WESTMINSTER SECURITY

Our communication network has been "buzzing" regarding Westminster Security. Many of you were told various things. If you think what I wrote about was unbelievable, here is more of the same.

Some residents were told, $22 and that's it - no other discounts. Some were told just recently, $18 and one resident within this past week was given the $15 price effective when his contract expires in December.

However and more importantly please read the following information that was sent to me by a retired resident attorney:

"After your first email I checked my contract (for the first time) and found the 2 year renewal provision. Further proof that a "lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client!" (We're prone to taking personal risks such acting like big shots and not reading "form" contracts closely, which is a risk we would never take for a client.).

Incidentally, in NY such a renewal clause would be unenforceable without advance written notice that the renewal was coming up, so as to give the affected consumer a chance to cancel. In NY the clause is considered seriously overreaching and grossly unfair to the consumer. With the little research I've been able to do on the internet it appears that NJ is not as consumer oriented as NY and the provision has not been outlawed here. The type size is very small and, again, in NY it might well be unenforceable for that reason too, but I haven't found anything in NJ on the subject.

For anyone who's locked in to the renewal for the full $22.00 a month the best approach is to send a notice of cancellation out immediately without waiting to get to the end.

As it stands, theoretically, even if the subscriber moves or dies during the contract term or any of the 2 year extensions the liability continues UNTIL A CANCELLATION NOTICE.triggers the termination at the term end. It's important to note that the contract doesn't call for one renewal. It calls for successive renewals. Thankfully, the bullet is not too big to be bitten and swallowed but there's no reason to let this go on and on.

If every Regency/Westminster subscriber currently affected sends a cancellation notice out right away (although it won't be effective until the "agreed" contract end) each will be protected from any further renewal and further liability on the continuing obligation.

Additionally, future residents who may become aware of the "tiny print" tactic will be able to avoid its effect by the simple expedient of sending a cancellation notice even before the ink of their signatures on the contracts have dried.

In any event the community can seek alternative alarm services (as you have suggested) and we can be made aware of the competitive option so that the homeowner can switch when the time comes without being tied to a contract that keeps renewing itself "till death does us part" (and even beyond until the term expires.)"

Interesting enough, if you sign the 3 year deal at closing, which you MUST, you can also hand them a letter stating that after the 3 year deal, you want out of the contract. This way you don't have a contract that keeps renewing itself for life.

Here is my suggestion for ALL Regency residents:
Send an email to:
Felicia Ratka (she is the VP responsible for Westminster Security)
FRATKA@tollbrothersinc.com

with copies to:
CGAFFNEY@tollbrothersinc.com (Chris Gaffney,he's a VP of Toll)
tgestite@tollbrothersinc.com (Tom Gestite, Toll Bros.

In the email simple state that at the end of your contract you want to terminate your Security contract with Westminster Security.

Here's is what I have sent:

I recently signed a contract on 08/06/07 to run for two years at $15/month. On 08/06/09 I would like the contract terminated.
Thanks
Ron Post

Acct Number 6870485
24 Hogan Way
Monroe Twp, N.J. 08831
732-605-1212

Please keep in mind that before cancelling any contract make sure you do have some security firm monitoring your system. Our Purchasing Committee will not be ready to deal with this for a few months.

As our resident attorney (and Westminster told me this also), if you don't terminate your contract, it goes on forever. I personally can't believe that a NJ law doesn't prevent something like this to happen.

What are the consequences of terminating your contract: I think the benefits outweigh the risks. Whether you have a $15, $18, $22 or something else contract with Westminster, you will probably get what you have if you resign with them even after your contract terminates. This way, you sign for a given period without any automatic renewals. The Regency Purchasing Committee will be reviewing Security monitoring companies and I can assure you that the price would be in the ballpark or less. Without going into detail, one Security firm has already given me their proposal and it beats Westminster's best price based upon volume.

For me personally, I am sending an email so that I can opt out after my contract expires. At the end of this period I will probably switch to whatever company the Purchasing Committee comes up with because it would most likely be better than what I had. I've told Westminster that they may send their proposal in and they would be considered. However, it must be ONE PRICE for ALL residents!!

