Saturday, August 16, 2008

Fire Prevention Code prohibitions on grills

Notices were distributed today in Southampton regarding Fire Prevention Code prohibitions on the use of certain cooking devices in units, balconies, and within 15 feet of the units.

Electric cookers and grills may be used, but not charcoal of propane grills. Storage of gasoline, LPG, and flammable liquids is also prohibited.

Violations on can earn the offender as much as a $2500 fine and/or 12 months in jail.

There's another question, would Southampton insurance cover a building fire, if the Board fails to enforce the Fire Prevention Code?

Thursday, August 14, 2008

New rules for homeowners attending Board meetings

The Board is set to vote today on new rules for homeowners participating in meetings of the Board of Directors.

One Board member, Joe Smith, is concerned that these rules are "unwarranted," and will, "potentially", "will have an adverse impact on the Board's relationship with the homeowners."

Joe says Southampton has functioned for 30 years without such rules, and he perceives that "in the last several years the Board has somewhat evolved towards a self-serving organization, ignoring, possibly actually deemphasizing the importance and role of the Association members who are the reason we exist as a Board."

It's ironic that Board members, while themselves refusing to follow the rules set out in the Virginia Condominium Act, are preparing to impose new rules on the members of the Association.