Hartford Square Condos.com

NEWSLETTER

Editors: Jan Andresek and Connie Speiser April, 2016 Volume No.20

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DATES TO KEEP IN MIND April, 2016

April Fool’s Day 1st HS –Board Meeting 11th HS- Coffee 14th Tax Day 18th Earth Day 22nd Passover 22nd HS- Social 24th HS-Newsletter Deadline 24th Arbor Day 29th

APRIL BIRTHDAYS 4 Dona Schaller #661 5 Sharon Richter #362 15 Sue Cox #566 15 Fred Morris #602 19 Don Theisen #354 26 Bev Vanselow #352 26 Ruth Wysocki #413 27 Jerry Vanselow #352 27 Jeanette Oechsner #567 30 Lee Jones #203

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES 01~67 Tom & Linda Minor #215 04~51 Norm & Phyllis Kroeger #267 04~56 Ken & Joyce Griswold #603

A POTLUCK SUPPER

Sunday April 24th, 2016

5:00 to socialize, eat at 5:30 P.M

.

Please BYOB and bring your own

place setting and a dish to share.

The dish can be an appetizer, snack, main

dish or a dessert, whatever you want.

Mark your calendar and join us.

Everyone is welcome.

COFFEE SOCIAL

Hosts: Jan Andresek and

Some of our newest residents,

Pat & Dennis Richman

Thursday, April 14th, 2016

At 9:00 am.

At the Clubhouse, join everyone for

coffee & donuts,

hard rolls and a chat with neighbors.

We need hosts for future coffees, so

please sign up.

Next Month Deadline Deadline date April 24, 2016

Jan Andresek ~ unit #217 ~

262-397-8487

e-mail: jandresek33@gmail.com

Connie Speiser ~ unit #410 ~

414-510-0403

e-mail: mspacfan@ymail.com

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Bob’s Corner April 1, 2016

This is a sad time in Hartford Square as we mourn the recent

loss of our good friend and respected leader, Bill Ryan. I don’t

think Bill missed even a single annual meeting of the

Association and he always had constructive thoughts that

brought issues being discussed to a conclusion. Some years

ago a Finance Committee was formed to oversee and provide

advice regarding the appropriate investment of our reserve

fund. Upon requesting Bill to become a part of that committee,

he promptly responded in the affirmative and was always a

major contributor to the deliberations within the meetings of

that committee. He was a very kind and gentle man that

willingly shared his vast knowledge, Bill will be missed. Our

prayers are with Mary Ellen and the entire Ryan family.

Elsewhere within this newsletter you will find a notice put out

by the Internal Revenue Service having to do with telephone

scam artists that are hitting on taxpayers and stealing

confidential information. Please take the time to read this

entire article, even read it several times. It is known that these

scammers are emphasizing their effort on the elderly, and,

believe it or not, more than five thousand individuals have

become victims of these scammers, please don’t become

victim number five thousand and one.

About eleven years ago, actually it was January 2005, a

security access system was installed into our club house

building, and each resident was provided with an access

device, either a card, or a “fob”. Following is an excerpt from

the Newsletter of February 2005;

One card, similar in size and shape to an ordinary credit, card

will be made available to each unit at no cost; one additional

card may be requested at a cost of $4.00. Alternatively,

you may prefer a “fob” device that is a small tab, about the

size of your thumbnail that attaches to a key chain. Should you

desire a “fob” in place of the free card it will cost you $3.00,

one additional “fob” can be obtained for a cost of $7.00. In no

case will more than two devices be made available to any unit.

It has now been realized that these devices, especially the

cards, do wear thin and even break, and therefore need to be

replaced. Through discussions within the board meeting of

March 14th

, it was concluded that the replacement of a card or

fob that is broken, worn out, or just not functioning will be

made at no cost to the resident on a “like kind exchange”

basis. So, if you need such a replacement just place a call to

Joanne Burgardt, she will assist you in getting the replacement

into your hands. There has also been an issue related to these

access devices wherein a new owner does not obtain the

devices from the seller when the condominium is sold. Under

those conditions the new owner suddenly realizes that they

must pay the $3.00, $4.00 or $7.00 charge as described above.

While that amount of money probably won’t break any new

resident, it does present a bit of an uncomfortable situation for

Joanne during her new resident orientation, when she explains

that additional cost to the new owner. So, please make sure

that the access device is transferred just like the door key

whenever a unit is sold. You might also share this point with

whoever might be handling your affairs in the future.

