President’s Corner
When a Stratford Manor homeowner complained recently about an issue that was taking entirely too long to resolve, she said, “Why am I still paying my dues If you can’t get this fixed?” While the delay in dealing with her problem was unavoidable, her comment did cause me to think about what we are all getting for our assessments.
If we had a swimming pool, club house or golf course, it might be easier to answer. After all, amenities such as those do cost money to operate, and are highly visible. But since we don’t have any of them, we have to look a little deeper to learn where our assessments are going.
If we had a swimming pool, club house or golf course, it might be easier to answer. After all, amenities such as those do cost money to operate, and are highly visible. But since we don’t have any of them, we have to look a little deeper to learn where our assessments are going.
Our Stratford Manor Association (SMA)’s Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions provides the broadest answer: “The assessments levied by the Association shall be used exclusively to promote the recreation, health, safety and welfare of the residents in the Properties, for the improvement and maintenance of the Common Area, and for the maintenance of lawns and landscaping on the Lots…”
This means, among other things, that no part of your assessment goes to pay your Board members and officers; they are strictly volunteers, and do not get paid. We do have to pay a monthly fee to Advanced Association Management Group (AAMG), the property management firm the Board hired last summer. That hiring, after some three decades of self-governance, prompted some residents to wonder why we couldn’t just keep doing the same old thing, the same old way, without paying anybody.
Since I was elected President a few months ago, I have discovered the answer to that question. Basically, the administrative burden of operating our Association grew substantially over the years, while volunteer residents able to devote time and energy to the HOA continued to decline. We all have a huge investment in our community, and having a professional management company helps us meet the ever-increasing demands and challenges is key to preserving that investment.
In this and future issues of this newsletter, I will be discussing these challenges. Here are just a few:
I have become aware of a surprisingly large number of issues that called for AAMG to mediate disputes between neighbors. Ranging from leaving garbage bins out on the curb for days at a time, to putting the wrong-color shingles on a new roof, these disputes are dealt with by AAMG instead of angry homeowners starting range wars with their neighbors.
“For me”, said former Board member Ann Turner, “my assessment makes sure that the neighborhood in which I live will always be maintained to a certain standard. I will never have to say, ‘There goes the neighborhood.” She added that this is important for “quality of life and individual property value.”
For others, it’s important to know that our SMA is can afford to pay for upkeep on its landscaping, streetlights, fences, parking lots, etc. “Being a single senior female on a fixed income,” said Board member Beverly Forester, “it is important to me to feel secure about the investment I made in the purchase of my home. The knowledge that our association is financially solvent and can afford to cover the expenses of repairing/replacing Common Area necessities is very important to me.”
John Gullett, President
Next issue: Our cash reserves...what are they and why are they important?
Next issue: Our cash reserves...what are they and why are they important?
Pet policy strengthened
Responding to complaints about dog lovers not always being thoughtful enough to pick up after their pets, The SMA Board voted at its April 5 meeting to put more teeth into its policy on pets. Effective immediately, SMA residents are required to keep their pets on a leash, control excessive barking, pick up their pets’ waste, and prevent their pets from relieving themselves on other residents’ property or common area shrubbery. “We aren’t changing any of the established provisions of the rules and regulations for pets,” said John Gullett, SMA president. “We simply are eliminating language that some people had interpreted as meaning that compliance was voluntary.” He said the Board also wanted to send the message that “keeping Stratford Manor safe, clean and friendly is everyone’s responsibility.” The Board made it easier for dog walkers last year when it installed three pet waste bag stations in common areas on Sloan, Kenilworth and Wellesley—just in case you get caught without a bag to pick up after your pet. The revised rule states:
Only indoor pets are allowed; no pet or domestic animal is to be tied or housed outside the residence. Pets must be leashed and not allowed to run loose on the property, or otherwise create a nuisance. Number of pets is limited to three per unit.
Pets must not be allowed to walk, urinate, or defecate on the private property of other residents. Owners must clean up after pets defecating in the Common Area and must not allow their pets to urinate on Common Area shrubbery. Owners must control excessive barking, and not allow their pets to jump on people.
