vote” in the Election, thanks for doing so!

To the new Board, I look forward to working together with you.

To the Directors joining the Board, welcome!

To the Directors leaving the Board, thanks for your service and good fortune in your future endeavors.

To the Candidates that were not elected, please stay involved with the Community.

To the Nominating Committee, you did a great job.

To my friends and supporters, thank you all.

To my wife, I’m grateful for your ongoing understanding and support.

Robert Palmer


The annual assessment as determined by the Association may be paid in a 12-month installment plan and shall be due and payable on the 15th of each month beginning in January.

Invoices. The Association may, but shall not be required to, invoice an owner for any assessments or other charges of the Association. If the Association provides an owner with an invoice for annual assessments or other charges, although invoices are not required, it would be preferable for the invoice to be mailed or sent to the owner no later than fifteen days (15) days before the due date. Non-receipt of an invoice shall in no way relieve the owner of the obligation to pay the amount due by the due date.

Late Fee. Assessments shall be past due and delinquent if not paid as specified above. The association shall impose a one-time late fee of 10%. The late fee shall be a “common expense” for each owner who fails to pay an installment of the annual assessment by the due date as specified above. All late fees shall be due and payable immediately, without notice.

Interest. The association shall impose interest of 15 % per annum on any unpaid balance. The interest shall be a “common expense” for each owner who fails to pay an installment of the annual assessment by the due date as specified above. All interest shall be due and payable immediately, without notice.

Acceleration of Assessments. If an owner defaults in paying any assessments, installments and/or other charges for thirty (30) days beyond the due date, the association, at its option, may accelerate the remainder of the annual assessment installments and declare them immediately due and payable in full.

Return Check Charges. In addition to any and all charges imposed by the Association or pursuant to this resolution, a minimum fee of $25.00

shall be assessed against an owner in the event any check or other instrument attributable to or payable for the benefit of such owner is not honored by the bank or is returned by the bank for any reason whatsoever, including but not limited to insufficient funds. This returned check charge shall be a “common expense” for each owner who tenders payment by check or other instrument that is not honored by the bank upon which it is drawn. Such return check charge shall be due and payable immediately, upon demand. Notwithstanding this provision, the association shall be entitled to all additional remedies as may be provided by applicable law.

If two or more of a unit owner’s checks are returned unpaid by the bank within any (fiscal) year, the Association may require that all of the unit owner’s future payments, for a period of one year, be made by certified check or money order.

Attorney’s Fees on Delinquent Accounts. As an additional expense, the Association shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorney’s fees and collection costs incurred in the collection of assessments or other charges due the Association from a delinquent owner. The reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the Association shall be due and payable immediately when incurred.

Application of Payments Made to the Association. Payments received from an owner will be credited in the following order: Payments shall be applied to the oldest year(s) then owed.

1. All interest accrued and late fees, as applicable.

2. Charges for legal fees, court costs, and other costs of collection.

3. The annual assessment for a unit, including any accelerated or special assessment due, as applicable.

4. All other charges incurred by the association as

a result of any violation by an owner, his/her family, employees, agents or licensees, of the declaration, articles of incorporation, bylaws, rules and regulations, or resolutions.

Collection Letters. After an assessment installment or other charge due the Association becomes thirty (30) days past due, the Association may, but shall not be required to, send a delinquent notice to the unit owner If an account is delinquent more than ninety (90) days past the due date, the Association may, but shall not be required to, send notice to the unit owner that it intends to refer the account to an attorney, collection agency or other means of collection. The Association may simultaneously send a copy of the notice to the mortgagee of the unit.

Use of Certified Mail/Regular Mail. In the event the association shall send a collection or demand letter or notices to a delinquent owner by regular mail, the association may also send, but shall not be required to send, an additional copy of that letter or notice by certified mail or certificate of mailing.

Liens. The association has an automatic 3 year statutory lien on any delinquent owner in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Uniformed Planned Community Act 68 Pa. C.S., declaration, articles of incorporation, and bylaws. The Association may send notification to the mortgage lender of its intention to execute on the lien.

Referring Delinquent Accounts to Attorneys. The Association may, but shall not be required to, refer delinquent accounts to an attorney for collection. Upon referral to the attorney, the attorney shall take all appropriate action to collect the accounts referred.

Referring Delinquent Accounts to Collection Agencies. The Association may, but shall not be required to, refer delinquent accounts to one or more collection agencies for collection. Upon referral to a collection agency, the agency shall take all appropriate action to collect the accounts referred.

Personal Judgment. The Association may, but shall not be required to, obtain a personal judgment and use all legal methods to satisfy same. Amenities Usage. In the event an owner(s) become past due and delinquent as stated above the Association shall deactivate gate cards and deny amenity usage and other rights and privileges reserved for its members in good standing.

Notification to Owners. The association shall cause all owners to be notified of this resolution and it shall be effective immediately. This resolution shall be published in the Association newspaper upon adoption of this resolution. The Association may, but shall not be required to publish this resolution annually in the Association newspaper, a copy of this resolution can be requested by unit owner(s) or viewed on the Association web-site.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this resolution the _12_ day of September in the year _2015.

Collection Policy ResolutionContinued from Page 1


http://www.reginafarms.com

BUDGETProposed 2016 Operating Budget

Continued on page 15

TO AdVERTISE

EMAIL NANCY

AT

[email protected]

Page 1 of 5 Operating

2016 Operating Budget 2015 Budget 2016 Budget

Total Operating Assessment 1,424$ 1,464$ DUES & FEES

06305-000 Annual Dues Assessments 3,542,390 3,722,175 06306-000 Prior Dues Assessments 130,000 140,000 06335-000 Owner NSF Fees 250 300 06340-000 Owner Late Fee Income 55,000 54,000 06345-000 Owner Payment Plan Fee 16,500 16,500 06370-000 Owner Collection Costs 8,000 4,000 06380-000 Owner Admin. Fees Income 4,000 4,000 06390-000 Owner Interest Income 60,000 60,000 06327-000 Code Enforcement Fines 25,000 30,000 06460-000 Citation Income 13,000 18,000

- Dues & Fees Income 3,854,140 4,048,975

ADMINISTRATIVE06420-000 Badge Income 12,000 20,000 06425-000 Renters Reg 8,000 8,000

` 06427-000 Annual Rent Fee - 7,000 06430-000 Gate Card Income 13,000 11,500 06450-000 Income from Statements 800 800 06440-000 Building Permit Income 700 700 06921-000 Bulk Dumping Owner Receipts 15,000 15,000 06485-000 Resale Certificate Fees 23,000 30,000 06360-000 Misc. Income 1,500 1,500 06410-000 Blue Ridge Cable Franchise 68,000 70,000 06920-000 The Falls-Gate Income 17,700 19,500 06530-000 Rental Income - Verizon 15,900 16,500 06820-000 Interest Income Operating 1,000 700

06821-000 Interest - Investment Account 13,000 13,000

Administrative Income 189,600 214,200

RECREATION06490-000 Facilities Rental 6,500 6,500 06491-000 Recreation Activities Income 10,000 14,000 06495-000 Ski Ticket/Lesson Income 15,000 17,000 06496-000 Ski Rental/Tech Service Income 24,000 20,000

Recreation Income 55,500 57,500

TOP OF THE WORLD06900-000 Food & Beverage Sales 228,900 240,300.0006902-000 Liquor Sales 120,000 123,600.0006904-000 Beer Sales 57,500 59,300.0006906-000 Vending Sales 1,000 1,600 06907-000 Soda Machine Sales - 700 06908-000 Cover Charges 3,000 3,000 06909-000 Misc. Income 50 1,000

Top of the World Income 410,450 429,500

TOTAL INCOME 4,509,690 4,750,175EXPENSES:ADMINISTRATIVE

07114-100 Gate Card Expenses 4,000 5,000 07115-100 Badge Expenses 2,000 5,000 07320-000 Office Supplies 11,000 10,000 07400-000 Printing & Reproduction 11,000 10,000 07460-000 Meeting Expenses 6,400 7,500

2016 Proposed Assessments: $1,579


of 5 Operating




- Dues & Fees Income 3,854,140 4,048,975


` 06427-000 Annual Rent Fee - 7,000 06430-000 Gate Card Income 13,000 11,500 06450-000 Income from Statements 800 800 06440-000 Building Permit Income 700 700 06921-000 Bulk Dumping Owner Receipts 15,000 15,000 06485-000 Resale Certificate Fees 23,000 30,000 06360-000 Misc. Income 1,500 1,500 06410-000 Blue Ridge Cable Franchise 68,000 70,000 06920-000 The Falls-Gate Income 17,700 19,500 06530-000 Rental Income - Verizon 15,900 16,500 06820-000 Interest Income Operating 1,000 700

