Living in the Neighborhood
New Co-Chairpersons for Townhome Building Maintenance Committee
As many of our neighbors know, Hank Howell will be leaving New Neighborhood within the next month. Heather and Jim Faulkner, long-time members of the Townhome Building Maintenance Committee, have agreed to co-chair this committee. Please direct your maintenance issues to the Faulkner’s at 704.896.3437 or by e-mail either to Heather at heather@carolina.rr.com or to Jim at jim@carolina.rr.com.
A
special THANK YOU goes to Hank Howell for a job well done! The best to you
always!
In the Know in Our Neighborhood“In the Know in Our Neighborhood” is intended to provide important, useful, or interesting information to all neighbors. If you have ideas, call Dave Smith (704.987.1472) or e-mail davidbsmith@bellsouth.net. * * * Good News! * * *
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Smoke/Fire Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Maintenance
Smoke/fire detectors and carbon monoxide detectors were installed throughout New Neighborhood during initial construction. Now after five to seven years, residents are beginning to report numerous problems, particularly with respect to false alarms. This article will hopefully provide our residents with some useful information. However, please be aware that the same alarm devices were not installed in all dwellings. Brands and styles changed as the neighborhood was developed.
In general, these devices are warranted by the manufacturer for a limited period and should be replaced at the end of that time. Limited research on what is installed throughout most homes in our neighborhood indicates that the units should be replaced somewhere in the five to ten year range. Obviously, the age of some of the early single-family and townhome units is approaching this point.
Smoke/Fire Detectors
My experience is predominantly with the styles and brands installed in the Townhomes. The Charleston homes built by Cunnane are likely to have the same or similar devices. I am uncertain what was installed in the David Weekly homes.
The smoke/fire detectors are electrically hard-wired and have a battery back-up in the event there is a power failure. Some neighbors may have opted to have the devices electrically tied into their security system so that any alarm would automatically trigger a response by the security company and the fire department. If you have had this option installed, the best source of advice is your security company.
At least in the later part of development among the Townhomes, the smoke detectors were manufactured by BRK Electronics (Model No. 4120B). These detectors are warranted for ten years. BRK apparently also manufactures smoke detectors for First Alert. Although the detectors are hard-wired, they can be easily removed by unscrewing the detector from the base (counter-clockwise) and disconnecting a three-prong clip on the back. You will need a ladder to access the detector and you may need to pull it away from the ceiling about 8 inches to see the clip, but it is fairly easy to detach with a screwdriver or pen to release the plastic clip lock.
BRK no longer makes this model, but it is replaced with Model No. 9120B. The cost runs between $10 and $15 each, depending on where you place the order. You may actually receive a First Alert brand with the same model number. Please beware that the replacement unit does have a slightly different mounting base and appearance. The old mounting base will need to be removed, but the new base screws into the same mounting holes. If you are comfortable with a “do-it-yourself” approach, the replacement is easy and requires no electrical work. Replacement with other brands and models may require you to seek manufacturer recommendations and the work of an electrician.
For information regarding replacement or for a consumer contact phone number, visit the BRK Electronics website at www.brkelectronics.com. Note: In my research of consumer sites, BRK Electronics has only a fair to poor review regarding consumer experience with their smoke detectors. These detectors are prone to false alarms, particularly in cold weather. Battery replacement, as you may already be aware, is not an easy task. However, replacement “in-kind” or with the replacement model of a First Alert brand is the simplest option.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
My experience with these devices is limited as I have not personally had to replace or perform maintenance on one. As with the smoke/fire alarms, these units are electrically hard-wired. Homeowners with activated security systems have the CO detector wired into the system. An alarm will automatically notify the security company and the fire department. Note: if the alarm activates, the fire department must respond. Even though you can provide your security company with proper passwords in the event of false alarm, the Town of Davidson requires that the fire department respond.
Carbon Monoxide detectors are generally warranted for a shorter period of time – five years for most of the brands that I researched on-line. There are some brands that have a clip-in feature even though hard-wired, but it is recommended that you seek advice regarding replacement or maintenance from the manufacturer, an electrical contractor, or your security company.
Future articles will be included in the newsletter as information is available.
January 17, 2009 – For several days, temperatures dropped into the teens and near to single digits on one night. Hopefully, the cold is behind us as we go into March. However, the “deep freeze” does paint an interesting portrait in our front fountain.
Think warm! Think Spring!
Council of Stewards Meeting Change
Due to the scheduled Ash Wednesday church service at St. Alban’s on February 25, the regular Council of Stewards meeting date was moved to Wednesday, March 4, at 7:00 p.m.
NOTE: The Council of Stewards meets regularly on the fourth Wednesday of every other month in St. Alban’s Church classroom (lower level) at 7:00 p.m. Special meetings are called as needed. Meetings are open to residents. The next regular COS meeting is scheduled on April 22, 2009.Printable Directory Now Available!
It’s here! We now have an on-line printable directory. Through the diligent efforts of Mary Lib Richards’ committee (Barbara Dillman and Betsy Norvell) and to Steve Lee, our webmaster, the on-line directory has been updated to reflect the surveys that were turned in late last year, as well as updates residents have made on-line.
The information is still not perfect. It still lists some people who may have moved away, and there are no entries for some homes that are known to be occupied. However, this is a great start. As more updates are received and as neighbors correct or change information, the on-line searchable directory will reflect this latest information. The printable directory does not update immediately, but will be updated periodically and tagged with a date to reflect the last upgrade. The current date for the printable directory is February 13, 2009.
