Property Manager

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SMC Neighbors:

A belated Happy New Year!

The 2024 Board of Directors met for the first time on January 5 where I was elected president for this coming year. So, I wanted to take the opportunity to let you know what the board will be focusing on during this year.

We have two major projects in the works. One you’ve received a couple of emails about already which is the update to the SMC Master Deed and By-Laws. These are the two documents that legally define the Salt Marsh Cottage Horizontal Property Regime and directly govern its operation. They list the rights and responsibilities of the regime’s Council of Co-Owners and as well as the rights and responsibilities of each cottage owner. The Council of Co-Owners is defined in the Master Deed as the entity responsible for operation and management of the Condominium Property. It is composed of all Cottage Owners. Whereas the Board of Directors is defined as the body of persons elected, authorized, and directed to manage and operate the Condominium Property and the affairs of the Council, as provided by the Master Deed and the By-Laws. These are documents that must be filed with the Beaufort County Clerk of Courts. 

As was explained in the emails asking for owner participation and comments, the Board was advised by our attorneys that the current Master Deed and By-Laws are very vague in some areas and some sections no longer conform to current South Carolina laws.

I encourage everyone to read the Master Deed and By-Laws that are available on the SMC website. Changing the documents requires a 2/3 majority of the cottage owners so this is a matter that requires the attention of all of us. I will be writing from time to time keeping everyone abreast of the progress.

The other major project is revamping the current website. We have had some security issues with our current site and provider. We are also looking into cloud storage for the regime documents and records. This also requires secure access so we are looking to combine these two items into one effort. This will be a “behind the scenes” thing. We own and will keep our www.saltmarshcottages.com URL so owner access will not change.

The last item I wanted to bring to your attention is a policy the board enacted regarding the process of requesting permission to alter the exterior of the cottages or the grounds. All changes to the exterior of a cottage or the grounds must receive regime approval before being started. And depending on the change requested it might require Moss Creek ARB approval. This new procedure is available on the "Policy" page of the website. Please take a moment to read it.

Regards,

Tom Finnie