AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022 EDITION -
PRESIDENT'S CORNER: (John Gullett, President)
As you will see in this issue of the Newsletter, the SMA Board's frustration over supply chain issues are easing a bit, prompting many of us to feel like we have broken free from the bonds of the so-called "summer doldrums."
The long-delayed repair work on the large Kenilworth lot finally got done in mid-August, and further testing of the soil under other paved areas is offering encouragement that we may be closer to a solution to our concerns about unstable soil complicating our other repaving plans.
Meanwhile, our electrical contractor came up with a solution to our lack of replacement parts for the community's street lamps. The Board's various committees are reengaging with issues affecting all of us, and a campaign to obtain the remaining needed votes for our proposed new Declaration is launching on August 25th.
Now, if we can just get through hurricane season without a major storm hitting us, we will be in a great position to enjoy the rest of the year!
Feeling left out because of all the Zoom meetings? Relief is in sight! While Stratford Manor owners are always welcome to sit in on the Board's virtual meetings, only a handful do. Technology can be an obstacle for some; for others, it's simply not that interesting to watch a meting on a computer monitor. Recognizing this, the Board voted at its August 10th meeting to meet in person at Abbitt Management for its next regularly scheduled date of October 12th.
The Board also voted to hold the Annual Stratford Manor Owners' meeting in person at Christ United Methodist Church on November 16th.
The format for other future meetings will be decided later, based on whether there are any remaining COVID health concerns.
SAFETY ISSUES KEPT ARBORIST BUSY TAKING DOWN DEAD TREES / LIMBS:
R & K Tree Service, Stratford Manor’s official arborist, received several emergency calls from us in recent weeks, as numerous hazardous tree conditions seemed to surface at the same time.
In June, an owner on Kenilworth notified Abbitt that a large tree near their townhome was dead and needed to be removed. Nancy Allen, member of the SMA’s Infrastructure Committee summoned Russ Kenwood, R & K’s owner, who confirmed that the large oak had been killed by carpenter bees. He removed the tree within days.
In July, a homeowner on Sloane reported a large broken branch hanging over their patio and roof from the common area. R & K was able to remove the branch safely through a complicated procedure involving two trees. At the same time, another large tree nearby was found to be rotting from within and leaning toward a group of townhomes. Later in the month, R & K was called back to remove another broken branch, and a large tree nearby also had to be taken down.
The total cost of all the July work was $7,500. "We hated to see the bills for this work," said Ms. Allen. "But R&K came right away when we called, and took appropriate action to eliminate the safety concerns these problems represented. And the cost was reasonable.
BOARD CONVERTING STREET LAMPS TO LED:
Frustrated over the inability to fix a busted street lamp for weeks at a time, the SMA Board voted on Aug. 10 to begin converting all of its street lights to LED lights. The HOA’s electrical contractor agreed to convert the non-working lamp to LED at no additional cost.
“Converting our old sodium lamps to LED has many advantages,” noted President John Gullett. “It will extend the life of the lights, reduce our maintenance costs, and lower our electric bills.”
He said the conversion will take place
gradually, as each old lamp needs to be repaired.
CAN YOU SAY "EFFLORESCENSE"? (By Lisa Hall, Member, Architectural Control Committee)
The annual inspections done by Abbitt Management this spring brought to light a problem with my chimney, so I wanted to share with you what I learned through this process in case some of you are dealing with the same issue.
Abbitt's inspection requested that I clean the white residue off of the chimney.
The residue on the brick, I learned is called efflorescence. Efflorescence forms as a result of "excess water in the structure that has evaporated and left behind salt deposits".
This alone can be cleaned (pressure washed) off fairly easily and is mostly aesthetic. Efflorescence, however, is a sign that there is excess water and leakage present within the structure. This is typically due to chimney structure cracks, broken bricks, a missing cap, or a chimney that has not been properly sealed.
After much research on the internet, I decided I needed to have a company come out to inspect my chimney, I contacted ACE Chimney Sweep (Ryan Wilson).
Ryan recommended a three-trip process: the first to wash and make minor repairs, the second to make the bulk of the repairs, and a third trip a few days later to apply a sealer to the entire repaired chimney, top to bottom to protect and prevent further water absorption and retention - related issues. (ACE uses Chimney Saver Water Repellant which has a 10-year warranty). I am incredibly pleased with the work provided by ACE. The repair work was completed in a timely manner, broken bricks were replaced, mortar matches well, and water now repels off - leaving no absorption. I would recommend ACE/Ryan should you need chimney repair work.
Mulch Used in Common Areas Passes Safety Check:
A Stratford Manor owner asked the HOA a very good question recently: With all the talk in environmental circles about the alleged toxicity of mulch, is the mulch our landscaping contractor uses in our common areas safe?
