1. Does CHA have authority over the community with covenants, mandated membership etc?
No, CHA is a Massachusetts Chapter 180 Nonprofit Corp. with no covenants. Membership is not compulsory, nor do we have the typical fees of $500+ per month. CHA is a beautification and social group with simple annual dues of $65 Per YEAR. CHA member dues are used for Communications, e.g. our Printed Directory, Social Activities, Landscaping, Website Fees, and Seasonal Decor etc. Further use of dues sometimes involves large repairs, such as when all 4 of the Rte 6-A Entry's large fences blew down and were destroyed in a blizzard, or whenever a vehicle accidentally drives over our florally landscaped Rte 6-A Entrance.
2. Are CHA Board Members elected to represent CHA residents at town hearings with a collective, unified voice?
No, our board is not elected to represent the CH Community in any way that involves town government issues or town voting. We are elected to beautify our entrances, create a social environment, communicate with our members, and seasonally decorate our road posts etc. We as a board do not have the authority or power to speak for all residents of CH, or take positions on town controlled issues. Nine board members cannot decide what is best for 300+ CH property owners when it comes to matters like ADUs, (Accessory Dwelling Units) or STRs ( Short Term Rentals) as many homeowners have differing opinions regarding these items.
We can however, when/if we learn of such town matters, tell our membership the time, date and place of any Town Hearings where they can go to express their own individual opinions.
3. Can I pay this year's dues at the Annual Meeting in October?
Yes, although dues were due last January. If one has lapsed, one may write a check for overdue dues and then add in next year's dues as well. Next year's dues are due on January 1, of next year.
4. How is CHA run? We are governed by our own By-Laws, and we fall under the Massachusetts Chapter 180 Non-profit corporation code specifically defined under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 180
We meet quarterly, and then as needed. We try to keep our Board Meetings under 2 hours. We save time by having Committees be jurisdictive over what they choose to do, within Their Charge, as long as they stay within their budget. The Board does not micromanage; for example, the Social Committee plans their own menus, the Landscaping Committee decides on their designs, cuttings and plants, the Welcome Committee decides what to put in their baskets etc.. However, if there is a glaring issue, any Board Member can make a motion to call for an Official Vote on an issue. Further, all items, with expenses, outside of a committee's budget require a vote.
5. Can I join CHA and get active in the Association?
Yes! We have social events, and helper events too, e.g...neighborhood clean up days, holiday decor days, envelope stuffing sessions and more! On some of the "helper days", we gather afterwards for potluck refreshments. We are a Working Board...Officers and Board Members make up the seasonal decor kits, have been known to touch up the paint on signs, deal with litter and lend a helping hand when our landscapers are not immediately available for a planting problem.
6. Does CHA have any authority over property appearances?
NO, CHA has no legal authority over any property owner's land or house.
All property owners are subject to, and governed by their Town's Ordinances, Zoning and Building Departments. All owners have their own deeds to their properties, pay real estate taxes and other town services assessed to their own properties.
7. Do we call CHA Board Members when we have complaints about speeding vehicles, trespassers, door to door salespersons, unleashed dogs, or pet walkers not picking up waste etc. ?
No, we have no authority to intervene. Because there ARE Laws about these matters, residents can call the police, or other appropriate authority. We do appreciate being informed of any such activities, as we can send an email to all members advising them to be safely aware.
8. Do we call CHA Board Members to intervene for us in cases of trash receptacles being left out past the pick-up day, loud parties, signs on properties, too bright lights, visible trucks and trailers, neighbor to neighbor disputes?.
No, we have no authority to intervene; CHA does not serve as an arbiter. After a resident calls the proper authority, who will do the intervening, IF there is a law that covers such annoyances, we appreciate being informed. We can send an email to all members advising them to be aware..
9. How can I find out if my complaint is justified?
To see if a complaint is legally viable. See our "HELPFUL INFORMATION" page for some of your town laws and ordinances:
https://cummaquidheights.com/helpful-information
For all town laws see
Barnstable https://ecode360.com/BA2043
Yarmouth https://ecode360.com/YA0698
10. I would like to see a street light near my house. Will the CHA Board take the lead on that?
No, sorry, items like road signs, speed bumps and any other town funded type of installation is usually done by abutting petitioners, Some even have MA state laws involved. Contact the town's DPW, see what is needed, and perhaps band together with like - minded neighbors to circulate a petition., and present it to the town.
11. Does CHA landscape any islands in the Cul de Sac circles?
No, it appears though, that some residents seem to trim the ones closest to their homes.
12. Do I live in Barnstable or Yarmouth?
If one lives in the white area on this map, one is a resident of Precinct 1, Barnstable, where one votes, and in which one pays property taxes. However one may reside in Barnstable, but have a Yarmouth Port MAILING Address in the 02675 zip code because the Barnstable Village PO and the Cummaquid PO do not deliver mail. They only offer PO Boxes to which one goes and picks up mail.
https://gis.townofbarnstable.us/Html5Viewer/Index.html?viewer=propertymaps
If one lives in the gray area on this map, one is a resident of Yarmouth.
13. There seem to be many noisy vehicles going by to collect trash, do landscaping etc. and the rumblings, mowers and leaf blowers start as early as 7 am. Can they legally start that early?
While 7 am to 9 pm is the Town and State Legal time for operating such noisemakers, CHA very much appreciates those who can hold off their trash pick-ups and landscaper noise-making machines and activities until 9 AM.
14. Has anyone looked into getting more street loights?
Several interested residents investigated street lighting options for the Cummaquid Heights neighborhood. They did a great deal of research regarding the cost of installing street lights through our community. They. met and spoke with Richard French, who was responsible for street lighting in the Town of Barnstable. They learned that street lighting falls under the purview of the Barnstable Fire District. Since CH utilities are underground, Mr. French explained that it would require installation of new wiring, new cables and new poles to support the lights. The town would not undertake this project on our behalf because the cost is prohibitive.
In addition, they investigated solar options, learning that it would require installation of poles, solar panels and lights. This too, would be an extremely expensive undertaking. The placement of any of these poles and lights would have to be on private property and would have to be maintained by the property owner. After reviewing all of these options, the interested residents concluded that a lighting project is not feasible for this neighborhood. (See CHA Board Meeting Minutes of June 6, 2024)
15. Can a CHA Member request to appear at a Board Meeting to discuss an issue?
Yes, CHA Members are welcome to appear before the board. They must email the President, to share any queries, issues or concerns. The President will contact the member with the time, date, and place of the next board meeting, at which the member can speak.
16. Are there any helpful ideas to create neighborliness?
Yes!
SOCIAL HOSTING - It is always appreciated when a hosting neighbor notifies their neighbors and the board that a private event will be held and that many cars will be parking in their area.
17. Do Board Members ever have to recuse themselves on any issues?
Yes!
CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
Any board members who stand to gain financially from a CHA Board decision must recuse themselves from board discussions and votes. For instance, if Board Members own a landscaping company and CHA is looking for one, said Board Members must recuse themselves from the discussions and subsequent votes.
18. What are the social expectations of Board Members?
CHA appreciates all Board members who attend all CHA Sponsored Socials whenever possible, CHA also very much appreciates Board Members who share Board Meeting Hosting Duties whenever possible.
19. Does CHA Have a Facebook Group?
No, we have the website https://cummaquidheights.com/ as our online presence, ond Ann Connell Bergin, who serves as a CHA officer, created and runs the Cummaquid Heights Neighborhood Facebook Group which any CH Property Owner may join. It has no connection to CHA and both entities have been supportive of each other. https://www.facebook.com/groups/673919833584903/