Monday, March 4, 2024

'NEWS YOU CAN USE' - March 2024 Newsletter

 

Stratford Manor Association's Newsletter

(March 2024)

TOWN HALL MEETING SCHEDULED:  The next Town Hall Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church.  At this meeting, a representative from the local police department will discuss neighborhood safety and offer suggestions on ways to help keep our neighborhood safe.  The re-vitalization of the Neighborhood Safety Watch Program will be discussed.  If you are interested in volunteering your time to be part of the neighborhood watch program, please contact Doug Marmon at his email address (president.stratfordmanor@gmail.com).

Several of the homeowners within our community have had their vehicle broken into and no windows were broken.  The homeowners felt that they had locked their doors.  As a reminder, do not keep any items of value visible in your car.  Unfortunately, there are “apps” that can clone key fobs (and credit cards) within Bluetooth range.  As a suggestion, on Amazon you can buy RFID signal blocking envelopes to keep your key fob, credit cards, etc., in to prevent cloning.

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Renewal Efforts Are Underway – As you may recall, the Stratford Manor Association launched an effort to adopt a newly updated Declaration – the legal document that serves as our community’s Constitution.  The board is renewing their efforts to get the remaining 17 signatures needed to approve the Amended Declaration.  Stephen DiPersio, Chairman of the Governance Committee, states, “For those who have not yet signed the ratification form to approve the Amended Declaration, the HOA board will be contacting you either via email or in person to provide you information on why the Amended Declaration needs to be approved.  Your help to maintain the integrity of the HOA community is appreciated.”  This will be one of the topics discussed at May’s Town Hall meeting.  The board will provide information to the homeowners and answer any questions or concerns they might have.

Why should you make an effort to sign the amended declaration?  Because the value of your property and the future of our community depends on it.   The original declaration that is currently in place was created in 1983 when the townhomes were built – over 41 years ago!  If you take time to read the original declaration, it speaks of “classes” based on the different sections as the townhomes were built.  Now, there are no ‘classes’ - - all the homeowners are one!  This is one reason why the 41-year-old document needs to be amended/updated.  The Association was advised that the original declaration does not comply with the current Virginia State laws.  Not approving the Amended Declaration will result in the board's inability to administer the necessary guidelines to ensure that violations are taken care of.  Over time, you will see gutters falling off, shingles broken, paint peeling, rotting holes in soffits, and this deterioration will lead to a dramatic decrease in your investment - - your home's value. If you would like more information or have not signed the ratification form and wish to do so, please email Doug Marmon at president.stratfordmanor@gmail.com or Fran (Dobby) Hodges at secretary.stratfordmanor@gmail.com and a copy of the Amended Declaration and Ratification Form will be emailed to you.  No one wants to live in a rundown community.  WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
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Looking for a Notary – The Association is looking for someone in the community who is a notary that can assist us with notarizing the signatures of the homeowners.  If you would like to volunteer your service, please email Doug Marmon at president.stratfordmanor@gmail.com.


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Neighborhood Book Swap and Luncheon at Taste was a big success!  There were lots of books to pick from and everyone had a wonderful time of fellowship.  A big thank you goes to all the members of the Community and Safety Committee for their hard work in planning such an enjoyable event.  A special thank you goes to Donna Groller for making the lovely bookmarks given as favors and for the beautifully decorated tablescape.

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Spring is just around the corner – Soon it will be time to think what new flowers to plant in your yard.  On April 15, 2024, at 11:30 there will be a “Swing into Spring” luncheon at the cafĂ© at Anderson’s Garden Center.  We are hoping that we will have a representative from Anderson’s to talk about spring plants for our area.  Monday is “senior day” where a 10% discount is given.  Be sure to mark your calendar.  LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!     

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 As a reminder, spring inspections are anticipated to be done in May subject to the availability of an inspector from Abbitt.  Start planning what “sprucing up” you can do for your home and yard!

 Trash Pick Up Dates:  March 5, 12 (Bulk) 19, and 26 (Bulk)

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Contractor Needed?

This area of the monthly newsletter will be devoted to proving homeowners with recommendations for local professionals. NOTE:  The following companies / professionals have been recommended by homeowners and ARE NOT endorsed by Stratford Manor Association.

