Town Crier Articles

 

The results of the 2022 home inspection by the Asset Maintenance Committee of the New Town Residential Association are in. As is the case with any statistic, whether the results are positive or negative are in the eye of the beholder.

 

In all, 535 homes were inspected by the team, none of whom lived in the subdivision they evaluated. The total number of homes with no deficiencies, large or small, was 247.

 

That’s 46.2 percent.

 

Encouraging, or disturbing?

 

“I think that percentage is good, considering the pandemic,” Asset Maintenance member Ed Lacy said. “I say that because before the pandemic, there was a lack of consistent evaluations. People got used to not maintaining their property as they would or should.

 

“Also, with the pandemic, there were things that people would have done but they couldn’t get contractors. There were no inspections. That also includes assets that NTRA manages. You’ve got to ‘Walk the Walk.’ I mean literally walking through New Town, the pool, walking trail, the fences we are responsible for, and evaluate their condition. It’s also about holding ourselves accountable. We must take care of our business.”

 

Charlotte Park, with 93, had the most homes cited. Then again, Charlotte Park is New Town’s largest, with 198 homes.

 

The rest of the statistics: Abbey Commons (104 homes, 43 with no deficiencies), Chelsea Green (69 homes, 12 with no deficiencies), Savannah Square (42 homes, 13 with no deficiencies), Shirley Park (23 homes, 8 with no deficiencies), and Village Walk (99 homes, 66 with no deficiencies).

 

Lacy’s experience – and he points out that he and fellow team members Charlie Olander, Bob Jeremiah, and David Magnant all have lived in New Town for only about two years – found the following deficiencies most obvious. Start with pressure washing, and mailbox and mailbox post maintenance. Then there’s paint needed for widow trims, door frames, soffits (mostly observed with peeling or very faded paint), and missing vent covers. Other deficiencies include unapproved door colors, unapproved signage, and misplaced trash cans.

 

“Most residents were very receptive,” Lacy said, “although some were a little wary. Overall, I felt very positive.”

 

Magnant, who observed Village Walk, cites BBQ grills on unstable footing, plantings -- which suffered after sale of a home to someone not as skilled in plant care – and pressure washing and paint.

 

Magnant observed that the size of trash containers might present an issue for owners. Recycling cans come in two sizes, 65 and 95 gallons, and he suggests it might do well for VW residents to request the smaller ones, should they be available from Bay Disposal.

 

“Overall, I thought the area represented well,” he said.

 

Lacy observed that some guidelines were established to achieve consistency amongst different committee members, and across neighborhoods. And, as always, the committee welcomes volunteers.