Dear Neighbors,

We hope this letter finds you well! Following our productive homeowners meeting on February 4th, the SHAHA Board would like to share several important updates regarding the future of Spring Hill Acres and our ongoing efforts to protect our community’s interests. This letter serves to summarize our transition to a new primary communication system of our website, and explain the current legal challenge involving our emergency exit tract. We are reaching out to ensure every resident is informed about why your 2026 dues and any additional financial support are essential to successfully defend our community in the ongoing Hartzell lawsuit. Please review the details below to see how your contribution is vital to protecting the safety and integrity of our neighborhood.

Summary of Spring Hill Acres Homeowners Meeting 2/4/26

1. Going forward the Spring Hill Acres website will be the primary form of communication.  https://springhillacres.org/   Please visit regularly or subscribe by clicking the Subscribe button in the top right corner of the website and you will be notified when new content is posted.  If you do not use the internet or email, you may opt in to printed notices by mailing us at Spring Hill Acres Homeowners Association, PO Box 186, Cornwall, PA 17016-0186
2. Dues are $100 for 2026.  We are extending the due date until 4/30/26.  We understand that this represents a significant increase.  However, funds are needed to fight the lawsuit filed against SHAHA by Mr. Hartzell as explained below.  Voluntary payments beyond the dues are also accepted.  All funds will be used to pursue a successful resolution of the suit.  The QR code to pay online is below:

• The Board does not intend to enforce the deed restrictions on Spring Hill Acres lots.  We feel it is Cornwall Borough’s place to enforce any ordinances and do not intend to act as a go between for zoning/deed concerns. Residents who have concerns about ordinances or deed restrictions are encouraged to contact the borough directly rather than SHAHA.
• A complaint to quiet title concerning the emergency exit lot for Spring Hill Acres was filed by Lowell Hartzell in the Lebanon County Civil Court.  https://portal.lebanon.pa.countysuite-azuregov.us/courts.civil.portal/CaseDetails/Index/220695  The SHAHA Board became aware of the lawsuit in July of 2025 though the papers were never properly served.  We subsequently retained Helen Gemmill of McNees Wallace and Nurick LLC.  

A bit of historical information:  Hartzell purchased his 75 acre parcel in December of 2007.  He has attempted to establish that the previous owner of the 75 acre lot, Dennis Klinger, also claimed ownership of the emergency exit lot.  However we have signed affidavits from Mr. Klinger establishing that at no time did he claim ownership over the emergency exit lot.  These affidavits were secured by the SHAHA Board and preserved in our records.  Mr. Hartzell did pay taxes on the emergency exit lot for 2008, 2009, and 2010; however, prior to that the county had never assessed taxes on it.  When the countywide reassessment was done the county realized that the emergency exit lot existed but could not locate the owners.  Once our board learned of the situation, they began the process of locating the owners and transferring the deed and SHAHA has paid the taxes and insurance every year since 2011.  

In October 2012, a deed was filed transferring the ownership of the emergency exit lot from BlueGreen Corporation to Spring Hill Acres Homeowner Association.  This was a result of the hard work of the SHAHA Board at the time and was thought to resolve a previous lawsuit that Mr. Hartzell filed in 2009.  Both lawsuits concern adverse possession of the emergency exit tract, but in Pennsylvania one of the terms of adverse possession is that it has to be claimed for 21 years and Hartzell cannot claim that.  

Back to present day, Attorney Gemmill reached out to Mr. Hartzell’s attorney Ed Coyle to present our case and ask that the suit be dropped.  Since that has not happened and with the support of the members who attended the SHAHA meeting on 2/4/26, Attorney Gemmill will be filing with the court and asking for legal fees to be paid.  

Beyond the need to maintain the lot as an emergency exit, the Board feels that losing ownership of the lot would negatively affect our community.  The reason for that is because currently the access to Hartzell’s land is by Penryn Lane which is private.  That means he could not develop the lot for public or semi public use with Penryn Lane as its only access.  If Hartzell or a future owner had ownership of the emergency exit lot, the 75 acre lot would be accessible by the public roads in Spring Hill Acres.  And though Hartzell’s lot is currently zoned Conservation Recreation, its uses could include semi public or private recreation areas or membership clubs.  Hartzell or a future owner could also apply to have the 75 acre lot rezoned.

We need to protect the emergency exit lot to ensure our safety and security in case of an emergency when the main entrance at Highway 72 is inaccessible.  We also need to protect our property values. Should at some point Mr. Hartzell decide to develop his property adjacent to SHA, traffic in and out of that property would enter and exit through SHA, increasing traffic and lowering property values.

Support was strong in the meeting on 2/4 to make sure we defeat the lawsuit and we intend to do just that.  We need your monetary support to bring a swift resolution.  Please pay your dues via the QR code, the website or by mailing to the address above.  

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us through the website or by mail.  Thank you for your time and support.  

Signed, SHAHA Board

SHAHA 2025 Annual income/expense report
Beginning Balance 1-1-25 $4,122.09 Money Market
$135.26 Checking
$4,257.35 Total

2025 Income
$1,672.15 Cash out CD
$2,484.96 Special Project Donation
$2,750.00 Dues from 2025 neighborhood meeting
$ 71.77 Interest
$1,500.00 Dues paid by credit card to SHAHA through JBT
$8,478.88 Total

2025 Expenses
$2,040.00 Board Liability Insurance-Cincinnati-Hoaster
$ 300.00 Emergency Exit Title Search
$ 168.19 Entrance Planter supplies
$ 493.72 Neighborhood mailing-printer, supplies and postage
$ 300.37 Income and Real-estate Tax
$1,000.00 Retainer for legal services
$ 188.00 Post Office Box 186 rental-USPO
$ 53.81 Misc. Expenses, bank fees
$4,544.09 Total

Ending Balance 12-31-25:

$ 2,975.03 Money Market
$ 5,217.11 Checking $
8,192.14 Total

Two certificates of deposit:
$ 3,327.41 Total Held