We are aware of the legislation that passed late last evening regarding the Governor’s state of emergency related to COVID-19. We all want to understand the permanence of the legislation and related efforts to further enforce public health measures (masks, social distancing, etc) on an ongoing basis.
In the upcoming days we will all try to understand what measures may stay in place as requirements, for the operation of the pool and their timing.
We will keep our residents informed as to the updates and any such VP Board decisions as they are made available.
By the time of this posting everyone should have received a
letter from the Valley Ponds HOA regarding the opening of the pool for the 2020
season. Unfortunately, this preceded a communication
from the Heatherbrook HOA, so we apologize for the timing of the communication.
To recap, the pool will not be opening for the 2020 season,
as outlined in the Valley Ponds communication for the reasons listed.
To provide a bit more context to the decision, we want to
share a few more points.
The decision was difficult, given last year and the tornado. All communities wanted to open the pool
somehow, but we consulted with an attorney on two occasions and were unable to
find a way to open the pool safely. According to the Governor’s guidance community pools are permitted to
operate in counties in the yellow and green phases of the Governor’s phased-in
reopening plan, provided they follow CDC guidance for aquatic venues and the
Governor’s Guidance for Businesses Permitted to Operate During the COVID-19
Disaster Emergency.
We considered our options to reach compliance in order to
open, but in the end, our small operation does not have the inherent resources or
budget to perform and enforce all of the retirements, putting the association
and our residents at a greater risk.
We have outlined several of the requirements that would need
to be implemented, however this list is not exhaustive:
CDC Guideline
Implementation
Feasibility
Additional
Funding Required
Physical Barriers and Guides
Providing physical cues or guides and signs to ensure that
staff, patrons, and swimmers stay at least 6 feet apart from those they don’t
live with, both in and out of the water.
Not
feasible.
Physical
separation and markings inside the pool would be difficult to implement.
Yes
Second
lifeguard potentially to implement separation within the pool.
Lifeguards and Water Safety
Ensuring that lifeguards who
are actively lifeguarding are not also expected to monitor
handwashing, use of cloth face coverings, or social distancing of
others. Assign this monitoring responsibility to another staff member.
Feasible. Second attendant (non-lifeguard) would have to enforce compliance
Yes
Purchase of PA system and ability to play
continuous loop messages on COVID-19 prevention.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Hiring a second staff member to disinfect
pool area and surfaces and perform enforcement activities.
Somewhat feasible.
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at
least daily and shared objects each time they are used.
Yes
Communication Systems
And
Designated COVID-19 Point of Contact
· Having staff, patrons, and swimmers
self-report if they have symptoms of COVID-19, a positive test, exposed
within the last 14 days.
·
Notifying local health authorities of COVID-19 cases.
·
Notifying staff, patrons, and swimmers (as feasible) of potential
COVID-19 exposures while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Designating a staff member to be responsible for
responding to COVID-19 concerns
Not
feasible.
This
would be an additional (third) role to essentially do contact tracing and
reporting to regulatory authorities.
We reviewed what other pools are doing in the region and it
is roughly a 50/50 mixture of open versus closed. What is apparent, is that those that are
opening have far more resources than our small community pool.
We all want to be outside and have more to offer our
children and families this Summer, including the community pool. This has not been an easy decision for anyone
involved, as this is the second natural disaster effecting our community in two
years. None of us ever thought this
would be the case….. two natural disasters.
The reasons not to open were NOT made based on redirecting
funds to other required projects such as the retention pond at the bottom of
the community or other 2019 storm related expenses. The initial remediation will cost
approximately $7,000 (rounded), but in fact there may be much more remediation
required. There is not a surplus of
funds at VP and we are attempting to phase the work over time so an
“assessment” to each homeowner will not be required. We are also working with the township
engineering firm and others to attempt to have the expense shared among all
commercial parties involved, just not Valley Ponds. We anticipate the total expense to exceed the
initial amount but are unsure what the total will be.
We hope that our community finds the information helpful, as
we want to be as transparent as possible during this difficult time, as we all
find ways to get to a place of normalcy and peace.
Please remember that trash cans must be stored in your garage except for pick up days, as published in the rules and regulations/declarations.
Use of separate containers stored outside the home for collecting and storing DOG WASTE is not permitted, under the same rule referencing trash cans. Please accommodate all trash, including dog waste inside your garage.
The rules and regulations/declarations support our community in relative uniformity that ensures we preserve, if not raise, our home values and also assists in maintaining harmony, with neighbors in close proximity.
Please remember that a request is required prior to making any exterior alterations to the outside of your home, as well as iin the planting beds. Information is available on the website and you can email the association at heatherbrookhomes@gmail.com or Paula Babb with questions.
Quick reminders – this applies to :
Storm doors – front or rear
Pavers or concrete pads
TV Dishes
Any changes tot he shrubbery or additions not covered in the rules and regulations / declarations
Storage (small containers) under your deck – requires approval
The VP Board is currently assessing the viability of opening the pool for the 2020 season, given regulatory restrictions and uncertain timing. VP is soliciting the assistance of others to gain the right legal and regulatory information to make the best decision possible.
Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
This pool season at Valley Ponds has been trying for obvious reasons, in addition to insurance companies, contractors and regulatory constraints. The pool has re-opened for the month of September, without furniture, so bring your own chair!
Remaining scheduled dates are as follows: 14th 3-8, 15th 10-3, 20th 5:30-8, 21st 3-8, 27th 5:30-8, 28th 3-8, 29th 10-3
The schedule is subject to change due to weather. As we are able to get additional guards on the schedule, additional availability will be published.
We have added a materials list for each of the two builders in the development, in order to assist home owner’s and contractors with repairs. In some instances, exact materials may not be available, but replacements must be substantially similar to the original materials used.
First, we are all thankful that we did not have more severe damage in Heatherbrook. Certainly some of us sustained damage and we will continue to support each other as well as our neighbors in the Greater Valley Ponds Community that received even greater damage!
As we are having work done to our properties, please remember to have contractors use your driveway for their vehicles. Owners may place a vehicle into one of the guest lots to facilitate your needs, but please drop us an email so we know what your needs are for coordination.
As a reminder, use your own garage and driveway for vehicles – your own and your guest’s. This allows us to have enough space for occasional use by residents having work on their properties, plus capacity for our family and friends. If you have multiple vehicles in the guest lots, please refrain.
Speeding is again an issue. There are far too many vehicles well over the speed limit on our busy and narrow street. Please slow down – residents and guests.
Everyone is reminded to walk your dogs away from the homes…. this has not been a big issue, but we are seeing people we do not recognize with dogs between our homes and all over yards….. please ask these folks to walk their dogs elsewhere. Dogs can be walked along common tree lines, or as many do, take your dog behind the 200 block guest parking area. As always, we are responsible to remove waste immediately.
Lastly, the pool will be re-opened as soon as a new permanent fence can be installed and the new safety equipment is procured. This is in the works, so hopefully it will be back in business relatively quickly.
Unfortunately we did not have the quorum we needed this past Tuesday evening to elect our Board of Directors. Our current Board and management company will identify a new meeting date and notify residents as soon as possible. In the meantime, please consider submitting your own name or nominating another community member to be on the ballot.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Board directly through this website in our Contact Us section, send email to heatherbrookhomes@gmail.com or give our contact at Zuber Realty, Paula Babb, a call at (610) 369-0303 ext. 228.
