Town Crier Articles

 

The New Town Residential Association Activities Committee is again sponsoring an old-fashioned fun-filled, free, fall event at the Village Walk neighborhood on the corner of Casey and Settlers Market Boulevard.  New Town adults and children as well as family and friends are invited.  Activities will include cake walks, pumpkin painting, and games including corn hole, croquet, and shark toss, races, an obstacle course, pie face showdown, and more.  New this year will be a Halloween “egg” hunt, which will kick off the festival at 2:15 across the street from the main venue.  

 

Guests will also enjoy cider and other goodies.  Come to participate or just share the good time and music.

 

Join us as we celebrate the fall season on Saturday, October 14 (rain date Sunday, October 15) from 2:00 to 4:00.  

 

We need volunteers to help run the Fall Festival.  If interested, please contact Liz Fones-Wolf at efwolf@wvu.edu.  

This summer, the New Town Women’s Lunch Club donated nearly 50 bags of classroom supplies to the Teacher Supply Shop, a program of the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools (WJCC).  According to the National Center for Education Statistics, public school teachers, on average, spend close to $500 of their own money each year on unreimbursed classroom supplies. Teachers serving in low income areas spend considerably more. WJCC established the Teacher Supply Shop as a way to reduce this financial burden on our public school teachers.  WJCC accepts donations of classroom supplies from the community and then distributes these to teachers. Information about this program can be found on the WJCC website.

 

When the New Town Women’s Lunch Club learned of this opportunity, many eagerly participated in contributing supplies. Some also expressed interest in learning about other programs or needs where, together, we might be able to make a difference.  An informal grassroots workgroup of New Town women formed for the purpose of exploring opportunities for those of us living in New Town to give back to the greater Williamsburg community.  The hope is to involve not only the Women’s Lunch Group, but also other New Town neighbors and groups to participate in giving back initiatives on a quarterly basis.  

 

With colder weather approaching, one area of need is for warm coats for children of all ages. After reaching out to several organizations, Williamsburg  House of Mercy and FISH, Inc. both expressed a strong interest in receiving children’s coats and are capable of distributing these to those most in need. Our group of New Town women want to make it easier for anyone interested in making a donation of a NEW or NEARLY NEW coat to do so.  

 

Women attending the New Town Women’s Lunch may bring donations to the October, November, and December lunches.  If you would like to participate or make other arrangements to donate a child’s coat or if you would like to learn more about our giving back initiatives, contact Gale Hyatt (ladyhappy73@gmail.com) or Eden Glenn (edenaglenn@gmail.com). If you would like to learn more about the New Town Women’s Lunch Club, contact Angela Lesnett (Alesnett@verizon.net).

 

A New Town resident recently commented to a Board member about a large number of trash and recycle containers left in the streets on the Thursdays after our scheduled Wednesday trash pickups.  They asked if something could be done about the situation as it is really an eyesore and detracts from our community. Article VII, Section 7.1(p) of our Master Declaration of Protective Covenants and the 2005 NTRA Rules document as amended in 2019 addresses trash can storage. 

 

Here is what you need to know: 

• "Trash containers and refuse disposal systems must be maintained in enclosures and screened as approved by the Architectural Review Committee." (Article VII, Section 7.1p)

• "All garbage and trash stored on property shall be kept in covered containers and inside a privacy fence, shed, garage, or other concealed screened area, except when placed at the pickup site the evening prior to the pickup and removed the evening after pickup. Trash containers shall not be kept in driveways and sidewalks or in front yards." (Rules, Section II para. 39)  

However, a few home/cottages within New Town were designed without facilities for shielding trash cans. Others were designed with very small enclosures not large enough for both a trash can and a recycle bin. These homes are identified by street address here in the 2019 Rules Amendment.  Allowed locations for trash can and recycle bin storage are specified for these exceptions only.

 

The Association will begin tagging and documenting improperly stored trash and recycle containers throughout New Town. It is the Board’s desire to attain voluntary trash can and recycle bin storage compliance without having to resort to using the possible $50 per occurrence fine for violations. Please be sure that your tenants are aware of these requirements!

 

Keeping trash containers out of sight, and properly stored is a common courtesy which helps keep our community looking attractive and a pleasant place in which to live.

The New Town Activities Committee hosted a pool pizza party on Saturday, August 26th to celebrate the end of summer together. We were pleased with the large turnout of neighborhood families who enjoyed the pizzas with a variety of toppings, watermelon, brownies, cookies, and drinks. Everyone had a fun time visiting with neighbors and meeting new ones.

