President’s Corner
As the year draws to a close, it’s a natural impulse to look back on the previous 12 months and reflect on our experiences at work and at home. Hopefully, your looking back brings you smiles and feelings of gratitude and satisfaction.
In Stratford Manor, those of us who volunteer our services to the community tend to measure some of our satisfaction over the past year on what the HOA has managed to accomplish on behalf of all owners. Have we been successful in balancing homeowner rights with the needs of the community? Have we been consistent in our treatment of issues, regardless of which owners are involved? Have we been transparent enough to earn and retain owner support for what we are doing? Those are questions only you can answer.
But I do know that I am proud of our Board’s Directors and how conscientious and fair they insist on being. Some Board meetings may seem to our visitors like a heated argument. But that’s what happens sometimes when you feel passionate about something that’s going to affect the community. It’s never personal, and it always results in a better outcome.
Personally, I am very satisfied with the progress we made in 2021 in tackling the goals the Board adopted last December. A massive project to repave our entire community hit a snag late in the year with unexpected foundation issues. But we had successes as well.
For instance, we managed to get curbs and sidewalks repaired to eliminate trip hazards, we beautified the large median in the Sloane neighbood, we eliminated or trimmed trees that posed a danger to homes, and we treated homeowner requests with an eye toward satisfying their needs instead of enforcing unnecessarily strict rules.
At the same time, we continued to be reminded of the value of having Abbitt as our property manager. Not only do they expertly handle our financial accounting needs and investments, but they also are a reservoir of great knowledge of current state laws and best practices by the many other associations under their management. Abbitt’s professional guidance and support to the Board is invaluable, whether it’s sending out meeting notices and annual meeting materials, preparing resale packages to townhome buyers, collecting and processing Association payments or conducting spring inspections of our properties.
When we wanted to hire a new contractor for our tree work earlier this year, Abbitt researched and certified R & K, making them an approved vendor we could rely on. When one our HOA’s main sewer lines got clogged up and caused a backup in two owners’ bathtubs one night recently, Abbitt’s 24-hour on-call service contacted a plumber and got the problem corrected immediately.
Regardless of the homeowner’s problem or request, Abbitt serves as the point of contact and makes certain each inquiry is resolved. With Abbitt’s help, your Board is primed and ready to tackle the challenges of 2022. We hope you all have a successful new year as well.
-- John Gullett, President
Repaving work stalls after two parking lots; unstable soil blamed
The SMA’s plans to repave the entire Stratford Manor community were derailed when the contractor, Basic Construction, removed the old asphalt at the large Kenilworth lot and a small lot on Wellesley and discovered that the subsoil underneath was not stable enough to support the weight of vehicles. This required a halt to the work while a sub contractor specializing in soil stabilization came in and created a foundation that provided the needed stability.
Bob Lucas, Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee, said the additional expense incurred with the soil stablization brought the paving work to a halt until various options could be received and evaluated. “We weren’t budgeted for this,” said Lucas, “so we will be drawing up a new plan just as soon as we clarify what our options are.” When a new plan is adopted, owners will be notified.
Meanwhile, the Board is working with the SMA’s engineering consultant to resolve some issues with the repaving work done thus far.
New Board member takes seat; 2022 goals adopted
The SMA Board included a new face when it met for its 2022 organizational meeting in early December, and got an early start on planning for its projects and priorities in the new year.
Madoline Wallace, of 143 Wellesley, took her seat at the virtual table (via Zoom) after being elected to the Board for a three-year term at the Nov. 17 Annual Owners’ Meeting. She succeeded Katie Johnston, who had completed her term and moved out of Stratford Manor. In addition, three other Board members were reelected. They are Betty Blackburn, of 178 Wellesley, who was named to the remaining two years of an unexpired term, and Bob Lucas, 156 Wellesley, and Nancy Allen, 172 Wellesley, who were both elected to new three-year terms. (See News Briefs on Page 4 for more Board appointments).
The Board wasted no time in adopting its new goals for 2022. “These are important elements in our effort to remain focused on the most important items throughout the year,” explained President John Gullett. The 11 goals include implementing a revised master plan for repaving the community’s roads and parking lots, getting the remaining 25 or so votes for the new Declaration, and conducting a comprehensive review of our landscaping practices.