06821-000 Interest - Investment Account 13,000 13,000





Top of the World Income 410,450 429,500

TOTAL INCOME 4,509,690 4,750,175EXPENSES:ADMINISTRATIVE

07114-100 Gate Card Expenses 4,000 5,000 07115-100 Badge Expenses 2,000 5,000 07320-000 Office Supplies 11,000 10,000 07400-000 Printing & Reproduction 11,000 10,000 07460-000 Meeting Expenses 6,400 7,500


Proposed 2015 Operating Budget (continued)






- Dues & Fees Income 3,854,140 4,048,975


` 06427-000 Annual Rent Fee - 7,000 06430-000 Gate Card Income 13,000 11,500 06450-000 Income from Statements 800 800 06494-000 Logo Merchandise Sales - - 06440-000 Building Permit Income 700 700 06921-000 Bulk Dumping Owner Receipts 15,000 15,000 06485-000 Resale Certificate Fees 23,000 30,000 06360-000 Misc. Income 1,500 1,500 06455-000 Personal Property Sales - - 06410-000 Blue Ridge Cable Franchise 68,000 70,000 06920-000 The Falls-Gate Income 17,700 19,500 06312-000 xxx Mill Pond Maintenance06510-000 Rental Income06530-000 Rental Income - Verizon 15,900 16,500 06820-000 Interest Income Operating 1,000 700

06821-000 Interest - Investment Account 13,000 13,000 06822-000 Donations-PayPal Acct - - 06930-000 Refund of Taxes

Interest - Construction Acc'tInterest - Contingency AccountContingency Fund - PPL

06831-000 Realized Invest. Gain/Loss






6,400



Total Operating Assessment 1,424$ 1,464$ 07410-000 Travel & Entertainment 500 500 07440-000 BOD Reimbursable Exp 500 500 07260-000 Postage & Mail 17,000 18,000 07171-100 Postage Meter Rental 2,600 2,600 07177-100 Federal Express 300 500 07113-100 Copier Service Contract 3,000 3,000 07118-100 Miscellaneous Expenses 500 500 07170-000 Collection Expense 45,000 45,000

Administrative Expenses 103,800 108,100

GENERAL & PROFESSIONAL07250-000 Bank Charges Operating 2,200 2,000 07255-000 Credit Card Processing 24,000 30,000 07181-100 IT-Technology 16,000 28,300 07300-000 Dues & Subscriptions 1,000 1,500 07150-000 Professional Consulting Fees 7,500 - 07160-000 Legal Fees 55,000 45,000 07020-000 Accounting Fees 22,000 18,000 07350-000 Advertising/Marketing 1,000 25,050 07352-000 Public Relations/Comunications - 14,650 07251-000 Licenses & Permits 100 - 07202-000 Code Enforcement Exp 500 2,500 07430-000 Federal Income Tax 6,000 - 07432-000 Investment Account Fees 300 - 07280-000 Insurance Commercial 320,100 327,000 07890-000 Contingency

General & Professional Exp. 455,700 494,000

Administrative & General Exp 559,500 602,100

RECREATION08015-000 Rec. - Training 2,500 2,500 08020-000 Recreation -Dues & Sub 1,000 - 08025-000 Recreation Supplies 7,500 7,500 08026-000 Recreation Events 12,500 10,000 08040-000 Rec. - Sports Equipment 2,000 2,000 08050-000 Recreation - Fitness Center 4,500 4,500 08740-000 Recreation Uniforms 800 1,500 08040-001 Janitorial/Cleaning Supplies 7,300 7,500

Recreation Expense 38,100 35,500

SKI EXPENSE08400-000 Ski Shop Operating Exp 2,500 2,500 08408-000 First Aid Supplies 1,000 1,000 08409-000 Ski - Hay 300 300 08410-000 Ski Facility Repairs 4,000 4,000 08430-000 Snow Mobile & Groomer Exp 5,000 7,500 08470-000 Ski Snow Making Electric 13,500 11,000 08480-000 Ski Inspections 4,000 4,000

Ski Expenses 30,300 30,300

Total Recreation Expense 68,400 65,800

08100-000 Food Purchases 100,900 116,80008103-000 Liquor Purchase 32,150 36,70008105-000 Beer Purchases 22,000 22,500

TOP OF THE WORLD S A W C R E E K N E W S F A L L 2 0 1 5 P A G E 1 5







- Dues & Fees Income 3,854,140 4,048,975













Total Operating Assessment 1,424$ 1,464$ 07410-000 Travel & Entertainment 500 500 07440-000 BOD Reimbursable Exp 500 500 07260-000 Postage & Mail 17,000 18,000 07171-100 Postage Meter Rental 2,600 2,600 07177-100 Federal Express 300 500 07113-100 Copier Service Contract 3,000 3,000 07118-100 Miscellaneous Expenses 500 500 07170-000 Collection Expense 45,000 45,000

Administrative Expenses 103,800 108,100

GENERAL & PROFESSIONAL07250-000 Bank Charges Operating 2,200 2,000 07255-000 Credit Card Processing 24,000 30,000 07181-100 IT-Technology 16,000 28,300 07300-000 Dues & Subscriptions 1,000 1,500 07150-000 Professional Consulting Fees 7,500 - 07160-000 Legal Fees 55,000 45,000 07020-000 Accounting Fees 22,000 18,000 07350-000 Advertising/Marketing 1,000 25,050 07352-000 Public Relations/Comunications - 14,650 07251-000 Licenses & Permits 100 - 07202-000 Code Enforcement Exp 500 2,500 07430-000 Federal Income Tax 6,000 - 07432-000 Investment Account Fees 300 - 07280-000 Insurance Commercial 320,100 327,000 07890-000 Contingency

General & Professional Exp. 455,700 494,000

Administrative & General Exp 559,500 602,100

RECREATION08015-000 Rec. - Training 2,500 2,500 08020-000 Recreation -Dues & Sub 1,000 - 08025-000 Recreation Supplies 7,500 7,500 08026-000 Recreation Events 12,500 10,000 08040-000 Rec. - Sports Equipment 2,000 2,000 08050-000 Recreation - Fitness Center 4,500 4,500 08740-000 Recreation Uniforms 800 1,500 08040-001 Janitorial/Cleaning Supplies 7,300 7,500

Recreation Expense 38,100 35,500

SKI EXPENSE08400-000 Ski Shop Operating Exp 2,500 2,500 08408-000 First Aid Supplies 1,000 1,000 08409-000 Ski - Hay 300 300 08410-000 Ski Facility Repairs 4,000 4,000 08430-000 Snow Mobile & Groomer Exp 5,000 7,500 08470-000 Ski Snow Making Electric 13,500 11,000 08480-000 Ski Inspections 4,000 4,000

Ski Expenses 30,300 30,300

Total Recreation Expense 68,400 65,800

08100-000 Food Purchases 100,900 116,80008103-000 Liquor Purchase 32,150 36,70008105-000 Beer Purchases 22,000 22,500

TOP OF THE WORLD



Total Operating Assessment 1,424$ 1,464$ Costs of Goods 155,050 176,000

08106-000 Soda Machine Expenses - 30008107-000 Credit Card Exp. - TOW 10,000 10,00008108-000 Advertising 2,000 008110-000 License & Permits 3,200 3,50008112-000 Over/Short 200 20008114-000 Promo/Customer Awards 10,000 15,00008116-000 Chemical/Janitorial Supplies 7,000 8,50008118-000 Paper & Disposables 5,000 6,00008120-000 Linens & Uniforms 6,200 6,80008122-000 Music & Entertainment 21,000 22,00008124-000 Pro Services (carpet,pest,cleaning) 7,200 9,00008126-000 TOW Equipment Repairs 2,000 2,70008128-000 Smallware & Equip. Purchases 11,500 3,50008130-000 Misc. Expenses 400 1,000

TOW Operating Exp. 85,700 88,500

Total TOW Expenses 240,750 264,500

PAYROLL08610-000 Admin. Office/Mgt Wages 421,800 430,500 08700-002 Admin. P/R Tax Expense 40,440 41,200 08750-002 Admin. Employee Benefits 94,000 100,580

