Living in the Neighborhood

Chairperson Needed — OktoberFest 2011 — In Trouble for 2011

We are still looking for one or two neighbors to chair this annual event. Time is running out to adequately organize and plan this get-together. In fact, this may be the latest that New Neighborhood has gone without a chairperson or date set! Past experience and a much simplified format has made this a much easier event to plan. If you are interested, please contact a member of the Council of Stewards. Don’t let the tradition die!

The neighborhood celebrates with a party annually in Faulkner Square. This is a budgeted activity supported by the Neighborhood Association. Advance planning is required to reserve park facilities from the Town of Davidson and to define food needs by street.

Termite Inspections Begin in September

If you live in a townhome unit, it is time for the annual termite inspection. The Association carries insurance for damage from termites and has contracted with Apex Exterminating, Inc. of Troutman for this service. Once a year, an inspection is required to maintain this policy. Inspections include investigation of external areas of each townhome block and an inspection of first floor interior walls, patio areas, and garages.

All townhome residents will receive a flyer in early-September explaining this requirement and the start date of inspections. Apex Exterminating hopes to complete all units within 60 days. The inspection does not involve any actual spraying for pests. It is a termite inspection service only. However, since the neighborhood does have this contract, Apex usually offers a special to townhome owners for interior pest (ants, spiders, roaches, etc.) control.

Townhome owners should not take this service lightly. Evidence of termite infestation has been noted on past inspections. The Association completed a booster treatment for all units early in 2010. Signs of termite activity include mud tubes by drain pipes under sinks, near washing machines, and at the water tank. These signs may also include small holes in walls and baseboard paint starting to bubble-up.

Make sure that you stay protected and call for an inspection appointment when you receive your notice. This is an important service covered by your assessment fees. To add incentive to owners for 100% compliance, the Council of Stewards agreed to assess a fine for all townhome owners who do not comply with the inspection within the 60-day timeframe. In addition, owners may be required to pay the pest contractor for actual cost of inspections completed beyond the 60 days.

If a townhome owner does not complete the required annual service, that owner becomes responsible for treatment and all damages incurred in that unit as a result of termite infestation. The owner of the uninspected unit can also be held liable for damages to adjoining units that were inspected.

If you have further questions, please feel free to call the Apex Exterminating office in Troutman at 704.528.8037. Rick “Da Bug Man” will be conducting our inspections again this year. He can be reached for an appointment on his cell phone at 704.902.0172.

2012 Budget Increase to Elevate Monthly Peer Group Assessments

The proposed 2012 budget was presented to the Council of Stewards for approval at the August 25 meeting. The current projections for operating expenses in the Peer Group (townhome owners) are significantly over budget. The predominant cause of the increase in expenses is due to a large increase in maintenance work order requests, particularly with regard to roof and gutter leaks. The second most common problem has been an increasing need to replace rotting and damaged wood trim. Although wood replacement of damage found during the painting projects has been with non-wood substitute materials, there still remains a lot of the original wood trim throughout the neighborhood, especially on columns, railing posts, and window trim.

In short, New Neighborhood is no longer “new.” Our current maintenance budget does not meet the needs of a maturing neighborhood. The finance committee has stripped cost to the limit in past years and these costs have grown at an unexpected rate this year. Maintenance costs, based on the current spending rate, will increase by more than $20,000 in 2012. To cover maintenance costs and smaller, but significant, increases in landscaping costs for townhomes, an increase in the Peer Group monthly assessment fees of $15 per month will be required. This number is the highest increase since the neighborhood was founded over twelve years ago.

To put this amount in perspective: For every $1 increase in monthly assessments, a revenue stream of $1,700 per year is generated. Looking at the $20,000 plus increase in maintenance costs alone, one can see where at least $12 of the $15 increase is generated.

As presented in 2010, a planned increase of Peer Group Reserve Funds will also result in an additional $6 increase per month for townhome owners in 2012. The increase in townhome Reserve Funds is the result of recommendations made from the 2009 Reserve Fund Study. This increase is part of an annual increase that is required to boost the percent funded in the Reserves and to begin planning for large expenditures around 2022 for roof replacement. Another Reserve Study will be completed in 2014/15 to validate the current plan.

Although this increase obviously represents a significant jump in annual fees, the alternatives to not implementing this increase are not acceptable. Maintenance costs are on the rise and not addressing these needs is not an option. Deferring expenditure of Reserve Funds (i.e.: painting projects) and transfer of reserves to the operating budget results in higher maintenance costs because key upkeep work is not completed in a timely fashion. Other homeowner associations tack on large assessments periodically to address inevitable issues. The philosophy of our neighborhood has been to prepare in advance and make costs more affordable on a yearly basis. The COS and the Finance Committee have wrestled with this dilemma and trimmed cost everywhere possible, but the bottom line changes little.

