Fall/Winter 2018 Newsletter
Annual Meeting
The LRM annual meeting June 21 achieved a quorum, and results of the voting were: Pamela Rinehart was elected, Karyn Selko was re-elected, and Pam Broberg has a year remaining on her term. Kristin Newett was re-elected, and Lori Hyzdu had not finished her term, but both resigned immediately after the election. Joshua Pierce and Sarah Ford have been named at-Large Board members to serve until the next annual meeting, when we will vote on members for full three-year terms. You may contact your Board members directly with questions and concerns though you are still welcome to contact Tim at Northern Virginia Management if you prefer. As always, all financial transactions and formal requests for documents or submissions of requests for hearings and waivers should be sent to Northern Virginia Management for coordination and record keeping.
Board Meeting Schedule
We try to schedule most Board meetings early each month at Northern Virginia Management’s offices at 7 p.m. Mondays. If you have an issue to bring up, let a Board member know so we may put it on the agenda. Residents and non-resident owners are welcome to observe, but only owners may bring business before the Board during the open session.
Future meetings: Dec. 12, 2018, Jan. 7, and Feb. 4, 2019.
Landscape Improvements
The Board has signed a three-year contract with Blade Runners to lock in prices and secure discounts. Improvements made include:
* The entry has been re-landscaped with hardy annuals
* The “jungle” behind fences is now being mowed and cleaned up
* Fallen trees removed after storms
* Stumps in common areas ground and mulched
* Common area trees were trimmed to avoid property damage, cut off dead sections, and fallen or dead trees have been removed
* All common areas are being aerated and seeded
* New plants installed in traffic circle
* Terraced gardens above retaining wall have been weeded and mulched
* Drainage work has begun in order to alleviate swampiness and improve runoff behind homes.
* County has been alerted as to clogging in drainage pond (county responsibility) during heavy rains.
Coming up:
* Signs will be posted warning of upcoming pesticide applications
* Drainage projects will continue
Don’t Get Towed!
Cars without stickers or red hang tags may be towed. Households with more than three stickers/hang tags total will have extra tags/stickers invalidated and extra car(s) towed. Those in arrears on homeowner dues can have their parking privileges reduced to one car and one space. Contact Pamela Rinehart, Pam Broberg or Karyn Selko to update your auto information.
Architectural Reviews Completed
Northern Virginia Management has advised us that HOAs should do inspections at least annually, if not semi-annually. Homes and yards have been inspected and letters will be sent to homeowners regarding any violations. Work to achieve compliance should be completed by mid-spring at the latest. As a reminder, construction or paint to replace existing materials with the exact same thing do not require Board approval. Approval is required for any changes in size, color design, or materials.
Help Us Improve Little River Mews!
Join a Working Group:
* Nominating Committee to recruit Board members for the next election.
* Architectural Review Board advisory group to make suggestions to improve our guidelines.
* These are mandatory, and we need two volunteers who are not currently Board members to work with the President ASAP. If we cannot get volunteers by January, two Board members will be named to join the ARB.
Grounds Working Group to help beautify our landscaping.
Trash Working Group to improve trash pick-up and compliance.
Parking Working Group to help scan the lot for compliance with parking regulations and lot maintenance decisions.
Safety Working Group to help reinvigorate our Neighborhood Watch, look for solutions for improved lighting at night, and any other concerns that may arise.
Social Working Group to help plan fun events, get-togethers and more.
Events Update
4th of July Cookout: We were pleased to see many families show up and cheers go to Osama Elkhawad and Shahinda Suliman for doing the grilling and bringing chicken to share. Thanks also to all who came and contributed food, drinks, extra fireworks, and friendly conversation.
Several people won prizes for guessing their “Who Am I?” identity, and one of our younger residents won the jar of candy for guessing closest to the number of pieces. We enjoyed fountain-type fireworks after dark.
Yard Sale: Our summer neighborhood yard sale was a success, but suffered from excessive rainy weather, somewhat short notice, and hampered publicity. Are you interested in a Saturday morning yard sale in the spring?
Happy Hour: Neighborhood residents enjoyed drinks, snacks and conversation at Pam Broberg’s house June 27. People had the opportunity to sign up for committees and get to know their neighbors.
Trash
Garbage/trash is removed Mondays and Thursdays except for Independence Day (July 4th), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Thursday trash and recycling pickups during the listed holidays are moved to Friday. Recycled boxes and containers must be free of food and food stains or be put in the trash. For the list of permitted recycling items see http://americandisposal.com/acceptedrecycling.php. Do not place garbage out with recycling if you miss the earlier pickup.
Call American Disposal to schedule pickup for oversized items like sofas, TVs or mattresses; white goods (refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc.); and construction waste. Additional fees may apply. Special pick-ups are not part of the paid monthly service for the neighborhood. You can speak to someone about your pickup needs at: 866-884-8700.
