I am going to start this article with two well-known Bibli-cal passages from Moses and Jesus, who were two of the most caring, compassionate, considerate, kind and benevolent people to walk upon the face of the Earth.
I quote as follows: "Let my people [homeowners of Covered Bridge I] go … release them from bondage" — Moses. And, "Father [Hovnanian Enterprises], forgive them, they [homeowners] know not what they do [have done]"— Jesus.
Inasmuch as Hovnanian Enterprises has chosen not to address my letter dated April 11, requesting a face-to-face meeting to discuss the recreation lease, I have no option other than to submit this letter for publication.
This adult community [Cov-ered Bridge I] is burdened with a horrendous recreation lease for 99 years. There is no other adult community in the state of New Jersey so burdened.
We, the homeowners, are paying $63 quarterly ($392,500 per year) as a rental to Hovnanian Enterprises. In addition, we are paying in our quarterly maintenance fees ($327) to maintain that which we do not own. This includes real estate taxes, water and sewer taxes, all insurance and repairs to the related facilities, including the entire clubhouse, tennis courts, shuffleboard, bocce courts, swimming pool, etc.
Hovnanian Enterprises has already collected between $8 million and $10 million since the recreation lease’s inception in about 1970. They have given back nothing in return.
Does anyone believe that this horrendous recreation lease was drawn up by a caring, compassionate, considerate, kind and benevolent organization [Hovna-nian Enterprises]?
Sidney Alpert
Covered Bridge I
Manalapan

