Town Crier Articles
Posted on April 1, 2021 6:59 AM by Town Crier Staff
DO YOU HAVE A HOME-BASED BUSINESS? TELL US ABOUT IT!
Crier Staff
If you are one of many New Town residents operating a home-based business, we'd like to hear from you? Drop is a line at ntratown.crier@gmail.com and tell us about you and your business. If you like send pics or a link to your website! We'd like to feature our local entrepreneurs in upcoming issues
NTRA to Host Annual Earth Day Cleanup
Activities Committee
Earth Day this year is scheduled for Thursday April 22 and NTRA Activities Committee will be conducting a New Town Earth Day Cleanup in our neighborhoods. The Activities Committee will have trash bags available for pick up to fill as well as guidance on areas that are accessible and those that are either not safe or not NTRA property where trespassing would be permitted. Safety for COVID purposes and use of gloves, grabbers, etc is recommended. Children should be supervised in this family friendly activity. More details will be communicated via email blast to all residents.
Small Actions Add Up – Observing Earth Day
Alison Douglas
April may be our time to turn our focus to the environment with Earth day observed on 22 April. It’s a good time to do your bit as well as to involve the family in how they can make a difference too. Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Founded in 1970, it is the largest secular observance in the world and is marked by a billion people every year as a day of action.
Here are 10 ideas for the difference you can make.
Pick up some litter – James City County has a limited number of litter loan kits available. Option 1 includes litter grabbers, trash collection bags, orange safety vests and gloves. Option 2 includes all the above plus a should bags. For more information, please contact Peg Boarman at (757) 565 0032 or the Office of Sustainability at (757) 259 5375.
Buy a bag for Life – plastic bags are posing a huge threat to wildlife, especially marine wildlife.
Go meat-free for a day or a week and expand your cooking repertoire – our love of meat, especially beef, uses up a lot of land, water and produces greenhouse gases. Switching to a meat-free option for a short and frequent period may help.
Go microbead-free – microbeads are tiny beads of plastic that are in many cosmetics, face washes and toothpaste that end up in the oceans and enter the foodchain. Next time you buy cosmetics, check the label first.
Walk or ride a bike rather than take the car. Walking and cycling is good for your health as well as the environment.
Give up chewing gum – It is made from synthetic rubber and 100,000 tonnes of this plastic is thrown away every year. Reducing or cutting out chewing gum altogether will make a difference.
Shop at local farmers markets – it’s a great way to support local businesses and support the environment. They tend to use less packaging and products are grown or made locally so transport distances are short.
Buy a reusable water bottle– billions of plastic bottles are sold every year, so re-using a bottle means we can reduce the amount of plastic we throw away.
Make the switch from using plastic straws – bamboo, silicone or even metal straws are a good alternative to the plastic option.
Spread the word – These are just some starter ideas, so if you have good suggestions, why not share them in the comments section.
Maintaining Your Garage Doors
Sarah Carey
Most of us have a Lift Master system or Wayne Dalton system installed by Virginia Door. Life expectancy of the system is 10 years but more likely 5 to 6. The owner’s manual has limited DIY maintenance suggestions. Does your garage door (doors) make a lot of grinding or squeaking noise when you open or close the door? It may be time for some DIY maintenance or a call to a reliable garage door service business. Speaking from experience, don’t wait until its too late and that large spring cable can break. But thankfully there are a lot of safety features built in so the cable doesn’t spin off the bar. It makes a very loud noise and then of course your door won’t close.
Rollers and the spring (photos below) should be sprayed once a year with a silicone spray that is especially for use on garage doors. This is available at Home Depot and Lowes. The rollers and spring are easy to reach when the door is closed – no need for a ladder. Other maintenance should be done by a professional garage door technician. If the loud noise upon opening the door doesn’t go away after lubricating, it may be a motor problem.
We have had excellent service from a local business Lion Garage Door. Quick service and helpful friendly employees. A service call is $89 or a $120/year membership that includes 2 service calls.
Quick Getaways – Virginia Air and Space Science Center, Hampton
Jim Ducibella
Ever stand so close to an Apollo space capsule that you can envision opening its hatch in 1969 and joining astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan Bean on the surface of the moon?
You can at the Virginia Air and Space Science Center in downtown Hampton, home to the original Apollo 12 capsule.
In 1986, the NASA Langley Research Center informed the City of Hampton that it was willing to move its visitor center downtown, giving people access to explore the past, present and future of air and space. As the birthplace of the nation’s air and space technology – think of the film “Hidden Figures” -- the city was only too happy to cooperate on the project.
The initial construction cost $30 million and was funded through a combination of city funds, state grants, and private philanthropy. The facility is 110,000 square feet and nine-stories high, situated on 2.2 acres in downtown.
Thirty-five years later, the Virginia Air and Space Science Center features interactive aviation exhibits spanning 100 years of flight, more than 30 historic aircraft, a hands-on space exploration gallery, unique space flight artifacts, and more.
Last fall, the Center began a $1.5 million update that resulted in dozens of new interactive displays and cutting-edge exhibits. Foremost among the project was a renovation of the Center’s IMAX Theater, including new seating, projection, flooring, and lighting. Improving on an already spectacular sensory experience, the finished product offers a more immersive IMAX experience than ever before.
A private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, the Center is located at 600 Settlers Landing Road. Admission for adults is $20, seniors pay $18, children under 18 are $16.50. Active military pay $17. All admission tickets include entrance to the IMAX theater. Currently, two films are being shown.
The Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., noon to 5 on Sunday. Covid-19 precautions are in effect. For more information, visit this website vasc.org or phone 757 727 0900.
Mailbox Maintenance: Latest Board Resolution Returns Responsibility to Homeowners
Mary Cheston, Director
At its March 2021 meeting the Board of Directors revisited the convoluted history of mailbox maintenance in New Town. Since the last policy on maintenance was adopted in 2019 (see May 2019 Crier article), the Association obtained cost information for repairs but had not funded this maintenance. Given the anticipated expense of this work, the Board has returned to the original 2011 NTRA policy position on mailboxes.
The rationale for this decision is that mailboxes are an exterior feature of a home provided as an improvement by the builder (per our Master Declaration). Owners are required to keep all improvements to lots “in good order and repair.”
Further, mailboxes are a part of the NTRA’s home Exterior Maintenance inspection process and deficiencies are identified during inspection reports. Such deficiencies in any part of the mailbox assembly (metal box, post/support, post cap and newspaper tube) must be corrected by the homeowner, in accordance with the Exterior Maintenance policy. All costs are to be borne by the owner of the mailbox, even for multi-family boxes where owners are expected to share costs.
In other words, get your paint brushes out! The March 25th resolution supersedes all previous policies. For a copy of the full resolution click here.
Vegan Dining in New Town and Beyond
Patti Vaticano
This past January and for the 8th year in a row, a UK nonprofit organization begun by Jane Land and Matthew Glover promoted veganism, a lifestyle which refrains from eating animals and animal products for humane and environmental reasons, by encouraging people to follow a vegan lifestyle just for the month of January. They term the event Veganuary, a portmanteau of “vegan” and “January,” and more than 1 million people have completed the challenge since the campaign began in 2014. Harvard statistics deem the impact to be 103,840 tons of CO2eq negated and more than 3.4 million animals spared. Whether or not the environment or animal suffering is your concern or living a cleaner health style is your desire, veganism is becoming a force in today’s world. Stock in plant-based companies, like Beyond Meat, Impossible Burger, and Follow Your Heart, is skyrocketing, and the younger generation has made the causes behind these enterprises their own, especially the call for the end of Speciesism, the assumption of human superiority leading to the exploitation of animals.
Vegan restaurants and vegan fare are not new to New Town or Williamsburg, but the trend is picking up momentum and now includes even fast food chains that are offering vegan options on their menus. Veganism may once have had an eccentric reputation, suffering the onslaught of jokes and angry protestations—but the times they are a changin’. Here’s a modest vegan travel log of restaurants in and around New Town with a brief sample of vegan fare at each eatery. Internet menus will offer greater detail and a quick call to each establishment will give you up-to-date info on additions and specials.
Did we miss one of your local favorites? Add it in the comments section below, let's share those healthy and tasty tips!
You Can't Predict, But You Can Prepare!
Jack Espinal, Chair, Emergency Preparedness Committee
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program of James City County (JCC) educates citizens about emergency preparedness and trains them in basic emergency response skills that can be used at home, in the community, at work or anyplace an emergency may occur.
There is no charge for CERT training and it is and open to residents of JCC 18 years and older. The training is given in a lecture and hands-on format of nine 3-hour sessions. During the pandemic, face-to-face evening CERT training is being conducted at the JCC Fire Department Training Center on John Tyler Highway. Classes are limited to twelve students and are conducted following COVID-19 protocols.
Do you know how to survive man-made and natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes and cold weather emergencies) on your own for up to three weeks before the arrival of first responders?
CERT training will give you the skills to:
- Locate and turn off natural gas and propane supplies for homes and businesses,
- Locate and disconnect electrical power from buildings,
- Locate and disconnect water to prevent damage to homes.
- Administer first aid and basic medical assistance,
- Take action to survive an active shooter situation,
- Plan for living outside your home for a length of time if the structure is compromised and must be evacuated,
- Develop an emergency kit that contain supplies (including food, water, and medicine) to sustain family and pets for up to 3 weeks in the event of a major emergency, and
- Develop emergency survival kits for work and car/truck.
Upon completion of training program graduates indicate if they would like to become CERT members assisting community members in the event of an emergency or to graduate with the intention of applying their skills for their personal and family use. There is no pressure or obligation to become a CERT member. Whichever path is chosen those completing training are assets to the community through being better informed and prepared.
New Town formed its first CERT in 2019. We are a small team. Additional helping hands are badly needed. The most important prerequisite is a desire to be of assistance. If you have questions, please call me at 703.946.5787.
For additional information on emergency preparedness and/or to register for CERT training please go to: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/2661/Community-Emergency-Response-Team . CERT training is conducted throughout the year.
The Grass Will Soon be Greener in New Town
Landscape Advisory Committee
New Town's neighborhoods comprise 350 acres. That's a lot of ground to cover! This year, the Landscape Advisory Committee (LAC) is working to improve the appearance of the turf that comprises a large portion of our community landscape. The New Town Residential Association Board of Directors approved a request from the committee to conduct a pilot of warm weather grasses, or WWGP for short. Varieties of these grasses, which are better suited to this environment, can be found in nearby communities, including the historic area in Colonial Williamsburg.
This pilot will test three types of grasses: Bermuda seed, Zoysia seed, and Zoysia sod. A 70’ x 25‘ marked area located opposite the Village Walk Clock Tower along Casey Boulevard will be designated for this purpose. Village Walk was selected as the location for this pilot because of its elevation, sun exposure, and availability of irrigation. Planting will commence in May with the observation period extending through the summer and fall. The LAC, Town Management, and Virginia Lawn and Landscape will monitor the performance of each selection. A five-year turf restoration plan will be developed based on the results of this study.
Community members are encouraged to observe the progress throughout the course of this pilot. Comments or suggestions may be submitted to the LAC through the Report an Issue ticket process on the NTRA website.
Work is underway over several days in the historic Roper Park area. Limbing,trimming,and removing trees and debris will make for a more enjoyable experience when walking this park that we are so fortunate to have in our back yard. Or front yard as the case may be.
Board Buzz - April 2021
Dick Durst, President
“And This Job Was to be Easy…” - When Chuck Stetler called me late last year and invited me to join the Board to fill an empty seat, my wife, Karen, and I talked through this and I said, “how difficult can this be? It’s a small group of people making sure our neighborhood looks good and that we are all trying to follow the guidelines to keep it that way.” Well, the latter sentence is certainly correct….
This article is about the evolution of that “job” and, more importantly, about the assessments we all pay. Those assessments are used, among a myriad things, to pay for landscaping, garbage collection, maintaining street lights and keeping our walking trails and built resources in good shape for the future. The determination of the amount of our assessments was established several years ago by the original Developer Board; that process has been followed for the last 15 or so years.
Last year, as we concluded the budget preparation for 2021, the Board received concerns from a few homeowners who suggested that the methodology that had been used for years to determine homeowner assessments might not be following the methodologies laid out in the NTRA governing documents. Our Finance Committee shared some of those beliefs and we sought advice from our legal counsel. After a lengthy review and evaluation she confirmed that we needed to revise our assessment methodology.
As New Town was built in phases over more than a decade, the Supplemental Declarations for each of our neighborhoods became more inconsistent and, in some cases, contradictory. Just to cite one example, some Supplementals list non-VDOT streets in the Neighborhood Assessments, section IV of your documents, indicating those must be taken care of by neighborhood assessments for the people living in that area of New Town, while other Supplementals do not, leaving it to the whole of NTRA to maintain. There are several such inconsistencies. Charlotte Park, alone, has TEN (10) Supplemental Declarations, since it was built in several stages and even within those there are various discrepancies.
