The Now Rescinded MVF/ARB Required Pre-Approval Fee

***In 2001 Montgomery Village Foundation began 'requiring' all Village-wide homeowners to pay $25 in order to receive pre-approval for any maintenance repairs or additions to their homes. ***This in itself is not a known practice at least not to my knowledge or via my conversations with other homeowners throughout the County (i.e. Kentlands or communities in Germantown).  That fee, disputed by me over the years even when it did not directly involve the feeling of embezzlement out of my bank account, was merely discouraging homeowners from even performing even the most basic home maintenance.  Too omany hoops and a $25 fee that could very well have been applied towards i.e. a gallon of house paint!!  Took MVF years to listen to that logical, common sense argument and to 'see the light'.  In the meantime, they were making 'good money' for the MVF 'pot'!  Hummm! ***This practice went behind 'borderline' in illegal practice by MVF.  But fee requirement was eventually rescinded May 2013.  Pre-approval, of course, without fee is still a requirement. ***My question is....  It was questionable in itself when fee was in place as pre-requisite.  But even those who met that monetary requirement, submitted required and necessary (pain in the butt) pre-approval forms but whose request was denied still paid the fee and were not reimbursed for the 'denial/rejection'.  Add that to questionable, almost criminal MVF hands in the pockets of homeowners.  ***So has MVF made any attempt to reimburse anyone in the Village for those fees particularly those who were 'levied rejection notices'?  Rhetorical!  I am sure, if no one questioned the validity and legality of that unusual practice, no refunds were issued.  And, understandably, the topic (of IN GOOD FAITH refunds) within hallowed halls of MVF went mute!  Surprise, surprise, surprise (NOT)!  LOL!