Stratford
Manor Association’s
Newsletter
(September 2026)
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JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT
ADVENTURE: Luncheon Scheduled: Our
next luncheon will be held Tuesday, September 8th, at 11:30 a.m. at
Danny’s Deli Restaurant at 10836 Warwick Blvd. Join us for good food, fun, and
laughter—and please share this newsletter with new neighbors so they can come
along. Save the date; we look forward to seeing you there. (Contributed
by Barb Lucas, Welcoming Committee Chairperson)
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
UPCOMING: MORE INFO ON PAVING OF WELLESLEY DRIVE: After
Wellesley Drive was repaved, the Board received many questions about why the
parking spaces were not paved too. Based on the Infrastructure Committee’s
recommendation, the spaces were left as-is because they were in good condition
and had not experienced the same wear and tear as the street. This decision
saved the community an additional $60,000, which can be used for future
projects.
Instead, the Infrastructure Committee recommended that Parking Lot Maintenance, Inc. sealcoat, restripe, and renumber the parking spaces. Numbers will be placed at the end of each space, and two coats of commercial-grade sealant will be applied so the parking areas blend with the road pavement. The project will cost $7,251.00, providing significant savings for the community. Homeowners will need to move their vehicles out of their spaces for 24 hours, and additional parking will be arranged within the community. A one-way traffic pattern may be used for vehicles entering and exiting. Sealcoating is expected to take place within the next two to three weeks.
More information to come. The board will keep you informed.
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HOME INSPECTIONS COMPLETED: Abbitt Management completed home inspections during the week of August 19th. Homeowners with noted concerns should have received an SMA Annual Inspection Form by mail describing the items that need attention.
Common items noted during the
inspections included:
1) Cleaning and weeding front
yards and borders;
2) Cleaning gutters;
3) Trimming shrubs and
bushes;
4) Repairing fencing;
5) Repairing or replacing window
blinds;
6) Repairing and painting
front porches;
7) Cleaning sheds and removing backyard debris.
Front yards are among the first things visitors notice as they drive through our community. As the saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Let’s work together to keep our yards clean and make Stratford Manor a beautiful place to live.
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Rise in High Delinquent HOA Payments: No one likes to talk about money! In the coming month, the Board of Directors will review the proposed 2027 budget. As a community that is more than 30 years old and facing major repairs, many homeowners are feeling the pressure of rising inflation, which can make timely HOA payments more difficult. Stratford Manor currently has about $30,000 in delinquent fees, and this level of unpaid dues can create serious financial, operational, and community challenges. Regular dues support maintenance, insurance, landscaping, and reserves. When many members fall behind, the association may face cash flow shortfalls that delay projects, reduce services, or draw down reserves.
THE TRUE COST OF DELAY:
Why Prompt HOA Fee Payments Benefit Everyone
Paying your Homeowners Association (HOA) dues on time is more than a financial obligation, it is an investment in the community’s stability, property values, and quality of life. Although writing that semiannual check may feel like a chore, prompt payments directly support your neighborhood and help protect your own investment.
Here is a breakdown of why paying your HOA dues promptly matters, the risks of falling behind, and how to stay on track.
Where does your money actually goes: HOA dues are not profit
for a corporation; they are the shared operational budget of your
neighborhood. When you pay promptly, you
fund:
-
Community Maintenance: Landscaping, upkeep
of common areas (trees and fencing) and infrastructure maintenance
(sewer/drainage, roads, sidewalks, curbs)
-
Safety and Security: Street lighting,
entrance signage, and towing service
-
The Reserve Fund: A savings account for
massive, long-term projects like repaving roads or replacing various elements
without issuing emergency assessments.
-
Utility Bills: Electrical services for
lighting; insurance for the community
- General: Payment of Management Company, legal services and fees (if needed)
The Domino Effect of Late Payments: When one or more homeowners fail to pay on time, it creates a ripple effect that compromises the entire community.
1) Deferred Maintenance: When the HOA operates on a deficit, the budget is greatly reduced, and essential maintenance could be delayed. It can often lead to the delay in “scheduled” repairs of the community based on the Reserve Study which could ultimately lead to higher costs when repairs are done.
2) Plunging Property Values: First impressions matter. If common areas fall into disrepair due to lack of funds, curb appeal drops. This directly lowers the market value of every home in the community, including yours.
3) Skyrocketing Out-of-Pocket Costs: To make up for budget shortfalls caused by late payments, HOAs are often forced to take drastic measures. Raising regular dues to cover the gag or levying sudden, mandatory lump-sum charges on all owners to fund critical, unexpected repairs.
Personal Consequences for Late Payers: Ignoring HOA dues doesn’t make them go away. In fact, it triggers severe financial and legal penalties for the homeowner. Interest and late fees accumulate quickly turning a minor bill into a major bill. Loss of privileges are suspended such as access and use of common areas. The HOA has a legal right to place a lien against your property. This prevents you from selling or refinancing your home. In severe cases, an HOA can legally foreclosure on your property to recover the unpaid dues and legal expenses.
Key Takeaway: Set up auto-pay. Link your bank account directly to the HOA’s
payment portal. Treat HOA dues as a
fixed housing expense, just like your mortgage, internet or utility bills. Promptly paying your HOA dues is an essential
part of responsible homeownership. It
protects your financial investment, keeps your neighborhood beautiful, and
ensures a harmonious relationship with your neighbors.
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WELCOME LETTER TO NEW
OWNERS AND RESIDENTS: In July, the
Community and Safety Committee updated the Welcome Letter provided to all new
homeowners and residents. The letter includes helpful information and important
“good to know” details. Barb Lucas, Welcome Committee Chairperson, welcomes
newcomers with a bag of homemade goodies, a newsletter, and the updated welcome
letter. Below you will find the Welcome
Letter for your information and you may get some additional insight.