People who live in some of our smaller homes (the term “cottages” has been used in our assessment lingo, even though that doesn’t appear in our Declarations) have been charged somewhat smaller assessments, but that option does not appear in any governing documents, except for three homes in Village Walk (assessed at 70% of their Neighborhood Assessment only). Parcel Developers for New Town have paid much lower assessments during the time they were building homes or units on those vacant lots—again, that reduction seems contrary to our Governing Documents.
We are now consulting with experts on options and approaches to rectifying this complex situation, but we are committed to resolve this. Therefore, we announced at the March board meeting:
"NTRA will revise our governing documents, particularly the Master Declaration and Supplemental Declarations, to address the assessment methodology and update their provisions. Our goal is to have easily understood and enforceable documents with a transparent assessment method. To the maximum extent possible, the Association’s governing documents should reflect New Town as a community with common areas and amenities shared by all homeowners."
Governing document changes require a vote of the members (homeowners) and need a 2/3 majority to pass. You will see much more about this over the upcoming months.
We will build our 2022 budget based more closely on our current governing documents as we work through this process. The Board of Directors are committed to transparency in this development and will schedule a Town Hall meeting to discuss our processes as we move forward.
All this has resulted in many, many hours of work for your “volunteer” Board of Directors and will probably remain so for several months, but these good people are resolved to do what’s right.
Posted on March 1, 2021 7:00 AM by Jack Espinal
Categories:
General, NTRA Business
Staring down a tornado or watching rising hurricane water adjacent to your home or losing heat and water due to a deep freeze are not the times to start thinking about emergency preparations. Do you currently have the knowledge, skills, and supplies to keep your family, pets, home at the ready in the event of, for example, a major weather emergency?
While we have not experienced any recent major disaster be it weather or otherwise in New Town, it would be irresponsible not to assume one will happen. The keys to maximizing safety and survival are in planning and preparation.
Our New Town Residential Association has an Emergency Preparedness Committee to help our community with advance emergency plans and preparations. All committee members are New Town residents who by profession and/or informal training have the motivation to be of assistance and are prepared to offer support in an emergency. Like other Williamsburg area community emergency teams our committee is affiliated with the James City County’s 318-member volunteer Community Emergency Response Team or CERT program.
Why are New Town’s Emergency Preparedness Committee and CERT necessary? In the event of, for example, a major, catastrophic weather incident we must be prepared to initially help ourselves. First responders from James City County and the Commonwealth of Virginia may be simultaneously needed in many areas of a widespread emergency stretching personnel and other assets thin. Normal modes of communications may be down. Thus, it may take additional hours or even days for assistance and support to reach us. Prepared and working together, we can temporarily fill that gap in services.
New Town’s volunteer Emergency Preparedness Committee and CERT members are trained to deal with many household and medical emergencies that are commonly encountered during emergencies. They may be the first to respond in any disaster. Some are also amateur radio operators who are prepared to provide emergency communications both short and long range via amateur “ham” radio.
What should you do now?
- Talk with your family and make your own emergency plans. Depending on the emergency, one plan should be for an evacuation and one for a shelter in place.
- Establish a meeting location (for any times you are separated from family members) in cases when evacuation from the Williamsburg area is recommended/mandated.
- Build Emergency Bags containing things that will need during an emergency. It should include medications, change of clothing, personal hygiene items, battery-powered radio, blankets, bottled water, nonperishable food, and a hand operated can opener. Any important documents should be placed in sealable plastic bags. A battery or solar powered phone charger may be especially useful. Include some cash, because if the infrastructure is damaged by the emergency, credit and/or debit card may not be useful.
- Take pets with you in the case of an evacuation. Have a crate for your pet with photo, vaccination record, medicine, food, and water. (If time permits, try to get any other animals to safety/shelter.)
- Store everything you will want in the same area as much as possible to avoid using valuable time searching for items. Small items should be put in the Emergency Bags for ready access at a moment’s notice.
- Finally, consider becoming CERT trained. The training will provide in-depth information on how to plan for and be prepared for an emergency – weather or otherwise. At the end of training one may elect to become a CERT member, but there will be no pressure to do so. No prior knowledge or skills or training are required to participate in the training. (CERT training will be offered in the spring; contact me to register.)
Please call me at 703.946.5787, if you are interested or have questions about emergency preparation.
Posted on March 1, 2021 6:59 AM by Eden Glenn
Last year, LAC initiated a pilot aimed at reducing turf damage caused by dog urine. Dog owners were encouraged to have their dogs use designated mulch areas whenever possible. After review, LAC determined that the pilot did not demonstrate a potential for significant impact and resources would be better spent elsewhere. The designated areas under the pilot will be restored to their original condition.
There are still ways that you, as a dog owner, can help support our turf restoration and overall landscaping efforts. Please consider the following:
- The best practice, from a landscaping perspective as well as a courtesy to other homeowners, is to direct your pet to use any common mulched area rather than the grass or private property.
- Carry a water bottle on walks and spray any grassy areas where your dog urinates. This will dilute the urine and lessen the harmful effects of nitrogen.
- Encourage your dog to drink more water which is good for your dog and dilutes the concentration of nitrogen, despite the more frequent urination that may result. Even adding some water to dry dog food can help.
- Picking up after your dog in all common areas, including trails, is not only a courtesy to others, but is also beneficial to New Town’s landscaping. Additional dog stations are coming for your convenience.
- Leash your dog when not on private property, as required by New Town Residential Association and James City County. Keeping your dog from running loose helps protect plantings and grass on private property as well as in our common areas.
New Town loves its dogs. They bring comfort and enjoyment to many of us. Thank you to all of our dog owners and dog walkers who continue to help ensure that our canine friends are also canine good neighbors.
Posted on March 1, 2021 6:58 AM by Town Crier Staff
Home Exterior Inspections are Back!
Mike Reilly, Board Liaison to Asset Management Committee
Spring is in the air and that’s a good feeling! With the arrival of Spring comes the usual spring-cleaning tasks. One task administered by the Asset Maintenance Committee (AMC) is the NTRA’s annual home exterior inspections. This program was designed and adopted by the Board in 2018 to maintain the curb appeal of our homes and the overall property values for all invested in New Town. It is managed by the volunteer AMC of the Board of Directors, with assistance from Town Management.
The 2020 inspection program, unfortunately, was suspended due to COVID-19, in the interest of community safety. It’s time to get back on track. This year a third-party will inspect the townhomes in both Abbey Commons and Savannah Square. The inspection is slated to commence this week weather permitting. Technology has helped greatly with speeding up the time it takes to perform each individual inspection. Now, the inspector uses an App on his phone and logs the information which is uploaded immediately. This allows for a timely inspection with quick feedback to owners who have violations. No news is Good News! So homeowners who don’t receive any notice within a few weeks after the inspection are violation free.
What do I do if I receive a violation? If you receive a violation, respond with your “plan of correction” within two weeks and at least, prior to the first follow up inspection scheduled for April 4, 2021. Violations come in all forms and the inspection checklist is on the NTRA website. Being realistic, not all violations can be cured in a short period of time. The important thing to remember here is to provide your “plan of correction” to tim@townmanagement.com as soon as your plan is worked out. This could be as simple as,
“I power washed the front of my house and the violation is in compliance.”
“I am researching house painters and will obtaining bids.”
The important thing to remember is that the homeowner maintain communication with Town Management on progress being made to cure the violation.
To reiterate, follow up inspections will take place in April & May. If your communication is up to date and progress is being made, then Town Management will skip your home during these subsequent inspections. After the May inspection, if there has been no communication from the homeowner, then the homeowner will receive a citation.
Personally in 2019, I had a trim paint violation and it took a long time to secure painter bids and an even longer time to get the work done. I kept Town Management updated, got the work completed after a long wait, and we were quite pleased that the work was called out in the inspection, so that we could get our place in shape. Now I know a great painter!
New Town Talks - Atlantic 10 Associate Commissioner Talks March Madness
Sarah Carey
Thursday February 18 via Zoom Sean Kearney spoke to an interested group of basketball enthusiasts.
Sean is the Associate Commissioner for the NCAA men’s basketball Atlantic 10 Conference. Among his responsibilities is coordinating the schedule of Atlantic 10 conference games with the TV networks. Sean has 35+ years’ experience in college basketball as a volunteer coach, head coach and broadcaster.
He started at Providence College where his first year coaching there, also first year of 3 point shot, they went to the final four but lost in the semifinals. He also coached at Univ. of Delaware, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Univ. of Colorado, to name a few.
The Atlantic 10 conference is made up of 14 Division I teams, mostly Eastern Seaboard schools. Sean’s job as a former coach involved recruiting, so a lot of travel was involved. He explained difficulties in recruiting athletes from other geographical areas, as California or southern athletes may not be interested in spending 4 years playing in a snowbound/freezing cold northern environment. Not all schools have the same eligibility requirements and many high school athletes are unsure of a long-term goal to play professionally or excel at both academics and athletics.
Conference seeding was challenged this year due to COVID and many game cancellations. BUT, all NCAA athletes, because of COVID, get a free year of eligibility, meaning that they can return next year to play. Even if a senior this year, they can return and take classes, begin a graduate degree. This is a great opportunity for men and women basketball players at William and Mary.
March Madness tournament currently begins with 68 teams. Thirty-two teams that have won their conference are eligible to participate in the March Madness tournament. The remaining 36 teams are selected by a committee of college athletic directors/administrators who have a 4 year term on the committee. Revenue from March Madness, around $1 billion, supports the NCAA all sports/all divisions.
How to Help a Neighbor: Live a Little to Give a Little
New Town Commercial Association Board
There’s rarely been such an opportunity to accomplish so much by doing so little.
Many residents and guests of New Town Williamsburg have rediscovered a simple, satisfying way to enjoy life, help their neighbors and support the community at large: indulging in the broad array of restaurants and other businesses that make New Town a distinctive regional destination.
Right now, people are understandably cautious about spending time in public places, but a year into the pandemic, restaurants in New Town are typical of the precautions business owners are taking to follow the guidelines of industry and medical experts.
Employees wear masks and gloves and replace them often. Managers have adjusted the layout of tables and seating to meet or exceed the recommended six-foot distance and some have added partitions that extend toward the ceiling between booths. Cleaning and sanitizing surfaces occurs at regular, frequent intervals, with extra close attention paid to high-contact areas, such as doors.
Outside dining is an option at numerous New Town eateries, many of which already offered patio seating before the pandemic. Sometimes it’s fully enclosed and other times tables occupy a more open-air arrangement. The restaurants provide heaters and soft illumination to make this option comfortable. Some guests come prepared for outside dining, bringing their own blankets, European-style.
Many restaurants become so comfortable with ensuring safe dining during these difficult times that the staff has begun to bring back extras that enhance the experience, such as gift baskets for special occasions and live music.
And those who still aren’t quite ready to be served at a restaurant are calling in orders for pickup. There are numerous options.
New Town restaurants are constantly thinking as much about how you can safely enjoy the food as what’s on the plate – an area of expertise that was well-established long ago. Regular diners know that the range of options available at New Town can accommodate every occasion and mood, from quick and easy fare to fine dining. There’s ethnic cuisine, eclectic experiences and libations found nowhere else in the Historic Triangle.
The attention to safety and service has reassured loyal patrons who have been returning to their favorite New Town restaurants. But there’s another reason the regulars are coming back: a commitment to support their friends and neighbors. Restaurateurs are heartened by the return customers and by the comments of gratitude and support they hear from patrons who are able and willing to spend dollars in their own community.
There seems to be reason for optimism that the pandemic may soon be behind us, but after many long months of adversity, New Town’s vibrant commercial district needs support now more than ever. That might come from neighbors who simply want to enjoy a good meal. And it could just as well be a return to regular patronage of the wide range of entertainment personal and professional services. Regardless of how that support arrives, it’s vital – and easy – to show that the New Town community is facing this challenge together.
Interested in Going to Mars?
Sarah Carey
Alan Falquet, our very own New Town geophysicist, is working on it!! Alan has always been an avid explorer. As a child he would spend hours outside investigating. Majoring in geology in college, Alan then taught physics for several years before taking advanced studies in geology and geophysics at Case Institute of Technology and Harvard. The studies resulted in his leading global geophysical search teams in pursuit of oil/gas reserves.
After a long career in the field, Alan was offered an opportunity at Cornell University at the Center for Radiophysics and Space Research. The Mars Exploration Rovers project (MER) was looking for geophysical expertise to select landing sites for the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity mission (2003). Alan worked with NASA and the Jet Propulsion Lab to down-select potential sites. The mission was supposed to last 90 days – Opportunity rover continued for 15 years, going silent in 2018.
The recent landing of the Perseverance rover was a site that Alan helped progress through the landing rubric. That particular area was eventually shelved because it was judged to be too hazardous for 2001 technology. Using artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed over the last 20 years, Perseverance landed itself!
Alan, now retired, is a science consultant and member of the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) at JPL. Working at his own pace, on a long-term project – site selection for a crewed mission to Mars 2033-35! He looks at suggestions from around the world, planetary scientists, previous images and rovers. The goal is to find sites where a landing would not only be safe but would provide information to satisfy mission goals. For example, a landing near stratified rock would have the goal of collecting geological samples and search for microbial life while unraveling clues of the planet’s formation. How exciting Alan’s retirement has become!