 

Appliances:

Cashwell Appliance Parts – 757-599-8434

GH Appliance Repair – 757-535-5649

Chimney Cleaning:

Black Goose Chimney – 757-280-5200

=================================

Exterminating:

Colonial Exterminating Co – 757-599-0889

National Exterminating Co. – 757-599-3621

Florist:

Jeff’s Flowers – 757-827-5333

Handyman:

Steve James – 757-570-1795

HVAC:

Kearney & Sons Heating & Air Conditioning – 757-722-6311

Tommy Garner Air Conditioning & Heating – 757-930-0000

Steve Smith – 757-715-9762

Plumbing:

One Stop Plumbing – 757-321-8874

Zeigler Plumbing & Sewer – 757-877-2054

Restoration:

Priemer Restorations – 757-549-1160

Vent Cleaning:

Atlantic Vent – 757-595-7660

If you have a company /professional that you would like to recommend (or one that you feel does not provide good service), please send your information to Fran (Dobby) Hodges for publication.  E mail: secretary.stratfordmanor@gmail.com

********************************

KEEP IN TOUCH: To make sure you are receiving the most up-to-date information, please provide our secretary (Fran “Dobby”) Hodges with your current email address.  She may be contacted at Secretary.StratfordManor@gmail.com

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Friday, March 1, 2024


"NEWS YOU CAN USE"

Stratford Manor Association's Newsletter

(February 2024)

January Town Hall Meeting Recap:

Stratford Manor's first town hall meeting was a big success.  While the turnout was good, we hope that more people will attend the upcoming meeting in March where the association will focus on "neighborhood safety".  Those attending gave a lot of insight into the concerns within the community and offered suggestions on future projects and events that the association may wish to entertain.  Everyone is welcome to attend, express your views, and offer suggestions on ways to improve our community.  Town hall meetings is a way to create community involvement and to give the board an avenue of hearing more from the owners and absentee owners in an informal setting.  (NEXT MEETING:  March 13, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church).

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            "Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve" - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Would you like to give back to your community?  The following committees have been established and are looking for people who would like to volunteer their time.
Governance Committee - Oversight of the governing documents
Finance Committee - Oversight of the budget, contracts, insurance.
Architectural Controls - Oversight of physical aspects of homes.
Municipal Service Committee - Oversight of infrastructure, drainage systems, etc.
Community and Safety Committee - Oversight of events/programs.
Landscape Committee - Oversight of landscape within the community.
Nominating Committee - Oversight of filing vacant board positions.

If you are interested in serving on a committee, please contact Doug Marmon at the following email address:  President.stratfordmanor@gmail.com

Neighborhood Book Swap and Lunch Planned:  Mark your calendars for Monday, February 26, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at Taste (702 Mariners Row) in City Center.  Please bring a book to "swap" and join your neighbors for a lunch at Taste.  Everyone is responsible for buying their own lunch and/or refreshments.  This will be a time to socialize and get to know your neighbors and "get a new read".  LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE 26th!

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Dog Waste is NOT Good for the Environment:  Uncollected dog waste is becoming a real problem!  If you’ve ever stepped on dog poop or had your tires run across it, you understand the inconvenience it causes.  Dog waste poses a health risk to our community. Dog waste also attracts rodents and other unwanted animals, which can accelerate the spread of diseases within your community. The unsightliness of the problem can also cause issues with selling properties and retaining residents.

There are two “dog stations” located in the common areas throughout Stratford Manor where you will find “waste bags” for your convenience.  Please DO NOT put your dog’s waste in other peoples’ trash cans.  NOTE:  People walking their dogs near the dog station in the common area of Wellesley are NOT cleaning up after their dog.  The amount of dog waste in that area is horrible!  Please be a good neighbor and clean up your backyard too.  No one enjoys the smell of dog waste.

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Neighborhood Safety Watch Program:  At the March Town Hall Meeting, the HOA will be discussing neighborhood safety and the re-vitalization of the neighborhood watch program.  We are hoping to have a representative from the local police department to speak on neighborhood safety too.  If you are interested in volunteering your time to be part of the neighborhood watch program, please contact Doug Marmon (President.stratfordmanor@gmail.com) and come to the March Town Hall Meeting.  THE NEXT TOWN HALL MEETING WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024, FROM 6:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M. AT HIDENWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

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TRASH DATES FOR 2024:  PLEASE PUT YOUR HOUSE NUMBER ON YOUR TRASH CANS.  (Note:  SMA’s waste day is Tuesday.  Trash cans should be placed on the curb in the afternoon of the DAY BEFORE PICKUP.  Trash cans should promptly be removed after pick-up.  THE CITY REQUIRES THAT THE TOPS OF THE TRASH CANS BE CLOSED FOR PICK-UP.  If you need to replace your garbage can, please call 757-933-2311 and they will be replaced free of charge.

