Town Crier Articles

     

The first meeting of the newly elected Board of Directors ran two full hours.  Even so, the Board was not able to address all business matters. The meeting ended without adjournment and will continue in Executive Session on Wednesday, July 29, at 6 pm.

 

Here are some points of interest from the July 23 session. 

 

Tim Grueter of Town Management reported that there are presently 502 homes in New Town, very close to the 505 homes projected by this time.

 

Tim was asked to set up a Zoom Acct to be managed by the Communications Committee chair.  The account will be used for committee meetings and other Zoom activities. These will be scheduled and announced on the NTRA calendar to encourage community participation.  

 

The BOD is seeking updated guidance on the display of political signs by homeowners.  Reminders of display rules will be sent out to homeowners in August.

 

Activities. The annual Pool Party will not be held this summer.  The Activities Committee plans a more Covid-friendly Frozen Yogurt event for the community in August.  The committee is exploring other ideas for community interaction that comply with Covid guidelines, for instance, Noon Talks conducted over Zoom.  Seven children participated in the Riddle Trail during the first week.  The committee feels that gaining some information about the number and ages of New Town children would help them plan family  activities.

Pool. Residents were pleased that the pool was able to open over the July 4th weekend.  Usage has averaged about 40 persons per day.  Highest usage, 121 persons, was recorded on July 4th.

  

Asset Management. The committee’s review of NTRA assets revealed that many are in need of maintenance. AMC was advised to prepare a prioritized list of these maintenance needs and costs for discussion with BOD. 

 

Walking Trails. The Landscape Company is under contract to provide specific routine maintenance of the trails. Other needs or amenities are considered projects and should be factored into budgeting.  AMC will consult with Jim Barnes and Town Management and prepare a report of Trail needs differentiated by maintenance or project, with estimated costs.  

             

Savannah Square Amendment: 47 affirmative votes are still needed to reach the required number to pass the amendment.  BOD will mount a campaign to reach all potential voters by mail. Any homeowner that has not already voted is asked to affirm the amendment. 

 

There are lots of new homeowners in New Town.  What do all homeowners need to know about making exterior changes to homes? The most important advice to pass along to homeowners is this:  Always make an application to ARC BEFORE making an exterior change.  

 

ARC is charged with reviewing and approving or disapproving all applications made by homeowners for exterior changes to homes or property. This is not a difficult process. Use the ARC Application Form available on the NTRA website. Submit completed form and ALL required support documents to ARC c/o Town Management.  Each committee member will review the project documents and visit the site.  ARC discusses and votes on applications at meetings, held on the second Tuesday of each month at 4 pm. 

 

While sheltering in place during this time of Covid-19 precautions, the committee has continued to work electronically.  Sixteen homeowner applications have been processed.  When working electronically, the committee’s vote on a project must be unanimous.

 

Your homeowner documents are the best reference for allowed changes and details about rules.  ARC offers a condensed set of GUIDELINES on the NTRA website.  Projects that are specifically prohibited will not be approved.  

 

The purpose of ARC is to maintain a cohesive, attractive appearance in our neighborhoods.  This is what attracted most residents to live in New Town.

 

 

At the direction of the New Town Residential Association Board of Directors, in the event pool usage approaches the allowed capacity the pool will operate on a block schedule with two-hour time periods.  Between periods the pool will be cleared, and the area will be sanitized.  In the event the pool area has reached capacity, at the end of the block time the pool the area will be cleared. Upon re-opening, entry into the pool area will be on a first-come-first-served basis until capacity is reached.  Upon re-opening priority will be given to newly arrived homeowners.  All homeowners are expected to comply with this process so that all those who want to swim will have the opportunity.  This policy will be monitored by the pool committee and may be adjusted to accommodate need.

 

11:30 am to 1:15 pm                                      10:00 am to 11:45 am

1:30 pm to 3:15 pm                                        12:00 pm to 1:45 pm

3:30 pm to 5:15 pm                                        2:00 pm to 3:45 pm

5:30 pm to 7:15 pm                                        4:00 pm to 5:45 pm

                                                                        6:00 pm to 7:45 pm

                                                                        8:00 pm to 8:30 pm

 

There will be a short break halfway through each session in order to check the chemical levels of the pool.

Homeowners are reminded that the steps outlined above have been developed in order to open the pool in the safest way possible.  The Board of Directors and Pool Committee respectfully request your full compliance with the rules set forth as well as your cooperation with the pool staff.

