Stratford Manor

Newsletter

October-November 2022 Edition

 President’s Corner: 

Almost as if it were choreographed, the arrival of fall weather was accompanied by significant changes in your Homeowners Association. First and foremost, we have returned to live meetings for both our bi-monthly Board gatherings and for the Annual Owners Meeting. 

As witnessed at our Oct. 12 Board meeting, in-person get-togethers encourage and enable vigorous debates on the important issues facing our community. Zoom is an effective way of holding virtual meetings when in-person gatherings are not feasible, and we will undoubtedly use this technology in the future—but only when needed. 

 Second, our contract with Year-Round Lawn Maintenance expires at the end of October, and we have launched a search for a new lawn service firm. Meanwhile, we are working to line up a temporary service to pick up leaves and debris over the next couple of months (See story on Page 2). 

 Third, we are pursuing an alternative plan to resume repaving the roads and parking lots in our community. The Board learned at its recent meeting that the Infrastructure Committee is gathering quotes from new paving contractors for a new, less-expensive method recommended by our new consultant, ECS. At the same time, the Board instructed the Committee to obtain quotes on the cost of possibly restriping and renumbering some of our neighborhoods (See story on Page 4).

 Lastly, the Board approved a plan to clean out and inspect Stratford Manor’s storm drainage system. This long-overdue cleanout will allow us to see what repairs, if any, are needed to ward off potential problems (See story on Page 2).

 See you at the Annual Meeting in November!<

                                                                                             --John Gullett, President

    

 

New landscaping service sought as contract with YRL concludes: 

The Landscape Committee is moving full throttle to identify and interview lawn service companies after negotiations with Year-Round Lawn Maintenance fell through. YRL had sought a 20 percent increase in its monthly fee for basic lawn services beginning Nov. 1, and the SMA Board voted at its Oct. 12 meeting to reject it. 

Instead, the Board instructed the Committee to put the contract out for bid by at least three companies. “The Board invited Jimmy Dawson, owner of YRL, to provide us with service on a month-to-month basis until we select a new vendor,” said President John Gullett. “But he declined.”

Mr. Gullett said the Committee is currently interviewing lawn service firms who are willing to provide the community with basic services needed over the winter, including mowing, removing leaves and debris, and providing a resource for snow removal if needed.

“At the same time,” he said, “we are developing a list of our requirements for a long-term service vendor—which may or may not be the same company that provides us with temporary service beginning in November.”

 Mr. Gullett noted that there may be some delays in cleaning up over the next few months. “So if you see trash, sticks or branches on the ground near your home, just pile them up or set them aside. We will pick them up when we can.”

 He also reminded owners that they are responsible for picking up and disposing of leaves on their own property. “Don’t blow your patio leaves out on the common area. We don’t want anything to interfere with the vendor’s main job of clearing the common areas, so we hope that owners will cooperate by bagging their leaves in clear bags for bulk waste pickup, or by putting them in their trash bins.”

 Mr. Dawson said his crew will finish aerating, fertilizing, and seeding in the remainder of October, and wrap up its work in Stratford Manor by Oct. 31. “We regret that our relationship with YRL is coming to an end,” said Mr. Gullett, “but we thank them for their service over the past several years.”

 He added that this change gives the Committee an opportunity to review and amend the terms of previous contracts to better suit the needs of the community.<

 

Know Your HOA Rules: Managing bulk waste                

With all the problems we face these days, it seems odd that we need to talk about bulk waste— the trash we put out on the curb for pickup by the City every two weeks. But if you have had problems getting your old sofa, dead holly bush or bag of clippings picked up, this article is for you. 

“It’s apparent that the City is cracking down on what it will pick up as bulk waste,”said President John Gullett. “In one case, the truck rejected a pile of branches and shrubbery because it contained a small tree that still had its root ball attached.” The telltale sign is orange paint, sprayed on the contents of the rejected pile--which means the City will never pick it up. “The solid waste representative said the truck will not pick up dirt,” explained Mr. Gullett.  “So now you have to cut off the root ball (and put it in your trash bin) if you want them to pick up a small bush or tree.” 

In another case, a large pile of debris that was missed had numerous issues. Several residents and a local handyman, Howard Crear, worked together to pull out any of the items that may have caused the problem. “There was a black trash bag filled with something,” said Mr. Gullett, “which will never get picked up (always use clear plastic bags, and only for yard clippings or leaves). “There was also a plastic bin filled with miscelleanous items (the City can reject boxes or bins filled with items of any kind), a glass shower door (they will not pick up glass of any kind), and some styrofoam (also a no-no). 

When this happens, not only does the HOA have to track down the owner and ask them to find another way to dispose of the items, but local neighbors have to look at the pile of trash for days.   

  Here are some helpful hints, courtesy of SMA Secretary Fran Hodges, on how to avoid some of these problems:

   ●  DO NOT put your bulk trash out prior to the weekend before pickup. Large piles of trash on  or near the curb on the wrong week creates a lot of complaints.

    ● Bulk waste pickup is every two weeks.  Be sure to check SMA’s newsletter for the schedule and place it on your refrigerator as a reminder.

    ● The City requires that clear bags be used for leaf pickup.  You cannot use black bags for trash on curbs.  The city will not pick it up!

    ● All food items must be disposed of in a garbage can or disposal.  Please do not leave food items for bulk pickup.  Food items left on the curb will welcome “creatures” to our neighborhood.