Administrative Payroll 556,240 572,280

08635-000 Recreation Payroll 278,300 278,300 08638-000 Ski Shop Wages 22,300 22,300 08639-000 Ski Snow Blowers 25,000 25,000 08700-003 Rec. P/R Tax Expense 38,080 38,100 08750-003 Rec. Employee Benefits 18,000 19,260 08700-005 Ski Shop PR Taxes 3,300 3,300 8700-006 Ski Snow Blowers Pyrll Taxes 4,900 3,700

Recreation Payroll 389,880 389,960

08640-000 Public Safety Department 694,600 680,000 08641-000 Public Safety OT 25,000 25,000 08700-004 Public Safety Tax Exp 77,000 78,400 08750-004 Public Safety Emp. Benefits 64,000 68,480

Public Safety Payroll 860,600 851,880

08650-000 Maintenance Salary 372,800 372,800 08650-001 Maintenance Overtime 25,000 25,000 08700-001 Maint. P/R Tax Expense 36,500 36,500 08750-001 Maint. Employee Benefits 70,000 74,900

Maintenance Payroll 504,300 509,200

08665-000 TOW Payroll 219,000 246,800 08700-007 TOW P/R Taxes 29,120 35,400 08750-007 TOW Employee Benefits 36,500 39,055

Top of the World Payroll 284,620 321,255

HUMAN RESOURSES07143-100 Payroll Service 19,000 16,500 07310-000 Training & Professional Dev. 7,000 6,000 07340-000 Advertising - General 1,000 2,000








- Dues & Fees Income 3,854,140 4,048,975













Total Operating Assessment 1,424$ 1,464$ Costs of Goods 155,050 176,000

08106-000 Soda Machine Expenses - 30008107-000 Credit Card Exp. - TOW 10,000 10,00008108-000 Advertising 2,000 008110-000 License & Permits 3,200 3,50008112-000 Over/Short 200 20008114-000 Promo/Customer Awards 10,000 15,00008116-000 Chemical/Janitorial Supplies 7,000 8,50008118-000 Paper & Disposables 5,000 6,00008120-000 Linens & Uniforms 6,200 6,80008122-000 Music & Entertainment 21,000 22,00008124-000 Pro Services (carpet,pest,cleaning) 7,200 9,00008126-000 TOW Equipment Repairs 2,000 2,70008128-000 Smallware & Equip. Purchases 11,500 3,50008130-000 Misc. Expenses 400 1,000

TOW Operating Exp. 85,700 88,500

Total TOW Expenses 240,750 264,500

PAYROLL08610-000 Admin. Office/Mgt Wages 421,800 430,500 08700-002 Admin. P/R Tax Expense 40,440 41,200 08750-002 Admin. Employee Benefits 94,000 100,580

Administrative Payroll 556,240 572,280

08635-000 Recreation Payroll 278,300 278,300 08638-000 Ski Shop Wages 22,300 22,300 08639-000 Ski Snow Blowers 25,000 25,000 08700-003 Rec. P/R Tax Expense 38,080 38,100 08750-003 Rec. Employee Benefits 18,000 19,260 08700-005 Ski Shop PR Taxes 3,300 3,300 8700-006 Ski Snow Blowers Pyrll Taxes 4,900 3,700

Recreation Payroll 389,880 389,960

08640-000 Public Safety Department 694,600 680,000 08641-000 Public Safety OT 25,000 25,000 08700-004 Public Safety Tax Exp 77,000 78,400 08750-004 Public Safety Emp. Benefits 64,000 68,480

Public Safety Payroll 860,600 851,880

08650-000 Maintenance Salary 372,800 372,800 08650-001 Maintenance Overtime 25,000 25,000 08700-001 Maint. P/R Tax Expense 36,500 36,500 08750-001 Maint. Employee Benefits 70,000 74,900

Maintenance Payroll 504,300 509,200

08665-000 TOW Payroll 219,000 246,800 08700-007 TOW P/R Taxes 29,120 35,400 08750-007 TOW Employee Benefits 36,500 39,055

Top of the World Payroll 284,620 321,255

HUMAN RESOURSES07143-100 Payroll Service 19,000 16,500 07310-000 Training & Professional Dev. 7,000 6,000 07340-000 Advertising - General 1,000 2,000 1,000



Total Operating Assessment 1,424$ 1,464$ 08770-000 EH&S Compliance 500 500 08780-000 Employee Retention 3,500 4,500 08790-000 Simple IRA Expense 11,000 9,500

Other Payroll Expense 42,000 39,000

Total Payroll Expense 2,637,640 2,683,575

PUBLIC SAFETY07125-000 Alarm Monitoring 1,000 1,000 09155-000 Life-Safety/Security/CCTV Ma 13,400 13,000 09665-000 Pub Safety Expense/Equip 5,000 5,000 09050-000 Public Safety Vehicles R&M 6,500 7,000 09658-000 Public Safety Uniforms 7,500 7,500 09660-000 Public Safety Fuel 25,000 25,000 09668-000 Public Safety Training 4,000 4,000 09670-000 Community Relations/Outreach 1,300 1,300

Public Safety Exp 63,700 63,800

UTILITIES08900-000 Electric 75,000 75,000 08930-000 Water & Sewer 40,000 53,000 08950-000 Utilities - Gas 85,000 85,000 07270-000 Telephone Expense 20,000 22,000 09630-000 Internet Service 16,000 16,000 09700-000 Waste/Recycling & Compactor 190,000 190,000

Utilities Expense 426,000 441,000

POOL EXPENSE08210-000 Pool Contract-Service & Chem. 20,500 22,500 08220-000 Pool Repairs 10,000 8,000 08240-000 Pool Supplies 2,000 2,000

Pool Expense 32,500 32,500

GROUNDS08510-000 Lake & Grounds 41,600 41,600 08590-000 Beautification/Landscaping 11,500 10,000 08598-000 Environmental(*) 48,400 96,000

Contingency Funded #8598-000 (48,400) Grounds Expense 53,100 147,600

MAINTENANCE EXPENSE09250-000 Maintenance Supplies 20,000 20,000 09251-000 Maintenance Uniforms 2,000 3,000 09005-000 Maint. - Equipment Rental 600 500 09040-000 Mower/Tractor Exp 1,500 1,500 09041-000 Backhoe Expense 2,000 2,000 09030-000 Vehicle Maintenance 22,000 22,000 09045-000 Vehicle - Gas/Diesel 36,000 40,000 09220-000 Maint. Licenses & Permits 2,500 3,300

General Maintenance Exp 86,600 92,300

09020-000 Salt/Cinders 40,000 55,000 09025-000 Snow Removal Supplies 2,000 2,000 09115-000 Road Repair/ Storm Water 250,000 250,000 09116-000 Parking lots/Lines/Signs 5,000 5,000

Road Maintenance Exp 297,000 312,000







- Dues & Fees Income 3,854,140 4,048,975










2016 Proposed Assessments: $1,5792016 PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS single (1) pAYment plAn:

a. Payment due by January 15th.

b. Annual interest is 15%, or 1.25% monthly will be charged on balance due.

c. Any account thirty (30) days past due will be charged a 10% late fee on the remaining balance.

d. Any account thirty (30) days past due will have gate cards deactivated.

six (6) month pAYment plAn:

a. Due dates are January 15th to June 15th.

b. No application is required

c. A $25.00 application fee will be included in the monthly payment.

d. Monthly interest at 1.25% will be included in the monthly payments.

e. All prior balances must be paid to be eligible.

f. Any account thirty (30) days past due will be charged a 10% late fee on the remaining balance.

g. Any account thirty (30) days past due will have gate cards deactivated.

tWelve (12) month pAYment plAn:

a. Due dates are January 15th to December 15th.

b. No application is required.

c. A $25.00 application fee will be included in the monthly payment.

d. Monthly interest at 1.25% will be included in the monthly payment.

e. All prior balances must be paid to be eligible.

f. Any account thirty (30) days past due will be charged a 10% late fee on the remaining balance.

g. Any account thirty (30) days past due will have gate cards deactivated.

pAYment options:

a. Check or Money Order (Preferred Method)

b. Visa, Master Card, Debit Card or Discover

c. No cash

d. ACH - Automatic monthly deduction from your checking or savings account – an application must be completed and is available on-line at www.sawcreek.org.

notiFiCAtion:

a. No monthly statements will be mailed for payment plans.

b. For electronic statements - submit your e-mail address and lot & section to Member Services at: [email protected], fax or mail.