Are You Prepared for an Emergency?
Jack Espinal, Chair, Emergency Preparedness Committee
Staring down a tornado or watching rising hurricane water adjacent to your home or losing heat and water due to a deep freeze are not the times to start thinking about emergency preparations. Do you currently have the knowledge, skills, and supplies to keep your family, pets, home at the ready in the event of, for example, a major weather emergency?
While we have not experienced any recent major disaster be it weather or otherwise in New Town, it would be irresponsible not to assume one will happen. The keys to maximizing safety and survival are in planning and preparation.
Our New Town Residential Association has an Emergency Preparedness Committee to help our community with advance emergency plans and preparations. All committee members are New Town residents who by profession and/or informal training have the motivation to be of assistance and are prepared to offer support in an emergency. Like other Williamsburg area community emergency teams our committee is affiliated with the James City County’s 318-member volunteer Community Emergency Response Team or CERT program.
Why are New Town’s Emergency Preparedness Committee and CERT necessary? In the event of, for example, a major, catastrophic weather incident we must be prepared to initially help ourselves. First responders from James City County and the Commonwealth of Virginia may be simultaneously needed in many areas of a widespread emergency stretching personnel and other assets thin. Normal modes of communications may be down. Thus, it may take additional hours or even days for assistance and support to reach us. Prepared and working together, we can temporarily fill that gap in services.
New Town’s volunteer Emergency Preparedness Committee and CERT members are trained to deal with many household and medical emergencies that are commonly encountered during emergencies. They may be the first to respond in any disaster. Some are also amateur radio operators who are prepared to provide emergency communications both short and long range via amateur “ham” radio.
What should you do now?
- Talk with your family and make your own emergency plans. Depending on the emergency, one plan should be for an evacuation and one for a shelter in place.
- Establish a meeting location (for any times you are separated from family members) in cases when evacuation from the Williamsburg area is recommended/mandated.
- Build Emergency Bags containing things that will need during an emergency. It should include medications, change of clothing, personal hygiene items, battery-powered radio, blankets, bottled water, nonperishable food, and a hand operated can opener. Any important documents should be placed in sealable plastic bags. A battery or solar powered phone charger may be especially useful. Include some cash, because if the infrastructure is damaged by the emergency, credit and/or debit card may not be useful.
- Take pets with you in the case of an evacuation. Have a crate for your pet with photo, vaccination record, medicine, food, and water. (If time permits, try to get any other animals to safety/shelter.)
- Store everything you will want in the same area as much as possible to avoid using valuable time searching for items. Small items should be put in the Emergency Bags for ready access at a moment’s notice.
- Finally, consider becoming CERT trained. The training will provide in-depth information on how to plan for and be prepared for an emergency – weather or otherwise. At the end of training one may elect to become a CERT member, but there will be no pressure to do so. No prior knowledge or skills or training are required to participate in the training. (CERT training will be offered in the spring; contact me to register.)
Our Emergency Preparedness Committee needs more members. This committee consists of six voting NTRA Members, but may have additional nonvoting members. So any New Town resident is welcome to join us!
Please call me at 703.946.5787, if you are interested or have questions about emergency preparation.
Quick getaways: Edgar Allan Poe Museum, Richmond
Jim Ducibella
Don’t be put off by the fact that Poe, the master of macabre, never lived in this house in the Shockoe Bottom district of Richmond.
That he lived in the city and considered it his hometown there was reason enough to do a deep dive into his background, idiosyncrasies (there were plenty of them) and the other elements that shaped him as one of the great American writers. What you will visit has taken 115 years and the overcoming of several roadblocks to assemble.
The effort began in 1906 when Poe collector and researcher James Howard Whitty and a group of literary enthusiasts met in Richmond to create Virginia’s first monument to a writer. The effort failed to generate enough financial support to continue, and 10 years later, the same group tried to save the Southern Literary Messenger building. That’s where Poe began as a journalist and editor. They failed again.
Whitty, however, salvaged the building materials, and found preservationists Archer and Annie Jones, who ultimately changed out the lumber, doorknobs, windows and hinges from the Old Stone House, Richmond’s oldest dwelling, for those Whitty brought with him. And the bricks were used to build a Poe Garden path modeled after his poem “To One in Paradise.”
By the end of this first decade, the Poe Memorial Association, commandeered the adjacent three buildings – one contains the original staircase from Poe’s home – and created the world’s most comprehensive repository of Poe artifacts, one visited by enthusiasts and scholars alike.
The museum is located at 1914 East Main Street. There is an adjacent parking lot (small), so that may represent a small problem, but there is a good amount of street parking. Tickets are ridiculously reasonable ($9 for adults, $7 for 60 and over, AAA members and youth ages 7-17.
The phone number is 804-648-5523. Like all things impacted by the pandemic, phone ahead of time to ascertain the hours for a particular day.
For more information, visit this website https://www.poemuseum.org/index.
Jet-Setting (pre-covid); Sorrento, Italy
Jim Kavitz
Several years ago, my wife Janice and I traveled to Sorrento, Italy for a Fall holiday. I am retired now but I did travel a lot in my later work years and built up numerous frequent flyer points for both airlines (American) and hotels (Hilton). I was able to take Janice with me on many of my business trips at, basically, no cost to me by using my points for Janice. Of course, one of those perks was to be able to be upgraded to business class. Janice traveled with me to Atlanta, Seattle, Canada, Scotland, England and many other locations. Now, it was Janice’s turn. She also traveled extensively in the later part of her work career as a representative for a medical device company where she would teach the medical staff how to use her companies equipment. So, we went to Sorrento on her points and stayed on her points. I do not even remember why I wanted to go to Sorrento, it had no personal connection to me. It was probably some conversation I had with my son’s wife regarding traveling to Southern Italy. I am not sure.
We flew into Rome, Italy and spent the night at a small hotel. It had one of those old lifts (elevator) where you had to lift the wire door up to enter the elevator. Our host was very gracious and allowed us to have dinner even though the arrangement was for breakfast only. The next day we took the train to Naples where we changed trains for the trip to Sorrento.
Prior to leaving for Sorrento, Hilton wrote Janice and offered an upgrade for only $245/night, additional. She declined and when we got there, is was like one day into the off season, they upgraded us at no additional charge. The Italians, in our experience, are wonderful, gracious people. Everyone associated with the travel industry spoke excellent English. We were able to purchase items in town even though many of the stores employees did not speak English.
We usually walked to town, a mile or so and ate in local restaurants. We took only one side trip and that was to the Isle of Capri on a privately charted, very small boat. The photo is of Janice and me. The object that Janice is holding is: “Flat Stanley ”. For those who might not be familiar with “Flat Stanley”, at that time grade school age children were encouraged to have relatives have their pictures taken with: “Flat Stanley” in their travels. We sent many, many photos to our grandson. It cost us a fortune in Verizon overseas bills as he needed them for his school project before we returned home. We even took a photo of “Flat Stanley” with two Australian teachers who were dining in a table next to us at an outside café in Sorrento. They were very familiar with: “Flat Stanley”.
We had a lovely hotel in Sorrento with a great view of the Mount Vesuvius across the Bay Of Naples. That is Sorrento in the foreground, across the Bay of Naples is the mountain that blew up around A. D. 79 and killed every one in the town Pompeii. For you history buffs, we did travel to Pompeii to view the ruins. To Janice, a history buff, it was a historical moment with learning how the tracks in the rock were eroded caused by cattle carts and how they had little fast food restaurants, to me it was just a pile of rocks. Yes, we did take a train to Herculaneum, another pile of rocks that was buried at the same time. The only thing I remember about that is an Italian woman realized that we were going there and realized we did not know it was time to get off the train and she alerted us. Italians are very nice people.
During the trip to the Isle of Capri, the Italian boat driver and buddy, dropped us off at the only town on the Island so we could tour. While we where there, the two of them went off to snorkel and spear fish. I do not remember if they caught anything. What I do remember is that Janice left her hat on the boat when we got off at the end of the trip, the next day, the front desk at the Hilton called us to let us know that the Italian boat driver had dropped off Janice’s hat at the front desk. God bless the Italians.
Getting Out and About at the Presidents Heads Park in Croaker
Alison Douglas
In a swampy field no more than 30 minutes’ drive away from us, stands the extraordinary sight of 43 ghostly, crumbling and huge busts of the first 43 Presidents. Measuring 18-20 feet tall, these crumbling effigies are impressive and I can only describe them a mixture of Mount Rushmore meets Easter Island meets garden maze.
The heads were rescued from the now defunct Virginia Presidents Park, which opened in in 2004. They were the brainchild of local landowner Everette “Haley” Newman and Houston sculptor David Adickes, who was inspired to create the giant busts after driving past Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. When the park closed in 2010, Newman asked Hankins to destroy the busts. But Hankins didn’t feel right about it, and instead offered to take the heads and move them to his 400-acre farm. And so began the process of moving 43 giant presidents, each weighing in between 11,000 and 20,000 pounds, to the field where they now reside.
After being damaged in the move to a recycling and reclamation farm – the busts are far from looking their best. They are stained, are homes to birds, bees and other critters, and poor Abraham Lincoln has a hole in the back of his head, where he fell off the flatbed on his removal to the new home.
Tickets are timed, to ensure safety and that the numbers are limited, but on your visit you are free to wander in between the statues as well as listen to a short talk about U.S. Presidents and the history of the statues. We had a lot of fun scrambling in between the massive statues and wading through the mud, which was alarmingly deep in places. The kids especially loved it (they are 3 and 6 so it was more about the mud and the maze-like feel to display, than the history), so if you can get tickets (which, we were told, are like gold dust), it is well worth a visit.
Know Your Business: El Patio Brings Bright Lights and On-Trend Mexican Cuisine to New Town
Max Pfannebecker
The newly-opened El Patio Restaurant brings more than brightly colored walls and flashy neon lights, it marks the triumphant return to cuisine that has become in recent years as American as apple pie - that's right - Mexican food...and queso. Lots of queso.
You'll find the location comfortably familiar as El Patio sits next to the (we hope) soon-to-reopen New Town Cinemas in a spot that was formerly home to El Tapatio, which left the space (and our queso-loving hearts) vacant almost two years ago. You may find something else a bit familiar...the food. Chef Pedro was the culinary talent behind the original El Tapatio, which first brightened that same corner several years prior. After opening El Patio, Pedro moved on the Jose Tequilas (a sister restaurant of same ownership) before he agreed to return under El Patio's owners, John & Renee Harrell.
Harrell and his wife are first-time restaurant owners hoping to make New Town home in more ways than one. Just weeks after opening El Patio, the Harrell family relocated in Toano into the Village Walk neighborhood of New Town with their children. Harrell says that he and his wife (who is of Peruvian descent) originally considered opening a Peruvian restaurant (we can still hope, right?) but were eager to bring Mexican food back to New Town. While the menu offers many familiar staples of Mexican cuisine, it also features one of this author's favorites - Birria Tacos (pic below), a semi-spicy beef braised in a chile consomme and grilled into tacos shells, which are then dipped back into that consomme as you devour them. This very traditional Mexican dish was once served only on special occasions, but has gained wild popularity on American menus in recent years and is a must-try for all who love tacos.
If you enjoy an oversized Margarita or a refreshing El Guapo cerveza with your South-of-the-border fare, Harrell reports that they expect to have their ABC on/off license by the end of the first week of March.
Be sure to visit your new new neighbors and this as well as all of our New Town restaurants as Covid restrictions ease.
Dog Walking Mulch Beds - Landscaping Advisory Committee (LAC) Update
Eden Glenn, Landscape Advisory Committee
Last year, LAC initiated a pilot aimed at reducing turf damage caused by dog urine. Dog owners were encouraged to have their dogs use designated mulch areas whenever possible. After review, LAC determined that the pilot did not demonstrate a potential for significant impact and resources would be better spent elsewhere. The designated areas under the pilot will be restored to their original condition.
There are still ways that you, as a dog owner, can help support our turf restoration and overall landscaping efforts. Please consider the following:
- The best practice, from a landscaping perspective as well as a courtesy to other homeowners, is to direct your pet to use any common mulched area rather than the grass or private property.
- Carry a water bottle on walks and spray any grassy areas where your dog urinates. This will dilute the urine and lessen the harmful effects of nitrogen.
- Encourage your dog to drink more water which is good for your dog and dilutes the concentration of nitrogen, despite the more frequent urination that may result. Even adding some water to dry dog food can help.
- Picking up after your dog in all common areas, including trails, is not only a courtesy to others, but is also beneficial to New Town’s landscaping. Additional dog stations are coming for your convenience.
- Leash your dog when not on private property, as required by New Town Residential Association and James City County. Keeping your dog from running loose helps protect plantings and grass on private property as well as in our common areas.
New Town loves its dogs. They bring comfort and enjoyment to many of us. Thank you to all of our dog owners and dog walkers who continue to help ensure that our canine friends are also canine good neighbors.
Water Heater Maintenance: A Guide to Keeping Above Water When Water is Above You
Patti Vaticano
It would seem like a dangerous practice to install a water heater in the attic, 40 to 120 gallons or more of water in a cylinder positioned over your head, a metal container that will eventually corrode and leak—and perhaps even burst if maintenance has not been regularly addressed. So why are there attic water heaters in New Town? As with every construction practice, there are pros and cons.
