SMA residents are cautioned that two youths are going door-to-door in our community today (Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018), allegedly looking for work. Soliciting is not permitted in Stratford Manor and this is posted on our signs. If you engage with these youth, use caution, and inform them that SMA is private property and that soliciting is not permitted. While these young people may genuinely be seeking to earn honest money, they may also be looking to make some dishonest money - picking up packages on porches or burglarizing homes where the owner is away.
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
August - September News
President’s Corner
It’s been over a year since the Stratford Manor Association switched from self-managing to a partnership with a property management company to help run things in our community. But there are still some residents who feel that we would be better off being self-managed.
Why? Some long-time residents say that past SMA boards could perform all of the functions now being handled by AAMG, our property management firm, plus those of the association. Perhaps so. But it is important to understand that managing an association today is much more complicated. Among other things, we have to deal with increased legislative and regulatory oversight, financial and economic pressures, and an aging infrastructure.
And dealing with all that in a self-managed approach falls on the shoulders of board and committee members-- who are all volunteers. They have their own lives to run, and find it increasingly difficult to handle all of the responsibilities that come with managing a community the size and complexity of ours.
“Property management is our only choice,” said Board member Toni Hoe. “We don’t have the expertise to handle the big jobs that we have to deal with today. Property management keeps us abreast of all the laws and keeps track of all of our financial transactions related to each owner,” she added.
Indeed, financial management is probably one of the biggest functions facing homeowner associations today. This can be extremely detailed, because we have to conform to the types of reports required by Virginia laws. Property managers make sure we are in compliance, and ensure that we do all the necessary annual reviews and audits.
In short, going back to relying solely on volunteers to manage our association simply would not work. The number of residents who volunteer today is too small, and a much broader scope of expertise is needed to manage associations than in the past.
One additional benefit of our current arrangement: a professional property manager—not a fellow resident-- confronts violators about late payments, unkempt property, or architectural modifications.
It’s also worth noting that we have a “portfolio manager”. We are not large enough to justify a full-time property manager, so we went with a firm where they manage multiple associations. In effect, we are paying for a percentage of that manager’s time. They can’t devote all their time to Stratford Manor.
Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that the SMA board still has the responsibility of running the association. We simply use the services of a property management firm to handle much of the day-to-day operations, help us comply with all the legal requirements, and ensure that every dollar is spent wisely.
- John Gullett
Homeowner survey coming soon
Do you ever feel like you are part of the silent majority of Stratford Manor homeowners? Your chance to overcome that feeling is just around the corner. Sometime in August the SMA board will mail all homeowners an attitude survey asking your opinions on a wide range of topics, including what you like most about living here and what you would like to see changed.
"We know that homeowners elected us to make decisions on their behalf,” said SMA president John Gullett. “But we think it’s also important to get a sense of the residents’ general attitudes about major aspects of our community. This kind of feedback can be invaluable to us as we tackle the major issues of the association going forward.”
Gullett said the survey will be relatively brief, but will allow for comments on a variety of topics. A self-addressed, stamped envelope will be included to allow survey participants to mail their completed survey to the appropriate address for processing.
Gullett stressed that individual responses will be kept strictly confidential. “Only summary results will be shared with the community,” he said. “No names.”
Annual Meeting Set
The annual meeting of the Stratford Manor Association’s members has been set for 7 p.m. Thursday, October 18, at the Christ United Methodist Church on Deep Creek Road.
With three directors scheduled to go off the board following the meeting, and other important issues usually up for discussion, it is extremely important to have good attendance. “It’s a little like election day,” said John Gullett, SMA president. “If you don’t vote in the Mayor’s race, you shouldn’t complain about what the elected mayor does. If you don’t participate in the annual meeting, you are losing out on an opportunity to make your voice heard.”
If you are interested in a seat on the board—or know someone who would be a good candidate-- just contact any board member or Robbi Henry, our property manager. Nominations for election to the board may also be made from the floor at the annual meeting.
“Most people are hard-pressed for time these days,” said Gullett, “but something as important as the health and vitality of your community certainly deserves some of your attention. And as a board member or volunteer in another capacity, you can spend as little or much of your time as you can spare.”
Detailed information about the annual meeting will be mailed to homeowners in early October.
Mid-Year Assessment Process Goes Well
With just a few exceptions, Stratford Manor homeowners were able to pay their mid-year 2018 assessments in June or July without a hitch. All but 16 homeowners paid by July 31, thus avoiding late fees.
“It’s encouraging that so many homeowners were compliant,” said Robbi Henry, our property manager at AAMG. “It tells me that they understood the process and that our system is working well.”
Letters have been sent to the 16 who hadn’t paid by July 31, advising them of the opportunity to pay the assessment and a late fee before AAMG turns the debt over to a collections lawyer.
Several projects finished; others under way
The long, hot summer may seem like it will never end, but work on maintaining and improving the Stratford Manor community keeps on rolling.
