Neighborhood Associations

[Kurlye]

My question involves real estate located in the State of: Michigan.
I live in a neighborhood with 15 others. Some are year round residents and some are summer cottages. We don't have a "association" that I am aware of nor is anyone else aware of any. We have a Road Meeting annually were some get together and discuss the Road and its maintenance. thThere is a "Chairperson" whom was elected 20+ years ago and a newer treasurer- not sure how he got there, anyway there is nothing in writing saying we all agree to anything. There is no contract, no rules, nothing. The talk about what should be done with the road- few of them offer up "motions" and then vote. But if you are not there then you do not get to vote. Bottom line if they "vote" to do a maintenance to the road which will cost each resident and it is approved by the attendees can they hold the rest of the neighbors liable for thier share? The treasurer Set the Summer Dues at $75.
no one contested - but it was not a motion or vote either.
They have no "books" the treasurer has the account in his name. Isn't this crazy....
thanks kindly.

[LandSurveyor]

can they hold the rest of the neighbors liable for thier share?

Well, who knows.

But what are you complaining about?

Is $75 too much to pay for keeping your road up?

Sounds like a bargain to me and I do not understand what is broken that needs to be fixed.

What do you intend?

[SChinFChin]

Sounds like you guys have a nice informal arrangement, PLUS getting away cheap. Now it would be crazy to:

- Spend money on a lawyer to set up an association.
- Spend even more money doing legal documents and registering the thing.
- Make the treasuer buy accounting software, set up commercial bank accounts, and then write up minutes of the meeting, and run to Kinko's have copies made, deliver it to everyone's doorstep.
- Chase down everyone who couldn't be bothered to go to the meeting and ask if $75.00 is not too much.

If they manage to maintain the road, with that $75.00, I would say "God bless them" for taking the trouble to do a public service, for so littlle.

Now, if they have to do all of the above BS I mentioned, I'm sure it'll cost you twice as much, if not more.

Now, you can suggest to them that what you're saying is the correct way, and you'll volunteer to do all the extra work, i.e. take down the minutes of the meeting, record the votes. set up a separate account, record all revenues and expenses, hire the work crews to fix the road, get everyones' OK if they can't get to the meeting, I'm sure they'll say "OK why don't you be our new treasurer".