In the pro column, we have four reasons for that Sword of Damocles over our heads. The first is accessibility. A quick pull on a string for the attic stairs allows ready access to the heater, assuming of course, you have installed attic stairs to your attic space and that your attic access is wide enough to accommodate removal and replacement of your water heater should replacement of the appliance become necessary. According to the 2015 Virginia Residential Code, Appliances and Attics, M1305.1.3, the attic access space should be an opening of no less than 20 by 30 inches, clear of all obstructions, and large enough to remove the largest appliance in the attic, such as a water heater or air handler. This is a minimum requirement and a county or jurisdiction can match or exceed this requirement. James City County upholds this code as written.
The second pro is cosmetic appeal. A water heater is not exactly gentle on the eye and keeping it accessible but out of site is attractive to many homeowners. Then, too, keeping it out of the garage, a traditional water heater site, leaves the homeowner more garage space for storing other home accessories and equipment. Water distribution is the third pro, as in theory water in the attic reaches plumbing fixtures faster, and the fourth pro is safety. It is far easier to keep flammable objects away from the heater in the attic than in the garage where numerous flammable objects are traditionally stored.
What are the cons of having a water heater in your attic? There are only three, but they can cost the homeowner a good deal of money if encountered. The first is an unwise and unsafe installation of the heater in your attic space. If the attic construction is unsound and cannot uphold the considerable weight of the appliance, structural damage to the attic floor and the ceiling below will be the result, and there is always the possibility of the appliance breaking through the attic floor to the room or rooms beneath. The second con is perhaps the most readily anticipated problem with an attic heater, and that is the leaking of the appliance and even collapse of the water tank itself. Neither event is desirable, and the latter can be catastrophic to your home. The third con is the cost for replacing an attic water tank, entirely, a sizable undertaking in money and time as it will take two service men or more to remove the old tank and replace it with a new one. Not surprisingly, draining the old tank has to be done via a hose through an open window to the ground beneath.
So what can the homeowner do to keep the attic water heater in the best condition possible to ensure its safe operation and a long life? The easier if not the most cost-effective way is to contract an HVAC company to service your water heater, annually. If you’re a do-it-yourself homeowner and saving money is a goal, you can service the tank yourself by following a maintenance agenda. These agendas can be found anywhere on the web. One particularly throughout website is sponsored by This Old House and can be found at the link below:
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/plumbing/21016402/how-to-maintain-a-water-heater
The site advises testing the temperature pressure release valve (TPR), annually, and replacing it if necessary. The TPR regulates the pressure in your tank by releasing water when the internal pressure in the tank becomes too high, thereby preventing the disaster of an explosion, a maintenance check well worth the time and cost. Another maintenance check advised is to monitor for excessive calcium build-up of the anode rod, a rod made of magnesium, aluminum, or zinc and intended to protect the interior metal lining of your water tank. The rod is inserted into the water heater storage tank, where it slowly degrades. As long as the anode rod is degrading in the tank, the tank lining will be protected from rusting. Additional maintenance checks include draining the tank for corrosive sediment and insulating heater and pipes to raise water temperature in a cost-effective way and in a way that places less stress on the tank. Lowering your tank’s temperature dial by just 10 degrees can save you up to 5 percent in energy costs.
If you are thinking of relocating your attic water heater to your garage, be aware that it’s costly and may require the relocation of water lines, venting, gas lines or electrical work, drain pan lines, pressure and temperature lines—and of course, the tank, itself. An easier if not less expensive option would be to replace your attic water heater with a tankless water heater; but there are pros and cons with this option, as well. For example, with a tankless water heater, loss of power means no water until power is restored, something that is not an issue with a conventional water heater and while hot water is readily available with a tankless heater, it is not unlimited and temperatures are often inconsistent. In addition, installation is costly and may require the rerouting of gas lines and the purchase of additional equipment such as a water softener unit which could take up more attic space than a traditional heater.
Besides an annual maintenance check, homeowners need to keep alert for signs that their water heater may need service or replacement before a crisis occurs. If you turn on your tap and no hot water is forthcoming or if hot water comes through but eventually turns cold, that could be a clear indication that your water heater is in need of service. In addition, though your heater will normally make operational noises, if it begins to make strange noises of long duration or if you see rust on the boiler itself, it’s time for a thorough maintenance review.
What other measures can you take to avoid being taken by surprise by your water heater? We’ve all heard horror stories about people who have been away when their attic heater decided to leak or burst. They are tales not for the faint hearted. A measure to circumvent these possibilities is to shut off your heater, entirely, or at least lower the temperature gauge if you are going to be away for more than a day or two. There are devices, costing anywhere from $20 to $100 or more, which can be installed in the drip ban of a heater that will detect moisture and emit an ear-piercing sound to alert the homeowner that something is amiss. Unfortunately, they are of little use if there is no one home at the time to hear the alarm. A better device is one that not only detects moisture and sounds an alarm but shuts the system down and notifies the home owner by mobile text that a leak has been detected. There are any number of companies that manufacture these devices and a simple search on the internet for “Smart Water heater shut off system” will give you a number from which to choose. These devices and monitoring plans are diverse and can range from $20 to as much as $600. Whether you contract an HVAC company to service your heater annually, do maintenance updates yourself, or purchase one of these moisture monitoring devices, it’s best not to ignore the sleeping giant in your attic.
BOARD BUZZ – March 2021
Mary Cheston, Director
There is an Irish saying, “If you do your best, don’t mind the rest.” 90 days into serving on the Board of Directors and the firehose I have been drinking from has now reduced to a normal stream…that’s the good news. Then somehow a new blaze appears and the firehose can no longer reach it to help. So, this month I thought I would mimic the classic movie title and share “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” about 2021 so far for the NTRA.
- The Good: The Board has completed orientation training for all Directors and reviewed its insurance coverage in anticipation of a new contract later this year. At our February meeting, the Board adopted two new policies – a collection policy for delinquent assessments and a new policy on the transition of assets from the Developer to the Association. Under this policy, the NTRA will use both a neighborhood working group from the area being transitioned and an independent engineering firm to examine the final common area/asset’s condition. The Board has also approved funds to remove dead trees and replace certain street trees. This work should begin shortly.
- The Bad: We have a number of new Association expenses, including legal fees in order to provide the Board needed advice and engineering services to complete 1) James City County’s approval of new playground equipment and 2) the anticipated transition of two neighborhoods’ common areas from the Developer, New Town Associates, to the NTRA. Charlotte Park Section 7 (both Phase X and Roper Park) will be turned over in 2021. Charlotte Park’s remaining areas must pass final James City County inspection. Then the NTRA will have an independent engineering review to ensure that assets are being conveyed “in a condition acceptable to the Association” (per our Master Declaration) as outlined in the policy highlighted above.
The Board has clarified IRS rulings on what type of projects can be charged to replacement reserves and this may change some of our 2021 funding priorities. For example, although the Board approached the Developer about completing the unfinished removal of dead trees in Roper Park, we have been unsuccessful in reaching agreement for them to cover this $7,500 expense. So this is an unbudgeted operational item that we believe should have priority.
- The Ugly: Setting realistic expectations and understanding what can and cannot be done currently in New Town seems to be a never-ending task. Several homeowner concerns are tied to our governing documents which commit us to things that don’t seem logical and are expensive. But until we revise these documents as an Association-which is a multiyear process-there is little that can be done. For example,
- Maintenance of common areas like trails and BMPs: What seems like the premature shift of maintenance expenses to the Association for areas that are still owned by the Developer is actually required in our Master Declaration (Para 4.1). Once a feature is on a James City County plat, the NTRA is responsible for its maintenance. Remember that our governing documents were written to benefit the Developer.
- Managing Agent Contract: The NTRA is obligated to have the same Managing Agent as the New Town Commercial Association (NTCA) under the terms of the Shared Amenities Agreement adopted in 2015. Our contractor, Town Management Inc., must remain as our agent until this Agreement is amended (which is not in our 2021 workplan for document revisions) unless the NTRA wishes to abrogate its Agreement with the NTCA. Can we use the existing 2015 contract to improve performance or do we need a revised contract to set new expectations for our Managing Agent?
The other “ugly” news is that several Village Walk homeowners have experienced a series of roof leaks and water problems. The NTRA is responsible for the “repair, maintenance and replacement of roof shingles, sheathing, felt and flashing” in Village Walk, which is part of this neighborhood’s separate assessment fee. The number of these leaks is troubling. Forensic inspections are underway as we plan next steps. It behooves all Village Walk homeowners to inspect and clean their gutters, drains and collector boxes to be sure they are clear of debris. (See February Town Crier article “Best Practices for Roof Maintenance.”)
My message essentially is that your fellow homeowner Board of Directors is doing our best to balance community expectations and our fiduciary responsibilities. Stay informed, join in our Board meetings which are posted on the NTRA website calendar, and read minutes and other important NTRA communications. As the Irish also say, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass...it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Have a happy and healthy St. Patrick’s Day!
Posted on February 1, 2021 7:00 AM by Town Crier Staff
Town Talks
Kimberly Kearney
New Town Talks
Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7pm
Topic – March Madness
Speaker: Sean Kearney, Associate Commissioner, Men’s Basketball, Atlantic 10 Conference
Bio: Sean has worked in Division 1 College Athletics since 1986 (35 years). He has coached at Providence College, Philadelphia University (formerly Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science), Northwestern University, University of Delaware, University of Notre Dame, Holy Cross, and University of Colorado in Boulder. He has worked at all levels from volunteer through Head Coach. He has worked in broadcasting as well, doing color for ESPN Sports and local radio in South Bend, IN. He played at the University of Scranton.
Sean will speak about the upcoming Atlantic 10 Conference tournament and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, and the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic. He will also take questions during this informal discussion.
So What Harm Could It Do?
Landscape Advisory Committee
So you decided it’s time to clean your yard or patio, and now you have a pile of clippings and maybe some potted plants or shrubs you want to dispose of and so you follow James City County’s recommendations and dispose of them properly. But there are some who just don’t feel like you, and want to dispose of them differently. What to do? So maybe they haul it down the street to the neighborhood woods and dump it there. They figure that it’s natural, so what harm could it do? The answer is, it is not exactly natural, and therefore, it is likely to be harmful to the environment and, therefore, also illegal. Now certainly not everyone takes the approach to dispose of plant materials in the woods, sometimes it’s someone driving through our neighborhood that may be doing it. Our woods and BMP areas are important features and amenities for us to enjoy and a naturalistic area for abundant wildlife here.
Discarded materials often contain pesticides and fertilizers that were applied to the yard. Pesticides intended for lawn grubs and other pests can also kill beneficial insects, fish and other wildlife if the contaminated grass or soil is moved to their habitat. Chemicals used on commercially purchased Christmas trees to keep them looking fresh longer may sicken deer and rabbits if the trees are dumped after the holiday. Lawn fertilizer may seem beneficial for a natural area, but even small amounts will disrupt the natural balance of nutrients in the environment. Any materials that are dumped can wash downhill into local waterways, carrying poisonous chemicals and excess nutrients to aquatic life.
Ornamental plantings can become invasive if moved to a new area. A natural area should support only native plant species. It can become a constant battle and an expensive one, to keep nonnative species out of the woods. If people dump house and yard plants (even broken pieces) in the woods, the new species may start growing out of control.
Organic waste may contain plant diseases or insects that can destroy native life. Pet wastes may contain bacteria, such as E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria that can sicken wild animals and people. Often the wastes wash downhill into streams and ponds during heavy rain falls and contaminate the water.
Piles of excess rotting vegetation in water bodies use oxygen normally found in the water, stealing it from aquatic life, which then die. Piles of some yard debris eliminate natural homes for wildlife. Furthermore, the dumped piles are unsightly. For these reasons, it is illegal to dispose of plant and animal materials on public lands that are not specifically designated for this purpose. Some areas have signs posted that say “No Dumping.” This includes yard debris. Our woods actually have signs that say not to remove plant materials, so it makes sense not to add anything to it either.
Take a Stroll on Newly Enhanced Trails
Sarah Carey
Add steps to your daily walk and check out the improved trail section from Blythe Lane/Casey Boulevard at Roper Park to the Shirley Park Bridge behind the pool! It is nice and wide with the brush and trees cut way back and a new surface has been put down.
The black base material on the trail is recycled road base material which will compact and become
firmer over time. The pebbles were left mainly down the middle of the path but over time, with
pedestrian traffic, they will spread and level out. Halfway down the trail a culvert pipe was added to
help prevent erosion washout from the outflow pipe from Roper Park area.
Routine maintenance will be easier now that some of the wetness has been diverted. Gravel trails
only need to be regraded every few years.
In Memoriam – Larry Burian
Mary Cheston, Board of Directors
New Town resident and former Board of Directors member Larry Burian passed away in late December. Although he had only lived in Village Walk since 2017, Larry stepped up to run for the Board and was elected in June 2020.
In his own words: “I don’t want to just stand by and “let the other person” carry the burden of volunteer work. Now that the NTRA will be out from under the builder’s thumb, I see this as an opportunity to serve on the Board alongside fellow residents who share the like-minded goal of making our community a place that we can all truly call home.”
When he resigned from the Board in September for health reasons, Larry sent me this saying which he had used with many small group seminar participants:
Communications Problem: “I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”
Larry was unfailingly positive about the work of the NTRA Communications Committee while serving as our Board liaison.
Larry had an illustrious professional career and was warmly remembered by those who knew him.
Our condolences to his family at their loss.
Quick Getaways: Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin
Jim Ducibella (first in a series)
Jim Ducibella (first in a series)
About an hour’s drive down I-64 East is berthed one of the largest – and last – battleships ever built by the United States Navy. And the good news is that there are several types of tours of the Wisconsin available to the public.
General admission to the Nauticus The National Maritime Center on Waterside Drive in Norfolk ($15.95 for adults, $11.50 for children comes with access to the battleship’s outdoor decks, the wardroom and Officer’s Country.
Nauticus is open Wednesday through Sunday and has re-opened several exhibits. One is focused on the U.S. Navy’s sustainment efforts to protect the environment. Another, titled Living Seashore & Aquarium, allows visitors to “get up close with the plants and animals that inhabit the Chesapeake Bay.”
From January 30 to April 25, a National Geographic photo and video exhibition, Planet or Plastic, will lend insight into the “global plastic pollution crisis.” Access to this exhibit is included with general admission.
But it’s the Wisconsin that is the big deal in this complex – literally. The last battleship to fire its guns in combat, the Wisconsin is 887-feet, 3-inches long, has a full displacement (weight) of 57,500 tons and was served by nearly 2,000 officers and men. Her 16-inch guns are capable of hitting targets up to 24 miles away, meaning they could easily send a shell over the Virginia Beach oceanfront and five miles or so into the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the most decorated ships in Navy history, the Wisconsin fought in World War II, the Korean War and the Gulf War, earning five battle stars for her World War II service and one for her service in the Korean War. Launched two years to the day after Pearl Harbor, visitors can explore its deck through a self-guided tour or, for an additional charge, go on a guided Topside Tour that promoters promise “will take you back in time.”
For more information, please click here https://nauticus.org/battleship-wisconsin/
Board Buzz
Rick Fisher, Treasurer
During the first six months following the transition from a Developer Board to a Homeowner Board, the new Board got to work and accomplished a great deal by the end of 2020:
- Incorporation of Savannah Square Into the Association
- Updating/Re-writing Committee Charters
- Identify and Documenting Key Operating Policies and Procedures
- Reviewing Existing Association Contracts
- Developing and Adopting the 2021 Budget
During January, the Board’s focus has been on:
* Working with Town Management (TM) to revise it’s contract with the Association
The TM contract must be aligned with the goals of the Association, and TM’s performance must be measureable. The Board believes that homeowners deserve to receive outstanding customer service. For example, concerns that are raised by members, and documented through the website ticketing process, should be addressed in a timely manner with follow-up until the issue is resolved. TM is an integral part of this process.
* Continuing to develop and document policies and procedures:
- Ticketing System on the Web (Finalized)
- Collection oi Delinquent Assessments
- Conduct of BOD Virtual Meetings (Finalized)
- Filling a Board of Directors Position Vacancy (Finalized)
- Investment of Replacement Reserves (Finalized)
- Turnover of Assets From the Developer to the Association
- Managing the Expenditure of Replacement Reserves
*Working with the Association Attorney to begin to review the governing documents with the intent of bringing them up-to-date and consolidating information (multiple supplements) in a logical and simple to understand manner. The assessment calculation issue will receive significant focus. Any changes to the governing documents will require a two thirds vote by members.
Beginning with the January meeting, the normal Board monthly meetings will be held from 3-5PM, generally on the fourth Thursday of the month. This is a change from the 6-8PM time. Although evening meetings will be held when necessary, the Association must pay TM an after-hours charge which we would like to avoid unless it is necessary. Members are still encouraged to participate via Zoom. All the planned monthly meetings as well as quarterly landscape reviews (new) are now available on the website calendar.
Chuck Stetler has announced his resignation from the Board for personal issues. Over many years, Chuck has contributed to the Association in key leadership roles. His wise counsel and considerable experience will be greatly missed. We wish Chuck and Susan the very best.
Best Practices for Roof Maintenance
Patti VaticanoYour roof is an integral part of your home, perhaps the most essential; and it may be fair to say that if your roof is healthy, your house is sound. Regular roof maintenance, therefore, is key to keeping the integrity of your roof intact, as leaving it to brave the elements, year after year, without periodic conservation checks will cause it to degrade over time, leak, and present you with long-term damage that could well be massive. Being proactive with regular and thorough maintenance checks will save your roof and spare your pocket book. So, what should you be monitoring on a regular basis?
“The number one cause of roofing leaks is the deterioration of a roof’s pipe collars,” says Derek Worstell of Pyramid Roofing and a New Town resident. It is key, therefore, to inspect these collars, annually. Pipe collars secure vent pipes to your roof, vents that serve as conduits for gas and/or air escaping from your home. The base of the pipe vent is usually made of PVC and in some cases, iron. The collar—or gasket—however is usually made of neoprene, a synthetic rubber, that will last roughly 12 to 15 years but can break down prematurely, especially in oppressive heat, year after year. Inspecting pipe collars for deterioration regularly is wise, replacing your pipes with new neoprene collars when required. Better still, replacing those worn collars with ones made of rot-resistant metal is wisest of all and takes the worry of your roof leaking from this source entirely off the table. The easiest way to check the condition of your pipe collars is to inspect your attic for daylight coming through from around the pipes. Seeing daylight is evidence that the pipe collars have rotted.
The second roofing condition for the home owner to monitor is for the presence of roofing debris and/or clogged gutters. With a clogged gutter system, rain water will be prevented from flowing through the system properly and will result in damage to your roof, fascia, soffits—and eventually, the foundation of your home. Many local roofing companies offer cost-effective gutter cleaning packages. Pyramid Roofing, for example, offers a comprehensive service plan via a membership in their Yellow Truck Club. For $179, the company, once a year, will blow a roof free of leaves and debris and offer a full written inspection of the roof at that time. In addition, members will receive 10% off all roof repairs. While Pyramid does not offer annual gutter cleaning services, they offer the installation of gutter protection screens to help prevent leaf build-up and will do a one-time gutter cleaning at installation. Keeping your gutters flowing is a sure way of keeping your roof from leaking and consequently, keeping damaging water out of your home.
Similar to the second roof condition to assess is the third: algae growth. Algae thrives in dampness and shade where its spores can grow on wood shingles or shakes and even asphalt shingles if the roof fails to get enough sunlight in whole or in part. Algae retains moisture which will cause the shingles in the areas of growth to deteriorate very quickly. It spreads quickly and will cause shingles to lift and your roof to leak. “Have your roof cleaned with a soft chemical wash as soon as you detect algae on your roof. Do not wait 20 years to do so. After 20 years, washing your roof can damage older, more brittle shingles.” Power washing is never advisable as the force of the water may damage or remove shingles, entirely.
The fourth roofing condition to examine regularly is the state of your attic. “Inspect your attic once a year, at the very least,” advises Worstell. “Look for leaks and stains, especially after a heavy rain.” Discoloration, moisture, puddles, or mold in your attic are sure signs of roof damage. If any of these are present, it’s time for a professional roof inspection and an assessment for repair to address the problem areas.
Four periodic checks, uncomplicated and requiring just a little time and diligence, will go a long way in maintaining a sound and problem-free roof. Tight-fitting pipe collars, clean gutters, algae-free roofs, and dry attics are the means to a roof that will last for years to come and with any luck, even out live its life expectancy.
Kayak Safety Tips
Patricia McGrath, Parks Superintendent - City of Williamsburg, Kayak Instructor
Everyone is looking forward to the warmer weather and bright sunshine. One of my all time favorite outdoor activities is kayaking. I have been kayaking for over a decade and became a Level 2 kayak instructor in 2015. I wanted to share with you some tips that will keep you safe on the water.
- Plan your trip. It is very important to plan your trip before you even load up your kayak and gear. You do not need any fancy gadgets or software to get all the information that you need. Check the radar, weather report, & tides (if applicable). It is useful to know the sunset in case you need to plan for extra gear. Take a look at a map, measure your route. If you are new to kayaking, start off with a short distance like a mile and work yourself up to longer paddles. See app suggestions at the bottom of page
- Obtain a kayak tag from the US Coast Guard or make your own. All you need is your name, your phone number, your emergency contacts name and their phone number. Make sure your affix this to your kayak in a visible location. More info at U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Flotilla 6-7, District 5SR
- Have an off the water contact. Tell a friend where you are going and when you plan on being off the water. This just ensures that if some problems arise that you would receive help sooner than later. Bring your cell phone. They make dry boxes that will keep it secure and you can still have it for emergencies.
- STRETCH. Kayaking is a full body sport. Your arms and core will be doing most of the work but your legs will be in the same position for the duration of the trip. Make sure that you stretch all of your muscles before you get in the boat and plan for some time in the middle of your trip where you can get out and stretch your legs.
- Bring a friend. The buddy system is critical for so many reasons. You might just see something really cool and you want to share it with someone. Or you might need some sort of assistance and a buddy can help. It can be as simple as gear failure or as complex as an illness. Either way, bringing your best adventure buddy will make sure that you have the best experience.
- Make sure your have the right gear. Safety is key. Wear your Life Jacket, put on sunscreen and dress for the season. Temperature fluctuations in the spring can be dramatic. Bring a dry bag with extra clothes. Layers are perfect, you can always take things off.
- Water and SNACKS!!! Well, this might be the most important of all the tips. Everyone loves snacks. Make sure that you bring plenty of water and something to nosh on for your trip.
- HAVE FUN! Whether you like to fish, take pictures, or just enjoy some fresh air. Get OUTSIDE and EXPLORE!
If you want more information or just need an adventure buddy send me an email at pmcg2003@gmail.com
OR come visit me at Waller Mill Park (a great spot for beginners with rentals available Spring - Fall).
FREE APP SUGGESTIONS
GO PADDLING - Well Known (and some less known) Launch Sites
Tide Charts (by 7th Gear) - Free Local Tide Charts
AccuWeather - Local Weather & Radar (with Alerts)
Radar X - Local Weather & Radar (with Alerts)
Posted on February 1, 2021 7:00 AM by NTRA Landscape Advisory Committee
Categories:
NTRA Business
So you decided it’s time to clean your yard or patio, and now you have a pile of clippings and maybe some potted plants or shrubs you want to dispose of and so you follow James City County’s recommendations and dispose of them properly. But there are some who just don’t feel like you, and want to dispose of them differently. What to do? So maybe they haul it down the street to the neighborhood woods and dump it there. They figure that it’s natural, so what harm could it do? The answer is, it is not exactly natural, and therefore, it is likely to be harmful to the environment and, therefore, also illegal. Now certainly not everyone takes the approach to dispose of plant materials in the woods, sometimes it’s someone driving through our neighborhood that may be doing it. Our woods and BMP areas are important features and amenities for us to enjoy and a naturalistic area for abundant wildlife here.
Discarded materials often contain pesticides and fertilizers that were applied to the yard. Pesticides intended for lawn grubs and other pests can also kill beneficial insects, fish and other wildlife if the contaminated grass or soil is moved to their habitat. Chemicals used on commercially purchased Christmas trees to keep them looking fresh longer may sicken deer and rabbits if the trees are dumped after the holiday. Lawn fertilizer may seem beneficial for a natural area, but even small amounts will disrupt the natural balance of nutrients in the environment. Any materials that are dumped can wash downhill into local waterways, carrying poisonous chemicals and excess nutrients to aquatic life.
Ornamental plantings can become invasive if moved to a new area. A natural area should support only native plant species. It can become a constant battle and an expensive one, to keep nonnative species out of the woods. If people dump house and yard plants (even broken pieces) in the woods, the new species may start growing out of control.
Organic waste may contain plant diseases or insects that can destroy native life. Pet wastes may contain bacteria, such as E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria that can sicken wild animals and people. Often the wastes wash downhill into streams and ponds during heavy rain falls and contaminate the water.
Piles of excess rotting vegetation in water bodies use oxygen normally found in the water, stealing it from aquatic life, which then die. Piles of some yard debris eliminate natural homes for wildlife. Furthermore, the dumped piles are unsightly. For these reasons, it is illegal to dispose of plant and animal materials on public lands that are not specifically designated for this purpose. Some areas have signs posted that say “No Dumping.” This includes yard debris. Our woods actually have signs that say not to remove plant materials, so it makes sense not to add anything to it either.
.jpg)
Posted on December 14, 2020 6:00 PM by Mary Cheston
Categories:
Life in New Town, NTRA Business
On Thursday, December 10th the NTRA Board of Directors held the first Annual Members Meeting since homeowner control. This Zoom meeting included reports from seven of the NTRA’s Committees and a message from the new Board of Directors.
