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
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.