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Stratford
Manor Association’s
Welcome
Letter
Welcome to Stratford
Manor, New Owners and Residents:
Whether you are a new owner or resident, Stratford Manor HOA has prepared this reminder list to share key information and help you avoid common community violations, unnecessary issues, and added frustration.
1. KEEP UP WITH WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: To receive the monthly newsletter and other timely updates, please email secretary.stratfordmanor@gmail.com and ask to be added to the mailing list.
2. GARBAGE/TRASH:
-
Garbage is
collected every Tuesday. If a city holiday falls on Monday or Tuesday, pickup
is delayed by one day. City guidelines require garbage can lids to stay
closed to keep trash from spilling into the street. Please mark your bins
with your house number for easy identification.
-
For collection,
place your container 3 to 4 feet away from vehicles, poles, mailboxes, and
other obstructions. If the truck cannot access
the can, it will not be picked up.
-
Be
sure to put your garbage cans out on the afternoon before pickup and please
promptly retrieve your bins by the next morning after the day of pickup. Garbage bins are to be stored behind your
home (or on the side of your home if an end unit). Please DO NOT store your bins in your front
yard.
-
Bulk Waste – Bulk waste may be placed at the curb beginning the
weekend before its scheduled pickup, but not earlier. Pickup occurs every two
weeks. Large trash piles set out during the wrong week often led to complaints
and violating HOA rules. Yard waste, including grass clippings, small branches,
and other garden debris, must be placed in clear plastic bags. The city will
not collect items in dark bags or items that include glass, tires, paint
cans, bricks, bags of clothes, Styrofoam, or other materials listed on the
City’s website under “Bulk Waste.”
-
Orange spray
paint on an item at the curb means the city has rejected it, and you must
dispose of it another way. Keep bulk waste separate from garbage and recycling
bins.
-
Call 311 to
schedule appliance pickup, as appliances are collected by a separate truck.
2. PARKING:
-
Each owner or
resident has two assigned parking spaces. Parking in another person’s space or
elsewhere in the community is not permitted.
-
Parking along
Stratford Manor medians is not allowed, and vehicles may be towed at the
owner’s expense. Median parking creates a safety hazard, especially for
emergency vehicles. Contractors working in the community may sometimes need to
park near the customer’s curb. Visitors should park on a nearby public street.
3. LANDSCAPING AND OTHER EXTERIOR UPKEEP:
-
SMA maintains the
common-area landscaping, but owners and residents are responsible for
maintaining their own property. Please keep yards trimmed, weeds under control,
and exteriors in good repair. Missing address numbers, broken light fixtures,
rusting vents, and sagging gutters are not permitted.
4. FRONT PORCH STORAGE:
-
Please keep front
porches clear and do not use them for storage. Items such as coolers, tools,
and bikes can quickly make the community look cluttered when left outside.
5. SPEED LIMIT WITHIN STRATFORD MANOR:
-
The speed limit
throughout the community is 15 MPH. Please drive slowly to help protect
pedestrians, including seniors and children.
6. PETS AND PROPER PET ETIQUETTE:
-
City of Newport
News rules require dogs to be leashed whenever they are outside, regardless of temperament.
Pet waste stations are available throughout the community. Owners must clean
up all pet waste left on their property or in common areas. Please keep pets
from urinating on common-area plants and bushes, as it can damage the
landscaping. If your pet defecates on your patio, clean it up promptly to prevent
odors for neighbors.
7.
PLANNING
HOME IMPROVEMENTS:
Before making exterior
changes to your home, please submit an architectural review application to Associations@abbitt.com. The application is available at
stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com.
8. NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY: If you witness
a crime or illegal activity, call 911 immediately. Do not wait until the next
morning to email Abbitt Management Company or contact an SMA Board member, as
they cannot respond to emergencies. Stratford Manor does not provide police or
security services and cannot make arrests. Also, please remember that an SMA
rule violation is not the same as a crime.
For your safety, lock your car and keep your front and back porch lights
on.
If you have ideas, concerns, or
questions about the HOA, its vendors, or its policies, please contact Abbitt
Management at Associations@abbitt.com. Owners are also welcome to attend
board meetings, which are held every other month. The Annual Owners’ Meeting, typically
held in November, provides another opportunity to ask questions of Abbitt
Management and the board.
When you decided to
join the Stratford Manor community either by ownership or as a resident, you
become responsible for maintaining your property and your yard. In addition, you are responsible for
complying with the rules and regulations of the HOA. You also become a part of our community, and
play an important part in keeping it peaceful and a beautiful place in which to
live in.
(Revised July 2026)
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|
September 2026 Dates – September 1; September 8
(Recycling); September 15; September 22 (Recycling) and September 29 |
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SMA Board for 2026
Doug Marmon, President
Email: President.StratfordManor@gmail.com
Ryan Hatter, Vice President
Email: Murphysdad12@gmail.com
Fran (Dobby) Hodges, Secretary
Email: Secretary.StratfordManor@gmail.com
Bob Lucas, Treasurer
Email: lucasb@att.net
Sara Hanson
Email: smhanson64@gmail.com
Association’s
Wtebsite:
stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com
Contact the Board via their email:
or through Abbitt.
Property Management:
Abbitt Management
Ms. Tricia Wells, Manager
Mr. Zachery Wise, Assistant
Email:
associations@abbitt.com
757-874-4900
Board
Meeting Dates:
August 12, 2026, October 14, 2026, and
December 9, 2026
All board meetings
will be held at Abbitt Management and will start at 5:30 p.m.
Annual Meeting
November
18, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Abbitt
Management Company
