October-November 2023 Edition

WORK BEGINS ON RESTRIPING AND RENUMBERING PARKING LOT SPACES:

If you see painters adding fresh, new stripes and numbers to parking lots in another section of Stratford Manor, be patient. They will get to your parking lot soon. 

B&R Lot Clearing began work in mid-October on the complete relocating of numbers on parking spaces in the  large repaved lot on Kenilworth. “Instead of reworking the paint on the curbs,” said Bob Lucas, chairman of the Infrastructure Committee, “the Board decided to paint space numbers on the asphalt near the rear of the spaces. This way, emergency vehicles and visitors will be able to quickly locate the right space, even if a vehicle is parked there.” 

B&R will be working on neighborhood sections that may encompass only two or three buildings at a time. Residents will be given two days’ notice to prepare for work in their lot. “This will allow residents to more easily find alternative parking when work is going on  in their lot,” said Mr. Lucas. “B&R is very service oriented, and has set up a schedule that should minimize inconveniences to our residents.” 

The contractor has already patched a dozen or more potholes in the roadways as part of the contract. “This will help extend the life of our paved areas,” Mr. Lucas explained. 

Barney Carr, owner of the contracting firm doing the work, said the process of doing neighborhoods one at a time will take longer, “but we are not racing the clock. Cold temperatures will not affect our work. Our only weather concern is moisture.” 

The patching and painting project will cost the Association a little over $11,000. “Not cheap,” said Mr. Lucas, “but we think it’s something that all of our residents will appreciate.”◾

MEET THE BOARD CANDIDATES:  

By Madoline Wallace, Chairperson, Nominating Committee

We have three (3) positions opening up on the SMA Board in November, and three (3) candidates have filed the necessary paperwork to run for election by owners at the Annual Owners' Meeting on November 15th. 

The candidates are: 

Betty Blackburn, resident owner of 178 Wellesley for 4 years.  Betty is up for reelection, having served on the Board for the past 3 years. She currently chairs the Hospitality/Welcome Committee. Betty wants to return to the Board to ensure we have a well-run community. She firmly believes in the Stratford Manor community and wants to help it survive. 

Stephen DiPersio, resident owner of 144 Kenilworth for 8 years.  Stephen wants to join the Board to help the community and keep things in order.  He works in IT and gets along quite well with people. He is a problem solver who knows the importance of looking at all sides of an issue and being respectful of the opinions of others.

Rick Leib, owner of 139 Wellesley for 6 months.  Although Rick has owned his unit for a short period of time, he is no stranger to Stratford Manor. His father was the previous owner of 139 Wellesley for 13 years. Rick and his wife, Lori, plan to spend their retirement years occupying the unit. He wants to join the Board to help keep up the standards that have been achieved. He comes to the Board with a background in residential construction. 

All three were recognized as candidates for Board seats by the current Board at its Oct. 11 meeting. However, additional nominations may be made from the floor at the upcoming Annual Meeting.◾

Board Schedules an Organizational Meeting After Owners' Meeting:

 The election of up to three new board members at the Annual Owners Meeting on Nov. 15 will be followed this year by an organizational meeting of the new board for 2024. 

The purpose of the additional meeting will be to elect new officers, so that there will be no gap  in the Association’s leadership between the Owners’ Meeting and the Board’s  regular Dec. 13 meeting. 

This change was prompted by the  President John Gullett’s retirement. Mr. Gullett, who has been serving as the HOA’s president since 2017, is not running for reelection. “Normally this hasn’t been an issue,” said Mr. Gullett.  “But my authority will end when the Owners’ Meeting is over,” he said. “ Then Abbitt will need to begin immediately working with my successor, and with the Association’s banks to update bank signature cards for the new officers. “  Since the meeting’s sole purpose is to elect officers for the new year, it is expected to be brief.◾

Trash pickup schedule: 

 Oct. 17— Trash only; Oct. 24-- Recycling, bulk pickup & trash;

Oct. 31—Trash only ; Nov. 7--Recycling, bulk pickup & trash;

 Nov. 14—Trash only; Nov. 21—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; Nov. 28--Trash only. Dec. 5—recycling, bulk pickup & trash; Dec. 12—Trash only; Dec. 19—recycling, bulk pickup & trash.◾

More tips for repelling those pesky rodents: 

Some Stratford Manor owners are reporting progress in fighting off rodents that invaded their home or patio this past summer, but the HOA continues to receive reports of problems in some neighborhoods throughout the community.  As a public service, here are some tips—some mentioned in previous issues—that can be helpful in these efforts: 

  --Make sure your exterior does not have gaps where insects or wildlife can enter your home. Even the smallest crack or hole can serve as an access point. 

-Hire a reliable pest control company to provide regular service.  They can serve as your first line of defense through the use of bait boxes, traps, and pesticide chemicals. These technicians are experts at helping you effectively battle the unwanted rodents and insects.—including making sure that you have sealed off all gaps in the exterior. 

--Make sure all trash and recycling bins are tightly covered. A trash bin overflowing with garbage  is an open invitation to rodents and other wildlife that a buffet just opened—as is a dirty barbecue grill. 

--Avoid putting out anything that rodents or insects might find tasty. Unfortunately for bird and cat lovers, this means not leaving out bird seed or food for squirrels, cats or raccoons. Even cooking oil poured on the ground behind your unit will be seized on as a feast. And don’t overlook those piles of dog poop. Rodents and other critters love them. 

--Consider using pine tags, or needles, in your garden instead of mulch. Roaches and other outside pests love making nests in traditional mulch. Some experts believe that pine straw will give you  all the benefits without the bugs. Regardless of the type of mulch you use, be sure you don’t compact it or put it up against the exterior of your home. Create a barrier of pea gravel or some other material. 

Above all else, remember that homeowners are responsible for making their homes rodent-proof. And the most effective key to success is getting your neighbors to join in and take all the steps you are taking. Unless every home in your building  participates, you are likely to be in for a long battle.◾

 

Street lights in Wellesley section out for days; Was it lightning? 

