• Thirty people were present, representing 37 parcels. 56% of the total 66 parcels were represented.

•  Covenant Compliance: There were not enough ballots returned or parcels represented to make any changes to the covenants, since the current wording requires 75% of all parcels to approve a change. An amendment to Section 10.4, to change the voting power necessary to make future changes to 67%, is included in this mailing. Please return the enclosed stamped addressed postcard with your vote so we can move forward to update our seriously outdated association documents.

• Fire Protection: Inclusion of West Hatchet into the Rye Fire Protection District (RFPD) is effectively complete. Two cisterns will be placed on West Hatchet this summer, one on Muddy Creek, and the other at the junction of South Lane and Meadow Drive.

• Grazing Lease: The grazing lease was purchased for $1,500 in May of 2013. Homeowners will continue to maintain ‘ag’ status. Thanks to the committee for a great job!

• Roads: The new Road Committee will work to set up a budget and a 5-year plan for road improvements.

• Entrance Signs: New signs, of any type, are very expensive. The committee will continue to investigate other options.

• The  Sheriff’s Department attended and explained the “Ranch Watch Program.” Communication with your neighbors is key.

Summer 2013 Newsletter July, 2013 Issue # 15

2013 ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

• New Business: Homeowners requested that the board of directors set specific, expected goals for each committee, including long term plans, budgets, deadlines, and reporting requirements, with follow through and direction oversight.

• Rye Fire Protection District: The inclusion fee of $3 per acre was mistakenly not included in the 2012 tax assessment. It will be included in the 2013 assessment.

• Please be sure you have an easily read address, visible at night from the road, at the entrance to your property. They can’t help you if they can’t find you.

• A Social Committee was established with the intention to build community awareness and camaraderie.

• Please verify spelling, phone number and address on the ‘property owners list’ and notify the board if you find a problem. Also, we’d like to start using email more, so send us your email address if you have one and would like to receive communication in that way.

• Election of two open board positions: John Aggson and Brian Ashley are retiring from the board of directors. Dick Class and Bob Payne were elected to replace them.

• New Committees: See the list of committee members and new board conclusions on the next page.

Please return the enclosed card! Important information on next page!

2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Dick Class Vice-President/

Secretary Bob Payne Treasurer Don Amend At-Large Steve Ketterman

CONCLUSIONS • Committees will have a maximum of 4 members

• No single homeowner shall be on more than 2 committees in 1 year.

• Board will prepare a 2013-2014 budget and forward it to homeowners & committee chairmen.

• Guest speakers at the annual meeting are to be pre-approved by the board and added to the agenda.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2013 COMMITTEES Chairman of each committee is listed first. * indicates Board member.

• Covenant Compliance Cathy Riddell, Bob Payne*, B.J. Nelson

•

• Roads Lee Schermerhorn Bob Payne* Ken Reid

• Fire Protection Cathy Riddell

• Entrance Signs Linda Hanson, Ted Bahora, Cheryl Reid

• Grazing Lease Ken Reid, Linda Hanson, Dick Class*

• Social BJ Nelson, Cheryl Reid

IMPORTANT! ACTION NEEDED!

Prior to this year’s annual meeting, a ballot was sent out to all lot owners. Unfortunately, since no changes have been made for a long time, it was quite long and confusing, with language clean-up items mixed in with changes to the covenants. We currently must have 75% of all owners to pass any changes – that would be 50 lots. But not enough ballots were returned to even count.

There were probably several reasons for the low return – things we’re going to try to remedy in future efforts. The ballot included too many items, the rationale for change was not clear, voters were asked to sign their ballots, etc. But if we can’t get everyone to vote, we can’t get even simple language clean-up accomplished. Therefore before trying to update our covenants, the Board is requesting a new ballot measure intended to decrease the required number of votes to pass a change from the current 75% to 67% of lot owners.

You’ll notice there is a stamped, self-addressed postcard in this mailing. Please take the time to vote and return the card to us by September

1st. It’s very important that we have everyone’s participation in this ballot so we can move on to other issues.