c. Monthly coupons will be available to print on-line at www.sawcreek.org



Total Operating Assessment 1,424$ 1,464$ 08770-000 EH&S Compliance 500 500 08780-000 Employee Retention 3,500 4,500 08790-000 Simple IRA Expense 11,000 9,500

Other Payroll Expense 42,000 39,000

Total Payroll Expense 2,637,640 2,683,575

PUBLIC SAFETY07125-000 Alarm Monitoring 1,000 1,000 09155-000 Life-Safety/Security/CCTV Ma 13,400 13,000 09665-000 Pub Safety Expense/Equip 5,000 5,000 09050-000 Public Safety Vehicles R&M 6,500 7,000 09658-000 Public Safety Uniforms 7,500 7,500 09660-000 Public Safety Fuel 25,000 25,000 09668-000 Public Safety Training 4,000 4,000 09670-000 Community Relations/Outreach 1,300 1,300

Public Safety Exp 63,700 63,800

UTILITIES08900-000 Electric 75,000 75,000 08930-000 Water & Sewer 40,000 53,000 08950-000 Utilities - Gas 85,000 85,000 07270-000 Telephone Expense 20,000 22,000 09630-000 Internet Service 16,000 16,000 09700-000 Waste/Recycling & Compactor 190,000 190,000

Utilities Expense 426,000 441,000

POOL EXPENSE08210-000 Pool Contract-Service & Chem. 20,500 22,500 08220-000 Pool Repairs 10,000 8,000 08240-000 Pool Supplies 2,000 2,000

Pool Expense 32,500 32,500

GROUNDS08510-000 Lake & Grounds 41,600 41,600 08590-000 Beautification/Landscaping 11,500 10,000 08598-000 Environmental(*) 48,400 96,000

Contingency Funded #8598-000 (48,400) Grounds Expense 53,100 147,600

MAINTENANCE EXPENSE09250-000 Maintenance Supplies 20,000 20,000 09251-000 Maintenance Uniforms 2,000 3,000 09005-000 Maint. - Equipment Rental 600 500 09040-000 Mower/Tractor Exp 1,500 1,500 09041-000 Backhoe Expense 2,000 2,000 09030-000 Vehicle Maintenance 22,000 22,000 09045-000 Vehicle - Gas/Diesel 36,000 40,000 09220-000 Maint. Licenses & Permits 2,500 3,300

General Maintenance Exp 86,600 92,300

09020-000 Salt/Cinders 40,000 55,000 09025-000 Snow Removal Supplies 2,000 2,000 09115-000 Road Repair/ Storm Water 250,000 250,000 09116-000 Parking lots/Lines/Signs 5,000 5,000

Road Maintenance Exp 297,000 312,000 297,000



Total Operating Assessment 1,424$ 1,464$

09130-000 Building Repairs 20,000 20,000 09140-000 HVAC Maintenance & Repairs 10,000 10,000 09160-000 Sewer Maintenance 4,500 4,500 09180-000 Plumbing Repairs - Common 4,000 4,500 09190-000 Electrical Repairs 3,500 3,500 09615-000 Exterminating 2,500 2,500

Building Maintenance 44,500 45,000

Total Maintenance 428,100 449,300

TOTAL EXPENSES 4,509,690 4,750,175

What Do Our Community Dues Pay For? Annual dues pay for the maintenance of 42 miles of roads, snow plowing, ski hill, two racquetball courts, a fitness center, a full-service restaurant and bar, accounting, administrative costs, advertising, auto, bank charges, insurance, newsletter printing, beautification, collection fees, equipment rental, general maintenance, income tax expense, labor cost, legal fees, management fees, office supplies, gate personnel, mobile patrols, eight outdoor tennis courts, baseball field, payroll taxes, postage, real estate taxes, telephone, utilities, road repairs, recycling, landscaping, unlimited trash removal at two locations, signs, infrastructure repairs, holiday programs and special events, recreation supplies, alarm maintenance, lake maintenance & repairs, lake supplies, lake testing, sand for lake, pool maintenance & repairs for six pools, salaries, pool supplies, pool testing and pool chemicals as well as initiating a public safety department with a director, assistant director, dispatchers and professional patrol officers.


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[email protected]

Positions open all offices

✔ One-on-one classes✔ Webinars ✔ Seminars ✔ Never a charge or fee✔ Learn to do rentals & sales✔ Be your own bossNow is the time! Take courses on-line – ask us how.

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2016 Capital Proposed Budget


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$TREASURER’S REpORThOMEOWNER’S

CLASSIFIEd COLUMNThis free column is available to homeowners to advertise “for sale” or “give-away” household items, pets for adoption, babysitting services, etc. Ads must be 30 words or less and include homeowner name, lot/section and contact phone number or e-mail address. Only the contact name and telephone number or e-mail address will be printed in the paper.

lot For sAle

Scarborough Way 2296 - Parcel No. 09/5A/2/26. CONTACT: e-mail: [email protected]

Free used Whitfield pellet stove. Email [email protected]

Classifieds will no longer be published in the Saw Creek News. Going forward residents & homeowners can utilize the website for classified advertisements.

TREASURER'S REPORT AS OF AUGUST 31, 2015

Operating Account

Total Operating Income received as of August, 2015 $ 4,335,721.00

Total Operating Expense as of August, 2015 $ 2,842,413.00

Prior year dues collected: $74,436.00 - 55% of 2015 anticipated amount

Operating Cash on Hand: $ 2,525,398.00

Checking/Current Account: $ 504,973.00

M/L Investments: $ 2,020,425.00

Capital Account

Total Capital Income received as of August, 2015 $ 2,878,020.00

Total Capital expense as of August, 2015 $402,378.00

Capital Reserve Cash on Hand: $ 5,447,387.00

Checking/Current Account: $ 2,815,741.00

M/L Investments: $ 2,631,646.00

Total amount outstanding to the Association: $ 4,880,195.00

Total write off for the year: $ 623,231.00

Total Charges and Fees added as of August, 2015: $ 304,725.00

Collection rate: 85.80% Variation from prior yr:+4.20

John MathewTreasurer

Dear Homeowners,Below is the Treasurers’s Report as of August 31, 2015. As you can see, our collection rate for2015 continues to be better than last years at this time by about 4.20%. Our expenses have alsobeen running below our budget for 2015. The Board, the Management and Finance Committeeare dedicated and focused on spending homeowner dues to provide the best service to ourhomeowners and maintain and enhance our facilities and amenities. The operation of TOWRestaurant has also improved from last year.

At the end of August we received the final installment from PPL pursuant to our settlementagreement with them. We have and will be using part of that money to invest in improving ourcommunity, such as completing the VIP walking trail and beach; installing new street signs; screening for those homeowners directly affected by power lines

I want to take this opportunity to thank the Finance Committee for their work on preparing andpresenting the Draft 2016 Budget to the Board. They spent an enormous amount of time goingover each line item to make sure that our money is spent on things that are necessary to operatethis community. The draft budget is included in this paper for your review and comment. As itstands now, the draft budget proposes an increase in dues in 2016 by $100.00. Over the last fewyears we have had only minimal increase or no increase at all in our dues. I believe that theproposed increase is necessary at this time to operate our community and maintain and improveour facilities. I also want to thank those homeowners who have attended the Finance Committeemeetings and participated in the budget process. The Board looks forward to your comments andsuggestions.

We are a Gold Star Community and we can continue to be a Gold Star Community by workingtogether and insuring that we are financially stable, maintaining and upgrading our facilities andamenities, which in turn will help increase the value of our investment.


COMMITTEESSaw Creek Men’s ClubBy Peter Derrenbacher, Club President

Beautification Committee NewsPhil Cozzi, Chairperson

The Beautification Committee has met all of its goals for this year by completing all of the projects on our 2015 “to do list.” In retrospect, we started off by refinishing the wooden bench in the vestibule of the Top of the World Restaurant and purchasing new tropical plants for the restaurant.

Three new trees were planted in front of the indoor tennis courts, and all of the planting beds located at Smithfield Bridge, Top of the World Complex, and Millpond Pool Complex received all new plant material. Landscaping at the newly renovated Member Services Office is now complete with the final addition of daffodils which were planted this fall. The new post and rail fence, which was placed from the VIP building to the Member Services parking lot, received a coat of protective driftwood stain to blend the fence with the surrounding area. Also, next spring we will enjoy the new daffodils that were planted at the island on Decker Rd. across from the mailboxes. We also freshened up the landscaping at the pool at the Top of the World.