Owners in the neighborhood just past the entrance sign at the end of Wellesley heard a loud clap of thunder during a recent storm, and noticed that both the signage spotlight and four street lamps went dark. They reported the outage to Abbitt Management, and electricians from Atlantic Wire came out to Stratford Manor expecting the worst. 

The search for the source of the problem took three days, but it was finally located: a short in the wire leading to one of the lamps. “We were all relieved to learn that the light fixtures were not damaged by lightning,” said SMA President John Gullett. “And I must applaud the patience of anxious homeowners. And while here, the electricians also converted two of the old sodium lights to LED.”◾ 

 

Board approves 2024 Budget 

The SMA Board has approved the Association’s operating budget for 2024, including a dues increase. 

“Raging inflation has had a major impact on our expenses,” said Bob Lucas, SMA Treasurer. This prompted the Board to order a special reserve study by an outside architectural firm, to update their three-year-old projections on the cost of replacing our roads and other infrastructure elements in future years. 

“Our consultants came back with a recommendation to increase our annual contribution to the replacement reserves by thousands of dollars,” said Mr. Lucas. “Our current level of income from dues is simply not enough to absorb this increase.” 

He noted that the Association’s replacement reserves are well-funded--$283,000 at the end of September. “But the newly projected costs for future infrastructure work means we have to set aside more funds-- for work that will help increase the property values of our owners’ homes.” 

The dues increase—only the second in five years—amounts to $82 more annually, or $41 more per each semi-annual payment. This is the equivalent of $6.83 more per month.◾

 

Can’t we all be a little more neighborly? 

Admit it—There’s something about your neighbor you don’t like. Maybe he leaves his trash bin out for days. Or she has a messy porch that’s an eyesore in an otherwise beautiful neighborhood. And those leaves he blows out from his patio onto the common area out back! 

Those who volunteer to serve on the SMA’s Board  are in a position to help shape reasonable policies, but every resident of Stratford Manor can have a positive influence on the quality of life we all enjoy.

Here are a few examples to think about: 

Know the schedules for trucks that pick up trash, bulk waste and recycling.  We’ve all seen those blue bins out on the curb on a trash-only week. That’s not too bad, but when someone puts out bags of vegetation or old furniture when the bulk waste truck isn’t coming for another week, we all have to stare at for days .  Also check the City’s website for what’s bulk waste—or your pile may just sit there! 

Put numbers on your bins. If your neighbor knows you’re sick, she may put your bin away for you—but only if she knows which one is yours. 

Do not blow your patio’s leaves out into the common area.  They are your responsibility, and must be bagged (clear bags only for pickup), or dumped into your trash bin. 

For security, now that days are shorter, turn on your porch lights (and any rear lights) nightly.◾

SMA Board:

John Gullett (2023) President

Donna Groller (2025) Vice President

Bob Lucas (2024) Treasurer

Frances Hodges (2025) Secretary

Nancy Allen (2024)

Betty Blackburn (2023)

Lisa Hall (2023)

Doug Marmon (2025)

Madoline Wallace (2024)

 Association Website:

stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com

Contact the Board via email:

stratfordnn@gmail.com or through Abbitt

 Property Management:

Abbitt Management

Ms. Tricia Wells, Manager

Email: associations@abbitt.com

Telephone:  757-874-4900

Board Meeting Dates:   Annual Meeting is November 15th * to be held at Christ United Methodist Church beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Regular Board Meeting is December 13th which will be held at the office of Abbitt Management Company starting at 5:30 p.m.

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August - September 2023 Edition

 

Contractor selected to restripe, renumber parking lot spaces

The SMA’s Board of Directors has selected B&R Lot Cleaning to restripe and renumber parking spaces in Stratford Manor. The decision came just two months after the Board asked the Infrastructure Committee to develop a plan to repaint spaces that are faded and hard to see. 

“We postponed this work for several months,” said Bob Lucas, Chairman of the Committee, “because we had hoped to complete our repaving work before redoing the spaces,” he said. “But with our repaving work on hold, we decided to do the repainting now for the benefit of all of our residents.” 

B&R will be restriping all parking spaces in the community that have not yet been repaved. The spaces on the western side of Kenilworth and on the Wellesley lot east of Kenilworth, where repaving has already been done, will be getting new numbers on the asphalt, to give the community’s parking lots a consistent look. 

“We plan to paint space numbers on the asphalt in all the community’s lots, near the rear of parked vehicles,” said Mr. Lucas. “This will make it easier for emergency vehicles and visitors to find their destination, and avoid the expense of repainting the curbs.” 

In addition, B&R will be repairing several potholes. 

The Committee will be meeting soon with B&R’s representative to develop details of the plan, including a timetable. 

“We expect to get this work done this fall,” said Mr. Lucas, “well before winter.”<

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Stratford Manor’s Storm Drainage System cleaned; repairs needed  

Longhill Excavating finally completed its cleaning of Stratford Manor’s storm drainage system in mid-July, but the contractor’s recommendations for repairs have not yet been received. 

The SMA Board okayed the project last October, after concluding that the drainage system had not been cleaned for many years—if ever. 

Bob Lucas, chairman of the Infrastructure Committee, said at the time that the Board wanted to find out what kind of shape the drainage system was in, “to avoid any surprises down the road.” 

As it turns out, the cleaning was very much needed. SMA President John Gullett, who worked with Longhill during the actual cleaning and inspection, was told that some sections of the drainage system were 80 percent clogged. 

 “The people doing the cleaning said they didn’t understand why we hadn’t experienced any flooding yet,” said Mr. Gullett. “It was only a matter of time before we would be in really bad shape.” 

The contractor found several places where tree roots had broken through pipe connections, and others where lengths of pipe had pulled apart. When tree roots were encountered, they were removed with a cutting tool. 

“We are anxious to find out what repairs are needed,” said Mr. Gullett. “But at least we know that storm water is now draining properly. It’s a relief to know we had this done before the peak of the hurricane season.”  He said Longhill is examining the video it shot during its inspections, and is now preparing a detailed recommendation for repairs.

