A website for and about the community of Harvest Ridge, in Avon, Indiana, published by a Harvest Ridge Homeowner. This website is not affiliated with the Harvest Ridge Homeowners Association, its Board, or Sentry Management.
Observation: Homeowner apathy is the enemy of an HOA.
(So is an apathetic Board.)
Town of Avon: Submit a request, report an issue.
Potholes, crime tips, school bus violations, drainage issues, etc.
Town of Avon Action Center
Harvest Ridge Garage Sale Dates (from Sentry Managment):
The board of directors for the Harvest Ridge Homeowners Association, Inc. has set the following dates to hold a neighborhood community-wide sale for 2023:
June 2nd and 3rd from 8 am to 5pm and
September 8th and 9th from 8 am to 5pm.
A sign will be placed at the entrance for each sale weekend.
File Your Federal Taxes for Free
If your Adjusted Gross Income is $73,000 or less:
IRS.gov
Myth:
Federal spending can be cut by cutting social security.
Fact:
Social security and disability insurance are self-funded through a dedicated payroll tax.
Indiana State Police Scam Alert:
The scammers have called with the Caller ID showing “Indiana State Police Post 52.” The phone number displayed is 317-899-8577, which is the phone number to the post. The scammers identify themselves as police officers and indicate to the caller there is a warrant for their arrest. The scammer then tries to obtain personal information and request financial restitution to take care of the warrant. Scams like this with “spoofed” Indiana State Police phone numbers have happened across Indiana with scams ranging from telling the victim
their identity has been stolen, selling insurance or attempts to raise money for false charities.
(Jan 31, 2023)
HOA dues special assessment?
It was discussed at recent Board meetings (Sep. 2022 and Oct. 2022): More money to pay for attorney fees. Attorney fees might include lawsuits against homeowners in arrears in their payments, violators of the covenants, as well as revision of the covenants. Watch for an email or letter with information about a possible community meeting of homeowners to vote on the idea. Read more here.
Related article: “HOA Foreclosures Are a “Lose-Lose” Game for Coloradans, but These Lawyers Win Regardless of the Outcome“
Waste Management has purchased Ray’s Trash
Related story
WM/Ray’s Trash web page
Terminate the Harvest Ridge HOA?
Door-to-door solicitors are required by the Town of Avon to obtain a direct selling license.
The Town of Avon ordinance governing direct sellers/solicitors
The Town of Avon direct sellers & solicitors permit
Contact the Board
It appears there is no means to contact the Board directly. The only apparent option is to contact Sentry Management. Sentry is an HOA management company hired by the Board.
Contact Sentry Management
Use this form (click here)
1/17/23: Sentry Management announces new community manager:
Jatin Saraiya
email: jsaraiya@sentrymgt.com
MONTHLY HOA BOARD MEETINGS
Third Thursday of each month (subject to change by the Board).
Board meetings may be held on alternating Tuesdays, rather than Thursday.
6:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.
An email notification should be sent a few days before.
Homeowners may attend.
Read more
CORPORATE HOMEOWNERS:
Washington Post story about a Harvest Ridge corporate homeowner, Progress Residential (click here).
“…according to previously undisclosed documents and dozens of interviews with renters and former employees, Progress Residential has been ringing up substantial profits for wealthy investors around the world while outbidding middle-class home buyers and subjecting tenants to what they allege are unfair rent hikes, shoddy maintenance and excessive fees.”
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Click here to see addresses and corporate owners of Harvest Ridge rental homes.
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Click here to see the stunningly large number of rental homes owned by Progress Residential in the Indianapolis area.
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Will the HOA Board of Directors do anything about the increasing number of rental homes? (Personal observations – click here.)
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APATHY AGAIN EXHIBITED:
From a 4/13/2022 email from Sentry Management:
“The Board of Directors would like to update you on the poll to limit the number of rental homes in Harvest Ridge. Sentry received 42 in favor of limiting and 1 not in favor of limiting rental homes.”
[There are 203 homeowners in Hillbilly Ridge. Only 43 of them responded to an email.]
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In the news: More homeowner associations are seeking to limit rentals
Rental Homes
Read about rental homes in Harvest Ridge
Another story about rental homes and how one HOA responded
COVID
Indiana State Department of Health
Coronavirus Dashboard (click here)
Indiana Covid database (click here)
Regenstrief Institute
Free at-home Covid tests
Risk calculator (click here)
What’s the risk for Covid based on where you’re going
According to the HOA, this 12″ x 18″ yard sign is not okay.
According to the HOA, this
rolling billboard is okay.
