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2025 Winter News
Life is Better at the Lake
FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
“OH, the weather outside is frightful...and at Hilltop the snow is delightful” or so they say LOL. ;). Hello all Hilltop members I just wanted to say that Old Man Winter has made his presence known here, but as we welcome the Christmas and New Year holidays we your Board want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2026! Please enjoy your time with your families and all your holiday blessings.
WINTERIZATION
Hopefully, all your winterization needs within your mobile AND at the stanchion were completed. These stanchions will freeze and result in a significant repair/replacement cost if not winterized properly. Not a pleasant thing to find in the Spring. This winter season has started out with early very cold windchill numbers!
FIELD BURN PILE
Please refrain from dumping on the previous burn pile. This area will be relocated and we will inform you all when new area is designated and available.
BOAT FIELD RULES
Now that your boats are put to rest for the winter months it’s a good time to review the rules for parking/storage in the boat field.
Our Rules & Regulations on boat storage require all items be marked with your lot number. Please view the Rules for parking/storage in the boat field. For safety and maintenance reasons the field should be kept clear of cinder blocks, field rocks, and other potential damaging debris.
All watercraft/trailers/other vehicles or equipment stored in the field that are not solely owned by a member and/or not properly labeled with your lot number will be subject to removal or disposed of at the expense of the owner.
Reminder: Abandoned and/or nonworking watercraft, unapproved utility trailers and other items sitting in the field greater than 3 years should have been removed and will be subject to possible fees for Violation of Rules and Regulations (see Assessment and Compliance, Section 9, Violations of Rules and Regulations).
MOBILE AND LOT MAINTENANCE
Our Park is increasing in value and much money has been spent and hours of work has been done to improve the condition of our Park. Unfortunately there are still some mobiles and lots that are unkempt. If you haven’t performed upkeep, chances are yours is in need of tender loving care.
Mobiles and lots should be well maintained. Don’t be that “eyesore” that detracts from the rest. Notices have and will continue to be sent to those in need of upkeep with the expectation expressed.
PARK BOAT LAUNCH
It has come to our attention that we had some use of our boat launch this past season and wanted to remind members that per our 8/24/19 Member Meeting Minutes we were restraining from using the launch due to safety reasons from prior dredging conditions. Please refer to your Hilltop Rules & Regulations for covering risk factor.
OPEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS POSITIONS
Please be advised that we are still looking for members to be a part of our Hilltop BOD and would love to have YOU! Our BOD currently sits at 6 with the recent resignation of Richard Fradette. WE NEED YOU! Please send your welcomed interested response to the Hilltop Park email at hilltopparkboard@gmail.com.
RECYCLING 2025
A huge THANK YOU to all that contributed to the Cans for Cash barrel this past Summer. The net results for this year was 115 pounds of cans collected and earned $100.00! These funds were used for the Fall Festival prizes and hot dogs. Not only giving us funds for the Fall party, it prevented trash bin overfill which would result in a fee from Republic. We saved that 115 pounds from the landfills! The recycling program will be available in 2026 beginning with Cleanup Weekend/Spring Meeting and ends with our annual Fall Member Party.
UPDATED HILLTOP OWNER INFO FORMS
Please be reminded it is up to each member to review, update, and keep current their very important Hilltop Owner Information Form. This form includes very specific member personal info, mobile home info, watercraft info, pet info, & golf cart info necessary for your member file. Please make sure to complete/update and return to your Hilltop Park Secretary, Dianna Burns for 2026 as soon as possible. This form can be found under Member Forms on the Hilltop Park website at hilltoppark.info.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
1/1/26 GFL trash contract begins
3/1/26 BYLAWS SPECIAL MEETING
(2:00-3:00 pm @ Pleasant Township Trustee Building)
5/1/26 Summer Storage Begins
5/16/26 Spring Member Meeting
5/16/26 Cleanup Day
(after Spring Member Meeting)
6/1/26 Membership Dues Due
8/29/26 Fall Member Meeting
10/1/26 Winter Storage Begins
HILLTOP MEMBER COMMITTEES
We the Board have listed several committees we would like to see filled with you, our members, in order to keep specific Park matters moving in a positive direction. Please see the Hilltop website under “Board of Directors” for the list to-date. If you are interested in serving on one of these Committees, please also send your request to Board email address.
Hilltop Park Board of Directors
hilltopparkboard@gmail.com
Michele Short C8 - President
Lisa Hollister B16 – VP/Technology
Tim Zimmerman C5 – Treasurer
Dianna Burns A7 – Secretary
Steve Bassett C2 – Improvements
Wade DeSelm C4 – At Large
VOLUNTEERS/COMMITTEE CHAIR
Jeff Nedelco B5 - Dockmaster
September 19, 2025 Updates
Thank you Steve for burning the burn pile! Reminder to not place anything else in that area as the burn pile is be moved, and it’s only for Hilltop Park members.
