Streetlights out on Sloane - UPDATED

UPDATE Dec. 14 - The contractor working on restoring the lights on Sloan Place found the problem--a faulty electrical switch on the breakers--and has made the necessary repairs. Lights will be on tonight.

A resident notified the board and property management on Saturday, Dec. 9 that the three streetlights on Sloane were out. As soon as any information is available about the cause of the outage and a timeline for repair, it will be posted here.

News for December 2017

Stratford Manor Annual Meeting 

The Stratford Manor Association held its Annual Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church on Deep Creek Road. The treasurer's report was read and approved. Nominations were taken for board election. John Gullett and Linda Wahlert were nominated and elected. Outgoing board members were: Mary Lewis, president; Ann Turner, vice president; Nancy Allen, board member. A motion was made to accept the Proposed Amendment to Article VI Section 1 of the Bylaws to remove the requirement of monthly meetings of the Board of Directors and to change the number of Board Members. The motion to change the number of meetings passed, but the motion to change the number of board members did not. 

At its December meeting, the new board elected John Gullett president and Linda Wahlert vice president. Satori Gregorakis was elected to fill an open board seat.

Bulk trash reminder
Please be reminded that bulk trash and yard waste is only picked up on recycling days (see trash pick up calendar below). DO NOT pile bulk trash or yard waste at the curb until after 3 p.m. the day before pickup. Piles of trash at the curb are unsightly and may become a traffic hazard.

Slow down!
Please be reminded that the speed limit throughout Stratford Manor is 15 mph. It is important to obey this speed limit to keep our community safe.

Trash Pickup Schedule
Dec. 5—trash only
Dec. 12—trash, recycling & bulk
Dec. 19—trash only
Dec. 27—Wed. pickup due to holiday. Trash, recycling & bulk

If your container was missed during collection, call 757-933-2311.
Remember: Trash receptacles must be curbside for collection no earlier than 3pm on Monday for collection on Tuesday and removed from the street by 6pm on Wednesday.
Residents who are temporarily or permanently disabled are eligible to receive backyard garbage and recycling collection, if no other able-bodied person resides in the household. To receive an application for backyard collection,
call 757-933-2311.

Next Board Meeting
January 4, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Advanced Association Management Group
11828 Canon Blvd., Suite A, Newport News
Homeowners & residents are always welcome.

News for October 2017

Stratford Manor Annual Meeting  
The Stratford Manor annual meeting will be held on Thursday, October 26, at 7 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church on Deep Creek Road. 

Email newsletters starting in November 
Beginning next month, Stratford Manor will no longer distribute printed newsletters. You can get your Stratford Manor news by joining our email list. Go to www.bit.ly/stratfordemail to subscribe. Please note that you can also get the latest news by simply visiting our website. If you need to continue receiving the newsletter in print, we are happy to do so. 

Maintenance Updates

Drainage: The contractor from whom the board received a proposal for work to improve drainage was unable to attend the Oct. 12 board meeting. However, the board is determined to get their questions answered and vote on the proposal BEFORE the Oct. 26 annual meeting. We are very anxious to finally move forward, but want to ensure that the proposed work will provide an effective solution. 

Landscaping: We will have a professional tree service checking trees in the common areas for any hazardous limbs that need to be removed. Hurricane season is still upon us and we want to keep our trees and residents well cared for. Additionally, Year Round Landscaping will be putting in some new plantings, replacing shrubs that have failed to thrive, and aerating and seeding the grass. The replacement of the dead plants is at no cost to Stratford Manor. Seeding and aeration are part of our contracted services. 

Signage: Property management will be obtaining proposals for the cleaning and/or painting of the large Stratford Manor signs. 

Prettiest Yard Contest Winner

Each quarter, one hard-working homeowner will win a $25 gift card for Anderson’s. This quarter’s winner is April Peterson, 110 Wellesley. Congratulations, April and thank you for your hard work, especially during the hot summer months! 

Owners help beautify common areas 
We want to thank homeowners on Wellesley who, with board approval, purchased flowering plants for the common areas near their homes and watered and cared for them through the hot summer. Their cooperative efforts make our community more beautiful. 