SELECTIVE AND ARBITRARY ENFORCEMENT OF COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS:
“No signs or advertisements shall be displayed or placed on any Lot or structure in the Development without the prior written approval of the Committee, except for the sale of a Lot or Dwelling Unit (limited to one sign per Lot)…”
(Covenants and Restrictions, Section V, B)
Read more about the HOA’s selective enforcement of Covenants and Restrictions
Documents:
Homeowners’ Covenants and Restrictions, Plats, etc.
Plan to Make Changes/Additions?
Fill out the Architectural Request for Change Form.
New patios or decks, repainting, garden sheds, etc.
Download the form here (pdf format).
Repair or replace mailbox:
Mailbox Info
HOA Dues:
HOA dues are $200 per year (2021 and 2022).
Utilities:
– Electric: Duke Energy. View outages. Call 800-343-3525 to report one.
– Natural gas: CenterPoint Energy
– Water: Citizens Energy Group
– Sewage: West Central Conservancy District, Danville, IN
– Storm sewers: Town of Avon
– Trash collection: I’ve seen trucks from Ray’s Trash (now owned by Waste Management) and from Republic Services.
– Internet: AT&T and Spectrum provide hard-wired internet service. Personal note: I have subscribed to both Spectrum (cable) and AT&T (telephone wires). Spectrum had more outages and unexpectedly raised my rate, whereupon I changed to AT&T. AT&T’s service may be a little bit slower than Spectrum’s but it has proven reliable.
HOA (Homeowners Association) Board of Directors:
The Harvest Ridge community homeowners’ association is currently comprised of five board members:
Mark McCrocklin – President
Randy Starcher – Vice President
Tim Williams – Secretary
Adam Birge – Treasurer (pseudo treasurer)
Gary Nelms – Member at Large
But don’t try to contact them. Sentry Management apparently handles all communications with the board. I don’t understand why we need a Board of Directors.
Board Meetings:
Alternating Tuesday and Thursday on the third week of each month.
May be conducted virtually.
Sentry Management says it sends emails with link to join meeting.
Homeowners may attend.
HOA Management Company
Separate from the Board, and hired by the Board, there is a paid management company (Sentry Management).
Sentry is, for all practical purposes, a surrogate for the Board–doing things the Board would otherwise do, like sending out notices of meetings, checking for violations of the Covenants & Restrictions, sending violation letters, performing the responsibilities of the treasurer. According to the 2022 proposed budget, Sentry will be paid $10,800 ($900 per month). I also recall a comment from meeting minutes that Sentry charges the HOA $150 every time a Harvest Ridge home is sold. It didn’t indicate why, but it could be for sending Covenants to closing.
About Sentry Management (“Sentry”), from a Sentry manager:
“Sentry Management manages all aspects of your community, under the direction and approval of the Harvest Ridge HOA board of directors. The board authorizes all spending, contracts, budgets, etc.”
In my opinion, Sentry serves as a buffer, or barricade, between the members and the Board. Questions to the Board may be referred to Sentry. Questions asked may not be answered. Sentry, in my opinion, serves the Board, not the members. Sentry was not elected, or even approved, by the members, yet it’s responsible for important decisions and actions of the HOA.
I have been told that Sentry Management tours the subdivision once per month, looking for violations of the Covenants & Restrictions. Who does it? Idunno. For all I know, it could be a kid on a moped. Or maybe not. What does Sentry find in the way of violations? Well, they say they do find violations, but it’s a secret. They say they don’t disclose violation notices because of privacy considerations (personal names, addresses, etc.).
Sentry Management says they maintain HOA records on file at “Sentry Management’s ‘Community Pro’ Portal”. I’m not sure how complete their documents list is. As an “informative” website, it’s terribly deficient, in my opinion.
To log in to Sentry Management’s “Community Pro” portal (for registered residents), click here (registration required).
Contact Sentry Management
Use this form (click here)
Address/phone:
8425 Keystone Crossing Suite 108
Indianapolis, IN 46240
317-251-9393
Excerpts from Covenants & Restrictions
Not a complete or exact listing–published for background information only.
Note: The HOA may or may not enforce these. It says so in the Covenants.
ARTICLE III
RESTRICTIONS CONCERNING SIZE, PLACEMENT, AND MAINTENANCE OF DWELLING UNITS AND OTHER STRUCTURES
[No hot tubs, garden sheds, basketball goals, deck, fence, etc., without approval:]
(partial excerpts:)
A…. No Dwelling Unit, greenhouse, porch, garage, swimming pool, hot tub, accessory building, deck, fence, basketball goal, tennis court or other exterior improvement shall be erected, placed, stored, or altered on any Lot without the prior written approval of the Committee. Each Owner or Builder shall request such approval in writing to the Committee and shall take into account restrictions including, but not limited to, the type of materials, exterior facade, exterior paint colors, design, layout, location, landscaping and finished grade elevations…
[Keep your grass cut (4″ max. height), trash containers must be screened with fencing, etc.]