 

Questions or concerns should be directed to Town Management 757-565-6200

If you're hitting the pool regularly to beat the summer heat, you've probably made acquaintance with the summer staff at the NTRA Pool. 

 

Kail is a 2019 graduate of Bruton High School and will be returning to Boston for his second year at Berklee College of Music where he's studying sound engineering. It should come, then, as no surprise that Kail's favorite hobby is music. He also enjoys reading, running, and weightlifting when he's not working at the pool. You can see Kail Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday keeping watch over the pool and its guests. 

 

 

When you first enter the pool you're sure to be greeted with a great smile, a pleasant demeanor, and a covid questionnaire from William, one of NTRA's pool attendants who helps keep the pool safe, secure, and clean. William is a rising Junior who is very much looking to get back to school and getting out on the football field at Lafayette High School where is plays left tackle (Go Rams!). Adams is a bit soft-spoken and admits he's a little on the shy side until you get to know him, so make sure to give him a warm welcome when you see him!

 

 

With new pool restrictions enacted due to Governor Northam's orders, the pool staff is working harder than ever to maintain a safe environment for you and your families. Please make sure to thank them for being here and be patient and courteous with the new processes as we move forward!

 

 

     

 

In response to the good news that Virginia is moving to Phase 3 COVID-19 reopening on July 1st, the New Town Pool Committee has been busy working with the newly elected New Town Board of Directors and Town Management to reopen the pool. Thursday, July 2nd is the agreed opening date for this summer season. Residents will have new requirements for using the pool based on the State’s guidelines.

 

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has issued rules following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) parameters which must be adhered to for all businesses entering Phase 3, with specific additional requirements for pools and outdoor recreational sports activities.

 

This guidance describes signage that must be posted outlining the rules of entry, as well as entry screening, occupancy limitations, physical distancing requirements, sanitization regimens and the use of masks and hand sanitizer. Operational parameters for oversight and cleaning are also defined. 

 

In general, the New Town pool can be open at up to 75 percent capacity, provided 10 feet of physical distance can be maintained between groups. Free swim is allowed. Until further notice, spray pools and interactive water features like the mushroom must remain closed. The full list of specifications can be viewed on the website www.governor.virginia.gov.

 

The Board of Director’s new rules must be followed by all who use the pool. Additional Rules for 2020 The NTRA website has been updated with various frequently asked questions to help residents to understand what to expect this season. Check out these Pool FAQs.

 

As another sign that summer is now in full swing, Scott Grafton of Ironbound Gym is gearing up to bring back the ever-popular Aqua Zumba classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings with very limited enrollment.  

 

At 6 pm on June 18 New Town‟s developer-controlled Board of Directors (BOD) convened for the last time via Zoom.

Randy Casey-Rutland, of Town Management, described how this special meeting being held on Zoom, would work. Members of the outgoing BOD (Ken Allen, Robert Casey, Larry Salzman, John Marston, and John Wright) would be visible and audible on screen, along with Susan Tarley, Association attorney, representatives of Town Management and Chuck Stetler, RAB chair. NTRA members were invited to join as participants, but would not be seen or heard. They could submit questions using the Chat feature.

 

Report on Election
There were not enough votes to pass the First Amendment, which was intended to correct the inadvertent designation of some Savannah Square homeowners as members of the New Town Commercial, rather than Residential, Association. Voting may continue electronically until September 5th, Casey-Rutland said, and urged everyone to focus efforts on convincing homeowners that have not voted, to do so. He stressed that it is in the best interest of Savannah Square homeowners to be aligned with the NTRA. Approving the amendment offers the most straightforward way to correct the situation, but if necessary, other means can be pursued.

Larry Salzman asked participants to join him in observing a few moments of silence in appreciation of two former BOD members, John McCann and Bob Keith, who contributed so much to the development of New Town.

 

He announced the five members of the NTRA Board of Directors and their terms of service:

2.5-Year Term: Jean Brown, Savannah Square; Chuck Stetler, Charlotte Park

1.5 Year Term: Larry Burian, Village Walk; Rick Fisher, Abbey Commons; Angela Lesnett, Village Walk

 

 

 

The National Weather Service has named 3 storms so for this May/June. We will see a lull in late June and early July due to a sand-storm over Africa blowing across the Atlantic Ocean. 

We usually get most Hurricane activity that affects our area in late August thru Mid-October. We can expect similar conditions this year. But did you know that hurricanes spawn Tornadoes. We also have the threat of major thunder storms in the summer that can cause Micro-bursts storms with hurricane force winds.