From the Architectural Control Committee
Some nice lawns on Westwood Main
The Architectural Control Committee of Westwood Estates wishes to remind all property owners in the Subdivision that it is the owner’s responsibility to maintain an attractive front yard at all times. This enhances the value of everybody’s investment.
Yards should be maintained all the way to the street curb. Failure to do so is a violation of our Subdivision Restrictions and Covenants and it is also a violation of City Ordinance. The City could impose fines and recovery costs through the Code Enforcement office. Litter and grass overgrown above the curb present an unkempt and unsanitary appearance.
Thank you!
ACC
Park Work Day May 19, 8am – noon
Last year’s work days went very well, with much accomplished. We look forward to seeing people come out this year!
Last year we had two work days, with a great deal of work needed and a great deal of work completed. This year there are fewer tasks, but still a need for as many who are able.
We’ll be concentrating on clearing brush, including in the numerous trails in the woods, and hauling it to the curbs. Also, there are many trees needing trimming, and a few dead ones to be cleared out.
We look forward to seeing everyone who can contribute some time on Saturday the 19th!
All who contributed to the work last year are greatly appreciated!
2012 Annual Meeting Report
Bryan PD Neighborhood Enforcement Team Officer Mike Watson addresses the meeting
The 2012 Annual Meeting was held Monday, January 16, 7pm at Mary Branch Elementary.
Twenty-one (21) members attended (representing 27 votes) along with 66 proxies representing 99 votes. The total count of votes present, in person or by proxy, was 126.
As always, we needed a quorum of 25% of the 193 members (49), or their proxies, to officially hold the meeting. Proxies were distributed by hand and were also be available for download on the WWE website.
The following items were covered:
- Late dues penalties and the status of the Board’s efforts to collect overdue accounts.
- The need to update the Westwood Estates Deed Restrictions and Bylaws. According to our bylaws, a simple majority of residents (193/2 = 96.5 + 1 = 98) have to approve starting the process of updating the Association’s Bylaws and Deed Restrictions. This process, once initiated, may take 3-6 months to complete and will incorporate public comment. A Special Vote will be held later to approve changes. The Board recommended a “Yes” vote. This passed:
- Votes YES: 106
- Votes NO: 20
- Elections of new Board members. Mark Coppock and James Carter were elected to serve 2-year terms.
- The fiscal report was submitted by Treasurer Walter Kamphoefner.
This subdivision is at a crossroads
UPDATE: The Annual Meeting Proxy is ready. Download the Proxy here.
With the coming of the Health Science Center and the Biomedical Corridor, our neighborhood has the potential to see substantial increase in the value of our homes. Not staying current on our paperwork can and almost certainly will cost each of us by reducing or limiting our property values. Our deed restrictions and bylaws are over 25 years old. They need updating. That means we need at least 98 people or their proxies to initiate this process.
We’ll be posting proposed changes and soliciting member input. We expect the process to take perhaps 3-6 months, but we cannot even begin without a simple majority vote at the annual meeting.
After all the proposed changes are in place, we’ll hold a special meeting to approve them. This meeting will also require a simple majority (50% plus one) vote to approve.
Past dues are becoming a problem for the Association
The Board is taking action against past due accounts.
Options being considered:
- Collection agencies: will charge past due accounts their costs
- Attorneys: past due homeowners responsible for fees
- Claim of lien: will cloud title, the $40 filing fee + 18% per annum interest + $40 release fee will be charged to the past due homeowner
Residents who choose not to pay their dues put the the other residents in the position of supporting the upkeep of the neighborhood, while those in arrears benefit.
National Night Out Oct. 4
There's no guarantee that your block will have traditional frito pies like last year's party for Westwood North and South at the Stafford's. But you can hope.
Tuesday, October 4.
Mark your calendars and watch here for details.
From Westwood Estates: Thank you, Clyde Garland
For the past 12 years, Westwood Estates resident Clyde Garland has voluntarily served the people of our neighborhood in at least the following capacities:
- Researched, interviewed, compiled and written the biannual Westwood Estates newsletters. The newsletter is how this site came into existence; we just took a newsletter and copied and pasted. Creating these newsletters involves a series of time-consuming tasks, including
- event reports including from the annual meeting,
- an upcoming events calendar,
- a detailed fiscal report,
- a late dues report,
- block report compilations
- clearly formatted contact info for each of the Block Captains, Board Members, Architectural Control Committee members and other volunteers
- a listing of other services utilized by the Association, and
- various other stories of general interest.
- Maintaining updated, detailed maps of the lots in the neighborhood, regarding ownership and ownership history, whether the current occupants are owners or renters, dues status, etc.