Many thanks are in order to Mr. Regina’s Landscape Crew for all of their hard work and effort to make our community always look its best. Thanks to Jesse, Kathy, Justin, and Robert- you guys are great!! Also special thanks go out to the members of my committee for caring for the flowers throughout the community and to our own “Edward Scissorhands” for being so diligent about keeping our barberries neatly trimmed! Thanks to all committee members and volunteers who always assist in our holiday decorating. Next year we plan to focus our attention on our newly renovated walking trail around the VIP Pond with the addition of new trees and plantings to greet walkers along the way. If you would like to join the Beautification Committee, we meet the second Thursday of every month at 4:00PM in the Mountain Room at the Top of the World Complex. Please help to keep our community looking its best by always using the trash receptacles throughout the community and by keeping our common areas looking their best.

The Men’s Club helped sponsor the SCE community picnic again this year in conjunction with the recreation department on Saturday, June 20th at the VIP. It was a great day and well attended. Our members provided free hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, soda and water for all to enjoy. Our annual golf outing at Fernwood Golf Course on Monday, July 13th was a great success. Over 60 golfers played in a scramble followed by a luncheon at Wintergreens. This event is critical to our fundraising activity and allows the club to donate monies to local charities as well as helps to fund various events for our community most notably the annual community picnic.

A special thanks to the following individuals and companies who purchased tee box ads and/or gifts for this event. To the extent they are businesses please try and support them.

Club members attended the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse on July 26th for a great dinner/theater show “Twist & Shout”.

Our club meets the first Thursday of every month at 6 PM in the Mountain Room, followed by snacks and beverages at the TOW. For more information, please contact Peter Derrenbacher, 570-588-7522.

Lisa Baker – State Senator Rosemary Brown – State Representative Boucher & James, Inc. Heller’s Gas, Inc. Kiley Associates E.M. Kutz Lehman Township Supervisors Regina Farms Saw Creek Real Estate, LLC Sears Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning Travel Destinations – Maria Doe William E. Owens & Co. CPA Young & Harris, LLC

Alan & Michele Brower Joe Casanova Kathi Connell Phil & Ginni Cozzi Martin Daly Peter & Barbara Derrenbacher Joe & Maria Doe Jim & Eileen McElligott Bill & Rez Montgomery Ray & Jackie Pace John Pierce Bob & Lorraine Shrekgast John Sivick

Saw Creek Women’s ClubBy Priscilla Rasmussen

Now that the summer has passed and we look forward to a beautiful fall in the Poconos, our Vice-Presidents are planning some wonderful monthly trips for our enjoyment. We begin with a wine tasting, tour, and pizza-making at Sorrenti’s Cherry Valley Vineyards in September. This is followed in October by a visit to Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia, NJ.

In December, we will treat ourselves to a High Tea in Milford and many surprises await us in the cold winter months, too! And, of course, the holiday season would not be complete without our annual Women’s Club Holiday Luncheon in November and our Christmas Dinner/Dance in December. This is all in addition to our monthly meetings in the Mountain Room, the first Thursday at 12:20pm where we socialize and plan for future things to be involved in or other activities to do. Sound like fun? Why not join us?

The Women’s Club could not survive and thrive without the dedication of all those who have served on the Board and committees as well as all the wonderful women who are our membership!

Becoming a member of the Women’s Club gives us all a chance to meet neighbors, make new friends, learn more about and be involved in our community, and share fun social outings. We always welcome guests and new members! Just call or email our President Priscilla Rasmussen (588-3339, [email protected]) for details.


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Recreation Committee ReportBy Ida Mathew, Recreation Committee Chair

Hope you all had a wonderful and safe summer. As we close out the summer here in Saw Creek, I would like to bring you up to date on the recreation events that was organized by the recreation department at our community and what we have tentatively planned for the winter months. We had our Memorial Day BBQ, Community Day, July 4th BBQ, yard sale and many other weekend family activities. And of course our big summer program was the Summer Camp. Halloween Event, Thanksgiving Potluck and Breakfast with Santa will be some of the events coming in our fall and winter months.

Our goal for the future is to evaluate the recreation programs that are currently taking place and develop a plan to add or delete programs in order to provide a balanced program for the property owners of Saw Creek Estates. Some ideas are to look at the programs that are being offered in other communities to determine new programs, to explore options to enhance off-season use of the ski area, to look at open space area in the community where additional passive recreation areas could be developed.

Please continue to make your views or comments known to the board regarding the strategic plan as the Board of Directors move forward with their strategic planning initiatives. As I talk to homeowners or while I use some of the amenities I hear homeowners saying, we do not have enough recreation activities or the activities we have are not for them, about the spending of our dues, complaints about our maintenance and or repairs of our amenities and etc. My response to them is what are you doing about it and the answer almost all the time is that their voice is not heard and my next question is how many times they attend the board meetings and other meetings and the 80 to 90 % of them say that they don’t have time for that and I have to laugh at that answer. If we want any changes or our voice heard as homeowners we have to show up to the meetings and raise our concerns/problems. If that is not possible we can always email the board, general manager or any department heads regarding our concerns and questions. We had several recreation events that were planned but have had to cancel because of lack of participation. The recreation department, committee and the volunteers put in several hours in planning but if people do not participate it is hard to continue some of the activities because of the expenses that goes towards planning it.

We are one of the best communities around this area but it could be even better if we all pitch in and work together for the betterment of OUR COMMUNITY!!!!

I would like to thank all the committee members for their commitment and hard work and our Board Liaison for giving us the advise whenever it was needed. Also would like to thank past committee members that has to step down because of various reasons last year.

Rules and Regulations ReportBy Roseanne V. Prasse - Chairperson

Hi Everyone,

Our Annual Meeting has come and gone, but we have always moved forward thanks to our Board of Directors (Past and Present), our General Manager, and the Member Service Staff. I would also like to THANK (again) the members of the Rules Committee, John, MJ, Sollette, Bruce, and Paula and of course James our Liaison. (James is now our Vice President, but we welcome Suzanne Marks as our Liaison).

New topics were introduced and some things were the same. We all should have learned something that interested us from that day. If you were not able to attended, I will try to make this as short as possible.

I had introduced the “4C’s”, which took us back to back to the “old days” when you thought about Courtesy. Cooperation. Common sense. And Communications. When we have all these in play, you would have the Rules that will help our Community grow. You as the Homeowners, purchased property in a PRIVATE GATED COMMUNITY, why? I believe it was for the very same reason that you will find on the front page of the Rules Document,

Safety, the Security of the Residents, for the quiet enjoyment of our amenities and woodland settings.

I know that I would be remised if I did not tell you what the Rules Committee has been up to and it is very simple things. We are now in the midst of updating our rules and the incorporation of the Rental Policy (PA. State Law) and Badge Policy into our Document, for more information regarding these topics please contact the Member Service Office.

I would like to STRESS that you as a homeowner! Renters can ask our Members Service office any questions that will assist you in making the RIGHT decisions when it comes to your property. They are there to help us and they are happy to do so.

I would also like to bring up the NEED for Volunteers. I have heard many reasons why individuals cannot join and some of them seem to be valid, but Committees are run in a

Democratic way, we vote on when we meet, what time and who will be Chairperson,. This is your community, have a say in what goes on.

All are welcomed to our meetings. This is held on the third Tuesday of each month in The Mountain Room (at the TOP) at 4:00PM.


http://www.sawcreek.com

BYlAW CleAn-Up projeCt

During 2015, the Board directed the Bylaw Committee to review the version of the Association Bylaws designated as “Bylaws (as amended July 2013) Restated Draft”.

The document had previously been edited for grammar, punctuation, formatting and made easier to understand. The editing did not change any purpose, content or meaning of the Bylaws.

BYlAW CleAn-Up reCommenDAtions

1. That the “Clean-up” changes specified in the “Restated Draft” be made.

2. That additional discrepancies discovered during the review of the “Restated Draft” be made.

3. That changes referring to “Mailed Ballots” be made.

4. That all changes be reviewed by our Association Attorney.

To all those that served on the Bylaws Committee, thank you for your participation, time, and effort.

It’s hard to believe but another summer has come and gone.

The Building and Architectural Committee has been very busy overseeing the different projects that are ongoing in the Community.

The 2015 Road Paving and Storm Water project is under way. The Contract has been awarded to Wayco Company. Wayco has been paving our roads for the last couple of years and we are very satisfied with them. The areas that are slated for paving and drainage work are:

Front Gate exit lane to be widened.