“This inquiry, which we are very grateful for, rang alarm bells for those of us on the SMA Board,” said President John Gullett. “It never dawned on us that this mulch, which is prevalent throughout our community, might be toxic.”
Mr. Gullett said he decided to do the necessary research to find some answers, starting with Year-Round Landscaping, Stratford Manor’s landscaping service. “I spoke with the supervisor of the crew that puts down the mulch in our flower beds and other locations. He said he thought that the ingredients were all natural except for a brown dye, which is applied by the supplier for cosmetic reasons.”
Mr. Gullett then spoke with the owner of Peninsula Hardwood Mulch, who supplies all of the mulch YRL buys for Stratford Manor. “He was very forthcoming, telling me that the mulch comes from branches, bark, twigs, etc., but no recycled wood. This is important, because concern about toxicity levels in mulch has sometimes been traced to chemically treated wood added to the mix (for example, wood recovered from construction and demolition sites, and old pallets that chemicals might have leaked on).”
Peninsula Hardwood’s owner, Larry Wilson, also said that he does use a mulch dye, but one that is standard for the mulch industry and used universally by mulch suppliers around the country. “I asked him for a safety data sheet for the dye,” said Mr. Gullett, “and he faxed it right over to me.”
The Safety
Data Sheet, which is required by the federal government, stated that the
material used in the dye is not environmentally hazardous . Also,
that releasing it into the environment would not represent any significant
environmental hazards, and that no
respiratory protection is required under normal handling conditions.
Stratford Manor News Briefs:
Soil testing for additional paving continues—If you thought you imagined seeing a large dump truck cruising slowly in your parking lot recently, don’t worry. It was a Basic Construction truck, loaded with heavy material, and it was being used as the instrument for a sophisticated test of soil stability.
ECS, a geotechnical engineering firm working for the Infrastructure Committee, earlier had collected core samples that showed a variety of soil mixtures throughout the community. This required another stage in the testing process called “proof rolling”, or driving a heavy truck over the old pavement to look for any movement that would suggest unstable soil. Both the ECS engineer and Infrastructure Committee Chair Bob Lucas walked behind the truck as it rolled over the old pavement during the methodical testing process.
“It was noteworthy that no section being tested showed any movement,” said Mr. Lucas. “But while this is encouraging, it wasn’t conclusive. “we are still awaiting the engineer’s recommendations on how to proceed.”
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Landscaping review under way—The Landscaping Committee, headed by Chairperson Nancy Allen, met recently to begin an in-depth performance review of Year-Round Landscaping, the SMA’s landscaping service. “The point of the review was to grade YRL on how well it is living up to the requirements of our contract,” said Ms. Allen. “ She added that the landscaping crew scored well on most aspects of their performance.
“At the same time,” she said, “we identified a few items for improving. The next step is to sit down with YRL management and go over the results with an eye toward helping them enhance their service in those areas.”
She
stressed that the committee feels that YRL is doing a good job in most areas,
but that a probable survey this fall of owners regarding their views of the
landscaper’s work should add more insight. <
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The Dog- Waste Wars Continue—Another Perspective
By SMA Secretary Fran Hodges
It doesn't take much to remember that we have pets in our community. In fact, if you don't watch your step, you are liable to step in one such reminder.
Besides being unsightly and smelly, animal waste can be hazardous to the health of our children who play in the community, as well as pets. One of the most common forms of disease transmission between dogs is through fecal matter.
When walking your dog(s) within our community, remember that it should be leashed. Also, it is important to remember to immediately clean up after your pet. Take along a baggie with you to pick up waste and dispose of it properly.
By taking a few simple steps to clean up after your pet, you can contribute not only to the beautification of our community, but also towards the elimination of one of the most irritating nuisances in our community. (Editor’s note: The HOA makes it easy for you by maintaining stations where you can get free “poop bags.”)
Food for thought –<
Trash Pickup Schedule:
August 23—Trash only. August 30—Recycling, bulk pickup &
trash.
Sept. 7—Trash only (Wednesday pickup due to holiday). Sept. 13—Recycling,
bulk pickup & trash.
Sept. 20—Trash only. Sept. 27—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.
Oct. 4—Trash only.
Oct. 11 - Recycling, bulk pickup & trash
NEXT STRATFORD MANOR HOA'S BOARD MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR
OCTOBER 12TH AND MEETINGS START AT 5:30 P.M. AND WILL BE HELD AT ABBITT
MANAGEMENT, 11835 FISHING POINT DRIVE, NEWPORT NEWS.
THE ANNUAL MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH AT 7:30 P.M.
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