In June, major repairs were made to a stretch of old aggregate concrete sidewalk behind units 131-139 on Sloan Place that had represented numerous tripping hazards. The damaged sidewalk took years to fall into disrepair, but only a couple of weeks to look like new after the contractor, Excel paving, had finished its work. There is a difference in the color of the new sections compared to the old. That’s because the source of the sand used in the original mix is no longer available, according to Excel.
Squirrely Jack Tree and Lawn Care completed its extensive tree trimming work throughout Stratford Manor in July, removing dead limbs and trees, and limbs deemed hazardous. If you think Squirrely Jack missed something, contact our property manager, Robbi Henry. They were last here in 2017.
Earlier this summer, Year Round Landscaping (YRL) completed major work on thinning and trimming large bushes on the property line behind Kenilworth Drive, adjacent to the Masonic property. Nancy Allen, SMA Landscape chair, said the area had been neglected for some time, “but YRL did a great job cleaning up the mess.”
Also, six of our 11 mailbox stations were refurbished with some prep work and a fresh coat of paint. In some cases, it was done to eliminate graffiti.
Meanwhile, work continues or is about to get under way on other projects designed to improve our quality of life in Stratford Manor. Advanced Electric has been awarded a contract to install lighting on all three Stratford Manor signs. Materials were ordered in June, and the only holdup is Dominion Energy, which has to do prep work to electrify the permanent lighting.
A plan developed by a residents’ ad hoc committee to beautify the medians on the west side of Kenilworth Drive is scheduled for late September. The plan involves trimming lower limbs at each island’s ends to allow grassy areas; adding topsoil and mulch; and planting grasses, flowering plants and hardy shrubs.
Meanwhile, the long-delayed drainage project at three locations will resume in August, according to Leon Joyce, our contact with the contractor, E. W. Muller. Rainy weather has been a major problem for months, but Joyce is optimistic that his firm will finish before summer’s end.
Lastly, the board is nearing a decision on selecting one of three paving contractors to repave the roads and parking lots in Stratford Manor. The board is hoping to launch Phase One of a multi-year plan this fall, but a final decision will come after the contractor is selected.
Special committee to take fresh look at rules, regulations
Ever wonder why your mullions must be maintained? Do you even know what a mullion is?
What about the number of pets allowed per unit? Do parakeets count? Can you really have three dogs?
And why are there rules for storing a bicycle that you can’t even ride in the complex? Are we expected to carry it out on our shoulders?
Further, what’s wrong with colored Christmas lights?
These are just a few of the Amended Rules and Regulations that a subcommittee of the board will be reviewing in the coming weeks, with an eye toward making sure they still work for today’s diverse group of Stratford Manor homeowners.
Board members Kevin Leigh and Toni Hoe were asked at the August board meeting to do a thorough review of these rules so any proposed changes could be discussed at the October annual meeting.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the present rules or regulations, please contact a subcommittee member or Robbi Henry, our property manager.
Trash Pickup Schedule
August 7—Trash, recycling & bulk
It’s been over a year since the Stratford Manor Association switched from self-managing to a partnership with a property management company to help run things in our community. But there are still some residents who feel that we would be better off being self-managed.
Why? Some long-time residents say that past SMA boards could perform all of the functions now being handled by AAMG, our property management firm, plus those of the association. Perhaps so. But it is important to understand that managing an association today is much more complicated. Among other things, we have to deal with increased legislative and regulatory oversight, financial and economic pressures, and an aging infrastructure.
And dealing with all that in a self-managed approach falls on the shoulders of board and committee members-- who are all volunteers. They have their own lives to run, and find it increasingly difficult to handle all of the responsibilities that come with managing a community the size and complexity of ours.
“Property management is our only choice,” said Board member Toni Hoe. “We don’t have the expertise to handle the big jobs that we have to deal with today. Property management keeps us abreast of all the laws and keeps track of all of our financial transactions related to each owner,” she added.
Indeed, financial management is probably one of the biggest functions facing homeowner associations today. This can be extremely detailed, because we have to conform to the types of reports required by Virginia laws. Property managers make sure we are in compliance, and ensure that we do all the necessary annual reviews and audits.
In short, going back to relying solely on volunteers to manage our association simply would not work. The number of residents who volunteer today is too small, and a much broader scope of expertise is needed to manage associations than in the past.
One additional benefit of our current arrangement: a professional property manager—not a fellow resident-- confronts violators about late payments, unkempt property, or architectural modifications.
It’s also worth noting that we have a “portfolio manager”. We are not large enough to justify a full-time property manager, so we went with a firm where they manage multiple associations. In effect, we are paying for a percentage of that manager’s time. They can’t devote all their time to Stratford Manor.
Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that the SMA board still has the responsibility of running the association. We simply use the services of a property management firm to handle much of the day-to-day operations, help us comply with all the legal requirements, and ensure that every dollar is spent wisely.
- John Gullett
Homeowner survey coming soon
Do you ever feel like you are part of the silent majority of Stratford Manor homeowners? Your chance to overcome that feeling is just around the corner. Sometime in August the SMA board will mail all homeowners an attitude survey asking your opinions on a wide range of topics, including what you like most about living here and what you would like to see changed.
