Common Questions
What is a Home Owners Association?
A neighborhood home owners association is a nonprofit corporation that is created to preserve and enhance the values and amenities of the community.
Am I automatically a member of the Association?
If you own property in Westfield Place, you are a member. Owning property automatically as well as legally makes you a member of the Association. In order to be a member in good standing, you must see ensure your annual dues are paid to the Association on time.
What is the “Board“ and what does it do?
The Board of Directors is comprised of owners who volunteer their time to the Association in an advisory capacity. The Board conducts business according to an established set of rules known as By-Laws. The Association Board administers, enforces and defends the covenants, restrictions and agreements to preserve the architectural and general appearance of the properties and common area amenities within Westfield Place. Funding for this purpose is obtained from annual dues paid by the property owners.
What are covenants?
The Westfield Place Homeowners Association Covenants are an agreement between the homeowner and the Association that each will abide by a specific set of standards. By doing so, the attractiveness and overall quality of life in the neighborhood is maintained; and the values of our properties can be preserved over time.
Do I have to abide by the covenants?
Yes. Failure to do so has potential legal implications.
What are my obligations to the Association?
Legally, you must pay your annual assessment on time and comply with certain requirements set forth in the Covenants. There are also opportunities to serve the Association as a committee member, as a committee leader, or as a member of the Board of Directors. Please consider serving.
What are City Code of Ordinances for animals / pets?
The owner, harborer, or person having charge of any animal or fowl, excepting unleashed domestic cat(s), shall have in their possession necessary implements to remove any excrement or objectionable wastes deposited on public or private property other than their own within the municipality or in any area under the jurisdiction of the municipality, and shall remove such excrement immediately.
Chapter 9.01. – Animals | Code of Ordinances | Athens, OH | Municode Library
Maintenance and Improvements
I want to make a change to the exterior of my home, what must I do?
Any change or additions to the exterior of your home or to the exterior of your property (house, landscaping, fencing, etc.) must be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Review Committee.
To submit a request please send an email to the board.
How should I clean the siding on my home?
Owners have utilized the services of these local vendors to keep their siding clean and looking nice:
How do I get or replace a mail key?
If your mail key has been lost, stolen, or damaged and you have no other good mail keys with which to make a copy, you should consult the Athens US Post Office. The mailboxes in Westfield Place are managed entirely by the United States Postal Service; the HOA has no way to grant access to or make additional keys for your mailbox.
The Athens Post Office is located at 5 W. Stimson Ave. To get a new key you’ll need to request a lock replacement as the post office does not maintain copies or backups of keys. The clerk at the post office might be confused — this is an unusual request, and when people do come in asking for a mail key its usually college students with apartment-managed mailboxes. Explain to the US Postal worker that the keys are not managed by an apartment or HOA and that you need a lock replacement as well as a set of new keys. At the time of writing (June 2024) the fee for a new lock and keys was $30. The turnaround time for the lock replacement and delivery of new keys is usually same-day or next-day (although we make no guarantees).
Payments
How can I make my annual HOA payment?
This year we have the following payment options:
Check payments via Snail Mail
Mail payments to Westfield Place HOA, 61 Berkeley Rd, Athens, OH 45701
Please make checks payable to Westfield Place HOA
Electronic payments via Zelle
Zelle payments can be sent to board@westfieldplace.org
How do Zelle payments work for the annual fee?
Zelle is an electronic payment option that works just like handing cash to someone: you specify a recipient and the account from which funds should be withdrawn. Upon sending the funds they are deducted from your account and made available to the recipient within minutes.
If you choose to use Zelle, you should beware of common internet scams.
Don’t send money as a result of an unexpected text, call or email – it could be a scam. Scammers use urgency to get you to send money. Be wary any time someone wants you to act now. You should verify that the identity of the recipient is Westfield Place HOA before confirming your transaction.
Neighborhood Information
How do I get or replace a mail key?
If your mail key has been lost, stolen, or damaged and you have no other good mail keys with which to make a copy, you should consult the Athens US Post Office. The mailboxes in Westfield Place are managed entirely by the United States Postal Service; the HOA has no way to grant access to or make additional keys for your mailbox.
The Athens Post Office is located at 5 W. Stimson Ave. To get a new key you’ll need to request a lock replacement as the post office does not maintain copies or backups of keys. The clerk at the post office might be confused — this is an unusual request, and when people do come in asking for a mail key its usually college students with apartment-managed mailboxes. Explain to the US Postal worker that the keys are not managed by an apartment or HOA and that you need a lock replacement as well as a set of new keys. At the time of writing (June 2024) the fee for a new lock and keys was $30. The turnaround time for the lock replacement and delivery of new keys is usually same-day or next-day (although we make no guarantees).
When is trash pickup?
Trash, recycling and compost are picked up once a week on Wednesdays (usually in the morning).
What do I do with yard waste?
If you’ve got more yard waste than will fit in your provided trash bin or compost container, you’ll need to visit the Athens City Hall to either purchase a yard waste sticker or paper yard waste bags and schedule yard waste pick up. Pickup is every Tuesday and Friday, but you must call the city at least one day prior to arrange for pickup. It’s recommended that you purchase multiple stickers or yard waste bags at a time to avoid having to make multiple trips up to city hall.
More details are included below from the City of Athens website:
All city residents may purchase stamped bags and stickers for bundles at the Utilities Billing Office, Recreation Center front desk, and Code Office. The stickers may be put on bundles of brush (meeting size limits) which the city will then pick up every Tuesday and Friday.
To have the bags and bundles picked up, call the Department Engineering and Public Works yard waste line at 740-592-3343 to leave your pick up request, or to speak to Engineering and Public Works at (740) 593-7636.
The cost for the stamped bags and stickers is $2.00 per bag or sticker for bundles.
Bags must contain only organic material (this excludes feces or dead animals of any kind) and may not contain trash. Bags must also weigh under 50 pounds and must not be ripped, torn, or susceptible to breaking. Bundles must be tied with string and must be under four feet in length. Limbs of eight inches in diameter or more cannot be picked up and must be disposed of at the discretion of the resident.
Calls for yard waste made after 7:30 am on a pickup date will be picked up on the next date.