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Trash pickup schedule 

 August 22— Trash only; 

August 29-- Recycling, bulk pickup & trash); 

Sept. 6—Trash only (Wednesday pickup due to holiday) 

Sept. 12--Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; 

Sept. 19—Trash only; 

Sept. 26—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; 

Oct. 3--Trash only. 

Oct. 10—recycling, bulk pickup & trash; 

Oct. 17—Trash only.

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Looking for a Few Good People:

By Madoline Wallace, Nominating Committee Chairperson

You have been paying HOA dues every 6 months since you brought your unit.  Ever wonder where that money goes?  One way to find out is to get involved.  Join a committee.  Or take a position on the Board.

Your HOA needs your help.  There are lots of committee options:  Tree Maintenance, Social and Welcome, Infrastructure Maintenance, Governing Documents, Landscaping, Architectural Control, and Nominating.

In addition, a total of three seats on the Board will need to be filled at the Annual Owners' Meeting on November 15th.  The only requirement is that you are an owner of record of your Stratford Manor townhome.

Don't worry about being committed to long, boring monthly meetings.  The Board meets every other month.  That's only 6 meetings a year.  As for the committees, much of their business is conducted by email.  I have been on the Architectural Control Committee for more than 2 years and have never been to a single meeting.  All our business has been conducted by email.

If you see something that piques your interest or something you would like to learn about, we would love to hear from you.  Get in touch with Madoline Wallace, 143 Wellesley - 757-871-8702 – wmadoline@aol.com<

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It takes a village to stop rodents in their tracks

 As noted in an earlier edition of the Newsletter, some Stratford Manor homeowners are having problems with rodents in their attic and elsewhere. Traps and bait stations help, but if you want to prevent such an invasion, it’s going to take cooperation from your neighbors as well. 

The first thing to understand is that wildlife is looking for access to a safe living space, either by built-in gaps or easily made gaps in your home’s exterior . According to wildlife control experts, unless every home in your building takes precautions such as plugging gaps and reducing available food sources, it’s likely to be a losing battle. 

Some rodents, such as roof rats, have thin, agile bodies and can fit into holes that are a half-inch wide or even smaller. 

A common access point is where your HVAC wiring goes into the house. To prevent access there, stuff some steel wool between the hole and the wires. Rodents are able to chew through wood, plastic and even some types of sealants, but woven wire mesh is a barrier that they will not be able to penetrate, according to Elite Extermination. If possible, after stuffing the small holes with steel wool, add a small wire mesh screen and caulk with a silicone sealant. 

Rodents have access to more food sources that most people think.  Open garbage cans, barbecue grills, bird feeders, and even some native plants full of buds or berries all contribute to the rodents’ steady supply of food. Never leave food outside for your pets or feral animals. Rodents also will eat dog waste, so please do not allow it to sit on or near your patio. 

The SMA’s Landscape Committee, headed by Fran Hodges, is currently investigating what, if anything, the HOA can do to assist in this effort. “But it’s important to understand that homeowners are responsible for making their units rodent-proof,” she said. “We strongly recommend that everyone hire a reliable pest control company for help with this. It’s the least-expensive way to avoid this problem in your neighborhood.”<

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SMA Board:  (Year Term Ending)

John Gullett, President (2023)

Donna Groller, Vice President (2025)

Bob Lucas, Treasurer (2024)

Frances (Dobby) Hodges, Secretary (2025)

Nancy Allen (2024)

Betty Blackburn (2023)

Lisa Hall (2023)

Doug Marmon (2025)

Madoline Wallace (2024)

Association Website:  stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com

Contact the Board via email:  stratfordnn@gmail.com or through Abbitt

Property Management:

Abbitt Management

Ms. Tricia Wells, Manager

Ms. Jennifer Norman, Assistant Manager

Email: associations@abbitt.com or phone 757-874-4900

Board Meeting Dates:

October 11, 2023

December 13, 2023

Meetings are on Wednesdays, and start at 5:30 p.m. Unless notified otherwise, each meeting will be held at Abbitt, Suite 205, 11835 Fishing Point Drive., Newport News, VA 

Annual Meeting:

The annual meeting will be held November 15, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Christ United Methodist Church.

Please do your part to maintain your townhome and yards to ensure that Stratford Manor remains a beautiful place in which to live.

JUNE - JULY 2023 EDITION 

Board asks for plans to repaint parking spaces, fix sidewalk issues   

The SMA’s Board of Directors at its June 14 board meeting asked the Infrastructure Committee to develop a plan to restripe and renumber parking spaces in Stratford Manor. At the same meeting, the committee also was asked to identify any new sidewalk trip hazards. 

Bob Lucas, Chairman of the committee, acknowledged that the difficulties in resolving issues with repaving over the past several months forced delays in repainting the faded lines and space numbers. “We were trying to avoid repainting everything twice,” he explained. “But with the repaving work now on hold, we asked the board to let us come up with cost estimates and a plan for getting the repainting done quickly.”

“Other than the two lots that have already been repaved, the spaces and numbers throughout the community are so faded that they are no longer useful,” he noted. He thanked the many owners who brought this problem to the forefront by asking the Association to put a priority on getting the repainting done. 

The committee is now in the process of getting input from contractors who do this type of work, and will present a proposal to the board as soon as possible. 

The board’s decision to seek proposals from sidewalk contractors on repairing any sidewalk trip hazards was prompted by some homeowner complaints that more uneven sidewalks have surfaced since the October 2021 repair project. That work involved replacing some sidewalks and lifting or shaving several others. 

Mr. Lucas said the committee will be seeking estimates from sidewalk repair firms over the coming weeks and hopes to make a recommendation to the board later this summer.<

What’s the ‘411’ on Landscaping?  