Once we get the language updated, we’ll be putting out surveys to gather information before proposing other changes to the covenants. Ballots will include rationale for the change, with pros and cons listed. The Board is also looking at the possibility of secure online voting in the future. If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact any of the Board members:

Dick Class, 719-676-2605, dickatbf7142@aol.com Bob Payne, 719-821-0234, rrrpayne@gmail.com Don Amend, 719-553-7671 Steve Ketterman, steve.ketterman@utas.utc.com You can also email the Association at westhatchetranch@hotmail.com. Thank you in advance for voting.

The Weed Detective You may have noticed field bindweed (Colvolvulus arvensis) growing along our Hatchet roads. It’s an aggressive, invasive perennial in the morning glory family, and spreads with long creeping vines and an extensive root system. Bindweed seeds remain viable for 50+ years!! Once bindweed becomes established in an area, it’s very difficult to get rid of. It’s currently categorized on Colorado’s noxious weed List C.

Hello, Neighbors! by B J Nelson

Just wanted to say “hello” in this first Social Committee column for West Hatchet Ranch. Part of the initial drive to form this committee was a desire to foster a stronger sense of community thru sharing of both vital and not so vital news. Hopefully you will email me with ideas or stories of interest to be included in the newsletter and sent out via the “email/phone tree.” For example, a neighbor had a bear on his property recently, and calls were made to neighboring homeowners – especially those with animals – to be on the lookout. Also, the coordinated efforts of vigilant neighbors helped avoid a potential fire disaster from a nearby lightning strike. This certainly underscores the need for an up-to-date contact list, map and clearly marked lots for both fire and police crews. We’ve also had a request for emergency phone lists and steps of what to do and who to call if anyone smells smoke. Cheryl & Ken Reid discussed the Neighborhood Watch Program at the homeowner’s meeting, and said that signs – provided by the police – can be posted at our entry points to invite police to drive thru our neighborhood for safety checks – another way to insure that police crews are familiar with the Hatchet West layout. And did you know that you can call the sheriff’s office and ask for a drive thru home check if you are going on vacation? And finally, the focus of the Social Committee is to foster get-togethers to just share food, drink and laughs as well as to help keep our community clean, safe and strong. My email is budnike78@yahoo.com and my phone is 719-553-9308. As the newest homeowners in this area we send our thanks for your open arms and warm smiles of welcome!

BJ & Kevin Nelson

Follow RFPD on Twitter

The Rye Fire Protection District is now on TWITTER. Follow us for important updates. Please note that this is not an emergency broadcast system. It is easy and free. To receive messages as texts, text “follow Rye_Fire_Dist” to 40404. Normal text message charges will apply. To have tweets sent direct to your E-Mail, just log on to twitter.com and set up your free account. Then look for Rye Fire Dist and click on the ”Follow” button. When setting up the account, go to Settings and Notices to have our tweet sent direct to your E-Mail account.

6100 Meadow Drive Pueblo, CO 81004

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/westhatchetranch/

Forum: http://westhatchet.proboards.com/

Photos: http://westhatchetphotos.shutterfly.com/

Printing and mailing a longer, more frequent color newsletter can get pretty costly, so we’re hoping you will choose to receive future issues by email. A color PDF newsletter won’t cost the association anything for printing OR postage! Just send your email address to: westhatchetranch@hotmail.com

A New Look

You may have noticed we’re trying out some new ideas on the newsletter in this issue. We’re also hoping to publish more often. Please send us your feedback, pictures, articles and ideas!

Contact: wpayne @email.com

Earlier this month on a hot stormy night, lightning struck a tree on South Lane. Combined with the very dry conditions in the area, this was a potentially life- and property-threatening situation. But vigilant and caring neighbors smelled smoke, and sounded the alarm. Thanks to several families in the area and the fast response by the Rye Fire Protection District, the fire was contained before it could spread.

This incident highlights the need for all of us to be aware and concerned if we notice anything unusual going on in our neighborhood. Emergency contact numbers are being compiled and will be included in the next newsletter.