Tomorrow! Craneridge Annual Meeting & Picnic (and VOTE!)

HAVEN’T VOTED YET? Join us tomorrow and VOTE by paper ballot. Still planning on e-voting? Please do so before tomorrow (Sunday, June 22) at 2 PM. For folks who have not yet e-voted, one last reminder email with unique login details will be sent this afternoon (Saturday, June 21).

Have you checked out the Street Lighting Assessment details? Get the facts before you vote: https://craneridge.org/street-lighting/

HEY EVERYONE! Please join us for the annual meeting to hear all the board and committee updates. Oh! And the picnic is going to be a blast.

🚨Craneridge Homeowners: Get Ready Actions! 🚨

Before June 15 | Review important Annual Meeting materials

✅ Read the Spring Newsletter with Board Nominee Candidates »
✅ Review Lighting Project & Special Assessment details »
✅ Submit Lighting Project and Special Assessment questions (if any) »

June 15 | E-Voting opens — check your email!

✅ New this year! A secure e-voting option
✅ You will receive an email on June 15 with your unique e-voting link

If you do not receive your e-voting email, contact:
👉 Gwen Alegre — gwenalegre@gmail.com

June 15–22 | Vote! Choose ONE option

Option 1: E-Voting (Recommended)

✅ Complete your e-vote online before the June 22 Annual Meeting to vote on:
• Board of Directors candidates
• Special Assessment for Street Lighting

Option 2: In-Person Voting

✅ Vote by paper ballot at the June 22 Annual Meeting
✅ Bring a proxy if voting on behalf of someone else
👉 Note: If you already voted via e-voting, you will NOT be able to vote again in person (no duplicate votes).

June 22 | Join our Annual Meeting & Picnic

✅ Attend the Annual Members Meeting — Sunday, June 22, at 2:00 PM (Pool Shelter)
✅ Stay after for the Neighborhood Picnic — featuring food prepared by our very own Gourmet Barbecuing Master, Cory Bowen! This is a great opportunity to connect with neighbors and enjoy the community.

July 1 | Pay Your Annual Assessment

✅ Late June: Watch for your email invoice from HOA Assist (NO paper invoices this year)
✅ July 1: Pay your 2025 Annual Assessment ($550 per lot)

✅ View 5 ways to pay your assessment »

IMPORTANT: If you need help logging into HOA Assist or have questions about your invoice, contact HOA Assist directly — NOT the HOA Board:
Email: info@hoaassist.com
Call: 855-952-8222 (M–F, 8 AM–5 PM CT)

We look forward to seeing many of you on June 22nd and hope everyone will take part in this year’s votes and picnic!

🎉 2025 Annual HOA Assessments due July 1st — You’ve Got Options! 🎉

✅ Late June: Watch your email for an invoice from HOA Assist (📬 No paper invoices this year — welcome to the 21st century!)
✅ July 1: Pay your 2025 Annual Assessment ($550 per lot)

Craneridge friends — there are now 5 ways to pay your Annual Assessment through our new system managed by HOA Assist.

🚫 The Board does not process payments and does not have your account number — please contact HOA Assist if you need help! info@hoaassist.com

👉 Your 5 ways to pay:
1️⃣ Auto-Draft (FREE)
✔ Set it and forget it — withdrawn automatically on the 5th of the month

2️⃣ E-Check ($2.99/transaction)
✔ One-time or recurring; you control the amount and date

3️⃣ Debit/Credit Card (3.99% fee)
✔ One-time or recurring

4️⃣ Bank Bill Pay
✔ Set up “Craneridge Association Inc.” as a payee
✔ Include your HOA Assist account number in the memo
✔ Mail payments to:
Craneridge Association Inc.
Attn: HOA Assist, LLC
PO Box 98140, Phoenix, AZ 85038

5️⃣ Personal Check
✔ Include your HOA Assist account number in the memo
✔ Mail to the same Phoenix, AZ address above
❌ Do NOT send checks to Craneridge’s Glenwood address!

💬 Having trouble logging in or finding your account number?
👉 Please do NOT contact the HOA Board — we do not have your account information.
👉 Instead, contact HOA Assist directly:
📧 info@hoaassist.com
📞 855-952-8222 (Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM CT)

Let’s keep it simple this year — pick the payment method that works best for you and you’re all set! 💪

Next BOD Meeting – Monday June 2nd @ 6:45 pm at Pool Shelter

Monday, June 2, 2025  @ 6:45 pm
Pool Shelter

Meeting AGENDA

Mission Statement: Enhance our living environment through woodlands stewardship, shared property maintenance, and community building.