 By Fran Hodges, Landscaping Committee Chairman 

The Landscape Committee has been working hard to help improve Stratford Manor.  Here is the 411 (information): 

●Soil samples have been done on Sloane and were sent to VA Tech for evaluation.  Over the next few months, soil samples will be gathered on Kenilworth and Wellesley.  These samples will help our landscape company to determine if there are any additional applications needed throughout the community.

●Welcome signs --Based on the landscaping committee’s recommendations, 4 Hawthorne shrubs, 7 Encore azaleas, 3 limelight hydrangea and 1 variegated azalea have been planted.  A special “thank you” goes to Lorraine Winall and Sarah Krause for helping the Landscape Committee with watering and maintaining our new shrubs. BTW, please don’t let your dogs urinate on our new shrubs!  

●While this is not really under landscaping, a special “thank you” goes to Linda Wahlert for suggesting that the board post a “child playing” sign at the entrance of Sloane and Wellesley.  The HOA loves input from our homeowners!

●What has been going on with Gum Grove? Our new landscaping company, Gum Grove, is in the 4^th month of their one-year contract.  As with most new jobs, there is still a learning period, and they are still getting to know the “lay of the land”.   Monthly, they mow our lawns, edge, and blow off, spray pre-emergent and fertilizer, pick up debris, and have recently trimmed the shrubs and pulled weeds.  Weeds in the curbs, street cracks, and other areas are a long-standing problem at Stratford Manor.  It is a hard problem to tackle, and Gum Grove is actively pursuing this problem as they have applied numerous applications of weed killer throughout the community.  This problem will not be totally resolved until the streets are repaved, but due to the HOA’s financial budget that has been postponed.

●In case you are wondering why the crepe myrtles did not get “cut back” this year.  Based on the advice of SMA’s arborist, by not cutting back the crepe myrtles the trees will be healthier, produce more flowers, and less susceptible to tree rot.

●What can I do to help with landscaping at SMA? We can all do our part by picking up sticks and debris as we walk throughout the property and dispose of them in garbage cans.  Allow sufficient room between your car and the curb when parking so that the landscapers can clean the areas. 

Sweep off your porch and sidewalk frequently.  Spray non-toxic weed killers in areas that you feel need special attention.

 Lastly, but not least, the Landscape Committee is so thankful for those who are willing (and those who have) monetarily donated funds for the beautification of SMA!  If you wish to monetarily donate funds to support the landscape committee’s “special projects”, a check may be mailed to SMA (c/o Abbitt Management) and notate “landscape special projects”.  One person cannot do it alone.  It takes a village! <

 Noises from your attic? It may be time for action! 

Barbara Warrington, who lives at 121 Wellesley, has some advice for Stratford Manor residents who hear noises coming from their attic or see cute little mice running across their patio: 

Take action early to rid your home of the invaders, because it only gets worse. Ms. Warrington hesitated to do much at first, other than putting out some traps and poison bait . 

She was hoping the rodents would fall victim to those early measures.    “But it got worse as time went by and I was tired of fighting them. So I called a wildlife removal company. “ 

When the experts went into her attic, they discovered that squirrels  had found a home—even to the point of having  babies there. There was also evidence of mice living in the attic. 

“Because of the stench, I had to replace the insulation,” she said. “By then, it had become an expensive problem to fix.“ 

More recently,  Phyllis Bunn, of 115 Wellesley, said she and her neighbors had seen rats behind their units, and she called her exterminator. “The exterminator recommended I call a wildlife removal company,” said Ms. Bunn, “and when they came out they saw signs of rats in my attic. They put out traps in there and a bait box on my patio. Some of my neighbors did the same thing.” 

Ms. Bunn said the wildlife turned out to be what the company called “roof rats.” They said the rats were coming through a small hole on my back wall, where the HVAC cables come through. It doesn’t take much of a hole for them to get in.” 

She said she recommends all owners take precautions to discourage any similar invasion, adding that traps and bait boxes are safe steps to take as long as they aren’t placed where children or pets could get to them.<

Stratford Manor News Briefs: 

Spring inspections completed—The annual exterior inspections conducted in early May were completed without any problems, and homeowners’ feedback and activity suggest that the maintenance items  brought out in the inspection reports are being addressed. “The Abbitt inspector cited well over 100 owners for one or more issues,” said John Gullett, SMA president, “which is more than the past two years. The good news is that the vast majority of these findings involved relatively minor issues such as dirty siding, garden weeds and dirty gutters.” 

Only 14 owners were cited for the more-serious architectural violations, and he said that the Architectural Control Committee has been busy over the past few weeks evaluating and approving Architectural Review applications for exterior repair work. “Violations require compliance, but the vast majority of those this year involved fading shutters, broken trim boards, or sagging gutters. It appears that most owners view this as an opportunity to catch issues they either didn’t notice—like a bird nest over their drain spout--or had put off fixing.” 

Dimly lit entrance sign is now a beacon for Sloane residents—A commercial-grade, solar-powered light is now operational at the Sloane Place entrance on Wellesley Drive, marking the completion of a lengthy effort to provide adequate lighting for all three Stratford Manor entrance signs (The signage light at the end of the public portion of Wellesley is hard-wired to a nearby street lamp, and the Kenilworth Drive sign got its first solar light this past spring.). 

Residents of Sloane have been complaining to the SMA board for quite some time about the low-powered solar light at their entrance. “Some folks were having difficulty seeing the entrance when driving home at night,” said Mr. Gullett. “The low-powered solar light (125 lumens) that we originally installed wasn’t really adequate, so when Board Member Doug Marmon offered to replace it with a more-powerful solar light (675 lumens), we readily approved the expense.” 

Mr. Gullett noted that Mr. Marmon earlier installed the same type of commercial-grade solar light at the Kenilworth entrance, volunteering his and his son’s time in getting the work done at no charge to the Association. “Sloane residents are very happy with the better lighting, and it was done at a cost of less than $280. We deeply appreciate what Mr. Marmon did for the community,” Mr. Gullett said. 

