I am extremely proud of the fact that our Directors have remained committed to volunteering their efforts throughout these tough times. But it takes more than nine individuals to achieve our common objectives.
We have adopted our goals for 2022, and every Board member has a part to play in reaching those in this new year.
But we need your help. Many owners who have previously expressed support for the Board’s new Declaration—our proposed new core governing document—have not followed through by signing the resolution form.
We have roughly three-quarters of the required 101 owner votes, but the last 25-30 votes is our biggest challenge. If you agree that restoring our sense of community is important to all owners, then please help us get there by signing the Declaration resolution. If you don’t have the form, see any Board member..
Meanwhile, our Infrastructure Committee is working closely with our consulting engineer and contractor to come up with a revised plan to get our parking lots and roads repaved (See story below).
Also, a newly formed Social Media Committee is
working on creating a Facebook page that will allow our owners to communicate
with their neighbors, as well as give the Board immediate feedback on its
actions. If you are experienced with Facebook and want to help us create
something truly transformative, please email the Board at stratfordnn@gmail.com.
Regardless of your area of expertise, we could use your help on one or more committees. Please consider joining us to help keep Stratford Manor a terrific place to live.<
- John Gullett, President
Next step in repaving may involve drilling test holes:
Bob Lucas, chairman of the Infrastructure Committee, told Directors at their Feb. 9 Board meeting that the search for a solution to the unstable-soil problem in the community’s parking lots and roads may involve having test holes drilled in several strategic spots to see how extensive the problem may be.
“We are waiting for a proposal, including cost estimates, for testing our soil,” said Mr. Lucas. “With luck, we may find that some sections are stable and we can proceed in those areas with repaving. If there are more areas with unstable soil, affordability becomes the main concern. Stay tuned.”
The soil issue surfaced late last year when Basic
Construction tore up the old asphalt in the parking lots on Kenilworth Drive
and upper Wellesley Drive. Some $53,000 of additional expense was needed to
stabilize the soil before repaving could be done.<
__________________________________________________________________
Feb. 23—Trash only (Wednesday pickup due to
holiday); Mar. 1-- Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.
Mar.
8—Trash only; Mar. 15— Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.
Mar. 22—Trash only; March 29— Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.
April 5—Trash only; April 12— 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. If your
container
is missed call 757-933-2311 within 24 hours.
Stratford Manor is going modern with Facebook site:
|
|
The SMA Board voted on Feb. 9 to join the social media camp with a first-ever presence on Facebook—a group site that will speed communications to and from the Association and allow owners to talk with each other.
Prior to its decision to move ahead with plans for a Facebook Group, the Board elected Frances Hodges chairperson of the newly created Social Media Committee. She then presented the Board with a set of initial guidelines for developing the proposed site. After considerable discussion, she and newly elected committee members Donna Groller and Katie Johnston received the Board’s blessing to proceed with establishing a Facebook group for the Association and its member-owners.
“The exact format and contents of this Facebook presence are still in the developmental stage,” said Ms. Hodges. “But we are very excited about the prospects of having an active community site exclusively for Stratford Manor owners. “ She said the site will be private (only Stratford Manor owners allowed in), and managed by Committee members for adherence to content standards.
“This will not replace Abbitt’s role in handling complaints about individual owners, ”Ms. Hodges noted, “or any other responsibilities Abbitt currently has. We are merely offering an opportunity for Stratford Manor owners to be able to speak directly to the Board and to fellow owners.”
She added that the Committee is looking for additional residents
to help develop and manage the SMA’s technology-related services. The Committee
will also assume responsibility for the SMA’s web site, which is available for
downloading forms, rules, and other information useful to owners. Details of the new program will be
announced to owners as soon as they are finalized.<
Board affirms plans for spring inspections in April:
|
|
In case there was any doubt, the SMA Board voted recently to have Abbitt Management conduct its annual spring inspections in April—an opportunity for Stratford Manor owners to find out what exterior repairs need to be done to remain in compliance with Association standards.
“In light of the unusual circumstances we find ourselves in these days,” said President John Gullett, “board members discussed whether to skip this annual ritual. But we concluded that the benefits of having these annual inspections far outweigh other issues.” Among other things, he noted, it can inspire many of us to get out of our winter slump and go outside to check on the condition of our roofs, shutters, sheds, and other exterior features,” said Mr. Gullett. He added that “We all know that keeping our townhomes looking sharp and clean benefits the entire community, and makes us all feel proud to live here—and even helps property values. This spring ritual is essential to making all that possible.”
A detailed checklist of what the Abbitt inspectors look for can be
found on our website at stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com <
Stratford Manor
News Briefs:
Frequent forecasts of snow keep Stratford Manor’s Storm Watchers busy—Nancy Allen, Landscaping Committee Chair, and Year-Round Landscaping stood guard together through much of January, trying to second guess Mother Nature as one winter storm after another swept up the Eastern U.S. coast. “We started following each storm nearly a week before it was forecast to arrive,” said Ms. Allen, “and usually they would fizzle out a day or two before they were scheduled to hit us. But the snowfall that we got in mid-January was one that called for a full snow-removal crew.”
Thanks to all that planning, Ms. Allen was able to quickly confer with President John Gullett and reserve YRL’s crew for a quick clean-up--on a Saturday--while most of YRL’s other clients had to wait. It was the first time in four years that the Association had to arrange for snow removal, an infrequency that is a blessing considering the high cost of each clean-up (nearly $4,000 for this one).
Still another storm was forecast for the following weekend, but YRL worked closely with the Association up to the last minute—having to rent a Bobcat but cancelling the work crew that Saturday morning after seeing little snow or ice. “Because of the cost, not everyone agreed with our decision to call out the clean-up crew earlier,” said Mr. Gullett. “But we felt an obligation to make it safe for our owners to be able to walk to their cars as soon as possible after the storm ended.”
Landscapers prep for spring—For our landscaping service, February is a month in transition. YRL is about to conduct its final leaf pickup of the winter—focusing on cleaning out flower beds and other common areas so that new mulch can be put down. The mulching will continue into March, while YRL is already performing its annual task of cutting back the crepe myrtles and various tall grasses.
“Contrary to rumors, the various tall grasses planted on the Sloane island last year are only dormant, not dead,” said Landscaping Committee Chair Nancy Allen. “The only fatality from last year’s drought was the fescue grass. And YRL is going to reseed that area at its own expense.”
Reminder: Owners must get approval prior to making exterior changes—If you are thinking of changing the color of your shutters or other elements of your exterior as you go about improving the appearance of your townhome ahead of the spring inspections, remember to submit an Architectural Review Application to Abbitt before proceeding with the work. The same goes for any other exterior work.
The application form may be downloaded from our website at stratfordmanornnblogspot.com. While at
the website, check out the Exterior Painting Guide, which contains information
on such things as when you neeod to seek approval, what colors you can choose
from, and where you can get a good deal on paint.<
NOTE: Next Board Meeting is scheduled for April 13, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are held virtual via Zoom. All are welcome to attend.
