A Brief History of Covered Bridge
The Hovnanian Brothers who built a similar community in Lake Worth, Florida, with the same name developed Covered Bridge condominium in Manalapan. We occupy 254 acres of land, which was originally a potato farm. Covered Bridge is a community of 1557 units and is occupied by a diverse group of residents representing many religions and backgrounds who are actively employed or who are active as retirees. The minimum age to move into Covered Bridge was originally set at 52 with no one under 19 years of age. Law subsequently changed the age requirement to 55, although before that change, Mr. Kevork Hovnanian tried to lower the age requirement to 48 to booster sales but was overruled by the residents. Every resident is automatically a member of CBCA. (Covered Bridge Condominium Association). A Board of Trustees comprising of seven members governs CBCA. Kevork Hovnanian, the President ofHovnanian Enterprises at that time originally appointed the Trustees. The first residents arrived in April 1972 but had to wait until April 1979 when all resident Trustees were elected to replace the Trustees appointed by Hovnanian and Covered Bridge's destiny was finally in its own hands.
HOCB (Homeowners of Covered Bridge) was formed out of necessity as a result of many disagreements with the developer among them was the 99 year lease for the use of the Clubhouse and the recreation facilities. A lawyer was hired to advise the group and help in incorporating HOCB in January 1977. To induce the group not to picket Hovnanian, the larter agreed to meet and discuss the group's complaints.
After hiring a Lawyer, it was decided to publish a magazine (The Guardian) and utilize the advertising revenue to pay the lawyer. Another reason for the magazine was to provide a forum for creative writing and to provide the residents with a magazine that is interesting and informative. All funds left after printing and mailing expenses were to be turned over to HOCB treasury to promote the good and welfare of the community and provide funds to pay the lawyer.
In May 1984, the developer proposed to sell the Clubhouse and the Recreation Facilities to CBCA relieving us of the 99 year lease, a bitter part of the original complaints, but the reluctant residents voted down the offer.
More detailed information on Covered Bridge may be obtained from the following:
20th Anniversary Issue 1992; 25th Anniversary Issue 1997 and 30th Anniversary Issue 2002.
Eugene J. Garnett, Historian