Trash, Recycling and Yard Waste Pickup will ALL be on Tuesdays throughout 2017. Our Service Provider is Deffenbaugh for all three services effective May 2nd, 2017.

Our Yard Waste pickup day will be moving to Tuesdays effective Tuesday, May 2nd. Deffenbaugh, who currently services our neighborhood for trash and recycling pick up, will now be picking up yard waste once a week YEAR ROUND. There will be a limit of 8-10 bags per home per week. This change from our current service will save our HOA $8,000 in 2017.

Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Blackthorne Estates will be holding its neighborhood Garage Sale on the same dates as the Hills of Ironhorse in an attempt to drive the most traffic to it.

Our garage sale will be as follows:

Thursday, April 27th, 8am-1pm
Friday, April 28th, 8am-1pm
Saturday, April 29th, 8am-1pm

Thanks,
Heather Nichols
Social Committee Chair

As of March 2017, we have over 150 Blackthorne Estates residents who have signed up on NEXTDOOR.com – a free, private social network for our neighborhood. One of the many benefits of NEXT DOOR is that residents can elect to receive email notifications when new information is posted about our neighborhood. As a member, you have control over the frequency with which you receive these notifications as well as what types of posts you will receive notifications for.

To join NEXT DOOR Blackthorne Estates – please email [email protected] and request an invitation. Please provide your email address and we will send you an invitation containing an access code.

Join the discussion today!

HOA Board will meet on April 9th at Llewellyn’s at 1:30pm. All homeowners are invited to attend.

Welcome to Blackthorne Estates!

We hope your move has been successful and would like to provide you with some information about the neighborhood and the Homes Association that may make settling in to your new neighborhood a bit easier.

The Blackthorne Estates Home Owners Association Board is comprised of Blackthorne homeowners who have volunteered for their positions and were elected by the HOA.   On our website (top left corner) you will find a complete list of Blackthorne Estates HOA Board members and Committee Chairs.  We invite you to join any of the committees which might interest you as this is a great way to meet your neighbors.

Blackthorne Homes Association dues are paid once per year and include maintenance of all common grounds, pool maintenance, insurance, neighborhood social events, management expenses and all trash removal, yard waste and curbside recycling. Trash day and recycling are both picked up every  Tuesday morning by Defenbaugh industries and Yard Waste is picked up by a contracted carrier every Wednesday.   These dues are paid directly to our management company, Homes Associations of Kansas City due by March 1st each year.

On our website you will find the DECLARATIONS OF RESTRICTIONS FOR BLACKTHORNE ESTATES. These restrictions will apply to any addition or changes to any home including: paint colors, satellite dishes, construction of decks, fences, play sets,  etc.  The Blackthorne Architectural Review Committee, currently comprised of HOA Board members, will be happy to answer any questions.  Any changes or improvements to the exterior of your home or lot should be approved by the ARC.  Questions or concerns regarding any changes should be directed to the Architectural Review Committee.

You will find additional information and communication between neighbors, including communication from surrounding neighborhoods and the local city and county governments, on NextDoor.Com.  By joining the Blackthorne community on Next Door – you will receive email notifications of Blackthorne News and Events on a regular basis.

We are excited to have you as part of our neighborhood and we encourage you to get involved by joining any of our HOA Committees and attending neighborhood events.  If you have questions, or would like to join a committee, please contact us at [email protected] and one of our HOA Board members will respond, usually within 48 hours.

Blackthorne Estates HOA annual dues of $600 were due on February 28th, 2017. Dues remained at $600 for the 6th consecutive year.

Reminder emails will be sent March 15th to those who have not yet paid dues. After that time, trash service may be suspended and liens placed on properties, until such time as dues are paid.

We hope that you enjoy our Neighborhood Pool. For everyone’s safety and convenience please observe the following rules:

The minimum age for an unaccompanied minor is 14.  No child under the age of 14 will be allowed to enter the pool without a parent or guardian (that is at least 18 years old).  

