Homeowners rights to decide color and type of siding

You know, Diane, this is just one more example of a board that has no understanding of its larger role in the community. You have dispassionately and fairly explained that the board, indeed, has the power to make the decision it did.

Far too often homeowners association boards become consumed with their own power, and they fail to see what is in the best interest of the community. In this case, that interest would be best served by seeking the broader membership to participate in the decision.

However, since color is a matter of taste, and as you have witnessed, divisive, I would not have counseled a vote of the community. Instead, I would counsel one or two open meetings to discuss color selection to let all who are concerned to express opinions. The board would then have a stronger mandate to move forward. And, it would avoid the extant controversy.

It is unfortunately accurate to state that boards tend to attract people who have a desire to control the lives of others, rather than to serve their neighbors. In such cases, boards are petty dictators, rather than servant leaders.

Equally important, boards often fall victim group think and to the Abilene Paradox, making a decision that no one of the individually would have made independently.

A truly wise board knows (perhaps instinctly) when a decision needs consideration by the entire community. Sadly, wisdom is not a criteria for election to a homeowners association board.

With the siding arriving soon, it may be quite costly for the association to change its mind. But it is certainly worth a try.

Diane unless the contract for the residing specifically give the contractor the rights to the discarded material; it may be to the HOA's advantage to collect and recycle the aluminum siding rather than having the contractor haul it away.

Being misquoted is no fun. I wrote, >servant leaders, not just leader. A dictator is a leader, but in most cases, not a servant leader.

If you signed a contract for purple siding - and the contractor ordered it and is going to deliver it tomorrow, you better believe that you have bought purple siding.

Can you exchange it for another color? Perhaps, but expect a re-stocking fee and an angry contractor and delays in the job.

Your Board had the right to determine the colors. Your "faux pas" was not asking the residents. But you did nothing illegal, or really worthy of recall.

(Geez, weren't there any women involved in all this decision making?)

The presidents of the BOD and the Directors have placed the siding on hold. The BOD is forming a committee to select from 3-5 colors and will present them to the members at a special meeting in 2 weeks. The BOD realized that they acted with the advise of the Property Manager, to not include the members. The BOD has admitted that this has shaken up the members and want to correct the problem. The BOD will NOT be apologizing to the members. The members were also aware that the BOD would be selecting the colors in previous membership meetings and has been stated in the meeting minutes. We have one member that just likes to shake things up. The history of our community is to not run for the BOD, we have very low interest from the members to run for the BOD and committees. We have a lot of senior people living in the community, they are self-centered and very selfish. I think they are ready for assisted living. They should be happy that they have a Board at all.

I have not heard from our Property Manager whether there will be a cost for delaying the siding order.