There is no planned increase for single-family owners in 2012. Common budget costs will remain at 2011 levels.

Your input to this issue is important. Specific line item detail will be provided with the package that will be sent in advance of the September meeting. Additional details and discussion will be presented at the Membership & Budget Approval Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 27 (7:00 p.m.).

Safety an Issue on Neighborhood Streets

The neighborhood Safety Committee reports that there are still issues with speeding and running STOP signs on Fairview Lane, Conroy Avenue, and Wolfe Street/O. Henry Avenue. This issue first surfaced at the 2009 Membership Meeting and the COS appointed an ad hoc Safety Committee to study the problem and make recommendations. The Town of Davidson conducted a study regarding the issue, including speed data. Results from this report appeared as an article in the November 2009 newsletter. The police actually found one car traveling at 50 mph down Fairview Lane!

Calls continue to be made to Safety Committee members and the Davidson Police Department concerning these issues. Police continue to patrol the area and provide warnings. Town officials, although sympathetic to the cause, report that solutions are not easy. The committee has attempted to raise a petition to solicit the COS to move forward with using Association funds to hire a Town of Davidson engineer to review and make recommendations for traffic calming methods. As the petition campaign has not been successful, the committee has requested that a neighborhood-wide mailing be made to all owners requesting support of further action. The COS is expected to address this recommendation at a later meeting.

Although the report from 2009 clearly shows that violators are not just from our neighborhood, the cooperation and caution by all New Neighborhood residents is a MUST. Respect the neighborhood posted speed limit of 20 mph and heed all STOP signs.

Neighborhood Park Maintenance

Most of the parks within our neighborhood were deeded by Doug Boone, the developer, to the Town of Davidson on July 21, 2006, with the understanding that the parks would continue to be maintained as they had been. In the early years, the Town hired our landscape contractor, Coleman Burnett, to continue the work. As a result of the economic downturn, the Town cancelled Coleman’s contract and hired a grass cutting firm. Over time many of the Town-owned areas within our neighborhood have suffered from neglect.

The appearance of the neighborhood as a whole affects all residents whether you live within eyesight of a particular spot or not. We all bought into this neighborhood with an expectation that the property would be maintained. We enjoy the appearance while we reside here and we likely benefit when we sell if the grounds are neat and tidy.

Last fall the Council of Stewards included funds in the 2011 budget to take care of some items that were not being done by the Town. Over the past several months, I approached the Council of Stewards to use some of these budgeted funds as a one-time expense to have Coleman do some cleanup and planting within Faulkner Square. At the same time, I approached the Town to see if we could all come to an agreement regarding which park maintenance tasks the Town would be willing to undertake and which ones our neighborhood must assume responsibility.

Doug Wright, Public Works Director and the Town’s representative, recently emailed me with the great news that the Town has agreed to increase their maintenance of the following areas: Faulkner Square, the Harper Lee planting bed by the gravel parking, the soccer fields and open fields (aka: North &South Lawns and Ashby Park), and the Forest Park street tree area along N. Faulkner Way and O. Henry Avenue. The Town does not plan to maintain the four circular planting beds in Faulkner Square, but is receptive to the work being done by volunteers.

In addition to the above named areas, the Town is also responsible for the sandbox park, the swing park, and the dog park. The area outside the dog park is not currently being mowed by the Town. It should be noted that neighborhood residents, Ed & Judy McLean, are mowing the hillside between the dog park and the gravel parking area.

Please contact Shirley Fischer at 704-894-0222 or tsfischer@mi-connection.com if you would be willing to help with the weeding, mulching, and planting of the four beds in Faulkner Square. Please contact Judy McLean at 704-895-0940 or judy@mcleanmarketing.net if you would be willing to help with the mowing by the dog park.

Note: Our thanks go to Shirley Fischer for this article and her hard work with the Town of Davidson to improve the upkeep and beauty of our neighborhood. In spite of budget restraints by the Town, much progress has been made in resolving the current situation.

Yard-of-the-Month — August, 2011

The Landscape & Grounds Committee congratulates Ritch Lewis and Zeke Haslam of 111 Caldwell Lane as the August 2011 winner of the “Yard-of-the-Month.” Caldwell Lane has been the showcase of yards during the 2011 season and this home is a standout. Zeke and Ritch were not the original owners of this home, but they have certainly added their touch to an already great location.