"We know that homeowners elected us to make decisions on their behalf,” said SMA president John Gullett. “But we think it’s also important to get a sense of the residents’ general attitudes about major aspects of our community. This kind of feedback can be invaluable to us as we tackle the major issues of the association going forward.”
Gullett said the survey will be relatively brief, but will allow for comments on a variety of topics. A self-addressed, stamped envelope will be included to allow survey participants to mail their completed survey to the appropriate address for processing.
Gullett stressed that individual responses will be kept strictly confidential. “Only summary results will be shared with the community,” he said. “No names.”
Annual Meeting Set
The annual meeting of the Stratford Manor Association’s members has been set for 7 p.m. Thursday, October 18, at the Christ United Methodist Church on Deep Creek Road.
With three directors scheduled to go off the board following the meeting, and other important issues usually up for discussion, it is extremely important to have good attendance. “It’s a little like election day,” said John Gullett, SMA president. “If you don’t vote in the Mayor’s race, you shouldn’t complain about what the elected mayor does. If you don’t participate in the annual meeting, you are losing out on an opportunity to make your voice heard.”
If you are interested in a seat on the board—or know someone who would be a good candidate-- just contact any board member or Robbi Henry, our property manager. Nominations for election to the board may also be made from the floor at the annual meeting.
“Most people are hard-pressed for time these days,” said Gullett, “but something as important as the health and vitality of your community certainly deserves some of your attention. And as a board member or volunteer in another capacity, you can spend as little or much of your time as you can spare.”
Detailed information about the annual meeting will be mailed to homeowners in early October.
Mid-Year Assessment Process Goes Well
With just a few exceptions, Stratford Manor homeowners were able to pay their mid-year 2018 assessments in June or July without a hitch. All but 16 homeowners paid by July 31, thus avoiding late fees.
“It’s encouraging that so many homeowners were compliant,” said Robbi Henry, our property manager at AAMG. “It tells me that they understood the process and that our system is working well.”
Letters have been sent to the 16 who hadn’t paid by July 31, advising them of the opportunity to pay the assessment and a late fee before AAMG turns the debt over to a collections lawyer.
Several projects finished; others under way
The long, hot summer may seem like it will never end, but work on maintaining and improving the Stratford Manor community keeps on rolling.
In June, major repairs were made to a stretch of old aggregate concrete sidewalk behind units 131-139 on Sloan Place that had represented numerous tripping hazards. The damaged sidewalk took years to fall into disrepair, but only a couple of weeks to look like new after the contractor, Excel paving, had finished its work. There is a difference in the color of the new sections compared to the old. That’s because the source of the sand used in the original mix is no longer available, according to Excel.
Squirrely Jack Tree and Lawn Care completed its extensive tree trimming work throughout Stratford Manor in July, removing dead limbs and trees, and limbs deemed hazardous. If you think Squirrely Jack missed something, contact our property manager, Robbi Henry. They were last here in 2017.
Earlier this summer, Year Round Landscaping (YRL) completed major work on thinning and trimming large bushes on the property line behind Kenilworth Drive, adjacent to the Masonic property. Nancy Allen, SMA Landscape chair, said the area had been neglected for some time, “but YRL did a great job cleaning up the mess.”
Also, six of our 11 mailbox stations were refurbished with some prep work and a fresh coat of paint. In some cases, it was done to eliminate graffiti.
Meanwhile, work continues or is about to get under way on other projects designed to improve our quality of life in Stratford Manor. Advanced Electric has been awarded a contract to install lighting on all three Stratford Manor signs. Materials were ordered in June, and the only holdup is Dominion Energy, which has to do prep work to electrify the permanent lighting.
A plan developed by a residents’ ad hoc committee to beautify the medians on the west side of Kenilworth Drive is scheduled for late September. The plan involves trimming lower limbs at each island’s ends to allow grassy areas; adding topsoil and mulch; and planting grasses, flowering plants and hardy shrubs.
Meanwhile, the long-delayed drainage project at three locations will resume in August, according to Leon Joyce, our contact with the contractor, E. W. Muller. Rainy weather has been a major problem for months, but Joyce is optimistic that his firm will finish before summer’s end.
Lastly, the board is nearing a decision on selecting one of three paving contractors to repave the roads and parking lots in Stratford Manor. The board is hoping to launch Phase One of a multi-year plan this fall, but a final decision will come after the contractor is selected.
Special committee to take fresh look at rules, regulations
Ever wonder why your mullions must be maintained? Do you even know what a mullion is?
What about the number of pets allowed per unit? Do parakeets count? Can you really have three dogs?
And why are there rules for storing a bicycle that you can’t even ride in the complex? Are we expected to carry it out on our shoulders?
Further, what’s wrong with colored Christmas lights?
These are just a few of the Amended Rules and Regulations that a subcommittee of the board will be reviewing in the coming weeks, with an eye toward making sure they still work for today’s diverse group of Stratford Manor homeowners.
