President’s Corner
It’s been over a year since the Stratford Manor Association switched from self-managing to a partnership with a property management company to help run things in our community. But there are still some residents who feel that we would be better off being self-managed.
Why? Some long-time residents say that past SMA boards could perform all of the functions now being handled by AAMG, our property management firm, plus those of the association. Perhaps so. But it is important to understand that managing an association today is much more complicated. Among other things, we have to deal with increased legislative and regulatory oversight, financial and economic pressures, and an aging infrastructure.
And dealing with all that in a self-managed approach falls on the shoulders of board and committee members-- who are all volunteers. They have their own lives to run, and find it increasingly difficult to handle all of the responsibilities that come with managing a community the size and complexity of ours.
“Property management is our only choice,” said Board member Toni Hoe. “We don’t have the expertise to handle the big jobs that we have to deal with today. Property management keeps us abreast of all the laws and keeps track of all of our financial transactions related to each owner,” she added.
Indeed, financial management is probably one of the biggest functions facing homeowner associations today. This can be extremely detailed, because we have to conform to the types of reports required by Virginia laws. Property managers make sure we are in compliance, and ensure that we do all the necessary annual reviews and audits.
In short, going back to relying solely on volunteers to manage our association simply would not work. The number of residents who volunteer today is too small, and a much broader scope of expertise is needed to manage associations than in the past.
One additional benefit of our current arrangement: a professional property manager—not a fellow resident-- confronts violators about late payments, unkempt property, or architectural modifications.
It’s also worth noting that we have a “portfolio manager”. We are not large enough to justify a full-time property manager, so we went with a firm where they manage multiple associations. In effect, we are paying for a percentage of that manager’s time. They can’t devote all their time to Stratford Manor.
Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that the SMA board still has the responsibility of running the association. We simply use the services of a property management firm to handle much of the day-to-day operations, help us comply with all the legal requirements, and ensure that every dollar is spent wisely.
- John Gullett
Homeowner survey coming soon
Do you ever feel like you are part of the silent majority of Stratford Manor homeowners? Your chance to overcome that feeling is just around the corner. Sometime in August the SMA board will mail all homeowners an attitude survey asking your opinions on a wide range of topics, including what you like most about living here and what you would like to see changed.
"We know that homeowners elected us to make decisions on their behalf,” said SMA president John Gullett. “But we think it’s also important to get a sense of the residents’ general attitudes about major aspects of our community. This kind of feedback can be invaluable to us as we tackle the major issues of the association going forward.”
Gullett said the survey will be relatively brief, but will allow for comments on a variety of topics. A self-addressed, stamped envelope will be included to allow survey participants to mail their completed survey to the appropriate address for processing.
Gullett stressed that individual responses will be kept strictly confidential. “Only summary results will be shared with the community,” he said. “No names.”
Annual Meeting Set
The annual meeting of the Stratford Manor Association’s members has been set for 7 p.m. Thursday, October 18, at the Christ United Methodist Church on Deep Creek Road.
With three directors scheduled to go off the board following the meeting, and other important issues usually up for discussion, it is extremely important to have good attendance. “It’s a little like election day,” said John Gullett, SMA president. “If you don’t vote in the Mayor’s race, you shouldn’t complain about what the elected mayor does. If you don’t participate in the annual meeting, you are losing out on an opportunity to make your voice heard.”
If you are interested in a seat on the board—or know someone who would be a good candidate-- just contact any board member or Robbi Henry, our property manager. Nominations for election to the board may also be made from the floor at the annual meeting.
“Most people are hard-pressed for time these days,” said Gullett, “but something as important as the health and vitality of your community certainly deserves some of your attention. And as a board member or volunteer in another capacity, you can spend as little or much of your time as you can spare.”
Detailed information about the annual meeting will be mailed to homeowners in early October.
Mid-Year Assessment Process Goes Well
With just a few exceptions, Stratford Manor homeowners were able to pay their mid-year 2018 assessments in June or July without a hitch. All but 16 homeowners paid by July 31, thus avoiding late fees.
“It’s encouraging that so many homeowners were compliant,” said Robbi Henry, our property manager at AAMG. “It tells me that they understood the process and that our system is working well.”
