Spring 2019 Newsletter
Meeting Schedules
LRMHA Board meetings are to take place April 8, May 6, June 3, and July 8, 2019 @ 7 p.m. @ NVM offices, 4306 Evergreen Lane, Annandale. Future meeting information will no longer be posted on the mailboxes but will be on our new website: LRMHA.org.
An Architectural Review Board has been established. Members include Pamela Broberg, Chairperson, Pamela Rinehart, Karyn Selko, Julie Soininen and Kristin Newett. Next Meeting is April 29, 2019, 7:30 p.m. at #4521.
Spring Clean-Up
Meet your neighbors and help beautify the neighborhood, then enjoy a pot luck. Have a fun time while helping to pick up debris and branches, weeding, and planting April 6 (rain date, April 7). Trash bags and plastic gloves will be provided. Unfortunately getting a dumpster was too problematic, but as usual you may call American Disposal to find out the cost of removing your bulk items.
New Web Site is Online
Visit our new Website at LRMHA.org. Future meetings, past minutes, newsletters, ARB guidelines, and more are available 24/7/365 in an easy-to use, attractive new format. Pamela Rinehart has donated her expertise and talents and a domain name, saving us these expenses. Thank you Pamela!
Help! We Need Somebody
We have vacancies on the following:
LRMHA Board short-term At-Large position through August 6 until elections take place at the Annual Meeting
Nominating Committee to recruit Board members for the next election, August 6. This should not require a lot of time, merely talking to your neighbors.
Please notify Board members of your interest in serving.
Parking Alert
Please use the new hangtags you were sent. Dominion Towing will begin towing anyone without this hangtag starting April 1st. You may remove the sticker from your bumper, and the short red hangtags will no longer be valid.
If you received only one, you must bring your account up to date in order to get the remaining two. Tags may be used for up to three spaces per household on any vehicle. For additional parking, you may borrow unused hangtags from neighbors or use the George Mason Regional Library parking lot.
Please Fix Your Home
ARB letters have been sent to all homeowners. Please fix any non-compliant items by May 31st, 2019. If you have any questions, please send them to Northern Virginia Management.
Landscape Improvements
The Board has signed a three-year contract with Blade Runners to lock in prices and secure discounts. Note that the new contract is less than the previous one.
Improvements have been completed throughout the development with more to come—all within budget. The Board is working with Northern Virginia Management to insure sufficient funds are available for all expenditures.
We have made the following progress in common areas:
* Removed overgrown brush and deposited tree branches have been removed.
* The "jungle" behind the fences all along the east side of the property was cleaned and is now being mowed and tended as part of the existing contract with Blade Runners. This clean-up included removal of poisonous plants such as poison ivy.
* Fallen trees were removed after storms.|
* Stumps were ground and mulched. The one at the entrance next to 4502 will be removed shortly.
* The entry has been re-landscaped with hardy annuals, and flowers will be planted in spring thanks to the generosity of individual homeowners.
* New plants were installed in the traffic circle. (Please refrain from walking your dogs in this area!)
*All common areas are being aerated and seeded.
* Common area trees were trimmed to avoid property damage; dead sections were removed along with fallen or dead trees. This included requests from two homeowners re: trees in the common area growing too close to their homes. * Weeding has been done throughout the development in all common areas.
* County has been alerted as to clogging in drainage pond (county responsibility) during heavy rains. (See before & after at right.)
* Drainage work has been done or is planned to be done in order to alleviate swampiness and improve run-off behind all affected homes.
Already remedied and/or in progress:
* Swale to fix erosion/over-flowing drain and re-grading of land by 4538.
* Swale behind 4521-4537 to resolve water accumulation that was breeding mosquitoes and threatening to damage fences and decks.
* Replacement of bushes behind 4514-4520 that had died due to lack of mulch and proper care.
Planned for spring:
* Clean drain and re-grade along the side of 4502 and around the back behind 4502-4508.
* Blade Runners will be removing cut branches that have been piled on County land near the far northeast corner of our property by Terrace Townhomes.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A DUMPING GROUND. The County reserves the right to fine individuals or the Homeowners’ Association for this type of infraction. As a result of some homeowners/residents disposing of debris in this area, the HOA is going to have to incur a needless expense. You can call American Disposal to have yard debris removed if it is too large to be collected on Thursday as part of recycling.
Coming up:
* Investigation of possible solutions for the flooding behind 4501 – 4519, since there is no drain available. NVM is assisting with other landscaping companies who are more familiar with this sort of situation and/or an engineering firm.
