Digital Sign Fears Told
Anonymous letter read at Board meeting rejects sign plan
Efforts to create better communications and keep residents informed hit a snag with submittal of an anonymous letter read at the Oct. 15 HOA Board meeting critical of a proposed digital sign.
The Social Committee proposed a digital sign to be installed on the pool fence past the Montana Vista pool entrance. The sign would replace a handwritten sandwich board that lists upcoming events, plus would be used to announce urgent messages, such as water shutoffs, power issues, pool closures, and HOA information.
Social Committee Chair Joyce Witte said the sign would help get the word out to new homeowners, people that don’t use Facebook, or people who don’t get the HOA e-newsletters. She said sharing messages as people arrive in the complex has been very effective.
A digital sign would provide immediate message updates as needed, and the messages would be easier to read and professionally displayed.
“A digital sign can help us build stronger social connections, improve communication from the Board, and keep residents informed about important community matters,” Witte said.
Board member Doreene Schaffer introduced the anonymous letter, saying the writer requested her to read it at the Board meeting. The letter is anonymous, Schaffer said, because the writer feared some sort of imagined repercussions.
The letter expressed “serious concerns” regarding security, financial allocations, and community aesthetics.
Because the sign would promote event times and locations, the writer believes that poses an unnecessary security risk by creating predictable windows for potential property theft.
The writer said that it’s impressive the Social Committee raised money through voluntary contributions to fund the sign, but wrote that the community has other critical needs, such as tennis and pickleball court repairs, updating the horseshoe area, replacing pool cushions, and maintaining walking paths, Iverson Park, and the off-leash dog area. Focusing on these areas would enhance property values and everyday quality of life, the writer believes.
The HOA recently completed the Perimeter Path through grants and HOA funds and has funded court repairs and new tennis and pickleball nets. The Social Committee funded new pool cushions last year through event donations. Any added court repairs or replacements likely would be five to ten times as much as the digital sign and require special financial support. The Board has identified court repairs in its long-range planning. The HOA Maintenance Team also is tasked for upkeep of community facilities, including the park, path, horseshoe courts, and general landscaping.
Regarding improved communications, the anonymous writer said a digital sign would be “highly redundant,” pointing out the HOA’s bulletin boards in each circle, a newsletter (which was described as monthly but is quarterly), and HOA email updates. The dry erase board is sufficient and the HOA has a website with information as well, the writer said.
Despite all that, the Board regularly receives complaints that people don’t see information.
The writer suggested a text-message system. However, the HOA has difficulty getting residents to provide that information and allow text messaging. It also would require additional volunteer support to execute.
Regarding community aesthetics, the unknown writer believes a commercial-grade illuminated sign would detract from the community’s welcoming, residential atmosphere.
The final objection to the sign is that money is raised from voluntary contributions via event attendance, which range from $10 to $15 per-person donations. Those on fixed incomes can’t afford the donations, the writer believes. The writer suggested sign funding should be used to subsidize these community events.
If that happened, event costs would come directly out of the HOA budget, which is funded by monthly HOA dues assessments. That means the events likely wouldn’t happen because event donations also help pay for food or entertainment that attracts participants.
The HOA Board is split on the issue. One Board member is against it because of cost, one is for it because of effective communication capabilities. Others think the sign might be a positive addition but want it to be a quality sign able to withstand the weather conditions and not have to be replaced regularly. Sign cost is an issue across the Board, but so is the potential for improved communications and community engagement, as outlined in the Board’s long-range planning and strategic plan.
At the Board meeting, the decided action was to further study the issue and get estimates for sign purchase, electricity access, and installation costs to make an informed decision and Board vote.
If you have an opinion about the digital sign, please email bod@LosLagosVistasHOA.com.