 

 

We look forward to having more events this Fall so everyone can keep in touch with each other. The next event is our second Fall Festival on Saturday, October 14 at Village Walk from 2:00-4:00.  Hope to see you there!

 

 

Manor on the Green, scheduled to be completed fall of 2024, is moving along presently with sitework, including the concrete pours to support vertical construction of the buildings. Our intent was to get as much of the site utilities, including water and sewer connections in the streets along with stone for the parking lot, completed prior to the installation of the building foundations. Due to the limited space available onsite, completion of these site items early allows for construction parking and storage of materials in the future parking lot as the work continues with the buildings. 

 

Framing is now underway. The contractor, Henderson Inc. has been asked to walk the property edge and parking areas to look for trash. They are doing this daily to keep the site and surrounding areas clean. We installed the parking lot in the center of the site also earlier than typical to prevent tracking of mud on the roadways and keep dust down. We are doing the best we can to stay good neighbors during this process.

 

Challenges of being able to procure materials due to the impact of the pandemic is a constant constraint on being able to perform at the level of efficiency that we are accustomed to. We have already started to compile a list of interested individuals, a majority who already live locally, who are wishing to lease a residence at Manor on the Green. That level of interest is a testament of how wonderful the New Town Community is. In addition, we have heard from many businesses in New Town inquiring about our completion as they are encouraged by the opportunity to be supported by these future residents.  

The free concerts in Sullivan Square are restarting in mid-September on Wednesday evenings – starting at 5:30 PM.  Let’s hope for some cool evening weather. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy being outdoors. Dogs welcome! Gates open at 5pm. Shows start at 5:30pm.

 

Here’s the lineup!

 

Mike Youngblood Sr., of Twiddy Realty, is the new President of the New Town Commercial Association (NTCA), an inherent part of the community almost since its inception. Mr. Youngblood has been involved with New Town for 25 years and on the Commercial Association Board for “a while.” He expresses great confidence in its existing systems and solid reserves, and hopes to continue that success.

 

Other members of the incoming NTCA Board of Directors include Scott Grafton (Vice President), Leigh Houghland, Sean Hughes, and Drew Haynie. After 20 years of service, previous President Larry Salzman has stepped down, but will be on board as an advisor. As Mr. Youngblood says, “Mr. Salzman’s continued involvement will provide continuity while we embrace change.” 

 

The Commercial Association exists to represent and serve the business owners. Its members include the owners of New Town's multifamily buildings with hundreds of residential units, so therefore thinks in terms of benefitting the whole community often through the work of its Marketing and Charging Stations committees. Chaired by Scott Grafton of Ironbound Gym, the Marketing Committee and its volunteers coordinate enhancements such as programming and decorations for the holiday season. The Committee has a separate budget and professional assistance. Mason and Markwith helps to create the marketing plan, including an in-house media department. Culture Fix is their events coordinator. Some of these events are in conjunction with James City County and draw in visitors. Along with our residents, an increasing number of visitors drive electric vehicles, so the NTCA’s Charging Stations Committee is working on a long-term plan to add more facilities. 

 

There is also a single cooperative committee with the New Town Residential Association (NTRA), the Shared Amenities Managing Committee. The NTCA and the NTRA both contribute to expenses for certain joint amenities (e.g. decorations, dog station maintenance, BMP’s, some trails), so Mr. Youngblood would like to see “more direct interface and involvement between the two organizations.” Although the NTRA and NTCA use different management companies, Mr. Youngblood feels comfortable working with NTRA’s Chesapeake Bay Management while also touting mutual cooperation strategies. An amendment to the Shared Amenities Agreement which would reflect the reality of separate management companies was approved by the NTRA during its annual meeting in December 2022. The amendment will be on the Commercial Association’s agenda for consideration at its annual meeting in the last quarter of 2023. 

 

Residents have expressed concerns about the empty store fronts on Main Street, which are owned by a Connecticut company. NTCA Board member, Drew Haynie, is their local leasing agent. He has commitments for some of the storefronts, with Planet Fitness in the final stages of construction, Virtual Reality Gaming Arcade recently opened, and Zoom Room dog training’s staff is already working during construction. As we all know, most retail has suffered since the pandemic, but services are on the upswing, so perhaps we can again look forward to a vibrant Main Street.  Meanwhile, roughly a million square feet of commercial space in other areas of New Town is occupied by various businesses and government entities. There are thirty-four different owners of commercial properties, with Settlers Market being entirely separate from New Town. 

