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POA Board of Directors

Martin Gelerman, President

Myrna Rosoff Vice President

Martin Weissman, Treasurer

Doris Zobal, Secretary

POA PRESS Aberdeen Property Owners Association

October 2008

Campbell Property Management 3918 Via Poinciana Drive ▪ Suite 9 ▪ Lake Worth ▪ FL 33467

Office (561) 432-2703 ▪ Fax (561) 432-2181

POA Board of Directors

Martin Gelerman, President

Myrna Rosoff Vice President

Martin Weissman, Treasurer

Doris Zobal, Secretary

POA Press

Elaine Boderman, Editor

Fran Shaller, Layout & Design

POA PRESS Page 2

FROM OUR PRESIDENT MARTY GELERMAN

Accomplishments, Accomplishments, Accomplishments

Signed a new Cable Television contract with Comcast

Signed a new Aberdeen security contract with the PBC Sheriff

Signed a contract to demolish the gatehouse on Aberdeen Drive

Signed a final acceptance contract for reclaimed water

Established a newly constituted POA Advisory board

Started a POA website in addition to this POA Press

Welcomed additional special guests to our monthly meetings

Worked with the Country Club on a new Landscaping plan for Aberdeen Drive

including the entrance and the entire drive itself

Reclaimed Water Project

The reclaimed water project, for Aberdeen West, was lengthy, i.e. 2 1/2 years! The POA had to

deal with and negotiate with five (5) separate agencies and solicited and obtained the help of

three of our political representatives to overcome bureaucratic obstacles which, at times, were

quite severe and which

may have prevented

Aberdeen from obtaining

reclaimed water.

Our representative in

Tallahassee, Richard

Machek was particularly

helpful to Aberdeen as was

Palm Beach Commissioner

Robert Kanjian and

Congressman Robert

Wexler. Finally, it is of

significance to note that insofar as we are aware, Aberdeen is the only South Florida Community

to have the reclaimed water construction done at no expense whatsoever to the community.

Bristol Lakes Law Suit

In May, 2008, the POA filed a motion for Summary Judgment on the law suit being brought by

Bristol Lakes Homeowner’s Association. At virtually the same time, the Judge ordered that a

trial commence during this past summer. Accordingly, to date, there was no ruling on our

Summary Judgment motion.

Continued on next page

Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department

(manufacturer and seller of the water)

South Florida Water Management (controls use of all South Florida Water)

Lake Worth Drainage District (Owns the canals which are needed in the event of a hurricane—was concerned about

the affect on our Farming Community)

Federal Environmental Protection Agency (self

evident)

Florida State Department of Environmental Protection (They

wanted a back flow device on every home even though our

homes are not connected to our lakes. This was done but at no

expense to Aberdeen.)

POA PRESS Page 3

Aberdeen Drive Gatehouse

After getting four (4) quotes from construction firms and after getting a complex permit

application approved, the gatehouse on Aberdeen drive was taken down. We had to be

concerned with electrical issues so that Stratford, Canterbury, and the Country Club were not

adversely affected by this demolition. We also had to be concerned with plumbing issues so that

our irrigation system would continue to function. The POA is currently working with the Country

Club on plans and designs for the entrance and for the entire length of Aberdeen Drive.

POA Website

Our new website, aberdeenpoa.com, is

up and running.

This website is part of the POA’s

ongoing effort to better communicate

with residents, i.e., last year we started

this POA Press and launched a revised

Channel 63.

Security

The Palm Beach County Sheriff started servicing Aberdeen on 6/1/08 and we are very pleased

with the security services now being provided.