Letters have been sent to the 16 who hadn’t paid by July 31, advising them of the opportunity to pay the assessment and a late fee before AAMG turns the debt over to a collections lawyer.
Several projects finished; others under way
The long, hot summer may seem like it will never end, but work on maintaining and improving the Stratford Manor community keeps on rolling.
In June, major repairs were made to a stretch of old aggregate concrete sidewalk behind units 131-139 on Sloan Place that had represented numerous tripping hazards. The damaged sidewalk took years to fall into disrepair, but only a couple of weeks to look like new after the contractor, Excel paving, had finished its work. There is a difference in the color of the new sections compared to the old. That’s because the source of the sand used in the original mix is no longer available, according to Excel.
Squirrely Jack Tree and Lawn Care completed its extensive tree trimming work throughout Stratford Manor in July, removing dead limbs and trees, and limbs deemed hazardous. If you think Squirrely Jack missed something, contact our property manager, Robbi Henry. They were last here in 2017.
Earlier this summer, Year Round Landscaping (YRL) completed major work on thinning and trimming large bushes on the property line behind Kenilworth Drive, adjacent to the Masonic property. Nancy Allen, SMA Landscape chair, said the area had been neglected for some time, “but YRL did a great job cleaning up the mess.”
Also, six of our 11 mailbox stations were refurbished with some prep work and a fresh coat of paint. In some cases, it was done to eliminate graffiti.
Meanwhile, work continues or is about to get under way on other projects designed to improve our quality of life in Stratford Manor. Advanced Electric has been awarded a contract to install lighting on all three Stratford Manor signs. Materials were ordered in June, and the only holdup is Dominion Energy, which has to do prep work to electrify the permanent lighting.
A plan developed by a residents’ ad hoc committee to beautify the medians on the west side of Kenilworth Drive is scheduled for late September. The plan involves trimming lower limbs at each island’s ends to allow grassy areas; adding topsoil and mulch; and planting grasses, flowering plants and hardy shrubs.
Meanwhile, the long-delayed drainage project at three locations will resume in August, according to Leon Joyce, our contact with the contractor, E. W. Muller. Rainy weather has been a major problem for months, but Joyce is optimistic that his firm will finish before summer’s end.
Lastly, the board is nearing a decision on selecting one of three paving contractors to repave the roads and parking lots in Stratford Manor. The board is hoping to launch Phase One of a multi-year plan this fall, but a final decision will come after the contractor is selected.
Special committee to take fresh look at rules, regulations
Ever wonder why your mullions must be maintained? Do you even know what a mullion is?
What about the number of pets allowed per unit? Do parakeets count? Can you really have three dogs?
And why are there rules for storing a bicycle that you can’t even ride in the complex? Are we expected to carry it out on our shoulders?
Further, what’s wrong with colored Christmas lights?
These are just a few of the Amended Rules and Regulations that a subcommittee of the board will be reviewing in the coming weeks, with an eye toward making sure they still work for today’s diverse group of Stratford Manor homeowners.
Board members Kevin Leigh and Toni Hoe were asked at the August board meeting to do a thorough review of these rules so any proposed changes could be discussed at the October annual meeting.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the present rules or regulations, please contact a subcommittee member or Robbi Henry, our property manager.
Trash Pickup Schedule
August 7—Trash, recycling & bulk
It’s been over a year since the Stratford Manor Association switched from self-managing to a partnership with a property management company to help run things in our community. But there are still some residents who feel that we would be better off being self-managed.
Why? Some long-time residents say that past SMA boards could perform all of the functions now being handled by AAMG, our property management firm, plus those of the association. Perhaps so. But it is important to understand that managing an association today is much more complicated. Among other things, we have to deal with increased legislative and regulatory oversight, financial and economic pressures, and an aging infrastructure.
And dealing with all that in a self-managed approach falls on the shoulders of board and committee members-- who are all volunteers. They have their own lives to run, and find it increasingly difficult to handle all of the responsibilities that come with managing a community the size and complexity of ours.
“Property management is our only choice,” said Board member Toni Hoe. “We don’t have the expertise to handle the big jobs that we have to deal with today. Property management keeps us abreast of all the laws and keeps track of all of our financial transactions related to each owner,” she added.
Indeed, financial management is probably one of the biggest functions facing homeowner associations today. This can be extremely detailed, because we have to conform to the types of reports required by Virginia laws. Property managers make sure we are in compliance, and ensure that we do all the necessary annual reviews and audits.
