FAQ

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General
  • chevron_rightHow do I contact the Board for a question, comment, concern?
    On the Navigation Page, click Contact the Board.  Please fill out all information and provide as much detail as possible.  This will go out to the entire board, and will email you a response.
  • chevron_rightHow do I apply to volunteer for the Board, Social Committee, Welcome Wagon, etc?
    On the Navigation Page, click Contact the Board.  Please let us know what you are interested in volunteering in.   This will go out to the entire board, and will email you a response.
     
    Please remember that no position is paid, and is 100% volunteer. 
     
    The Board is limited to 7 positions.  The term is 2 years.
    If there are any open board positions or if one of the current member's term is up, the current board will ask the neighborhood for volunteers to submit an application to the board a month prior to the annual HOA meeting (Usually in October). Current board members will then send out a list of applicants with their brief bio to residents to vote on who they would like to elect to the board.  This will occur the week of the Annual Meeting, with the results ready to share the evening of the annual meeting.  
     
    The Social Committee and Welcome Wagon allow for unlimited volunteers, any time of the year.  The more volunteers we have the better we can welcome and have fun with our neighbors.
  • chevron_rightHow do I access the By-Laws?
    You will first need to login or register for an account.  Once you have your account, log in with your user name and password.  Go to Hawthorn Members Only -> HOA Documents -> By-Laws.  There is a By-Law Summary document, and the full By-Law document. HOA Documents
  • chevron_rightCan I fish in the pond?
    Yes!  We do not supply any equipment or bait.  Bring your fishing pole and some bait and try your luck!  
  • chevron_rightCan I swim in the pond?
    At this time we do not recommend, nor allow swimming in the pond.  There are signs near the pond noting this.
  • chevron_rightI wish to receive Text Message notifications, but do not wish to display my phone number in the Member Directory
    Click the Your Profile link in the upper right corner.  Click Update Directory Preferences.  Change the phone number option to 'Hidden From All' if you wish for no one to see this.  If you select 'Only other members can see', then anyone who has signed up are the only ones that can see your phone number.  Non-registered users will not be able to see this.  Click Save.
Online Payments
  • chevron_rightWhy are dues being raised to $325 for 2025?
    The cost of maintaining the subdivision has unfortunately been experiencing the same
    inflationary conditions that are affecting our households. We are finding ourselves faced with a
    tough reality. We are at a point where to continue to make the needed repairs and to be
    sustainable, new funding is needed. It’s always been the HOA Boards fiduciary responsibility to
    operate as cost-efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, but with things as they are, we
    cannot meet our obligations to maintain our community infrastructure. Due to these reasons, the
    HOA board has determined that it is necessary to increase the annual dues starting 2025. The
    board has voted to increase the dues from $250 to $325 or $75 annually as allowed by Article
    IV, Section 1 of the By-Laws, and Section C of the Restrictions. The dues have remained
    unchanged for 15 years. This new rate brings us closer to where we would be with a normal
    inflation rate over the course of 15 years. We don’t take this decision lightly, but unfortunately
    our present situation makes this a responsible move for the community.
  • chevron_rightCan I Pay Dues Online?
    Yes!  We now allow dues to be paid online.  Dues are paid through a 3rd party called Stripe, and is done directly from the website.  Click here to pay online!
     
    You may either pay via credit card, or by setting up a bank account.  There are only certain banks that Stripe supports.  This is beyond our control.  If your bank is not listed, you will need to pay via credit card, or check.
  • chevron_rightHow are the fees calculated for online payments?
    Note the following is only if paid before April 1:
     
    Stripe's fees are 2.9% plus $0.80 for credit/debit card payments or 0.8% plus $0.50 for ACH Bank Checking/Savings payments.
    There is a $15 non-returnable fee for disputes and $4 non-returnable fee for failed US Bank Payments. Apple Pay and Google Pay have the same rates as cards. 
     
    When paying online, please only pay the $325.  The remaining fees will be automatically charged. The Hawthorn HOA does not collect any of these additional charges.
     
    For Reference:
    • Credit Card total payment with fees will be $335.53
    • US Bank Account (ACH Payment) total payment with fees will be $328.13
    • Paying by check as before will not incur any additional fees.  Please complete form that was mailed if mailing a check.  If a new form is needed, please email the HOA
  • chevron_rightCan I still pay via check?
    Yes, we will still be accepting a check for payment!  You should have received a mailer along with a return envelope back in October.  If this has been lost, please send to:
     
    HAWTHORN OWNERS ASSOCIATION
    P.O. Box 81524
    Rochester, MI 48308-1524
     
    Please remember to:
    o      Make check payable to Hawthorn Owners Association
    o      Include your name, address, and lot # on the check
  • chevron_rightDoes the HOA collect any of the additional fees by me paying online?
    No.  All fees explained in the FAQ are beyond our control, and collected via 3rd party payment processing website Stripe.  If you wish to not have additional charges, please pay via check as done in prior years.
  • chevron_rightHow will I know if a payment is received?
    Once an online payment is submitted, you will receive an email to the email address registered with your receipt information.  If there are any questions or concerns, please contact the board.
  • chevron_rightCan I pay directly from my bank website?
    At this time, you can only pay directly from the Hawthorn website.
  • chevron_rightWhat are my HOA dues going towards?
    The annual $325 dues goes towards a number of initiatives including improvements to the subdivision. Details can be found in our meeting minutes and treasurer reports under the Financials section. 
     
    • Common Area Maintenance - Grass Cutting, Tree removal/trimming
    • Drainage Maintenance - Culverts/drains within the subdivision are our responsibility to pay for, not the City of Rochester Hills  
    • Property Insurance - Commercial General Liability Insurance and an Umbrella policy is required for our subdivision.
    • Pond Maintenance - Pond servicing of the two fountains and the pond itself. 
     
    In addition, fees go towards other general  improvements, website, storage locker, general administrative expenses, Christmas lights, social functions such as Spooky Trails, Easter Egg Hunt, Annual Picnic and more!