Hi Folks,
I obtained a copy of Cape Cod Holiday Estates (CCHE) Master Deed and Condominium Trust this week. Section 5 of the Condominum Trust might be of particular interest to anyone who thinks the Special Assessment for condo renovations should not be allowed
Well, YOU ARE RIGHT! Because VRI and the Trustees have violated the rules of the condominium trust, which specificially state the Trustees must get approval in writing by 75% of the cono Unit Owners. To get approval, they should have sent all of us forms in the mail to SIGN! I received no such form, and i never agreed to this assessment.
For your convenience, I have typed up Section 5 of the Condominum Trust, which pertains to this Special Assessment. Here it is.....
On Page 17 of the Condo trust, under "Section 5. Rebuilding and Restoration, Improvements", paragraph B, the document reads
"If and whenever the Trustees shall propose to make any improvements to the common areas and facilities of the Condominium, or shall be requested in writing by the Unit Owners holding twenty-five (25%) percent or more of the beneficial interest in this trust to make any such improvements, the Trustees shall submit to all Unit Ownsers (a) a form of agreement (which may be in several counterparts) specifying the improvement or improvements proposed to be made and the estimated cost thereof,and authorizing the Trustees to proceed to make the same, and (b) a copy of hte provisions of Section 18 of said Chapter 183A. Upon (a) receipt by the Trustees of such agreement signed by the Unit Owners holding seventy-five (75%) percent or more of the beneficial interest or (b) the expiration of ninety (90) days after such agreement was first submitted to the Unit Owners, whichever of said (a) and (b) shall first occur, the Trustees shall notify all Unit Owners of the aggregate percentage of beneficial interest held by Unit Owners who have signed such agreement. If such percentage exceeds fifty (50%) percent, the Trustees shall proceed to make the improvement or improvements specified in such agreement.
c: Notwithstanding anything in the preceeding Paragraphs A and B contained, (a) in the event that any Unit Owner or Owners shall by notice in writing to the Trustees dissent from any determination of the Trustee with respect to the value of the Condominium or any other determination or action of the Trustees under this Section 5, and such dispute shall not be resolved within thirty (30) days after such notice, then either the Trustees or the dissenting Unit Owner or Owners may submit the matter to arbitration, and for that purpose (1) arbitrator shall be designated by the Trustee, one (1) by the dissenting Unit Owner or Owners and a third by the two arbitrators so designated, and such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Rules and Procedures of the American Arbitration Association, and (b) the Trustees shall not in any event be obliged to proceed with any repair, rebuilding or restoration, or any improvement, unless and until they have received funds in the amount equal to the estimate of the Trustees of all costs therof."
My attorney is reviewing the Master Deed and Condo Trust this week.
Your comments are most welcome. Thanks!
Susette
CCHE Declaration of Trust, as amended on 4/21/95.
Susette,
You have quoted from the CCHE Trust Agreement, Sections 5.6.2 and 5.6.3, located on pages 16 & 17.
I would like to direct your attention to the previous section, Section 5.6.1.
on page 15.
It states:
Determination of Scope of Losses.
In the event of any casualty loss to the Trust property the Trustees shall determine......
It seems that the operative words are CASUALTY LOSS, which I would infer to mean losses to the Resort which could include Fire, Flood, Hurricane, Explosion, or even Earthquake, however remote that this would ever occur.
The above subsections, of which you quote, in my view, would pertain to votes required by unit owners, only if any of the above disasters occurred at CCHE.
Susette, I would suggest you review
ARTICLE V, By-Laws, located on page 7.
Section 5.2 Powers of the Trustees.
The Trustees shall, subject to, and in accordance with all applicable provisions of Chapter 183A and 183B,
have the absolute control, management and disposition of the Trust property.....as if they were the absolute owners thereof, free from the control of the Interval Owners....
with full power and uncontrolled discretion, subject only to the limitations of Chapter 183A and 183B.....without the necessity of applying to any court or to the Interval Owner
for leave to do so:
(a) retain the Trust property, or any part or parts thereof, in the same form or forms of investment in which received or acquired by them so far and so long as they shall think fit......
Section 5.5.1 Reserve Funds (page 13).
.....The Trustees may.....set aside common funds of the Condominium
as reserve or contingent funds, and may use the funds so set aside.....for repair, rebuilding, or restoration of the Trust property, or for improvements thereto.....
Section 5.5.2.2 (page 13)
The Trustees shall have the authority and duty to levy and enforce the collection of general and special assessments for common expenses.....
Susette, neither you nor I are practicing attorneys, but we are both concerned that the BOD continues to follow the requirements as set forth in both the Declaration of Trust, as well as the Master Deed of the Cape Cod Holiday Estates Condominium Trust, and the statutes, Mass. 183A and 183B.
We differ, in that I believe that the BOD doing so, in conjunction with VRI, the Management Company.
You clearly do not believe so, as is your rightful opinion.
However, may I caution you, that some of your allegations, as stated in this thread, stating that the BOD has violated its fiduciary responsibilities, as well the provisions of the Trust Agreement and the Mass. State Statutes strikes me as quite extreme, unfounded, and certainly premature, since, as you stated, your attorney has not as yet rendered you an opinion, per your request.
Please attempt to restrain your charges of violations against the individuals serving in behalf of the CCHE owners, until you are in the position to legally substantiate them.
I shall look forward to the website for CCHE owners. This is a positive step, for which you should be commended.
Palmtree