Building & Architectural Committee

Decker Road from the Front Gate House to St. Andrews Road will be paved.

The Maintenance Building parking lot includes both paving and drainage improvements.

Top of the World parking lot will be paved.

The parking lot at the VIP Building will be paved and have drainage issues corrected.

The intersection at Decker Road and Smithfield will be redesigned and paved.

Regent Road will have the drainage issues corrected and be paved.

Cherry Ridge Road will have Swale and Culvert work done.

Dorchester/Salisbury will have drainage issues corrected.

The renovation project of the two restrooms at the TOW indoor pool area was awarded to Country Wide Enterprises. Construction is slated to begin in late September. The project is expected to be completed in six to eight weeks.

The next big project the Building and Architectural Committee will be overseeing is the renovations to the Mill Pond Pool building and pool area.

The Building and Architectural Committee hopes everyone gets a chance to enjoy our amenity filled Community this fall and winter.

By David Stagg, Chairman of the Building and Architectural Committee

AmenDing BYlAWs:

Our current Association Bylaws state that all Bylaw Amendments being proposed by the Board, must be reviewed by the Bylaw Committee.

the BYlAW Committee’s tAsks Are:

• Review each proposed Bylaw Amendment.

• By a majority consensus, determine if sufficient interest has been shown for each Amendment.

• Recommend to the Board whether or not the proposed Amendment should be presented to the Community for voting.

During 2015, the Board submitted five (5) proposed Bylaw Amendments to the Committee.

The Bylaw Committee reviewed each Bylaw Amendment to determine if sufficient interest has been shown. For each Amendment, the Committee submitted their recommendation to the Board as follows:

proposeD AmenDments & Committee

reCommenDAtions:

2015-1 Article V Officers: Section G. Board Executive Officer Recall (A Recall requires a 2/3 vote instead of a majority vote)

The Committee recommended that the Bylaw be amended as stated. The Board did not approve the Amendment.

2015-2 Article IV Board of Directors: Section D. Nomination of Directors (Candidates must be deeded property owner for a least one (1) year and completed at least one (1) year of service on a Standing Committee)

The Committee recommended that the Bylaws be amended as stated. The Board did not approve the Amendment.

2015-3 Article V Officers: Section F. Secretary (Change wording to avoid potential legal issue)

Annual Bylaw Committee Report

The Committee recommended that the Bylaw be amended as stated. The Board did approve the Amendment for Membership Voting.

2015-4 Article IV Board of Directors: Election and Term of Office (Remove rule that a Director could only serve six (6) years and must take a year off before running again)

The Committee recommended that the Bylaw should remain as is, with no change. The Board did not approve the Amendment.

2015-5 Article III Association Meetings: Section G. Voting/Ballot Handling (Removal the rule that Lots owned by multiple owners, must designate which of the owners can vote in elections)

The Committee recommended that the Bylaw should remain as is, with no change. The Board did not approve the Amendment.

reCAp:

The Committee recommended that three (3) Bylaws be changed and two (2) Bylaws remain as stated.

Thereafter, the Board voted to amend one (1) Bylaw, which was included in the 2015 Election Ballet, and not to amend the four (4) other proposed Bylaws.

By Robert Palmer, Bylaw Committee Chair


SCE NEWS

It’s Diversity That Makes Our Community Special! During the holidays we are often reminded of the diversity that our world is made up of. People celebrate the holidays according to their separate heritage, traditions, and beliefs. But one of the common denominators that bring people of different race, religion and custom together is a desire to live in peace, harmony and happiness. It is a desire shared by all and it is best achieved through cooperation, compliance and respect.

Our community is sort of like a microcosm of the world. We are made up of people of varying differences, but we are all connected by the fact that we share a community together. And, although we have our differences in opinions, perceptions and desires, we too can benefit through cooperation, compliance and respect for our neighbors.

During this holiday season as we celebrate in our own tradition, let’s try to hold onto that spirit of unity, harmony and peace that all traditions embrace and apply it to all of our community neighbors....all year long. If we can, we will all benefit.

• that with a choice of menus, the Top of the World can cater your next event?

• that a copy of the Approved Draft 2016 Budget is available in the Member Services Office or online at www.sawcreek.org?

• that the Saw Creek Men’s Club has been an active part of our community for many years and in addition to many social activities, the SCMC also takes on various service projects? For information on the Saw Creek Women’s Club, please contact Peter Derrenbacher at [email protected] or 570-588-7522.

• that Effective September 1, 2015, all properties that have rentals will be charged an annual fee of $150. In addition, to the annual fee, there will be a $25 charge for each short-term rental (30 days or less).

• that storage of up to 4 cords of firewood may be located near the rear of the property, neatly stacked to a height of no more than four (4) feet and that the firewood stacks may be covered with canvas or earth-tone fabrics and brightly covered canvas or tarps should not be used?

dId YOU KNOW???? • that if you’re having party, homeowners can

reserve a room at a Saw Creek facility for a nominal fee? Contact Member Services Office at 588-9329 for further details.

• that children, from birth until their 19th birthday may be eligible for free health insurance through the PA Children’s Health Insurance Program? Call 1-800-986-5437 for further information.

• that snowmobiles are not permitted to be operated on Saw Creek Estates Community roadways and violation of this Rule & Regulation is a Tier 2 Offense?

• that before you make any changes to your property, you are encouraged to check with the SCECA Member Services to verify all requirements and procedures?

• that the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental apartment options for senior adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. This program helps homeowners who, through no fault of their own, are financially unable to make

their mortgage payments. For further information, contact PHFA at 1-800-342-2397 or on-line at www.phfa.org.

• that a complete Construction Permit application must be filed for hot tubs?

• that a reflective 911 address marker for your home can be obtained from Bushkill Emergency Corps @ PO Box 174, Bushkill, PA 18324?

• that all skiers should obey the instructions of all ski patrol and SCECA attendant staff?

• that property owners, tenants and guests shall not relinquish or otherwise transfer a gate pass to anyone other than the person to whom it was originally issued. Transferring a gate pass to another person and use of such passes by a person other than the one to whom the pass was originally issued, constitutes a violation of the Rules and Regulations and is a Tier 4 Offense.


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Get Involved, Stay Informed, Do Your Part When most of us decided to buy our home and live within our community association, the last thing that probably came to mind were the possibilities that community association living presented. After all, anytime a group of homeowners work together for a common goal, practically anything is possible. From increasing our community’s aesthetic appeal and eliminating neighborhood crime, to creating a more influential voice in regional issues, the opportunities to benefit from being a part of a community association lie waiting to be seized. The possibilities are limited only by our ability to work together.

Unfortunately, without a clear understanding of how and why our community association operates, those possibilities will elude us. When we can grasp the theory that underlies our governing documents and the reasons that our Board and management company must, at times, do what they do, then we take a giant step towards realizing the potential of our community.

Our community association is no different than any other organization. In order to succeed and reach its potential, it needs the support and involvement of its members. Just think of the goals that can be achieved when we all work together for the betterment of our community. Instead of perceiving our association as an obstacle to overcome, try thinking of it a tool to help us create a more comfortable life-style. But, like any tool, we need to learn how to use it effectively before it can do any good. Get involved by joining one of our 9 standing committees. Stay informed – read the monthly bulletins, visit our website, read the newspaper. Do your part. You won’t be sorry!

We are very pleased to announce the return of Chef David Hanf as Manager of Top of the World Restaurant. Dave is the person most responsible for the swift financial turn-around, quality dining and customer service and other improvements at The Top during his earlier days at Saw Creek. He served the community well for nearly four years from 2008 to 2011, before leaving to relocate to another state. As luck would have it, Dave and his wife Linda returned to their Pennsylvania roots earlier this year. General Manager Dave Martin remarked that it was a fortunate coincidence of timing when he learned of Hanf ’s return to PA at about the same time he was searching for a new restaurant manager.

As a native of northeast Pennsylvania, Dave Hanf ’s experience began with a culinary arts scholarship awarded upon graduation from Wallenpaupack Area High School. He went on to graduate with a Culinary Arts degree and even served as a teacher in the Culinary Arts program at Keystone College.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner…

He built and managed Hanf ’s Vintage Inn, a limited-seating, gourmet restaurant and has been an Executive Chef and Manager at some of the areas best known restaurants and resorts. Most recently, Chef Hanf was employed by the Chateau Resort and Conference Center in Tannersville. Dave is thrilled to be returning to The Top and he looks forward to welcoming old friends and acquaintances and providing the very best in food, service and entertainment to our regulars and new customers alike.