Outcomes [or Intended Results] for this meeting: 

By the end of this meeting we will accomplish the following: 

  • Understand the latest developments occurring within our committees
  • Review E-Voting Launch Plan & Motion to Open Ballot
  • Review plans for the Presidential Transition & Board Member Rollover
  • Review plans for the Annual Meeting & picnic
Sections and TopicsLeaderTime (minutes) 
CONNECT – Check-in Shannon5
COMMENTS – Member’s Public Comments WelcomeN/AN/A
Meeting Minutes Meeting Approval for May 2025Shannon5  
CONVENE – Quick review of Outcomes, Agenda, and rolesShannon5
CONSENT AGENDA – Officer & Committee ReportsPresident, Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer/Finance ReportCommittees Officers & Committee Chairs 1 minute each

(~10)
CONTEXT – Review Follow-up Action Plan Template ItemsShannon5
CONTENT – with “open,” “narrow,” or ”close”
E-Voting Launch Plan Provide update on e-voting system, finalize June 3 ballot opening for Director and Special Assessment votes, and review outreach and communication strategy. [O,C]Gwen 10
Presidential Transition Discuss rollover to new Board members and offer to provide orientation and transitional support to the incoming President. [O]Shannon10
Annual Meeting Planning Review agenda, committee reports, logistics, paper-voting procedures and post-meeting picnic. [O]Shannon10
Any other Topics that need to be Discussed N/AN/A
CONTINUE & CONCLUDE  – Summarize, Action Plans, Next MeetingShannon5

NOTES: ONC label meanings
O = Open (Talking about it for the first time & opening the discussion)
N = Narrow (Focusing on Options & narrowing down the discussion)
C = Close (Making a decision and closing the discussion)

🌿 Craneridge is Leading the Way in Invasive Species Management! 🌿

We’re proud to share the Spring 2025 WNY PRISM Newsletter, which spotlights the Craneridge community’s outstanding work to protect and restore our natural environment — right here in our shared woods.

Since 2021, our Woodlands and Habitat Committee has partnered with WNY PRISM to survey and manage invasive species across our neighborhood trails and green spaces. With hands-on support from PRISM’s Crew Assistance Program, Craneridge residents have:

🌱 Planted nearly 400 native trees and shrubs
🧤 Removed invasive honeysuckle and multiflora rose
🌼 Installed gardens with 30+ native plant species
🌲 Participated in hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) surveys and conservation treatment
👣 Attended educational walks and training sessions

These efforts are making a real, visible difference — native plants are thriving, invasive species are being pushed back, and Craneridge is becoming a model for sustainable community-driven restoration.

💪 Huge shoutout to our Habitat and Woodlands Committee for their dedication, as a well as Gwen Alegre for her passion and leadership, and to WNY PRISM for their guidance and partnership.

📖 Check out the full newsletter here:
https://www.wnyprism.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-Spring-Newsletter.pdf

CRANERIDGE POOL RULES – SUMMER 2025

☀️🏊‍♀️ CRANERIDGE POOL RULES – SUMMER 2025 🏊‍♂️☀️

Our pool is staffed during open hours with American Red Cross-trained lifeguards certified in CPR. The pool may close due to weather, staffing, or cleaning needs.

🔹 SIGN IN IS REQUIRED 🔹
All members must sign in upon arrival. This includes:

  • All family members’ names
  • Lot number
  • Phone number
  • Time in/out

By signing in, you’re confirming that you understand and agree to follow the pool rules. Sign-ins help with staffing, usage tracking, and health-related follow-ups if needed.

🔹 RESPECT THE LIFEGUARD 🔹
Lifeguards are there to keep everyone safe — please follow their directions.
Concerns about staff? Contact Kathryn Orrange (Pool Chair), Martha Kemsley, or any Board member.

🔹 NO LOITERING near the lifeguard chair. They need space and visibility to keep the pool safe.

🔹 CHILDREN & SUPERVISION 🔹

  • Kids 9 and under must be with an adult at all times.
  • Kids 10+ can come alone but may only use the deep end after passing a swim test at the lifeguard’s discretion.

🔹 GUESTS 🔹
Guests are welcome with a resident family member present at all times.

🔹 FOOD & DRINK 🔹

  • No glass containers
  • Food must stay at tables
  • Please take your trash home — let’s keep the pool clean!

🔹 SEE SOMETHING UNSAFE?
Report any issues here: https://craneridge.org/craneridge-connect

🚨 Reminder: No After-Hours Pool Use 🚨
We had several incidents last year involving individuals jumping the fence and using the pool outside of posted hours. This is a serious safety and liability concern.

The pool is not monitored when lifeguards are off duty.
Entering the pool after hours is considered unauthorized access. It may result in a rules violation and, in some cases, could be reported as trespassing.

Help us keep our pool safe and open for everyone — please respect the posted hours and report any after-hours activity to the Board.