In short, going back to relying solely on volunteers to manage our association simply would not work. The number of residents who volunteer today is too small, and a much broader scope of expertise is needed to manage associations than in the past.
One additional benefit of our current arrangement: a professional property manager—not a fellow resident-- confronts violators about late payments, unkempt property, or architectural modifications.
It’s also worth noting that we have a “portfolio manager”. We are not large enough to justify a full-time property manager, so we went with a firm where they manage multiple associations. In effect, we are paying for a percentage of that manager’s time. They can’t devote all their time to Stratford Manor.
Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that the SMA board still has the responsibility of running the association. We simply use the services of a property management firm to handle much of the day-to-day operations, help us comply with all the legal requirements, and ensure that every dollar is spent wisely.
- John Gullett
Homeowner survey coming soon
Do you ever feel like you are part of the silent majority of Stratford Manor homeowners? Your chance to overcome that feeling is just around the corner. Sometime in August the SMA board will mail all homeowners an attitude survey asking your opinions on a wide range of topics, including what you like most about living here and what you would like to see changed.
"We know that homeowners elected us to make decisions on their behalf,” said SMA president John Gullett. “But we think it’s also important to get a sense of the residents’ general attitudes about major aspects of our community. This kind of feedback can be invaluable to us as we tackle the major issues of the association going forward.”
Gullett said the survey will be relatively brief, but will allow for comments on a variety of topics. A self-addressed, stamped envelope will be included to allow survey participants to mail their completed survey to the appropriate address for processing.
Gullett stressed that individual responses will be kept strictly confidential. “Only summary results will be shared with the community,” he said. “No names.”
Annual Meeting Set
The annual meeting of the Stratford Manor Association’s members has been set for 7 p.m. Thursday, October 18, at the Christ United Methodist Church on Deep Creek Road.
With three directors scheduled to go off the board following the meeting, and other important issues usually up for discussion, it is extremely important to have good attendance. “It’s a little like election day,” said John Gullett, SMA president. “If you don’t vote in the Mayor’s race, you shouldn’t complain about what the elected mayor does. If you don’t participate in the annual meeting, you are losing out on an opportunity to make your voice heard.”
If you are interested in a seat on the board—or know someone who would be a good candidate-- just contact any board member or Robbi Henry, our property manager. Nominations for election to the board may also be made from the floor at the annual meeting.
“Most people are hard-pressed for time these days,” said Gullett, “but something as important as the health and vitality of your community certainly deserves some of your attention. And as a board member or volunteer in another capacity, you can spend as little or much of your time as you can spare.”
Detailed information about the annual meeting will be mailed to homeowners in early October.
Mid-Year Assessment Process Goes Well
With just a few exceptions, Stratford Manor homeowners were able to pay their mid-year 2018 assessments in June or July without a hitch. All but 16 homeowners paid by July 31, thus avoiding late fees.
“It’s encouraging that so many homeowners were compliant,” said Robbi Henry, our property manager at AAMG. “It tells me that they understood the process and that our system is working well.”
Letters have been sent to the 16 who hadn’t paid by July 31, advising them of the opportunity to pay the assessment and a late fee before AAMG turns the debt over to a collections lawyer.
Several projects finished; others under way
The long, hot summer may seem like it will never end, but work on maintaining and improving the Stratford Manor community keeps on rolling.
In June, major repairs were made to a stretch of old aggregate concrete sidewalk behind units 131-139 on Sloan Place that had represented numerous tripping hazards. The damaged sidewalk took years to fall into disrepair, but only a couple of weeks to look like new after the contractor, Excel paving, had finished its work. There is a difference in the color of the new sections compared to the old. That’s because the source of the sand used in the original mix is no longer available, according to Excel.
Squirrely Jack Tree and Lawn Care completed its extensive tree trimming work throughout Stratford Manor in July, removing dead limbs and trees, and limbs deemed hazardous. If you think Squirrely Jack missed something, contact our property manager, Robbi Henry. They were last here in 2017.
Earlier this summer, Year Round Landscaping (YRL) completed major work on thinning and trimming large bushes on the property line behind Kenilworth Drive, adjacent to the Masonic property. Nancy Allen, SMA Landscape chair, said the area had been neglected for some time, “but YRL did a great job cleaning up the mess.”