Almost 90 residents (about 70 households) participated on the Zoom. The traditional annual meeting packet with financial reports was posted to the NTRA website for early review and use during the session. (See Annual Meeting Docs). Included in the financial report was a list of replacement projects for 2021 including the pool pergola and gravel path at Chelsea Green.
The 2021 Budget and associated assessment fees have been adopted by the Board. Members voted through an electronic poll to approve the transfer of any surplus operating revenue to be applied to future assessments per IRS rules. It is estimated that $47,000 could be transferred to the NTRA replacement reserve and another $38,000 to Village Walk replacement reserve at the end of the year. In response to comments submitted earlier on the budget, the Board has agreed to examine whether a different approach to assessments may be warranted in the future to comply with community declarations.
The Board also presented its priorities for 2021 namely:
- Institute quarterly inspections and evaluations of landscape contractor
- Perform detailed review of Assessments to ensure compliance with governing documents
- Improve responses/actions under Website Ticketing system
- Timely completion of the 2021 home inspection program for Abbey Commons and Savannah Square
- Initiate Phase 1 of warm weather grass pilot project (Bermuda grass in select common areas)
The Board recognizes that services need to be improved and asked Members to recognize the significant challenges that the community is dealing with under homeowner control. Above all, the NTRA needs more volunteers who are willing to step up and work on these issues.
Tim Grueter of Town Management provided an update on buildings including 516 current homes in New Town. Work to refurbish the trails and to complete the storage building that is shared with the New Town Commercial Association is ongoing. 
The comment period that followed covered a range of topics. Besides requesting more details on the replacement reserves and assessment fees, owners asked about the condition of trails with several commentors complaining about the volume of trail trash, especially in areas near commercial establishments. The placement and security of the mailboxes in Roper Park was another concern. Board President Chuck Stetler committed to followup on both issues.
One Member inquired about the possibility of having a Neighborhood Watch program in New Town. Several participants noted options for approaching this, including one resident who tried to initiate such a program in 2009 but found a lack of interest from the community.
An update on the retention pond maintenance work in Village Walk was also provided (see related December Crier article – BMPS and BRBs in New Town). One Member asked how owners could provide ideas for governing documents that should be revised, and the President encouraged all to submit comments through the website or directly to a Board member. The placement of the playground slide generated a question for Town Management who advised that the New Town Design Review Board is reviewing this decision. Libby Flowers of the ARC advised owners to anticipate delays in finding suitable building materials for any repairs and refurbishments, which generated several comments related to roof tiles and repairing leaks. Finally, our ever-vigilant community wondered about a damaged Honda that has now been removed from Casey Boulevard and RVs parked on the public side of Casey Boulevard (beyond the speed bump) as well as reporting that landscape crews had blown leaves into the BMP on Casey Boulevard rather than using a vacuum truck to remove them.
On a personal note, I attended this meeting as one of my last official functions as Chair of the Communications Committee. I also participated as a brand new Board member. From both perspectives, given the challenges of this unusual year, my sense is that the Board’s points and the Members’ contributions were sincere and well-received. Perhaps Zoom also helped us to remain calm and respectful of differing views, more than during past in-person sessions. Our Association goal: “We know 2021 will be even better than 2020.”
Posted on December 1, 2020 7:00 AM by Kathy Mullins
Categories:
NTRA Business
In case you were unable, or chose not to attend the NTRA Budget Presentations held on two consecutive evenings via ZOOM, the take-away was this: NTRA financial matters are in good hands.
The purpose of the two ZOOM meetings was to inform NTRA members about the challenges, deliberations and decisions that were involved as the Finance Committee (FC) drafted the Proposed NTRA 2021 Budget. The Board of Directors (BOD) weighed in, made suggestions and ultimately agreed to present the Proposed 2021 Budgets that were the subjects of these meetings. One very important reason to pay attention -- the final 2021 NTRA Budget becomes the basis for 2021 homeowner assessments.
Session I, convened on November 18 at 6:00 PM focused on Village Walk (VW), with 14 residents and 8 panelists from the Finance Committee (FC), Board of Directors (BOD) and Town Management in attendance. Session II opened at 6:05 PM on November 19, with 21 NTRA members and 10 panelists from the above groups present. This meeting dealt with the overall NTRA 2021 Budget.
Information presented at both sessions was detailed, clearly laid out and delivered in a logical sequence that drew those attending into the budgeting process. The FC posted the proposed budget for each session, with commentary, in advance on the NTRA website. This seemed to boost member interest in and understanding of issues. Both sessions allowed ample time for questions.
The two meetings followed the same format. First, Jim Carey, FC Secretary, reviewed how Zoom tools could be utilized during the meeting and laid out the overall timetable for budget review. Then Everett Lunsford, FC Chair, walked attendees through the proposed budget, page by page, adding further detail as needed. Questions were held until he finished.
Exterior Maintenance issues at VW have significantly impacted expenses. During Session I, there was clarification that VW homeowners receive additional services that are not part of the standard NTRA home maintenance plan, including for example, exterior painting, irrigation, maintenance, repair and replacement of roofing and more. These additional costs are reflected in the assessments of VW homeowners.
One of the challenges in 2020 was the discovery that amounts budgeted for VW maintenance were in some cases, inadequate. In some instances, needs were overlooked; in others, costs were underestimated.
Lunsford noted that $1.5K was budgeted for 2020 irrigation system repairs. Actual costs, however, are now approaching $12K. Lack of mapping of the 130-zone irrigation system has made it extremely difficult to obtain accurate estimates for repairs and maintenance. An outside contractor will begin mapping the system in 2021.
Exterior painting of VW homes is a Replacement Reserve expense, but painting was not included in the 2019 Replacement Reserve Study. A quote has been received for roughly $240K to repaint the exteriors of all VW residences over a five (5) year period beginning in 2023.
At times, while reviewing the proposed budget, Lunsford stated that the FC had changed spending projections or altered long-range budget recommendations. He would then continue with a description of the rationale that led the FC to reach those decisions. This likely reduced the number of questions raised during the Q & A, all of which were answered thoroughly.
Session II reviewed the overall budget for the whole of NTRA, presented in a 30-page report. The FC and BOD have been immersed in budget issues and decisions since early October. The 2021 Proposed NTRA Budget was presented with year-to-year comparative figures clearly indicating shifts in spending.
The FC has identified several areas that need to be carefully managed to ensure smooth sailing in the years ahead. Some that were mentioned include: funding the maintenance requirements of VW homes; monitoring Capital Contribution and Administrative Fees generated from home sales; managing the Replacement Reserve of VW and NTRA; and increased awareness of long-term maintenance and community needs.
Everett Lunsford noted that the budget includes a financial audit of the managing agent, Town Management, which is industry practice when an HOA is turned over to owners. This will be a one-time expense of $7 – 9K.
With limited sources of funding, unexpected expenditures are difficult to handle. In 2020, Covid-19 necessitated approximately $10K in expenditures for extra pool personnel, new signage, additional cleaning supplies and services. This expense is likely to continue in the coming year. Money previously earmarked for major landscape projects and 2020 seasonal Activities were redirected to cover these costs and safe, socially distanced activities, Zoom account, etc.
In addition to considering the maintenance timetables recommended for HOA communities, the FC is keeping an eye on actual New Town maintenance requirements. Lunsford again used the VW situation as an example. The NTRA is required to repaint VW exteriors on a periodic basis as part of their exterior maintenance fee. Based on contractor estimates and recommendations, the NTRA expects to begin a five-year repainting program in 2023. Since these homes are mostly clad with factory-painted cement board siding, the recommendation is to repaint every 7 years. However, some homeowners are reporting issues, such as exterior mold problems, that might alter maintenance or repainting schedules.
The Landscape Advisory Committee (LAC) researched and planned projects to replace dead trees and upgrade the appearance of New Town’s common areas. Funding for these Special Projects was originally approved for 2020 but the money was diverted to cover unexpected expenses. NTRA members that have been asking about the status of those projects were pleased to hear Lunsford say that the LAC plans have been prioritized and are detailed in the 2021 PROPOSED NTRA BUDGET REPORT.
The two meetings were an opportunity for NTRA members to dig into the details of NTRA 2020 spending, and ask questions about the details of the 2021 budget on which 2021 homeowner assessments are based.
At the close of the meeting several people recognized the enormous amount of time these committee members have spent on this task and praised the excellent result of their efforts. Comments are welcome through December 3rd. The final BOD-approved budget will be presented at the Annual Members Meeting December 10 on Zoom.
Posted on December 1, 2020 6:59 AM by Town Crier Staff
How Are You Celebrating New Year?
Alison Douglas
Twelve months ago, I was celebrating Christmas and New Year in the U.K. and as Brits this is our biggest celebration (unless you are Scottish and then it is all about ‘Hogmanay’). On Christmas Eve, the kids will leave out a traditional British mince pie, a glass of sherry for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer. This year, my boys are also leaving him a bottle of hand sanitizer to stop Santa turning into a one-man super spreader. Christmas Day includes serving turkey with ‘pigs in blankets’ (sausages wrapped in bacon), pulling crackers (the tiny explosive devices that contain a paper hat, a joke, and an awful plastic toy) and watching the Queens speech at 3pm. Traditionally celebrated with family and close friends, Christmas day rolls into Boxing Day, which is a national holiday in the U.K. and we continue our celebrations by visiting those we did not see on Christmas Day. No sooner is that complete, and our thoughts turn to New Year, including what we should eat (it’s all about the food) and who we should celebrate with. This year looks different for us with our family many miles away, so we thought we would take a look at how others are celebrating around the world.
Spain
One of the biggest Spanish (and Mexican) New Year’s traditions is to eat one grape on every chime of the last 12 seconds of the year so that by the time it strikes midnight, you will have stuffed a total of 12 grapes into your mouth. If you manage to chew and swallow them in time, it is said to bring you good luck for the entire year.
Scotland
In Scotland, New Year’s Eve is known as ‘Hogmany’, is celebrated traditionally through ‘first-footing’, which starts immediately after midnight. This involves being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour and often involves the giving of symbolic gifts such as salt, coal, shortbread, whisky, and black bun (a rich fruit cake), intended to bring different kinds of luck to the householder. Food and drink (as the gifts) are then given to the guests.
Germany
New Year’s Eve is known as ‘Silvester’ in Germany and also marks the feast of St Sylvester. Friends will wish each other ‘Prost Neujahr!’ or Guten Rausch, which literally means ‘good slide,’ and is said to wish someone good luck as the new year comes round.
A little-known tradition in some parts of Germany is to melt small pieces of lead in a spoon over a candle, then pour the liquid into cold water. The bizarre shapes from the Bleigießen (lead pouring) are supposed to reveal what the year ahead will bring. If the lead forms a ball, luck will roll one’s way, while the shape of a crown means wealth; a cross signifies death and a star will bring happiness.
Ireland
In some parts of the south of Ireland there is a custom called the "New Year's Swim". In the morning of the New Year many people dive into the cold sea, but only for a few minutes.
Mexico
In some areas of Mexico, it is traditional to leave lentils at your door on New Year’s eve or eat lentil soup before midnight, wear red (or yellow) underwear.
If lentils are not appealing, then it is also traditional to wear brightly colored underwear. Different colors symbolize different things, for example, red signifies love; white underwear brings peace and calm and attracts dignity; wear green for good health; and orange for wisdom.
You can also burn your negative thoughts – make a list and burn it (safely), and legend states that bad vibes won’t come back to haunt you.
Denmark
A Danish New Year’s Eve tradition is to throw plates and dishes against friend’s and neighbor’s front doors. The bigger the pile of broken china is the next morning, the more friends and good luck you’ll have in the coming year. Another custom in Denmark is the jumping off chairs at midnight, symbolizing the leap into the New Year.
Ecuador
In Ecuador, people build scarecrow-like to set them alight. Burning the año viejo (old year) is meant to destroy all the bad things from the last year and cleanse for the new.
Italy
In Naples, people toss everything from toasters to fridges off their balconies. Getting rid of old possessions symbolizes a fresh start in the new year. It is worth knowing before you try this that most locals stick to small and soft objects to avoid injuries!
Japan
At midnight, Buddhist temples all over Japan ring their bells 108 times to dispell the 108 evil passions all human beings have, according to Buddhism. Japanese believe that joyanokane, the ringing of the bells, will cleanse them from their sins of the previous year. Traditionally, 107 bells are rung on the last day of the year and the 108th in the new year. In addition, many people eat buckwheat noodles called toshikoshi soba on New Year’s Eve to symbolize the wish for a long life.
Who Maintains Your Streets & Sidewalks - Reporting Issues
Max Pfannebecker
While there’s no hard and fast rule to figuring out what person or entity is responsible for maintaining those slabs of concrete, asphalt, or bricks upon which we walk and drive, there are some quick rules of thumb.
Streets
Most of the streets that run through New Town are maintained by VDOT, but several of the Alleyways and smaller side streets in our neighborhoods are not. A good method of determining whether or not a street is maintained by VDOT in New Town is by noting availability of street parking and presence of two travel lanes. Casey Blvd and New Town Avenue are both VDOT maintained streets with street parking and two lanes of travel. Alleyways in New Town, like Eleanors Way, Melanies Way, and Victorias Way are all alleyways with a narrowed path of travel and a lack of street parking. These would be maintained by a private entity like Town Management.