    ● The City will NOT pick up anything with glass, tires, paint cans, bricks, bags of clothes, styrofoam, dirt, and other things listed on the city’s website under “Bulk Waste”.

    ● Don’t jam up bulk waste against garbage and recycling bins; nothing will get picked up.

    ● Call 311 if you need an appliance picked up, as a different truck collects appliances.

    ● Items not picked up by the City may be taken to the Recovery Operations Center at 520 Atkinson Blvd. in Denbigh, if your vehicle is registered in Newport News.<                            

 Stratford Manor News Briefs: 

Three Board seats on ballot for Nov. 16—A total of three seats on the SMA’s Board will be filled by owners at our Annual Owners Meeting next month, with two current Board members seeking reelection. The third seat, currently held by Linda White, will be open because she is not seeking reelection. 

Vice President Donna Groller and Secretary Frances Hodges are running for reelection, and a third candidate, Doug Marmon, owner of 121 Sloane Place, is also seeking a seat on the Board.  Both Ms. Groller and Ms. Hodges have said they really care about the community and want to do what they can to ensure a bright future for Stratford Manor. 

“Ms. Groller, as head of our Nominating Committee, found an outstanding candidate in Doug Marmon,” said President John Gullett. “He’s retired Navy and works at Naval Supply System Command in Newport News, and is currently president of his James Landing neighborhood’s HOA.” Mr. Marmon is involved in several community activities and as a new Stratford Manor owner wants to help his new neighborhood. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the upcoming Annual Meeting on Nov. 16.< 

Board approves 2023 budget—The SMA Board has approved next year’s budget, including the first dues increase in three years. “Inflation has hammered our expenses these past couple of years,” said Treasurer Bob Lucas, “and  issues with our aging infrastructure have somewhat diminished our replacement reserves. To ensure our future financial viability and replenish our reserves, we are increasing annual owner assessments by $74, or $37 more per semi-annual payment. This is the equivalent of only $6.17 per month .” 

Mr. Lucas noted that “While we never like to raise dues, we believe this relatively modest increase is necessary, and preserves an important community asset: our reputation for having low assessments.” 

Paving Plan update: New contractors sought—The soil testing on various parking lots and roads in Stratford Manor showed that the support under the paving in the Sloane neighborhood is stronger than in the Wellesley section, the Board was told at its Oct. 12 meeting. With this knowledge, the Infrastructure Committee was instructed to obtain bids from at least three paving firms to repave the Sloane section using an alternative method recommended by our new consultants, ECS. 

“This is not the type of specialty work that Basic does,” said Bob Lucas, chairman of the Committee. “So we are reaching out to other firms that have this expertise.” Once the new firm is selected by the Board, said Mr. Lucas, “the work will be scheduled for the dry season next summer. When that work is done, the Committee will determine what the HOA can afford to do in the remaining areas.” The Committee was also asked to make a recommendation on the feasibility of restriping and renumbering some neighborhoods before paving.< 

Vote count for Declaration rises—Donna Groller, Chairman of the Governing Documents Committee, told the Board on Oct. 12 that the campaign to get the required 101 votes to approve a proposed new Declaration continues to make progress, reaching 91 votes following a recent signing event. Efforts are continuing.<

Storm Drains:  Board wants to see what's down there!

Stratford Manor's storm drains seem to be working okay, so why did the Board approve a thorough cleaning and inspection of the entire storm drainage system at its Oct. 12 meeting? 

“It’s two-fold,” said Bob Lucas, chairman of the Infrastructure Committee. “It’s been several years—we don’t know how many—since our drainage system was cleaned and inspected. Secondly, we want to make sure that any repairs needed will be done before any future repaving work.” 

Mr. Lucas explained that the Committee wants to see what kind of shape the drainage system is in, “to avoid any surprises down the road.” He noted that we have had sinkhole issues with two different curb-opening inlets in recent years, requiring repairs of leaky pipe connections. “It’s time to identify any other potential problems before they get to be big ones,” he said, “and to set up a regular multi-year maintenance schedule.” 

He added that there are likely to be some repairs needed. “But we won’t know until the system is thoroughly cleaned by the contractor, Longhill Excavating.” 

The work will be done in early 2023.<  

 Trash Pickup Schedule

Oct. 25--—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; Nov. 1—Trash only; Nov. 8—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.

 Nov. 15—Trash only; Nov. 22—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash;  Nov. 29—Trash only.

 Dec. 6—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; Dec. 13—Trash only; Dec.20--Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.<

SMA BOARD MEMBERS:

• John Gullett, President (2023)
• Donna Groller, Vice President (2022)
• Bob Lucas, Treasurer, (2024)
• Frances Hodges, Secretary (2022)
• Nancy Allen (2024)
• Betty Blackburn (2023)
• Lisa Hall (2023)
• Madoline Wallace (2024)
• Linda White (2022)

Association's Website:  stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com

Need Assistance?  Have a question?

HOA's email:  stratfordnn@gmail.com

Property Management:

Abbitt Management:  Ms. Tricia Wells, Manager;  Ms. Jennifer Norman, Assistant Manager

Abbitt's Email:  associations@abbitt.com  (Telephone:  757-874-4900)

REMAINING 2022 MEETING DATES:

Annual Meeting will be held on November 16, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church on Deep Creek Road.

The next board meeting will be held on December 14, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at Abbitt Management, 11835 Fishing Point Drive, Newport News).