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:
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.
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.
Your 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)