Bulk trash and yard waste reminders 
We  include the recycling and bulk trash pick-up schedule in our newsletter. Please make sure you only place bulk pick-up items and yard waste on the curb on the correct day. Please also note that bagged yard waste must be placed in CLEAR bags or it will not be picked up. Please do not place yard waste, bagged or loose, on the curb until pick-up day. Please note that large cardboard boxes will not be picked up as bulk trash—they must be broken down and placed in the blue recycling bin. Also, when it comes to recycling, place your recyclables loose in the bin, NOT in plastic bags. 

Theft from automobiles up in Newport News
Throughout the city, officers are reporting an alarming spike in the rise of theft from automobiles – and, surprisingly enough, most of the automobiles were left unlocked. The Newport News Police Department is offering the following tips to help keep your belongings and automobile safe:

• Always make sure all windows are rolled up-all the way,  lock your automobile, and take your keys. Do not leave spare keys in your car. Give a reliable family member or friend a spare key or subscribe to a service that provides lockout assistance for emergencies.
• Avoid leaving valuables in your automobile or in your trunk. If your car is unlocked, a thief can still gain access to your trunk if your car has a trunk release button on the inside.
• Parking your automobile in a well-lit area, garage, or driveway will deter theft. Although parking garages are convenient, it is particularly important to lock your car when parked in one. They are attractive to thieves because they have a wider selection of cars to steal or steal from. 
• Never leave your automobile running. Subscribe to a service similar to OnStar who can track your car or invest in a tracking device so that your car is easily found if it is ever stolen.
• Install an anti-theft device that is highly visible, hard to defeat, and that renders the automobile un-drivable.  
• Do not leave important papers, especially a car title, in your automobile. Be sure to record the serial numbers of aftermarket stereos, or other items and leave them in a safe place at home.

If you have experienced a theft call 911 or the non-emergency number at 247-2500. Or if you meet certain criteria, you can file an online report by visiting www.NNPDOnline.com. The most important thing you can do to protect your belongings and your car is to LOCK IT UP. 

Trash Pickup Schedule 

Oct. 17—trash, recycling & bulk
Oct. 24—trash only
Oct. 31—trash, recycling & bulk
Nov. 7—trash only
Nov. 14—trash, recycling & bulk
Nov. 21—trash only
Nov. 28—trash, recycling & bulk
Dec. 5—trash only
Dec. 12—trash, recycling & bulk
Dec. 19—trash only 
Dec. 27—Wed. pickup due to holiday.  Trash, recycling & bulk 

If your container was missed during collection, call 757-933-2311. 

Remember: Trash receptacles must be curbside for collection no earlier than 3pm on Monday for collection on Tuesday and removed from the street by 6pm on Wednesday.

Residents who are temporarily or permanently disabled are eligible to receive backyard garbage and recycling collection, if no other able bodied person resides in the household. To receive an application for backyard collection,

call 757-933-2311.

News for September 2017

Board elections in October 
Three board seats will be up for election at our Annual Meeting in October.  If you would like to know more about serving on the board, please contact Betty Snyder, chair of the Nominating Committee, 757-599-3163 or betty@snydertax.hrcoxmail.com. 

Plan to attend the Annual Meeting
The Stratford Manor annual meeting will be held in October at Christ United Methodist Church on Deep Creek Road. Watch your mail for Annual Meeting information and materials. Please note that the meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. - this is a CHANGE from the originally announced date.

Email newsletters starting in November 
Beginning in November, Stratford Manor will no longer publish printed newsletters. You can get your Stratford Manor news by joining our email list. Go to www.bit.ly/stratfordemail to subscribe. Please note that you can also get the latest news by simply visiting our website. If you need to continue receiving the newsletter in print, please call or email Ann Turner, stratfordnn@gmail.com or 407-1254.

Paving and Drainage 
A proposal for work to improve drainage in three areas of the common property has been received. Board members will be meeting with the contractor this month to get details. We want to move forward quickly, yet ensure that the proposed work will provide an effective solution. Additionally, the board is receiving proposals to repair and re-paving our streets and parking areas.

Bulk trash and yard waste reminders 
We  include the recycling and bulk trash pick-up schedule in our newsletter. Please make sure you only place bulk pick-up items and yard waste on the curb on the correct day. Please also note that bagged yard waste must be placed in CLEAR bags or it will not be picked up. Please do not place yard waste, bagged or loose, on the curb until pick up day. 

Give them room to work! 
It is very important that you place at least 3 feet between trash/recycling cans when placing them at the curb for pickup. If there’s not enough space between cans, they cannot be picked up—and you may be left with a can full of trash! Space is limited in some areas of our community when it comes to putting out trash for pickup, but please make every effort to give them room to work! 

