Manchester Subdivision Residents at Odds Over Trustees: Who's on first?

After years of a subdivision civil war, this is what it had come to at Countrylane Woods II in Manchester: one group backing the trustees, complete with yard signs.

Another group, though, claimed to be the real leaders — though they don't have keys to the clubhouse, or the checkbook. They filed a lawsuit and enlisted the help of a public relations firm. And they called their opponents "rogue trustees."

The trustees and their backers say a small number of dissidents have hijacked the 497-home community. And no legal authority has ordered them to relinquish power, they note.

To help sort things out, a St. Louis County Circuit Court judge ordered that the subdivision take a vote on two sets of bylaws, the ones currently in place and another set the group opposed to the trustees crafted.

One side won that vote, though the battle is probably not over. It's a complicated story that has pitted neighbor against neighbor. But these types of clashes are not uncommon.

The state law on subdivision governing pacts, called indentures, is incredibly vague, said Jerry Wamser, a lawyer whose firm represents roughly 60 homeowners associations. The result is that developers draft the rules by which a community lives. Conflict often ensues.

"It's the Wild West in Missouri," Wamser said. "Many of these indentures tend to be constructed like Frankenstein's monster."

Still, the battle in Countrylane Woods seems to have gone beyond the typical subdivision clash. And it has even divided households.

Read a lot more at: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/0E26AFDFFFC6CBCC862575D0007AA743?OpenDocument

Subdivision Trustee Network Group Meets

The Subdivision Trustee Networking Group, organized last summer, held its third quarterly network exchange on Thursday, March 13. Bob Meyer from Towne South Subdivision moderated the program and outlined the purpose of the group and the importance of networking between trustees.

The ensuing discussion focused on certain needs from the County for future seminars to include:

• Indentures
• Liens
• Commercial Vehicles
• Contacting the right person in County government

Bill Rogers gave an update on the Subdivision Trustee web site. Rogers said the number one trustee problem for almost six months now has been the County’s trash program. He pointed out a survey done of trustees last fall included a number of problem areas in addition to the trash program. Some of these include:

• Enforcement by St. Louis County police – speeding in subdivision, abandoned cars, crime, teen groups, parking violations, traffic
• Utility companies – power outages, tree removal
• Parental supervision of teens in subdivisions – loitering, groups, play areas, activities for kids

Attorney Lester Stuckmeyer gave an overview of the trash sub-station and meeting dates on this project. He answered a number of questions from attendees on the trash program districts regarding recycling, pricing, time tables, etc.

The group meets quarterly with the next meeting set for June. It was suggested this meeting focus on the topic of “Subdivision Indentures: Do’s and Don’ts.” Plan to attend and bring your questions regarding your subdivision’s indentures. We will have attorneys on hand who are quite knowledgeable on this subject. We expect a lively discussion.

We will publish the date of the June meeting when it is announced.

. .

Bob Meyer looking over notes while Nancy Galovich looks on