Do not open the gate to let in minors who claim their parents are on the way, or for anyone else that doesn’t have a key.  If you let someone in the gate without a key, they will be treated as your guests at the pool and you will be responsible for their actions and behaviors both while you are there as well as after you leave.

All dues-paid households that are authorized to use the neighborhood pool either have a key or are eligible to obtain one. Please email [email protected] if you haven’t received a pool key. Replacement keys are available for a cost of $10.

Guests are limited to 6 per visit, and MUST be accompanied by a Blackthorne Estates Resident at all times.
 
Below is a copy of the rules for your reference.

Comments & Communication can be sent to the Blackthorne Estates HOA Board by emailing: [email protected].

If you would like to be added to the Blackthorne Email list and receive periodic updates on news and events for Blackthorne Estates, please send a request along with your email address to: [email protected]

The email list for this website is out of date, and no longer being maintained. Instead, we are encouraging Blackthorne Estates residents to join our private pages at NEXTDOOR.com/blackthorneestates.

Announcing your 2017-2018 Blackthorne HOA Board, elected March 4th, 2017:

President, John Thompson
Vice-President, Jen Gilstrap
Treasurer, Magda Belden
Secretary, Lori O’Connor

At Large Member, Savanna Pavkov
At Large Member, Josh Clausen
At Large Member, Robert Russell

Social Committee Chair: Heather Nichols
Communications Chair: Lori O’Connor

Thank you to everyone who attended the March 4th meeting, and to those who mailed in ballots. The Board will be scheduling a meeting in the next few weeks to get to work on the priority list. Your continued participation and comments are welcome!

Your Blackthorne Estates HOA Board can be reached by emailing: [email protected]

Below are profiles submitted by the Candidates to date. Additional profiles will be added as they are received.

Candidate for President (1)

John Thompson- resident since 2004
As a 13+ year resident, I’m committed to Blackthorne Estates and want to see us get this part of the neighborhood in order. While my mind is open to different options, based on what I’m able to uncover and learn in the process, my platform would be focused on:
• The neighborhood entry needs to be redone, in a way that maximizes the investments to date and what is affordable for the neighborhood long term, given our annual income is $100-$110k. We should fill in the ponds and shift to a landscaping-based model. We should hire a firm to manage the entry way and cul-de-sac public areas. We should make one significant investment to set the foundation, then 3x annual cleaning and renewal. There are plenty of firms that are willing and able to do this well. Secure bids and act in the early spring 2017 assuming the financial position supports.
• Make the investments to fix the pool – fence and electrical box that I’m aware of – and ensure that our pool remains a contributing part of the neighborhood.
• Our endowment should be a smaller portion of our annual budget than it currently is. We should invest the funds prudently, work towards a balanced budget with modest buffer annual for the unexpected annually. We should use the funds we have to make appropriate near-term investments in the neighborhood.
• We need a sustained investment to plant shading trees on the west side of the neighborhood, pending the timetable and plan from the city on improving/expanding Mission road.
• We need to get the barrier on the northeast corner opened, eventually – not immediate priority.
• We need to shift towards owner occupied homes – no additional leasing unless the owner lives in the home at least 3 (actual time TBD) years
initially. Grandfather clause for existing leases, but work towards a neighborhood of owners who are investing in their homes.
• Work with the city to get walking/biking accessibility to SPE, likely completed in the re-work of Mission.
• Modest but appropriate social budget that recognizes the demographics of the neighborhood.
Those are my starting points, acknowledging there is still some information to discover. In my decision-making process, I like to listen and consider the perspectives and ideas of others.

Candidate for Vice President: (1)
Jen Gilstrap – resident since 2015
My interest in serving on the Board is to help make our neighborhood appealing and fix current issues. My work life has given me extensive experience in managing projects to completion. As a community we now have the ability to control decisions, and we need to move forward in a strategic and financially responsible way as to make our home values rise.

Candidate for Treasurer: (1)
Magda Belden – resident since 2015
I have worked in finance and accounting for 25 years. I am a people person, but I am direct and expect people to fulfill their position even as a volunteer. I would like the new board to actually make a difference in our neighborhood. I am willing to take over the hardest job to make our neighborhood great and have people be proud moving to Blackthorne. Let’s get serious and care about our neighborhood.

