Pool care need not be problematic.
15 minutes reading will get you started
You're opening up your pool in a few weeks. You're a new board member and relying on your property manager and pool maintenance company to handle all the details. That's as it should be. What are the questions you'll have to deal with? What kinds of decisions will you be making or deferring? Pool maintenance is a frequently deferred item. The pool rarely gets the use for which it was designed. There's frequently a small contingent of homeowners who want to fill it in and grass it over. It would certainly save a pile of money on your insurance policy to say nothing of the ongoing maintenance and repair expense. But that kind of decision usually requires a vote of from 75%-100% of the individual homeowners. It's a change in the "capital equipment" of the community and regardless of the state you're in (mentally or geographically), it's not a decision the board can make unilaterally. On to the things you do have control over.
Legal
Legally speaking you ought to be aware of any new laws that have been passed in your state or town regarding safety around the pool. Certainly your manager ought to be on top of that particular item, but if things go wrong, it's not the manager who is responsible. You'll soon learn the real meaning of "fiduciary". It wouldn't hurt to put a call in to your association attorney just to check and see if there are any updates. Your local CAI chapter may also have information.
Heating Equipment
Pool heating equipment requires preventive maintenance. Whether you have solar heat or conventional heating equipment, there is a preventive maintenance program that should be in place. It usually consists of very inexpensive cleaning, lubrication and adjustment items. An hour or two of labor can save you thousands in premature part replacement. Your pool maintenance company or on-site handyman should be able to handle it. You might want to check with the property manager to be sure it's on the "to-do" list.
Pool Furniture
Decisions on pool furniture are more visible. The decisions there are less technical and easier to understand. It usually comes down to "replace or repair". When you consider that the main value of the pool is in its "eye-appeal" and the resultant impact on overall property values, it seems reasonable to make sure that the pool furniture isn't getting shabby looking.
Rules Enforcement
The pool is often a center of rules controversy. Kids and pools require some level of governance, or you face the prospect of armed warfare between the young adults and their offspring versus the quietly retiring folks who seem to have absolutely no appreciation for that great cannonball the tubby ten year old is so proud of. Or that wonderful game “Marco Polo”.
Rules enforcement with children is a little bit of a different matter than with the adults. Please expect to have a little more patience and flexibility. Don't just take the attitude that the parents are responsible and "rules are rules". In fact we were all ten years old at one time and ought to try and put the value of community harmony over the importance of a "zero-tolerance" rules policy.
New laws, heating equipment, pumps, chemicals, furniture and rules enforcement all offer you an opportunity to exercise your fiduciary responsibility in varying degrees. Remember that the basic rule is to understand and be aware and informed on situations. Your decision-making should be educated. You can't always be right, but you can be informed. Get out the Coppertone and enjoy.
15 minutes reading will get you started
You're opening up your pool in a few weeks. You're a new board member and relying on your property manager and pool maintenance company to handle all the details. That's as it should be. What are the questions you'll have to deal with? What kinds of decisions will you be making or deferring? Pool maintenance is a frequently deferred item. The pool rarely gets the use for which it was designed. There's frequently a small contingent of homeowners who want to fill it in and grass it over. It would certainly save a pile of money on your insurance policy to say nothing of the ongoing maintenance and repair expense. But that kind of decision usually requires a vote of from 75%-100% of the individual homeowners. It's a change in the "capital equipment" of the community and regardless of the state you're in (mentally or geographically), it's not a decision the board can make unilaterally. On to the things you do have control over.
Legal
Legally speaking you ought to be aware of any new laws that have been passed in your state or town regarding safety around the pool. Certainly your manager ought to be on top of that particular item, but if things go wrong, it's not the manager who is responsible. You'll soon learn the real meaning of "fiduciary". It wouldn't hurt to put a call in to your association attorney just to check and see if there are any updates. Your local CAI chapter may also have information.
Heating Equipment
Pool heating equipment requires preventive maintenance. Whether you have solar heat or conventional heating equipment, there is a preventive maintenance program that should be in place. It usually consists of very inexpensive cleaning, lubrication and adjustment items. An hour or two of labor can save you thousands in premature part replacement. Your pool maintenance company or on-site handyman should be able to handle it. You might want to check with the property manager to be sure it's on the "to-do" list.
Pool Furniture
Decisions on pool furniture are more visible. The decisions there are less technical and easier to understand. It usually comes down to "replace or repair". When you consider that the main value of the pool is in its "eye-appeal" and the resultant impact on overall property values, it seems reasonable to make sure that the pool furniture isn't getting shabby looking.
Rules Enforcement
The pool is often a center of rules controversy. Kids and pools require some level of governance, or you face the prospect of armed warfare between the young adults and their offspring versus the quietly retiring folks who seem to have absolutely no appreciation for that great cannonball the tubby ten year old is so proud of. Or that wonderful game “Marco Polo”.
Rules enforcement with children is a little bit of a different matter than with the adults. Please expect to have a little more patience and flexibility. Don't just take the attitude that the parents are responsible and "rules are rules". In fact we were all ten years old at one time and ought to try and put the value of community harmony over the importance of a "zero-tolerance" rules policy.
New laws, heating equipment, pumps, chemicals, furniture and rules enforcement all offer you an opportunity to exercise your fiduciary responsibility in varying degrees. Remember that the basic rule is to understand and be aware and informed on situations. Your decision-making should be educated. You can't always be right, but you can be informed. Get out the Coppertone and enjoy.
RSS Feed