Also, six of our 11 mailbox stations were refurbished with some prep work and a fresh coat of paint. In some cases, it was done to eliminate graffiti.
Meanwhile, work continues or is about to get under way on other projects designed to improve our quality of life in Stratford Manor. Advanced Electric has been awarded a contract to install lighting on all three Stratford Manor signs. Materials were ordered in June, and the only holdup is Dominion Energy, which has to do prep work to electrify the permanent lighting.
A plan developed by a residents’ ad hoc committee to beautify the medians on the west side of Kenilworth Drive is scheduled for late September. The plan involves trimming lower limbs at each island’s ends to allow grassy areas; adding topsoil and mulch; and planting grasses, flowering plants and hardy shrubs.
Meanwhile, the long-delayed drainage project at three locations will resume in August, according to Leon Joyce, our contact with the contractor, E. W. Muller. Rainy weather has been a major problem for months, but Joyce is optimistic that his firm will finish before summer’s end.
Lastly, the board is nearing a decision on selecting one of three paving contractors to repave the roads and parking lots in Stratford Manor. The board is hoping to launch Phase One of a multi-year plan this fall, but a final decision will come after the contractor is selected.
Special committee to take fresh look at rules, regulations
Ever wonder why your mullions must be maintained? Do you even know what a mullion is?
What about the number of pets allowed per unit? Do parakeets count? Can you really have three dogs?
And why are there rules for storing a bicycle that you can’t even ride in the complex? Are we expected to carry it out on our shoulders?
Further, what’s wrong with colored Christmas lights?
These are just a few of the Amended Rules and Regulations that a subcommittee of the board will be reviewing in the coming weeks, with an eye toward making sure they still work for today’s diverse group of Stratford Manor homeowners.
Board members Kevin Leigh and Toni Hoe were asked at the August board meeting to do a thorough review of these rules so any proposed changes could be discussed at the October annual meeting.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the present rules or regulations, please contact a subcommittee member or Robbi Henry, our property manager.
Trash Pickup Schedule
August 7—Trash, recycling & bulk
August 14—Trash only
August 21—Trash, recycling & bulk
August 28—Trash only
Sept. 5—Weds. Pickup due to holiday, Trash, recycling & bulk
Sept. 11—Trash only
Sept. 18—Trash, recycling & bulk
Sept. 25—Trash only
Oct. 2—Trash, recycling & bulk
Oct. 9—Trash only
Oct. 16—Trash, recycling & bulk
Oct. 23—Trash only
Oct. 30—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.
What can I put in my recycling bin?
Residents of Newport News have the convenience of mixing our recyclables (plastic, paper, glass, etc.) in the big blue recycling containers provided by the city. Recycling is picked up every other week—the schedule can be found on page 3. This is wonderfully convenient, but what exactly can be recycled?
What you CAN recycle:
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.
What can I put in my recycling bin?
Residents of Newport News have the convenience of mixing our recyclables (plastic, paper, glass, etc.) in the big blue recycling containers provided by the city. Recycling is picked up every other week—the schedule can be found on page 3. This is wonderfully convenient, but what exactly can be recycled?
What you CAN recycle:
· Beverage and food cans, emptied and rinsed
· Plastic tubs (like yogurt, cream cheese, etc), emptied and rinsed
· Plastic and glass bottles, jugs and jars, including lids, emptied and rinsed
· Paperboard (like cereal boxes, file folders)
· Cardboard, flattened, no larger than 3ft by 3ft
· Paper (like newspaper, copy paper, junk mail, magazines)
· Foil pans, rinsed
· NEW!! Cartons (like milk, juice, wine, etc), emptied, rinsed, and recapped. Do not flatten—cartons must retain 3D shape for sorting
What you CANNOT recycle:
· No plastic bags
· No plastics other than those listed above (no toys, for example)
· No Styrofoam, packing peanuts
· No household paper (paper towels, tissues, paper plates)
· No yard waste
· No clothing or shoes
· No clothes hangers
· No fabric, leather, vinyl or carpet
· No electronics
· No food waste
· No window glass, ceramics or other glassware
· No scrap metal (siding, pipes, etc)
· No air filters
