Urgent  Information Regarding Pets (3/19/26)

Dear Trumpeter Bay Community Members,

We as a community love our pets, they are part of each of our respective families.  In the last few months there have been a number of incidents involving pets getting lose and running after residents and/or their pets.  It is extremely important that we keep our pets on leashes at all times if not in a fenced area.  With all of the children and pets in the community, we would hate to have an incident where anyone was injured, especially them.  Please review the following By-Law regarding pets.  We certainly do not wish to have the need to implement and enforce new rules, so please do your part to keep our community both pet and resident friendly!

3.10 Animals. No animals, birds or fowl may be kept or maintained on any Unit, except
domesticated household pets which may be kept within each unit as pets for the pleasure and use of
the occupants. No animal may be kept or bred for any commercial purpose and all animals will
have such care and restraint so as not to be obnoxious or offensive on account of noise, odor or
unsanitary conditions. No animal may be permitted to run loose at any time upon the Common
Elements and any animal shall at all times be leashed and attended by some responsible person
while on the Common Elements. No savage or dangerous animal will be kept on any Unit. Owners
will have full responsibility for any damage to persons or property caused by his or her pet. No dog
which barks and can be heard on any frequent or continuing basis will be kept on any Unit,
including within any residence. The Association will have the right to require that any pets be
registered with it and may adopt such additional reasonable rules and regulations with respect to
animals as it may deem proper. In the event of any violation of this Section, the Board of Directors
of the Association may assess fines for such violation in accordance with duly adopted rules and
regulations of the Association. Each Co-owner shall be responsible for immediate collection and
disposition of all fecal matter deposited by any pet maintained by such Co-owner. The Association
may charge all Co-owners maintaining animals a reasonable additional assessment to be collected in
the manner provided in Article II of these Restated Bylaws in the event that the Association
determines such assessments necessary to defray the maintenance cost to the Association of
accommodating animals within the Condominium. The Association may, without liability to the
owner thereof, remove or cause to be removed any animal from the Condominium which it
determines to be in violation of the restrictions imposed by this Section.

                                                                                                                                         2025-2026 Snow Removal Service (11/17/25)

Dear Trumpeter Bay Community Members,

The winter weather will soon be upon us!  CR Lawn Service will be providing snow removal services for the HOA this winter.  CR Lawn Service recently placed snow stakes by driveways, however if community members would like to put out additional snow stakes the HOA greatly appreciates it.  If you break, hit or remove your snow stakes, CR Lawn Service is not responsible for any damages incurred to lawns or driveways if there are no snow stakes or snow stakes are broken.

If you have cars parked in your driveway when CR comes to plow, your driveway may not be plowed.

If you park in the street, be advised your car may get blocked in by snow when the street is plowed or you may risk not having your street plowed.

Please ensure your driveway and sidewalks are free from any debris, dog chains/leads, decorations, and miscellaneous items so no damage is incurred by CR Lawn Service.  Please remove all items from your driveways and sidewalks so that it does not present a hazard to your property or to the snow removal crew and their equipment when it cannot be seen when covered with snow.  Any damage caused to the company’s equipment by a community member will be charged to the community member.

CR Lawn Service will do their best to move snow into areas that will cause the least disruption to the HOA.  Please understand there is no open area where snow can be consistently pushed, as houses are in close proximity to each other.  Streets and cul-de-sacs cannot be blocked and there are limited “vacant” areas that can be used. 

                                                                          GENERAL COMMUNICATION, REMINDERS, UPDATES & INFORMATION (10/14/25)  

TRICK OR TREAT
The HOA will follow the Township hours for Trick or Treating 10/31/25 from 5:30-7:30pm.
Trick or treaters please be careful and residents please watch out for the little ghosts and goblins.

2025 TRUMPETER BAY HOA ELECTIONS 

• Board elections will take place November 18, 2025 at the Tri Annual Meeting.
• If you are interested in running for the Trumpeter Bay Board, you must submit your name and application to Becky Thomas at Superior Property Management. Your name will be included on the 2026 Ballot. 

HOA TRI ANNUAL MEETING

The next HOA Tri Annual meeting will be held: 

Date:      November 18, 2025 

Time:      6:30pm

Location:  Hidden Pointe

1062 Nickerson Ave

Benton Harbor, MI 49022

265 1 Pipestone Rd, Be

Neighborhood Walkabout (10/1/25)

Trumpeter Bay Residents:

The HOA Board Members and Becky Thomas, our Superior Property Manager, will be walking the community, common areas and possibly your property, to inspect houses and common grounds on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2025, beginning at around 8:30 a.m.  This review will be based on the Trumpeter Bay HOA By Laws.

Thank you for your cooperation.