Comcast

Our new contract with Comcast goes into effect on 10/1/08. We now have 140 channels-

including eight (8) HBO channels and music. Appointments for installation of the two (2) digital

boxes, which are included under the contract, will be made at the East Clubhouse on certain

designated dates. Please refer to another article in this POA Press for more details about our

new agreement with Comcast.

aberdeenpoa.com

See who the POA Board

members and Officers are

Review all of the POA’s

documents,

Determine what POA committees exist and who is

on each committee

Review minutes of all POA Board

and POA Advisory Board meetings

Download appropriate

forms as needed (e.g. ARB forms),

View all POA policies and procedures,

POA PRESS Page 4

Reducing Operational Expenses Can Help Contain Our 2009 Budget

Reserve Fund

Energy

Insurance

TREASURER’S REPORT MARTY WEISSMAN

We continue to enjoy excellent operational results. As of the close of the 7th month of

operations we have maintained a positive cash flow, increased our cash reserves to

$1,115,000 and have accumulated a small net surplus of $41,000. The POA has a policy

of zero risk in the investments of its reserves through the purchase of either FDIC

insured Certificates of Deposits (CD) or US Government Securities. Each CD purchased

has a face value of no more than $95,000 per institution. This program is currently

earning an average of 3.5% versus 1.8% offered by typical savings and money market

accounts. This has proven to be a timely strategy since we have just been notified of our

first bank failure relative to a CD investment. Not to worry, FDIC will pay both principle

and interest due within 4-6 weeks.

We have been very busy in the preparation of the POA Budget to meet the challenges of

2009. As you are aware inflation is alive and well and it’s most difficult to maintain a

financial status quo.

Our 2009 budget needs to face expense increases in cable TV, security and irrigation,

pump and pipe infrastructure. These increases could add as much as $350,000 or 14% to

our existing budget. However, we have been working diligently on a number of

operational programs which have been successful in reducing expense such as insurance

(wind mitigation program), energy (conversion of pools from gas to electricity and the

addition of rain sensors to our irrigation

pumps). In addition, the POA formed a

reserves funding committee to review and

update the appropriate reserve funding for

2009 and has concluded that funding can be

decreased providing that 2008 does not

suffer significant weather related damage.

We also expect a rebate from Comcast

regarding the new cable TV contract which

will further mitigate operational expenses.

With some luck this may add up to be a

“push” as we prepare the 2009 budget ---

we will do our best to minimize the impact.

POA PRESS Page 5

CABLE TELEVISION INFORMATION

OUR NEW COMCAST CONTRACT

By the time this article is published, you should have received a letter from Comcast cable explaining when

you can sign-up to schedule your installations for the new services that require a Standard Digital Converter

Box.

All Aberdeen residents have Cable television as part of their POA fees. Our Comcast contract renews

October 1, 2008 and as part of the new agreement all homes will enjoy 8 channels of HBO, 40 music

channels, and video-on-demand. In order to receive these additional features a Comcast standard digital

converter box is required. Each home will receive, as part of the new package, two of these converters and

two remotes. If you wish to have a third or fourth box, at a minimal price, they will not be available until

after November 1st. A fifth or more boxes will be at the retail price. The three HBO channels currently

available will not be on the same channels once we start the new contract. Without the new converter box

you WILL NOT receive any HBO channels, even the ones you are now receiving.

The government TV Converter Box Coupon Program is not needed by Aberdeen residents as long as their

TVs are on the cable system.

In order to receive the 8 HBO channels, music, and video on demand you need a Comcast converter even if

you have a digital television. Comcast will continue the old analog channels for some time and can be

viewed without a converter box but in the future they will be replaced with the digital channels and will

require a digital box or a digital television.

Each homeowner will be responsible for any equipment obtained from Comcast. Any additional equipment

or services will be at the homeowner’s expense. The POA is not responsible for any equipment or fees other

than the bulk cable rate.

The boxes that we are receiving are not High Definition—they are only digital. If you have a high definition

television and you want a perfect picture, you may want to rent a Hi Definition Digital Box for an extra fee.

Please try to follow the sign up schedule given to your community by Comcast as listed in the letter you

received.

All Hi Definition is Digital, All Digital is not Hi Definition.

Comcast Cable

Input to your home.

Without cable box, limited channel selection

Two Standard Digital Cable Boxes supplied

to each Aberdeen homeowner.

No added cost.

Premium Hi-Definition Cable Box @ additional cost to

homeowner.

Premium Hi-Definition with

additional items (i.e. DVR) @ additional

cost to homeowner.

POA PRESS Page 6

ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL DECISIONS MYRNA ROSOFF

Last year, 2007, saw the Florida Legislature once again impose amendments and changes

affecting all of our homeowners associations. I will deal here with the changes regarding

architectural control decisions.

