What’s New

The latest information and news in and around Dunes West

July 2025 Management and Board of Directors Summary Activity Report

Complete Management Reports, Board of Director Meeting Minutes,  June Financial Report, and Annual Master Reserve Study are available in the Dunes West POA Documents Website.  

Management:

  • Michelle Pucci is our new Covenants and Lower Dunes West Administrator
  • 2025 Paving project completed
  • New security service selection process was completed and awarded to Coastal CSSI.  Implementation August 1, 2025.
  • Implementation of Coastal CSSI documentation and software.
  • Kiln Court game camera set to detect people walking into Dunes West via the woods captured1 person in two months.  
  • Back gate repairs to the outside and inside of the building have been completed.
  • Alligator sign installed at pond 25. 
  • Meeting with Chris Lupert, TOMP Planning, regarding Grand Oaks.
    • We reviewed the town’s assessment of the oaks.
    • The towns report and the POA’s report are in agreement as to the health of the oaks.
    • Next steps were discussed to plan risk mitigations to be shared with homeowner.
  • Palm trees around neighborhood replaced

Board of Directors: 

  • Master Annual Reserve Study received, accepted, and published on the website.
    • Study includes a review of assets to assess expected useful life, repair or updating costs, and financial reserve requirements to fund.
  • Researched traffic study requirements for adding new intersection traffic controls within Dunes West.
  • Notices regarding Highway 41 project have been received addressing DWPOA property to be potentially impacted.  The board is addressing with attorney.  
  • Discussed E-bike town hall meeting to assess what went well and what could be improved to make these community meetings more effective. 
  • 2024 Financial Audit Report completed and accepted by the board. 
  • Communications to Residents:
    • June Management and Board of Directors activity summary
    • Introduction of Michelle Pucci as new Covenants and Lower Dunes West Administrator
    • Dunes West POA Behind the Gates Road Maintenance Strategy

Dunes West POA June Financial Report Highlights: 

  • Major Revenue Variances: 
    • Assessment collection on budget using accrual accounting method but below budget by $305,308 using cash accounting method due to early receipts in December 2024.
    • Other revenue is $62,259 over budget due to strong decal income
  • Major Expense Variances: 
    • Staffing payroll had a positive variance of $32,899 due to staffing turnover early in the year.  
    • Electricity rates raised by Dominion Energy caused a negative expense variance of $8,125.
    • Overall, surplus of $637,480 will fund operations second half of year and monthly transfer of $109,052 to reserve funds
  • Reserve Funding Revenues:
    • Improved interest rates generated $82,716 of income, nearly twice the budgeted amount.
  • Reserve Spending YTD: $264,731.
    • Total planned spending for 2025, $2,791,414 including $1,717,000 for major road project begun in July and to be completed in August. 
  • Balance Sheet Total POA Equity: $6,254,370. 
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Introducing Mischele Pucci – Our New Covenants and Lower Dunes West Administrator

We are pleased to welcome Mischele Pucci to the Dunes West team as our new Covenants and Lower Dunes West Administrator. Mischele brings a wealth of operational and administrative experience. Her strong background in organization, communication, and problem-solving makes her a great fit for our community.

You can reach her at 843.375.0021 or dwcovenants@sw-community.com.

Please join us in welcoming Mischele to Dunes West!

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June 2025 Management and Board of Directors Summary Activity Report:

Complete Management, Board of Director Meeting Minutes, and Monthly Financial Reports are available on the Dunes West POA Website.  

Management:

  • Conducted a formal review and bidding program for the security contract.  Included 6 vendors, qualifying interviews, a formal RFP, and a structured bid analysis presented to the Board of Directors
  • Prepared for an E-Bike town hall held on June 24
  • Coordinated with Town of Mount Pleasant independent arborist to examine the grand oaks identified as failing.   Results expected in early July.
  • Sent out semi-annual assessment invoices
  • Planted 6 bald cypress trees on Harpers Ferry Way
  • Put up “Stay off the Grass” signs where E-bikers have been tearing up the grass
  • Ellington Woods monument lights repaired
  • Storm damage cleanup
  • Started the major infrastructure road paving project.  Expect completion in July. 