 

Pick-up dates:

February - 6, 13 (Bulk), 20, and 27 (Bulk)

March – 5, 12 (Bulk), 19, and 26 (Bulk)

April – 2, 9 (Bulk), 16, 23 (Bulk) and 30

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Contractor Needed?

This area of the monthly newsletter will be devoted to proving homeowners with recommendations for local professionals. NOTE:  The following companies / professionals have been recommended by homeowners and ARE NOT endorsed by Stratford Manor Association. 

Appliances:

Cashwell Appliance Parts – 757-599-8434

GH Appliance Repair – 757-535-5649

Chimney Cleaning:

Black Goose Chimney – 757-280-5200

=================================

Exterminating:

Colonial Exterminating Co – 757-599-0889

National Exterminating Co. – 757-599-3621

Florist:

Jeff’s Flowers – 757-827-5333

Handyman:

Steve James – 757-570-1795

HVAC:

Kearney & Sons Heating & Air Conditioning – 757-722-6311

Tommy Garner Air Conditioning & Heating – 757-930-0000

Plumbing:

One Stop Plumbing – 757-321-8874

Zeigler Plumbing & Sewer – 757-877-2054

Vent Cleaning:

Atlantic Vent – 757-595-7660

 

If you have a company /professional that you would like to recommend (or one that you feel does not provide good service), please send your information to Fran (Dobby) Hodges for publication.  E mail: secretary.stratfordmanor@gmail.com

 

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KEEP IN TOUCH: To make sure you are receiving the most up-to-date information, please provide our secretary (Fran “Dobby”) Hodges with your current email address.  She may be contacted at Secretary.StratfordManor@gmail.com














Friday, January 5, 2024

"NEWS YOU CAN USE"

Stratford Manor Association's Newsletter

(January 2024)


As 2023 comes to an end, the Association would like to thank retiring President John Gullett for all his hard work, long hours spent, and the dedication that he gave our community over the last six years. In his leisure time, John looks forward to writing and spending more time with his wife, Judith.

 A special thank you goes to John Gullett and Bob Lucas for all their hard work in getting the community's parking spaces numbered and striped.  In the latter part of December, B&R Lot Clearing completed the painting.  With the patching of the pothole and painting the spaces, it has certainly enhanced the look of our parking lot.

***********

"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."  Author Unknown

Welcome your New Board for 2024The association's new board of directors was recently elected, and they are as follows:  Doug Marmon (President), Donna Groller (Vice President), Fran [Dobby] Hodges (Secretary), Bob Lucas (Treasurer), Lisa Hall, Rick Leib, Stephen DiPersio, Ryan Hatter, and Satori Gregorakis.  As you will note, there are some "familiar faces" as well as some "new faces".  The members are enthusiastic, eager to help improve communication, and to re-establish homeownership pride within our community.

Town Hall MeetingsIn months when a board meeting is not held, the association will be conducting a Town Hall Meeting where all homeowners and absentee owners are invited to attend.  The first meeting will be January 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. and it will be held at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church.  The community is welcome to discuss any and everything that they would like, to learn what the board is doing, and offer suggestions on ways to improve their community. This is a way to create community involvement and to give the board an avenue of hearing more from the owners and absent owners in an informal setting.  Please mark your calendars and we look forward to seeing you there!

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Stratford Manor’s Board of Directors’ Goals for 2024:

 1.    Improve communication within the association/community.

 2.  More involvement with the owners and absentee owners to strengthen the pride of ownership within our community.

 3.  Less issues with landscaping, increase expectations and accountability, and communicate landscape leaf pick-up plan within the community.    

 4.  In connection with the Reserve Study, establish a 1 to 5 short year plan as far as the infrastructure and municipal side of things and a long-term plan that needs to fit our budget.

(Remember one person cannot do it alone - - it takes a community) …

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Let’s Get ConnectedCommunication is simply the act of transferring information from one place, person or group to another.  To be transparent and keep the community apprised of the events and concerns within the community, the board has established a Google Workspace Account.  By utilizing the many features of Google Workspace, board meetings can be virtual and recorded for later viewing, association documents can be accessed in one place as needed, a contact list of all homeowners (and absentee owners) created to allow for mass emails to be sent to keep our community informed, and mass emails will reduce the costs associated with paper handouts. To make sure you are receiving the most up-to-date information, please provide our secretary (Fran “Dobby” Hodges) with your current email address.  She may be contacted at Secretary.StratfordManor@gmail.com

                                                                          ************ 

Have a minute or two to spare?

