About the Pine Hill Subdivision
The following information is
primarily for those in our subdivision who have purchased their
homes since 1990 and to all owners who are not quite familiar with
our neighborhood association.
Pine Hill Subdivision,
originally comprised of 89 homes, was developed in the early 1950s
by Robertson Jamieson Co, now known as Robertson Brothers. The Pine
Hill Civic improvement Association was chartered, February 9, 1953
and the charter was renewed in 1983 to expire on February 24, 2013.
The stated purpose for which the association was formed was
"to promote the public
safety, moral and general welfare and to operate a private water
system for the benefit of members of
the association".
The water system consisted of
two wells located in the northwest corner of Wattles and Walnut Hill
Drive, with mains serving all the homes in the subdivision. Dues
were assessed to all members to cover the cost of obtaining and
delivering the water and to maintain the well equipment and mains.
In addition, other major expenses were insurance, road
chloriding, electricity and accounting just to name a few.
In 1968 the City of Troy
assumed the responsibility for supplying water to the subdivision.
At considerable expense to the association, the wells were
dismantled and the structures housing them were removed.
As the cost of the water service and other related expenses
were eliminated, the collection of substantially reduced dues became
a problem. Funds were
needed to maintain the former well site out lot, maintaining our
corporate existence and other minor expenses.
As funds in the treasury were depleted, several members
attempted to keep the lot from becoming an eye sore. It became quite
obvious, however, due to the high water table and uneven terrain
that professional lawn service was necessary.
The City of Troy mandated that the lot had to be kept mowed
or they would periodically cut the grass and bill the association.
To make matters worse, no dues were being collected and our
financial condition had worsened.
By Dick Thomas
Halloween “Trick or treating"
For those who are new to the subdivision, for over
sixty years
it has been a tradition in the Pine Hill Subdivision to have
Halloween "Trick or Treating" on the Saturday before Halloween.
When this practice was started the Subdivision hosted a party and a
parade on the lot where the water wells were located.
Following the party the subdivision’s kids did their “Trick
or Treating".
The parties died out after the City of Troy took over the
responsibility for providing water for the subdivision.
This resulted in a significant decrease in dues being
collected from the residents.
This made far less money available for parties.
Also, most of
the neighborhood kids of that time had grown up and were no longer
interested in Halloween parties.
It has been
over
40 years since the last Pine Hill
Halloween party. Yet
the Saturday "Trick or Treating" tradition still lives on.
Another reason for Saturday "Trick or Treating" was that the kids
would never have school the next day.
A recent informal poll of some of our neighbors showed that most are
still in favor of this practice.
Thanks for your cooperation.
BY-LAWS of the PINE HILL CIVIC IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION