President’s Corner
The just-completed transition to our new
property management firm was far from seamless, and took many months to
complete. But now that we are fully aligned with Abbitt Management, our
community’s future seems brighter than ever.
The change in management, which officially took
place on August 1, took several more weeks to fully seat. The Association’s
cash accounts had to be closed out at the old firm and then put into our new
bank chosen by Abbitt. Further, all of the financial information from the first
seven-eight months of this year had to be tied in by Abbitt’s accountants with
current data. That was easier said than
done, in part because our old firm used the accrual system of accounting and
Abbitt’s reports are on a cash basis.
Finally, on Oct. 9 the SMA board held its first
regular meeting where all of the financial reports and other agenda items were under the Abbitt banner. For your directors,
this became our “Aha!” moment, when we knew it was all coming together. It must
have felt something like this at Promontory Summit, Utah, at the May 10, 1869,
golden spike ceremonies that connected the rails of the first transcontinental
railroad.
Okay, maybe I’m being a little melodramatic.
But I can honestly say that it was at that moment I felt, for the first time in
months, that everything was going to be alright. Our new property manager,
Tricia Wells, expertly facilitated our board meeting while also alerting us to
areas that need special attention, such as gaps in our insurance coverage.
Among other things, we voted to adopt a new
collections policy that will reduce our exposure to past-due accounts. We also agreed to pay for a
one-time comprehensive legal review of all our governing documents so that we
can correct any inconsistencies and be confident which documents prevail.
Further, we voted to have accountants do audit reviews of the Association’s
books for 2018 and 2019, which will ensure the accuracy of our books before and
after the changeover.
Lastly, we addressed our 2020 budget. While we
are blessed with a healthy balance sheet, we had unusually high expenses this
year, and we know that we will be facing more issues with our aging
infrastructure next year and beyond. To help ensure our continued financial
viability and avoid any special assessments to pay for unexpected events, the
Board voted a modest increase in owner assessments for 2020: from $715 annually
to $750. We recognize that our relatively low assessments represent one of
our community’s greatest assets, and we are committed to keeping them as low as
possible going forward.
We are grateful for the extraordinary efforts
put forth by Tricia Wells and others in her organization to bring us under the
Abbitt Management umbrella in the least disruptive way. Directors come and go,
but a solidly professional management team is essential to ensuring that we
remain a vibrant and healthy community.
As Casablanca’s Rick said in that movie’s final scene, “Louie, I think
this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!”
- John Gullett, President
Fall Block Party Oct. 27—A Chili Potluck
affair!
The Stratford Manor Association’s new series of
neighborhood block parties continues this fall with a Chile Potluck event on
Sunday, Oct. 27. All Stratford Manor
owners and residents are invited to attend this afternoon function in the
common area behind Sloane Place.
The outdoor event, which runs from 3 to 5 p.m.,
is free but you are asked to bring a pot of chili, toppings, or a dessert to
share. “The idea is for neighbors to come together on a beautiful fall
afternoon to enjoy fun and fellowship in our community,” said Katie Johnston,
chairperson of the social and welcome committee. She said the May 18 block
party was a big success, with some 35 to 40 residents attending, showing there
is a demand for this type of activity.
If you have not already sent in your RSVP, you
can do so and sign up for what to bring by emailing Ms. Johnston at
kjohnston813@gmail.com, or by calling Linda Wahlert at (757) 570-1296. Please bring your own beverages and lawn
chairs.
“We look forward to continuing our social
activities and getting to know more of our neighbors,” said Ms. Johnston.
If the party is called because of bad weather, a new date will be
announced.
Don’t forget: Annual Meeting is Nov. 20
The annual meeting of the Stratford Manor
Association’s owners, where you will get to elect new board members and ask
questions of the board as well as our new property management firm, will be
held on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The meeting, which will be held at Christ United
Methodist Church on Deep Creek Road, will begin promptly at 7 p.m.
“This should be a particularly informative
meeting,” said SMA President John Gullett, “since we are under new management.”
He said having Tricia Wells, Abbitt Management’s community association manager,
on hand to explain Abbitt’s approach to managing the Stratford Manor community
should be very helpful.
In addition to the election of three board
members (See separate story on page 3), he said he hopes to initiate an
in-depth discussion of the pros and cons of having a policy on rentals,
including short-term rentals like Airbnb. “Our rules don’t address this at
all,” he said, “and we need to decide if we want to put something in place that
controls this type of activity.”
“This meeting is one of those rare
opportunities for all owners to help forge the future of Stratford Manor,” he
added. “Please try to be there!”
The usual pre-meeting mailing of annual meeting materials, including
proxy statements, will be sent to owners in November.
Board tackles speeding problem
The SMA’s Oct. 9 Board meeting saw Board
members vigorously debating what to do about residents and neighbors who
reportedly use excessive speed to get in and out of Stratford Manor. As a
result, the Board promised action on two fronts: new speed limit signs will be
posted within the community; and the Board will work with the Newport News
police for assistance in slowing down traffic on Wellesley Drive between Warwick
Boulevard and Kenilworth Drive.
