Why do I have to belong to this Association?

A number of years ago, the owner of the property on the west end of Rush Lake, dug some canals and when he attempted to connect to the lake, the water level began going down. Other property owners took him to court and a legal lake level was established along with a dam being built to control this level. The property owners decided to form an association under Act 137, 1929, to protect the lake in the future. This act requires people owning property within the boundaries of the association belong to that association. These boundaries were set in 1965 and encompass the subdivisions of Robert Herndon's Rush Lake Estates, Robert Herndon's Rush Lake Estates #1, Watson's Rush Lake Subdivision, the land lying between Watson's Rush Lake Subdivision and Herndon's Rush Lake Estates #1, Vista On The Lake, Robert Herndon's Addition To Vista On The Lake and Moon Shadows.

I am a backlot property owner. Is there somewhere I can dock my boat?

The Association does not have any provision for backlot owners to dock their boats on the lake. This type of access is called keyholing and Hamburg Township has an ordinance prohibiting this.

Why doesn't the Association turn our private roads over to the county?

It has been suggested many times that the Association turn our private roads over to the county. By doing this, the county would then become responsible for the upkeep of the roads but this is not as simple as it sounds. In order for the county to accept our roads, the roads would need to be brought up to county standards at the property owners' expense. During the winter months, the county clears roads based on priority. Subdivision roads within the county are done after the main and secondary roads are finished. This could easily mean a couple of days before they would come in to clear our roads. By turning the roads over to the county, we also give up the control of what happens with our roads.

Does the Association have property for sale or rent?

The Association is not in the business of selling or renting any property. There are numerous local real estate agents who you may contact.

My neighbor's yard is so full of junk. Who do I contact to help get this cleaned up?

Hamburg Township has an ordinance dealing with blight. There are specific guidelines in this ordinance as to what is acceptable in someone's yard. Contact Hamburg Township offices (810-231-1000) if you have a problem with a neighbor's yard. The Township also has an ordinance against unlicensed or inoperable motor vehicles.

May I store my boat in one of the parks?

Nothing may be stored in any of the Association parks. If you leave anything in the parks, it will be tagged requesting its removal. If it is not removed within a reasonable period of time, it will be removed by the Association.

I live in the Moon Shadows subdivision. Why do I belong to two associations?

The land that encompasses the Moon Shadows subdivision was part of the Rush Lake Association's original boundaries, which makes anyone owning that property a member of the Rush Lake Association. Moon Shadows was subdivided under an act for condominium subdivisions, which requires that they have an association to care for their roads and parks, which means anyone owning property in Moon Shadows belongs to both associations.

I have some branches that I would like to burn. May I do this anytime?

Hamburg Township has a burning ordinance (Ordinance #40D), which prohibits the burning of yard waste except during the month of November and April. Contact the Hamburg Township Offices (810-231-1000) for specific details about burning.

What can we do about the dogs that run loose in the neighborhood?

The state of Michigan has a "Leash Law" which prohibits one from letting their dog run free outside of their yard. For problems with loose dogs, one should call the Livingston County Animal Control at 517-546-2154.

I would like to build a garage. Does the association have any building restrictions?

The Rush Lake Association does not have any building restrictions and members interested in doing any building on their property are encouraged to contact the Hamburg Township Offices (810-231-1000).

I don't live in Moon Shadows, but may I use their parks?

Only the members of the Moon Shadows subdivision may use their parks. The members of Moon Shadows are allowed to use the Rush Lake Association parks as they are members in our association but Moon Shadows parks are restricted for the use of Moon Shadows subdivision members only. The Rush Lake Association does not maintain the Moon Shadows parks.

I noticed someone driving their boat recklessly. Who can I report this to?

Members are asked to contact the Hamburg Township Police (734-878-9000) to report any boating violations. The more information you are able to provide, the better the chances are that the police will be able to do something about the problem.