I received a few complaints this month regarding trash –
not complaints about our trash contractor (see my other article)
– but about the actions of some of our fellow residents. Two
things are worth remembering: 1) There are no designated collection
points. Put your trash out in front of your own home. Some
people are starting to object to having others use their curb
as the trash collection station. 2) Don't put trash out ridiculously
early. We are supposed to wait until after dark to put trash
out. Let's be reasonable. It is not a big deal if you are
going out or going to bed early and you have to put it out
a few minutes before dark - occasionally. But don't start
putting it out on Sunday mornings. As I always say – I'm not
intending to nitpick about rules technicalities – just be
reasonable.
President's Report by Ron Filadelfo
It has been two months since the new board took over and
I became President. Much of this first two months has involved
learning who was responsible for the various board functions,
responding to homeowner complaints/inquiries, and delegating
responsibilities in cases where I thought it appropriate –
all in addition to the mundane tasks of organizing and running
our meetings and overseeing the performance of the board's
routine operational tasks. This has kept me pretty busy, so
I've yet to communicate with you via this newsletter – until
now. So, here's what is going on in Leewood.
We are currently working on several major infrastructure
projects.
We are in the process of having sidewalk repairs made. Late
last fall, I surveyed our sidewalks with three different cement
contractors (you might have noticed the orange paint markings
throughout the community). We selected a contractor, but the
cold weather rolled in and he advised us to wait until spring
to do the job (cement does not set well in cold weather, and
we felt that these repairs were not time critical). We hope
to begin work in the very near future (within a month), as
soon as we resolve some slope/drainage issues in one location.
We'll be spending about $7,000 on this project.
Some major landscaping (plantings) is in the works. We didn't
do much planting last year, so a few thousand dollars from
this part of our budget was rolled forward into 2003. We've
authorized our Grounds and Maintenance committee to use it
this year, in addition to what was budgeted for plantings
this year (of course, they will spend that carry-over money
only if necessary; we are not going to spend it just for the
sake of using it up). The planting of trees and shrubs is
apparently non-trivial, so our G&M committee is in the process
of drawing up plans and soliciting proposals and bids. If
you have any suggestions or questions, contact our G&M chairman,
Al Sanford. We have no specific plans or bids yet, but I think
we are expecting to spend in the neighborhood of $10,000 on
this.
We will be doing a lot more fence repair / replacement in
the near future. We were not at all pleased with the performance
of the contractor we used for last year's work (Lee Fence),
so our G&M committee had to go through the contractor search
process again this year. They are just about ready to start
work now; at last week's board meeting we authorized the G&M
committee to proceed (about $8,000).
Parking places (vertical white lines and space numbers) will
be repainted throughout the community this year. This will
require all of our cars to be removed. Obviously we'll try
to do this during the work-day, when most of us have our cars
out anyway. We'll give you plenty of warning when we set the
date – but if you have an extended trip coming up this summer
and you'll be leaving your car, you might want to let us know
or leave your keys with a trusted neighbor.
The board has working some administrative issues also.
We have all noticed the striking decline in the performance
of our trash contractor, AAA. I've called them several times,
and in one instance, I was able to get us a credit on our
monthly bill. However, their service has gotten so bad that
I'm not sure we can continue with them. I've reviewed our
contract with them and written them a letter detailing what
I consider to be breaches of the agreement, and we'll see
what our options are.
Last year we had a reserves study performed. This involved
bringing in a contractor (Reserve Advisors, Inc., from Milwaukee)
with expertise in community infrastructure (streets, fences,
etc.) and financial analyses, and having them produce a schedule
of expected repairs (and expenditures) and a savings plan
to meet these needs – covering the next twenty years. This
resulted in a two-inch thick binder filled with charts, tables,
and assumptions. Our website manager and former President,
Judy Currier, and I have reviewed it. We found several calculations
and assumptions that require change. I have compiled our comments
and will send them off to the contractor. Once this document
is completed, it will guide our budgeting decisions for many
years to come (subject to 5-yearly updates).
And finally, there is parking. This, more than any other
single reason, is why I didn't want to become LHOA President,
and why no one else wanted the job. How contentious is this
issue? About a year ago the board formed a parking committee
of 4 or 5 people, to study the parking problems and make recommendations
to the board. Even this group couldn't agree on anything,
and it dissolved in bitter disagreement, with various members
issuing their own recommendations that the others disagreed
with. I now have to take 3 or so different sets of recommendations
and decide what to do. Stand by. And in the meantime, please
be considerate with the use of parking spaces. Don't leave
reserved spaces vacant just to spite your neighbors. The only
ones you are really hurting are me and my fellow LHOA board
members – because we have to deal with all the complaints.
In summary, the board has been very busy. Thanks for taking
the time to read this – I'll try to do this every month or
two. Feel free to contact me with questions / comments – and
never forget that Leewood is just as much your responsibility
as it is mine.
Shots Fired Christopher Taylor
The night calm was interrupted last Wednesday night (May
7) just before 10pm with shots from a small millimeter handgun.
I was watching television in my living room. The backdoor
was open. I heard a neighboring backdoor open followed by
a couple of shots.
In my mind, there was no mistaking the sound. The shots sounded
like they came from upper Leestone Street (the circle). I
summoned police who took my information and began searching
on foot.
I also directed them to another Leewood resident, who called
earlier the same evening, to tell me a police report had been
filed the morning before for the same reason and in the same
location.
I've heard nothing since. I urge residents to be on the alert.
Such activity and conduct should be reported to police immediately.
If you have any additional information, do not hesitate to
call the police.
Community Notes
The Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) furniture
program needs donations of kitchen tables and chairs, beds
(box springs/mattresses, no king size), sofas (no sleep sofas),
and chests of drawers. To donate furniture or volunteer, call
Don Di Spirito at 703-256-9513.
The Fairfax County Police Department urges residents to participate
in National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5. Residents are
encouraged to turn on their outdoor lights to support Neighborhood
Watch and other community crime prevention efforts. For information
about Neighborhood Watch, call the Mason Station Crime Prevention
Section at 703-354-5889.
Need a Notary Public? Notary Services are available at Supervisor
Gross' office. Call 703-256-7717 for more information.
House Sales by tony mcsorley
This year Leewood house sales are ranging upward between
$5,000 to $40,000 above last years high point of $285,000.
Most sales are happening within a few days, showing the great
demand and/or skill of realtors.
The Washington Post stated the realtor's commission for 2002
averaged nationally 5.12% while in Northern Virginia it was
4.78% on average. It warned to watch for junk administration
fees to raise realtors take, about $500. But remember you
get what you pay for, cutting commission (sic) may
provide less incentive to the realtor to work your sale.
The association is developing a brochure for prospective
buyers. Check out the web
version!
Changes in Reserved Spaces
If you haven't gotten around to filling out the form requesting
a change to the location of your reserved space, there is
still time though it wouldn't be good to tary too much longer.
Look under "What's New" on the Leewood home
page.
Note: This is an abbreviated newsletter with articles
that contained known erroneous information either edited or
cut.