SMA getting new collections attorney—Faced with the pending retirement of the Association’s collections attorney, the SMA board at its June 14 meeting selected Thaddeus Bechtle, a Virginia Beach lawyer, to serve in this highly specialized segment of the SMA’s legal needs, effective immediately for new accounts. Vonda Dunn, who has been serving as the SMA’s collections attorney, recommended Mr. Bechtle and has worked with him over the past two years in preparing for the transition of many of her clients to his firm. “We are going to miss working with Ms. Dunn,” said Mr. Gullett. “She has always been helpful to the SMA Board, and her work with Mr. Bechtle to ensure a smooth transition is greatly appreciated.”

Ms. Dunn will continue working with the SMA’s old accounts until she fully retires later this year. <

Trash pickup schedule: 

 June 27— Trash only; July 5-- Recycling, bulk pickup & trash (Wednesday pickup due to holiday); July 11—Trash only; July 18, Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.

July 25—Trash only; August 1—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; August 8--Trash only.

 August 15—recycling, bulk pickup & trash.

SMA Board:

John Gullett, President (2023)

Donna Groller, Vice President (2025)

Bob Lucas, Treasurer, (2024)

Frances Hodges, Secretary (2025)

Nancy Allen (2024)

Betty Blackburn (2023)

Lisa Hall (2023)

Doug Marmon (2025)

Madoline Wallace (2024)

Association Website:  stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com or through Abbitt.

Property Management:  

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

Email:  associations@abbitt.com and telephone:  757-874-4900

Board Meeting Dates:  August 9th; October 11th; and December 13th

Meetings are on Wednesdays and start at 5:30 p.m. Unless notified otherwise, each meeting will be held at Abbitt, Suite 205, 11835 Fishing Point Drive, Newport News, VA.

Annual Meeting Date:  Wednesday, November 15th at 7:00 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church

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April - May 2023 Edition

 

Spring inspections coming soon;

Checklist can give you a head start  

Abbitt Management has agreed to hold off conducting its annual spring inspections until the first week in May, giving Stratford Manor owners some notice so they can reduce the number of easy-to-fix items on Abbitt’s inspection checklist. 

“We want these annual inspections to be a collaborative effort between Abbitt and our owners,” said SMA President John Gullett. “If owners will do an informal inspection of their home’s exterior now, they can get two steps ahead of the inspector and have fewer “reminders” and violations on their report.”

An extensive list of things the inspector will be looking for can be found on the Association’s website at stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com, under the Architectural Compliance heading.  In 2022, the inspections identified 249 “reminder” items that required some sort of repair, cleaning or repainting. Mr. Gullett said that many of the items involved weeds, dirty siding, clogged gutters, or damaged trim boards. 

“Most owners understand that we are all in this together,” he said, “and that we all have a stake in preserving the beauty and value of  our entire community.”<

 

Springtime Brings Out Landscapers:

The Association’s landscaper, Gum Grove Services, began operating under its new full-year contract effective March 1, and wasted no time in getting a multitude of spring work under way.  They have been busy spraying, fertilizing, and mulching, in addition to mowing and picking up debris. 

Mulching the common areas was completed early on, with Gum Grove getting a bit zealous in some places while missing a few others. “As with most new jobs,” said Landscaping Committee Chair Fran Hodges, “there have been a few “hiccups” as Gum Grove gets the lay of the land.”

"With mulch being so expensive these days," said Ms. Hodges, "the Board decided not to buy more to fix these mistakes - - we just want to make sure they don't happen again next year.  But overall, Gum Gove is doing a great job."

Meanwhile, the Landscaping Committee is working on improving soil conditions for fall planting by having samples analyzed, while selecting plants and shrubs for entrance signs that will withstand the drought conditions, be resistant to pet urine, and be beneficial to pollinators.

Know your HOA rules: Vehicle Inspections Must Be Kept Current! 

 A little-known rule in the SMA’s bylaws states that any motor vehicle that is abandoned, inoperable, unlicensed, or does not display a valid Virginia state inspection sticker cannot be parked or stored anywhere in Stratford Manor—even if it is in an owner’s or renter’s own parking space. 

President John Gullett said the SMA Board was reminded of this rule when it learned that there were several parked vehicles that had expired inspection stickers. “We asked Abbitt to send out warning notices to these owners,” he said, “and the vast majority has already complied.” 

He explained that the policy is designed to ensure that all vehicles are in good running condition—including effective brakes and safe tires, along with well-functioning steering systems. “When it comes to our residents’ safety, we have to take steps to minimize any danger—and a vehicle that is not properly maintained represents a danger to pedestrians and property." 

He said residents—whether owners or renters-- who delay getting a valid inspection sticker run the risk of having their cars towed.<

 

Slow down! Speeders Reminded of 15 mph Limit in Stratford Manor 

As more young families move into our community, the need for drivers to look out for children and others in the road becomes even more important. 

The Association already has speed limit and “Children at Play” signs posted in various locations. But responding to an owner’s request, the Board voted to install another “Children at Play” sign on Sloane Place.  

“It’s now commonplace to see children playing outdoors,” said President John Gullett, “but we continue to get reports of motorists who ignore our 15- mile-per-hour speed limit.  

“It doesn’t make sense to risk hitting a child just to save a minute or two.  I'm asking all residents to keep an eye out for speeders and help us remind them to slow down."

Know Your HOA Board: Bob Lucas 

Editor’s note: This Newsletter is featuring a different member of the SMA Board in each issue, so that other Stratford Manor owners can get to know them better. This edition’s profile features Bob Lucas, the Association’s treasurer and chairman of the Infrastructure Committee. 

“I accepted an invitation to fill a vacancy on the Board in 2019,” explained Bob Lucas.  “While I wasn’t eager to get involved at the time, I felt it was my civic duty. Now that I have experienced the inner workings of the Board for a few years, I know that owners can make a real difference.” 