As the Hartford Square II condominium west of us proceeds,

questions have arisen with regard to landscaping and a buffer

to provide a privacy “curtain” between our developments. We

(Rod Berger and I) have had a few conversations with Gregg

James in that regard, at this point neither Greg nor we have

reached any decisions. I would point out however that while

there is a very nice buffer immediately west of unit 313, 315

and 319 in phase one, and unit 401, 403 and 405 in phase two,

the trees creating that buffer were planted by our landscape

contractor but paid for by the people residing in those specific

units at that time.

They tell me that warm spring weather is on the horizon, if

that proves to be true, certain building repair issues that could

not be dealt with during the winter will now be addressed.

Those may include some driveway leveling and fill in issues,

siding replacement and landscaping to correct certain water

infiltration issues that have come to light due to continuous

settling. There are also a few sidewalk leveling issues, roof

and gutter repairs and a number of sliding screen doors that

need attention. Rod along with Jerry Beatty and Ken Schultz

are already lining up the contractors and “handy men” to fix

what needs fixing. One additional thought to share in this

regard, within the March 14th

board meeting both Jerry and

Ken, who’s term would expire at the next annual meeting,

have agreed to remain on the board and in their current

positions. We thank these men for that commitment, and also

thank Connie for committing to continue her service as a

board member.

With regard to the board and its positions, Jim Semler has

served as our Treasurer continuously since 2004. Actually in

that role of Treasurer Jim has been doing a lot more than what

is a typical treasurer function. Jim also chairs our investment

committee and does much of the actual bookkeeping and

accounting work. Primarily however, is his invaluable wisdom

and thinking that he shares as a board member. Jim has

expressed concern that having become a “snow bird” it may

not be appropriate for him to continue in that role. Since I do

not want to lose Jim’s wisdom within the board and

investment committee, at my request and with the approval of

the specific individuals involved, the board on March 14th

implemented a few changes to the role of some members.

Going forward, Jim Semler becomes Vice President – Chief

Financial Officer; Connie Speiser becomes

Treasurer/Bookkeeper, Claudia becomes Office Manager in

addition to continuing to serve as recording secretary, and I

will do the accounting and prepare the financial reports.

Therefore, we now have formally adopted the three member

team that has been dealing with the financial and accounting

issues for a couple of years, and most especially, we keep Jim

Semler engaged to the board.

I could not complete this article without mentioning the fact

that “election season” is upon us, and that Hartford Square has

a prohibition with regard to signs, including campaign and

election signs. Please take a few moments to read Section 8.03

of the Declaration at page 1-11 behind tab 2 of your document

book to get a clearer understanding of this issue.

In a matter of just a few weeks the snow birds will begin to

return to Hartford Square, let me be the first to say,

WELCOME HOME.

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Robert Burgardt

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President

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Library Notes

Ken and Ellie Hyland

Librarians

New Arrivals

Title Author

Lost Light Michael Connelly

Flesh and Blood Patricia Cornwell

Your Next Breath Iris Johansen

A Cold Heart Jonathan Kellerman

Family Business Anna Murdoch

I Michael Bennett James Patterson

Twins Roxanne Pulitzer

Black Echo Michael Connelly

One Step Away Sherryl Woods

Book of the Month

The Tenth Justice

by Brad Meltzer

Where does loyalty end? Where does Greed

begin? And how much can you really trust

your friends?

SUNSHINE REPORT

By Pat Dopki

A memorial was sent to

the family of Bill Ryan #518

A sympathy card was sent to

Mark Terrill #569

whose father passed away

If anyone knows of a resident that is hospitalized, not feeling well, or the death of a resident or “immediate”

family member of a resident please contact Pat Dopki at 673-0548.

Board of Directors Elections

Three will be three positions to fill on the

board of directors at the annual owner’s

association meeting in August. If you are

interested in serviing on the board of

directors, please contact Claudia

Kollenbroich at (262) 670-0525.

Hartford Square Book Club

will meet at 2:00 pm

on Thursday, April 21st, 2016 at Culver’s

1570 E. Sumner St., Hartford

We’ll be discussing

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom.

****** Our May 19th the book will be

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

****** Our June 16th book will be Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker

by Jennifer Chiaverini. ******

Everyone is Welcome. Susan 566

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Hartford Square Condominium Owners Association, Inc.