The Charleston homes are a signature part of our neighborhood and this is no exception, painted a beautiful green with brown shutters. The black iron fence sets the home apart and adds a lot to the overall atmosphere. A weeping cherry tree creates an eye-catching focal point. Red Vinca add summer color along the slate walk stones leading from the driveway to the front sidewalk. As a defining feature of both single-family homes and townhomes, there is a crepe myrtle next to the drive. Confederate jasmine is also planted in the yard. Sculpture is used as well as potted plants at the edge of the front steps. Ritch and Zeke have spent hours on landscaping this yard and it is certainly obvious. The total effect is true Southern hospitality and comfort in a yard well done!

Lewis-Halsam home

The Star of Excellence is only barely visible in the late afternoon photo, but it hangs proudly at this address. If you enter the neighborhood along St. Alban’s Lane, take a left at the fountain and check out this winner!

Congratulations to Ritch and Zeke!

Yard-of-the-Month — September, 2011

The Landscape & Grounds Committee congratulates Su & Daryl Chapman of 116 Caldwell Lane as the September 2011 winner of the “Yard-of-the-Month.” September must be a lucky month for the Chapman family as they are a repeat winner, having first received the award in September of 2008. This home will now be retired to our New Neighborhood Yard Hall of Fame. Caldwell Lane residents seem to be holding their own competition as this is the third winner on that street!

There is a big difference in the appearance of the Chapman home between 2008 and 2011. This couple has always worked hard to create a pleasing yard, but in the spring and early summer of this year, they contracted Anthony Walley’s company (Landscape Solutions) to professionally redo the entire yard. The beautifully redone landscaping perfectly fits this pastel pink Charleston home. A raised stone planting area along the front yard utilizes summer color and the lush effect of numerous ferns. The entire arrangement creates an attractive effect. The grass is well trimmed. Again, as with nearly every home in the neighborhood, crepe myrtles are found on both sides of the yard. The front porch has two rocking chairs which beg for visitors and two cold glasses of lemonade!

Chapman home

The Star of Excellence must be drawn to this repeat winner. The photo fails to catch the backyard which is also beautifully landscaped and appealing in a quiet setting.

Congratulations to the Chapman Family!

Each month from May through October, a yard will be selected among single-family homes. Please call Judy McLean at 704.895.0940 if you have questions or suggestions regarding this plan.

 

Go Green! – Receive Your Newsletter via E-Mail!

Please consider receiving the newsletter by e-mail and save on Association costs and delivery times. If interested, e-mail Dave Smith at davidbsmith@bellsouth.net and give your name, street address, and e-mail. Your newsletter will be delivered earlier and in color!

Don’t delay. Sign-up today!

 

Newsletter Delivery Volunteers

Thanks go to all of our delivery volunteers! We were a little short, but dedicated in July with a small crew: Harold & Paula Bell, Bob & Deb Cameron, Barbara Dillman, Anne Jerands, and Dave Smith. New volunteers are always welcome.

If you wish to volunteer, please call Dave Smith at 704.987.1472 (e-mail davidbsmith@bellsouth.net).

Candidate Profiles for New Council of Stewards Nominees & Membership Meeting Info

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 – 7:00 p.m.

Your attendance at the Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, September 27 (7:00 p.m.) at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church is more important than ever. Two items of business will be discussed in addition to comments and concerns taken from the floor. The first item of business will be the election of Council of Stewards members to fill expired and/or open positions.

This year, there are three spots to be filled. The three year terms of Nancy Lingle (current vice-president) and Sam Coleman (president) expire in September. Neither of these two members wishes to run again. Due to the resignation of Charlie Huffine, a third position on the COS is also now available. Charlie has completed one year of a three-year term. There are four candidates running for the three positions. The two highest vote getters at the Membership Meeting will fill the two three-year terms. The third highest vote getter will fill the remaining two years of Charlie Huffine’s term.

A nominating committee appointed by the COS has offered two candidates for consideration:

Bob Cameron
139 Harper Lee Street (townhome)

Bob and his wife Deb moved to their Davidson townhome in October of 2010. Bob is a native of High Point and graduated from Davidson College prior to making the Navy his first career, as a pilot and program manager. After retirement, he moved to the Memphis area and worked for FedEx, hiring overseas airlines to fly for the company. Bob and Connecticut Yankee Deb became re-acquainted with Davidson while their son Rob was a student here (Class of 2010). They concluded that Davidson’s village flavor, outdoor activity access, and intellectual opportunities were just what they were seeking as Empty Nesters. The neighborhood hospitality (and lack of yard work!) made St. Alban’s Square townhome living a natural fit.

Bob and Deb are both avid exercisers (running, hiking, biking), love reading on their front porch (on the less sweltering days), are learning gardening with their SEEDS plot, and are increasing volunteerism with DCPC, WDAV, Ada Jenkins, and the college alumni association. Bob also occasionally does adjunct online teaching for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in their business curriculum. Their daughter Susan lives in Memphis, working with an organ transplant foundation, and son Rob is in medical school in Charleston.