2025 HOA Board

GENERAL COMMUNICATION, REMINDERS, UPDATES & INFORMATION (8/4/25)

1. Residents looking for a pressure washing company, Superior Property Management (SPM) recommends contacting Bulldog Pressure Washing, John Hopkins (269) 208-2838.  When calling for pricing and timeframe please tell them you are with Trumpeter Bay and mention Becky Thomas to obtain the HOA pricing.
2. SPEEDING: Speeding signs are posted at every intersection, reminding residents the speed limit for the HOA is 15 mph. Please remember this as you drive our streets, consideration and courteousness goes a long way. We have children playing, individuals walking and residents walking their pets. We do not want to see anyone hurt. 
3. PARKING: Parking on the streets or at intersections causing unsafe conditions for pedestrians and motor vehicles is not allowed. Residents who continue parking on the general common elements, (including streets) parking the wrong direction, blocking driveways or mailboxes, are subject to being towed at owners' expense. 
4. PETS: Please clean up after your pets, restrain your pets when walking them and do not allow your pets to run free with no supervision. Fines will be assessed to residents who do not follow these rules.  If pets are found roaming free in the neighborhood or causing an issue, residents should call Berrien County Animal Control at: 269-927-5648. 
5. USE OF COMMON AREAS: If you are accessing common grounds (fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, etc) within the HOA property or if you invite a guest to use the common areas, you must accompany them for the duration or provide them with one of the HOA “community identification cards." If asked to provide proof of residency by another community member or anyone of authority, these cards will be sufficient for proof. This is for everyone’s safety. If you observe someone you believe is trespassing within the community, you are encouraged to call the non-emergency phone # 269-926-8221. 
6. HOA METHOD OF COMMUNICATION: Residents should have received email notices from Superior Property Management regarding the urgent need to register in Condo Café. It is imperative that you register immediately in order to receive important communications regarding dues and other valuable community information. Please check your spam folders for this email. Questions regarding Condo-Café please contact Becky Thomas, Property Manager, at 269-983-7330 x 312 or [email protected]  
7. HOA DUES: Effective with the 3rd quarter dues, notices will come from Superior Property Management. Payments are to be made in Condo Café or by check and mailed to SPM. Effective July 1, 2025, payments will no longer be available in HOA Express and late fee penalties will be assessed at $25 a month. Liens will be placed on homes of anyone over $1200 over due and a letter will be sent via attorney. Per the Bylaws, the HOA can charge 7% interest and a $25 a month late fee. To give residents a heads up, effective January 1, 2026, the HOA Board will begin collecting 7% interest on late payers, along with the current $25 a month late fee. 
8. UPDATED BYLAWS: Members should receive an email from Election Buddy in regard to voting on the Restated Bylaws. This document consolidates all the updated amendments residents have already voted on and approved previously, into the Bylaws. We are still required to send out and vote on the consolidated/restated Bylaws. Please take the time to vote when you receive your notification. A timely vote will help prevent potential delays and costs to the association. 
9. PURCHASE OF COMMON GROUNDS: (8.5 acres) FROM TRUMPETER BAY INC. Negotiations are in progress. The Board will keep you advised.

Neighborhood Walkabout (8/3/25)

Trumpeter Bay Residents:

The HOA Board Members and Becky Thomas, our Superior Property Manager, will be walking the community, common areas and possibly your property, to inspect houses and common grounds on Friday August 8, 2025, beginning at around 9:30 a.m.  This walkthrough is a follow up from the walkthrough conducted on June 16th.  This review will be based on the Trumpeter Bay HOA By Laws.

Thank you for your cooperation.

2025 HOA Board

GENERAL COMMUNICATION, REMINDERS, UPDATES & FEMA INFORMATION (6/21/25) 

Greetings Trumpeter Bay Community Residents, have you ever seen the move Groundhog Day with Bill Murray? I feel like I live it every month when I publish the general communications and announcements! Speeding, Stop Signs, Parking and Pets seem to be repeated, repeated and yes repeated again in this communication. For your safety, the safety of your neighbors, friends, visitors and pets, lets obey these rules. The last thing any of us want is for someone to be hurt. 