In order to search the directory or download the latest version of the printable directory, follow these steps: Go to the neighborhood website at www.stalbanssq.org; Click on “Member’s Area”; Click on “Search Neighborhood Directory” if doing an on-line search, or click on “Download Printable Directory” if you are trying to access the printable version. Once into the “Printable Directory” area, follow the directions on the cover screen. The printable directory is in Microsoft WORD.doc format and will print out on six pages of legal size paper (8.5” X 14”). You may download the file in your personal WORD file (or any compatible program) and then reformat and print as you wish. Many of our neighbors may not be computer “literate” or have access to WORD. Ask other neighbors to assist you if necessary. There are no plans to distribute a copy of the directory door to door.
Feel free to print copies for your own use and for your neighbors, but please do not distribute this information outside the neighborhood. If you have never gotten a password, or have forgotten the one you set up, and you cannot access the “Member’s Area” on the website, please contact Steve Lee through the “Webmaster” link on the home page.
Again, many thanks go to the survey committee and especially Steve Lee for many hours of hard work. Steve continues to make our website one of the best in the state!
Neighborhood Tree Trimming Complete
On two different days in early February, residents in New Neighborhood were awakened to the sound of chain saws and wood chippers along our streets. The Town of Davidson was trimming all trees along the streets. Many neighbors were angered and dismayed at what was deemed to be “extreme” measures taken in limbing-up some of the trees.
This work is part of a 5-year cycle completed by the Town of Davidson to insure that sidewalks and roadways are kept safe and passable from over- hanging limbs. Roads are required to be obstruction free up to a height of 8 to 10 feet. This work is also being done in other neighborhoods, most notably River Run. The other purpose in trimming the trees is to maintain the long-term health and shape. John Williamson and informed members of the Grounds & Landscaping Committee all agree that this work is, in fact, what is needed for long-term growth. The immediate appearance is shocking, but time and growth will heal these first impressions.
Ron McMillan, Operations Supervisor of Davidson Public Works, is well trained in this work and has assured neighbors that this approach is necessary and will not harm the trees. He also stated that the use of pruning paint on bare areas left by trimming is no longer considered necessary by tree experts. Doug Wright, Director of Davidson Public Works, was also contacted during the work. Doug offers his apologies for not communicating with the neighborhood in advance, but also agrees that this is a needed and correct method of long-term care. Since all of the trimmed trees are along the Town’s right-of-way (area between sidewalks and streets) any trees which die will be replaced.
Public Works employees for the Town of Davidson have a lot of work to do on a limited budget. Please respect their job. Doug Wright has agreed to hear your complaints and concerns by phone. However, your concerns can also be voiced to the Council of Stewards. This approach will often get better results as comments to Town officials can be passed along as combined feedback under “one voice.”
Recycle & Garbage Collection Reminders
The Town of Davidson contracts garbage, yard debris, and recycling pick-up
through Allied, an outside service. To obtain a roll-out garbage cart or
recycling bin or to report service problems, call 704.393.6900.
The following are helpful tips and reminders:
- March winds are here! Secure trash and recycling materials to avoid blowing debris on windy days.
- Cardboard will be picked up with recycle materials. However, it must be cut and flattened into pieces no larger than 3 feet X 3 feet. Larger sections will be left at curbside.
- Curbside pick-up of yard debris occurs on Wednesday. No piece can be longer than 6 feet in length or greater than 6 inches in diameter. Please stack neatly in small piles. For Townhome owners, yard debris is generally picked up in front of the units, similar to Christmas tree pick-up in January.
- Allied recognizes six holidays during the year: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If a holiday falls on a weekday, pick-up will occur one day later if the actual holiday occurs prior to collection time. Allied actually will make up the holiday on Saturday.
- Plastic bottles and plastic containers are acceptable if #1 or #2.
- Recycle bins are picked up on Wednesday and trash bins are picked-up on Friday. Containers should not be rolled out any earlier than the evening before pick-up and must be pulled out of sight within 24 hours of actual pick-up. If you plan to be out of town, please make arrangements with a neighbor to follow these restrictions.
- Hazardous wastes not accepted as recycle (i.e.: fluorescent bulbs, batteries, paints) may be carried to the North Mecklenburg Recycling Center and Yard Waste (12300 North Statesville Road) for disposal. For more information, contact the center at 704.875.1563. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday (7 am – 3 pm). [Directions: From Davidson, take I-77 to Exit 18. Turn left onto Reames Road. Turn left at the stop light (US 21) and travel north approximately 3 miles. The North Mecklenburg Recycling Center entrance is on the right.]
- It is against the Town of Davidson’s water quality ordinance to blow grass clippings and lawn debris into the street and storm drainage system. Neighborhood Canons also prohibit blowing grass clippings, leaves, and yard debris into the street. Please notify your lawn maintenance contractor if this is being done.
Your cooperation with these guidelines is appreciated and will keep our neighborhood safe and attractive!
Newsletter Delivery Volunteers
Thanks go to all of our delivery volunteers! Our January team included Adria & Woody Appleby, Barbara & Tom Doster, Tom Fischer, Anne Jerands, Sherman & Nancy Kahn, Norman Richards, and Dave Smith. Hopefully our delivery squad can expect some spring weather for several months!
If you wish to volunteer, please call Dave Smith at 704.987.1472 (e-mail at davidbsmith@bellsouth.net).