Landscapers get busy
Spring landscaping activity is now under way, with Year Round Landscaping (YRL), the association’s landscaping firm, spreading mulch, applying fertilizer and crabgrass control, and preparing to replant annuals. Resident Nancy Allen, who coordinates landscaping activities for Stratford Manor, reported to the Association board in early April that mulching had just begun and should be completed soon, weather permitting. “Weekly mowing will begin this month and weed control will continue to be applied around beds, sidewalks, etc., throughout the summer,” she said. Allen added that by the end of April annuals will be planted in beds around the SMA signs at Wellesley Drive and Kenilworth Drive and at Kenilworth and Deep Creek Road; also at the very end of Wellesley.
Wind storm caused damage
Before starting its normal spring work, YRL dealt with two unusual issues. First, the severe wind storm in March claimed one tree and several limbs, all of which had to be cleaned up. “We lost a large cherry tree in front of 101 Wellesley, at the curve leading into the back section”, said Allen. “Because of its prominent location, the board decided to grind the stump and plant a lovely crabapple tree (which doesn’t bear fruit).” She commended the landscaping crew for its quick work in replacing the tree and in picking up all the limbs and other debris throughout Stratford Manor. “It took them a solid two days to clean it all up,” said Allen. In addition, YRL cleared debris from around shrubs behind several homes on Sloane Place. Homeowners in a section near Wellesley Drive had complained that over time, workers blowing debris into the wooded area between Stratford Manor and Pinecroft caused leaves and pine needles to encroach on shrubbery planted along the edge of the common area. YRL agreed to bag the debris in that area during future cleanups.
Kenilworth is focus of landscaping study
A residents’ ad hoc committee formed to develop a plan for beautifying the Kenilworth Drive medians, or islands, held its first meeting in late-February, with the goal of implementing a solution to the challenging landscape by this fall. The special committee includes its chairwoman Nancy Allen, and fellow residents Satori Gregorakis, Ann Turner, Linda White and Judith Gullett. The Kenilworth medians have proven defiant during previous attempts to establish attractive but durable landscaping. The Board decided to rely on the creativity of Stratford Manor residents to come up with the ideal solution. The committee’s next meeting is in early May.
Residence inspections set for April 25
With winter officially over, AAMG, our property management firm, will be conducting its first architectural compliance inspection of 2018 on Wednesday, April 25. Robbi Henry, AAMG’s property manager for Stratford Manor, will be looking at the exterior of all residences on that day, checking for compliance with SMA’s by-laws, rules, and regulations. Accompanying her will be resident and board member Satori Gregorakis, the board’s architectural compliance officer. They will be looking at the condition of such things as roofs, windows, shutters and siding. So if you are planning to repair your gutter or power wash your shed, this would be a good time to do it. Residents found in violation of any of the rules will be advised in writing and asked to take action necessary to correct the issues. For a detailed list of items subject to inspection, see the “Architectural Compliance Checklist” here.
Trash Pickup Schedule
Apr. 10—Trash only
Apr. 17—Trash, recycling & bulk
Apr. 24—Trash only
May 1—Trash, recycling & bulk
May 8—Trash only
May 15—Trash, recycling & bulk
May 22—Trash only
May 30—Wed. pickup due to holiday - Trash, recycling & bulk
June 5—Trash only
June 12—Trash, recycling & bulk
June 19—Trash only
June 26—Trash, recycling & bulk
If your container was missed during collection, call 757-933-2311.
Remember: Trash receptacles should be curbside for collection no earlier than 3pm on Monday for collection on Tuesday and removed from the street
Responding to complaints about dog lovers not always being thoughtful enough to pick up after their pets, The SMA Board voted at its April 5 meeting to put more teeth into its policy on pets. Effective immediately, SMA residents are required to keep their pets on a leash, control excessive barking, pick up their pets’ waste, and prevent their pets from relieving themselves on other residents’ property or common area shrubbery. “We aren’t changing any of the established provisions of the rules and regulations for pets,” said John Gullett, SMA president. “We simply are eliminating language that some people had interpreted as meaning that compliance was voluntary.” He said the Board also wanted to send the message that “keeping Stratford Manor safe, clean and friendly is everyone’s responsibility.” The Board made it easier for dog walkers last year when it installed three pet waste bag stations in common areas on Sloan, Kenilworth and Wellesley—just in case you get caught without a bag to pick up after your pet. The revised rule states:
Only indoor pets are allowed; no pet or domestic animal is to be tied or housed outside the residence. Pets must be leashed and not allowed to run loose on the property, or otherwise create a nuisance. Number of pets is limited to three per unit.
