Crescent at Cherry Lane Homeowners Association

Dues and Assessments

1. When are the quarterly assessments due?

   The association's general maintenance assessments are due on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year.  Late fees and interest begin to accrue when payments are more than 15 days late.

2. When are the supplementary alleyway lot maintenance assessments due?

   Supplementary alleyway lot maintenance assessments are due on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year.  Late fees and interest begin to accrue on any payment that is 15 days late.

3. When are on-lot maintenance assessments due?

   On-lot maintenance assessments are due on April 1 of each year.  Late fees and interest accrue on any payment that is 15 days or more late.

4. How much are the assessments?

   As of January 1, 2015, assessments are as follows:

   • General Maintenance Assessments: $129 per quarter
   • Supplementary Alleway Lot Maintenance Assessments: $60 per quarter
   • On-Lot Maintenance Assessments:

   • $49 per year for townhome lots
   • $85 per year for single-family home lots

   These assessments are subject to change at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  In addition, special assessments may be levied by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Declaration of Covenants.

5. How do I pay my assessments?

   You can mail a personal check, cashier's check, or money order made payable to Crescent at Cherry Lane Homeowners Association, Inc. to:

   Crescent at Cherry Lane Homeowners Association
   c/o Harford Property Services
   P.O. Box 345
   Aberdeen, MD  21001

   Online payment methods will be available soon.  Please check back for more information.

6. What happens if I don't pay my assessments?

   When you purchased your home, you agreed to abide by the Declaration of Covenants, including an obligation to pay assessments levied by the Association.  If you fail to pay the assessments, you become liable for late fees, interest, and collection costs, including attorney's fees.

   In cases of serious delinquency, the Association may file a lawsuit against you, file a lien against your home, and even foreclose on your home.

Exterior Alterations

1. How do I submit an application for exterior alteration?

   You may download an application from the website.  Complete the application, including all required information and send it to Kim Murray, Harford Property Services, P.O. Box 345, Aberdeen, MD, 21001 or email a scanned copy to [email protected]

   Alternatively, you may request an application by contacting Harford Property Services at (410) 939-1500 or sending an email to [email protected], be sure to include your name and address in your request.

2. Do I need to submit an application for exterior alteration?

   If you are making changes to the outside of your home, in most cases, the answer is yes.  In some situations, the Board of Directors has preapproved certain modifications.  Those situations are described below.

   Article VIII of the Declaration of Covenants contains information on when an application is necessary.  For more information, please contact Harford Property Services.

3. Do I have to submit an application to install a storm door?

   If you are installing a storm door, you have two options.  You may either (1) install a storm door included on the list of storm doors approved by the Board of Directors or (2) submit an application for exterior alteration to the Covenants Committee.

4. Do I have to submit an application to install solar lights?

   You may install a limited number of solar lights on your lot without seeking approval from the Covenants Committee.  If you plan to install more lights or lights in different areas than those permitted in the board resolution, you must submit an application for exterior alteration.

5. Can I install a satellite dish or other antenna?

   Yes.  You are not required to submit an application for architectural review before installing a satellite dish, if the dish meets certain size requirements set forth in a board resolution.  You are, however, required to submit written notice to the Covenants Committee of the installation no later than 10 days following the device's installation or replacement.

   The board resolution also sets forth guidelines concerning the placement of satellite dishes, additional information on the content of the required notice, and additional details on what devices are covered by the resolution.

   If you have any questions, please contact Harford Property Services.

6. Do I have to submit an application to install a deck?

   Yes.  To install a deck, you must submit an application for exterior alteration to the Covenants Committee and receive approval prior to commencing construction.

HOA Services

1. How often is mowing performed?

   Mowing occurs every 7 to 10 days during the growing season, which is roughly April through October.

2. How often are homeowner flower beds weeded?

   Weeding is performed during each mowing service during the growing season, roughly April through October.  Beginning in the Spring of 2014, the HOA will also provide for mulching the homeowner flower beds.

   Residents are responsible for maintaining their homes in good repair--including needed weeding--at all times.

3. What other lawn maintenance is performed?

   On-lot maintenance assessments pay for the application of pre-emergent and post-emergent controls and fertilizer.  It also includes overseeding and aeration of the lawns and common areas.  Beginning in Spring of 2014, on-lot maintenance assessments will also cover the mulching of individual homeowner flower beds.

4. What if I want a different color mulch?

   The HOA provides for dyed black hardwood mulch to be installed in all of the homeowner planting beds each spring, beginning in 2014.  If you desire a different color, you may purchase mulch of your choosing and place the bags of mulch in your driveway on the date that mulching is to be performed.  The landscaper will spread your mulch in your planting bed when the standard mulch is applied to other homeowner's planting beds.  If your mulch is not in your driveway on the designated date, your planting beds will be mulched with the standard black mulch.  Note, there will be no reduction in on-lot maintenance assessments if you choose to use a different mulch.  

5. Is snow removal covered?

   The Association pays for the removal of snow from alleyways and non-public roads in the community.  To facilitate the removal of snow, homeowners are asked to park in their driveways and garages when snow is expected.  Cars parked on the street significantly impede the ability to remove snow from the street.

   In addition, the Association pays for the removal of snow from common area sidewalks.  Common area sidewalks are generally located along the street in front of common areas and do not include sidewalks immediately in front of homes.

   Homeowners are responsible for removing snow from the sidewalks immediately in front of their homes and driveways.  In past winters, the Association has arranged an optional discounted rate for snow removal in these areas with the snow removal contractor for homeonwers who desire such services.

6. Who do I contact if a car is blocking my driveway?

   If the car is parked on a city street (Archsine, Breckenridge, First Baptist, or Hard Castle), please contact the city of Laurel.  The Animal Control and Parking Enforcement department handles parking issues during the day.  

   If the car is parked in an alleyway, please contact Harford Property Services at (410) 939-1500.

Covenant Questions

1. Can I lease my home?

   Yes.  You may lease your entire home to a tenant, you may not, however, lease only a room or subdivide your home.

   If you lease your home, the covenants require you to include certain provisions in your lease agreement.  In addition, a copy of your lease agreement must be provided to the Association.  Please contact Harford Property Services for more information.

2. Can I convert my garage into living space?

   No, garage conversions are prohibited by Section 8.8(S) of the covenants.

3. How can I report a potential covenant violation?

   Contact Harford Property Services to report potential violations.

Property Management

1. How do I contact our property manager?

   Our property management company is Harford Property Services LLC.

   They can be contacted by phone at 410-939-1500 or toll free 877-836-9816.  Our property manager is Kimberly Murray ([email protected]).  Their mailing address is P.O. Box 345, Aberdeen, MD 21001.

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2. How do I contact the Board of Directors?

   Send an email to [email protected].

3. Who is on the Board of Directors? Who are the Officers?

   The current directors of the Association are:

   • Jackie Johnson (Term expires October 2016)
   • Jeff McFarland (Term expires October 2018)
   • Robin McCormick (Term expires October 2017)

   The current officers of the Association are:

   • President: Robin McCormick
   • Vice-President: Jeff McFarland
   • Treasurer: Jackie Johnson
   • Secretary: Kim Murray

   All officers are elected by the Board of Directors in November of each year.  Directors are elected by residents at the annual meeting in October of each year.