The Following Appeared in the Chronicle-Herald, October 3rd, 1998

The spectacular views, handsome homes, pristine lakes and hardwood trees make Fall River Village an impressive neighborhood any time of year, and no time more so than in autumn. Phase 12 of Fall River Village is more than a beautiful new subdivision. These 32 lots represent another step in the evolution of a major suburban development which began a quarter century ago.

"These are some of the nicest we've ever had," says developer Paul Pettipas. "There are plenty of hardwood trees, good permeable soil - just a nice section."

From phases 9-11, Fall River Village offered lots with municipal water, and for phase 12 the services also includes paving. Many of the lots have Southern exposure, and topography that lends itself to walk-out basements.

"We now have minimum one-acre lots. If a person wants to live in the suburbs, in an environment where they have some space and some trees, then we're going to give them enough room."

Soil tests have been carried out, and all the lots are pre-approved for septic tanks and disposal, so customers will not receive any surprises. Nine of the 32 lots of phase 12 have been pre-sold.

"We've taken the unknowns out of it, so customers know what they're getting. They know what their costs are going to be, so they can better budget for their homes."

Fall River Village also offers a turnkey package, in which they will sell the lot, design and build the house for a guaranteed price. Lot owners are encouraged to build within a year, but that can be extended in some circumstances up to five years.

"Even if they don't use our building services, we're here to answer questions, and work with them."

As a measure of customer satisfaction, some Fall River Village clients have built a home in the subdivision, been transferred out of the area, come back, and purchased and built here again.

"We've also had people who have built three or four times over that 25 years."

On a Saturday morning in the late 1980's some 120 volunteers showed up on an empty field in Fall River Village. They spent the day laying down sod and raking, and before the day was out, the neighbourhood had its own soccer field. It was an example of the community spirit that characterizes this neighbourhood.

"It's the people that have made this subdivision what it is," says Paul Pettipas, president of Fall River Village Ltd. "We have people who care about their neighbourhood, and who volunteer for a lot of things in their community."

Paul Pettipas sold his first lot shortly after graduating from law school in 1973. Twenty-five years later, that same home owner still lives on the property on Richardson Dr.

"When we started there were no new subdivisions in the Fall River area," Mr. Pettipas recalls. "We basically started with a raw piece of land, and built it up."

Fall River Village grew with the community, gradually growing to more than 800 acres. The company has worked hard to instill a sense of community in the subdivision it has developed. There are winter carnivals for the children, dances, and even seasons tickets to the Halifax Mooseheads that are available to residents. "It's a way for us to say: 'Thank you very much'," Mr. Pettipas points out.

The purchase of a home is the largest single investment most people will ever make. Homeowners at Fall River Village know their investments are protected, as property values are ensured by a number of restrictive covenants and a commitment to quality building. Fall River Village reviews all plans before construction. There are size requirements, with some brick or wood required on the front.

"This is not simply to make rules - it's to protect the investment of the people coming in. When people look at a new subdivision, they're not only considering what you have for sale at that time, they're also looking at what you've done in the past. You need to have done things properly."

There are three lakes - Third Lake, Perry Lake and Three Mile Lake - that wind their way through the subdivision, and steps have been taken to make sure these natural assets are enjoyed by all residents. For example, Perry Lake is non-motorized, and used for rowing, swimming and paddling, as well as skating in the winter. There are access points that allow all residents of the subdivision to make use of Third Lake.

Fall River Village Ltd. is one of the original members of the Atlantic Home Warranty Program, a Certified Residential Builder and an R-2000 certified builder. "We have the ability and the training to build any level of home."

Under the home warranty program, everything in the home is under warranty for the first year, and for the next four years the warranty applies to the structure. The structural coverage period can be increased a further five years. With stringent quality control procedures as part of the building process, the R-2000 program promotes healthy indoor air quality, energy conservation, and various recycling of products in the home.