Town Crier Articles

Batter Up! Baseball Fun Enjoyed by All
Posted on June 1, 2026 6:57 AM by NTRA Activities Committee
 
The New Town Residential Association in association with the William and Mary athletics department held its Second Annual Baseball/Picnic Event! Under beautiful sunny skies, over 45 New Town residents attended the W&M baseball game against Elon University on Sunday, May 3rd for food, friendship, and fun. With a wonderful field level picnic area along the 3rd base line, community members enjoyed traditional baseball picnic food and had great views of the game. 
 
Did someone mention food?  Hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, apple pie, brownies, and more were provided by the Activities Committee. Several winners came away with some fun door prizes including a W&M Team poster signed by all of the players, and a basketball signed by the women’s basketball team and coaches.
  
Many thanks to the amazing volunteers from the NTRA Activities Committee as well as the other volunteers who helped organize and present another fantastic NTRA event. Thanks to the William & Mary Athletics office for all of their work and cooperation for another New Town/WM event. Thanks also to our volunteer photographers for these pictures!  

Look for more NTRA Activities Committee events coming up this summer, starting with the June 6th Pool Pizza Party!
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Evolution of Affordable (Workforce) Housing in New Town
Posted on June 1, 2026 6:55 AM by Mary Cheston
 
A major issue for the greater Williamsburg/James City County area is the availability of affordable housing especially for service industry employees. As a mixed use community, New Town was built with commitments for its developers to provide a certain percent or number of homes for sale to households earning 80 percent or less of the area median income or to be sold at a set below-market price listed in the developer’s proffers. A total of 78 New Town lots were identified for these affordable homes. However, only the initial sale of the property was governed by these economic conditions. Over time, ownership changed and subsequent home sales rose to market prices.
 
What is the situation in New Town today? Of the 78 homes (locally referred to as cottages) built to provide mixed housing, only 34, including all 16 of the newer (2024) cottages in Shirley Park, are original owner-occupied. 19 cottages – including 7 purchased solely by investors even when originally listed as affordable housing – are rental units. The 37 remaining homes have resold as many as 5 times.
 
Beyond the purchase of a home, New Town is an HOA community with owners subject to annual dues/assessments. With the exception of Eagle Construction of Virginia who mandated that 3 Village Walk homes receive a 30% neighborhood assessment reduction each year, New Town’s developers did not provide any allowances for reduced assessments for owners of workforce housing. The covenants/governing documents for the New Town Residential Association require full general assessments for all owners.
 
If New Town’s experience holds, affordable housing without any time stipulations/obligations or assessment reductions, likely remains “affordable” only for a short period. Are there lessons to be learned for future mixed use housing developments?
 
Proposed Housing Proffers for Eastern State Hospital Developments (as of May 30)  
 
Per James City County’s website, “The purchasing power of highly paid workers and well situated retirees has driven up the average cost of housing and encouraged private sector development to focus on the more profitable end of the housing spectrum.”  To encourage developers to include affordable and workforce units, the county utilizes the following:  
  • Expedited Permitting: Fast-track subdivision, site plan, and building permit processing for developments that qualify.
  • Fee Waivers/Reductions: Potential to waive, reduce, or rebate development and permitting fees.
  • Density Bonuses: Allowance for higher residential density in exchange for including affordable housing units in the Primary Service Area.
  • Land & Cash Contributions: The county accepts land or cash contributions from developers of by-right and residential projects to fund dedicated affordable housing trust funds. (The planned James City County Community Land Trust seeks to create and preserve permanently affordable housing and community assets by leasing land for long-terms (e.g. 99 years) while selling homes on the land to income-qualified owners or organizations.)  
     
The 2045 County Comprehensive Plan recommends that at least 20% of a development’s proposed new dwellings be affordable.  Ultimately, developers can propose whatever incentives or mix of approaches fit their situation when seeking JCC zoning approval.  
 