Each Aberdeen community has an Architectural Review Committee (ARC), and the HOA Board

has had autonomy in its operation of the ARC. Now, Florida Statute Subsection 720.303(2) has

been clarified to confirm that all the provisions regarding HOA Board meetings applies to all

committee meetings if the committee makes a final decision regarding expenditure of

association funds or architectural control decisions. These requirements include committee

meetings being open to owners, and the posting of notice of committee meetings.

Architectural changes can be a contentious and emotion-filled subject. For this reason, we

recommend that there be a committee, not just one individual, handling architectural

applications and reviews. People should not be hesitant to work on this committee for lack of

special skills. While the ability to read plans and understand construction is desirable for

members of the ARC, it is not necessary, for assistance is always available from the POA

Architectural Review Board. More importantly, the ARC has the task of being familiar with the

architectural standards specific to its community. These guidelines and specifications should be

in writing and published to the homeowners.

You probably noticed that 720.303(2) applies only when a committee is empowered to makes

final decisions regarding

architectural controls. We,

therefore, recommend that

the ARC follow the same

procedures as with other

committees. The committee

reports to the Board, the

Board discusses and adopts or

rejects by vote the

recommendation of the committee. The resulting action is published in the Board Minutes.

That way, the ARC does not have the burden of formally publishing and holding open meetings,

and it does not have sole responsibility for very serious decisions affecting both individual

owners and the community as a whole. Since the Minutes are an official and required record, all

homeowners have access to information about the acts of the HOA Board.

The committee reports to the Board

The Board discusses and adopts or rejects by vote the recommendation of the committee

The resulting action is published in the Board Minutes

POA PRESS Page 7

UNDERSTANDING ARCHITECTURAL CONTROLS MYRNA ROSOFF

All of us in Aberdeen made the same decision when we bought homes in a planned unit

development (PUD): we traded autonomy over our home for relief from the burdens of home

maintenance and landscaping. These duties are the direct responsibility of our homeowners

associations. Complimenting the HOA is the POA, charged with governing to maintain

communities of high quality, and with harmonious improvements.

When Aberdeen was under development, there was no architectural freedom. Any and all

changes and improvements, no matter how minimal, had to be submitted to the Architectural

Review Board (ARB). The HOA had no say; it was all up to the POA.

After turnover, Aberdeen continued under the Declarations and Covenants that the developer

had drafted. Increasingly, though, homeowners associations wanted the power to participate in

decisions affecting their owners. This was addressed in the Amended and Restated

Declarations.

The rules of architectural control are set forth in Article 8 of the Declaration. Here you will see

the creation of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). Article 8 granted sub-associations the

right to review and recommend modifications before forwarding applications to the ARB. In

addition, eight areas became exceptions to the requirement of ARB approval. These became

totally within the authority of the HOA. The eight areas are: Landscaping, House numbers,

Mailboxes, Doors and entryway screening, Satellite dishes, Paint treatments for homes and

facilities, Driveway surfaces, Gutters and leaders. In all other matters, including home additions,

modifications and screen rooms, the decision of the POA is final.

The ARB is a panel of engineers and experienced people that is available to sub-associations for

consultation. Peter Rosoff of

Cambridge is the chairperson.

POA ARB

•In all matters (with the exception of those listed opposite for the HOA), including home additions, modifications and screen rooms, the decision of the POA is final.

HOA•Landscaping,

•House numbers,

•Mailboxes,

•Doors and entryway screening,

•Satellite dishes,

•Paint treatments for homes and facilities,

•Driveway surfaces,

•Gutters and leaders

POA PRESS Page 8

Have the names and phone numbers of two local residents on file with your

alarm company

Keep your vehicles and homes LOCKED at all times

Garage doors should not be left open

You are our eyes and ears, greatly enhancing our crime prevention efforts

ALL ABOUT SECURITY DEPUTY SHERIFF BETH GOLDWEBER

I want to begin by saying “Thank you” to all of the residents of Aberdeen for making me feel so welcomed

to your community. During the past few months that I have been patrolling your neighborhoods, and as

your link to public safety, I have noticed a few things that I would like to bring to your attention. If your

home is equipped with an alarm system, please make sure to use it. Your alarms are our first indication

that a problem might be present. Everyone should have the names and phone numbers of two local

residents on file with their alarm company who, in case of an emergency, would have access to your

home and who would have a way of contacting you if you are away. You should all be aware of the fact

that even though you live in a safe community it still is important to keep your vehicles and homes

