Stillwater Springs

Dacula, GA

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2026

VANDALISM AT STILLWATER SPRINGS

After costly repairs and other issues were resolved, water was finally flowing again in the fountain at the entrance to our subdivision. Unfortunately, the flow was short-lived: the fountain was vandalized in the early hours of June 25^th. The HOA president spent many hours cleaning up the damage, which also threatened the newly installed landscaping around the site. Since then, several security cameras have been installed nearby to deter future incidents.

Filing police reports suppresses property values for all of us and the costs for such cleanups may have a negative impact on our annual HOA assessments. Therefore, it’s in everyone’s best interest to keep a watchful eye.

Re-election of HOA Board Seats

Seats on the HOA Board for President and Secretary are up for re-election this year. Each of these Board members serve a two-year term. To run for election, you must be a resident with no violations or unpaid fines, penalties, or assessments on the record date of September 5, 2026. You can declare your interest in running for either of these seats up to and including the day of the election, which will be held at the annual meeting scheduled for September 12, 2026.

Notices of Covenant Violations

Since becoming a self-managed HOA, the Board, which also serves as the Architectural Review Committee, has issued 36 first notices of covenant violations such as unstained fencing, driveway lights, above-ground pools, and trash cans in plain sight from the street. Most residents took steps to resolve the violations. However, for those still not in compliance, second notices have been sent, and fines have started to accrue now that more than thirty days have passed since the first notices. Maintaining a desirable place to live requires that we all comply with the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions that we all signed at closing. These CC&Rs ensure that our neighborhood will not deteriorate in desirability or value.

Architectural Review Committee (ARC) Requests and Notices

Please note that all exterior changes, alterations and additions must be approved in writing by the ARC prior to any changes taking place. All requests should be submitted through the official Stillwater Springs HOA website. The ARC has 60 days to reply to all requests.

Please be courteous about picking up your trash or any trash you see lying around in common areas, and please send comments to the Board about any violations noted or neighborhood improvement ideas.

The three most common covenant violations include the following:

1. Exposed garbage cans visible from the street.
2. Lawn care maintenance, including cutting, weeding and edging.
3. Failure to keep fences in good condition and regularly stained and pressure washed as needed. All fences are required to be stained within 6 months of installation. The approved colors are BEHR: Walnut, Woodchip, Chestnut and Pewter.

Updated HOA Financial Information

As of July 31, 2026, 23 of the 82 homeowner accounts had outstanding balances totaling $31,305, including non-payment of annual assessments. Thus far, for 2026 we have disbursed $22,061 for expenses. With self-management, we have significantly reduced our costs so we can look forward to a 2027 annual assessment of approximately half of the amount assessed in previous years.

Topics for Upcoming Annual Meeting

In addition to electing two Board members, the annual meeting agenda will include discussion of returning to an outside HOA management company, an option several residents have expressed interest in. Also, during the Town Hall Meeting, there was discussion about establishing amenities of some kind in our subdivision. As you may know, the only common areas owned by the HOA are at the entrance and approximately 2.5 acres near the mailboxes. The possibility of creating a basketball court, pickle ball court or picnic benches in that area was investigated. The cost of just putting a 100x40-foot concrete slab there would be approximately $22,000. Before any work can be done, we must pay for an engineer’s report to determine if the drainage pipes in that area are a hindrance.

Within the next few weeks, please submit any other topics you would like to discuss at the annual meeting.

PLEASE SLOW DOWN

The posted speed limit in Stillwater Springs is 25 MPH!

It is especially important now that school has started, with children and school buses moving throughout the neighborhood, that we all slow down to avoid any accidents. Avoid parking on the streets to improve visibility and maneuverability whenever possible.