- Attending nearly every WECIA Board meeting in the past 12 years, each month offering his comprehensive and historic knowledge as a valuable resource.
- Working closely with our CPA John Holland, monitoring his work and keeping him updated.
- More than once, being solely responsible for our ability to hold our necessary annual meeting—by seeing that enough proxies weren’t otherwise going to be collected and going out and collecting them himself.
- Monitoring the condition of the park, and fixing problems that he’s found.
Clyde has chosen to step down as a volunteer. Our sentiments on that decision can be summarized by these words: Clyde, thank you for your service over the years!!
Westwood Estates Night with the Brazos Valley Bombers July 14
It's Westwood Estates Night with the Bombers!
Update: unfortunately, the board had some last-minute changes and we won’t be able to have a quorum Friday, therefore we won’t have a board meeting at the picnic before the game after all. But the game’s still on, and we look forward to seeing you at the ballpark.
Note: In addition to the game, we’re planning to have this month’s Westwood Estate Board meeting at the ballpark during the picnic time before the game at 6:00….
Come out to the Brazos Valley Bombers game on Thursday, July 14th for Westwood Estates Community Improvement Association Night. The evening starts with a pre-game picnic at 6:00pm. The picnic includes all-you-can-eat hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, chicken sandwiches, baked beans, potato chips, soft drinks and bottled water. After the picnic ends at 7:00pm, head over to the covered grandstand to watch the game in your reserved seats.
Bombers vs. East Texas PumpJacks
Thursday, July 14
6:00pm Pre-Game Picnic/7:00pm First Pitch
Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark – 525 W. Carson Street – Bryan (click here for the Ballpark on Google Maps)
Pre-Game Picnic and Game Ticket: $15/Person
Kids can play on the inflatable games in the Bombers Kids Zone for free all night!
Game Ticket Only: $8/Person
Children 3 and Under: Free
To purchase tickets:
- Please go to http://bvbombers.com/tickets/groupticketportal and click on the Westwood Estates Community Improvement Association logo. Type in the password – westwoodbomber. Then, select your seats and pay online. Tickets will be available for pickup at the ballpark ticket office on gameday. Or –
- Contact Justin at (979)-985-5130 or Justin@bvbombers.com.
The deadline to purchase tickets online is Wednesday, July 13th at 5:00pm.
While the Bombers do appreciate you buying early for the special group event nights, especially if you’ll be signing up for the picnic, you can still of course buy tickets at the gate.
Easter Party tomorrow
Friday April 225:30 – dark
Westwood Community Park
5:30pm: Food, Snacks, Drinks
6:00pm: Easter Egg Hunt
Everyone Welcome!!!
As always, thanks so much to Laura Stafford who is organizing and providing everything, and bringing the food!
Park Volunteer Days
Park Volunteer Days, last two Saturdays in April, 8am-Noon
April 23 and 30. Y’all come. The Westwood Board has established the last two Saturdays in April as “Park Volunteer Days.” Most Board Members will be there with tools and supplies to do various tasks. The hope is that it will be a fun event, with neighbors working side by side.
Their goal is to avoid having to hire people, which will allow the park to be maintained and maybe even be improved at low cost.
It has been a long standing policy, that if anyone wants something done in the Park and is willing to provide free labor the Association will almost always say “yes” and pay for any materials and any special tools and equipment needed.
However, over the last many years, except for Laura and Mike Stafford, who keep the trash and broken limbs picked up and for a guy who walks along Traditions Dr. now and then picking up trash, there have been no takers. Hopefully, the Park Volunteer Days will attract more people, so larger jobs can be done.
What follows is a list of work the Board has put together with a guesstimate of what it would cost to hire contractors to do them:
- Weeds: Remove from graveled playground area. $200
- Sidewalk: Fix 3’x50’ leading from Dewberry. $1000
- Paint wall: Seal 4’x60’ wood wall ( 5gal. @ $200 + labor ) = $300
- Paint bench: Power wash & seal 18”x200’ (15gal). $1000
- Vines: Remove from shrubs at Westwood Sign & trim. $200
- Dinosaur: Replace stolen dinosaur. $1500
- Or, build a wood seesaw on dinosaur spring platform. $300
- Sprinkler: Fix it for shrubs around canopy. $1000
- Trees: Fix watering system for trees. $300
- Sign: Replace “Rules” sign on Park bulletin board. $200
- Clear out growth for 3 picnic areas on hill. $300
- Tables: Buy and install three picnic tables for above. $800
- Trails: Trim 400’ nature trail that runs through trees on hill. $400
TOTAL $7200
See you at the Park April 23 and 30!
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