Garbage placed out the evening before pickup must be securely bagged in heavy duty black plastic garbage bags and should be placed in lidded trash containers. Trash placed on the morning of pickup must be securely sealed in heavy duty plastic bags. Loose trash and thin grocery bags are not permitted.
Disposal of Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected from March to December each year on Thursdays.
-Tree limbs can be no longer than
4 feet long and 3 inches thick.
-Limbs and brush must be bundled with rope or twine or they will not be removed.
-Bundles are not to exceed 50 pounds.
-Mulch, rock, dirt and sod are not acceptable waste items to place curbside.
-Yard waste is only removed on Thursdays.
-Do not dispose of yard waste in the common areas, or in the park or stream on the south end of the neighborhood. The park is Fairfax County parkland, and a protected Chesapeake Bay Watershed area. Dumping of any materials, including yard waste, downed limbs and trees, rocks, dirt, etc. is prohibited and punishable by fines.
Violators may be caught on cameras trained on common areas and fined.
Dog Waste
The island at the entrance area near the Little River Mews sign, and the traffic circle island are not dog parks. Please do not encourage your dogs to use those areas and keep your dogs out of your neighbors' yards and shrubs - nobody wants damaged grass, foul odors or an unpleasant surprise when they are walking in common areas or gardening. Please be responsible owners and carry bags so you can clean up dog waste promptly.
Indian Run Project
This project will last until 2020 and involves major renovation of the stream bed. The county requests that everyone stay out of the area for their safety. While our adjacent neighborhoods will be directly impacted, the abandoned railroad bed will shelter us from most noise. You may notice more wildlife in the daytime as animals try to avoid the machines and workers during the day.
Unsightly Trash Enclosures Next Door
Your Board met with Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross regarding the trash enclosures at Terrace Townhomes. We are awaiting information coming from zoning and code compliance departments as to what can be done to alleviate problems with rodents, smell, and unsightliness. Terrace has placed rat traps, but we continue to see rats coming from the enclosures into our neighborhood.
Your Board Members
Pamela Rinehart, President, Unit 4533
Karyn Selko, Vice President, Unit 4518
Pam Broberg, Secretary, Unit 4521
Joshua Pierce, At-Large, Unit 4529
Sarah Ford, At-Large, Unit 4538
Also: Northern Virgini a Management, Tim Kircher, 703-941-9002 (4306 Evergreen Lane, Ste. 101, Annandale, VA), [email protected]
The LRM annual meeting June 21 achieved a quorum, and results of the voting were: Pamela Rinehart was elected, Karyn Selko was re-elected, and Pam Broberg has a year remaining on her term. Kristin Newett was re-elected, and Lori Hyzdu had not finished her term, but both resigned immediately after the election. Joshua Pierce and Sarah Ford have been named at-Large Board members to serve until the next annual meeting, when we will vote on members for full three-year terms. You may contact your Board members directly with questions and concerns though you are still welcome to contact Tim at Northern Virginia Management if you prefer. As always, all financial transactions and formal requests for documents or submissions of requests for hearings and waivers should be sent to Northern Virginia Management for coordination and record keeping.
Board Meeting Schedule
We try to schedule most Board meetings early each month at Northern Virginia Management’s offices at 7 p.m. Mondays. If you have an issue to bring up, let a Board member know so we may put it on the agenda. Residents and non-resident owners are welcome to observe, but only owners may bring business before the Board during the open session.
Future meetings: Dec. 12, 2018, Jan. 7, and Feb. 4, 2019.
Landscape Improvements
The Board has signed a three-year contract with Blade Runners to lock in prices and secure discounts. Improvements made include:
* The entry has been re-landscaped with hardy annuals
* The “jungle” behind fences is now being mowed and cleaned up
* Fallen trees removed after storms
* Stumps in common areas ground and mulched
* Common area trees were trimmed to avoid property damage, cut off dead sections, and fallen or dead trees have been removed
* All common areas are being aerated and seeded
* New plants installed in traffic circle
* Terraced gardens above retaining wall have been weeded and mulched
* Drainage work has begun in order to alleviate swampiness and improve runoff behind homes.
* County has been alerted as to clogging in drainage pond (county responsibility) during heavy rains.
Coming up:
* Signs will be posted warning of upcoming pesticide applications
* Drainage projects will continue
Don’t Get Towed!
Cars without stickers or red hang tags may be towed. Households with more than three stickers/hang tags total will have extra tags/stickers invalidated and extra car(s) towed. Those in arrears on homeowner dues can have their parking privileges reduced to one car and one space. Contact Pamela Rinehart, Pam Broberg or Karyn Selko to update your auto information.
