Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What
is Sayrebrooke?
A: Sayrebrooke
is a 137-unit fee simple townhouse community, located in the Parlin section of
Q: What
does the maintenance fee cover?
A: The
maintenance fee covers the maintenance of all of the common areas, including
the landscaping, irrigation and snow removal, insurance on all of the common
areas, the Management Company and administrative expenses, income taxes, and
repairs and maintenance of all recreational facilities. The single largest expense is
landscaping. A portion of the
maintenance fee goes into Long Term Reserves to provide a cushion to help in
paying for capital improvements such as repaving, street lights, replacement of
the pool, tennis courts and playground, etc. (Please see the current budget for
a full schedule of fees.)
Q: What
is the difference between a Condominium Association and a Townhome Association?
Which is Sayrebrooke?
A: In
a Condominium Association, the Association owns and is responsible for the
maintenance of the buildings and common property. Residents own and are responsible for
the maintenance of everything from the interior surface of the sheetrock in,
(commonly called ‘paint to paint.’) as well as the windows, doors,
and any limited common elements (i.e. – A fenced in backyard).
In
a Townhome Association, an owner owns his or her lot and/or living unit. The owner is responsible for maintenance
of the whole structure and all land that is deeded to them, including the roof,
siding, interior, trees, back yard, walkways, etc.
Sayrebrooke
is a Townhome Association.
Reflections is a Condominium Association. Even though Sayrebrooke is a Townhome
Association, the Association maintains the grass and shrubs in front of
everyone’s homes, and will occasionally schedule tree maintenance
projects for the whole community, as a courtesy to the homeowners. Homeowners, however, are responsible for
replacing shrubbery and trees that die on their property.
Q: What
is special about Sayrebrooke?
A: Many
things make Sayrebrooke special, but primarily, it is the spirit of its
residents that stands out. They are
civic minded, dedicated, concerned, and fun loving people.
Sayrebrooke
is a diverse, multicultural community with an active committee system. It offers many programs, social and
other, to promote community spirit, camaraderie, and friendship. Sayrebrooke values its children and
dedicates a number of programs to their enjoyment and socialization.
Sayrebrooke residents are
active civically and elected officials are often invited to Association
functions, and enjoy a cordial relationship with our residents.
Sayrebrooke
also offers a number of projects, which save homeowners money. Projects such as voluntary gutter
cleaning, window washing, painting, etc. allow homeowners to take advantage of
the economies of scale and purchase products and services at reduced prices.
Q: What are voluntary
projects?
A: Voluntary
projects are home maintenance projects that the owner’s in the community
report throughout the year they would like to see completed. The Association generally chooses a
couple of projects during the spring and/or fall that owners have requested and
the Association obtains proposals for the work. Owners are responsible for payment for
such, should they wish to participate, but as discussed above homeowners are
able to take advantage of the economies of scale and purchase products and
services at reduced prices.
Q: What must I do, if I
want to make an exterior modification?
A: If
you wish to make a modification, please first refer to the modification request
form. Guidelines for most of the
regularly requested modifications are listed here. Simply follow the requirements on the
Modification Request Form. As
always, if you have any questions, contact our community manager before making
any modification.
Q: How
do I obtain pool passes and what are some of the other recreational facilities
and events?
A: The pool is open from Memorial Day
to Labor Day. From Memorial Day until school closes for the summer, the pool is
open on weekends only. After school
closes, it is open every day until Labor Day. Use of the pool by Sayrebrooke
residents is included in the maintenance fees. To use the pool all residents
must have a picture ID. Pool passes
can be obtained by calling the Management company or the Board President. During the pool season the lifeguards
can supply members with registration information. Residents may bring guests for a nominal
fee. Children should be accompanied
by an adult, who watches them, at all times.
The
community also features a basketball court, tennis courts, and a
playground. The tennis court is
controlled by a combination, which is distributed to members in good standing,
or can be obtained from the management company. For everyone's convenience, unless it is
a sanctioned association activity, no one is allowed to use the recreation
facilities (basketball court, playground, pool, or tennis courts) after 9:00
PM.
Sayrebrooke
is a progressive community which features a host of other activities such as
swimming lessons, story hour, crafts, movie night, teen night, special programs
for children and adults, a spectacular Annual Pool Party, and a number of other
social events. Many families have
children's birthday or other parties at the pool. (Of course, prior approval is
required.) These programs are all
designed to build community spirit, give residents the opportunity to meet and
socialize with their neighbors, and to have fun. In the spring and fall we host a small
reception where flowers are distributed to residents. The flowers may be planted on the
homeowner's property or an approved area on the common property.
Q: What are the rules
regarding walking my dog?
A: Dog walking is strictly prohibited on the common area within the Sayrebrooke Residential Community. If your dog is seen urinating or defecating on the common area a $25.00 fine will be assessed to your account.
