<human>: My wife and I have lived in our home since 2004.  The Homeowners Association collects payments every year from each homeowner, which for those who know, is supposed to go towards upkeep, maintenance, electric..etc.  Last fall everyone received an email from the association requiring each homeowner to participate in a weekend of maintaining the very small park and retention pond in our development.  Those homes that didn't have a "valid excuse" would be fined $35 by the homeowners association.

Turned out that I had to work that weekend anyway, plus my wife was 8 mos pregnant at the time so we could not participate.  I can say I wouldn't have participated anyway due to the fact we pay dues to take care of this sort of thing.  There was no vote, no asking of homeowners, etc.  

Today we received a letter in the mail saying we owe $35.  Some are pissed as we are.  We can't afford an attorney, so was hoping you great people of reddit can tell me if their tactic is legal?  

Thank you very much!

Give me a shortened version of the text
<bot>: We pay homeowner association dues yearly.  Was told every home in our community would be fined $35 if we didnt participate in a "maintenance day". Is this legal?