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Opening gated community for Halloween

Started by KariF • 8 replies • 131 views

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KariF (Texas)
Posts: 4
Posted:
We live in a gated community and the HOA has never opened the gate for Halloween night. Those of us who want to pass out candy to the neighbors within our HOA gladly and it has been quiet/safe. This year with a two day notice our HOA informed us they would open the gates from 5-8pm because some in our HOA had inquired thought it might be fun. I had also inquired but desired a community Halloween party with gates closed of course but do something nice for all of us. That did not happen. I pay the same amount as every one else but a few ask for open gates and they get them opened? No votes or other options provided? HOA board doesn't ask makes the decision without asking. I hate to sound like a Karen here but this is a community. We should all be involved. It doesn't help they have held no HOA meeting in over 6 months. These are topics that could have been discussed and agreed upon during a meeting. Please someone tell me if I am wrong here. I am open to constructive feedback! Thanks.
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
Not every decision has to go through the homeowners - that can take too much time and cause a lot of confusion, which is why you have a board of directors. It is a good idea to ask for community imput on major issues, but remember board meetings are BUSINESS meetings, not town hall meetings, where people might jump from issue to issue, ramble or get rowdy when decisions can't be made RIGHT NOW. Check your documents to see what they say about HOA board meetings - if they're supposed to be open and held every month, but nothing's happened in six months, that's a bigger problem than trick or treating in your community, and you should talk to a few board members to see what's going on. If you don't get a response, talk to some of your neighbors to see if they feel the same as you and then all of you can go to the board and demand answers.

As for the gates being open, you've never done this before, so what are you worried about? It won't stop the kids living in your community from participating - the biggest issue might be running out of candy. If that happens or people don't want to participate at all, the homeowners should be told to turn off their porchlights (that's what we do in our community - which is why we haven't had trick or treating in years!) If chaos ensues, you can evaluate what happened and see if you want to do this again next year with some changes (perhaps a Halloween party at the clubhouse would be better and make it invitation only).
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
KariF (Texas)
Posts: 4
Posted:
Fair enough thank you for responding. My only concern is at our previous neighborhood with no gates or HOA we were swamped with trick or theaters to where we could not get to our home without waiting in the car line. Also we experienced a lot of damage to our property as the kids would trample on our things. Some items were not replaceable. Here it would be the same ai certainly do not want property damaged and not sure lights out will deter anyone. It didn't seem to at the old neighborhood. So moving to a gated neighborhood was definitely a perk for us when moving! We were hoping for more security and safety.
GregoryT1
Posts: 315
Posted:
No HOA meeting in six months. Is Texas an open meeting state? It looks like the open gate is the least of your problems. It is just a symptom and there is something bigger lurking out there. If you have a back story to this that would be more helpful.
KariF (Texas)
Posts: 4
Posted:
It would be a long one! In short a poorly managed and very lax board of directors. They want some of the benefits of an HOA, collect the fees and ignore anything that is pressing/or of real concern. Disappointed for sure over here!
GregoryT1
Posts: 315
Posted:
Well we can all start stating our woes. The tears will be endless. I will think three times before I buy into a condo again. In any case you can always stage a coup! You can use this board if you need to strategize on that.
BillD16 (Texas)
Posts: 971
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By SheliaH on 10/30/2024 9:01 AM
Not every decision has to go through the homeowners - that can take too much time and cause a lot of confusion, which is why you have a board of directors. It is a good idea to ask for community imput on major issues,

SheliaH is correct about how not all decisions go to a homeowner vote / referendum. Although a surprising number of people who live in HOAs seem to think otherwise. In my personal experience, there is something of an art to dealing with this. The Board can make a decision in good faith to deal with a time-critical issue - and still get kicked in the teeth over it because they “over-reached”.

Leaving the gates open on Halloween? I’m not certain I agree that that’s worth a vote. BUT I would expect the Board to provide the homeowners with its thinking on the matter and why they’re choosing to do it this year for the first time. I’ve seen a lot less of it as an adult, but when I was a kid, Halloween was primarily known for two things: Candy, and Acts of Vandalism ranging from TP/window soaping to outright arson. I suspect you’re thinking that opening the gates will be inviting in all manner of mischief-makers? I sorta doubt it, because if they *want* to target your neighborhood, gates aren’t going to keep them out. Seriously: I remember when I was a kid and fences and walls and padlocks and gates were ‘inconveniences’ and not ‘impenetrable barriers’.

Bill
HOA Board ex-President
Austin, Texas USA

“You can’t put too much water in a nuclear reactor”
KariF (Texas)
Posts: 4
Posted:
Basically due to the fact we have had no meetings in months and then this year they surprise us with open gates for Halloween feels like a slap in the face. In December they will be asking for those HOA fees! SMH Thanks for the feedback I appreciate everyone's responses.
DeanJ
Posts: 1,786
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By KariF on 10/30/2024 10:30 AM
Basically due to the fact we have had no meetings in months and then this year they surprise us with open gates for Halloween feels like a slap in the face. In December they will be asking for those HOA fees! SMH Thanks for the feedback I appreciate everyone's responses.

If I lived in a gated community I would not favor opening gates for Halloween. But, I also wouldn’t get upset if they were. Give some kids some candy and enjoy yourself.

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