Living in the Neighborhood
2008 Assessment Increase for Townhomes
Don’t forget! Monthly assessments for Townhome owners will increase by $2.00 per month ($24 per year) starting January 1. Owners who currently have automatic bank draft set-up for monthly payment of assessments will not need to do anything. For owners paying by coupon book, the new books were mailed on December 17. If you do not see this increase reflected in your new coupons or in bank drafts for January, contact Abbott Enterprises immediately to avoid penalties. Owners are reminded that failure to receive a coupon book or semi-annual bill (for single-family homeowners) does not excuse payment of dues by the first of the month.
The Common Area budget is not impacted. Therefore, there will be no increase in the current assessments for single-family homeowners.
Charleston Home Window Shutter Problems Addressed
Owners of Charleston homes in the neighborhood have had a continuing problem with deterioration and warping of window shutters, particularly in locations vulnerable to weather conditions and direct sunlight. To this point, owners have tried to address these concerns on an individual basis with only limited success. The Architectural Review Committee has reviewed this issue in an effort to provide acceptable solutions and recommendations. This report will be distributed to affected owners when available. However, initial research and experience by homeowners have determined that the original manufacturer will not replace these shutters since the warranty has expired. It is also no longer a builder warranty issue with The Cunnane Group, Inc. Although this is a frustrating (and expensive) problem to develop in homes less than five years old, the problem is related to the quality of shutters purchased for this application during original construction and not to a manufacturing defect that developed with time.
The ARC has developed a list of acceptable replacement shutters (expensive solution) and a method of repair and maintenance for existing shutters that are just beginning to show signs of damage. As this information becomes available, it will be distributed in the neighborhood.
If you have specific questions or are in need of immediate repair, please contact Luann Christine, chairperson of the ARC, at 704.987.1527 or Mike Stenhouse, ARC member, at 704.895.1900.
Holiday Decorations Contest Winners
Selection of winners for the second annual Winter Holiday Decorations Contest was difficult. There was a marked increase in the quality and number of residents participating. The neighborhood looked outstanding.
The winner in the townhome category is Valerie Burcham at 433 O. Henry Avenue. Her lower and upper porches are draped with greenery and accented at night with white lights. There is also a large lighted wreath on the door and lighted trees next to the steps. The décor is simple, but eye-catching, both at night and during the day.
Honorable mentions go this year to Adria & Woody Appleby (109 St. Alban’s Lane) and Linda & Ashley Page (141 Harper Lee Street). Harriet Kessler also had a spectacularly decorated townhome on O. Henry Avenue, but as a judge, she was not eligible to win this year. Last year’s winners (Tamara & Dennis Dietzel at 167 Harper Lee Street) repeated their performance from last year and will always be a winner.
Valerie Burcham proudly displays her blue ribbon as winner of the townhome decorations.
She was truly surprised, but excited to be a winner.
The winner in the single-family category is the Swartz family at 310 Fairview Lane. Gregg and Lesley both come from families with big Christmas decoration traditions. This was certainly the start of the inspiration for a winning combination this year. The front porch displays a traditional Santa and nutcrackers on either side of the door. Packages were scattered about the porch. All windows (front, sides, and back) display a single white candle light. A large lighted wreath adorns the garage wall facing onto Fairview. The Santa flag on the side, spot lights, and other colored lights, along with the Christmas music always playing from the front porch, just beg you to celebrate Christmas here.
On a personal note: Many of our residents knew Gregg’s dad, Dale Swartz, who passed away in August of this year. Dale and Mildred (better known as Dook to her friends) lived in a townhome at 212 South Faulkner Way. Dale always decorated an outdoor tree with the large-style colored lights. In honor of his dad, Gregg’s family decorated one of their trees outside this year with the large colored lights. For several years, Dale Swartz also helped with the plants, shrubs, and flowers that have made the Fairview home a showplace throughout the year. This year’s winner is certainly a fitting way to remember the passing of Gregg’s dad.