Candidate for Secretary: (1)
Lori O’Connor – resident since 2005
My primary interest in joining the Board is to set a positive and inclusive tone moving forward, and to encourage HOA participation. I would like to provide open and transparent communication with all of our Blackthorne neighbors around Board Meetings (which all Homeowners are invited to attend) and decisions, neighborhood issues and events. I believe that by communicating on a regular basis and using resources such as NextDoor.com to encourage communication among our residents, we can create a strong sense of community and increase participation and volunteerism. I have 15+ years experience in marketing and project management. See full profile on LinkedIn.

Candidates for Member at Large listed alphabetically: (choose 3)

Anice Anderson-Kindscher – resident since 2012
I have experience and degrees in business and engineering, have been a corporate executive at Honeywell, and a college professor prior to retiring here with my husband, who has lived here since 2012. I have successfully served on two HOA boards for other homes we have owned. I can provide the expertise from prior successful HOA’s, budget comparisons, engineering and business experience to help our wonderful community. Either way, I look forward to getting to know our lovely neighborhood better!

Marcia Bloom – resident since 2007
I have been a resident of the area for 10.5 years. I have attended every HOA meeting since living here. I am a retired teacher and retired craft business owner. I enjoy working with people and conveying my ideas for the betterment of the neighborhood.

Julee Booth – resident since 2009
We have lived here since September of 2009, raising our 4 boys in Blue Valley. We live in the newer back section and have watched as the rest of the neighborhood has filled in, lots of building. George has a background in finance and management and I have a background in management and marketing. I hope to be able to work alongside neighbors that share the same vision of improving our neighborhood, not only for our kids, but to improve our home values in comparison to the two neighborhoods surrounding us.

Josh Clausen – resident since 2009
My family moved to Blackthorne Estates in August of 2009. I am an engineer/project manager with Black & Veatch where I have worked for nearly nineteen years. In my role as project manager, I have had the experience of leading teams of professionals in completing projects and have experience in negotiating and managing contracts for supplies and services. My goals for participating in the HOA Board are to increase the sense of community in the subdivision and to encourage a thoughtful, well-planned approach to the challenges and opportunities that exist in BTE.

Brian Grewe – resident since 2004
I have served as At-Large Advisory Member and have coordinated the Neighborhood Pool for last 8 years. I served as the Developer appointed President of the Advisory Board 2011-2016. My education is degrees in Political Science/Government and Business. My goals are for our neighborhood to have a sense of ownership and responsibility for all residents to create and maintain a great place to live and raise families.

Joe Pallucca – resident since 2006
I did serve as a member at large in the past, but wasn’t realistically able to be very involved, as meetings were often scheduled during regular business hours and conflicted with a normal work schedule. I have extensive work experience in
leadership roles as an Information Technology Project Manager with a number of local corporations and would appreciate the opportunity to help with future plans for BTE.

Savanna Pavkov – resident since 2014
I am a former high school teacher and school administrator from Cape Coral, Fl. We will have been here in Kansas and BTE three years this coming June and love the change from Florida. I have a strong background in leadership and management through both education and a previous career in restaurant management. I am comfortable working with our neighbors and community members to ensure our neighborhood continues to be the great community that we so happily joined not too long ago.

Robert Russell – resident since 2005
Golf Professional, Nicklaus Club at Lionsgate
From 2006-2012, I owned and operated Russell Lawn Care. Working with the limited budget we strived to provide quality lawn maintenance for BTE. I think we can all agree BTE has the potential to be a neighborhood we can all be proud of. Having experience with every inch of the property for many years, and knowing what it will take to make it beautiful, fun and prosperous, I feel my past experience would be an asset to serve on the board.

Robert Urbanek – profile not provided

THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – Consider joining one of the following committees:

Architectural Review Committee
Communication Committee
Social Committee
Pool Committee
Welcome Committee

Thanks everyone for your interest and support!

