What Your POA Board Has Achieved & What’s Ahead

The current board wants to take a moment to highlight the progress we’ve made over the past year. With three new board members soon to be elected to three-year terms, it’s important for our community to recognize the steps we’ve taken to ensure that our decisions are made with openness, accountability, and the best interests of the neighborhood in mind.

Many people use the word transparency—it’s a common buzzword, but what does it truly mean? For this board, transparency isn’t just about saying the right things; it’s about taking real action to keep our community informed and involved in the decision-making process. Here’s what we’ve done to achieve that:

✅ Open Meeting Procedures – We have established clear guidelines for our board meetings, allowing members to:

• Suggest items for upcoming board agendas.
• Speak on agenda items during meetings.
• Hold board meetings in a neutral location.
• Access agendas a full week before meetings occur.

✅ Fair and Transparent Voting Processes – The board created a registration system to ensure that voting at general meetings aligns with state statutes, providing a secure and accurate system for voting on any by-law changes.

✅ Establish Procedures for Community Operations – We’ve put written procedures in place for:

• Issuing and managing key fobs.
• Handling and enforcing community violations fairly and consistently.
• Listing the goals and objectives for the finance committee.
• Posting board & general meeting minutes.

✅ Community Engagement & Feedback – We have actively sought input from residents about potential community improvements, ensuring that the voices of our members help shape our future projects.

✅ Accessible Information – All of this information has been made available to members on the PayHOA site, providing a centralized location where residents can stay up to date on board decisions.

Enhanced Security & Safety Measures

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the security and safety of our community, we have implemented several key initiatives:

• Fire Extinguishers Installed – Fire extinguishers have been placed at both the pavilion and the boat ramp for added safety. Additional extinguishers will be installed at both community fire pits.
• AED Installation – We have purchased an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) along with a protective cabinet. The AED will be installed at the well house, providing a crucial life-saving resource for our community.
• Well House Operational – The well house is now fully operational, offering irrigation support for our park area.
• New Signage at the Beach Area – Updated signage has been installed to improve safety and community awareness.
• Dock Address Program – Dock owners now have the ability to add dock addresses to their docks, ensuring emergency services can locate properties more accurately in the event of an emergency.

Looking Ahead: What’s in Progress

The board is currently working on several key initiatives that will be brought before the community for consideration:

🔹 Security Camera System – A proposal to install a security camera system to enhance the safety of our community members and amenities.(In Progress)

🔹 Pavilion Renovation – A proposal to renovate the Pavilion at Recreation Park, transforming it into an all-season facility for community use.

🔹 Community Website – The development of a website designed to improve community interaction, provide updates, and offer an easier way for residents to contact board members.

It’s important to acknowledge that this board doesn’t always agree on every issue—and that’s exactly how a board should function. Healthy discussion, debate, and differing viewpoints lead to well-rounded decisions that benefit the community. Our goal is not to avoid disagreements but to work through them in a way that prioritizes the needs of our neighborhood.

As we move forward with electing three new board members, we encourage everyone to stay engaged, informed, and involved. The strength of our community lies in its members, and together, we will continue making progress for the betterment of all.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

2024 – 25 POA Lake Gaston Estates