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!

Drainage update

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 hope to have a report from the engineer very soon that will outline the cause of these issues and what improvements could be made. 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.

Missing Cat!

UPDATE 7/14/17 -- Krissy is home! She was spotted by neighbors and Jo was able to bring her back home where she belongs! 

Jo Timberlake, 153 Sloane Place, is missing her cat, Krissy, who got out early this morning. Krissy is a white and gray cat, with some brown. She is an indoor cat, and is unfamiliar with the neighborhood.
Thank you!

News for July 2017

Dues payment grace period

Some homeowners have expressed concern that the dues letter didn’t indicate that the 30 days grace period for dues payment was still in effect. The board wants to assure you that it is! We regret that the letter was not clear and will endeavor to include that information in future letters. Please know that dues should be paid by July 1. However, there will be no late charge unless dues are paid after July 31.

Addressing drainage problems

There are some areas of Stratford Manor that are experiencing drainage issues when there is heavy or frequent rainfall. A survey of those areas has been done and an engineer will be on the property very soon to determine the cause of these issues and what improvements could be made. The board has struggled with this issue for many months and is very pleased that our property management is able to help us finally make some real progress. Updates will be posted on our website as soon as they are available and will be included in the monthly newsletter. 

New street lights on Kenilworth

Three new street lights are in the process of being installed on Kenilworth Drive. Electrical wiring has been put in and one pole is already in place and working. The other two poles are on backorder and will be installed as soon as they are available.

Pet waste bag stations

Three pet waste bag stations will be installed in common areas soon. 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. Once the stations are installed, you can help us maintain them by alerting the board if a station needs refilling by emailing stratfordnn@gmail.com.

Shrub removal

Some of the new shrubs planted along Kenilworth Drive have failed to thrive. They will be removed very soon, but we will not replace them until this fall, after the heat of summer has passed. They will be replaced with something a bit hardier.

Architectural inspections

A few homeowners received 2nd notice letters regarding required repairs and maintenance that were sent in error. Board members performed the initial inspections and follow up was done by the property management company. Moving forward, property management will perform all inspections, avoiding any confusion. If you received a 2nd notice that you believe is in error, please contact the board at stratfordnn@gmail.com.

New: 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 will be available soon on our website, or you may request a copy be mailed or delivered to you by emailing stratfordnn@gmail.com.

Prettiest Yard Contest

We’re on the lookout for the next winner in the 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 September.

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. The nomination form is available for download on the “Board Members” page of our website or by emailing stratfordnn@gmail.com.

Switching to email newsletters

Stratford Manor wants to save trees and save money! Beginning in 2018, we plan to switch from printed newsletters to email. If you need to continue receiving the newsletter in print, please email Ann Turner, stratfordnn@gmail.com.

Property Management FAQs

Why did the board decide to hire a property manager?

As a self-managed association, SMA’s board had to be a working board – every member had to be hands-on, putting in the significant time and energy required to do the work of the association - everything from managing landscaping, invoicing and collecting dues, inspecting every home for architectural compliance, to responding to resident concerns.  Having a volunteer board providing management had become increasingly challenging. In some cases, the board was not able to provide a prompt or effective response homeowner concerns. We were also acutely aware that none of us has the knowledge or experience to effectively manage a property like SMA. We take our responsibility to our neighbors very seriously and want to make sure we are providing the very best management possible. Our homes are significant investments for all of us and, if we do not manage the association well, our property values could decline.

Does the SMA Board have the power to engage a property management company?

The SMA board has the power to engage the services of a professional management agency without the vote of the association members. The members elect us to manage the business of the association and the board is empowered by Article VII, Section 1 (e) of the By-Laws to “Employ a manager, independent contractor, or such other employees as they deem necessary, and to prescribe their duties.”

Why did the board not notify us in advance of this change?

The board had discussed the possibility of professional property management in our regular open meetings over several months. Board members asked residents to help with the work required to manage Stratford Manor, but none were able or willing. We had a difficult time just getting enough people to fill the nine board seats. With the resignation of the treasurer, the matter became extremely urgent and we decided to move forward. We regret that the timing of our decision did not allow for a general announcement.

What will the property manager do for us?

Included in the work of the property manager is: responding to resident questions and complaints; managing the landscaping service; providing architectural compliance inspections, notifications and following up on violations; invoicing and collecting dues; and managing the maintenance of and improvements to the common property. The SMA board is still in control, but will have the professional expertise of our property management company to help us make the best decisions we can for SMA. We also have a dedicated property manager to make sure that work is done promptly and professionally.

How much does property management cost?

The cost of property management is $12,384 per year. This breaks down to $8 per month per townhome unit.

Will dues go up?

The cost of professional management will require a small increase in the association dues. The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, Article IV, Section 3(b), empowers the board to increase the annual assessment not more than 10% each year without a vote of the association membership. At the June 1 board meeting, the board voted to raise association dues for 2018 from $650 to $715 annually, an increase of $65.

Did you consider any other companies before choosing Advanced Association Management?

We met with and received proposals from three local property management companies. We felt that Advanced Association Management Group was the best fit for our association. It’s a small, “boutique” firm that works closely with the board and tailors their service to our needs.

Whom do I contact if I need to report a problem or have a complaint?

Contact Advanced Association Management Group, 873-0111 or robin@aamg-va.com

How do I contact a board member if I have concerns about property management?

You can contact the members of the board by emailing stratfordnn@gmail.com. Please do call or email us if you have questions or concerns.