“Let's ask the people responsible for the signage before we decorate anything.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Adults make everything complicated.”
I laughed.
She wasn't wrong.
The tank passed its required acceptance checks and received authorization for the specified supplemental use.
The fire chief visited during the final review.
He examined the access arrangements with his staff.
Spoke with the contractors.
Checked the documentation.
Then turned toward me.
“It's a useful addition to the interim plan.”
I felt relief wash over me.
For months, I'd worried about the neighborhood's water supply.
Now there was at least one more resource available while the larger repairs remained unresolved.
The chief shook my hand.
“Thank you for working through the proper process.”
I nodded.
“Thank you for taking the problem seriously.”
He looked toward the tank.
Then added something important.
“Don't let anybody turn this into an excuse to delay permanent repairs.”
I smiled faintly.
“Believe me, Chief. I won't.”
Unfortunately, the HOA president seemed determined to do exactly that.
The first violation notice arrived four days after the tank received its final authorization.
The letter described the installation as an unauthorized industrial structure.
It demanded removal within ten days.
And it threatened escalating fines for failure to comply with the architectural standards.
I stared at the page.
Then laughed in disbelief.
My wife looked up from the kitchen counter.
“What?”
I held up the notice.
“She wants the fire tank removed.”
Her expression changed.
“You're kidding.”
I shook my head.
She read the letter.
Then looked toward me.
“After all the permits?”
“Yes.”
“After the fire department approved it?”
“Yes.”
She stared.
Then slowly placed the letter on the table.
“Call the attorney.”
I already had my phone in my hand.
Our attorney reviewed the notice and the association's governing documents.
She explained that HOA restrictions and governmental approvals were not automatically interchangeable. The legal questions needed to be examined carefully, including the property's recorded covenants and the specific arrangements governing the installation.
But the association's authority did not permit its president to enter private property and destroy equipment because she disliked its appearance.
That much was clear.
We responded formally.
We provided copies of the relevant approvals.
Identified the installation's temporary emergency purpose.
And requested that the association identify the specific governing provision it believed had been violated.
The president replied with another letter.
This one was angrier.
She accused me of attempting to intimidate the board by involving government officials.
She argued that the tank damaged the community's appearance.