  • Westwood Park is offering at least 20 percent of its 155 units for sale or offered for rent “targeted at households earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income.” Their application sets a maximum sale price then defines the way sale prices will be calculated in subsequent years. ABVA further provides for a second deed of trust with shared appreciation with the County for any affordable homes sold for a period of 7 years (versus the 10 and 15 year trusts in New Town). Rental units are to be made available for 20 years at reduced rates (30% of household income for qualified households) with an annual report submitted to the County Zoning Administrator.  [Note: ABVA has requested that Board of Supervisors further defer their rezoning application to its July 14, 2026 meeting. “We will be submitting revisions to the application shortly.”]
  • The proffers for Cardinal Ridge’s application have evolved from initially offering only affordable rental units to similarly offering at least 20 percent of its sale or rental residences (202 units) to households whose income is equal or less than 80% of the Area Median Income. Prices for the initial home sales with annual adjustments are specified with a seven-year second deed of trust for the County covering the difference between the sale and market rate price appreciation. The affordable rental units (set at less than 30% of household income for qualified households) are also for a period of “at least 20 years.”
[Note: our Area Median Income is currently $106,500.]
 
Essentially both proposed Eastern State Hospital land developments are offering about the same terms for residences that they have proffered to be affordable including commitments to long-term reduced rental units.
Curb Your Dog - A Pet Friendly Reminder
Posted on June 1, 2026 6:51 AM by Town Crier Staff
Submitted by your concerned neighbor, B Friendly.
 
You may have seen this on the NTRA website Notices page:
 
“PET MAINTENANCE & CONTROL:  The NTRA Board asks that New Town residents "Be a good neighbor and don't allow your dog to damage lawns and shrubs in New Town.” 
 
This should actually go a step further because dog urine while you can’t pick it up contains high concentrations of nitrogen and salts. The sheer volume of repeated concentrated spots burns the grass by dehydrating the roots through osmotic stress.
 
But it also needs to be said that often, some, not all, dog owners, while walking their dogs, let them run into people’s yards, sniff, and pee and that’s just not right. Homeowners actually own their private property and work in their yards and flower beds where Fluffy and Fido just peed, and well, that again isn’t neighborly! Now this author loves dogs (and cats) but when a dog owner lets their dogs onto private property, where they don’t belong that creates a problem and it’s not neighborly!
 
Common areas are also another concern by many homeowners. While they are for everyone’s common use, it doesn’t mean they are for Fluffy and Fido to make it their domain for peeing and well, pooping. By the way, thank you for cleaning up after them, but if other homeowners want to use the common area for badminton, frisbee, well anything like that, your neighbors and their guests certainly don’t want to have to worry about what was left there! And maybe they don’t know until it’s too late. Ewwww! Overuse also invites other critters to these areas who are not as sophisticated as your fur babies!
 
So please respect your neighbors and both private and common areas and please, curb your dog. Fyi, the legal term “Curb your dog” means by the street. And check it out, if you don’t know, there is a great free dog park at Kidsburg/Veterans Park. Enjoy your summer!
 
Seeking Bunco Players
Posted on June 1, 2026 6:50 AM by Gale Hyatt
 
 New Town currently has 2 active Bunco groups that play September thru May, and we feel there is definitely a need for a third, maybe even a 4th group. If you are interested in being a regular or sub player, even if you already belong to a Bunco group and want to play more than once or twice per month, please contact Gale Hyatt (Ladyhappy73@gmail.com) and Terri Finn (terrifinn93@gmail.com).
 
BUNCO INFORMATION
 
This classic dice game is an amazing game to enjoy with a group of friends, either 8 or 12 players. If you are ready to laugh, compete, and maybe talk a little friendly trash, this could be the game for you.
 
Bonus?  It’s super easy to learn, so even if you have never played before, you will be rolling the dice like a pro in no time.  It’s the perfect excuse to get all your favorite people in one place for an evening or afternoon of fun and games. Also, don’t forget a few snacks and beverages.
 
The whole point of Bunco is pretty simple: you just roll the dice and try to match the number for whatever round you are playing. Example, if it’s the first round, you are trying to roll ones, second round roll twos, etc. 
 
All you need are: 
  • Two (2) or three (3) tables for 8 or 12 players, i.e. four at each table!
  • Three dice  per table!
  • Score sheets and pencils  ✏️  for each player (gotta keep track of those wins!)!
  • A bell  at the Head Table! 
  • Money (Whatever amount your group decides on. Example five (5) $1.00 bills. and at the end of the evening, you may come home with a little extra cash ! Now who doesn’t mind having a little extra funds to shop with. 
For further information pertaining to Bunco, just google Bunco.
 
Enjoy your summer and we look forward to hearing from you.
Reminder: Save these Dates for June Fun
Posted on June 1, 2026 6:45 AM by Town Crier Staff
Here's a roundup of upcoming free events here in New Town.
 