Directors Meeting Minutes

March 14, 2016

UNAPPROVED

Present were: Bob Burgardt-President, Connie Speiser-Vice President, Claudia Kollenbroich-Secretary, Rod Berger, Steve

Otten, Ken Schultz, and Jerry Beatty. Mike Malley, unit 513, was also present. Jim Semler, Lee Jones and Marjorie

Kreuger were unable to attend.

President Bob Burgardt called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

Mike was at the meeting to discuss the berm behind his unit and the privacy concerns he has. Rod explained that there

has been no commitment on the part of Hartford Square II to improve the berm which is on the lot line. It is currently an

unknown as to what the builder’s plans are when new buildings are completed in that area of Hartford Square II. Upon

completion of their landscaping, we, Hartford Square, will have more of an idea as to what can be done to enhance the

privacy of both Condominiums. Any plantings we place must be just inside the lot line and there is question as to

whether any tree would grow in that location. Rod and Mike will check out the documents to determine exactly where

the lot line is and form a plan of action.

SECRETARY'S REPORT Because Claudia is unavailable for a portion of this meeting, January, February and March

meeting minutes will be reviewed and approved at the April meeting

TREASURER'S REPORT Connie presented the Treasurer's report. All financial reports are normal for the month. The

Board accepted the reports as presented.

CONCERN FORMS/BUILDINGS AND ROADS The concern log was discussed. All remaining concerns are scheduled as

projects to be completed come spring. Two whirlybirds have been replaced. A few leaking skylights will be scheduled for

spring repair. Water in a unit's basement will be addressed with improved landscaping, also when weather permits.

Discussion was held about securing repairman for the siding and skylights. These are individuals who have worked with

us before as part of a corporation have since moved on and are working as independent contractors. Jerry will look into

the matter.

Also discussed was about the installation of a mechanism in an owner's unit that would extract humidity. A request for

modification has been received from them. The concern is that there will be a stack on the front of the building because

of the location of the rafters and what it will do to the appearance of the building. It is the decision of the Board that if

the piping is not visible from the road, on the south side, then we approve. The project is not approved if the venting

must be visible on the west side of the building. A letter will be sent to the unit owner.

Jerry will be coordinating with N/R Asphalt in securing a spring or early summer appointment with them to fill road

cracks and do some patching. In the past they have not been able to get the work done until fall.

LANDSCAPE REPORT Rod will be getting estimates for upcoming spring jobs. There will be more Ash tree replacements.

CLUBHOUSE Steve gave the Clubhouse report. A new thermostat has been installed in the library. After several weeks,

all is well. Temps are holding steady at a comfortable limit

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The pool inspection originally revealed a lower PH in the spa and the phone was not to be cordless. That has since been

corrected with a Charter landline and Brian Wirth adjusted the spa.

In the kitchen, during a fire suppression system and fire extinguisher inspection, it was discovered that the grill/broiler

was not in compliance by not having a suppression nozzle in the broiler area. The Board has approved the proposed

upgrade so as to be in line with required NFPA codes.

PRESIDENTS REPORT Request from unit 359 to allow their daughter and son-in-law to live with them while their home is

being built. Their cars would be parked in the Clubhouse parking lot during that time. The Board approved this request.

Cost of replacement Clubhouse access devices was clarified, as well as options afforded to new owners.

Bob brought up his proposal to re-align some positions within the Board. His proposal is to allow Connie to be the

Treasurer, doing the day to day accounting and banking. Jim Semler would be the Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer overseeing the banking activities and investing. Bob will handle the financial statement preparation. Claudia will

continue as Secretary completing other office duties that were previously Connie's. A motion was made by Ken to accept

Bob's recommendations, second by Connie. Motion carried.

Bob mentioned that with the loss of our friend and neighbor Bill Ryan, there is a need to find someone to fill his position

within the investment committee. The Board members were asked to check with their neighbors as to their

qualifications in the area of investing, or pension actuary work.

NEW BUSINESS No one has come forward regarding a donation of a cabinet for the office. A request for one was made

in the March newsletter.

A note will be put in the newsletter regarding the August elections. Anyone wishing to have their name on the ballot to

become a Board member should contact Claudia.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. The next meeting will be April 11, 2016 at 7 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Claudia Kollenbroich – Secretary

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Consumer Alert:

Scammers Change Tactics,

Once Again

WASHINGTON — Aggressive and threatening phone calls by

criminals impersonating IRS agents remain a major threat to

taxpayers, but now the IRS is receiving new reports of

scammers calling under the guise of verifying tax return

information over the phone.

