"NEWS YOU CAN USE"
Stratford Manor Association's Newsletter
(June 2024)
LANDSCAPING UPDATE: Atlantic Landscaping has only been “on the job” since April 1 and Sean and his crew are doing a fantastic job to get our community looking great. Edging borders was a great improvement to the overall look of our community along with the new mulch. While “picking up sticks” seems to be a problem with every landscaping contractor SM has employed, we have high hopes that Atlantic Landscaping will rise to the occasion and help keep SM a beautiful place in which to live. If you have any questions or concerns about landscaping, please feel free to email the Board at board@stratfordmanor.net.
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New Month – New Start – You’ve heard it before – first impressions are everything, whether it’s for a job interview, a first date, or the curb appeal of a home. So, if your home has begun to look a little shabby or out-of-date, perhaps it’s time to make everything new again. Homes that are well maintained are not only aesthetically pleasing but it is a sure bet that property values will also increase.
With that in mind, an inspector from Abbitt Property Management along with HOA board members will be conducting home inspections on Monday, June 3, 2024. Now is the time to clean out the gutters and downspouts, power wash the exterior of your home (and your shed, too), and clean up your front yard.
All owners must gain approval prior to making exterior structural, color, or other decorative changes in appearance. No owner has the authority to authorize any exterior work to be done in Stratford Manor without prior approval of the Board. A request must be submitted to the Architectural Committee and an application form can be found on our webpage (stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com).
In May’s newsletter, the
board listed the HOA’s guidelines to assist you in ensuring that the exterior
of your home complies. A copy of the
newsletter may be found on the HOA’s website at stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com.
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Schools Will Soon Be Out for the Summer – There will be an increase of “kid activity” within our community. Please watch out for children playing and riding bikes when driving through our community. There has been a group of children soliciting for “pocket change” within SM. Please be aware that SM has a “no solicitation” policy. With an increase of “pedestrian” activity, it is a good security feature for all homeowners to keep your front and back porch lights on. Don’t answer the door unless you know who it is. As a community service, our local police do a nightly “walk around” the community. Remember, if you see something - - say something!
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A Friendly Reminder - - When you are cleaning up your yards, please be sure to properly dispose of the leaves, clippings, etc., and not place them in the common areas or behind your home. The city will only pick up debris in “clear” bags. Atlantic Landscaping is not responsible for cleaning up debris from private property. The landscaping is looking so pretty, and we all want to do our part to continue making Stratford Manor a beautiful community. ********************************** GOT JUNK????? As a helpful reminder, please do not put large items (i.e., grills, appliances, televisions, etc.) on the street for trash pickup. The ReStore offers free pick up and they are always in need of appliances, furniture, cabinets, tools, building materials, housewares, flooring, lighting and more! Call the ReStore at 757-941-4079 – option 1 to schedule a free pick up. ************************ DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THE 411? The best way to be in the “know” is to get the SM’s Newsletter via email. Please make sure that we have your EMAIL address. To update your contact information, email it to the board at the following email address: board@stratfordmanor.net. **************** Be A Good Neighbor – With hot weather almost here, please be a good neighbor and promptly pick up dog waste from your pet. If you are walking your dog, please feel free to use the two dog stations found within our community. Do not place dog waste in other people’s trash can. Remember to clean off your patio frequently as no one enjoys sitting on their patio smelling dog waste. Dog waste also attracts unwanted rodents (rats and mice) which breed diseases. Thank you for your continued assistance with this. |
Summertime Brings Mosquitoes -
Mosquitoes have four life stages – eggs, larvae, pupae,
adults. Since three of the stages (eggs, larvae, pupae) are found in water,
eliminating water sources that can breed mosquitoes eliminates the chances of
mosquitoes biting, and thus disease transmission. Source reduction includes the
following:
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Clean up and haul away all trash piles, bottles
and cans, debris, and related items from around houses.
-
Avoid having open water areas or containers
around the house such as puddles, open flowerpots and containers, damaged water
pipes, tires, etc. that might breed mosquitoes.
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Fill tree holes with mortar.
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Empty or change water in pet dishes, bird baths,
etc. at least once a week.
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Keep roof gutters clean.
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Avoid accumulation of decaying material and
garbage in and around the home.
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Fix any low spots in the yard that hold water
for long-term control.
Mosquito Dunks – The
(Mosquito Dunks®) are sustained-release products that float on water and
release a long-term larvicide at the water's surface which must be eaten by the
mosquito larvae. Under typical environmental conditions it will work for 30
days or longer. See the package directions to determine the appropriate number
of dunks to use for water you are treating. These dunks can be used in water
sources such as bird baths, flowerpots, tree holes, rain barrels and roof
gutters, and water gardens. The bits, sold as Mosquito Bits™, provide a fast
kill (within 24 hours) versus the dunks that generally take longer to kill
since they have a lower dose of Bti. However, the bits do not provide long-term
control.
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