Would you like to give back to your community?

The following committees have been established and are looking for people who would like to volunteer their time. 

Governance Committee:  This committee is responsible for the governing documents, enforcement of the documents, and works with the Architectural Committee and Abbitt.  (Stephen DiPeriso, Chairperson) 

Finance Committee: This is committee oversees the budget, review of all contracts, insurance matters, banking and financial concerns, works with the reserve study as far as funding is concerned, and working to monitor our collection accounts. (Doug Marmon, Chairperson) 

Architectural Controls:  This committee is responsible for the oversight of the physical aspects of the townhomes and review any architectural change requests.  (Donna Groller, Chairperson) 

Municipal Service:  This committee will be responsible for infrastructure, maintenance of our drainage systems, street/sign lights, and anything that is needed within the community.  Also, will work with interfacing with the city as needed.  (Satori Gregorakis, Chairperson) 

Community and Safety Committee:  This committee will oversee the welcoming of new homeowners, social events, sending of e-cards to the community, and newsletter publication.  Also, to create new programs to benefit members of our community (i.e., restart a neighborhood watch program, safe walker program, and programs on safety awareness and other topics of interest. (Fran “Dobby” Hodges, Chairperson) 

Landscape Committee:  This committee will work hand in hand with the landscaping company to ensure that the current contract is affordable, and what is in our contract is attainable, and our expectations are measurable.  Will prepare bid proposals and solicit bids for new landscaping company and monitor work per contract.  Also, will evaluate the landscaping needs within the community and propose projects as financially feasible. (Rick Leib, Chairperson) 

Nominating Committee:  This committee will provide future nominations to vacant board positions as needed.  (Doug Marmon, Chairperson) 

If you are interested on serving on a committee, please contact Doug Marmon, President, at the following email address:   President.StratfordManor@gmail.com

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A friendly reminder, please be sure that both of your garbage cans have your house number on them. When taking them out for pickup, please ensure that the tops are tightly closed as the city will not pick them up if they are overflowing.  Garbage and recycling cans should be placed out for pick-up the AFTERNOON before the scheduled pickup date.  If your garbage cans are broken, please call 757-933-2311 and they will be replaced free of charge.  

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Mark your calendars:  2024 Board Meeting Dates:

Feb. 21, 2024; April 10, 2024; June 12, 2024;

Aug. 14, 2024; Oct. 9, 2024; & Dec. 11, 2024

All board meeting will be held at Abbitt Management

and will start at 5:30 p.m.

Annual Meeting: 

Nov. 20, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. - Hidenwood Presbyterian Church


2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND GENERAL INFORMATION:

Doug Marmon, President - Email:  President.StratfordManor@gmail.com

Donna Groller, Vice President - Email:  VicePresident.StratfordManor@gmail.com

Fran (Dobby) Hodges, Secretary - Email:  Secretary.StratforedManor@gmail.com

Bob Lucas, Treasurer

Lisa Hall 

Rick Leib

Stephen DiPersio

Ryan Hatter

Satori Gregorakis

Association's Website:  stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com

Contact the Board via their NEW email:  board@stratfordmanor.net or through Abbitt.

Property Management:

Abbitt Management

Ms. Tricia Wells, Manager

Email:  associations @abbitt.com

Telephone:  757-874-4900

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Saturday, October 28, 2023

 

October-November 2023 Edition


WORK BEGINS ON RESTRIPING AND RENUMBERING PARKING LOT SPACES:

If you see painters adding fresh, new stripes and numbers to parking lots in another section of Stratford Manor, be patient. They will get to your parking lot soon. 

B&R Lot Clearing began work in mid-October on the complete relocating of numbers on parking spaces in the  large repaved lot on Kenilworth. “Instead of reworking the paint on the curbs,” said Bob Lucas, chairman of the Infrastructure Committee, “the Board decided to paint space numbers on the asphalt near the rear of the spaces. This way, emergency vehicles and visitors will be able to quickly locate the right space, even if a vehicle is parked there.” 