As Treasurer, Bob is responsible for managing the Association’s money, which currently amounts to well over $300,000. “The Board makes all the big financial decisions,” he said. “I just make sure the day-to-day expenses don’t get out of line.” He’s also responsible for the Board’s Infrastructure Committee, which focuses on maintaining the community’s common elements such as fencing, sidewalks and curbs, and the roads and parking lots. 

Bob and his wife of 53 years, Barb, moved into Stratford Manor in 2017, after he retired from working many years as a consultant with the Defense Department. Prior his consulting work, Bob spent time in the Air Force and Marines, including two tours of duty in Vietnam. “I was an Army brat, so I followed in my father’s footsteps.” Despite enjoying flying, Bob turned down an invitation to attend the Air Force Academy because his dream was to go to West Point. “That didn’t work out, so I went to Texas A & M University to study aerospace science. That’s where I met Barb. We hit it off instantly, and on Valentine’s Day, 1970, we got married.” 

Bob was stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton in the 1980s, and he and Barb decided years later that it was a good area to live. Barb was a longtime restaurant entrepreneur, and at various times owned the Briar Patch tea room in Poquoson and the Boxwood Inn in Lee Hall.  “When Barb decided to sell her business, we began looking for a home to retire to,” said Bob. “I was looking in York County, but Barb steered me to this place—and I was so glad she did. It was the right price, a good location and a great neighborhood.” They live at 156 Wellesley Dr.  

And he and Barb took full advantage of their neighborhood, walking through the other sections of Stratford Manor and out onto Wellesley on a daily basis. They were featured in our Newsletter in 2020 for their dedication to picking up litter along the road and sidewalks on their walks. “We take a strong trash bag and collect items that others have tossed away.” Why? “It offended us, so we did something about it,” said Bob. 

If you haven’t seen Bob and Barb on their trash pickup activities recently, it’s because they now do it only on weekends. “We did it every day for years,” said Bob, “ but I recently took a full-time consulting job at Ft. Eustis, so our trash collection is now restricted to the weekends.” Barb does reconnaissance during the week, taking note of the trash building up. This lets Bob know how many bags to take along on their weekend strolls. <

 

Trash pickup schedule 

 April 25—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; May 2—Trash only; May 9--Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.

May 16—Trash only; May 23—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.

 May 31—Trash only (Wednesday pickup due to holiday); June 6—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.

June 13—Trash only; June 20—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.

Stratford Manor News Briefs: 

Don’t forget to clean those roof dryer vents—Stratford Manor owner Phyllis Bunn, who lives at 115 Wellesley, was having difficulty getting her clothes dried. Typically, she would have to add another 30 minutes to normal drying time in her dryer, and decided to find out why. She ended up calling a professional dryer vent cleaning firm ( As is the case with most Stratford Manor units, Ms. Bunn’s dryer vent goes straight up to the roof, making it difficult to clean on her own) . Based on recommendations from other owners, she contacted Atlantic Vent, a Newport News-based company, to take a look. 

Employing a system which uses a combination of rotating brushes and suction from a high-powered vacuum, Atlantic cleaned Ms. Bunn’s vent and checked for loose connections.  “The lint was really piled up,” she said.

, “and it scares me just to think of how a fire could have started.”  She said the price was reasonable, and her dryer now runs so well she doesn’t need those extra 30 minutes of drying time. 

 If you need further convincing, know this: every year firefighters in the U.S. respond to nearly 14,000 home fires that are caused by clothes dryers.  Roughly 27 percent of those fires are caused by an accumulation of lint.  (The Association cannot recommend a vendor, but Ms. Bunn enthusiastically endorses Atlantic Vent. Their number is 757-595-7660.)<

 

Street lamp repair turns out to be a challenge—When Abbitt contacted Atlantic Wiring recently to repair a darkened street lamp near 111 Sloane, all involved assumed it would be routine. The SMA Board decided last summer to convert all of its street lamps to LED lights, one at a time, when repairs are needed.  But after the electrician replaced the old sodium lamp with a  longer- lasting LED system, it didn’t light up.  The problem: power wasn’t getting to the light. 

This called for digging up dirt to locate any breaks in the wiring leading to the lamp. “It took him digging six holes,” said Tricia Wells,  Stratford Manor’s Property Manager, “but he found the damaged section.  It had burnt up under the root of an old oak tree.”  He had to pull the wire up and rerun that section, but it’s now shining brightly in the night.<

 

Storm drainage work delayed—Longhill Excavating’s plans to work on Stratford Manor’s storm drainage system in February were altered when their camera equipment stopped functioning and had to be repaired. Those repairs were completed last week, but Longhill still has to finish previous work already under way.  A new schedule has not been issued.inute or two. I’m asking all residents to keep an eye out for speeders and help us remind them to slow down.”<

At Long Last, Entrance Sign on Kenilworth Lights Up!

The SMA Board has been telling owners for quite some time that the entrance sign on Kenilworth is destined to be lit. But the lack of electricity-- and shade from nearby cedar trees-- made it challenging. 

Finally, thanks to recently elected board member Doug Marmon , a bright light is now lighting up the signage.  The commercial grade, solar-powered light has a 675-lumen bulb—making it much brighter than the small, 125 lumen light at the Wellesley entrance to Sloane. 

The equipment cost the Association $241, but installation charges were avoided because Mr. Marmon and his son, Nathan, volunteered to do the work (The landscaping Committee earlier cut back the tree branches blocking the sun). 

“I can’t say this was easy,” said Mr. Marmon, “but we were happy to provide this service to the community. “ 

President John Gullett said the Board has already approved the same work for the dimly lit Sloane signage. Mr. Marmon cautioned the Board that it remains to be seen if there will be enough sunlight to allow the solar unit to work as well as the new light. 