“Some owners have been asking about our 2021 goal of developing a policy on rental units,” Mr. Gullett noted. “That had to be put on the back burner because we fell short of getting the votes needed to adopt our new Declaration. It remains a priority goal in 2022, but only after we have this new governing document in place. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to make it official.”
The Board also wants to better utilize technology in 2022 to improve communications with owners. “This is a very challenging goal for our Board,” said Mr. Gullett, “since we need someone with the expertise to revamp our website and help us create an interactive platform for owners to communicate with the Board and other owners. We lost our webmaster when Katie Johnson left, so we need to fill that vacancy. This would be an ideal way for an owner not on the board to pitch in and help expand our HOA’s services. If anyone has an interest, just approach any Board member.” <
Leaves still on your patio? Bag’em!
Year Round Landscaping’s task of getting up all the leaves that fall in our community is a tough job, made even tougher when owners blow their patio leaves out onto the common area.
If case you have forgotten the rule, leaves that accumulate in your flower beds, garden, or patio are the owner’s responsibility to dispose of, by bagging in clear bags for the bulk waste pickup or putting into your trash bin.
Nancy Allen, Landscaping Committee Chair, explains that YRL’s contract does not include picking up owners’ leaves. “They won’t pick them up,” she said, ”but they will report it to Abbitt. Please be considerate and dispose of them yourself.”
Stratford Manor News Briefs
Officers, Committees elected—The Board elected its leadership for the new year, including two new committee chairpersons. Betty Blackburn, who joined the Board earlier this year, was named chair of the Social and Welcome Committee, and Donna Groller was elected chair of the Nominating Committee . All other 2021 committee chairs and all 2021 officers were reelected for 2022.
In addition, Barbara Lucas, of 156 Wellesley, was added to the Social and Welcome Committee and Richard Wahlert, 120 Sloane, was reelected to the Infrastructure Committee.
Fall tree work completed without a hitch-- R & K Tree Service, which replaced Squirrely Jack as our Association’s regular tree management contractor, completed its fall tree work earlier this month. Russ Kenwood, R & K’s owner, took down four diseased or damaged trees and trimmed branches on another dozen or so, at a total cost of $10,500.
“We received several positive comments from owners,” said Landscaping Committee Chair Nancy Allen. “Russ’s crew did a very professional job, including thoroughly cleaning up all work sites. And a big plus is that he is a certified arborist who gives us timely warning of any dangerous situations. We are very glad to partner with him.”
Assessment payment notices mailed—Abbitt has mailed first-of-the-year assessment statements to all Strafford Manor owners, with a due date of Jan. 1. There is a 30-day grace period, so you have until January 31 to pay and avoid being hit with a $50 late fee.
Reminder: No curb parking allowed—Residents who had to move their cars to make way for infrastructure repairs were allowed to park on nearby curbs without fear of being towed. But some folks may have forgotten that it was only temporary. “I have seen an increase in the number of vehicles that park on the curb in my lot,” said Vice President Donna Groller, “and I worry about what might happen if an emergency vehicle has to make its way to a resident’s door.”
As Ms. Groller reminded us, SMA rules prohibit parking in areas
outside of our assigned parking spaces, except for contractors or others making
house calls—and only if they do not hinder traffic. “I would hate to see
someone’s car towed,” she said. “So please remind your visitors that if you
don’t have a space to lend them, they need to park on a nearby public street.”
Trash pickup Schedule*
Dec.21—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; Dec. 28--Trash only.
Jan. 4-- Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; Jan. 11—Trash only;
Jan. 19-- Recycling, bulk pickup & trash (Wednesday pickup due to holiday). Jan. 25—Trash only.
Feb. 1---- Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; Feb. 8—Trash only; Feb. 15-- Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.
*Trash and recycling receptacles should be curbside no earlier than 3 p.m. the day before the scheduled pickup. Bulk trash may be put out the weekend before the scheduled collection.
On behalf of all Board members, have a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends!