 

Of course, all of the members of the Commercial Association want a vibrant, full community that will keep their businesses active. To that end, NTCA Marketing and a group of volunteers coordinated with James City County Recreation to sponsor the summer concert series, bringing lots of toe-tapping, seat 

 

Well, we’re in the final stretch of summer, now.  For those “Summer People” out there, sadness has already set in.  Picnic baskets, pool noodles, flip-flops, and Hibachis will soon be mothballed for another year and many a constitution steeled against the cooler days ahead.  For those who are less charmed by summer months in the Tidewater, mosquito welts, sticky clothing, weeding woes, and the dreaded failure to hear the AC “click,” will be, blessedly, things of the past.  You can hear them all cheering, now.

 

But whatever your sentiments about the season, be safe and enjoy the days ahead.  Take those opportunities to see friends and family that will soon be engulfed in work and school, once more. Visit those places—seaside park and mountain trail—that will quickly offer less accommodating vistas and opportunities.  Most importantly, glory in the ever-changing Joys of the Seasons. Your favorite is never far away, and those seasons you can do without, make those favored seasons even more precious.

Riddle for the Month:  Where do you go to find a hot date?   

 

	The Months by Sara Coleridge
January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow.   February brings the rain, Thaws the frozen lake again.   March brings breezes loud and shrill, stirs the dancing daffodil.   April brings the primrose sweet, Scatters daises at our feet.	May brings flocks of pretty lambs, Skipping by their fleecy damns.   June brings tulips, lilies, roses, Fills the children's hand with posies.   Hot July brings cooling showers, Apricots and gillyflowers.   August brings the sheaves of corn, Then the harvest home is borne.	Warm September brings the fruit, Sportsmen then begin to shoot.   Fresh October brings the pheasants, Then to gather nuts is pleasant.   Dull November brings the blast, Then the leaves are whirling fast.   Chill December brings the sleet, Blazing fire, and Christmas treat

In the spring, New Town neighbors came together on May 5th to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Chelsea Green's green space common area. Neighbors enjoyed tacos with all the fixings desserts and salads. We played badminton and corn hole and had wonderful conversations in a circle that formed. It was good to connect with each other.  The children took turns and actively swung a cane at the pinata until the pinata broke open and the kids dived on the candy 

 

A raffle (gift card, courtesy of New Town Commercial Association) was won by Sue and Jim Turbish from Charlotte Park.

 

   

 

Our events at the pool have also made a splash! So far this summer, neighbors have enjoyed two lunch-time pizza parties. Pizzas with various toppings, watermelon, brownies, and beverages were available for all. The watermelon is always a big hit on hot summer afternoons. There were some groups of families that included several generations, which is always fun to see. We also had some recent newcomers in attendance; they received a warm welcome to the New Town community.  

 

Two evening socials were also held at the pool. At the June 28 poolside social, residents appreciated an inviting array of appetizers.  The large dessert tray was also a hit as was the raffle.  July 28th was another fun evening, even though it was sweltering. 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

The Activities Committee will host a final lunchtime pizza party on August 26th. We look forward to seeing you there.
 
Stay tuned for details about events planned for the fall months brought to you by your New Town Residential Association Activities Committee.

 

The proposed Westwood Park development on Eastern State Hospital surplus land is in the first stage of a long development process?  

 

New Town residents (all of us) are stakeholders—we all have a voice in what happens to this land. 

 

The development is not a done deal, but is in the stage of application for rezoning. This stage requires a comprehensive study by James City County of the environmental and traffic impact, among other things. (See JCC website on rezoning.)

 

• to protect the intersection at Rollison and Olive Drive from road access to the new development
• to add an additional buffer in the woods behind Charlotte Park
• to reduce the number of units being built at Westwood Park
• to keep New Town as a separate entity

The Association has done a great job of staying on top of this, protecting New Town (see March 2023 NTRA letter with all the details), and keeping us informed. 

 

 

• traffic will increase on Ironbound Road (busy with VDOT trucks, traffic from 199)
• traffic will increase on Discovery Park Boulevard, and expect likely cut-throughs on Casey Blvd and New Town Avenue
• more units built means more trees and natural habitat lost
• Powhatan Creek watershed is already in the “red zone” for overbuilding—what will happen with Westwood Park?

And so far the developer ABVA has not kept past promises to New Town.

 

 

Keep reading the Town Crier and announcements from the NTRA. Check your email for updates. Show up at the James City County Planning Commission public hearing, once it is announced--maybe in the fall? Stay tuned!