A third sign at the Wellesley entrance is hard-wired to a nearby street lamp.<

SMA Board:

John Gullet, President (2023)

Donna Groller, Vice President (2025)

Bob Lucas, Treasurer (2024)

Frances Hodges, Secretary (2025)

Nancy Allen (2024)

Betty Blackburn (2023)

Lisa Hall (2023)

Doug Marmon (2025)

Madoline Wallace (2024)

Association Website:  stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com

Contract the Board via email:  stratfordnn@gmail.com or through Abbitt

Property Management:  Abbitt Management

Tricia Wells, Manager

Jennifer Norman, Assistant Manager

Email:  associations@abbitt.com - phone number 757-874-4900

Board Meeting Dates:

June 14, 2023 - August 9, 2023 - October 11, 2023 - December 13, 2023

Meetings are held on Wednesdays, and start at 5:30 p.m.  Unless noted otherwise, each meeting will be held at Abbitt Management, Suite 205, 11835 Fishing Point Drive, Newport News, VA.

Annual Meeting:  Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - Christ United Methodist Church

"Let's all DO OUR PART to continue to make Stratford Manor a beautiful place in which to live"..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

STRATFORD MANOR NEWSLETTER

February - March 2023 Edition

Landscaper Gum Grove Awarded Full-year Stratford Manor Contract -

Gum Grove Services, the lawn service firm that has been taking care of Stratford Manor’s winter needs since last November, has won a contract to provide a full range of basic landscaping services to the community throughout the year. 

The SMA Board approved the Landscaping Committee’s recommendation at its Feb. 8 meeting.  Fran Hodges, Committee Chairperson, said the Board’s vote was unanimous. 

 “The Committee began working in January to develop a Landscape Bid Proposal for the 2023-24 year,” said Ms. Hodges “The bid solicitation went out to seven landscaping companies, and we received bids back from five of them." 

She said the Committee, as well as the Board, “were pleasantly surprised at the great response received, which illustrates how valuable these firms view working for Stratford Manor.” 

 Ms. Hodges said that the superior services provided by Gum Grove over the winter months helped their chances in the bidding war.  “Joe Blount (owner) and his crew have done an excellent job during this interim period,” she said. “But they were also competitive in their bid for the new contract.” 

Mr. Blount said he was excited over being given the opportunity to continue serving Stratford Manor. “I grew up around here, and often drove through the community just to admire how attractive it is,” he said. “It’s like a dream come true to be able to help maintain that beauty.” Mr. Blount said this new contract will allow him to expand his staff and invest in additional equipment so he can continue growing his business. 

He also noted that winning the contract means he can get an early start on spring preparations, including mulching and putting down fertilizer. “It should be a seamless transition,” he said.

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President’s Corner - 

Owners who sit in on the SMA Board’s meetings sometimes complain that they are dry and dull; that they sound too much like a business meeting. Well, that’s exactly what it is: a business meeting that results in several decisions related to managing the Association. 

The apparent dullness might stem from how we prepare for these bi-monthly get-togethers. To ensure that the nine-person Board makes maximum use of everyone’s time, a draft of the agenda is sent out to Board members ahead of the meeting, asking for any topics to be added. Then, when the agenda is approved, members who have items on the final list prepare their reports and typically send out handouts ahead of time. So we all receive an initial “briefing” on many of the topics before meeting day. 

We also know that the report is often the result of the work of a Board Committee. The committees—seven full committees and one subcommittee--meet between Board meeting dates to work on specific projects.  Done properly, the report at the meeting and the handouts give Board members enough of an understanding of an issue to cast an intelligent vote after some discussion.

The most-recent example is the awarding of a landscaping contract to Gum Grove Services (see news item on Page 1). The Board spent a relatively short period of time listening to Landscaping Committee Chair Fran Hodges’s report and asking questions.  That’s because we all knew that Ms. Hodges and her Committee already spent weeks doing the necessary legwork and investigation before coming to a decision on which firm the Committee would recommend. 

That’s called respect for our fellow Board members. But sometimes that respect gets overshadowed by a heated debate on a controversial topic. To ensure that the Board remains focused on finding common ground, we agreed at our last meeting to develop a Code of Conduct that will remind us of our need to be civil and courteous, no matter how strongly we feel about an issue.

 For visitors, this may take some of the drama out of attending a Board meeting. But we hope that you will consider joining us from time to time anyway—if nothing else, to give us feedback on whether we are doing a decent job of representing your interests as members of the Association.<

--John Gullett, President 

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 Noisy Partygoers at Lodge are Target of HOA Push - 

As winter fades, the number of parties held at the Transportation Lodge on Deep Creek Road increases, causing sleepless nights for unlucky residents living close to the Masonic property.  Stratford Manor's Board is on the case and has been promised help by Lodge leadership.

The Lodge, which rents its facility to outside groups throughout much of the year as a source of needed income, has made a number of recent concessions in response to complaints from Stratford Manor.

These include increasing the security deposit required of renters, with a warning that if nearby residents complain, the deposit is forfeited; and reducing the party "curfew" from midnight back to 10 p.m.  In addition, groups that violate the contract are placed on a "do-not-rent-again" list.

John Gullett, SMA president, said groups that already gave contracts cannot be held to the new terms. "But if the Lodge people are true to their word, this problem will become a lot more manageable down the road."

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Know your HOA Board: Nancy Allen 

Editor’s note: This Newsletter will be featuring a member of the SMA Board in each issue, so that other Stratford Manor owners can get to know them better. We start with Nancy Allen, someone who has been volunteering for the community for nearly all of her 30 years of living here. 

“I can’t recall when I started my first term on the Board,” said Nancy Allen. “It seems like forever.” The Peninsula native said she fell in love with Stratford Manor just watching it being built and moved into her brand-new unit at 172 Wellesley in 1993. “Things were a lot more informal in those early days, and the owners did all the work-- before it got too complicated and legalistic.” 

The SMA hired its first property management firm in 2017, and Ms. Allen was on the selection committee. “We were all stretched pretty thin,” she said, “and then the owner who did our bookkeeping moved away. That’s when we realized we couldn’t do it all.” 

Ms. Allen always loved nature and gravitated to looking after the landscaping soon after moving into Stratford Manor. “I wasn’t always on the Board, but I attended all the Board meetings to report on the landscaping.” She was also part of the search team for a landscaper many years ago. They interviewed a half-dozen firms and chose Year-Round Landscaping, which she supervised for several years until they left last year.