B&R will be working on neighborhood sections that may encompass only two or three buildings at a time. Residents will be given two days’ notice to prepare for work in their lot. “This will allow residents to more easily find alternative parking when work is going on  in their lot,” said Mr. Lucas. “B&R is very service oriented, and has set up a schedule that should minimize inconveniences to our residents.” 

The contractor has already patched a dozen or more potholes in the roadways as part of the contract. “This will help extend the life of our paved areas,” Mr. Lucas explained. 

Barney Carr, owner of the contracting firm doing the work, said the process of doing neighborhoods one at a time will take longer, “but we are not racing the clock. Cold temperatures will not affect our work. Our only weather concern is moisture.” 

The patching and painting project will cost the Association a little over $11,000. “Not cheap,” said Mr. Lucas, “but we think it’s something that all of our residents will appreciate.”


MEET THE BOARD CANDIDATES:  

By Madoline Wallace, Chairperson, Nominating Committee

We have three (3) positions opening up on the SMA Board in November, and three (3) candidates have filed the necessary paperwork to run for election by owners at the Annual Owners' Meeting on November 15th. 

The candidates are: 

Betty Blackburn, resident owner of 178 Wellesley for 4 years.  Betty is up for reelection, having served on the Board for the past 3 years. She currently chairs the Hospitality/Welcome Committee. Betty wants to return to the Board to ensure we have a well-run community. She firmly believes in the Stratford Manor community and wants to help it survive. 

Stephen DiPersio, resident owner of 144 Kenilworth for 8 years.  Stephen wants to join the Board to help the community and keep things in order.  He works in IT and gets along quite well with people. He is a problem solver who knows the importance of looking at all sides of an issue and being respectful of the opinions of others.

Rick Leib, owner of 139 Wellesley for 6 months.  Although Rick has owned his unit for a short period of time, he is no stranger to Stratford Manor. His father was the previous owner of 139 Wellesley for 13 years. Rick and his wife, Lori, plan to spend their retirement years occupying the unit. He wants to join the Board to help keep up the standards that have been achieved. He comes to the Board with a background in residential construction. 

All three were recognized as candidates for Board seats by the current Board at its Oct. 11 meeting. However, additional nominations may be made from the floor at the upcoming Annual Meeting.


Board Schedules an Organizational Meeting After Owners' Meeting:

 The election of up to three new board members at the Annual Owners Meeting on Nov. 15 will be followed this year by an organizational meeting of the new board for 2024. 

The purpose of the additional meeting will be to elect new officers, so that there will be no gap  in the Association’s leadership between the Owners’ Meeting and the Board’s  regular Dec. 13 meeting. 

This change was prompted by the  President John Gullett’s retirement. Mr. Gullett, who has been serving as the HOA’s president since 2017, is not running for reelection. “Normally this hasn’t been an issue,” said Mr. Gullett.  But my authority will end when the Owners’ Meeting is over,” he said“ Then Abbitt will need to begin immediately working with my successor, and with the Association’s banks to update bank signature cards for the new officers. “  Since the meeting’s sole purpose is to elect officers for the new year, it is expected to be brief.


Trash pickup schedule: 

 Oct. 17— Trash only; Oct. 24-- Recycling, bulk pickup & trash;

Oct. 31—Trash only ; Nov. 7--Recycling, bulk pickup & trash;

 Nov. 14—Trash only; Nov. 21—Recycling, bulk pickup & trash; Nov. 28--Trash only. Dec. 5—recycling, bulk pickup & trash; Dec. 12—Trash only; Dec. 19—recycling, bulk pickup & trash.


More tips for repelling those pesky rodents: 

Some Stratford Manor owners are reporting progress in fighting off rodents that invaded their home or patio this past summer, but the HOA continues to receive reports of problems in some neighborhoods throughout the community.  As a public service, here are some tips—some mentioned in previous issues—that can be helpful in these efforts: 

  --Make sure your exterior does not have gaps where insects or wildlife can enter your home. Even the smallest crack or hole can serve as an access point. 

-Hire a reliable pest control company to provide regular service.  They can serve as your first line of defense through the use of bait boxes, traps, and pesticide chemicals. These technicians are experts at helping you effectively battle the unwanted rodents and insects.—including making sure that you have sealed off all gaps in the exterior. 

--Make sure all trash and recycling bins are tightly covered. A trash bin overflowing with garbage  is an open invitation to rodents and other wildlife that a buffet just opened—as is a dirty barbecue grill. 

