Thursday, July 9, 2026

"GOOD NEWS TO USE" - January 2026 Newsletter



 “News You Can Use”

Stratford Manor Association’s

Newsletter

(January 2026)

HELLO JANUARY!  Happy New Year!  January is known as the month of new beginnings, marking the start of the year with New Year’s Day, resolutions, and reflections, named after the Roman god Janus of beginnings.  It’s characterized by cold weather in the Northern Hemisphere (warm in the Southern Hemisphere), popular observances like Dry January (abstaining from alcohol), Veganuary (trying veganism), and awareness months (Blood Donor, Mental Wellness, Cervical Health Awareness), plus cultural events like Burns Night (Scotland), and Australia Day.  Other holidays are New Year’s Day (Jan 1), MLK Jr. Day, Orthodox Christmas (Jan 7), and Epiphany (Jan 6).  The birthstone is Garnet and the birth flower is Carnation.  “What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year”. Author unknown

WELCOME YOUR NEW BOARD FOR 2026! The association’s new board of directors was elected at the Annual Meeting which was held on November 12, 2025.  They are as follows:  Doug Marmon (President), Ryan Hatter (Vice President), Fran (Dobby) Hodges (Secretary), Bob Lucas (Treasurer), and Sara Hanson.  The HOA wishes to thank Stephen DiPersio for his hard work and dedication over the past years.  The newly elected board members are enthusiastic, eager to help improve communication, and to re-establish homeownership pride within our community.


MARK YOUR CALENDARS!   The President of the Stratford Manor Association, in accordance with the Bylaws, is calling for a special membership meeting on February 11, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. during the normally scheduled board meeting.  The purpose of this meeting is to obtain membership vote, in person or proxy, to approve revising the Bylaws to reduce the number of directors from nine (9) to five (5).  The need to reduce the number of directors is primarily due to lack of homeowners willing to volunteer their time to serve on the board.  In January, Abbitt will be mailing each homeowner a meeting notice and a proxy ballot.  After completing, the proxy ballot can be mailed or emailed to Abbitt.


PARKING WITHIN STRATFORD MANOR: Below is a friendly reminder of the parking regulations for Stratford Manor Association. (Reference Amended Rules and Regulations Effective July 1, 2019)

E.  VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC CONTROL POLICY.  The Board of Directors shall from time to time, as necessary, promulgate additional rules and regulations regarding vehicle and traffic control.

The Owner of each townhouse is entitled to the use of 2 automobile parking spaces which shall be as near and convenient to his/her home as reasonably possible, including easy access in and out of the spaces. No motor vehicle which is abandoned, inoperable, unlicensed, or which does not display a valid Virgina state inspection sticker is to be parked or stored upon the property, whether in front of the Owners’ townhouse or in another area.

No portion of the property shall be used for any substantial repair, overhauling, painting, or work of a similar nature on a motor vehicle.  Washing cars, checking oil, changing a flat tire is specifically permitted. 

Owners should keep their cars in good repair, preventing oil and engine fluids from leaking onto the asphalt.  If spills occur, the Owner shall clean up the area as soon as possible.  No vehicles are allowed on the Common Area without written permission from the Board of Directors. 

There is to be no parking of any vehicle on the Association owned streets.  Owners are encouraged to inform their guests and invitees that they may park on the city streets (Kenilworth Drive and Wellesley Drive before the “End City Maintenance” sign). 

It is the responsibility and obligation of the Owner to inform his/her tenants, guests, invitees, as well as any tenant’s guest and invitees, as to the permissible area of parking. Parking of guests/invitee vehicles is the responsibility of the Owner.  Available parking spaces in front of your house should be used for guests and invitees.  Parking in other Owner spaces without permission is not permitted.  Persons not complying with this traffic policy will have their vehicles towed at their expense.


GOOD TO KNOW!

DO YOU WANT THE LATEST INFORMATION? The best way to be kept informed is to receive a copy of the newsletter by email.  To provide or update your contact information, email it to the board at the following email address:  board@stratfordmanor.net.

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Speed Limit in the Community:  The speed limit is 15 mph within our community.  Please be careful of children playing and riding bikes.  

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Be A Good Neighbor – 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.  Dog owners are required to keep their dog under their immediate control at any time a dog is taken off their property. 

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SEWER ISSUES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY!

The community has been experiencing an increase of “repair calls” for clogged sewers.  You should only flush the “3 Ps”, pee, poo, and toilet paper; avoid flushing anything else, especially wipes (even flushable ones), feminine hygiene products, paper towels, tissues, dental floss, cotton balls, hair, condoms, medications, grease, and food, as these clog pipes, damage sewer systems, and pollute waterways. Be sure to keep a small trash bin in your powder room to keep these items from being put in your toilet.  Plumbing / sewer repairs can be costly to you and the HOA.

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2026 TRASH PICK UP DATES:

(Recycle pickup dates in bold)

January 6, January 13, January 21, and January 27. Please be mindful when placing “bulk” items out for pickup. Styrofoam needs to go in “green” trash can. Guidelines can be found at the City’s website: nnva.gov.


SMA Board for 2026

Doug Marmon, President

Email: President.StratfordManor@gmail.com) 

Ryan Hatter, Vice President 

Fran (Dobby) Hodges, Secretary

Email:  Secretary.StratfordManor@gmail.com) 

Bob Lucas, Treasurer

Sara Hanson

 

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 Association’s Website:

stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com 

Contact the Board via their email:

board@stratfordmanor.net

or through Abbitt. 

 Property Management:

Abbitt Management 

Ms. Tricia Wells, Manager

 Email: associations@abbitt.com

757-874-4900

 

               Board Meeting Dates:

                        February 11, 2026, April 8, 2026, June 10, 2026, August 12, 2026, October 14, 2026, and December 9, 2026.

All board meeting will be held at Abbitt Management and will start at 5:30 p.m.

 

                Annual Meeting

November 18, 2026, at 7 p.m.

Abbitt Management Company