Menu
Log in
Log in

    



 

Maine Alliance for Road Associations

fee structure for winter plowing

  • 12 Apr 2014 4:32 PM
    Message # 1536668
    Would be interested in knowing how other people structure their fees for winter plowing.  Does anyone charge  summer occupants a nominal annual fee?  Or are the charges only for people that live there in the winter?
  • 15 Apr 2014 7:32 PM
    Reply # 1538494 on 1536668
    We became a statutory association last summer after existing as an ad-hoc association for 45 years.  When the association was started in 1968, I believe all properties/camps were seasonal only and all funds collected via annual assessments were spent on summer maintenance only.  Fast forward to 2013 and the formation of our statutory association, and there are more than 70 assessed properties with about 20 being year-round residents.  2013 was also the first year that our association assumed the responsibility for winter maintenance (plowing & sanding).  In all this time, all owners, regardless of property value or time spent occupying their property, have been assessed the same amount, which was $5.00 in 1968 and $200.00 in 2013.

    The seasonal versus year-round residents paying the same amount never seemed to be an issue with anyone until the association assumed responsibility for winter maintenance.  We shall see if those that have an issue with our assessment structure actually attend our annual meeting and propose an alternate assessment structure.
    Last modified: 15 Apr 2014 7:33 PM | Anonymous member
  • 09 May 2014 7:12 PM
    Reply # 1551175 on 1536668
    Our association having 33 property owners (nine are year-round) bills each year for an annual maintenance fee and a fee established for road improvement. We luckily have an asphalt "camp" road which eliminates the gravel road issues. It only has the base coat but we are working in sections to apply a second layer. The road improvement fee is intended to pay for the additional asphalt. The annual maintence fee has been $200 for several years now, voted by majority at our annual meeting. The road improvement fee has been voted by majority at $50 for two years. All property owners pay the same total fee ($250) whether year-round or seasonal again by majority vote. The annual maintenance fee pays for the costs of snowplowing, sanding and patching any frost damage. Three lots which have no structures are not billed, again by majority vote. It is the general feeling that the road is open to all owners all year and many who are essentially seasonal do visit their property even in the winter for winter activities such as ice fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, skating, etc. We consider winterplowing and sanding one more road maintenance item which we believe Title 23 allows.

                            The Maine Alliance for Road Associations


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software