--Avoid putting out anything that rodents or insects might find tasty. Unfortunately for bird and cat lovers, this means not leaving out bird seed or food for squirrels, cats or raccoons. Even cooking oil poured on the ground behind your unit will be seized on as a feast. And don’t overlook those piles of dog poop. Rodents and other critters love them. 

--Consider using pine tags, or needles, in your garden instead of mulch. Roaches and other outside pests love making nests in traditional mulch. Some experts believe that pine straw will give you  all the benefits without the bugs. Regardless of the type of mulch you use, be sure you don’t compact it or put it up against the exterior of your home. Create a barrier of pea gravel or some other material. 

Above all else, remember that homeowners are responsible for making their homes rodent-proof. And the most effective key to success is getting your neighbors to join in and take all the steps you are taking. Unless every home in your building  participates, you are likely to be in for a long battle.

 

Street lights in Wellesley section out for days; Was it lightning? 

Owners in the neighborhood just past the entrance sign at the end of Wellesley heard a loud clap of thunder during a recent storm, and noticed that both the signage spotlight and four street lamps went dark. They reported the outage to Abbitt Management, and electricians from Atlantic Wire came out to Stratford Manor expecting the worst. 

The search for the source of the problem took three days, but it was finally located: a short in the wire leading to one of the lamps. “We were all relieved to learn that the light fixtures were not damaged by lightning,” said SMA President John Gullett. “And I must applaud the patience of anxious homeowners. And while here, the electricians also converted two of the old sodium lights to LED.” 

 

Board approves 2024 Budget 

The SMA Board has approved the Association’s operating budget for 2024, including a dues increase. 

“Raging inflation has had a major impact on our expenses,” said Bob Lucas, SMA Treasurer. This prompted the Board to order a special reserve study by an outside architectural firm, to update their three-year-old projections on the cost of replacing our roads and other infrastructure elements in future years. 

“Our consultants came back with a recommendation to increase our annual contribution to the replacement reserves by thousands of dollars,” said Mr. Lucas. “Our current level of income from dues is simply not enough to absorb this increase.” 

He noted that the Association’s replacement reserves are well-funded--$283,000 at the end of September. “But the newly projected costs for future infrastructure work means we have to set aside more funds-- for work that will help increase the property values of our owners’ homes.” 

The dues increase—only the second in five years—amounts to $82 more annually, or $41 more per each semi-annual payment. This is the equivalent of $6.83 more per month.

 

Can’t we all be a little more neighborly? 

Admit it—There’s something about your neighbor you don’t like. Maybe he leaves his trash bin out for days. Or she has a messy porch that’s an eyesore in an otherwise beautiful neighborhood. And those leaves he blows out from his patio onto the common area out back! 

Those who volunteer to serve on the SMA’s Board  are in a position to help shape reasonable policies, but every resident of Stratford Manor can have a positive influence on the quality of life we all enjoy.

Here are a few examples to think about: 

Know the schedules for trucks that pick up trash, bulk waste and recycling.  We’ve all seen those blue bins out on the curb on a trash-only week. That’s not too bad, but when someone puts out bags of vegetation or old furniture when the bulk waste truck isn’t coming for another week, we all have to stare at for days .  Also check the City’s website for what’s bulk waste—or your pile may just sit there! 

Put numbers on your bins. If your neighbor knows you’re sick, she may put your bin away for you—but only if she knows which one is yours. 

Do not blow your patio’s leaves out into the common area.  They are your responsibility, and must be bagged (clear bags only for pickup), or dumped into your trash bin. 

For security, now that days are shorter, turn on your porch lights (and any rear lights) nightly.


SMA Board:

John Gullett (2023) President

Donna Groller (2025) Vice President

Bob Lucas (2024) Treasurer

Frances Hodges (2025) Secretary

Nancy Allen (2024)

Betty Blackburn (2023)

Lisa Hall (2023)

Doug Marmon (2025)

Madoline Wallace (2024)

 Association Website:

stratfordmanornn.blogspot.com

Contact the Board via email:

stratfordnn@gmail.com or through Abbitt

 Property Management:

Abbitt Management

Ms. Tricia Wells, Manager

Email: associations@abbitt.com

Telephone:  757-874-4900

Board Meeting Dates:   Annual Meeting is November 15th * to be held at Christ United Methodist Church beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Regular Board Meeting is December 13th which will be held at the office of Abbitt Management Company starting at 5:30 p.m.

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