Top of The World Restaurant has been welcoming members and their guests for many years and today it remains the single most utilized amenity by far. This is largely because of the continued support of our regular customers – those who appreciate enjoying a great meal, entertainment and their favorite beverages in the company of family and friends. For this reason, we’d like to say thank you to all of our regulars – because of you, there’s nothing better than being at The Top!

And to the rest of you, despite a busy lifestyle, you can enjoy a great night out every now and then, close to home and at very reasonable prices. Your friends and neighbors are coming back again and again for the quality food, service and overall value at today’s Top of the World Restaurant. We hope to see you soon too!

SUPPORT OURAdVERTISERS

ShOP LOCAL!


Information about the differences between strangers’ kids should look out for and strangers’ kids can trust. Kids see strangers every day in stores, in the park, and in their neighborhoods. Most of these strangers are nice, normal people, but a few may not be. Parents can protect their children from dangerous strangers by teaching them about strangers and suspicious behavior, and by taking a few precautions of their own.

Who is A strAnger?

A stranger is anyone that your family doesn’t know well. It’s common for children to think that “bad strangers” look scary, like the villains in cartoons. This is not only not true, but it’s dangerous for children to think this way. Pretty strangers can be just as dangerous as the not-so-pretty ones. When you talk to your children about strangers, explain that no one can tell if strangers are nice or not nice just by looking at them and that they should be careful around all strangers. But don’t make it seem like all strangers are bad. If children need help--whether they’re lost, being threatened by a bully, or being followed by a stranger--the safest thing for them to do in many cases is to ask a stranger for help. You can make this easier for them by showing them which strangers are okay to trust.

Who Are sAFe strAngers?

Safe strangers are people children can ask for help

What to Teach Kids About Strangers

when they need it. Police officers and firefighters are two examples of very recognizable safe strangers. Teachers, principals, and librarians are adults children can trust too, and they are easy to recognize when they’re at work. But make sure that you emphasize that whenever possible, children should go to a public place to ask for help. You can help your children recognize safe strangers by pointing them out when you’re out in your town. Also show your children places they can go if they need help, such as local stores and restaurants and the homes of family friends in your neighborhood.

reCognizing AnD hAnDling

DAngeroUs sitUAtions

Perhaps the most important way parents can protect their children is to teach them to be wary of potentially dangerous situations – this will help them when dealing with strangers as well as with known adults who may not have good intentions. Help children recognize the warning signs of suspicious behavior, such as when an adult asks them to disobey their parents or do something without permission, asks them to keep a secret, asks children for help, or makes them feel uncomfortable in any way. Also tell your children that an adult should never ask a child for help, and if one does ask for their help, teach them to find a trusted adult right away to tell what happened.

You should also talk to your children about how

they should handle dangerous situations. One ways is to teach them “No, Go, Yell, Tell.” If in a dangerous situations, kids should say no, run away, yell as loud as they can, and tell a trusted adult what happened right away. Make sure that your children know that it is okay to say no to an adult in a dangerous situation and to yell to keep themselves safe, even if they are indoors. It’s good to practice this in different situations so that your children will feel confident in knowing know what to do. Here are a few possible scenarios:

• A nice-looking stranger approaches your child in the park and asks for help finding the stranger’s lost dog.

• A woman who lives in your neighborhood but that the child has never spoken to invites your child into her house for a snack.

• A stranger asks if your child wants a ride home from school.

• Your child thinks he or she is being followed.

• An adult your child knows says or does something that makes him or her feel bad or uncomfortable.

• While your child is walking home from a friend’s house, a car pulls over and a stranger asks for directions.


WhAt else pArents CAn Do

In addition to teaching children how to recognize and handle dangerous situations and strangers, there are a few more things parents can do to help their children stay safe and avoid dangerous situations. Know where your children are at all times. Make it a rule that your children must ask permission or check in with you before going anywhere. Give your children your work and cell phone numbers so they can reach you at all times. Point out safe places. Show your children safe places to play, safe roads and paths to take, and safe places to go if there’s trouble.

Teach children to trust their instincts. Explain that if they ever feel scared or uncomfortable, they should get away as fast as they can and tell an adult. Tell them that sometimes adults they know may make them feel uncomfortable, and they should still get away as fast as possible and tell another adult what happened. Reassure children that you will help them when they need it.

Teach your children to be assertive. Make sure they know that it’s okay to say no to an adult and to run away from adults in dangerous situations. Encourage your children to play with others. There’s safety in numbers! For more information please visit National Crime Prevention at www.ncpc.org

State woodland managers again are bracing for what could be a pitched suppression effort to combat remnants of a statewide gypsy moth population posed for spring outbreaks across the state, Department Conservation and Natural Resources officials said early this month.

Heavy infestation was expected in some areas last spring but Bureau of Forestry entomologists said most of that gypsy moth population collapsed, thanks to a naturally recurring fungus. Last year, cold, wet weather proved ideal for the fungus, deadly to gypsy moths, but pest suppression efforts cannot always rely on the weather to be an ally, the entomologists said. The bureau has stressed budgeted funds are necessary to maintain a continued year-to-year gypsy moth spraying program that suppresses rebounding insect populations while protecting the forest stands they may have damaged the spring before. Surveys across the state indicate gypsy moth populations are increasing and have the potential to cause defoliation in 2015, especially in eastern Pennsylvania.

In 2014, gypsy moth populations increased in eastern Pennsylvania after several years of high populations in the northwestern part of the state. DCNR treated 1,901 acres in 42 spray blocks in May in four northwestern counties. A 26,860-acre suppression program in 39 treatment blocks is proposed for 2015 in six northeastern counties—Carbon, Columbia, Luzerne, Northumberland, Pike and Schuylkill—principally on state-managed parks, forests, and game lands, but also some private residential lands in Carbon County.

Bureau of Forestry experts note the state’s oak stands are especially vulnerable to gypsy moth infestation and mortality. The loss of habitat, timber

Dcnr To Resume Spraying Woodlands To Combat Gypsy Moth Damage

and tree growth are considerable when gypsy moth populations are allowed to go untreated. When available, the U.S. Forest Service traditionally provides a 50/50 funding match to states toward annual spraying project costs. If the state funds are not needed for an active suppression program, or not fully utilized, they can be returned for other budgetary uses. Gypsy moth defoliation in 2014 totaled 213,966 acres, and another 115,104 acres were defoliated by the fall cankerworm. Aerial and ground surveys indicated a total of 431,956 acres of damage by forest pests in 2014.

Before spring 2013, DCNR last sprayed for gypsy moths in 2009, when more than 178,380 acres in 25 counties were targeted across the state. In 2008 a total of 221,221 acres of private, state and federal woodlands were sprayed in 27 counties.

Forestry bureau experts identify the gypsy moth as one of the most destructive forest pests in Pennsylvania. Feeding while in the larval—or caterpillar—stage, the insect usually hatches and begins feeding from mid- to late April in southern Pennsylvania, and in early to mid-May in the northern part of the state. The gypsy moth was introduced to North America in 1869 at Medford, Mass., where it was used in a silk-production experiment. The gypsy moth first reached Pennsylvania in Luzerne County in 1932, and since then has infested every county. For more information, please visit www.apps.dcnr.state.pa.us/news/resource/res2015/15-0128-gypsymoth.aspx

Long Term Rentals Wanted!2, 3 & 4 BEDROOM

UNFURNISHED UNITS NEEDED NOW!

✔ We get top rental rates✔ Pre-qualified tenants • Credit Check • Landlord varification • Employer varification • Minimum 1 year✔ Management services available

Stroudsburg 570.421.8950 Bushkill 570.588.3440 Mt. Pocono 570.839.4174 Milford 570.296.6946www.BHGwilkins.com

AEROBICS CLASSESSaw Creek’s water aerobics class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00PM and Saturdays at 9:00AM. The classes are free with your amenity badge and are held at the TOW indoor pool. Our water aerobics class consists of 30-40 minutes of aerobic exercise and in pool weight use. Pool noodles are used to add some fun to class.