LOCKED at all times. Crime does not discriminate. All too often I and other deputies respond to

communities such as Aberdeen for vehicle and residential burglaries only to find that the suspect entered

through an unlocked door. Do not give someone an opportunity to make you a victim. Garage doors

should not be left open since this leaves the articles in your garage ripe for the picking. Frequently, when I

have tested the door leading from the garage into the home, I have found that it, too, is unlocked. Please

make sure that ALL doors into you homes are locked at all times.

On a positive note, I am extremely pleased with the

awareness of the residents of Aberdeen with what is

going on around them. At the end of August we had

an incident involving a resident who decided to take

his vehicle for a drive all over an area of the golf

course greens. Thanks are extended to a watchful

resident within the community who responded

quickly when he saw what was happening. This

resident called the Sheriff’s office after witnessing

the vandalism and thus several of our deputies were

able to quickly apprehend the violator at his home.

Another Thank You goes out to several of your fellow

neighbors in the Coves and the Landings who

reported a situation involving fraud that had the

potential to affect many people. Because of their

cooperation with me and the detectives assigned to the

case, the Sheriff’s Office was able to gather up enough evidence to formally charge and ultimately arrest

the individual responsible.

The moral here is that there is no such thing as nosey neighbors when it comes to your safety. We, at the

Sheriff’s Office, can only be as successful as we are if we have the cooperation and support of the

community. You are our eyes and ears, greatly enhancing our crime prevention efforts. So, please

continue to be diligent and aware. Your safety is our first concern and, with your cooperation, we can

continue to keep Aberdeen the desirable place it is to live in.

POA PRESS Page 9

Lake Level Conditions

monitored for irrigation,

vegetation, & flood control

Overflow structuresdrain into

Canals

AberdeenLake

System

THE ABERDEEN LAKE SYSTEM: WHY DOES THE LEVEL CHANGE? LISA TEETS

The Aberdeen lakes are designed to provide a source of water for our community irrigation

systems, for our vegetation, and as a method of flood control. All the rain water that falls on

roofs, streets, driveways and grass areas is either absorbed into the ground, evaporated back

into the atmosphere or drains into the lake system.

The Aberdeen lake system is designed for a nominal 16 feet above the current sea level

condition. The Army Corp. of Engineers designed the Florida drainage system to prevent floods

during very high rain periods. While Florida receives about 60 inches of rain each year, or 5 feet

of water, it falls throughout the year but mostly during the rainy season from May

through November. Fortunately, not all the rain falls at the same time. The

drainage system is designed to handle run offs from the 100 year flood

condition or some 12 inches of rain in a 3 day period. The Aberdeen

communities are further protected by a series of 6 overflow structures

that are designed to handle excess water over the 16 foot design level.

These structures can be opened to increase the normal overflow in

anticipation of or during a major rain event like a hurricane or tropical storm. This

decision is made by engineers and managers within the Lake Worth Drainage District

(LWDD). Opening the drainage structures allows the Aberdeen lake system to drain into

the LWDD canals which are in turn connected to the ocean and serve as the major drainage

pathway for excess water runoff from our community lake system.

In heavy rain situations, when the Aberdeen lake system collects rain water runoff, and the level

of the lakes rises, the drainage decisions made by the LWDD are based on the water level of the

canals adjacent to our community, the rate of rain expected and the level of water within the

Community lake systems. Aberdeen is authorized to open the lake system overflows to increase

drainage into the canals to drain the community lakes only when directed by the LWDD. Their

decision takes into consideration all the factors that impact lake drainage into the canal system.

For example, if the canal levels have not been lowered, the opening of the drainage structures

would cause the back flow of canal water into the Aberdeen lakes, making a high water

condition look much worse than it is. Excess drainage would reduce the water available for

future irrigation.

