BUYING A HOUSE ON WILLETT POND ?

BE SURE THE SELLER IS CURRENT ON DUES & FEES !

Willett Pond’s operating and maintenance costs are primarily paid for by dues and fees collected by the Willett Pond Charitable and Protections Association (“WPCPA”) from the home owners who live on the pond.  Those dues and fees, shown in detail under [LINK to Owner Fee page], are on average in excess of $1,000 per year per home owner.  Those fees are paid by over 90% of the abutting home owners, all of whom recognize the importance of paying their fair share of the common expenses necessary to run the pond.  The very few home owners who choose not to pay their fair share of pond costs are prohibited from (i) using motor boats, (ii) putting docks in the pond, (iii) accessing the pond from their properties and (iv) for many homes on the pond, entering or maintaining “land strips” between their homes and the water. 

Despite the fact that non-payers are prohibited from those activities, even non-paying home owners benefit substantially from the Pond.  Whether or not any individual abutter ever sets foot on the water, the Pond provides enormous value, both by providing a stunning and peaceful living environment and by supporting home values which far exceed the values of similar properties just blocks away from the water.  As a result, and in fairness to the abutters who do pay their fair share of pond costs, WPCPA assesses dues and fees for each property, whether or not property owners actively use the water, and assesses a 10% annual interest charge on the total amounts unpaid each year for any property.  That total, including interest, must then be paid if the homeowner, or a buyer, or an inheriting family member, wishes to become a member in good standing of WPCPA.  In other words, regardless of changes in ownership, WPCPA requires that all dues and fees charged to any property, plus interest, be paid as a condition for full use of the Pond.  WPCPA does not inquire as to whether the prior or new owner makes the payment – that issue is between those parties.  WPCPA does, however, require that the monies be paid, and failure to pay, whether by seller or buyer, prevents a property owner from having full rights to use the pond. 

Some recent sellers of houses on the pond have had unpaid balances close to $10,000, and with dues and interest being added every year, some unpaid balances may soon be even higher. As a result, if you are a prospective house buyer on Willett Pond or Pettee’s Pond, please be sure to inquire with your seller as to the status of these charges for the property you are considering.  As noted above, if you or any successor intends to (i) use a motor boat on the pond, (ii) put a dock in the water, (iii) access the pond from their property and (iv) use or maintain any “land strip” between the property and the water,  either you or the seller of the property will need to pay the outstanding charges.

Please also understand that since this rule was established, WPCPA has collected these past due fees and interest for every property sold, without compromise or exception, a policy which we will continue to enforce going forward.  If you have any questions about this policy, however, please email us at board@willettpond.org. 

Thank you for your interest in Willett Pond.