Board members Kevin Leigh and Toni Hoe were asked at the August board meeting to do a thorough review of these rules so any proposed changes could be discussed at the October annual meeting.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the present rules or regulations, please contact a subcommittee member or Robbi Henry, our property manager.
Trash Pickup Schedule
August 7—Trash, recycling & bulk
August 14—Trash only
August 21—Trash, recycling & bulk
August 28—Trash only
Sept. 5—Weds. Pickup due to holiday, Trash, recycling & bulk
Sept. 11—Trash only
Sept. 18—Trash, recycling & bulk
Sept. 25—Trash only
Oct. 2—Trash, recycling & bulk
Oct. 9—Trash only
Oct. 16—Trash, recycling & bulk
Oct. 23—Trash only
Oct. 30—Trash, recycling & bulk
If your container was missed during collection, call 757-933-2311. Remember: Trash receptacles should be curbside for collection no earlier than 3pm on Monday for collection on Tuesday and removed from the street by 6pm on Wednesday.
What can I put in my recycling bin?
Residents of Newport News have the convenience of mixing our recyclables (plastic, paper, glass, etc.) in the big blue recycling containers provided by the city. Recycling is picked up every other week—the schedule can be found on page 3. This is wonderfully convenient, but what exactly can be recycled?
What you CAN recycle:
If your container was missed during collection, call 757-933-2311. Remember: Trash receptacles should be curbside for collection no earlier than 3pm on Monday for collection on Tuesday and removed from the street by 6pm on Wednesday.
What can I put in my recycling bin?
Residents of Newport News have the convenience of mixing our recyclables (plastic, paper, glass, etc.) in the big blue recycling containers provided by the city. Recycling is picked up every other week—the schedule can be found on page 3. This is wonderfully convenient, but what exactly can be recycled?
What you CAN recycle:
· Beverage and food cans, emptied and rinsed
· Plastic tubs (like yogurt, cream cheese, etc), emptied and rinsed
· Plastic and glass bottles, jugs and jars, including lids, emptied and rinsed
· Paperboard (like cereal boxes, file folders)
· Cardboard, flattened, no larger than 3ft by 3ft
· Paper (like newspaper, copy paper, junk mail, magazines)
· Foil pans, rinsed
· NEW!! Cartons (like milk, juice, wine, etc), emptied, rinsed, and recapped. Do not flatten—cartons must retain 3D shape for sorting
What you CANNOT recycle:
· No plastic bags
· No plastics other than those listed above (no toys, for example)
· No Styrofoam, packing peanuts
· No household paper (paper towels, tissues, paper plates)
· No yard waste
· No clothing or shoes
· No clothes hangers
· No fabric, leather, vinyl or carpet
· No electronics
· No food waste
· No window glass, ceramics or other glassware
· No scrap metal (siding, pipes, etc)
· No air filters
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
June-July News
President’s Corner: Cash reserves are key to financial stability
By most everyone’s
standards, Stratford Manor is a beautiful, well-maintained community—but it is
also aging. How we deal with that inescapable fact is the topic of this
message.
Many of us are too busy to
think about how the Association (SMA) is going to pay for repairing a sagging
section of our perimeter fence, or what it might cost to repave our roads and
parking lots. That’s probably best, since the projected cost of some of these
things is a staggering amount that could keep you awake at night.
Proper maintenance of our
infrastructure is such an important contributor to our community that without
it, we would not be able to maintain and preserve property values of individual
and common property. Mortgage lenders would be reluctant to approve mortgages
for people who want to buy into our community. According to a Gallup survey,
overall community appearance—which translates directly into property values—is
the leading reason for residents’ general satisfaction with their communities.
Thankfully, the SMA Board
has been responsibly following a plan to afford maintaining a positive
community appearance for several years. The SMA’s governing documents, as well
as state law, require that homeowner associations conduct a reserve study every
five years to determine how much cash will be needed to pay for future capital
repairs and improvements. Each association can choose how to generate these
needed funds for future repairs, including special assessments, borrowing from
the banks, or setting aside monies monthly in what is commonly called reserve
funds or replacement reserves.
Your Board decided years
ago that the latter option—setting aside monies monthly-- was the least painful
and most responsible way to ensure that adequate funds would be available for
future capital expenditures. Studies done by an outside architectural firm in
2010 and then again in 2015 identified the likely lifespan of our roads, curbs,
sidewalks and several other common-area components that make up our community.
The firm then projected
cost estimates for repairing or replacing those components over a multi-year
period, and estimated how much cash we needed to raise each year to ensure the
plan’s solvency. The current amount being set aside annually is $18,000, or
about $12 per month per homeowner. As a result of this multi-year savings plan,
our replacement reserves are well in excess of $200,000.
A current project to be
paid out of our reserves is the drainage/trenching project affecting several
sections of our community. In addition, the Board is now reviewing estimates
from paving contractors to launch a multi-year plan to repave our parking lots
and roads. We hope to get Phase One under way later this year.
