Westin St John Master Thread - Part 3 [Dec. 2017 and forward]

[tlpnet]

Can someone tell me how to pay bill without having bill in front of me (it never arrived in the mail)?

I went online and found my bill # and my account #, but when you go to the VI online pay site to pay the bill, they ask for control and invoice # - can these be found on my tax bill?

The control number doesn’t change from year to year, so if you have a prior year’s invoice, it’s the same. The invoice number is the bill number found online.

-tim

 

[Helios]

+1

+1

 

[Helios]

The control number doesn’t change from year to year, so if you have a prior year’s invoice, it’s the same. The invoice number is the bill number found online.

-tim

Also, you can enter the invoice number from the previous year and that will take you to the current year invoice...

 

[cubigbird]

In case you have not read, here’s a link to the lastest on WSJ including construction photos.

http://newsofstjohn.com/2018/09/26/the-latest-on-the-westin/

 

[NNerland]

Progress is being made.....some changes to a few items on property. However on track and doing a nice job (IMO) navigating and protecting our interests.

September 2018

Dear Fellow Coral Vista Owner:

Your Board of Managers held its quarterly meeting in mid-September along with our annual budget workshop. We wanted to report to you on the meeting and update you on the progress of repairs and restoration of the Westin St. John resort, and especially on the Coral Vista units.

Much progress has been made on the entire resort, and the property is on schedule to reopen on January 4, 2019. We had a report from our General Manager, Sam Hugli, and from the team that is managing the construction work.

All of the buildings in Coral Vista and most of the other parts of the property are on schedule. Four of the Virgin Grand buildings need additional work and will be ready a few months after the opening. The old lobby is being torn down and the space is being converted into an open-air lounge area. There will be a lobby at the marina and an additional space in the area that had previously housed Bougainvilla, near the Westin Workout. The Spa and workout space are being restored as was previously. The Westin Family Kids’ Club is being rebuilt slightly smaller. There will be four tennis courts and one multi-purpose court for basketball and other activities.

The Marketplace is going to be moving back to its former location near the administrative offices and the Spa. Snorkels will be reopening on the beachfront and serving 3 meals and cocktails in January when the resort opens. Lemongrass will not be opening on January 4, but will be in operation later in the year. Many restaurants in town are up and running and their numbers and offerings are steadily increasing. The concierge desk can help you connect with local places.

Covered balconies have been added to the studio units in Coral Vista, which is a most welcome sight. Environmental consultants have been inspecting the units on a regular basis to make sure that our reconstructed units are environmentally safe for occupancy.

There is a new air-conditioned ferry that will run more often and service the resort from Red Hook. Luggage storage on the ferry will be covered. Air-conditioned minivans will help to transport you and your luggage from the airport to Red Hook. We heard about recovery efforts on both St. Thomas and St. John and, while things are not back to the way they were, much progress has been made.

Many owners have made their reservations for 2019. If you still have StarOptions available to use for 2018, please make sure you contact Owner Services at 888-986-9637 or 407-903-4635 before they expire. They will be happy to assist you.

You will hear from us in late November about the final budget and maintenance fees for 2019. Our team operated on a greatly reduced budget for 2018. We managed our reserve funds and had the money on hand to pay our share of the insurance deductible without having any additional assessment. Our goal is to rebuild our reserves so that when the next storm comes, we have the money to be able to continue to maintain and rebuild as we did in 2018. We know that insurance premiums for 2019 are greatly increasing over the levels from 2017. We also know that much of our mechanical systems and unit interiors will be brand new; therefore, we will be able to reset the life expectancy and replacement costs in our 2019 budget.

You were also able to use your 2018 StarOptions at other resorts at a reduced level of cost from 2017 – our maintenance fees were less this year. Our goal is to keep the maintenance fees at or below the 2017 level and to rebuild our reserve funds, especially our insurance deductible fund, as quickly as we can. You will receive more information on this in the next few months.

We cannot thank the Westin St. John team members who have worked on recovery and restoration for the past year enough for their efforts. We also want to thank the management group in Orlando for their leadership and tireless effort to help keep things moving. We have a very dedicated and hard working group of people who deserve all of our thanks for their efforts to bring Coral Vista back to us.

We will continue to update you as we get more information. We know that we are looking forward to 2019 and we are sure you are equally excited about returning to St. John. Please contact any of us if you have questions or suggestions.

Your owner-elected representatives,

David Futransky
david.coralvista@gmail.com


Nancy Gerding
nancy.coralvista@gmail.com


James Miller II
james.coralvista@gmail.com

 

[SandyPGravel]

Has anyone else received a late fee and accrued interest on their WSJ VG tax bill? I received notification the tax bill was due on Sept 6 from owner services, (still haven't received the actual statement in the mail.) I accessed the invoice online and it says the tax was due on 8/15 and has a $5.00 late fee and $2.81 in accrued interest.