Thank you Wade for working on our trees this week, and Richard for countless hours on planning/finalizing the garage project!
September 11, 2025 Updates
Please refer to your email notice on common ground items/use. If you have any questions, as always, contact us.
Please contact the BOD asap if you have common item/area issues.
The park mailbox may not be used for member mailboxes.
The BOD has been working on: Bylaws, B-level sewer line, new back dock signage, safety items (trees/poles in water), rule/reg revisions, storage garage building, insurance plans.
Have a great fall!
August 23, 2025 Updates:
We did not have the 2/3 quorum necessary at the member meeting to vote on the new Hilltop Park bylaws. The members passed a motion to vote via mail in ballot if approved by our park attorney.
Fiscal year 2027 budget passed. You received a copy via email.
Motion passed to approve B-Lane sewer repair. The first installment will be due October, 1, 2025. You will be invoiced soon.
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August 11, 2025
Garage Update Photos
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May 30, 2025 Updates
All members: If interested in garage action updates, please meet at the job site in boat field every two weeks at 9am beginning June 14th.
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HILLTOP SPRING 2025 NEWSLETTER
April 5, 2025
Hello Members,
As the temperatures rise and the ice finally melts off the lake, we are thrilled to announce that the new dock system has been successfully installed. Despite delays caused by the DNR permitting process and ten inches of ice, Pier Place adjusted remarkably well and completed the project in time for spring. The lifts have been moved, and while there are a few finishing touches needed, the docks are already looking great. The lifts that have settled will be readjusted soon. Our goals of making the docks safer, enlarging each slip, and increasing the number of watercrafts that can be accommodated—all while retaining a safe swimming area—have been met.
Well Water Quality Update
A continuing concern is the well water quality problem. During the last assessment, IDEM sent a technician from Indianapolis to evaluate our system. The technician indicated that the blow-out valves and lines might harbor bacteria in stagnant water, contributing to the issue. Unfortunately, there’s no definitive way to prove this, but we still face the challenging task of freeing the valves that drain these lines—or replacing them altogether.
As stated in an earlier newsletter, T&E provided an estimate:
· Best case (freeing valves): $500 x 3 valves = $1,500
· Worst case (digging and replacement): $8,500–$10,000
This work is mandated by IDEM and must be completed before the next budget cycle. The Board has declared this issue a Utility Emergency. Documentation from IDEM highlights that maintenance of these valves was flagged as a potential issue after a Level 2 E.coli detection in July 2017. T&E has been contacted and will begin work shortly.
Storage Garage Project Update
The Storage Garage project is moving forward! The Build Committee has selected Henderson Construction as the General Contractor. The Board of Directors (BOD), with guidance from the Build Committee and legal counsel, is finalizing preliminary organizational documents. Phase One is already full, but if you’re interested in building a garage during Phase Two, please notify the committee to be part of the process.
We are currently working on the following:
Henderson is also securing the necessary permits, and we hope to break ground by mid-summer. As outlined in the original plan, all co-op leaseholders will receive a legal document guaranteeing a spot within the site plan (approved at the Special Meeting on January 26th) to build a garage, if and when they choose to. Please note the attached letter indicating which members will need to move their boats ,trailer, etc. to the newly designated area in the northeast section of the boat field. This is indicated in the letter.
Spring Meeting & Clean-Up Day
As we prepare for the upcoming season, please remember that the Spring Meeting will be held on May 17th. Location TBA. Following the meeting, we’ll kick off our Annual Clean-Up Day. Member participation in clean-up projects is critical. Unfortunately, we’ve struggled in the past with attendance—it's disheartening to see the same people consistently showing up while others remain absent. These projects improve the park, provide routine maintenance, and often save us from hiring contractors. Let’s work together to keep our community thriving!
Board Member Update
Dave Moore has resigned from the Board due to personal reasons. In accordance with the current bylaws, the Board has appointed Richard Fradette to serve the remainder of Dave’s one-year term. Richard received the next-highest vote count during the Fall 2024 Membership Meeting.
The garage project is underway. This means that the boat field will need prepped for the contractors to begin their work Therefore, there are some trailers and boats that must be relocated by the members to the North East corner of the boat field no later than Monday, May 26, 2025. To date, the members that need to relocate their items in the boat field are as follows:
A11
A1
B4
A4
B18
B2
B16
B10
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HILLTOP CONDO GARAGES 2025