While there are no guarantees with any approach to
financing future capital expenditures, we are hopeful that this pay-as-you-go
approach will continue to serve us well for years to come.
John Gullett, President
Mid-Year Assessment Payments Due
Invoices
for the mid-year 2018 SMA assessment were mailed to homeowners in early June by
AAMG, our property management firm. Payment is due July 1, but there is a
30-day grace period. If payment isn’t made by July 31, a late fee will be
imposed.
And don’t forget, you
can enjoy the convenience of paying your invoice online. If you need
information on how to do this, call Robbi Henry at AAMG, at 757-873-0111. If
mailing your check, send it to the AAMG address on the invoice.
Residents spruce up exteriors
after inspections
AAMG’s architectural inspections in April—the
first since last year-- identified some 40 violations of our community’s
standards, a relatively low number compared to one year ago. “We think the
advance notice we gave everyone that we were coming prompted a lot of residents
to go ahead and spruce up their homes after a fairly rough winter,” said Robbi
Henry, AAMG’s property manager.
Violations consisted
mostly of minor items, such as shutters or rake boards needing repairs, or dirty
siding needing power washing. By early June nearly all of the cited violations
were corrected or scheduled for repairs by contractors. “Residents were very
understanding and cooperative,” said Henry. “The most frequent question was,
‘What’s a rake board?’”
Satori Gregorakis, the Stratford Manor Homeowners
Association’s architectural compliance officer, accompanied Henry on the
inspections. “What really struck me, aside from how well most homes are being
maintained,” said Gregorakis, “is how beautiful most homeowners’ gardens and
flower beds are. It really was a pleasant surprise to see that the majority of
homeowners obviously take great pride in the appearance of their homes.”
Entrance Signs Getting
Much-Needed Lighting
Ever have nighttime
visitors who complain that they can’t see the Stratford Manor entrance signs in
the dark? Relief is on the way.
Responding to a plea from
a Sloane Place resident who said she couldn’t see where to turn off of
Wellesley when driving home at night, the Board asked AAMG, our property
management firm, to get estimates on lighting the three “entrance” signs
leading into Stratford Manor.
As a result, the Board on June 7 approved awarding a
contract to one of two electrical firms bidding on the job of installing
permanent lighting for the three signs. The work is expected to be done in the
near future.
Kenilworth Landscaping
Committee: ‘We Have a Plan!’
A residents’ ad hoc
committee formed early this year to develop a plan for beautifying the
Kenilworth Drive medians, or islands, has settled on an approach designed to
give new life to the highly visible gateway to our community.
The plan, approved by the
Board of Directors at its June 7 meeting, involves trimming lower limbs of the trees
at each island’s ends to allow grassy areas;
adding topsoil and mulch; and planting grasses, flowering plants and
hardy shrubs.
“We looked at several
possibilities over the past three or four months,” said Nancy Allen, chairman
of the committee. “But this is the first one everyone agreed would be the right
approach.” Other committee members
included fellow residents Satori Gregorakis, Ann Turner, Linda White and Judith
Gullett.
The plan, which will be implemented in the fall, was
enthusiastically endorsed by the Board.
“We counted on the creativity of a group of residents to come up with
the ideal solution to a challenging problem,” said SMA President John Gullett,
“and we weren’t disappointed.”
Landscapers now coming
weekly
Year Round Landscaping
(YRL), the association’s landscaping firm, is keeping busy with Stratford Manor
these days, mowing and edging weekly and continually spraying for weeds.
“They have finished
spreading mulch and applying fertilizer,” said Nancy Allen, SMA landscaping
chair, “but there’s still plenty to do to keep our grounds looking nice.” She
said the azalea bushes will not be trimmed this year, but they will be cleaned
out.
Annuals have been planted
in beds in front of two of our Stratford Manor signs, adding a touch of color
to the landscape. Allen said residents living near the flower beds have
volunteered to keep them watered. Additional plants will soon be added to
sections of Sloane.
In addition, the Board has
approved removing several diseased bushes on the property line behind
Kenilworth Drive units near Deep Creek Road. “We will be cleaning up that area
pretty extensively,” said Allen. “It’s been neglected for quite some time.”
Also, several trees with
limbs hanging over roofs will be removed by Squirrely Jack Tree Service this
summer, to make it more difficult for squirrels. Plus, a diseased tree near 143
Sloane Place will be removed.
“There is a lot going on
outside right now”, said Allen. “The residents can help by weeding and cleaning
up their yards, and by promptly returning trash cans to their proper locations
so that the landscaping crew doesn’t have to move them for mowing and edging.
It’s also important to keep the areas behind their homes clear of pots, rakes
and other items that block the mowers.”
She also reminded residents to empty any vessels holding
rain water, to avoid adding to the mosquito problems this summer.
Sidewalk Repairs Behind
Sloan units under way
A stretch of old sidewalk
behind units 131-139 on Sloan Place had unknown origins, but one thing was
certain: It had deteriorated to the point of being dangerous for pedestrians.