🌞 Let’s all do our part to keep the pool safe and fun for everyone! 🌞

Enjoy your summer!

Spring 2025 Newsletter Now Available – Check Your Mailbox!

The Spring 2025 Craneridge Newsletter is here and arriving in mailboxes this week!

Inside, you’ll find updates on everything from community improvements to upcoming events and important votes. Here are a few highlights:

🗓 Annual Meeting & Picnic
Join us Sunday, June 22 at 2:00 PM at the Pool Shelter.
We’ll review the annual budget, vote on Board candidates, and hold a Special Assessment vote. Stick around after the meeting for great food and conversation, hosted by the Neighborhood Engagement Committee—featuring grill master Cory Bowen!

💡 Special Assessment Vote
Members will vote on a $180 per-lot Special Assessment to help fund our community’s new intersection lighting project. Voting will be available both in person and online. More details on the project and how to vote are included in the newsletter.

💬 Lighting Project Q&A – Thursday, May 22 at 7:00 PM
Have questions about the lighting project or the proposed special assessment? Come to the open Q&A session at the Pool Shelter on Thursday, May 22 at 7 PM. It’s a great chance to get the facts and ask your questions in person.

📬 Meet the Board Candidates
Six Craneridge neighbors are running for five open seats. Learn more about their backgrounds and why they want to serve the community.

🗳 New Electronic Voting System
We’re launching e-voting this year! Look for your secure voting link via email one week before the Annual Meeting. Full details and a helpful tutorial are included in the newsletter.

🌲 2024–25 Community Highlights
Read the President’s Message for a recap of major accomplishments this year—from woodlands stewardship to financial modernization.

📄 Want to see the newsletter now?
You can view it online here: Craneridge Spring 2025 Newsletter (PDF)

Craneridge Lighting Q&A Session

💬 You’re Invited: Craneridge Lighting Q&A Session

📅 When: Thursday, May 22 at 7:00 PM
 📍 Where: Craneridge Pool

Join us for an informational Q&A session about the upcoming Craneridge street lighting project. This is your chance to ask questions, learn about the project, understand the costs, and explore how it will benefit our community.

💡 Your Vote = Our Future Savings
We’ll also discuss a special assessment vote that will be taking place at the Annual Meeting, which could save the community over $21,000 in interest if approved. It’s an opportunity to reinvest in Craneridge—without paying more than we have in the past.

💡 Why Vote YES?
✅ It’s the same $180/year we’ve historically paid in Lighting District taxes
✅ It pays off the project loan in just 2 years
✅ It saves the community over $21,000 in interest

🔍 More Info & Full Proposal:
 👉 https://craneridge.org/street-lighting/

Come get informed, ask questions, and be part of the decision-making process for our neighborhood’s future!

Important Woodlands & Habitat Happenings this Week (week of 5-11-25)

  • Tuesday (5-13-25): Gwen and Alan Miano will be out tagging Hemlocks for treatment. We continue to prioritize based on diameter greater than 10″ and tree health. For now, we also stay away from wet areas and creeks.
  • Thursday (5-15-25): WNY PRISM will be in Craneridge to monitor resprouting of invasive shrubs in common areas as well as determine a treatment plan for our patch of very invasive Japanese Knotweed. Friday is the rain date.
  • Sunday (5-18-25): Josh Konovitz and team will be treating Hemlocks for HWA on previously tagged trees. This was previously scheduled for May 3 and we were rained out.

ALSO STARTING THIS WEEK! Homeowners can start treating tagged trees on their properties using our detailed instructions and provided HWA treatment kit. We have three kits. Gwen will contact you to schedule a time to drop off a kit over the coming weeks.

Key topics from our previous update:

1. Mid-May through June 30: Homeowner HWA Treatment Program 

Starting in mid-May, we’re launching an optional program for homeowners to treat Hemlocks on their own properties. Complete treatment kits with all necessary materials, insecticide, and step-by-step instructions will be lent to participating homeowners. If you are interested in participating in this program, please send an email to Gwen at gwenalegre@gmail.com. Your trees must be assessed and tagged before you can treat your trees.

2. Knowledgeable Craneridge Volunteers Currently Tagging Trees

To save time and money in the treatment process, some trained Craneridge volunteers have been assessing and tagging Hemlock trees across Craneridge. We still have a (growing) list of areas to tackle, so please be patient. If we don’t get to your property in the spring, we will in the fall. REMEMBER: Infested trees will take 6-10 years to die, so we DO have a window in which to treat our Hemlocks.   

Learn more about Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: https://craneridge.org/take-a-stand-against-hemlock-woolly-adelgid/

Concerned about HWA on your property? SUBMIT THIS FORM (https://forms.gle/b8cV87y5ZoZv67uDA).