Honorable mentions must also go to Don & Meredith Jennings (317 North Faulkner Way) and Pat & Mike Stenhouse (115 Caldwell Lane). Ed & Judy McLean’s home at 150 Clemens Place also looked great, but as a judge, Judy was not eligible to compete. Last year’s winners (Jo & Bob Herman at 186 Clemens Place) again had an outstanding entry. As last year, the curve on O. Henry Avenue was alive with lights and spirit.
This was a real Swartz family effort and tradition. We see all smiles from Gregg, Caroline, Lesley, and Michael as they display the blue ribbon that will proudly be displayed just outside their picket fence.
I wanted to take night pictures of each winning house, but my camera (and, more truthfully, my skills as a photographer) could not do justice to the spectacular displays. David Boraks in his column, Davidson News and Notes, did get good pictures of both homes and ran an excellent article on December 20. Please visit the site at http://davidsonnews.net and get the full view by scrolling to entries for that date.
Thanks go to all our neighbors for
wonderful
holiday spirit and décor!
Pet Registration — Town of Davidson
All dogs and cats are required to be licensed by the Town of Davidson. Renewals of existing licenses are due each January. The cost is $10 for the year and valid proof of rabies vaccination is required at both initial registration and renewal. These tags can only be obtained at Town Hall. The good news is that if your animal is lost wearing its town tag, whoever finds it can use this system to return the pet to you.
All dogs that use the off-leash park in New Neighborhood must be licensed in the Town of Davidson. This includes out-of-town users or guests who can also obtain a “Pooch Pass” at Town Hall with proof of current rabies vaccination.
Questions? Call Davidson Parks and Recreation at 704.892.3349 or www.ci.davidson.nc.us.
GE Microwave-Oven Combo Recall
IIn early December, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the General Electric Company (GE) announced a recall of certain GE built-in combination wall ovens, often called “micro-oven combos” (specifically, a wall oven with an attached microwave). This recall includes over 92,000 micro-oven combos manufactured from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2003. The door switch in the microwave oven can overheat and ignite plastic components in the control area. GE is aware of thirty-six (36) incidents, including one escaped fire that damaged a kitchen. There have been no reported injuries. GE recommends that you stop using the microwave immediately, but you may continue to use the lower thermal oven.
GE is offering a free repair of the micro-oven combo. If you do not wish to have the free repair and want to replace your unit instead, GE is offering a rebate of $300 for consumers who choose to replace their recalled GE micro-oven combo with a GE brand unit (or a rebate of $600 for replacement of the recalled GE micro-oven combo with a GE Profile brand unit. [Note: Several residents have priced new units and discovered that full replacement cost will run in excess of $1200, making the free repair seem like a much better option. Since this is a combo unit, replacement of just the microwave is not an option. Replacement would require that both the microwave and oven be removed for a new combination unit.]
The obvious question is “Am I effected by the recall?” Based on the dates of manufacture, many of the micro-oven combo units installed in townhomes in New Neighborhood are included in the recall. Early townhome units received Kenmore brands and later units received GE models. The recall effects both Kenmore (all model numbers starting with 911) and GE/GE Profile brands. So far, townhome residents on South and North Faulkner, Harper Lee, and possibly O. Henry have verified that they are in the recall.
Please follow the following process to determine if your GE/GE Profile or Kenmore micro-oven combo is in the recall. (Again, this does NOT affect stand alone microwave units or other brands that may have been installed at special request.)
Obtain the model number, the serial number, and the date manufactured from the nameplate found on the inside-left corner of your microwave. Have this information available before contacting GE.
If you have a computer, go to the GE website at www.geappliances.com and click on the left column words “Recall Combination Microwave-Wall Oven.” This website will give you additional information and actually allow you to determine if your unit is on the recall list. You may start the process of repair or rebate online.
If you do not wish to handle the process online or do not have a computer, call the “GE Recall Hotline” at 1.888.240.2745. The hotline is open from Monday through Friday (8 am to 8 pm) or on Saturday (9 am to 3 pm). Be prepared to punch in the model number and serial number of your microwave before speaking to a GE representative. Once it is determined that your unit has been recalled, several options will be offered and a GE representative will answer.