After one resident suffered facial injuries from tripping on the sidewalk, the
Board investigated and concluded that there were tripping hazards that had to
be eliminated.
Excel Paving Corp. was
awarded a contract to replace damaged sections of the sidewalk. The work was
scheduled to be completed sometime in June.
Mailboxes to get a
facelift
Several of Stratford
Manor’s 11 mailboxes are showing some
age, so the Board decided at its June 7
meeting to spruce them up with a fresh coat of paint.
Warner Maintenance was awarded a contract to refurbish
several of the boxes. No specific date
was established by press time, but AAMG property manager Robbi Henry stressed
that the work will not interrupt mail service.
Remember: Setting off fireworks could be costly
With
the Fourth of July just around the corner, it may be tempting to light up those
sparklers you picked up on your last road trip. Think again.
The
City of Newport News strictly enforces a city code that makes it unlawful to
possess or explode any fireworks, including sparklers—unless you can afford a
$250 permit from the fire marshal. And good luck with getting that permit.
Some
unknown parties exploded fireworks on a recent Saturday night near Kenilworth
Drive and Deep Creek Road, at the expense of everyone’s quiet evening at home.
And it wasn’t even July 4th.
If you see someone
exploding fireworks in Stratford Manor, call the police. We don’t need that
kind of dangerous and noisy activity in our community.
City of Newport News launches new alert system
The
City of Newport News has launched a new emergency notification system for
residents.
NNALERT
allows the city to send out alerts and notifications on work, school, weather,
police, fire and other city department announcements.
Residents
can sign up to receive emergency notifications and other important alerts that
you choose to receive. You will receive time-sensitive messages however you
specify—home, mobile or business phones, email, text messages and more.
Newport
News residents can sign up through the link on the front page of the City's
website at www.nnva.gov.
Trash Pickup Schedule
June
19—Trash only
June
26—Trash, recycling & bulk
July
3—Trash only
July
10—Trash, recycling & bulk
July
17—Trash only
July
24—Trash, recycling & bulk
July
31—Trash only
August
7—Trash, recycling & bulk
August
14—Trash only
August
21—Trash, recycling & bulk
August
28—Trash only
Sept.
5—Weds. Pickup due to holiday, Trash, recycling & bulk
Sept.
11—Trash only
If
your container was missed during collection, call 757-933-2311.
Remember: Trash
receptacles should be curbside for collection no earlier than 3pm on Monday for
collection on Tuesday and removed from the street
by
6pm on Wednesday.
Friday, April 13, 2018
April-May News
President’s Corner
When a Stratford Manor homeowner complained recently about an issue that was taking entirely too long to resolve, she said, “Why am I still paying my dues If you can’t get this fixed?” While the delay in dealing with her problem was unavoidable, her comment did cause me to think about what we are all getting for our assessments.
If we had a swimming pool, club house or golf course, it might be easier to answer. After all, amenities such as those do cost money to operate, and are highly visible. But since we don’t have any of them, we have to look a little deeper to learn where our assessments are going.
If we had a swimming pool, club house or golf course, it might be easier to answer. After all, amenities such as those do cost money to operate, and are highly visible. But since we don’t have any of them, we have to look a little deeper to learn where our assessments are going.
Our Stratford Manor Association (SMA)’s Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions provides the broadest answer: “The assessments levied by the Association shall be used exclusively to promote the recreation, health, safety and welfare of the residents in the Properties, for the improvement and maintenance of the Common Area, and for the maintenance of lawns and landscaping on the Lots…”
This means, among other things, that no part of your assessment goes to pay your Board members and officers; they are strictly volunteers, and do not get paid. We do have to pay a monthly fee to Advanced Association Management Group (AAMG), the property management firm the Board hired last summer. That hiring, after some three decades of self-governance, prompted some residents to wonder why we couldn’t just keep doing the same old thing, the same old way, without paying anybody.
Since I was elected President a few months ago, I have discovered the answer to that question. Basically, the administrative burden of operating our Association grew substantially over the years, while volunteer residents able to devote time and energy to the HOA continued to decline. We all have a huge investment in our community, and having a professional management company helps us meet the ever-increasing demands and challenges is key to preserving that investment.
In this and future issues of this newsletter, I will be discussing these challenges. Here are just a few:
I have become aware of a surprisingly large number of issues that called for AAMG to mediate disputes between neighbors. Ranging from leaving garbage bins out on the curb for days at a time, to putting the wrong-color shingles on a new roof, these disputes are dealt with by AAMG instead of angry homeowners starting range wars with their neighbors.
“For me”, said former Board member Ann Turner, “my assessment makes sure that the neighborhood in which I live will always be maintained to a certain standard. I will never have to say, ‘There goes the neighborhood.” She added that this is important for “quality of life and individual property value.”
For others, it’s important to know that our SMA is can afford to pay for upkeep on its landscaping, streetlights, fences, parking lots, etc. “Being a single senior female on a fixed income,” said Board member Beverly Forester, “it is important to me to feel secure about the investment I made in the purchase of my home. The knowledge that our association is financially solvent and can afford to cover the expenses of repairing/replacing Common Area necessities is very important to me.”