Sidewalks
As a general rule, the entity that owns the land on which the sidewalk sits bears responsibility for maintaining that sidewalk. These sidewalks would include a sidewalk leading from your residence or business to the street (running perpendicular to the street).
Sidewalks that run parallel to the street are typically the responsibility of the entity that maintains the street. For example, sidewalks that run parallel along Casey Boulevard would be the responsibility of VDOT because they maintain Casey Blvd and its respective right-of-way. The right-of-way in this case extends from the outer edge of the sidewalk across the street to the outer edge of the opposite sidewalk. Within that right-of-way, maintenance obligations fall to VDOT.
Sidewalks that run along alleyways (like the previously mentioned Melanies Way or Victorias Way) would not fall under VDOT because the alleyways themselves are not maintained by VDOT.
Additionally, VDOT usually will only maintain concrete and asphalt surfaces, meaning brick crosswalks are maintained by another association. One exception is the bumpy transition into crosswalks installed for ADA guidelines. VDOT will usually maintain those as a matter of public safety.
Who to Call, Where to Start
Town Management’s Randy Casey-Rutland notes that there are exceptions to every rule in knowing which entity is responsible, but the fastest way to make an issue known is to report to VDOT (to https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/) even when you’re not sure which entity is responsible. Even if the repair
Know Your Business: Award-winning Pet Sitting Service Moves to New Town: Wagging Tails
Patti Vaticano
Seven years ago, Michelle Daikos, was an interior designer, until her then pet care provider, who was in need of some extra sitters, asked Michelle if she’d like to help out by walking a few dogs for her on the weekends. Michelle did so--and loved the experience so much, she decided to start her own pet sitting company. Wagging Tails has operated in the Greater Williamsburg Area since then, but Michelle, a brand-new resident in New Town, now manages Wagging Tails out of her new home in Chelsea Green. Michelle “loves living in New Town,” where she can walk everywhere to services and entertainments and where “everyone is so friendly.”
And New Town is fortunate to have Wagging Tails in its midst. Five-time winner of The Virginia Gazette’s Best Pet Sitting Business in Williamsburg and recently, the 2020 Neighborhood Favorite as the Best Pet Service in Williamsburg by Nextdoor, Wagging Tails is not the common variety pet sitting business that utilizes neighborhood amateurs. “We are an elite service and have as many as 14 pet sitting professionals, throughout the year,” Michelle proudly declares. “We strive, in every way, to excel in every category as the finest dog walking and pet sitting business in the Greater Williamsburg Area. Many of New Town’s professionals who use our services tell us how much they value the care options we offer and the walking paths we make available. We utilize New Town’s diversity of wooded trails and business routes to walk their dogs to not only address daily exercise needs but to enable their pets to socialize with their favorite four-legged neighbors.”
Wagging Tails offers a variety of pet services to its clientele. Besides pet walking, it offers a Pet Taxi service, transporting client pets to and from doggie day care or the vet and an overnight service which provides an overnight pet sitter in the client’s own home. In addition, there is a “Bed and Biscuit” option that offers pet care in the sitter’s own home.
“We are expanding our services, currently,” says Michelle, “to include a new program called Nails and Trails which offers walking, nail trimming, and ear cleaning, as well. We hope to offer a full line of pet grooming services in the very near future.”
In response to a question about the challenges of COVID for the business, Michelle replied, “Wagging Tails closely monitors the CDC and WHO recommendations in regards to containing the spread of COVID-19. Our team members are committed to taking every health precaution possible and strictly abide by all the safety and health guidelines available. In addition, we offer a no-contact service. The safety of our clients and their pets and our own team members are, at all times, of utmost concern. All our sitters wear facial masks and bring their own leashes.
Wagging Tails website can be found at https://waggingtailsdogwalker.com/ or just pick up the phone and call Michelle at 757-230-7960. You can email Michelle, as well, at waggingtailsofwmbg@gmail.com.
When you are out and about in New Town, keep an eye out for the Wagging Tails’ Pet Mobile!
LIVING IN HARMONY IN NEW TOWN – The Rules About Renting Your New Town Property
Mary Cheston
Welcome to a new periodic Crier feature – Know Your Rules. Are you aware of the requirements for NTRA homeowners who wish to rent their New Town homes?
Under the NTRA Master Declaration, only leases of an entire home for at least 12 months are permitted (Article VI, Section 7.1dd), and the lease must expressly state that the tenant will abide by the NTRA’s governing documents. (Thinking of adding an in-law unit or “granny flat?” An accessory apartment that is proposed to be added to a property must be approved by the Board of Directors after review by both the Architectural Review Committee and New Town’s Design Review Board.)
Short-term rentals are not permitted, including any vacation, room rentals or Airbnb-type usage.
In addition, homeowners must notify Town Management of 1) their new address and contact information and 2) the contacts for their tenant and property management company (NTRA Rules, Section II, Para. 21). Any property management company acting on behalf of a homeowner must provide the NTRA with current information for your tenants. Frequently, when tenants turn over, Town Management is not aware of new occupants. If possible, providing the first page of the lease will help Town Management to understand the rental period.
Why does the NTRA have such rental requirements? New Town was designed around fostering community through homeownership and owner occupancy. Besides liability insurance benefits, rental restrictions are viewed as a way to serve the best interests of the community by helping to maintain community standards and keep property values high.
So if you have tenants or neighbors who are tenants, reach out to let them know about the NTRA website. Encourage them to learn more about our Association and its requirements. Suggest that they volunteer on an NTRA Committee. Let’s all get to know our neighbors and take a vested interest in the long-term success of our community.
SUMMING UP THE NTRA’s 2021 BUDGET MEETINGS
Kathy Mullins
In case you were unable, or chose not to attend the NTRA Budget Presentations held on two consecutive evenings via ZOOM, the take-away was this: NTRA financial matters are in good hands.
The purpose of the two ZOOM meetings was to inform NTRA members about the challenges, deliberations and decisions that were involved as the Finance Committee (FC) drafted the Proposed NTRA 2021 Budget. The Board of Directors (BOD) weighed in, made suggestions and ultimately agreed to present the Proposed 2021 Budgets that were the subjects of these meetings. One very important reason to pay attention -- the final 2021 NTRA Budget becomes the basis for 2021 homeowner assessments.
Session I, convened on November 18 at 6:00 PM focused on Village Walk (VW), with 14 residents and 8 panelists from the Finance Committee (FC), Board of Directors (BOD) and Town Management in attendance. Session II opened at 6:05 PM on November 19, with 21 NTRA members and 10 panelists from the above groups present. This meeting dealt with the overall NTRA 2021 Budget.
Information presented at both sessions was detailed, clearly laid out and delivered in a logical sequence that drew those attending into the budgeting process. The FC posted the proposed budget for each session, with commentary, in advance on the NTRA website. This seemed to boost member interest in and understanding of issues. Both sessions allowed ample time for questions.
The two meetings followed the same format. First, Jim Carey, FC Secretary, reviewed how Zoom tools could be utilized during the meeting and laid out the overall timetable for budget review. Then Everett Lunsford, FC Chair, walked attendees through the proposed budget, page by page, adding further detail as needed. Questions were held until he finished.
Exterior Maintenance issues at VW have significantly impacted expenses. During Session I, there was clarification that VW homeowners receive additional services that are not part of the standard NTRA home maintenance plan, including for example, exterior painting, irrigation, maintenance, repair and replacement of roofing and more. These additional costs are reflected in the assessments of VW homeowners.
One of the challenges in 2020 was the discovery that amounts budgeted for VW maintenance were in some cases, inadequate. In some instances, needs were overlooked; in others, costs were underestimated.
Lunsford noted that $1.5K was budgeted for 2020 irrigation system repairs. Actual costs, however, are now approaching $12K. Lack of mapping of the 130-zone irrigation system has made it extremely difficult to obtain accurate estimates for repairs and maintenance. An outside contractor will begin mapping the system in 2021.
Exterior painting of VW homes is a Replacement Reserve expense, but painting was not included in the 2019 Replacement Reserve Study. A quote has been received for roughly $240K to repaint the exteriors of all VW residences over a five (5) year period beginning in 2023.
At times, while reviewing the proposed budget, Lunsford stated that the FC had changed spending projections or altered long-range budget recommendations. He would then continue with a description of the rationale that led the FC to reach those decisions. This likely reduced the number of questions raised during the Q & A, all of which were answered thoroughly.
Session II reviewed the overall budget for the whole of NTRA, presented in a 30-page report. The FC and BOD have been immersed in budget issues and decisions since early October. The 2021 Proposed NTRA Budget was presented with year-to-year comparative figures clearly indicating shifts in spending.
The FC has identified several areas that need to be carefully managed to ensure smooth sailing in the years ahead. Some that were mentioned include: funding the maintenance requirements of VW homes; monitoring Capital Contribution and Administrative Fees generated from home sales; managing the Replacement Reserve of VW and NTRA; and increased awareness of long-term maintenance and community needs.
Everett Lunsford noted that the budget includes a financial audit of the managing agent, Town Management, which is industry practice when an HOA is turned over to owners. This will be a one-time expense of $7 – 9K.
With limited sources of funding, unexpected expenditures are difficult to handle. In 2020, Covid-19 necessitated approximately $10K in expenditures for extra pool personnel, new signage, additional cleaning supplies and services. This expense is likely to continue in the coming year. Money previously earmarked for major landscape projects and 2020 seasonal Activities were redirected to cover these costs and safe, socially distanced activities, Zoom account, etc.
In addition to considering the maintenance timetables recommended for HOA communities, the FC is keeping an eye on actual New Town maintenance requirements. Lunsford again used the VW situation as an example. The NTRA is required to repaint VW exteriors on a periodic basis as part of their exterior maintenance fee. Based on contractor estimates and recommendations, the NTRA expects to begin a five-year repainting program in 2023. Since these homes are mostly clad with factory-painted cement board siding, the recommendation is to repaint every 7 years. However, some homeowners are reporting issues, such as exterior mold problems, that might alter maintenance or repainting schedules.
The Landscape Advisory Committee (LAC) researched and planned projects to replace dead trees and upgrade the appearance of New Town’s common areas. Funding for these Special Projects was originally approved for 2020 but the money was diverted to cover unexpected expenses. NTRA members that have been asking about the status of those projects were pleased to hear Lunsford say that the LAC plans have been prioritized and are detailed in the 2021 PROPOSED NTRA BUDGET REPORT.
The two meetings were an opportunity for NTRA members to dig into the details of NTRA 2020 spending, and ask questions about the details of the 2021 budget on which 2021 homeowner assessments are based.
At the close of the meeting several people recognized the enormous amount of time these committee members have spent on this task and praised the excellent result of their efforts. Comments are welcome through December 3rd. The final BOD-approved budget will be presented at the Annual Members Meeting December 10 on Zoom.
BMP and BRBs in New Town: A Retention Pond Primer
Patti Vaticano
Stormwater Management Facilities or Best Management Practices (BMPs)— “Stormwater BMPs”—are an integral part of any new construction or land development project, today, whether commercial or residential. They are recognized by James City County as key components in improving water quality of all waterways in the Tidewater Area by removing pollutants from rainwater. As defined on the County’s website, rainwater falling on the ground and running across the earth’s surface as stormwater “collects leaves, grass clippings, pet waste, litter, lawn fertilizers, pesticides and more” into area streams, ponds, and rivers, and BMPs are key in minimizing the negative effects of these pollutants on our water ways. There are nearly 800 BMPs in the County, 27 of which are located in New Town, and all are inspected by the County every 5 years using industry standard reporting. Owners of the properties upon which BMPs are located are legally responsible for providing basic annual maintenance to the structures and to make any repairs that may be needed. Typical BMP owners are homeowner associations (HOA), private communities, commercial retail properties, and business property owners.
Of the 27 BMPs in New Town, only three are true BMPs, retention ponds that contain water at all times, and are clearly visible to passersby. The remaining structures are “bio-filters” or Bio Retention Basins (BRBs) that help with the maintenance of the BMPs. BRBs are water filters which syphon off stormwater impurities before reaching the BMPs. They do this through a layered system of gravel and mulch in an effort to maintain the integrity of the BMPs and to avoid expensive dredging costs more often than should be necessary for maintaining the BMPs according to County standards. James City County’s criteria for maintaining BMPs contains specific strategies. Bi-annual mowing, generally in the spring and the fall, no more than 6-8 inches from the ground, repair of holes and bare areas in all concrete structures, and maintenance of flow pipes to make sure they are not broken or overgrown with vegetation.
New Town employs two contractors to meet the County BMP criteria for structural maintenance. Mowings are covered in our current landscaping contract and the structural and water treatment needs are contracted to Aquatic Resources Management (ARM) for which $3,200 is currently budgeted. ARM repairs broken concrete, treats for mosquitoes by adding an algaecide colorant dye to the water to inhibit larvae from hatching, and applies a herbicide preventative to the water to inhibit cattail growth.
