Somerset Hills VIII Homeowners Association

The recent weather has been challenging for us all. Thank you for remembering that your HOA has a volunteer board of directors who give their time free of charge to help keep things running smoothly in our neighborhood.

Your board has responded to ice storm problems as follows:
First priority was getting blocked streets cleared on Thursday, December 15 which was accomplished quickly and efficiently by our tree service aided by volunteers.
Second priority has been assessing further damage, considering communication to homeowners and planning for future cleanup. The board had an emergency meeting Saturday morning December 17 to discuss these matters.

With regard to ice storm damage from falling trees or branches, whether these came from the Common Area or not, homeowners should pursue solutions through your homeowner’s insurance or auto insurance. Such insurance will usually pay for removal of branches or trees lying on your house or car, and will very likely pay for any damage.

As homeowners clean up around their homes we ask that debris or limbs NOT be moved to Common Area or to the street. Homeowners are free to haul away debris themselves or to take debris from the Common Area to use as firewood.

After our meeting today, which focused on dealing with cleanup from already down trees and branches, we have received several messages concerned about trees in the common area which present a perceived imminent risk to a home or fence. Please be patient as your board confers about how best to respond to these concerns.

Using our recently completed tree survey, we will be working on an updated assessment of imminent hazard trees and taking action as deemed necessary. If a homeowner wishes more immediate action in regard to a currently standing Common Area tree, then that homeowner may request approval from the board for the homeowner to contract tree service at the homeowner’s own expense.

Your board will attempt to plan a community work day in January or February when we will ask volunteers from the whole HOA to join in moving debris to designated sites for chipping and hauling away. Again, we ask that debris not be moved to the street nor to the Common Area prior to that work day. Cost (for chipping and hauling) and scope of that work day will be considered further at our next regular board meeting on December 29.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and pleasant neighborhood. If you have questions or concerns or wish to volunteer, please use the contact forms here on our web site rather than phoning individual board members or other HOA members.