Stratford Manor

“News You Can Use”

Stratford Manor Association’s

Newsletter

(August 2026)

HELLO AUGUST! August brings peak summer vacation season in the Northern Hemisphere, the winding down of the “Dog Days” of summer, and the start of back-to-school planning. It is a month rich with traditions, symbols, holidays, and skywatching highlights, including the Perseid meteor shower, which usually peaks in mid-August. August’s birthstone is peridot, also known as the evening emerald, and its birth flowers are gladiolus and poppy. Fun dates to celebrate include National Watermelon Day on August 3^rd and National S’mores Day on August 30^th. “August is the slow, gentle month that stretches out the longest across the span of a year. It yawns and lingers on with the light in its palms.” —Victoria Erickson

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JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT ADVENTURE: Bookish Bites: Bookish Bites, our lunchtime book swap, will meet on August 11, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. in the back room at Schooner’s Restaurant. Bring a book to exchange, enjoy lunch, and spend time with neighbors. Please share this newsletter with any new neighbors so they can join us, too. Save the date—we look forward to seeing you there. (Contributed by Barb Lucas, Welcoming Committee Chairperson)

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IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:

UPCOMING: PAVING OF WELLESLEY DRIVE: Parking Lot Maintenance is scheduled to repave Wellesley Drive. Homeowners on Wellesley have received a handout with the paving schedule. The “Red Phase” for the back section of Wellesley is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5^th, and Thursday, August 6^th. The “Blue Phase” for the front section is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12^th, and Thursday, August 13^th. All work is weather permitting, and the schedule is tentative and may change. Vehicles in the active work area must be moved by 8 a.m. each workday. Vehicles that are not moved will be towed to an available public street parking space. Residents may return vehicles to assigned parking spaces after 5:00 p.m. or once work is complete each day. Please remain flexible during this temporary disruption. (See attached phasing map.)

HOME INSPECTIONS: Summer is a busy season for homeowners and our management company. The board has contacted Abbitt for additional information about the home inspections and is waiting for a response. We will keep you posted!

SAFETY FIRST - HELP US HELP YOU! First responders need to find your home quickly. Please make sure your house number is easy to see and keep your front porch light on; white or clear bulbs are best for safety.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER—THIS IS IMPORTANT!

Recently, some repairs and renovations have been completed in the community without homeowners first submitting an Architectural Request to Abbitt Management. Renovations which greatly impacted the community property of Stratford Manor!

What are architectural requests, and why are they needed? Architectural requests are written proposals homeowners submit to Abbitt Management before making exterior changes to their property. They are typically required for projects such as adding a fence, replacing a roof, changing a home’s paint color, installing new windows or doors, or adding a patio. The Architectural Committee reviews each request to ensure the proposed work supports the community’s appearance, protects property values, and considers the overall impact on the neighborhood.

Why do architectural requests matter? Architectural requests help preserve Stratford Manor’s appearance, character, and property values. This process promotes fairness and consistency, helps prevent changes that conflict with the neighborhood’s overall design, and supports compliance with local requirements. By reviewing requests in advance, the HOA helps maintain a cohesive community standard that benefits all residents.

All exterior structural work must receive prior approval. Homeowners must obtain approval before making exterior structural, color, or decorative changes. No homeowner may authorize exterior work in Stratford Manor without prior approval from the Architectural Committee. Architectural request forms are available on the Stratford Manor Blogspot, and all requests must be submitted to Abbitt Management Company. Please include as much detail as possible and attach any related correspondence. Providing complete information helps answer questions upfront and reduces the need for follow-up from the Architectural Committee. Thank you for your cooperation. For additional information, you can visit our website at stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com.

Key Takeaway: Skipping HOA approval for exterior repairs or modifications can lead to liens, legal action and removal of unauthorized work, and problems when selling your home. The process usually starts with a written notice giving the homeowner time to correct the issue or respond. In serious cases, the HOA may seek a court order requiring the unauthorized improvement to be removed at the homeowner’s expense, especially if it violates recorded restrictions. To avoid these issues, review the HOA’s governing documents before starting any exterior work. As always, we appreciate your cooperation. “REMEMBER, IF IN DOUBT, ASK FIRST”!

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GARBAGE PICK-UP DATES: August 4, August 11, August 18, and August 15

Please remember to timely “put away” your garbage cans after picking up. Garbage bins cannot be stored on the street or in front of your home. Got big stuff? Call 311! Thanks!

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