* Getting estimates to remove the Sweet Gum trees that present a menace to those in the back of the development.
* Getting estimates to plant some shrubbery between LRM & Terrace behind 4531-4537.
* Signs will be posted warning of upcoming pesticide applications as required by law.
The LRMHA ANNUAL MEETING will take place August 6. Notices with ballots and proxies will be sent to owners prior to the meeting. There is one vote per household. Even if you plan to attend, you may fill out a proxy form signed by an owner and give it to someone who will be attending. It will be returned to you or thrown away if you are present to vote in
person. This ensures we have a quorum so we don’t have to go to additional trouble and expense of rescheduling. Let any Board member know if you are interested in running so your name may be placed on the ballot.
NO DUMPING!
Please be responsible and dispose of yard waste, branches and other items appropriately. We have had a problem with someone dumping branches in the neighborhood and had to pay to have them removed by Blade Runners. Small yard waste should be put in clear bags for pick-up Thursdays from March through December. Call American Disposal (703-368-0500) 24 hours in advance for bulk item pickup. Go to LRMHA.org/trash to read up on requirements.
No Littering Either!
Garbage must be 1) sealed in heavy-duty (black) garbage bags, 2) double bagged in sealed white trash bags, or 3) bagged and placed in lidded garbage cans—the only option for putting out garbage the night before pickiup. This is absolutely essential for disposing of food waste to keep rats and other animals out of our homes and neighborhood. No store bags, grocery bags, open bags or unwrapped garbage! Those caught in violation may be fined up to $10/day for 90 days. Please also secure your recycling so it does not blow about the neighborhood on windy days.
Please!
Clean up after your dogs so the neighborhood is sanitary and pedestrian friendly. We’ve especially noticed problems on the traffic circle and behind the houses at the entrance to the neighborhood. It’s best to walk your dog on your own property and on parkland and you must pick up and dispose of any dog waste promptly.
Your Board Members
Pamela Rinehart, President, Unit 4533,
Karyn Selko, Vice President, Unit 4518,
Pam Broberg, Secretary, Unit 4521,
Sarah Ford, At-Large, Unit 4538,
Also: Northern Virginia Management, Tim Kircher, 703-941-9002 (4306 Evergreen Lane, Ste. 101, Annandale, VA), [email protected]
LRMHA Board meetings are to take place April 8, May 6, June 3, and July 8, 2019 @ 7 p.m. @ NVM offices, 4306 Evergreen Lane, Annandale. Future meeting information will no longer be posted on the mailboxes but will be on our new website: LRMHA.org.
An Architectural Review Board has been established. Members include Pamela Broberg, Chairperson, Pamela Rinehart, Karyn Selko, Julie Soininen and Kristin Newett. Next Meeting is April 29, 2019, 7:30 p.m. at #4521.
Spring Clean-Up
Meet your neighbors and help beautify the neighborhood, then enjoy a pot luck. Have a fun time while helping to pick up debris and branches, weeding, and planting April 6 (rain date, April 7). Trash bags and plastic gloves will be provided. Unfortunately getting a dumpster was too problematic, but as usual you may call American Disposal to find out the cost of removing your bulk items.
New Web Site is Online
Visit our new Website at LRMHA.org. Future meetings, past minutes, newsletters, ARB guidelines, and more are available 24/7/365 in an easy-to use, attractive new format. Pamela Rinehart has donated her expertise and talents and a domain name, saving us these expenses. Thank you Pamela!
Help! We Need Somebody
We have vacancies on the following:
LRMHA Board short-term At-Large position through August 6 until elections take place at the Annual Meeting
Nominating Committee to recruit Board members for the next election, August 6. This should not require a lot of time, merely talking to your neighbors.
Please notify Board members of your interest in serving.
Parking Alert
Please use the new hangtags you were sent. Dominion Towing will begin towing anyone without this hangtag starting April 1st. You may remove the sticker from your bumper, and the short red hangtags will no longer be valid.
If you received only one, you must bring your account up to date in order to get the remaining two. Tags may be used for up to three spaces per household on any vehicle. For additional parking, you may borrow unused hangtags from neighbors or use the George Mason Regional Library parking lot.
Please Fix Your Home
ARB letters have been sent to all homeowners. Please fix any non-compliant items by May 31st, 2019. If you have any questions, please send them to Northern Virginia Management.
Landscape Improvements
The Board has signed a three-year contract with Blade Runners to lock in prices and secure discounts. Note that the new contract is less than the previous one.
