In 2014, the Durango Herald ran an article on the power of homeowner associations. The North Dalton Ranch HOA has just joined this group.
Prior to an open HOA meeting this summer, ballots were sent to the residents regarding the subject of trash collection. The HOA board proposed using only one vendor, not three, citing road damage, although I know of no study supporting their views. At the open forum, this proposal was voted down – residents wanted to choose their own collector.
Our fearless board wasn’t going to take no for an answer, so in October, they again sent out ballots for the same thing, only this time they did not have an open meeting for debate. They waited until the “snowbirds” left and used their contact list available to them – names, addresses, e-mails, phones.
Lo and behold, the residents have now been advised that, by a margin of 82 percent in favor to 18 percent opposed, we are now going to have only one trash vendor; the freedom of choice no longer applies.
The response going from not passing to 82 percent in favor is absolutely remarkable. Of course, there is no way for us to verify the tally nor do we know if anyone involved has a vested interest in the outcome.
What we do know is that the North Dalton Ranch HOA Board is getting more powerful. What will be next? Only one lawn service? One cable company? A limit of two cars per family? Will we have to pick up UPS, FEDEX and USPS packages so there won’t be so many delivery trucks using “our” roads?
If you are thinking about moving to North Dalton Ranch, a wonderful place to live, you might want to think again. Your freedom of choice is in jeopardy.
Gwen Brady
Durango