The latest variation being seen in the last few weeks tries to

play off the current tax season. Scam artists call saying they

have your tax return, and they just need to verify a few details

to process your return. The scam tries to get you to give up

personal information such as a Social Security number or

personal financial information, such as bank numbers or credit

cards.

“These schemes continue to adapt and evolve in an attempt to

catch people off guard just as they are preparing their tax

returns,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Don’t be

fooled. The IRS won’t be calling you out of the blue asking you

to verify your personal tax information or aggressively

threatening you to make an immediate payment.”

The IRS reminds taxpayers to guard against all sorts of con

games that continually change. The IRS, the states and the tax

industry came together in 2015 and launched a public

awareness campaign called Taxes. Security. Together. to help

educate taxpayers about the need to maintain security online

and to recognize and avoid “phishing” and other schemes.

The IRS continues to hear reports of phone scams as well as e-

mail phishing schemes across the country.

“These schemes touch people in every part of the country and

in every walk of life. It’s a growing list of people who’ve

encountered these. I’ve even gotten these calls myself,”

Koskinen said.

This January, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax

Administration (TIGTA) announced they have received reports

of roughly 896,000 phone scam contacts since October 2013

and have become aware of over 5,000 victims who have

collectively paid over $26.5 million as a result of the scam. Just

this year, the IRS has seen a 400 percent increase in phishing

schemes.

Protect Yourself

Scammers make unsolicited calls claiming to be IRS officials.

They demand that the victim pay a bogus tax bill. They con the

victim into sending cash, usually through a prepaid debit card

or wire transfer. They may also leave “urgent” callback requests

through phone “robo-calls,” or via a phishing email. They’ve

even begun politely asking taxpayers to verify their identity

over the phone.

Many phone scams use threats to intimidate and bully a victim

into paying. They may even threaten to arrest, deport or revoke

the license of their victim if they don’t get the money.

Scammers often alter caller ID numbers to make it look like the

IRS or another agency is calling. The callers use IRS titles and

fake badge numbers to appear legitimate. They may use the

victim’s name, address and other personal information to make

the call sound official.

Here are some things the scammers often do but the IRS will

not do. Any one of these five things is a tell-tale sign of a scam.

The IRS will never:

Call to demand immediate payment over the phone,

nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first

having mailed you several bills.

Call or email you to verify your identity by asking for

personal and financial information.

Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the

opportunity to question or appeal the amount they

say you owe.

Require you to use a specific payment method for

your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.

Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone

or email.

Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other

law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not

paying.

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the

IRS and asking for money or to verify your identity, here’s what

you should do:

If you don’t owe taxes, or have no reason to think

that you do:

Do not give out any information. Hang up

immediately.

Contact TIGTA to report the call. Use their “IRS

Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page. You can

also call 800-366-4484.

Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the

“FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS

Telephone Scam” in the notes.

If you know you owe, or think you may owe tax:

Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help

you.

Stay alert to scams that use the IRS as a lure. Tax scams can

happen any time of year, not just at tax time. For more, visit

“Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts” on IRS.gov.

Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they

should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are

your Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Explore your rights and our

obligations to protect them on IRS.gov.

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WANTED

Someone to take over and maintain the Hartford Square directory.

It only requires basic computer skills. Will train.

Directory goes out twice a year and very few updates.

If interested, please call Claudia at (262) 670-0525

. Thanks.

MOVIES

At the Jack Russell

Hartford Public Library

FREE OF CHARGE

Movie start times are:

Thursdays at 5:30 p.m

Fridays at 12:30 p.m

In the Community Room

Bring your own popcorn, snack and beverage.

Enjoy these movies on

a large projection screen

with your friends.

March 31 & April 1

Mocking Jay Part

April 7 & 8

In the Heart of the Sea

April 21 & 22

The Danish Girl

HARTFORD SQUARE

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

We have many on-going fun

activities right here

at our clubhouse.

Everyone is always welcome.

Sunday

6:30PM Sheepshead

Monday 9:00AM Water Aerobics

10:00AM Mahjong

1:00PM Bridge

6:30PM Dominoes

Tuesday

1:00PM Hand and Foot

1:00PM Pool Table Tournaments

6:30PM Hand and Foot

Wednesday 9:00AM Water Aerobics

1:00PM Dimes

6:30PM Sheepshead

Thursday 1:00PM Sheepshead

6:00PM Darts

Friday 9:00AM Water Aerobics

1:00PM Dimes

6:30PM Euchre

2nd Thursday Each month Coffee Social

4th Sunday Each month Sunday Social