Friday, January 5, 2024

"NEWS YOU CAN USE"

Stratford Manor Association's Newsletter

(January 2024)


As 2023 comes to an end, the Association would like to thank retiring President John Gullett for all his hard work, long hours spent, and the dedication that he gave our community over the last six years. In his leisure time, John looks forward to writing and spending more time with his wife, Judith.

 A special thank you goes to John Gullett and Bob Lucas for all their hard work in getting the community's parking spaces numbered and striped.  In the latter part of December, B&R Lot Clearing completed the painting.  With the patching of the pothole and painting the spaces, it has certainly enhanced the look of our parking lot.

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"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."  Author Unknown

Welcome your New Board for 2024The association's new board of directors was recently elected, and they are as follows:  Doug Marmon (President), Donna Groller (Vice President), Fran [Dobby] Hodges (Secretary), Bob Lucas (Treasurer), Lisa Hall, Rick Leib, Stephen DiPersio, Ryan Hatter, and Satori Gregorakis.  As you will note, there are some "familiar faces" as well as some "new faces".  The members are enthusiastic, eager to help improve communication, and to re-establish homeownership pride within our community.

Town Hall MeetingsIn months when a board meeting is not held, the association will be conducting a Town Hall Meeting where all homeowners and absentee owners are invited to attend.  The first meeting will be January 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. and it will be held at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church.  The community is welcome to discuss any and everything that they would like, to learn what the board is doing, and offer suggestions on ways to improve their community. This is a way to create community involvement and to give the board an avenue of hearing more from the owners and absent owners in an informal setting.  Please mark your calendars and we look forward to seeing you there!

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Stratford Manor’s Board of Directors’ Goals for 2024:

 1.    Improve communication within the association/community.

 2.  More involvement with the owners and absentee owners to strengthen the pride of ownership within our community.

 3.  Less issues with landscaping, increase expectations and accountability, and communicate landscape leaf pick-up plan within the community.    

 4.  In connection with the Reserve Study, establish a 1 to 5 short year plan as far as the infrastructure and municipal side of things and a long-term plan that needs to fit our budget.

(Remember one person cannot do it alone - - it takes a community) …

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Let’s Get ConnectedCommunication is simply the act of transferring information from one place, person or group to another.  To be transparent and keep the community apprised of the events and concerns within the community, the board has established a Google Workspace Account.  By utilizing the many features of Google Workspace, board meetings can be virtual and recorded for later viewing, association documents can be accessed in one place as needed, a contact list of all homeowners (and absentee owners) created to allow for mass emails to be sent to keep our community informed, and mass emails will reduce the costs associated with paper handouts. To make sure you are receiving the most up-to-date information, please provide our secretary (Fran “Dobby” Hodges) with your current email address.  She may be contacted at Secretary.StratfordManor@gmail.com

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Have a minute or two to spare?

Would you like to give back to your community?

The following committees have been established and are looking for people who would like to volunteer their time. 

Governance Committee:  This committee is responsible for the governing documents, enforcement of the documents, and works with the Architectural Committee and Abbitt.  (Stephen DiPeriso, Chairperson) 

Finance Committee: This is committee oversees the budget, review of all contracts, insurance matters, banking and financial concerns, works with the reserve study as far as funding is concerned, and working to monitor our collection accounts. (Doug Marmon, Chairperson) 

Architectural Controls:  This committee is responsible for the oversight of the physical aspects of the townhomes and review any architectural change requests.  (Donna Groller, Chairperson) 

Municipal Service:  This committee will be responsible for infrastructure, maintenance of our drainage systems, street/sign lights, and anything that is needed within the community.  Also, will work with interfacing with the city as needed.  (Satori Gregorakis, Chairperson) 

Community and Safety Committee:  This committee will oversee the welcoming of new homeowners, social events, sending of e-cards to the community, and newsletter publication.  Also, to create new programs to benefit members of our community (i.e., restart a neighborhood watch program, safe walker program, and programs on safety awareness and other topics of interest. (Fran “Dobby” Hodges, Chairperson) 

Landscape Committee:  This committee will work hand in hand with the landscaping company to ensure that the current contract is affordable, and what is in our contract is attainable, and our expectations are measurable.  Will prepare bid proposals and solicit bids for new landscaping company and monitor work per contract.  Also, will evaluate the landscaping needs within the community and propose projects as financially feasible. (Rick Leib, Chairperson) 

Nominating Committee:  This committee will provide future nominations to vacant board positions as needed.  (Doug Marmon, Chairperson) 

If you are interested on serving on a committee, please contact Doug Marmon, President, at the following email address:   President.StratfordManor@gmail.com

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A friendly reminder, please be sure that both of your garbage cans have your house number on them. When taking them out for pickup, please ensure that the tops are tightly closed as the city will not pick them up if they are overflowing.  Garbage and recycling cans should be placed out for pick-up the AFTERNOON before the scheduled pickup date.  If your garbage cans are broken, please call 757-933-2311 and they will be replaced free of charge.  

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Mark your calendars:  2024 Board Meeting Dates:

Feb. 21, 2024; April 10, 2024; June 12, 2024;

Aug. 14, 2024; Oct. 9, 2024; & Dec. 11, 2024

All board meeting will be held at Abbitt Management

and will start at 5:30 p.m.

Annual Meeting: 

Nov. 20, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. - Hidenwood Presbyterian Church


2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND GENERAL INFORMATION:

Doug Marmon, President - Email:  President.StratfordManor@gmail.com

Donna Groller, Vice President - Email:  VicePresident.StratfordManor@gmail.com

Fran (Dobby) Hodges, Secretary - Email:  Secretary.StratforedManor@gmail.com

Bob Lucas, Treasurer

Lisa Hall 

Rick Leib

Stephen DiPersio

Ryan Hatter

Satori Gregorakis

Association's Website:  stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com

Contact the Board via their NEW email:  board@stratfordmanor.net or through Abbitt.

Property Management:

Abbitt Management

Ms. Tricia Wells, Manager

Email:  associations @abbitt.com

Telephone:  757-874-4900

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