Of the three BMPs, the large wet pond at the end of Olive Drive in Charlotte Park will be turned over to NTRA ownership in the very near future. The two remaining BMPs (located behind the Goddard School and adjacent to the SunTrust parking lot) are owned by the New Town Commercial Association. New Town’s BRBs are more numerous. Four are owned outright by the NTRA and are located at the corner of Casey and Town Creek Drive, the corner of Town Creek Drive and Lydias Drive, and in Magnolia Park (Rollison Drive and Luanne Way). Four BRBs are currently owned by Atlantic Homes but will similarly transfer to the NTRA in the very near future. All are located in Charlotte Park: at the termination of Rollison Drive, behind the homes on Olive Drive, (most notably behind 4408 Olive) and at the termination of Christine Court. Two BRBs in Shirley Park are also owned by Atlantic Homes but will be turned over to the NTRA later. As with the BMPs, the BRBs are also governed by JCC maintenance guidelines. In 2018 for example, several BRBs, including the one at Christine Court, were cited for contaminating silt and in need of repair or replacement of special soil, mulch, and vegetation.
Village Walk has two BMPs, and their management and maintenance have not had smooth sailing. Among other problems, they have had serious conservation issues such as damaged fencing and invasive vegetation that have threatened the integrity of their retainment walls, one 15 feet high and upon which the homes on Greenview are located, and another 30 feet high next to the homes on Trailview & Trailside. (See photos) Addressing the maintenance needs of these BMPs has been problematic, because their conservation has been compromised by the insolvency of AIG Baker the original developer of Settlers Market who once owned them. Without clear ownership, meeting the County criteria for structural repairs and maintenance has not been possible. There has, however, been a recent breakthrough in the conundrum.
An October walk-about with County representatives and interested Village Walk homeowners reviewed all the issues needing correction to meet County BMP maintenance criteria, such as the removal of vegetation growth, silt fencing repair, the cleaning out of basin trash and debris, and structural repairs and modifications of pipes and channels. With assistance from County staff, the Board of Directors was able to contact the current responsible party--Rosenthal, a property management company based in Northern Virginia. Rosenthal will be addressing the County concerns and has hired Triad Construction Company to begin maintenance of both BMPs soon. All County conservation issues will be addressed on these BMPs, including the removal of invasive vegetation that can be very destructive to the retaining structures and repair of damaged fencing. Phase I, to include the clearing of the access roads to both ponds, the removal of old silt fencing, and the eradication of all brush between fence and retaining walls, begins this week. Crews working 10-hour days should be able to complete Phase I in 3 to 4 weeks. Larger repairs will be addressed in the new year.
BOARD BUZZ
Chuck Stetler, President
Happy Holidays!
This has been a very unsettling year for our country and our little community. But we are all hoping for a healthy, prosperous New Year.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel our holiday party in December. Plus, the Covid virus impacted opening of the pool .. Despite the restrictions caused by the coronavirus, the Activities Committee carried out a successful and well attended Halloween party and parade at Sullivan Square.
The Board of Directors is searching for a person to fill the non-voting position of Secretary. This is such an important job, which was performed by Dave Holtgrieve who will be resigning in December.
Recently we had informative Town Hall meetings to explain the proposed 2021 NTRA budget and the proposed exterior maintenance program for Village Walk. This assessment was increased because both painting and power washing the homes in Village Walk were not included in the 2019 Reserve study.
The transition to homeowner control of the NTRA has been challenging and demanding of the newly elected members of the Board of Directors. Thanks to these volunteers who have contributed their time to work and resolve many issues.
Thank you to all volunteers who participated on our committees this past year. Your help was appreciated in carrying out the necessary activities that benefit our HOA.
This coming year we will need new volunteers to participate on both the Landscape and Communication committees. Consider joining one of these important groups.
The 2020 Annual Members Meeting has been scheduled for December 10th. Please watch for the Zoom link to the virtual meeting.
Welcome to the New Year....2021!!!!
DECEMBER TALKS
Kimberly Kearney
Kimberly Kearney
Mariellynn Maurer is the Director of Conference & Event Services and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at William & Mary. She is an alumna of William & Mary and her field of studies were English and Secondary Education. She is an active member of several professional associations within the tourism, hospitality, events, and continuing education sectors. Mariellynn is an active member in the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance and an alumna of the LEAD Historic Triangle Program. She is the President of the Professional and Professional Staff Assembly of W&M and sits on the university’s Strategic Planning Committee. Mariellynn’s experience is not limited to the world of higher education, she also spent more than 11 years working in hotel sales and marketing. She is a strong believer that you never stop learning and is honored to be able to speak with you about opportunities available for lifelong learning and volunteering with the Osher Lifelong Institute at William & Mary.
Mariellynn and Carrie will share information about Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at William & Mary. They will share program highlights, areas of study, volunteer opportunities, membership information, upcoming key dates for your calendars, and the current mode of delivery given the pandemic circumstances we are currently working, living, and learning under. Time will be reserved during the presentation for questions and answers as well.
Posted on November 1, 2020 7:03 AM by Rick Fisher, Treasurer & Board Representative to Finance Committee
Categories:
NTRA Business
The Finance Committee (FC) has been meeting since early August to address the 2021 New Town Residential Association (NTRA) Budget. Committees have provided input which has been evaluated and incorporated in budget reviews with the Board of Directors (BOD) during October. Forecasted 2020 year-end actuals have guided the recommendations by expense line item for 2021.
The purpose of this article is to share with Owners the focus areas and the discussion that has occurred as background and preparation for the 2021 Budget Town Hall Meeting (via Zoom this year) scheduled for November 19th at 6:00PM. In light of the exterior maintenance challenges in Village Walk (see discussion below), a special Zoom presentation for Village Walk owners is scheduled for November 18th at 6PM. The BOD wishes to be completely transparent with the community.
Covid-19: While we don’t know when a vaccine will be widely available, we have assumed that Covid-19 will have an impact on Pool Operations in 2021, and that the NTRA will need to institute similar processes to 2020 for much, if not all, of the pool season. This comes with an incremental cost. In 2020, this cost was approximately $10K which funded a full time Pool Attendant and paid for signage and cleaning. In 2020, landscape projects and Activities Committee events, although funded, were not undertaken largely because of incremental, unanticipated Covid-19 expenses and, in the case of activities, the need for social distancing. We are investigating whether the pool contractor can provide Covid-19 services as part of their 2021 contract. Activities will, undoubtedly, continue to be impacted in 2021. However, the NTRA should be able to proceed with landscaping projects. We are assuming Covid-19 related expenses will be around $9K and will be funded from Operating Reserves.
Managing Agent Audit: Industry practice is to conduct a financial audit when a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) is turned over from the Developer to the Owners. The FC believes that an audit is prudent. This would be a one-time cost to the NTRA on the order of $7-9K. We have identified two CPA firms in Virginia Beach that are associated with the Communities Association Institute (CAI). In order to get a firm quote, financial statements and tax returns must be provided. Our numbers are an estimate.
Landscaping: The Landscape Advisory Committee (LAC) has submitted $40K of priority one projects. The projects include: tree removal, planting new trees, tree pruning (the current landscape contract covers pruning up to 12 feet), and plantings around the pool and in the clock tower garden at Village Walk (VW). In addition, as we all know, the turf in New Town is not conducive to warm weather. The LAC has proposed that we develop a Five Year Turf Plan using a phased approach, to evaluate whether it makes sense to install warm weather grass (Bermuda) in New Town’s common areas. A breakout of these costs is as follows:
- Tree Removal, Pruning and Root Drenching: $15K (Quote from Arbol Tree Service)
- New Trees and Planting: $15K (a new tree and installation is typically in the $1-$2K range)
- First Phase of Turf Plan: $5K (Consultant and test section)
- Planting of Perennials at Pool and in VW Clock Tower: $5K
- The BOD is evaluating these costs in light of their impact on assessments. However, we have fallen behind in this area. Landscaping funds were budgeted for 2020 but no activity took place because of Covid-19 as explained above.
- NTRA Capital Contribution: $700 (+$50 From 2020)
- NTRA Administrative Contribution: $250 (+$50 From 2020)
- VW Additional Capital Contribution: $450 (+$50 From 2020)
- Covers replacement of roofs, painting, gutters and downspouts, railings, brick veneer, fascia. (Note: VW home buyers pay all three fees: NTRA Capital Contribution, NTRA Administrative Contribution and the VW Capital Contribution.)
In 2021, fees will total $1,400 for new VW buyers and $950 for NTRA buyers.
Village Walk Irrigation: The irrigation system installed by the Developer, Eagle Homes, has been a source of dissatisfaction to owners for several years. VW irrigation and maintenance is an expense that VW owners pay for in their neighborhood assessment. The VW neighborhood assessment is paid by VW owners in addition to the NTRA assessment for townhomes and cottages. The dollar amount budgeted for 2020 maintenance and repair of the irrigation system was woefully inadequate at $1,500. Actuals for 2020 are projected at $12,000. The 2021 Budget will reflect $12,000. Focus on understanding and mapping this irrigation system will be a priority for the first quarter of 2021. Although there are over 130 zones, no map of heads and pipes currently exists. Town Management, at the direction of the BOD, will hire an outside contractor to do this work.
Village Walk Painting: A quote has been received for roughly $240K to repaint all of the VW residences over a five (5) year period beginning in 2023. The painter, after inspecting the buildings, is recommending that this project begin in 2023. This is a Replacement Reserve expense which was not included in the latest 2019 Reserve Study (it should have been) and now must be included as an “add-on.” This expenditure from VW Replacement Reserves needs immediate focus.
Village Walk Miscellaneous Maintenance and Repair: Nothing was budgeted in 2020 for this. We have incurred actual expenses of $4.5K year to date and are forecasting that $6K will be spent in 2020. The 2021 Budget reflects $12K for this expense. A recent needed roof repair was quoted at $3.6K. The cost of miscellaneous maintenance and repair is covered by the VW neighborhood assessment.
Replacement Reserve: In 2021 we will begin to closely manage the Replacement Reserve Fund per a documented Replacement Reserve Policy and Procedure. The BOD will be involved in semi-annual reviews as we define a Five-Year Project List and gradually build up our Replacement Reserves.
- Background: Two NTRA Replacement Reserve Studies have been conducted. The 2015 Replacement Reserve Study called for a 2019 end-of-year balance of $440,196 with annual contributions of $68,492. Our actual balance was $483,079, right in line. However, the 2019 Reserve Study added the Shirley Park neighborhood as well as new assets like the bridges along the walking trail. The 2019 Study therefore recommended a Replacement Reserve balance of $563,091 at the end of 2019 or $122,895 higher than what was recommend by the 2015 Study. The 2019 Study also calls for a much higher annual contribution of $94,576. This is not unusual since each time a Reserve Study is done, there is a fresh look at the Association assets.
- Current situation: Our projected ending balance for 2020 is $562,000 or $92,497 below the 2019 Study recommendation of $654,497. It’s important, however, to understand that the Replacement Reserve Study is still very much a projection. The 2019 Study’s total funding goal over 40 years is $4,245,382. This number represents the replacement of 176 assets over 40 years to include each item’s replacement cost and useful life.
Categories
Recent Posts
Archives
-
2026
- May 2026 (5)
- April 2026 (6)
- March 2026 (3)
- February 2026 (6)
-
2025
- December 2025 (3)
- November 2025 (7)
- October 2025 (8)
- September 2025 (5)
- August 2025 (7)
- July 2025 (6)
- June 2025 (5)
- May 2025 (7)
- April 2025 (7)
- March 2025 (4)
- February 2025 (8)
-
2024
- December 2024 (7)
- November 2024 (8)
- October 2024 (5)
- September 2024 (6)
- August 2024 (6)
- July 2024 (9)
- June 2024 (5)
- May 2024 (6)
- April 2024 (12)
- March 2024 (6)
- February 2024 (6)
-
2023
- December 2023 (3)
- November 2023 (4)
- October 2023 (5)
- September 2023 (3)
- August 2023 (5)
- July 2023 (3)
- June 2023 (1)
- May 2023 (9)
- April 2023 (2)
- February 2023 (5)
-
2022
- December 2022 (9)
- November 2022 (12)
- October 2022 (12)
- September 2022 (10)
- August 2022 (10)
- July 2022 (10)
- June 2022 (15)
- May 2022 (10)
- April 2022 (12)
- March 2022 (10)
- February 2022 (11)
-
2021
- December 2021 (10)
- November 2021 (10)
- October 2021 (8)
- September 2021 (10)
- August 2021 (11)
- July 2021 (13)
- June 2021 (12)
- May 2021 (10)
- April 2021 (10)
- March 2021 (12)
- February 2021 (9)
-
2020
- December 2020 (9)
- November 2020 (9)
- October 2020 (9)
- September 2020 (11)
- August 2020 (6)
- July 2020 (10)
- June 2020 (11)
- May 2020 (10)
- April 2020 (7)
- March 2020 (9)
- February 2020 (6)
- January 2020 (3)
-
2019
- December 2019 (7)
- November 2019 (12)
- October 2019 (10)
- September 2019 (6)
- August 2019 (6)
- July 2019 (7)
- June 2019 (1)
- May 2019 (7)
- March 2019 (10)
