August 12, 2025
Dear Residents,
Re: New Gatehouse Entrance, Security System, Database & Cameras
The gatehouse porte-cocheres (wings) at Old Tampa Road will be removed and new entrances and exits will be installed approximately late September (holding on permits from Manatee County). In the meantime, we have begun the construction and installation of wiring and cameras at the OTR gate, the emergency gates at Cypress Glen and Creole Court, the bocce court and boat storage areas.
Our new functionalities will be very exciting, and we will share more of those details as we progress through the construction. One of the functionality upgrades addresses the issue of “Clickers”. Our cameras will be able to capture vehicles who hit the gates or enter through the emergency gates or the OTR gate with a clicker.
We will have a much better handle on those who enter the community without checking in at the gate. We believe this will also help to control some of the solicitors who get into the community without checking in at the gates. Our cameras at the bocce courts, the boat storage and Savannah Lakes entrance will assist us in determining any damage or theft issues in these areas.
The dates & times for residents to pick up their RFID tags will be communicated shortly. There will be 3 different days and both daytime & evening hours for the convenience of all our residents.
To answer a few of the many questions we have received regarding our new gate access system:
• The HOA is providing two RFID tags per household unit. Any additional tags will be sold to the residents within the home address in RW. Price to be determined.
• We have received updated contact information from nearly 550 homes, which we have forwarded to Envera. If you have not had a chance to provide us with this information, you will be able to do so when you pick up your RFID tags.
• We have received questions as to whether this system is being implemented for the community at both gates.
• Currently you will be required to retain your old barcode to exit at Ft. Hamer gate. We will also be maintaining the Dwelling Live database that is tied to the barcodes, at the request of the board in Rive Isle.
• We do hope the board in Rive Isle agrees to updating and upgrading the gatehouse system at Ft. Hamer. At that time, the entire community will have an integrated database to which both the Master Foundation and the Ft. Hamer HOA Managers or Representatives will have access. Envera (our new security vendor) owns the database and holds the responsibility for maintaining the database. There will be additional upgrades at the Ft. Hamer gate, including maintenance and repair of the synchronization issues currently experienced at the Ft. Hamer gate which will be paid for by the Master Foundation. Additionally, a full set of cameras will be installed by Envera and paid for by the Master Foundation.
• At the point in time that we have an integrated and collaborative program for the community, we will be seeking volunteers from each community in River Wilderness to form a Security Committee. The goal will be to ensure fairness and transparency regarding any complaints received by the community or issues regarding speeding or damage detected via the cameras.
More to follow!
Regards,
River Wilderness of Bradenton Foundation
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