"NEWS YOU CAN USE"

Stratford Manor Association's Newsletter

(February 2024)

January Town Hall Meeting Recap:

Stratford Manor's first town hall meeting was a big success.  While the turnout was good, we hope that more people will attend the upcoming meeting in March where the association will focus on "neighborhood safety".  Those attending gave a lot of insight into the concerns within the community and offered suggestions on future projects and events that the association may wish to entertain.  Everyone is welcome to attend, express your views, and offer suggestions on ways to improve our community.  Town hall meetings is a way to create community involvement and to give the board an avenue of hearing more from the owners and absentee owners in an informal setting.  (NEXT MEETING:  March 13, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church).

                            *******************************************

            "Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve" - Martin Luther King, Jr.

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 - Oversight of the governing documents

Finance Committee - Oversight of the budget, contracts, insurance.

Architectural Controls - Oversight of physical aspects of homes.

Municipal Service Committee - Oversight of infrastructure, drainage systems, etc.

Community and Safety Committee - Oversight of events/programs.

Landscape Committee - Oversight of landscape within the community.

Nominating Committee - Oversight of filing vacant board positions.

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

Neighborhood Book Swap and Lunch Planned:  Mark your calendars for Monday, February 26, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at Taste (702 Mariners Row) in City Center.  Please bring a book to "swap" and join your neighbors for a lunch at Taste.  Everyone is responsible for buying their own lunch and/or refreshments.  This will be a time to socialize and get to know your neighbors and "get a new read".  LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE 26th!

                                                    ********************    

Dog Waste is NOT Good for the Environment:  Uncollected dog waste is becoming a real problem!  If you’ve ever stepped on dog poop or had your tires run across it, you understand the inconvenience it causes.  Dog waste poses a health risk to our community. Dog waste also attracts rodents and other unwanted animals, which can accelerate the spread of diseases within your community. The unsightliness of the problem can also cause issues with selling properties and retaining residents.

There are two “dog stations” located in the common areas throughout Stratford Manor where you will find “waste bags” for your convenience.  Please DO NOT put your dog’s waste in other peoples’ trash cans.  NOTE:  People walking their dogs near the dog station in the common area of Wellesley are NOT cleaning up after their dog.  The amount of dog waste in that area is horrible!  Please be a good neighbor and clean up your backyard too.  No one enjoys the smell of dog waste.

                                                         ***************

Neighborhood Safety Watch Program:  At the March Town Hall Meeting, the HOA will be discussing neighborhood safety and the re-vitalization of the neighborhood watch program.  We are hoping to have a representative from the local police department to speak on neighborhood safety too.  If you are interested in volunteering your time to be part of the neighborhood watch program, please contact Doug Marmon (President.stratfordmanor@gmail.com) and come to the March Town Hall Meeting.  THE NEXT TOWN HALL MEETING WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024, FROM 6:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M. AT HIDENWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

                                                           *****************

TRASH DATES FOR 2024:  PLEASE PUT YOUR HOUSE NUMBER ON YOUR TRASH CANS.  (Note:  SMA’s waste day is Tuesday.  Trash cans should be placed on the curb in the afternoon of the DAY BEFORE PICKUP.  Trash cans should promptly be removed after pick-up.  THE CITY REQUIRES THAT THE TOPS OF THE TRASH CANS BE CLOSED FOR PICK-UP.  If you need to replace your garbage can, please call 757-933-2311 and they will be replaced free of charge.

 

Pick-up dates:

February - 6, 13 (Bulk), 20, and 27 (Bulk)

March – 5, 12 (Bulk), 19, and 26 (Bulk)

April – 2, 9 (Bulk), 16, 23 (Bulk) and 30

                                    ************************

Contractor Needed?

This area of the monthly newsletter will be devoted to proving homeowners with recommendations for local professionals. NOTE:  The following companies / professionals have been recommended by homeowners and ARE NOT endorsed by Stratford Manor Association. 

Appliances:

Cashwell Appliance Parts – 757-599-8434

GH Appliance Repair – 757-535-5649

Chimney Cleaning:

Black Goose Chimney – 757-280-5200

=================================

Exterminating:

Colonial Exterminating Co – 757-599-0889

National Exterminating Co. – 757-599-3621

Florist:

Jeff’s Flowers – 757-827-5333

Handyman:

Steve James – 757-570-1795

HVAC:

Kearney & Sons Heating & Air Conditioning – 757-722-6311

Tommy Garner Air Conditioning & Heating – 757-930-0000

Plumbing:

One Stop Plumbing – 757-321-8874

Zeigler Plumbing & Sewer – 757-877-2054

Vent Cleaning:

Atlantic Vent – 757-595-7660

 

If you have a company /professional that you would like to recommend (or one that you feel does not provide good service), please send your information to Fran (Dobby) Hodges for publication.  E mail: secretary.stratfordmanor@gmail.com

 

********************************

KEEP IN TOUCH: 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