Pets must not be allowed to walk, urinate, or defecate on the private property of other residents. Owners must clean up after pets defecating in the Common Area and must not allow their pets to urinate on Common Area shrubbery. Owners must control excessive barking, and not allow their pets to jump on people.
Landscapers get busy
Spring landscaping activity is now under way, with Year Round Landscaping (YRL), the association’s landscaping firm, spreading mulch, applying fertilizer and crabgrass control, and preparing to replant annuals. Resident Nancy Allen, who coordinates landscaping activities for Stratford Manor, reported to the Association board in early April that mulching had just begun and should be completed soon, weather permitting. “Weekly mowing will begin this month and weed control will continue to be applied around beds, sidewalks, etc., throughout the summer,” she said. Allen added that by the end of April annuals will be planted in beds around the SMA signs at Wellesley Drive and Kenilworth Drive and at Kenilworth and Deep Creek Road; also at the very end of Wellesley.
Wind storm caused damage
Before starting its normal spring work, YRL dealt with two unusual issues. First, the severe wind storm in March claimed one tree and several limbs, all of which had to be cleaned up. “We lost a large cherry tree in front of 101 Wellesley, at the curve leading into the back section”, said Allen. “Because of its prominent location, the board decided to grind the stump and plant a lovely crabapple tree (which doesn’t bear fruit).” She commended the landscaping crew for its quick work in replacing the tree and in picking up all the limbs and other debris throughout Stratford Manor. “It took them a solid two days to clean it all up,” said Allen. In addition, YRL cleared debris from around shrubs behind several homes on Sloane Place. Homeowners in a section near Wellesley Drive had complained that over time, workers blowing debris into the wooded area between Stratford Manor and Pinecroft caused leaves and pine needles to encroach on shrubbery planted along the edge of the common area. YRL agreed to bag the debris in that area during future cleanups.
Kenilworth is focus of landscaping study
A residents’ ad hoc committee formed to develop a plan for beautifying the Kenilworth Drive medians, or islands, held its first meeting in late-February, with the goal of implementing a solution to the challenging landscape by this fall. The special committee includes its chairwoman Nancy Allen, and fellow residents Satori Gregorakis, Ann Turner, Linda White and Judith Gullett. The Kenilworth medians have proven defiant during previous attempts to establish attractive but durable landscaping. The Board decided to rely on the creativity of Stratford Manor residents to come up with the ideal solution. The committee’s next meeting is in early May.
Residence inspections set for April 25
With winter officially over, AAMG, our property management firm, will be conducting its first architectural compliance inspection of 2018 on Wednesday, April 25. Robbi Henry, AAMG’s property manager for Stratford Manor, will be looking at the exterior of all residences on that day, checking for compliance with SMA’s by-laws, rules, and regulations. Accompanying her will be resident and board member Satori Gregorakis, the board’s architectural compliance officer. They will be looking at the condition of such things as roofs, windows, shutters and siding. So if you are planning to repair your gutter or power wash your shed, this would be a good time to do it. Residents found in violation of any of the rules will be advised in writing and asked to take action necessary to correct the issues. For a detailed list of items subject to inspection, see the “Architectural Compliance Checklist” here.
Trash Pickup Schedule
Apr. 10—Trash only
Apr. 17—Trash, recycling & bulk
Apr. 24—Trash only
May 1—Trash, recycling & bulk
May 8—Trash only
May 15—Trash, recycling & bulk
May 22—Trash only
May 30—Wed. pickup due to holiday - Trash, recycling & bulk
June 5—Trash only
June 12—Trash, recycling & bulk
June 19—Trash only
June 26—Trash, recycling & bulk
If your container was missed during collection, call 757-933-2311.
Remember: Trash receptacles should be curbside for collection no earlier than 3pm on Monday for collection on Tuesday and removed from the street
by 6pm on Wednesday.