(partial excerpts:)
E. …Specifically, the Owner shall 1) establish and mow the grass with reasonable frequency to prevent its growth from exceeding four (4) inches in height; 2) keep Lot free of debris, equipment, stored building materials, and rubbish including any outside storage of trash containers which shall be screened with fencing and subject to modification by the Committee; 3) prevent the existence of other conditions which may detract from or diminish the appearance of the Development; 4) remove dead or unsightly trees or other plants; and, 5) maintain the exterior of all improvements in good repair to avoid any unsightly appearance, in the opinion of the Committee.
Note: As per a Board decision, the provision regarding trash containers will not be enforced.
A,7: Security Lights: Prior to completion of construction, Builders shall install one (1) “dusk to dawn” security light in the front yard of each Dwelling Unit. The Committee shall approve the type and location of all security lights. Each Owner shall subsequently maintain their security light as to condition and bulb replacement.
Note: As per a Board decision, the provision regarding security lights will not be enforced.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS AND PROHIBITIONS
C. Animals (partial excerpt): Dogs and cats may be kept and must not become a nuisance. They must be leashed upon leaving the owner’s property, and their waste must be properly disposed of. Pick up your pet’s poop!
[No boats, campers, trailers, commercial delivery trucks parked on driveway (must be kept in garage). No cars on blocks unless in closed garage.]
(partial excerpts:)
D. Vehicle Parking. Unless otherwise provided herein, motor homes, mobile homes, any motor vehicle which is inoperative and not being used for transportation, trailers, boats, campers, commercial delivery trucks and similar vehicles shall not be parked or stored upon a Lot unless within a closed garage. All passenger vehicles may be parked on the street for a period not exceeding forty-eight (48) hours, however this does not include vehicles parked on the streets on a frequent (in excess of 48 hours per month) basis. No vehicles shall be placed on blocks or jacks for purposes of repairs, except for repairs made in closed garages. It appears the Board and its lawyer have decided that rolling billboards are okay.
[No open burning–including leaves]
(partial excerpts:)
F. Open Burning: No receptacle used for burning of trash shall be placed on any Lot, nor shall any Owner burn debris or trash on a frequent basis except in the Autumn months for the purpose of leaf destruction. Any burning of leaves shall be allowed by local restrictions, and, if allowed, shall be limited to the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
[Website publisher’s comment: I contacted the Town of Avon regarding leaf burning and was told it’s prohibited in Avon.]
Signs:
No signs or advertisements shall be displayed or placed on any Lot or structure in the Development without the prior written approval of the Committee, except for the sale of a Lot or Dwelling Unit (limited to one sign per Lot)…
(One “For Sale” sign is permitted.)
Article V, B.
(Apparently, rolling billboards are exempt from this restriction.)
Note: The Indiana Code supersedes this regulation when it involves political signs, which may be displayed 30 days before and 5 days after an election.
For full text of Covenants and Restrictions, click here (pdf format).
Liens and Foreclosures
If you don’t pay your HOA dues or owe the HOA money, the HOA can file a lien on your home. The lien means that if you sell the house, they get their money. Your home might also be subject to foreclosure, depending on issues surrounding the lien(s).
Important Facts About HOA Liens & Foreclosures You Should Know
Read a related story about HOA liens
Violations of Covenants and Restrictions
“…after 1st violation letter is sent, if not corrected within 7-10 days the second letter will be sent. If after another 7-10 days the violation is not corrected, the 3rd letter will be sent with picture. If still not corrected for another 7-10 days, it will be sent to legal.
(Minutes 05/23/2019 special board meeting)
(However, it appears the Board does not send all 4th-step violations to legal, and if it involves trash cans or yard lights only one warning letter is sent. See paragraph titled “Signs”.)
Lodging a Complaint:
If you wish to report a violation of the Covenants & Restrictions, well, good luck with that. Don’t expect any response or feedback concerning your complaint (based on my own experience). Who do you contact? I suppose Sentry Management.
About this website:
This non-profit non-commercial website is not associated with the Harvest Ridge, Avon, Indiana, homeowners’ association or board, nor with a homeowner management company. It is the creation of a resident of Harvest Ridge, Avon, Indiana.
If you’re looking for the homeowners’ association management company (Sentry Management), click here.
To log in to Sentry Management’s “Community Pro” portal, click here (registration and login required).
To contact this website’s publisher, click here.
This website is intended to:
– Provide easy access to documents (e.g., Homeowners’ Covenants and Restrictions).
– Provide Harvest Ridge residents access to a discussion forum.
– Provide information about the Homeowners Association.