Prettiest Yard Contest 
Each quarter, one hard-working homeowner will win a $25 gift card for Anderson’s. You can nominate a yard by emailing the board at stratfordnn@gmail.com. Our next winner will be announced in October. 

Architectural Modification Request form
Please remember that all owners must get approval prior to making any exterior structural, color, or other decorative change in appearance. If you are planning to do any work on the exterior of your home, you must complete an Architectural Modification Request form. The form is available on our website, or you may request a copy by contacting property management. 

New rules regarding window coverings and holiday décor 

Please make note of this new rule regarding window and patio door coverings:

All window and patio door coverings visible from the exterior of the home must be maintained in good repair. Permitted coverings are: curtains, drapes, shutters, blinds or shades. Sheets, blankets, flags, signs, aluminum foil, newspaper, cardboard, reflective tint, paint, etc. are not permitted to be used as window or door coverings.  No stickers, signs or displays are permitted (Stickers and signs for first responders and security systems are permitted. Holiday lights may be displayed, but must be white in color). Installation or replacement of interior window treatments does not require an Architectural Modification Request Form.  

The board also amended the holiday decor rule:

All Christmas lights on exterior of homes or in windows must be white for conformity. No inflatable decorations are permitted.

News for August 2017

New rules regarding window coverings and holiday decor
The board has passed a new rule regarding window and patio door coverings:

• All window and patio door coverings visible from the exterior of the home must be maintained in good repair. Permitted coverings are: curtains, drapes, shutters, blinds or shades. Sheets, blankets, flags, signs, aluminum foil, newspaper, cardboard, reflective tint, paint, etc. are not permitted to be used as window or door coverings.  No stickers, signs or displays are permitted (Stickers and signs for first responders and security systems are permitted. Holiday lights may be displayed, but must be white in color). Installation or replacement of interior window treatments does not require an Architectural Modification Request Form.  

It also amended the holiday decor rule:

• All Christmas lights on exterior of homes or in windows must be white for conformity. No inflatable decorations are permitted.

If you have any questions about these new rules, please contact Property Manager Robbi Henry or speak to a member of the board.

Pet waste bag stations

Three pet waste bag stations have been installed in common areas on Sloane, Kenilworth and Wellesley. If you’re out with your pooch and are in need of a bag to pick up after him or her, we hope you’ll avail yourself of one of these stations. We want to make it easy to keep Stratford Manor’s common areas clean and enjoyable for all residents. You can help us maintain them by alerting the board if a station needs refilling by emailing stratfordnn@gmail.com. 

New street lights on Kenilworth

Three new street lights were installed and are now lighting up Kenilworth Drive. Year Round Landscaping will put mulched beds and plantings around the poles in the coming weeks. 

Landscaping

Sadly, four of the new shrubs at the corner of Sloane and Kenilworth were killed by our heat wave. They've been removed and will be replaced after the heat of the summer.  These plantings were guaranteed, so the replacement will be at no cost to SMA. 

Addressing drainage problems

On Friday, July 14, engineers, accompanied by our property management's maintenance specialist, visited the sites at which SMA is experiencing drainage issues when there is heavy or frequent rainfall. We have not yet received the report and recommendations, but hope to have those in hand very soon. This is a priority issue for the board and we will keep you updated on our progress. We want to address the drainage problems as quickly as we can, but not at the expense of an inadequate solution. 

Paving

The board is in the process of obtaining proposals for repair and repaving of the parking areas and streets in Stratford Manor.

SMA Board needs you!
An important way you can serve our community and help keep Stratford Manor a great place to live is by serving on the board. Three board seats will be up for election at our Annual Meeting in October. If you would like to know more about serving on the board, please contact Betty Snyder, chair of the Nominating Committee, 757-599-3163 or betty@snydertax.hrcoxmail.com. The nomination form is available for download on the “Board Members” page of our website. 

And the winner is...

This quarter we had TWO winners of the Prettiest Yard contest. That's right - homeowners Rosalie Grogan (112 Sloane) and Linda & Richard Wahlert (120 Sloane) worked together, getting advanced approval from the board, to improve the common area between their homes. They added a lovely stone path, mulch and plantings. It's a wonderful project that illustrates what great neighbors we have here at Stratford Manor! Both winners will receive a $25 gift card from Anderson's. Congratulations!