The current MHCA Board would like to reach out to all homeowners in an effort to better understand the future expectations and desires of the community as they pertain to the pool club.

The Monmouth Heights Community Association (“MHCA”) is the governing body representing the 685 single family homes within the Monmouth Heights development in Manalapan. As stipulated in the Declaration and Covenants that established the MHCA when the development was originally built, each home is deeded to the property, commonly known as the Pool Club, located at One Ryan Road, Manalapan, NJ.  The MHCA’s Declaration and Covenants, along with subsequent amendments, can be found at www.MyMHCA.com. As you may be aware, the pool club has undergone significant and long overdue renovations in recent years that have brought the facility into the 21st Century and allowed for continuing operations each summer. This was only made possible after the last significant dues increase was approved by a majority vote of homeowners in 2013.  Since then, annual costs to operate the club have continued to increase and additional big-ticket maintenance and repair work associated with the pool is still needed.

As such, the following two options are being proposed:

OPTION #1- Dues Increase to $736 Effective 2022, with a 2% Annual Increase Thereafter
By way of background, on September 23, 1966, the MHCA was formed and the annual assessment was set at $100.  In 1980, the dues were increased to $125, followed by increases to $160 in 1988 and $185 in 1991. After 22 years, dues were next increased over a 2-year period to $235 in 2013 and $285 in 2014, with $5 annual increases thereafter.

On July 12, 2021, the MHCA Board of Trustees reached out to the community requesting homeowners to step up and volunteer to replace the current members of the Board. To date, four homeowners have committed to moving forward with joining the Board.  Gina Francia, JodiAnn Garone, Pasquale L. Givelekian, and Jennifer Gumpert bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, a passion for our community and a forward thinking mentality.  They immediately recognized and stated that according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index, when calculating the year over year inflation rate between 1966 and 2021, the purchasing power of $100 in 1966 is equivalent to $838.57 in 2021.  Put simply, if MHCA dues had increased at the same rate as inflation since the community was first established in 1966, 2021 dues would be approximately $840!

The current Board collectively recognizes the cost of inflation, and the volume of work that is required to sustain operations of the pool club.  As unpaid volunteers with our own families, jobs, and other commitments, we recognize the need for hiring both a management company to assist in the day-to-day operations of the club, and a security team to help ensure that homeowners and guests who make use of the club’s facilities are adhering to all rules that provide for the safety and enjoyment of everyone. As such, we are proposing to increase the annual assessment from the current rate of $320 to $736, with 2% annual increases thereafter.

OPTION #2 – Donate the Club to the Township of Manalapan with Priority Access & Pricing for Monmouth Heights Homeowners
Dedicate the pool club to the Township of Manalapan, who anticipates being able to use this facility for various Township events and recreational programs (including but not limited to programs for Seniors and the Special Needs population, to name a few), as well as to provide a community pool to our residents. If the proposal to donate the pool to the Township passes a vote by homeowners, the residents of Monmouth Heights will be offered priority access and pricing. Homeowners would no longer be obligated to pay annual dues going forward.
The Ballot to vote is included here and we ask for you to please vote for one of the proposed options. Owner/Member may return via the following options: (a) hard copy to be mailed to MHCA PO Box 808, Manalapan, NJ 07726 (b) electronically via pdf and emailed to MHSwimClub@gmail.com or (c) via a GoogleForm.  ONLY ONE VOTE PER HOUSEHOLD will be counted.