Dana Sonnenberg
174 Clemens Place (single-family home)

Dana and husband Steve moved into the neighborhood in August of 2007. Dana graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science-Nursing. She spent the last five years of her career with Flying Nurses, traveling and working all over the United States. Upon retirement from nursing, she opened four fabric stores in Northern Virginia and owned those for ten years before retiring to North Carolina.

Dana enjoys reading, writing, genealogy, traveling, and gardening. She is past president of the neighborhood Nu Da Book Club, a member of Davidson Garden Club and “farms” at St. Alban’s, where she also attends church. Most of our residents will recognize Dana walking her Akita “Bella” daily in the neighborhood.

In keeping with neighborhood by-laws, two additional candidates have asked that their names be added to the ballot for consideration:

Celeste Colcord
Non-resident owner - (townhome)
217 Twain Avenue and 162 Harper Lee Street

Celeste graduated from Florida Southern College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She attended the University of Georgia graduate school program in educational psychology before beginning a career in mental health services with agencies in Killeen, Texas, Hanau, Federal Republic of Germany, and Savannah, Georgia. She was awarded a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and now resides in Davidson.

Celeste, Broker-In-Charge of Lake Norman Realty’s Davidson office, brings her practice firsthand knowledge of the challenges that can arise during the moving process. She has a lifelong interest in fair business practices, the focus of her study as an MBA student. In September of 2002, Ms. Colcord founded Market Properties, Inc. in Davidson. (Long-time residents of New Neighborhood will remember this company as one of the original tenants of the work units in the front of the development.) This company merged with Lake Norman Realty in May, 2010. Celeste is a Realtor(r) and a member of the Charlotte Regional Realtors Association and the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS). She holds a Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) designation as well as certification in Short and Foreclosure sales (SFR).

In addition to her professional service, Celeste is actively involved in the community as a volunteer. Married with three children, she donates her time to local schools and boards. She is the editor of My Darling Margy, a compilation of the letters and diaries of WWII surgeon Dr. Frank Chunn, published in 2005 by Scuppernong Press. Celeste plans to move into one of her townhomes within a year or two.

Bernie Witter
132 Fairview Lane (single-family home)

Bernie moved from Maryland to New Neighborhood one year ago. He is married and has two adult sons and five grandchildren. He is now retired. In his last professional position, Bernie managed the business affairs of a large, international Philadelphia law firm (650 lawyers). Prior to that, he was Chief Financial Officer of a Fortune 1000 computer company. He holds an undergraduate degree from Yale in industrial engineering and an MBA from Harvard. When living in Maryland, he was involved in the civic affairs of Oxford, having served on the Planning Commission and having run for Town Commissioner. Mr. Witter served on the Board of and was president of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony. Since moving to the Charlotte area, he has become involved with the Charlotte Symphony as an unpaid consultant.

Bernie became quickly involved with association business after moving to the neighborhood. In 2010, he helped with planning and execution of OktoberFest. He is currently a member of the Townhome & Workplace Maintenance Committee.

__________________________

A ballot will be included with meeting notification documents mailed to all Class-A voting members (owners) in September. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted at the meeting.

The second item of business is ratification of the 2012 Budget. This year is especially important for townhome members due to planned increases in Peer Group monthly assessment fees. The second planned increase in the Peer Group Reserve Fund assessments will also take effect in January, 2012. Single-family home owners will also benefit from a discussion of the overall budget issues and other general information that will be included in the meeting. A change to the Canons of Conduct regarding garbage and recycle roll-out will be presented. An approved resolution regarding the maintenance process is also on the agenda.

The Membership & Budget Ratification Meeting cover letter, a summary of the proposed 2012 budget, a copy of the Canons of Conduct change, a copy of the maintenance process resolution, and a proxy statement and ballot will all be included in a notification letter required to be mailed to all members at least 10 days in advance of the meeting. Your attendance is important! The Association requires at least a quorum of 25% of neighborhood members to complete business and make your vote count. If you cannot attend the meeting on September 27, please do not forget to return your ballot and proxy to Abbott Enterprises or to a Council of Stewards member.

As in past Membership Meetings, reports from all neighborhood committees will be presented. Time will be allotted for questions. If residents are interested in signing-up for a committee, please plan to share your interest with one of the committee chairpersons at the end of the meeting. All committees are in need of new members.

Take an interest in your neighborhood. We hope to see you at the Membership and Budget Approval Meeting on Tuesday, September 27.

 

 

St. Albans Square Neighborhood Associationfountain