98-456 Kaahele Street Aiea, Hawaii 96701 Newtown Quarterly Phone: (808) 487-3806 Fax: (808) 487-3000 Email: [email protected] Spring Edition, March - May 2020 Website: newtownestates.org Newtown Recreation Center Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, except holidays. Entrance doors close 45- READ ABOUT: minutes prior to closing time. *Closure of Recreation Center-see page 1 *Greenbelt-page 4 *General Manager’s Message-page 2 *RC Insight-page 5 *BOD Meetings, Motions-page 2 *Recycle Presentation-page 5 *Dear NECA Corner-page 3 *NNSW-pages 6-7 *Underground Utility Lines-page 4 *Scouting News-pages 7-9 ASSOCIATION NEWS Newtown Recreation Center – Continued Closure In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our residents, members, guests, and employees, the Newtown Recreation Center will remain closed until further notice. Additionally, the following meetings, programs, rentals, and events have all been canceled: March Meetings (NECA Committees, Newtown Neighborhood Security Watch (NNSW), Sub- Associations, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts) Free Activities and Paid Classes Sports Program (PAL Volleyball League) March and April Facility Rentals Easter Fun Event Refunds for the PAL Volleyball League, Facility Rentals, and the Easter Fun Event are being processed by Hawaiian Properties and will be mailed to the address on file within 2-3 weeks. Updates and details concerning the use of the facilities will be communicated through email blasts to residents and members. If you would like to add your email address to the database of the Newtown Estates Community Association (NECA), please send a request to [email protected]. During the closure of the Recreation Center, employees on duty are cleaning and disinfecting areas of the Recreation Center. NECA encourages members and residents, as well as employees, to monitor your personal health and to call your doctor if you exhibit the following symptoms: Thank you for your understanding and stay well. Newtown Quarterly, March – May 2020 Page 2 A Message from the General Manager Basic Protective Measures There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyday protective measures to help prevent the spread of this and other respiratory diseases. See below. Avoid contact with sick people. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, especially with unwashed hands. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a household cleaning spray or wipe. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least sixty (60%) percent alcohol. Maintain social distancing. Please take care of your health and protect others by practicing these protective measures. Sincerely, D. Jang and Board of Directors Board of Directors Meetings, Motions through February 2020 Motion to Approve: Result Voting by Directors Employee Bonuses for 2019 Passed 7 in favor/0 opposed Merit increases of 3.4% to employees with a Passed 7 in favor/0 opposed satisfactory or better performance evaluation Scheduling the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Passed 8 in favor/0 opposed August 12, 2020 Imua Landscaping’s proposal in the amount of Passed 7 in favor/0 opposed $4,712.04 to trim seven trees behind the preschool, rec hall, and maintenance building and cut down one tree located near the wading pool. Central Pacific Specialty Contractors’ proposal Passed 7 in favor/0 opposed in the amount of $7,340.00 to remove the existing grout and install new caulking around the large swimming pool. American Coating’s proposal in the amount of Passed 7 in favor/0 opposed $19,000.00 to repair the cracks on the swimming pool deck. Total Fitness USA’s proposal in the amount of Passed 7 in favor/0 opposed $3,499.00 to purchase an elliptical machine. NECA Board meetings are scheduled on the first Wednesday of each month. Board meetings are held at the Recreation Center and begin promptly at 7 p.m. All homeowners are welcome to attend. Please complete the attendance sheet as you enter the Upstairs Lounge. Newtown Quarterly, March – May 2020 Page 3 Architectural Design and Covenant Enforcement Department “Dear NECA Corner” The Architectural Design and Covenant Enforcement Department would like to welcome you back to “Dear NECA Corner.” This column addresses questions regarding architectural and covenant inquiries posed by property owners and residents of NECA. If you have a question and would like to have it addressed by the Architectural and Covenant Enforcement Department, email [email protected]. Dear NECA Corner, I have a couple of spare bedrooms and was looking to rent them out. A friend of mine who resides in Honolulu rents out her spare bedrooms through a website called Airbnb and makes a considerable amount of extra income per month. Are short-term rentals allowed in the Newtown Community? – Rooms to Spare Dear Rooms to Spare, No, short-term rentals are not allowed in the Newtown Community. As stated in the Master Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, & Restrictions (MDCCR) of the Newtown Estates Community Association (NECA) under Article III, Section 3.02(c), “Each lot shall be used exclusively for residential purposes, and no more than one family (including its servants and transient guests) shall occupy such lot…”. Not only are short-term rentals not permitted in the community, the Honolulu City Council recently adopted Bill 89, also known as Ordinance 19-18, and effective August 1, 2019, the new regulations imposes stricter penalties and fines on illegal operators of short-term rentals. For example, an owner or operator of a bed and breakfast home must register with the department and submit an application for registration to include, among other things, a confirmation that the bed and breakfast home is permitted by the applicable homeowners association, which NECA prohibits. NECA property owners should be aware that fines for any form of illegal short-term rental advertising ranges from $1,000 to $10,000 for each day the ad remains on display on hosting platforms such as Airbnb, Expedia, VRBO, etc. Additionally, short-term rentals are beginning to change the character and quality of life in neighborhoods due to the increased tourism activity. Related complaints include trash, illegal parking, loud noises or parties, and increased traffic. Searches for approved short-term rentals may be conducted at the City and County of Honolulu Short-Term Rentals website at www.honolulu.gov/dppstr/approved-strs.html. -NECA If you suspect your neighbor is illegally renting out their property and would like to file a complaint, contact the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting. Complaints may be submitted using one of the following methods: Written Formal Complaint: Mail to the Department of Planning and Permitting, Memo: STR, 650 South King Street, 7th floor, Honolulu, HI 96813 On-line Complaint Portal: Visit website at www.honolulu.gov/dppstr/report-a-violation.html Complaint Phone Hotline: Call the office at (808) 768-8127 All reports submitted to the Department of Planning and Permitting and any personal information are kept confidential. You will need to provide the location address, apartment number of the unit (if applicable), advertisement information, and any pertinent information when reporting the violation. For more information, contact the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting: Website: www.honoluludpp.org Email: [email protected] Newtown Quarterly, March – May 2020 Page 4 Underground Utility Lines Do you know where your underground utilities are located? If you answered no, hold-off on digging up your property until the underground utility lines are located and marked. These lines should be identified prior to starting projects that require any digging such as landscaping, installing a fence or mailbox, building a deck or patio, and installing a pool or pond, etc. Contact the Hawaii One Call Center before you dig. Located in Oregon, the call center is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and can be reached at 1-866-423-7287 (or dialing 8-1-1). For more information, visit www.call811.com/start-here/homeowners. Steps to take for Homeowners: 1. Notify the Hawaii One Call Center at least five (5) working days but no more than twenty- eight (28) calendar days prior to the start of your project. 2. Wait for a few days for affected utility operators to respond to your request. 3. Confirm that all affected utility operators have responded to your request. 4. Respect the marks provided by the affected utility operators for the duration of your project. 5. Dig carefully and avoid digging near the marks. Don't make a judgment call and put yourself and the community at risk. Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in damages to gas, electric, communication, water and sewer lines, which can lead to service disruptions, serious injuries and costly repairs. Keep the community safe. Greenbelt The Greenbelt area is conservation land owned by the Newtown Estates Community Association (NECA), but under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). The individual owners of the lots located along the conservation district interface will be responsible for the landscaping and maintenance of the firebreak buffer. As a landowner along the Greenbelt, you are not mandated to create a buffer, but instead have an option to develop one.