Improvements have been completed throughout the development with more to come—all within budget. The Board is working with Northern Virginia Management to insure sufficient funds are available for all expenditures.
We have made the following progress in common areas:
* Removed overgrown brush and deposited tree branches have been removed.
* The "jungle" behind the fences all along the east side of the property was cleaned and is now being mowed and tended as part of the existing contract with Blade Runners. This clean-up included removal of poisonous plants such as poison ivy.
* Fallen trees were removed after storms.|
* Stumps were ground and mulched. The one at the entrance next to 4502 will be removed shortly.
* The entry has been re-landscaped with hardy annuals, and flowers will be planted in spring thanks to the generosity of individual homeowners.
* New plants were installed in the traffic circle. (Please refrain from walking your dogs in this area!)
*All common areas are being aerated and seeded.
* Common area trees were trimmed to avoid property damage; dead sections were removed along with fallen or dead trees. This included requests from two homeowners re: trees in the common area growing too close to their homes. * Weeding has been done throughout the development in all common areas.
* County has been alerted as to clogging in drainage pond (county responsibility) during heavy rains. (See before & after at right.)
* Drainage work has been done or is planned to be done in order to alleviate swampiness and improve run-off behind all affected homes.
Already remedied and/or in progress:
* Swale to fix erosion/over-flowing drain and re-grading of land by 4538.
* Swale behind 4521-4537 to resolve water accumulation that was breeding mosquitoes and threatening to damage fences and decks.
* Replacement of bushes behind 4514-4520 that had died due to lack of mulch and proper care.
Planned for spring:
* Clean drain and re-grade along the side of 4502 and around the back behind 4502-4508.
* Blade Runners will be removing cut branches that have been piled on County land near the far northeast corner of our property by Terrace Townhomes.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A DUMPING GROUND. The County reserves the right to fine individuals or the Homeowners’ Association for this type of infraction. As a result of some homeowners/residents disposing of debris in this area, the HOA is going to have to incur a needless expense. You can call American Disposal to have yard debris removed if it is too large to be collected on Thursday as part of recycling.
Coming up:
* Investigation of possible solutions for the flooding behind 4501 – 4519, since there is no drain available. NVM is assisting with other landscaping companies who are more familiar with this sort of situation and/or an engineering firm.
* Getting estimates to remove the Sweet Gum trees that present a menace to those in the back of the development.
* Getting estimates to plant some shrubbery between LRM & Terrace behind 4531-4537.
* Signs will be posted warning of upcoming pesticide applications as required by law.
The LRMHA ANNUAL MEETING will take place August 6. Notices with ballots and proxies will be sent to owners prior to the meeting. There is one vote per household. Even if you plan to attend, you may fill out a proxy form signed by an owner and give it to someone who will be attending. It will be returned to you or thrown away if you are present to vote in
person. This ensures we have a quorum so we don’t have to go to additional trouble and expense of rescheduling. Let any Board member know if you are interested in running so your name may be placed on the ballot.
NO DUMPING!
Please be responsible and dispose of yard waste, branches and other items appropriately. We have had a problem with someone dumping branches in the neighborhood and had to pay to have them removed by Blade Runners. Small yard waste should be put in clear bags for pick-up Thursdays from March through December. Call American Disposal (703-368-0500) 24 hours in advance for bulk item pickup. Go to LRMHA.org/trash to read up on requirements.
No Littering Either!
Garbage must be 1) sealed in heavy-duty (black) garbage bags, 2) double bagged in sealed white trash bags, or 3) bagged and placed in lidded garbage cans—the only option for putting out garbage the night before pickiup. This is absolutely essential for disposing of food waste to keep rats and other animals out of our homes and neighborhood. No store bags, grocery bags, open bags or unwrapped garbage! Those caught in violation may be fined up to $10/day for 90 days. Please also secure your recycling so it does not blow about the neighborhood on windy days.
Please!
Clean up after your dogs so the neighborhood is sanitary and pedestrian friendly. We’ve especially noticed problems on the traffic circle and behind the houses at the entrance to the neighborhood. It’s best to walk your dog on your own property and on parkland and you must pick up and dispose of any dog waste promptly.
Your Board Members
Pamela Rinehart, President, Unit 4533,
Karyn Selko, Vice President, Unit 4518,
Pam Broberg, Secretary, Unit 4521,
Sarah Ford, At-Large, Unit 4538,
Also: Northern Virginia Management, Tim Kircher, 703-941-9002 (4306 Evergreen Lane, Ste. 101, Annandale, VA), [email protected]