July 12 ORANJ Zoom Conversation

Residents from 20 communities attended the July 12, 2023, Zoom conversation: Atrium at Navesink, Cadbury, Cedar Crest, Crane’s Mill, Crestwood Manor, The Evergreens, Friends Village, Harrogate, Laurel Circle, Lions Gate, Meadow Lakes, Medford Leas, Monroe Village, Oaks at Denville, Pines at Whiting, Riverwalk Village at HoGS, Seabrook, Wiley, & Winchester Gardens.

Thanks again to Andy Kleppe for preparing the recap.

Maggie Heineman, Communications Chair, July 27, 2023.

RECAP BY ANDY:

1.     Barbara Trought called the meeting to order at 10:00AM.  Closed Caption is available by selecting the icon at the bottom of your screen.  Barbara reminded all that the next ORANJ Plenary Meeting will be on October 18, 3023 at Monroe Village. 

2.     Jim Gallagher, Director of ORANJ research discussed the survey of Occupancy and deposit refund history which was sent to every ORANJ Resident Association President.  The Presidents were to discuss the survey with their respective community Executive Director (EDs)s reminding them that deposit refund timing information would only be reported as averages not by individual communities.  Those on this meeting made various reports to Jim who will review responses received and reach out to Regional VPs and RA Presidents to encourage follow ups with those yet to return the surveys to Jim.  A few reported that their EDs would not provide information claiming it was confidential.

3.     Maggie asked at the zoom about occupancy and answers ranged from 58% to 100% with a waiting list at Lions Gate.

4.     A discussion was held reminding us that the timing of the refunds of deposits up until November 15, 2018, when new legislation was effective for new contracts after that date, was governed by the specific criteria in the various contracts.  It is suggested that each community research and identify the different contracts that still govern deposit refunds and the timing of such.

5.     A question about funding for the cost of lobbying efforts by ORANJ was provided.  ORANJ has no budget for lobbying. Members of our legislative committee are volunteers. Leading Age of NJ & DE, an industry funded group has paid lobbyists. Often ORANJ and LeadingAge are on opposite sides of an issue, sometimes they agree on an issue and cooperate.

6.     Rick Ober reminded us that each LPC resident is entitled to receive annually a copy of their community’s most recent Disclosure Statement on file with the NJ Department of Community Affairs.  Your community’s Marketing Department has these.  This contains financial information as well as disclosures given to each prospective resident.  In many communities the Residents Association’s Finance Committees meets, from time to time, to review interim financial results with management.

7.     NJ Law provides that Community Governing Boards, usually the Board of Trustees of a NJ non-profit corporation owing and managing the facilities, are required to meet quarterly with the residents or their elected representatives to discuss matters of interest and concern.  Different attendees offered their opinions on whether their community Governing Bodies were in compliance.  Many are not.

8.     It was decided that there will not be an August, 2023 RA Zoom Meeting.  The next RA Zoom Meeting will be at 10AM, September 13, 2023.

9.     There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 11AM.