Architectural Reviews Completed
Northern Virginia Management has advised us that HOAs should do inspections at least annually, if not semi-annually. Homes and yards have been inspected and letters will be sent to homeowners regarding any violations. Work to achieve compliance should be completed by mid-spring at the latest. As a reminder, construction or paint to replace existing materials with the exact same thing do not require Board approval. Approval is required for any changes in size, color design, or materials.
Help Us Improve Little River Mews!
Join a Working Group:
* Nominating Committee to recruit Board members for the next election.
* Architectural Review Board advisory group to make suggestions to improve our guidelines.
* These are mandatory, and we need two volunteers who are not currently Board members to work with the President ASAP. If we cannot get volunteers by January, two Board members will be named to join the ARB.
Grounds Working Group to help beautify our landscaping.
Trash Working Group to improve trash pick-up and compliance.
Parking Working Group to help scan the lot for compliance with parking regulations and lot maintenance decisions.
Safety Working Group to help reinvigorate our Neighborhood Watch, look for solutions for improved lighting at night, and any other concerns that may arise.
Social Working Group to help plan fun events, get-togethers and more.
Events Update
4th of July Cookout: We were pleased to see many families show up and cheers go to Osama Elkhawad and Shahinda Suliman for doing the grilling and bringing chicken to share. Thanks also to all who came and contributed food, drinks, extra fireworks, and friendly conversation.
Several people won prizes for guessing their “Who Am I?” identity, and one of our younger residents won the jar of candy for guessing closest to the number of pieces. We enjoyed fountain-type fireworks after dark.
Yard Sale: Our summer neighborhood yard sale was a success, but suffered from excessive rainy weather, somewhat short notice, and hampered publicity. Are you interested in a Saturday morning yard sale in the spring?
Happy Hour: Neighborhood residents enjoyed drinks, snacks and conversation at Pam Broberg’s house June 27. People had the opportunity to sign up for committees and get to know their neighbors.
Trash
Garbage/trash is removed Mondays and Thursdays except for Independence Day (July 4th), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Thursday trash and recycling pickups during the listed holidays are moved to Friday. Recycled boxes and containers must be free of food and food stains or be put in the trash. For the list of permitted recycling items see http://americandisposal.com/acceptedrecycling.php. Do not place garbage out with recycling if you miss the earlier pickup.
Call American Disposal to schedule pickup for oversized items like sofas, TVs or mattresses; white goods (refrigerators, washers, dryers, etc.); and construction waste. Additional fees may apply. Special pick-ups are not part of the paid monthly service for the neighborhood. You can speak to someone about your pickup needs at: 866-884-8700.
Garbage placed out the evening before pickup must be securely bagged in heavy duty black plastic garbage bags and should be placed in lidded trash containers. Trash placed on the morning of pickup must be securely sealed in heavy duty plastic bags. Loose trash and thin grocery bags are not permitted.
Disposal of Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected from March to December each year on Thursdays.
-Tree limbs can be no longer than
4 feet long and 3 inches thick.
-Limbs and brush must be bundled with rope or twine or they will not be removed.
-Bundles are not to exceed 50 pounds.
-Mulch, rock, dirt and sod are not acceptable waste items to place curbside.
-Yard waste is only removed on Thursdays.
-Do not dispose of yard waste in the common areas, or in the park or stream on the south end of the neighborhood. The park is Fairfax County parkland, and a protected Chesapeake Bay Watershed area. Dumping of any materials, including yard waste, downed limbs and trees, rocks, dirt, etc. is prohibited and punishable by fines.
Violators may be caught on cameras trained on common areas and fined.
Dog Waste
The island at the entrance area near the Little River Mews sign, and the traffic circle island are not dog parks. Please do not encourage your dogs to use those areas and keep your dogs out of your neighbors' yards and shrubs - nobody wants damaged grass, foul odors or an unpleasant surprise when they are walking in common areas or gardening. Please be responsible owners and carry bags so you can clean up dog waste promptly.
Indian Run Project
This project will last until 2020 and involves major renovation of the stream bed. The county requests that everyone stay out of the area for their safety. While our adjacent neighborhoods will be directly impacted, the abandoned railroad bed will shelter us from most noise. You may notice more wildlife in the daytime as animals try to avoid the machines and workers during the day.
Unsightly Trash Enclosures Next Door
Your Board met with Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross regarding the trash enclosures at Terrace Townhomes. We are awaiting information coming from zoning and code compliance departments as to what can be done to alleviate problems with rodents, smell, and unsightliness. Terrace has placed rat traps, but we continue to see rats coming from the enclosures into our neighborhood.
Your Board Members
Pamela Rinehart, President, Unit 4533
Karyn Selko, Vice President, Unit 4518
Pam Broberg, Secretary, Unit 4521
Joshua Pierce, At-Large, Unit 4529
Sarah Ford, At-Large, Unit 4538
Also: Northern Virgini a Management, Tim Kircher, 703-941-9002 (4306 Evergreen Lane, Ste. 101, Annandale, VA), [email protected]