Today she is Chairperson of the Tree Maintenance Subcommittee, which works closely with the SMA’s arborist year-round, making sure that hazardous trees or limbs are removed as soon as they are discovered. “She loves all the trees,” said President John Gullett, “and goes to great lengths to save any that’s ailing.” 

Ms. Allen is also proud of her work with jail inmates over the past 25 years. “I was looking for a job with the city years ago”, she explained, “and was told the only opening was helping prisoners at the City Farm prepare for their GED.” She said she was reluctant at first but got more comfortable as she got to know the men and realized that most of them were very protective of her. 

“Over the years, I helped over 600 men get their GEDs at the City Farm and in the City Jail,” she said proudly, “and I occasionally run into some of them. I was in a large retail store recently when the manager came up to me, introduced himself, and told me how grateful he was that I helped him get his GED years earlier. That was a great feeling.” The Covid pandemic ended her work with prisoners, but Ms. Allen can’t be kept down. “I’m getting ready to start volunteering at the Food Bank,” she said. “I just enjoy helping people.”

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Spring is just around the corner—Don’t throw out those old plants!

With the fabulous warmer weather, we have been having, are you ready to think about ‘sprucing’ up the landscape around your home?  If you have hostas, iris, day lilies or any flowers that need dividing or you no longer want to use them, don’t throw them away!  Contact the Landscape Committee and we will “recycle” or “repurpose” any plants or shrubs that you may not want. 

 With that in mind, the Landscape Committee is striving to plant more shrubs, flowers, and trees that will benefit the local wildlife.  Just send an email to the HOA: stratfordnn@gmail.com if you have any plants/shrubs that you wish to donate, and we welcome any suggestions or ideas that you may wish to provide.  

Thank you for your support and remember - - Spring:  a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be!     (Submitted by Landscaping Committee Chair Frances Hodges)

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Stratford Manor News Briefs - 

Reserve Study Update Ordered—The SMA Board has approved a proposal from Treasurer Bob Lucas to commission a new Reserve Study for the Association.  The Study, which is a tool the Board uses to determine annual funding of the Association’s replacement reserves, was last done in 2020. Virginia law requires HOAs to conduct the study every five years, but the Board felt it needed to be done sooner. 

“Given the high inflation we have experienced recently,” said Mr. Lucas, “we need an outside expert to update the estimated costs for anticipated infrastructure repairs. “  The Study, which will be done by the same architectural firm that conducted the 2020 Study, will provide the Board with an updated recommendation on the level of reserve funding. The exact timing of the Study has not been set. 

Storm drainage work about to begin—Longhill Excavating will be starting work on our community’s storm drainage system in the next week or two, according to the company’s owner. The SMA Board hired Longhill late last year to clean out our entire system and inspect it for breaks. “We don’t know what they will find,” said Infrastructure Committee Chair Bob Lucas, “because we can’t find a record of when this was last done.” 

Mr. Lucas said once the system is cleaned, Longhill will run a camera through all the drains to identify any possible breaks in the pipe or seams. “Then we will be given a report on what sort of repairs are needed. “Aiding in the effort is a map created for Stratford Manor by the City’s Engineering Dept., showing which lines are public (and maintained by the City) and which are private (the Association’s responsibility). 

“It’s essential that we get this work done now,” said Mr. Lucas, “prior to any further paving work.” He added that once the repairs are made, the Board will establish a maintenance schedule that will involve inspecting the drains on a regular basis, “so we can catch problems early.” 

Governing document signing drive resumes—Governing Documents Committee Chair Donna Groller told the Board at its February meeting that the Committee has 88 signed owner votes for the proposed new Declaration, only 13 votes short of the required total. 

Ms. Groller said the Committee has identified several prospects to approach and plans to launch its 2023 campaign with a mailing that will include an owner survey aimed at finding out why certain owners have not yet signed the ratification form. “Many of them are absentee owners we have had difficulty contacting,” she explained. “So, we think there are enough of them to put us over the top, given the opportunity to explain the importance of it.” 

Reminder to get okay for spring work—The Architectural Compliance Committee is reminding owners that if they are planning to put on a new roof, replace their front door or paint their shutters a different color, they need to get approval by sending a completed Architectural Review application to Abbitt before starting any work. John Gullett, Interim Chairman of the Committee, said there are restrictions on the type of roof shingles owners can install, as well as a color requirement. 

“The Association is required to ask owners to correct any violations of the standards established for Stratford Manor,” he said, “the most expensive being the wrong-color roof shingles. Getting prior approval guarantees you will not be inadvertently violating the rules.”  The form can be downloaded from the Association’s website, stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com, or owners can request one via email from Abbitt at associations@abbitt.com.

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Trash pickup schedule

Feb. 22—Trash only (Wednesday pickup due to holiday); Feb. 28—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.

March 7—Trash only; March 14—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; March 21—Trash only.

March 28—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash.

 April 4—Trash only; April 11—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; April 18—Trash only;

April 25—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash. 

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SMA Board of Directors:

John Gullett (2023) - President

Donna Groller (2025) - Vice President

Bob Lucas (2024) - Treasurer

Frances Hodges (2025) - Secretary

Nancy Allen (2024)

Betty Blackburn (2023)

Lisa Hall (2023)

Doug Marmon (2025)

Madoline Wallace (2024)

Association Website:   stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com

Contact the Board via email at stratfordnn@gmail.com or through Abbitt

Property Management:

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

Email:  associations@abbitt.com - Telephone:  757-874-4900

BOARD MEETING DATES:

April 12, June 14, August 9, October 11, and December 13 (Annual Meeting to be held November 15, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church on Deep Creek Road).

Meetings are on Wednesdays and start at 5:30 p.m. unless notified otherwise and each meeting will be held at Abbitt Management located at 11835 Fishing Point Drive, Suite 205, Newport News, VA.

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