 

[okwiater]

Has anyone else received a late fee and accrued interest on their WSJ VG tax bill? I received notification the tax bill was due on Sept 6 from owner services, (still haven't received the actual statement in the mail.) I accessed the invoice online and it says the tax was due on 8/15 and has a $5.00 late fee and $2.81 in accrued interest.

Yes, my online bill states the same thing. Still haven't received anything in the mail. The USVI's billing practices are atrocious.

 

[GrayFal]

My bill was dated 8/15/18 due date 9/28/18.
Have not received anything from Westin or USVI

Printed off the statement from the website and I am going to mail with a check.

People on the Bluebeard's Beach Club STT group have stated the checks they mailed 8 weeks ago have not been cashed.

 

[Markus]

I have just made my payment including fees and penalty. I have not received any invoice yet from HOA. I will follow up with owner services tomorrow to complain and request compensation. This is ridiculous.

Markus.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Due date was pushed back to October 31. To avoid paying penalty - must include waiver letter and pay only by mail. Paying online will not remove penalty unless you call the Tax Assessors Office after you pay (!).
{not sure how that works?}

These guys are a joke...

btw - this was postmarked Sept 13...
LOL
I didn’t return home from Maui until Sept 28.


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[GrayFal]

Due date was pushed back to October 31. To avoid paying penalty - must include waiver letter and pay only by mail. Paying online will not remove penalty unless you call the Tax Assessors Office after you pay (!).
{not sure how that works?}

These guys are a joke...

btw - this was postmarked Sept 13...
LOL
I didn’t return home from Maui until Sept 28.


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At least you get mail from them, I have not received anything. I will print out your letter and include it with my payment. Mailing today.

 

[SandyPGravel]

I called the association management number at 1-800-729-8246. I referenced the letter above posted sbpve the person I spoke with tried to say this was coming from the VI. I told her I was looking at a posted copy of the letter with Vistana's letterhead (Thanx @DavidnRobin ) She then stated she would contact the accounting department to inquire about getting me the letter and statement. Maybe if others call something will actually happen.

Nice of the VI to pad their pockets by issuing a bill after it is already late. Ranks right up there with the environmental tax.

 

[GrayFal]

Update!

I called Vistana and asked about my tax bill.

They connected me with someone who could help.

I asked, "To whom am I speaking" and they said USVI St John Tax Assessprs Office.

They looked me up, gave me my control number and invoice number and I was able to pay online. Did pay the $7 penalty but done.

 

[DavidnRobin]

At least you get mail from them, I have not received anything. I will print out your letter and include it with my payment. Mailing today.

This is not the letter that goes with the payment to waive the penalty/interest. This is the letter from Vistana.

The waiver letter was separate.


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[GrayFal]

This is not the letter that goes with the payment to waive the penalty/interest. This is the letter from Vistana.

The waiver letter was separate.


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Thx
I realized that after I posted so called Vistana to request the letter. Instead they transfer me to STJ tax office where they gave me the required info to pay online.
And yes I paid the penalty

 

[DavidnRobin]

This is not the letter that goes with the payment to waive the penalty/interest. This is the letter from Vistana.

The waiver letter was separate.


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Here is the waiver letter.

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[DavidnRobin]

Thx
I realized that after I posted so called Vistana to request the letter. Instead they transfer me to STJ tax office where they gave me the required info to pay online.
And yes I paid the penalty

The VSE letter says after you pay online - you can call the Tax Assessors office. I assume to get the penalty/interest back. How? I do not know. Although it is only $7 - based on principle alone - I will not be paying the penalty/interest.
What a scam...

 

[okwiater]

I’d be afraid not to pay the penalty and interest in case they seize and auction the property.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I’d be afraid not to pay the penalty and interest in case they seize and auction the property.

Meaning I plan to send payment by mail with waiver letter - versus paying online.


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[okwiater]

Meaning I plan to send payment by mail with waiver letter - versus paying online.

Ah, got it.

 

[GrayFal]

I am leaving the country for 8 weeks in Europe on Friday. I just want this done .

 

[DavidnRobin]

I am leaving the country for 8 weeks in Europe on Friday. I just want this done .

It states that if you pay online you can call the Tax Assessors Office and (somehow) get the penalty/interest back.
Perhaps as a credit to next year?


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[SandyPGravel]

Perhaps as a credit to next year?

Yeah, a credit toward next years late fees...

 

[TravelTime]

How much are the taxes on the various unit types? Have the 2019 maintenance fees been announced yet for WSJ?

 

[DavidnRobin]

How much are the taxes on the various unit types? Have the 2019 maintenance fees been announced yet for WSJ?

It depends on the villa and week.
We pay $156 per week for a June 2Bd TH (VGV).
And $175 per week as an ‘environmental fee’

MFs for 2019 have not been disseminated yet. It will be interesting to see what the MFs are.
I see from some HOA newsletters that talk of rebuilding replacement reserves - to me that translates to higher MFs.
We shall soon see.


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