1. SPEEDING: Reminder, the speed limit in the community is 15mph. Please remember this as you drive our streets. We have children playing, individuals walking and residents walking their pets. Consideration and courteousness go a long way. We do not want to see anyone hurt. PARKING Per our mail carrier, if mailboxes are repeatedly blocked by any vehicles mail will not be delivered. Parking on the streets or at intersections causing unsafe conditions for pedestrians and motor vehicles is not allowed. Residents who parking on the general common elements, (including streets) parking the wrong direction, block driveways or mailboxes, are subject to being ticketed and vehicles towed at owners expense. 
2. STOP SIGNS: Running through stop signs at the entrance and at intersections continues to be a serious issue within the community. PLEASE, for your safety and that of your neighbors. OBEY THE STOP SIGNS AT THE ENTRANCE AND AT ALL INTERSECTIONS. 
3. PETS: Please clean up after your pets, restrain your pets when walking them and do not allow your pets to run free with no supervision. Fines will be assessed to residents who do not follow these rules. We do not want to see any pet or person hurt. If pets are found roaming free in the neighborhood or causing an issue, residents should call Berrien County Animal Control at: 269-927-5648. 
4. USE OF COMMON AREAS: Please remember, if you are accessing common grounds (fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, etc) within the HOA property or if you invite a guest to use the common areas, you must accompany them for the duration or provide them with one of the HOA “community identification cards” to be handed out in the next week. If asked to provide proof of residency by another community member or anyone of authority these cards will be sufficient for proof. This is for everyone’s safety. If you observe someone you believe is trespassing within the community, you are encouraged to call the non-emergency phone # 269-926-8221. 
5. UTILITY BOXES: (AEP/Comcast/Etc.) Recently Superior Property Management reached out to the community utility providers concerning utility boxes that are damaged, bent, leaning or missing covers. Unfortunately, as long as there is active/working service to the boxes, the utility company will not fix, replace or straighten them out. 
6. HOA METHOD OF COMMUNICATION: Residents should have received email notices from Superior Property Management regarding the urgent need to register in Condo Café. It is imperative that you register immediately in order to receive important communications regarding dues and other valuable community information. Please check your spam folders for this email. Questions regarding Condo-Café please contact Becky Thomas, Property Manager, at 269-983-7330 x 312 or [email protected] Effective June 30th 2025, HOA Express will no longer be an option for which to pay dues. Additionally, effective September 15, 2025 HOA Express will no longer be accessible. Communication with residents will be via Condo Café using resident’s registered emails. 
7. HOA DUES: Effective with the 3rd quarter dues, notices will come from Superior Property Management (SPM). Payments are to be made in Condo Café or by check and mailed to SPM. Effective July 1, 2025, payments will no longer be available in HOA Express and late fee penalty’s will be assessed at $25 a month. Liens will be placed on homes of anyone over $1200 over due and a letter will be sent via attorney. Per the Bylaws, the HOA can charge 7% interest and a $25 a month late fee. To give residents a heads up, effective January 1, 2026, the HOA Board will begin enforcing late fees, plus 7% interest on late payers. 
8. UPDATED BYLAWS: Within the next 30 days, members should receive an email from Election Buddy in regard to voting on the Restated Bylaws. This document consolidates all the updated amendments residents have already voted on and approved previously, into the Bylaws. We are still required to send out and vote on the consolidated Bylaws. Please take the time to vote when you receive your notification. A timely vote will help prevent potential delays and costs to the association. 
9. PURCHASE OF COMMON GROUNDS: (8.5 acres) FROM TRUMPETER BAY INC. The HOA Board was recently informed the common area we are use to accessing, does not belong to the HOA. Trumpeter Bay Inc.’s realtor contacted the Board with an offer to purchase the 8.5 acres prior to it going up for sale. The offer was made with the explanation that if the HOA was not interested in the purchase, the land would be advertised for sale and could be sold, resulting in the community losing access to the common area and Cygnet Lake. After a discussion, it was decided the Board would enter into negotiation with Trumpeter Bay Inc., as we did not want to lose the common area or the potential use of Cygnet Lake. A motion was made, seconded and approved to move forward with accepting Trumpeter Bay Inc.’s offer to trade 8.5 acres of land, including Cygnet Lake for 2 years worth of dues on 2 of Trumpeter Bay Inc’s lots and the back taxes cost for 2023 and 2024 (approximately $1581). Negotiations are in progress. The Board will keep you advised. 
10. DAMAGES RELATED TO YARD MAINTENANCE: Residents are responsible for protecting the area around their sprinkler boxes/connections by either installing a small area of edging, mulch, stone or piping around the area for protection. If the area is not protected, CR may spray a small area with weed killer to keep from damaging any pipe or wiring from the weed eater. If siding or trim is 3 inches or less above the ground, CR has the right to edge 6 inches away from the siding or trim to protect it from damage. If siding or trim is laid to the ground or is not protected in some manner and is damaged or broken, CR is not responsible. 
11. Floodplain changes: The HOA shared information previously for contacting EGLE to inquire about what to do if they want to fight flood plain changes. Each homeowner is responsible for their own home. Please see below and additional information attached. Cervelli, Donna (EGLE) From:[email protected] Mon, Jun 16 at 5:30 PM Hello, Just following up to let you all know the 90-day appeal permit for Berrien County FIRM maps started June 6, 2025. Attached is the FEMA letter that explains the process which went to Benton Charter Twp officials. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Sincerely, Donna Donna Cervelli, P.E., CFM Floodplain Engineer, Voluntary Wetlands Restoration Program Water Resources Division Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy 517-243-6951, [email protected] Michigan.gov/EGLE | Wetland Restoration Program | Floodplain Management/National Flood Insurance.  See attachment sent in previous email on 6/21/25.