John Gullett, President
Next issue: Our cash reserves...what are they and why are they important?
Next issue: Our cash reserves...what are they and why are they important?
Pet policy strengthened
Responding to complaints about dog lovers not always being thoughtful enough to pick up after their pets, The SMA Board voted at its April 5 meeting to put more teeth into its policy on pets. Effective immediately, SMA residents are required to keep their pets on a leash, control excessive barking, pick up their pets’ waste, and prevent their pets from relieving themselves on other residents’ property or common area shrubbery. “We aren’t changing any of the established provisions of the rules and regulations for pets,” said John Gullett, SMA president. “We simply are eliminating language that some people had interpreted as meaning that compliance was voluntary.” He said the Board also wanted to send the message that “keeping Stratford Manor safe, clean and friendly is everyone’s responsibility.” The Board made it easier for dog walkers last year when it installed three pet waste bag stations in common areas on Sloan, Kenilworth and Wellesley—just in case you get caught without a bag to pick up after your pet. The revised rule states:
Only indoor pets are allowed; no pet or domestic animal is to be tied or housed outside the residence. Pets must be leashed and not allowed to run loose on the property, or otherwise create a nuisance. Number of pets is limited to three per unit.
Pets must not be allowed to walk, urinate, or defecate on the private property of other residents. Owners must clean up after pets defecating in the Common Area and must not allow their pets to urinate on Common Area shrubbery. Owners must control excessive barking, and not allow their pets to jump on people.
Landscapers get busy
Spring landscaping activity is now under way, with Year Round Landscaping (YRL), the association’s landscaping firm, spreading mulch, applying fertilizer and crabgrass control, and preparing to replant annuals. Resident Nancy Allen, who coordinates landscaping activities for Stratford Manor, reported to the Association board in early April that mulching had just begun and should be completed soon, weather permitting. “Weekly mowing will begin this month and weed control will continue to be applied around beds, sidewalks, etc., throughout the summer,” she said. Allen added that by the end of April annuals will be planted in beds around the SMA signs at Wellesley Drive and Kenilworth Drive and at Kenilworth and Deep Creek Road; also at the very end of Wellesley.
Wind storm caused damage
Before starting its normal spring work, YRL dealt with two unusual issues. First, the severe wind storm in March claimed one tree and several limbs, all of which had to be cleaned up. “We lost a large cherry tree in front of 101 Wellesley, at the curve leading into the back section”, said Allen. “Because of its prominent location, the board decided to grind the stump and plant a lovely crabapple tree (which doesn’t bear fruit).” She commended the landscaping crew for its quick work in replacing the tree and in picking up all the limbs and other debris throughout Stratford Manor. “It took them a solid two days to clean it all up,” said Allen. In addition, YRL cleared debris from around shrubs behind several homes on Sloane Place. Homeowners in a section near Wellesley Drive had complained that over time, workers blowing debris into the wooded area between Stratford Manor and Pinecroft caused leaves and pine needles to encroach on shrubbery planted along the edge of the common area. YRL agreed to bag the debris in that area during future cleanups.
Kenilworth is focus of landscaping study
A residents’ ad hoc committee formed to develop a plan for beautifying the Kenilworth Drive medians, or islands, held its first meeting in late-February, with the goal of implementing a solution to the challenging landscape by this fall. The special committee includes its chairwoman Nancy Allen, and fellow residents Satori Gregorakis, Ann Turner, Linda White and Judith Gullett. The Kenilworth medians have proven defiant during previous attempts to establish attractive but durable landscaping. The Board decided to rely on the creativity of Stratford Manor residents to come up with the ideal solution. The committee’s next meeting is in early May.
Residence inspections set for April 25
With winter officially over, AAMG, our property management firm, will be conducting its first architectural compliance inspection of 2018 on Wednesday, April 25. Robbi Henry, AAMG’s property manager for Stratford Manor, will be looking at the exterior of all residences on that day, checking for compliance with SMA’s by-laws, rules, and regulations. Accompanying her will be resident and board member Satori Gregorakis, the board’s architectural compliance officer. They will be looking at the condition of such things as roofs, windows, shutters and siding. So if you are planning to repair your gutter or power wash your shed, this would be a good time to do it. Residents found in violation of any of the rules will be advised in writing and asked to take action necessary to correct the issues. For a detailed list of items subject to inspection, see the “Architectural Compliance Checklist” here.
Trash Pickup Schedule
Apr. 10—Trash only
Apr. 17—Trash, recycling & bulk
Apr. 24—Trash only
May 1—Trash, recycling & bulk
May 8—Trash only
May 15—Trash, recycling & bulk
May 22—Trash only
May 30—Wed. pickup due to holiday - Trash, recycling & bulk
June 5—Trash only
June 12—Trash, recycling & bulk
June 19—Trash only
June 26—Trash, recycling & bulk
If your container was missed during collection, call 757-933-2311.
