Ossining Camp Meeting Association (OCMA)
Campwoods Grounds is a unique, beautiful and historic community of 44 small homes on approximately seven and one half acres. Campwoods was established back in 1834 when families pitched tents across the property and attended Bible studies, revival sessions, and Sunday services. The Ossining Camp Meeting Association (OCMA) owns the land in Campwoods Grounds. The name under which the corporation was originally formed was Camp Meeting Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the City of New York. OCMA was formed by a special act of the New York State Legislature, Chapter 462 of the Laws of New York of 1867. The name of the corporation was changed by special act of the legislature in 1947. OCMA is a religious corporation as defined in subparagraph 2 of the Religious Corporation Law. Since OCMA is not a church, there are no congregants, nor are there shareholders. In an effort to maintain the spirit and history of OCMA, religious services are held during the month of June.
OCMA is comprised of the Board of Trustees. To be a member of the board of trustees one must reside in Campwoods Grounds. There are nine trustees each with three year terms. Three trustees are elected annually by Campwoods Grounds residents at the OCMA town hall meeting in May. While the OCMA is a religious corporation, its trustees and, therefore its tenants reflect the diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious make up of Campwoods Grounds.
The relationship of the OCMA with home owners is that of landlord and tenant. The home owners lease the land from the Association. The leases accommodate mortgage terms for 35 years and are usually renewed in 35 year terms thereafter. Home owners pay Village, Town and School taxes on their single-family homes to the Ossining Tax Collector while OCMA is taxed on the land. Subsequently, each home owner pays a proportionate share of the land’s tax to OCMA. There is one water meter in Campwoods and the Association is responsible for the water and sewer bill. Maintenance of the grounds, such as communal lawn care, snow plowing, tree pruning, etc., is taken care of by the OCMA. These fees, including land taxes, water & sewer bills, and ground maintenance, are combined into an estimated annual expense (budget) with each homeowner paying the combined fee as a flat monthly rate based upon their individual plot’s percentage of the total acreage. At the end of the year, the actual annual expense report is disclosed to all the homeowners.
OCMA is comprised of the Board of Trustees. To be a member of the board of trustees one must reside in Campwoods Grounds. There are nine trustees each with three year terms. Three trustees are elected annually by Campwoods Grounds residents at the OCMA town hall meeting in May. While the OCMA is a religious corporation, its trustees and, therefore its tenants reflect the diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious make up of Campwoods Grounds.
The relationship of the OCMA with home owners is that of landlord and tenant. The home owners lease the land from the Association. The leases accommodate mortgage terms for 35 years and are usually renewed in 35 year terms thereafter. Home owners pay Village, Town and School taxes on their single-family homes to the Ossining Tax Collector while OCMA is taxed on the land. Subsequently, each home owner pays a proportionate share of the land’s tax to OCMA. There is one water meter in Campwoods and the Association is responsible for the water and sewer bill. Maintenance of the grounds, such as communal lawn care, snow plowing, tree pruning, etc., is taken care of by the OCMA. These fees, including land taxes, water & sewer bills, and ground maintenance, are combined into an estimated annual expense (budget) with each homeowner paying the combined fee as a flat monthly rate based upon their individual plot’s percentage of the total acreage. At the end of the year, the actual annual expense report is disclosed to all the homeowners.
OCMA Board of Trustees
Officers
Mike Newhouse | President
Barbara Boll | Vice President
Missy DeAngelis | Secretary
Susanne Freed | Treasurer
Trustees
Lee Marvin
Katherine Mirisola
Karen Ramos
Thom Salter
Nicole Young
Mike Newhouse | President
Barbara Boll | Vice President
Missy DeAngelis | Secretary
Susanne Freed | Treasurer
Trustees
Lee Marvin
Katherine Mirisola
Karen Ramos
Thom Salter
Nicole Young