Board of Directors: 

  • Plan and develop the materials for an E-bike town hall that was held on June 24
  • Addressed several resident communications regarding E-bikes speeding and riding off-road.
  • Preliminary discussion of traffic safety study of the intersection of Shell Ring Circle and Col. Vanderhorst due to obstructed views and pedestrian traffic accessing the path.
  • Discussed the need for an initiative to update the website.
  • Communications to Residents:
    • May Management and Board of Directors activity summary
    • Updates on schedule for planned road projects in June. 
    • E-blast and Next-Door invitation to residents regarding the E-bike town hall
    • Development of the town hall handout addressing the classification of e-bikes as they impact the state and local laws as well as Dunes West Covenants.  Also provided recommended programs for E-bike education.
    • Collaborated with Mount Pleasant Police Chief Mark Arnold and two of his senior officers to talk about how the police address E-bike concerns. 
    • Follow-up with meeting minutes of the E-bike town hall
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Tentative Paving Schedule – Begins June 16, 2025

Dear Residents,

As part of our previously announced major paving project, we are pleased to share the tentative schedule for milling and paving operations, set to begin on Monday, June 16, 2025.

The work will be carried out in multiple neighborhoods over the course of three weeks. Please note that this schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions or other unforeseen delays.

Tentative Paving Schedule by Date:

Week 1: Whispering Marsh Area

Mon, June 16: Milling begins – Black Rush Circle (partial)

Tue, June 17: Finish milling – Black Rush, Hermit Crab Way, Marsh Rabbit Ct

Paving begins – Part of Black Rush

Wed, June 18: Milling – Tall Grass, Short Grass, Whisper Grass

Paving – Hermit Crab, Marsh Rabbit, Black Rush (finish)

Thu, June 19: Milling – Grass Marsh

Paving – Tall Grass, Short Grass, Whisper Grass

Fri, June 20: Paving – Grass Marsh

Week 2: Deer Walk & Dunes Mill

Mon, June 23: Milling – Deer Walk Way

Tue, June 24: Milling – Dune Mill Way

Paving – Deer Walk Way

Wed, June 25: Paving – Deer Walk Way, Begin Dunes Mill Way

Thu, June 26: Paving – Finish Dunes Mill Way

Fri, June 27: Mill & Pave – Ayers Plantation Way (section)

Week 3: Ayers Plantation & Contingency

Mon, June 30 – Thu, July 3: Mill & Pave – Continue Ayers Plantation Way as needed; contingency days for weather delays or catch-up work. There will also be a small repair on Harpers Ferry Way.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this important infrastructure improvement project. Please be cautious when traveling through work zones and follow the direction of traffic control personnel.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Robert Engermann at 843.654.1542 or rengermann@sw-community.com.

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Upcoming Paving Project

Dear Residents, 

We would like to inform you of an upcoming major paving project scheduled to begin June 16th and expected to conclude by July 3rd,weather permitting.

The scope of work will entail milling off the top layer of asphalt (mill) and replacing with new asphalt (overlay). 

The following neighborhoods will be affected:

Whispering Marsh

Deer Walk

Dunes Mill

Ayers Plantation (from Harpers Ferry Way to River Vista Way)

Harpers Ferry Way (limited area for repair)

We appreciate your patience as this important work is completed. Additional communications with more detailed information and timelines will be sent directly to the neighborhoods affected as soon as they become available.

Please be mindful of traffic control flaggers, drive cautiously near work zones, and prepare for temporary access delays during the paving process.

Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to invest in the long-term care of our community infrastructure.

Sincerely,

The Dunes West Board of Directors and POA Staff

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