Remember: Trash receptacles should be curbside for collection no earlier than 3pm on Monday for collection on Tuesday and removed from the street
Responding to complaints about dog lovers not always being thoughtful enough to pick up after their pets, The SMA Board voted at its April 5 meeting to put more teeth into its policy on pets. Effective immediately, SMA residents are required to keep their pets on a leash, control excessive barking, pick up their pets’ waste, and prevent their pets from relieving themselves on other residents’ property or common area shrubbery. “We aren’t changing any of the established provisions of the rules and regulations for pets,” said John Gullett, SMA president. “We simply are eliminating language that some people had interpreted as meaning that compliance was voluntary.” He said the Board also wanted to send the message that “keeping Stratford Manor safe, clean and friendly is everyone’s responsibility.” The Board made it easier for dog walkers last year when it installed three pet waste bag stations in common areas on Sloan, Kenilworth and Wellesley—just in case you get caught without a bag to pick up after your pet. The revised rule states:
Only indoor pets are allowed; no pet or domestic animal is to be tied or housed outside the residence. Pets must be leashed and not allowed to run loose on the property, or otherwise create a nuisance. Number of pets is limited to three per unit.
Pets must not be allowed to walk, urinate, or defecate on the private property of other residents. Owners must clean up after pets defecating in the Common Area and must not allow their pets to urinate on Common Area shrubbery. Owners must control excessive barking, and not allow their pets to jump on people.
Landscapers get busy
Spring landscaping activity is now under way, with Year Round Landscaping (YRL), the association’s landscaping firm, spreading mulch, applying fertilizer and crabgrass control, and preparing to replant annuals. Resident Nancy Allen, who coordinates landscaping activities for Stratford Manor, reported to the Association board in early April that mulching had just begun and should be completed soon, weather permitting. “Weekly mowing will begin this month and weed control will continue to be applied around beds, sidewalks, etc., throughout the summer,” she said. Allen added that by the end of April annuals will be planted in beds around the SMA signs at Wellesley Drive and Kenilworth Drive and at Kenilworth and Deep Creek Road; also at the very end of Wellesley.
Wind storm caused damage
Before starting its normal spring work, YRL dealt with two unusual issues. First, the severe wind storm in March claimed one tree and several limbs, all of which had to be cleaned up. “We lost a large cherry tree in front of 101 Wellesley, at the curve leading into the back section”, said Allen. “Because of its prominent location, the board decided to grind the stump and plant a lovely crabapple tree (which doesn’t bear fruit).” She commended the landscaping crew for its quick work in replacing the tree and in picking up all the limbs and other debris throughout Stratford Manor. “It took them a solid two days to clean it all up,” said Allen. In addition, YRL cleared debris from around shrubs behind several homes on Sloane Place. Homeowners in a section near Wellesley Drive had complained that over time, workers blowing debris into the wooded area between Stratford Manor and Pinecroft caused leaves and pine needles to encroach on shrubbery planted along the edge of the common area. YRL agreed to bag the debris in that area during future cleanups.
Kenilworth is focus of landscaping study
A residents’ ad hoc committee formed to develop a plan for beautifying the Kenilworth Drive medians, or islands, held its first meeting in late-February, with the goal of implementing a solution to the challenging landscape by this fall. The special committee includes its chairwoman Nancy Allen, and fellow residents Satori Gregorakis, Ann Turner, Linda White and Judith Gullett. The Kenilworth medians have proven defiant during previous attempts to establish attractive but durable landscaping. The Board decided to rely on the creativity of Stratford Manor residents to come up with the ideal solution. The committee’s next meeting is in early May.
Residence inspections set for April 25
With winter officially over, AAMG, our property management firm, will be conducting its first architectural compliance inspection of 2018 on Wednesday, April 25. Robbi Henry, AAMG’s property manager for Stratford Manor, will be looking at the exterior of all residences on that day, checking for compliance with SMA’s by-laws, rules, and regulations. Accompanying her will be resident and board member Satori Gregorakis, the board’s architectural compliance officer. They will be looking at the condition of such things as roofs, windows, shutters and siding. So if you are planning to repair your gutter or power wash your shed, this would be a good time to do it. Residents found in violation of any of the rules will be advised in writing and asked to take action necessary to correct the issues. For a detailed list of items subject to inspection, see the “Architectural Compliance Checklist” here.
Trash Pickup Schedule
Apr. 10—Trash only
Apr. 17—Trash, recycling & bulk
Apr. 24—Trash only
May 1—Trash, recycling & bulk
May 8—Trash only
May 15—Trash, recycling & bulk
May 22—Trash only
May 30—Wed. pickup due to holiday - Trash, recycling & bulk
June 5—Trash only
June 12—Trash, recycling & bulk
June 19—Trash only
June 26—Trash, recycling & bulk
If your container was missed during collection, call 757-933-2311.
Remember: Trash receptacles should be curbside for collection no earlier than 3pm on Monday for collection on Tuesday and removed from the street
by 6pm on Wednesday.
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