“We can’t measure exactly how many drivers
speed into our community on a daily basis,” said SMA President John Gullett,
“but the perception among many residents is that it is a significant problem.”
He added that Board members’ concerns were heightened by the recent
liberalization of SMA rules on riding bicycles, scooters, etc., in Stratford
Manor.
“Currently, our speed limit of 15 miles per
hour is posted in small letters on our Stratford Manor entrance signs,” Mr.
Gullett noted, “but nowhere else. We asked Nancy Allen Wednesday night to
research types of signage and give the Board a recommendation.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Gullett said he spoke with
Newport News Police Lt. Jessica Pennington of the Central District about
helping with the slow-down effort. “She was very receptive to the idea, and
pledged to spearhead actions to help us meet our objectives. “
“Among other things,” he said, “the speed box
that displays motorists’ exact speeds will be utilized along Wellesley after
the box returns from a technology upgrade. If we can get motorists to slow down
on the public portion of Wellesley, it will go a long way toward slowing down
traffic in Stratford Manor.”
The other two previously announced Board meeting topics—shorter deadlines
for non-architectural violations and towing for curb parking—were tabled until
a later meeting.
Three owners seeking Board
seats
Three Stratford Manor resident owners have
answered the call for candidates to fill Board of Director seats opening up in
November. Linda White, a 21-year resident who lives at 142 Kenilworth Dr., has
submitted a nomination application. Also stepping up to volunteer their service
on the Board are Donna M. Groller, 141 Kenilworth, a former director of human
resources, safety and training; and Frances B. Hodges, 123 Sloane Pl., a former
legal assistant for the Department of Justice.
Three members of the current Board, Kevin
Leigh, Ann Turner, and Tonita Hoe, are not seeking reelection when their terms
end on Nov. 20, paving the way for nominees to fill the seats being vacated.
Ms. White said serving on the Board “gives me a
chance to give back to my community and make a positive difference for my
neighborhood, and a chance to socialize and get to know more people”
Ms. Groller said she wants to be an integral
part of the community, “to ensure our properties are well maintained and try to
help the residents live in a harmonious environment.”
Ms. Hodges said she cares about the community,
“and I want to see that it continues to be the best community in which to live.
I care about people and enjoy helping others.”
Linda Wahlert, chairperson for the nominating
committee, noted that the nominating process will remain open until the Nov. 20
annual owners’ meeting, and that nominations may also be made from the floor
during the meeting. Nominating applications may be obtained by contacting Ms.
Wahlert at (757) 570-1296, or lindawahlert@hotmail.com.
Dry weather prompts delay
in seeding the grass
Year Round Landscaping (YRL) is keeping busy
aerating the grassy common areas, trimming shrubs and cleaning up yard
debris—but putting down seed has been delayed due to the abnormally dry weather
conditions.
Landscaping Committee Chairperson Nancy Allen
told the Board on Oct. 9 that YRL is hoping that “Mother Nature will cooperate
and provide us some moisture, so the fall seeding can be done in a timely way.”
Meanwhile, the normal grass cutting, edging, and leaf-blowing activities
are continuing.
Solar may be answer to
Sloan entrance lighting issue
The long-delayed project to light the two
remaining Stratford Manor entrance signs may see some movement soon. After
hearing renewed complaints about how difficult it can be to see the entrance to
Sloan Place off Wellesley after nightfall, the Board voted at its Oct. 9
meeting to obtain quotes for a solar-powered light as a test of its long-term
effectiveness.
The Board approved installing lights at all
three entrances over a year ago, and got the first one put in rather quickly.
But the Board put a hold on the rest of the project after learning that
Dominion Energy would charge several thousand dollars to provide electrical
connections to the remaining two lights.
Later, the Board voted to get quotes on the
cost of replacing the entire signage with new versions that incorporate
lighting. Then, with the change in property management firms effective Aug. 1,
this and other major projects had to be postponed until the transition was
complete.
“We still want to find out what it would cost
to replace these aging signs with something more contemporary,” said John
Gullett, president of the SMA. “But with winter coming on, we want to provide
some relief as quickly as we can.”
Abbitt Management, SMA’s property management company, will help the Board
determine whether solar power will work in the shady area around the Sloane
entrance, and then get the work done.
Trash Pickup Schedule
October 22—Trash only
October 29—Trash, recycling & bulk
November 5—Trash only
November 13—Weds pickup due to holiday. Trash,
recycling & bulk
November 19—Trash only
November 26—Trash, recycling & bulk
December 3—Trash only
December 10—Trash, recycling & bulk
December 17—Trash only
December 24—Trash, recycling & bulk
December 31—Trash only
If your container was missed during collection,
call 757-933-2311.
Trash and recycling receptacles should be
curbside no earlier than the evening before scheduled collection day and
removed from the street by the morning after collections. Bulk trash, which is
collected on the same schedule as recycling, may be put out the weekend before
scheduled collection.