If you opt for the free repair service, the replacement part will be sent to your home within two or three business days and a service call by a GE technician will be arranged at some time after the delivery. When the part arrives, put it aside and wait for the service technician. [NOTE: The part is not delivered by mail, but rather by FedEx (or other carrier). Be sure that the phone representative has a street address for repair part delivery or your P.O. Box address for rebate, if that is your option.]
The service call by a technician will be arranged at a convenient date for you and a four-hour time slot specified. The repair is simple and, so far, has taken less than a half hour to complete according to residents who have already had the work done.
Have a pencil/pen and paper handy when making the call to the GE Hotline. Once the service technician visit has been arranged, you will receive a confirmation number and a service call ID. These numbers will allow you to by-pass the preliminary hotline information if you have to call back to get information or change your service time.
GE will usually contact you the evening before the service and repair visit to verify the time and date.
The free repair work is under warranty for 30 days following installation of the new switch.
With so many residents away on vacation during the holiday season, it was felt that a newsletter article was a better way to communicate this issue than to try to pass out flyers. However, it will help if residents get this word around to neighbors in the event that this article was not read by all. Please send feedback on additional information or “odd” issues that develop from this recall to Dave Smith at www.davidbsmith.net or call at 704.987.1472. We certainly want to keep everyone informed since it is likely that this will impact a large number of residents. Although this is certainly a townhome issue, it does not preclude the possibility that such microwave-oven combos were also installed in some single-family homes.
Covenant Committee Issues in 2008
Your Covenant Committee, chaired by Shannon McLean (704.895.9117), continues to do an excellent job of review and follow-up to neighborhood governing documents (Covenant, Canons of Conduct, By-Laws). The committee is now meeting every other month rather than every month. Please note this change in schedule in the notice of business meetings on the first page of the newsletter.
Residents often call to complain about neighborhood issues. Although small issues can become major problems, there are some key problems that will be addressed in 2008.
- Location and storage of garbage cans and recycle bins continue to be an issue. Although the “Description of Violations and Associated Fines” is specific, the Canons of Conduct and Covenants do not offer much in the way of detail. This issue will be reviewed with the interests of both townhome owners and single-family homeowners considered. The Town of Davidson is also considering restrictions. It has always been intended that garbage cans and recycle bins be stored out-of-sight other than pick-up days.
- Concern has been expressed regarding the location of several street parking spaces in regard to visibility and traffic at some intersections. Options will be studied and recommendations made.
- Overnight parking violations continue to be a problem on some streets. Although letters have been mailed to violators by Abbott, some repeat violations have occurred. Residents should expect to begin seeing Council of Stewards review in some cases and potential fines assessed.
- With the housing market at a low point, some owners have opted to rent rather than sell. The Covenants require that the Council of Stewards receive specific information, including a copy of the lease agreement, when a unit is rented. This requirement has not been well enforced over the last several years. Although caps on the percentage of rental units are difficult to pass and enforce, homeowners should expect increased emphasis on enforcement of existing regulations. This applies to both leasing of complete townhomes as well as casitas. One of the most common problems encountered in the neighborhood is the fact that owners do not always educate their tenants regarding restrictions and by-laws.
The Covenant Committee will continue to provide an important service to our neighborhood and the quality of life we have come to expect. If you have comments or issues that you wish to bring forward, please contact Shannon McLean or any other committee member.
Newsletter Delivery Volunteers
Many thanks are due our newsletter delivery team. Our December Holiday Season crew included Adria & Woody Appleby, Barbara & Tom Doster, Tom Fischer, Norm Reid, Norman Richards, Dave Smith, Norma Stewart, and John & Marcia Williamson.
If you wish to volunteer, please call Dave Smith at 704.987.1472
(e-mail at davidbsmith@bellsouth.net).
Correction (Actually an Addition)In the December Newsletter, the list of wonderful volunteers that helped put up holiday decorations was short one person. Kathy Cockrill, new to our neighborhood with husband Bill, also helped with the decorations. Thank you, Kathy! |
