Melbourne @ Bailiwyck
HOA Board Update
Community Trash Collection Service
Dear Neighbors:
During our annual HOA meeting earlier this year, the community voted to hire a single trash
collection company for the neighborhood. We are pleased to announce that we have
finalized a contract with Signature Waste Systems, with trash service to begin on April 1,
2012.
As part of this contract, we negotiated a group rate that is significantly lower than competitor
or individual rates. The cost per household is based on total participation rates (higher
participation equals lower costs), and will range between $15.50 and 19.50 per month.
Since participation rates for 2012 haven’t been determined yet, the Board established a
monthly cost for 2012 of $16.50/month (or $148.50 for the remaining three quarters of 2012.
Here are answers to some additional questions you might have regarding this transition:
Q – What are the specific services that Signature will provide?
A – Signature provides weekly trash collection and bi-weekly recycling collection services.
Pick-up days will be Tuesdays. They will provide two 96-gallon containers, one for trash,
and the other for recycling. A 2nd trash container can be obtained directly from Signature for
an additional $10 per month. Special collections can also be arranged on request.
Q – How much am I saving with this switchover?
A – If you are a current Signature customer, your annual savings amount is around $66.00.
Savings for switching from other trash companies could be as high as $200.
Q – How do I sign up for the service, and how will I be billed?
A – The sign-up process will be included with the annual billing notices that will be mailed in
January. Two billing options are available (with or without trash service). Select the option
that you prefer, and include the appropriate amount with your annual dues payment.
Q – Will I need to pay the full amount up front, or can it be paid in installments?
A – Full payment (3 quarters for 2012) can be included with your annual HOA fee, or for an
additional nominal processing fee, payment can be made in two separate installments
(January and July).
Q – I already have service with Signature. What steps should I take?
A –We will work directly with Signature to transition existing customers to the new contract
on April 1st. We anticipate that the only change you will see is the reduced amount of your
new bill (from $69/quarter to approx $50/quarter), and also that payment will be made
directly to the HOA rather than to Signature.
Q – I currently have service with a different trash company. Will I have the option of staying
with them?
A – No – the contract with Signature grants exclusive trash removal rights to them for the
community. Contracts with other companies will need to be cancelled in 2012 in order to
take advantage of the reduced group rate.
Q – Will I be required to sign up with Signature?
A – We hope that all homeowners will sign up for this service, since a higher participation
rate will result in a lower cost for everyone. However, homeowners will also have the option
of taking their trash directly to the trash collection/recycling center (“no service” option).
Q – What if I choose the “no service” option, but change my mind and want to sign up later
in the year?
A – Sign up opportunities will be available at the beginning of each quarter in the year
(immediately for new homeowners). A pro-rated payment (plus processing fee) will be due
to the HOA, and we will coordinate with Signature to deliver trash containers as needed.
Q – What benefits (other than the discounted rate) does this arrangement provide?
A – We currently have trash pickup days throughout the week from various companies.
Contracting with a single trash company will minimize the unsightly trash bins that clutter the
curbs throughout the week. We will see less truck traffic and wear and tear on our streets,
and billings and paper usage will be greatly reduced (one quarterly bill to the HOA rather
than billings for each household).
Q – What if I sell my house and move, or wish to cancel, during the middle of the year?
A – A pro-rated refund check (or settlement credit) will be issued to the homeowner for all
fully paid months that remain on the contract. A 2-week notice is requested prior to
canceling your service.
Additional questions and concerns you might have will be addressed during the annual HOA
meeting (scheduled for Feb 13th), or you can also email any member of the board at any
time. Thank you in advance for your support with this process.
Best regards,
Melbourne HOA Board Members
Terry Dukes, President
Carrie Quinlan, Vice President
Melissa Burgess, Secretary
Angie Guy, General Member
td605@aol.com
carrie@tbridgeusa.com
msburgess@comporium.net
ajguy@comporium.net