Must i pay for a project that the HOA wants to carry?

I live in a HOA community with 12 houses. Recently, one of a homeowner suggested that we should remove all the cottonwood trees (about 50 to 60 trees)located in the greenbelt area which belongs to the HOA community, stating that it might fall when windstorm comes. The other 3-4 homeowner, which houses are located near the greenbelt, also like the idea since all their houses are next to those trees as well. So the HOA consult an arborist, and came up with the idea of doing a VMP(vegetation management plan) project, in which it will replace all the existing cottonwood trees with other evergreen or shrubs in the next 10 years, hopefully will prevent trees from falling during windstorms.

The HOA only have ~$2000 in the account which they pretty much expect everyone to just pay their shares for the VMP project. My guess is the project will cost at least $10,000 per homeowner. Out of the 12 houses, seems like I'm the only one against the project. The others seems like don't want to look bad in front of their neighbors or something. They are having meeting this week and they seems pretty confident getting 7 votes on the project. One homeowner even said if the trees do fall on their house and her insurance is not going to cover it(don't understand why it won't cover), she will sue the HOA for her lost. I have not agree to anything or sign an paperwork nor have I receive any report or paperwork regarding on the project. The HOA CC&R only mention I have to pay my dues, nothing about it said I have to pay more when there's a project. My question is can HOA carry out this big project even if they don't have the funds for it? can they force me to pay the $10,000 (if not more) if they got the 7 votes on this project?

ADD: This HOA was formed when the neighborhood was first built 12 years ago, back then there was only 10 houses, so the original HOA contract stated need 7 vote out of the 10 house to pass a vote, but it fail to mention anything about money and responsiblities. I heard from one of the neighors that A lot of changed has been made to the HOA contract since the day it was form. But i have never recieve any notes or update regarding any issue in the past 12 years.

I would want another opinion on the trees.

Perhaps just some of them should come down and the others thinned out.

Chung,

When you purchased your home you agreed to all of the provisions of the covenants (CCRs), whether you signed off on them or not. One provision is to pay your assessments, including any special assessments that are passed by the members. I would suggest you thoroughly read your CCRs to determine if this project can be undertaken by the board without a vote of the membes. If a vote of the members is required the % of votes needed to pass the motion will also be stated. A requirement of 7 votes out of 12 members equates to 59% which is a very unusual % requirement, but 7 votes out of 10 members means 70% which sounds more plausible. Check the CCRs for the % of votes required not the actual number of votes. Oftentimes the BOD must obtain a vote of the members to spend a certain amount of money; look to see if that is also stated in your CCRs.

It's hard to make a fair decision if you don't know what the CCRs say. Read them and know what the member's rights are and what the BOD's authority and the proper procedure is.

yep .. sell and run

welcome to a true democracy ... J. Q. Adam's nightmare come true

Those numbers are not far off. Around here $2,000 is reasonable for a large tree removal and were talking about 60 trees. That is $120,000. Not including the cost of the new trees and planting.

Get a second opinion.

If you only have $2,000 in the HOA account, you dont have allot of options.