I would like to respond to Shirley and Robert Ryan’ Nov. 4 letter about the Neighborhood Property Owners’ Association.

The NPOA has served Fountain Hills residents for 23 years, ensuring that properties within member plats are well kept and that architectural designs and home colors are appropriate to the neighborhood and desert surroundings. Our work benefits the entire community.

Whereas town regulations address structural and safety issues, the NPOA is responsible for the exterior appearance of member properties – for aesthetics.

The NPOA is not classified as an HOA or planned community under Arizona law because it collects no regular dues or assessments from member homeowners.

It is a property owners’ association formed as an Arizona nonprofit corporation in 1992 by residents dedicated to preserving the beauty of local neighborhoods by perpetuating the development guidelines established by McCulloch Properties, the master developer of Fountain Hills.

When the NPOA was founded, all plats voted on whether to come under NPOA jurisdiction by deed restriction; 44 plats did so. The deed restriction runs with the land, which means that property owners within those 44 plats must follow NPOA guidelines during initial construction and later maintenance or improvement of their property, in perpetuity.

The Neighborhood Committee of Architecture reviews plans, and modest permit fees are charged. The committee is member friendly and very easy to work with.

This all-volunteer committee is appointed by the all-volunteer board of directors, which is elected at the association’s annual general meeting by delegates representing member plats.

The association’s financial statement is always available for review by member property owners, and a financial report is presented to members and delegates at each annual meeting.

I encourage the Ryans to visit our office, attend a Committee of Architecture meeting or a board meeting. We would be happy to welcome them.