SCE EVENTSOUT & ABOUT EVENTS OUTSIDE OF OUR GATES

oCt 9 – 11 • Stock Car Racing Experience Pocono Raceway 500 Long Pond Rd, Long Pond – 877.786.2522

oCt 9th – 12th• Family Nature Getaway Weekend – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

oCt 10 – 11th• Autumn Timber Festival – Shawnee Mt 401 Hollow Rd, E Stroudsburg – 421.7231• Harvest & Heritage Days Main St, Honesdale – 253.5492• Last Fling Pumpkin Sling - Pocono Raceway 500 Long Pond Rd, Long Pond- 283-0721• Quiet Valley Harvest Festival – Quiet Valley 347 Quiet Valley Rd, Stroudsburg – 992.6161

oCt 11th• Harvest Lake Stroll – Skytop 1 Skytop Lodge Rd, Skytop – 595.8924

oCt 12th• Fall Photography – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

oCt 16th• Black Bear Film Festival – Milfort Theatre 114 E Catherine St, Milford – 409.0909• Fall Photography – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

oCt 17th• International Archeology Day – DWGNRA River Rd – E Stroudsburg – 828.2319• Summer Lecture Series – DWGNRA Bushkill Meeting Center – 7018 Milford Rd, E Stroudsburg – 426.2418• Nature Night – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

oCt 17th & 18th• Pocono Food Truck Festival – Shawnee Mt 401 Hollow Rd, E Stroudsburg – 421.7231

oCt 18th• Bog Day - Tannersville Cranberry Bog 522 Cherry Lane Rd, E Stroudsburg – 629.3061• Lacawac Lane to Lake 8K Trail Run & Woods Walk - Lacawac Sanctuary 94 Sanctuary Rd, Lake Ariel – 689.9494• Ecozone Discovery – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

oCt 23-25• Spooky Days on the Farm – Quiet Valley 347 Quiet Valley Rd, Stroudsburg – 992.6161

oCt 24th• Autumn Splendor Walk Monroe Co Conservation District 8050 Running Valley Rd, Stroudsburg – 629.3061• Boy Scout Badge Fest – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

oCt 25th• Fire Building – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319• Wilderness Skills – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

oCt 31st• Little Eco Explorers – Bats – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319• Ecozone Discovery – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

nov 1st• Poconos Halloween Half Marathon & 5K run – Split Rock Resort – 100 Moseywood Rd, Lake Harmony – 800.255.7625• Sunday for Singles – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319nov 7th• Sign, Sign, Everywhere There’s Signs - Monroe Co Conservation District 8050 Running Valley Rd, Stroudsburg – 629.3061• Girl Scout Badge Fest – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

nov 8thEasy Does It Hike – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319 nov 14th • Build an Ecosystem in a Jar Monroe Co Conservation District 8050 Running Valley Rd, Stroudsburg – 629.3061• Bog Walk - Tannersville Cranberry Bog 522 Cherry Lane Rd, E Stroudsburg – 629.3061• Ecozone Discovery – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

By Donna Dillon


http://www.jandghomeimprovement.com

http://www.crawlspacerepair.net

By Donna Dillon

hAPPENINGS AT SAW CREEK & ThE TOP!WhAT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO MISS...

oCtoBer

• 2, 16, 23 - Open Jukebox Nights at the TOP

• 10 - Fall Festival and Pumpkin Painting - Oktoberfest at the TOP

• 17 - Strawberry Jam performs at the TOP

• 24 - WHO KNOWS performs at the TOP

• 30 - Scaryoke

• 31 - Halloween Party

novemBer


• 7 - Comedy Night

• 11 - Veteran’s Day Flag Raising Ceremony

• 13 - Karaoke Night at the TOP

• 14 - WHO KNOWS performs at the TOP

• 20 - Karaoke Night at the TOP

• 27 - Family Fun Night Out

• 28 - Holiday Craft Fair - Strawberry Jam performs at the TOP

DeCemBer

• 4 - DJ Frank is at the TOP


• 19 - Breakfast with Santa - HOLIDAY BUFFET - Christmas Karaoke Night

• 26 - Strawberry Jam performs at the TOP

• 31 - New Year’s Eve Kids Party - New Year’s Eve Adult Bash with Lady A

For more information, call

Top of the World at 570-588-6600

or the Recreation Dept. at

570-588-9329, Ext. 2218Please Note: All activities, dates, and/or times are subject to

change with or without notice.

• Game Dinner – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

nov 15th• Lenape of the Eastern Woodlands – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

nov 21st• Great Brews Classic Beer Festival Split Rock Resort 100 Moseywood Rd, Lake Harmony – 722.9111• Around the Campfire – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319• Intro to Astronomy – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

nov 27th - 28th• Honesdale for the Holidays Main St , Honesdale – 253.5492

nov 29th• Holiday Bows & Boughs – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

DeC 3rD – 6th• Quilt Camp – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

DeC 5th - 6th• Old Time Christmas – Quiet Valley 347 Quiet Valley Rd, Stroudsburg – 992.6161

DeC 6th• Tree Lighting – Stroudsmoor Country Inn 257 Stroudsmoor Rd, Stroudsburg – 421.6431• Ecology Hike – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

DeC 11th – 13thWinterfest – Main Ave – Hawley – 226.4064

DeC 12th• Wine Paring Dinner – Skytop 1 Skytop – 855.345.7759• Ecozone Discovery – PEEC 538 Emery Rd, Dingmans Ferry – 828.2319

DeC 12th -13th• Old Time Christmas – Quiet Valley 347 Quiet Valley Rd, Stroudsburg – 992.6161

TO AdVERTISE

EMAIL NANCY

AT

[email protected]


http://www.dawnstagntitle.com

If you need help paying your heating bills, or have a heating emergency...

LIHEAP May Be Able To Help You

Apply online at www.compass.state.pa.us

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

HSEA 18 7/15

Important Information about an Energy Assistance Program

Statewide Toll-Free Hotline 1-866-857-7095

Philadelphia County - Call (215) 560-1583TDD for Hearing Impaired 1-800-451-5886

Applications are also available at your local county assistance office.

If you have a heating emergency and need to apply for a crisis grant, contact your local county assistance office (CAO).

A listing of CAOs can be found at:www.dhs.state.pa.us/foradults/heatingassistanceliheap

In the following counties, contact the crisis contractor:

Luzerne(800) 822-0359

Wyoming(570) 836-4090

To get the number for your local CAO go to http://www.dhs.state.pa.us/findfacilsandlocs/

countyassistanceofficecontactinformation/index.htm or your local telephone directory.

What is LIHEAP?The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income families pay their heating bills. LIHEAP is a grant. You do not have to repay it.

To receive help… • You don’t have to be on public assistance • You don’t need to have an unpaid heating bill • You can either rent or own your home

How does LIHEAP work?LIHEAP offers both cash and crisis grants. Families may apply for:

Cash GrantsCash grants help families pay their heating bills. The grant payment is sent directly to your utility company or fuel provider, and it will be credited on your bill. (In some cases, the check may be mailed to you directly.)

Crisis GrantsCrisis grants may be available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your heat. Emergency situations include:

• Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced

• Lack of fuel

• Termination of utility service

• Danger of being without fuel (less than a 15 day supply) or of having utility service terminated (received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days)

If you have a heating emergency please call your local county assistance office.

How do I apply? • Apply online at: www.compass.state.pa.us

• Request an application by calling the Statewide LIHEAP Hotline at 1-866-857-7095 or TDD for the hearing impaired 1-800-451-5886

• Applications are available at your local county assistance office

To apply, you will need

• Names of people in your household

• Dates of birth for all household members

• Social Security Numbers for all household members

• Proof of income for all household members

• A recent heating bill

Who is eligible?You may qualify for a LIHEAP grant if your income meets the following income guidelines:

You will receive a written notice that will tell you if you qualify and the amount of your grant.

INCOME GUIDELINES2015 - 2016 LIHEAP

(For Homeowners and Renters)

Household Maximum Size Income

1 $ 17,655 2 $ 23,895 3 $ 30,135 4 $ 36,375 5 $ 42,615 6 $ 48,855 7 $ 55,095 8 $ 61,335 9 $ 67,575 10 $ 73,815

Each Additional Person Add $ 6,240


List and Sell your home with us! BUYERS! We have the largest inventory of homes in the Poconos.

Sellers• Evening and weekend appointments

always welcome• Nobody sells homes like we do, that’s

because we’re committed• We get you the highest price in the

shortest amount of time• We advertise everyday, everywhere

especially online with all the best home selling Internet sites

• Ask about our Global Home Warranties• FREE DEED – no obligation, call today

www.BHGwilkins.com The friendliest site in real estate featuring

the friendliest search for real estate.

Call 570.588.3440 BUSHKILL OFFICE

Interested in a Career in Real Estate? Call us and ask how.

FREEDEED!

Just ask.



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