Town Crier Articles

John Wright joined the New Town Residential Association Board of Directors in 2015 after serving as Chair of the Residential Advisory Board (RAB) in prior years. “There were no streets” when he and his wife Carolyn moved to New Town in 2006. The Lydias Drive park near his home “was just a pile of clay.”  “Watching the community grow and the development mature” is what he has enjoyed most. “Serving on the Board has provided me with avenues to new experiences I never imagined, like running for office and then serving on the James City County Planning Commission. I have also made and lost many good friends.“

 

John Marston on the other hand has served on the Board for a year, stepping in after the death of long-time Board member Bob Keith. But Marston had long service on the RAB and he quickly credited John Wright for leading the push for an RAB around 2010. “At that time, there were no policies or procedures. Processes didn’t really exist and the community needed a way to settle issues.”

 

John M: “Once the Covid-19 emergency arrived, there was a short discussion of different scenarios, but no real plan. The hope was for a live meeting. The Board wanted to make the meeting representative and open to all. The process to get us to electronic voting had to be in line with the Declarations and there was concern about ensuring we had good email contacts. As time passed, e-Voting became the best option and was legally possible with assistance of the NTRA’s attorney.”  

 

John W: Building the community pool was possibly the most difficult decision. “It required a major effort to define cost sharing with the developer who said they had “no obligation to build a pool” and the homeowners who expected one for free.” 

 

John W: “The challenge is always keeping the long-term (a strategic plan) in mind and considering a decision’s impacts on all residents.  Some friends have expectations when you go on the Board, but you cannot serve individual interests or take antagonisms personally. You have to take yourself out of the decision process and find solutions that are equitable and satisfy everyone’s needs.”

John M: “Find common goals or interests – what are we going to need 10 or 20 years from now? Sometimes opposite ideas are both true. “

Both: “We spent too much time in verbal discussion, repeating issues and circling around decisions. The new Board should have more discipline in its structure and documentation. Also communicate frequently and openly."

 

John W: “I am confident that there are hundreds of talented, well-qualified individuals who can pick up the Board’s responsibility and carry on. I am glad to see a mix of Board candidates from the different neighborhoods in New Town.” 

John M: “For the new Board to be strong we need effective Committees who have the leeway to make decisions. The Board should serve a policy and process role. I have suggested that under our Declarations there may be ways to have people serve in nonvoting roles on the Board to bring specific skills or encourage more young, working people to participate.” 

John W: “You need to be persistent in asking people to serve, even if they occasionally have to be repeatedly convinced.”

 

John W: “Once the community is built out there will be less new revenue streams and dues will plateau. HOA fees are always a source of angst.” 

John M: “Costs need to be managed well. What issues can be solved without getting a lawyer involved?  Landscaping has been a continuing cost issue, for example. You can’t please everyone especially when some residents want customization while townhome residents and others don’t require any real landscaping services.”

 

Both: “It’s too easy to say no especially if processes are not in place. Execution of tasks is important. One thing we were always asking Town Management was “What do you mean we can’t do that?”

John M: “A Homeowner Board is different than a Developer-Controlled Board. The new Board will have to work out procedures, processes, etc. with its managing agent.

 

John M: “I will stay involved in a different way with the community. Priorities shift as you reach 70 and consider your mortality. Besides enjoying my granddaughter, I am thinking more about my personal/spiritual development and friendships.”