Our communities are designed to handle excess water when the streets overflow and water

rises over the grass swales and onto the community driveways. This surface area greatly

increases the water holding capacity of our communities, but appears to be a flooding condition.

In reality, the community designs take this condition into account. In this manner, a 100 year

flood with over 15 inches of rain in a short time, like 2-3 days can be handled without property

Continued on next page

POA PRESS Page 10

damage. Of course, all this depends upon the canal levels, the control structure and the

coordination between Aberdeen, the LWDD and our property managers.

High water in the lakes is not a problem in rainy times since the community was design for this

condition, and the proper water managers are not only aware of high water conditions but are

constantly monitoring the water levels in the canal system.

During heavy rainfall, when the lakes rise and approach your homes, this condition is happening

throughout the Aberdeen communities. For each inch of rainfall, our lakes rise about 2 inches

due to the collected runoff. This increase in the level of the lakes is normal and the water will

gradually recede. This up-and-down lake level condition in also normal.

With the introduction of Reclaimed Water to our lake system, this condition will not be

noticeable in the future. The community lakes will appear to maintain approximately the same

level during dry periods and water restriction will be eliminated. Again, in times of heavy rainfall,

the existing level control system will be in effect and the lake levels will continue to be

controlled by Aberdeen and the LWDD people.

In summary, drainage of the Aberdeen lakes controls the water level throughout Aberdeen and

the level is controlled by the Lake Worth Drainage District engineers working in conjunction with

the Aberdeen Property Mangers.

WATER – THE FORGOTTEN UTILITY LEW DOCTOR

We all take our home drinking water for granted. It is always there when we need it,

the quality is fine, and the pressure is good.

When we finish our chores, where does the water go? All household water, from

sinks, washing machines and sanitary facilities flows into the sanitary sewer system in

each community. This flow is assisted by underground sanitary sewer lift stations with pumping

equipment to assure the flow to the regional waste treatment plant on Hagen Ranch Road, This

system is a sealed system totally separated from the community sprinkler systems that

withdraw water from the community lakes for irrigation. Since the sewer lift stations operate

with electrical power, please minimize water use during power outages since the lift stations

will not operate.

Aberdeen will be receiving emergency generator service from the Palm Beach County Utilities

Department in the event of a prolonged power outage lasting several days in order to operate

the sewer lift stations. Your support is essential during such an emergency.

POA PRESS Page 11

NOTES FROM THE EDITOR ELAINE BODERMAN

It has really been a very busy few months for the POA. As you

will read throughout this issue of the POA Press, your

leadership continues to be on top of things as it works to

represent the interest of all of us in Aberdeen.

POA Board Meetings

The POA Board of Directors meets at 9 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month (September

through June). All residents are invited to attend. Very often we have special guests who speak

on issues of great importance to us all. We hope you mark the appropriate dates in your

calendar and sit in on these meetings.

POA Press

As you will note, with this issue,

the POA Press has taken on a new

look. We hope you like the new

layout find the articles pertinent

and informative.

Channel 63

At the same time, remember that

Channel 63 continues to be

updated to bring you the latest

news about community Board

Meetings, East Clubhouse and

Country Club events,

organizational happenings (i.e.

card parties, trips, and meetings),

public service notices, etc.

From all of us – have a great

season and enjoy everything

Aberdeen has to offer!

Important Phone Numbers

Sheriff or Fire —Emergency 911

Sheriff’s Dept— Non Emergency 688-3000

Fire Rescue—Non Emergency 616-7000

Comcast 688-3842

Florida Power & Light 697-8000

Palm Beach Water & Sewer 740-4600

Palm Beach Solid Waste Authority 697-2700

AT&T (formerly, Bell South) 888-764-2500

Telephone Repair 611

Bethesda Memorial Hospital 737-7733

Boca Raton Community Hospital 561-395-7100

JFK Medical Center 966-7300

West Boca Medical Center 561-488-8000

Delray Medical Center 498-4440

Post Office 740-7320

Social Security 800-772-1213

POA (Campbell) 432-2703

POA PRESS Page 12

Campbell Property Management 3918 Via Poinciana Drive ▪ Suite 9 ▪ Lake Worth ▪ FL 33467

Office (561) 432-2703 ▪ Fax (561) 432-2181

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