TENNIS DINNER DANCE
SEPTEMBER 30TH

Click on link for more information:
http://www.freefilehosting.org/public/44477/TENNIS%20DINNER%20DANCE%20093007.pdf

WALKERS, PLEASE BE CAREFUL

It was suggested by a resident that if you are walking in the streets, please walk facing traffic so that you can see if you have to move over a little to be out of the way of cars. Sounds like a good suggestion.

LOCAL SPEED TRAP IN MONROE TOWNSHIP

Click on this link to see a speed trap in Monroe Township
http://www.speedtrap.org/speedtraps/ste.asp?state=NJ&city=Monroe%20Township

FLYERS FROM GAIL - OUR LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR

Thanks Gail. You certainly are keeping the emailer and the community busy.

Click on the following links for more information:

ATLANTIC CITY TRIP - SHOWBOAT - SEPT 14TH
http://www.freefilehosting.org/public/44547/Showboat914.pdf

FABULOUS FEMALES - SEPT 29TH (are we talking about the Women of Regency again?)
http://www.freefilehosting.org/public/44549/Fabulous%20Females%20929.pdf

TENNIS CLUB ANNUAL DINNER DANCE - SEPT 30TH
http://www.freefilehosting.org/public/44550/tennis%20dance%20930.pdf

MEN'S CLUB MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME MET/YANKS - SEPT 4TH
http://www.freefilehosting.org/public/44550/tennis%20dance%20930.pdf

FALL SINGLES SOCIAL - SEPT 23
http://www.freefilehosting.org/public/44554/FALL%20SINGLES%20SOCIAL%20SEPT%2023.pdf

COUPLES CANASTA TOURNAMENT - OCT 21
http://www.freefilehosting.org/public/44557/couplescanasta10%2021.2007b1.pdf

INNOVATIVE WELLNESS - SEPT 27
http://www.freefilehosting.org/public/44558/Innovative%20Wellness%20927.pdf

VISUAL IMPACT DECORATING - SEPT 5
http://www.freefilehosting.org/public/44559/Visual%20Impact%20Decorating%209507.pdf

COMPLIMENTARY COUNTRY LINE DANCE CLASSES - THURSDAY'S
http://www.freefilehosting.org/public/44560/Line%20Dance%20Flyer%20COMPLIMENTARY%20THURSDAYS.pdf
FREE TOLL MOVIE - THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA - SEPT 15
http://www.freefilehosting.org/public/44561/Free%20Movie%20Matinee%20The%20Devil%20Wears%20Prada%20091507.pdf

ARE YOU READY FOR FOOTBALL?
FIRST GAME IS SEPT. 9 TH

JERRY STOLLAR AND WE NEED A VOLUNTEER

PLEASE E-MAIL JERRY AT lasttime37@aol.com
COME AND JOIN US IN SOME FRIENDLY

FOOTBALL COMPETITION
WEEKLY PRIZES WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO SELECT
THE MOST WINNING GAMES AND A GRAND PRIZE
TO THE PERSON OR PERSONS WHO HAVE THE MOST TOTAL WINS AT THE END OF THE SEASON EACH WEEK YOU'LL PICK YOUR TEAMS AND ENTER THEM
ON YOUR COMPUTER
JUST CHOOSE THE WINNERS.
WEEKLY PRIZES WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE TOTAL
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS.

IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE PLEASE CALL JERRY STOLLAR
OR AL MALTZMAN BY SEPTEMBER 5 FOR DETAILS

THAT'S IT FOR NOW
RON
P.S. I just received the following from Westminster:
Mr. Post,

Your account has been noted and marked for cancellation. We will send a confirmation of receipt of this notice to you via mail for your records.

Sincerely

Felicia Ratka
Vice President
Westminster Security / Toll Brothers, Inc.
fratka@tollbrothersinc.com
215-293-4382 (phone)
800-931-2403 (fax)