Hi Neighbors!
As promised, we are planning our next BTE HOA Meeting. Official letters will be mailed to all Blackthorne Estates Homeowners with additional details very soon. For now, please make plans to attend on Saturday, March 4th from 3-5pm at Prairie Star Middle School. If you are unable to attend, more information will be provided about the ability to vote by proxy. We will meet in the Commons area. There will be someone to direct you to the meeting. We hope to see everyone there!

The goal of the meeting will be to nominate and elect our HOA Advisory Board. Available positions are:

President – presides at all HOA Board meetings & HOA meetings; makes sure that orders and resolutions are carried out; signs contracts on behalf of the Association

Vice President – takes the place of the President when he/she is absent; performs other duties as required; may sign contracts on behalf of the Association

Secretary – keeps meeting minutes; records votes; sends meeting notifications; keeps member records current

Treasurer – keeps financial records and & reviews expenses on a monthly basis – Currently HA-KC Management Company keeps the financial records and pays bills, and a BTE resident (CPA/attorney) reviews these.

Member at Large (up to 4) – additional voting member of the Advisory Board; performs duties as assigned

Non-Board positions to be filled : Communications Chair, Architectural Review Committee Chair, Social Committee Chair – there are opportunities for multiple people to serve on these committees and the more people that volunteer – the less work any one person will be tasked with.

We collected names of people who are interested in Volunteering at the January 28th meeting. If you would like to be considered for any of the Advisory Board, Committee Chair or Committee Member positions – please let us know by using the Contact Us button above and sending an email indicating your top 2 choices of positions. Additional communication to our prospective volunteers will be sent once exact next steps are identified.

Please let us know what additional questions you have and we will do our best to address them.Thank you everyone! We appreciate your support as we take this next step together as a Home Owner Managed HOA.

BTE Minutes 1 28 2017

When: Saturday, January 28th, 2017 @ 3pm
Where: Llywelyn’s Pub
Address: 6995 W 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66223

Agenda:
This will be an open forum meeting to discuss how our community moves forward regarding the Home Owners Association.
– HOA – outsource vs. community-run. Discussion of bids and approximate costs for full outsource services.
– Advisory Board Volunteers – currently the board is vacant
– Current Financial State – based on 2016 year end financials
– Current Expenses – based on 2016 year end financials
– Date for future vote regarding HOA
– Steps needed to stay compliant with Kansas laws regarding vote
– Communication – website, newsletters, e-mail list
– Maintenance items: Fountains, Pool Fence, Cul-de-sac islands etc.

Our previous board members have volunteered a lot of time and hard work on our behalf and we offer them a huge Thank You, especially Brian Grewe and Robert Urbanek. Our goal is to determine a path forward since the Board is now vacant, and Duggan is officially out of the picture.

You can also find community information on the FaceBook page “Blackthorne Estates Neighborhood Watch”.

This is YOUR COMMUNITY! Come and meet your new neighbors, and a play a role in the path forward! Everyone is welcome!

When: Saturday, January 28th, 2017 @ 3pm
Where: Llywelyn’s Pub
Address: 6995 W 151st St, Overland Park, KS 66223

Agenda:
This will be an open forum meeting to discuss how our community moves forward regarding the Home Owners Association.
– HOA – outsource vs. community-run. Discussion of bids and approximate costs for full outsource services.
– Advisory Board Volunteers – currently the board is vacant
– Current Financial State – based on 2016 year end financials
– Current Expenses – based on 2016 year end financials
– Date for future vote regarding HOA
– Steps needed to stay compliant with Kansas laws regarding vote
– Communication – website, newsletters, e-mail list
– Maintenance items: Fountains, Pool Fence, Cul-de-sac islands etc.

Our previous board members have volunteered a lot of time and hard work on our behalf and we offer them a huge Thank You, especially Brian Grewe and Robert Urbanek. Our goal is to determine a path forward since the Board is now vacant, and Duggan is officially out of the picture.

You can also find community information on the FaceBook page “Blackthorne Estates Neighborhood Watch”.

This is YOUR COMMUNITY!  Come and meet your new neighbors, and a play a role in the path forward! Everyone is welcome!