This
rule does not mean that Sayrebrooke is not a pet friendly community. Many of our residents have pets, but it
has been noticed throughout the years that the turf begins to die or grow
greener in certain areas depending on where dogs are permitted to “do
their business.” As stated
before, the single highest expense at Sayrebrooke is the landscaping and
allowing pets to defile the common area will only increase this expense due to
the constant repairs that are required to the turf, not to mention that
children in our community often play on the lawn areas. This rule is also meant to protect the
health of the children and other residents of the community.
You
are permitted to allow your dog to “do their business” in your
enclosed backyard, as long as you clean up after the dog every time it is
allowed defecate.
Q: Where
& when do I put out my trash and recycling?
A: Trash
is picked up every Tuesday and Friday.
You may put your trash out at the curb in front of your home, no earlier
than 9:00 the night before any scheduled pickup. All trash must be bagged and you may
want to consider using a sealed container to deter animals from getting into
your trash and scattering it.
Recycling is picked up every
other Tuesday in Sayrebrooke.
Please refer to the Sayreville Recycling Guide and Collection Schedule
provided by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority for further information
regarding recycling pickup.
If
a scheduled recycling or trash pickup falls on a major holiday, trash will be
removed the next regularly scheduled pickup date.
Please
refer to the bulk pickup regulations for further information relating to the
bulk pickup schedule and requirements.
Q: How
do I join a committee?
A: If
you wish to join a committee you can contact the Board of Directors, contact
U.B.E., Inc. via e-mail to mandelld@u-b-e.com ,
or you can simply show up at an announced meeting. You letter will be reviewed at the next
scheduled Board meeting and you will be contacted in writing.
Standing
committees include the Landscaping Committee, Entertainment Committee, and
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee.
The Board also occasionally asks residents to form ad hoc committees, a
committee that assembles to deal with a one-time issue and make recommendations
to the Board within a specific time frame.
In the past, such committees have included an Awning Committee, Termite
Committee, and a Chelsea Court Staining Committee. If you are interested in serving on a
committee, but do not want a long-term commitment, this would be the type of
committee work for you. You may
inform the Board that you are interested in joining this type of committee and
that they should contact you, if they have a need for people to serve on an ad
hoc committee.
Q: Whom
do I contact if I have a question, concern, or problem, or want to view or get
copies of association records?
A: If
you have a question, concern, or problem you may contact U.B.E., Inc., the
Association’s management company, at (732) 409-3991. Our manager is Dorothy Mandell and she
is available at extension 11 or by email at mandelld@u-b-e.com
If
U.B.E., Inc. cannot answer your question or solve your problem, they can
attempt to direct you.
U.B.E.’s
hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. If you have an EMERGENCY after
these hours or on a weekend that cannot wait until the next business day,
please call 1-877-550-5451.
The
Board also holds monthly meetings, which are open to all members. They are held at the homes of Board
members on a rotating basis, starting at 7:00 pm. The meetings are normally held the third
Tuesday of each month, but are sometimes changed. Residents may address concerns with the
Board at the monthly meetings, either in writing or in person.
Residents
are encouraged to give the Board and the Management Company their e-mail
address. This will allow them to
receive updates on a variety of topics quickly and efficiently.
Q:
What
are my rights and responsibilities as a homeowner at Sayrebrooke?
A: Your
responsibility is to regard Sayrebrooke as your home and to be a good citizen.
Remember that a volunteer Board governs Sayrebrooke, and you have the same responsibilities
to the community as they do. Pay your maintenance fees on time. Participate in committees, if you
can. If you see a problem, report
it. Oftentimes residents will pick up papers they see on the lawn, report a
broken streetlight, or correct children who might be doing something
destructive or dangerous. When it
snows you must move your vehicle to facilitate snow removal, and when the Board
mandates a maintenance project you must comply.
You have the right to have
your opinions heard and considered, to serve on committees, to run for the
Board, to vote, to view certain records and documents, and to have your
questions answered. Everyone is
encouraged to exercise all of his or her rights and responsibilities.
Q: What
are the qualifications for Board members?
A: Board
members are owners in the community who have a general desire to maintain and
improve the community. Board
members are elected for three-year terms, but elections are held on a rotating
basis, so there is an election every year at the Annual Open Meeting.
The
Board encourages all members to become involved in the community’s
affairs, whether you have special qualifications or not. The Board does attend seminars held by
the Community Associations Institute on an annual basis, in order to keep
themselves abreast of new legal, financial, and administrative developments or
trends in industry.
Q: How can I stay up to
date on important issues?
A: The
community distributes newsletters to owners when issues arise that you might
like to know. You can also visit
the Sayrebrooke website at www.Sayrebrooke.org. If the management company has
information to distribute to the community, they will send information via US
Mail. The Association also uses
e-mail and an automatic telephone message delivery service to deliver important
information fast.