Sponsored by the New Town Residential Association Activities Committee:
  • June 6th - pizza party at the New Town Community pool
  • June 18th - New Town Talk at noon in the NTRA meeting space (5118 Center Street)
Leslie Lautenslager, aide to General and former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell for 25 years, will talk about her experiences working with Powell.
 
 
Don't forget the remaining Wednesday night concerts at Sullivan Square from 5 to 8PM, co-sponsored by the New Town Commercial Association, James City County and Culture Fix. The lineup includes a rescheduled two-band concert - now planned for June 17th: Carey Lacey and Codey Christian and the Congregation. 
 
 
 
 
Stepping Over Skittles?
Posted on June 1, 2026 6:40 AM by Town Crier Staff
Submitted by concerned resident, B. Friendly.
 
Skittles, those tiny rainbow colored candies many of us may still enjoy today! But wait a minute. Are those skittles in the street? Yes, they are indeed. Spread out all over the street on the same day Bayside was in the neighborhood picking up trash. But why are they in the street? Was there a Skittles catastrophic event, or did someone throw them loosely in their bin without securing them in a sealed Hefty bag?
 
Like some other loose things - grease, bones, broken chards of glass, and the like - when they’re not properly tied up, 
they find their way onto our private streets, and sometimes we bring them right into our garage.
 
Well, I always liked Skittles, but not like I once did. Please bag your trash securely.
 
 
 
Pool Season Ramping Up
Posted on May 1, 2026 7:00 AM by John Stratton, Director
 
The New Town 2026 pool season is fast approaching! The New Town community pool will open Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 23, 2026, and remain open through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. We are looking forward to another fantastic summer and would like to highlight a few important items.
 
First and foremost, we are excited to announce extended weekend pool hours for the 2026 season. Many residents expressed interest in earlier opening times to take advantage of generally better weather and cooler temperatures in the late morning, and we were able to make that happen. The following pool hours will be in effect for the 2026 season:
 
  • Monday:       11:30 a.m. -7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday:       Closed
  • Wednesday:   11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday:     11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday:          10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday:     10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
  • Sunday:       10:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Holidays (Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, & Labor Day): Pool opens at 10:00 a.m. (When in doubt, consult the website calendar!)
 
In order to take advantage of the New Town pool as soon as it opens, please ensure your 2026 pool pass is up to date. Hopefully you are familiar with the pool pass process as it is the same as last year. You should have received an email from Chesapeake Bay Management on April 6 entitled “Important 2026 Pool Pass Information.” In addition, CBM mailed a bright yellow envelope via USPS to all owners with instructions and important pool documents enclosed. As always, instructions for both owners and tenants are also available on the NTRA website Pool & Clubs Page found under the “Residents” dropdown menu. All communications outline the steps required to obtain your pool pass, ensure it is activated and has the new 2026 green decal.
 
We are excited to continue our partnership with Clearwater Pool Management, LLC, for another year. Clearwater is responsible for many of the essential tasks required to ensure our residents have a safe and enjoyable pool experience including managing the lifeguards, monitoring the water quality, keeping a keen eye on the weather, and ensuring compliance with safety and management policies. As a reminder, we ask that all pool patrons and their guests conduct themselves in accordance with the NTRA Pool Rules and also ask you to respect that the lifeguard on duty has absolute authority and control over the operation of the NTRA pool. Our lifeguards have a big job ensuring the safety of our pool users, and especially the safety of the children in and around the pool. Please support them and also get to know them as they truly appreciate getting to know our New Town residents and developing positive relationships within the community.
 
The NTRA Board of Directors would like to give a special thanks to the NTRA Pool Committee for continuing to make our pool seasons a special part of living in this community. They continue to ensure the pool is well appointed and the pool facilities are well maintained for opening and throughout the season. Their efforts are important to this community, and we all appreciate and benefit from their hard work.
 
Please also mark your calendars for two special pool events organized and hosted by the NTRA Activities Committee:
 
•        June 6th: Noon Pizza Pool Party
 
•        August 7th: Evening Poolside Social
 
We look forward to kicking off the 2026 pool season on May 23 and we hope to see you at the pool many times throughout the summer.
 
Save the Dates - Future New Town Talks
Posted on May 1, 2026 6:47 AM by NTRA Activities Committee
Categories: Life in New Town
 
Here's a peak at some of the upcoming New Town Talks featuring some of your New Town neighbors.
 
May 26 (Tuesday)  - Home Maintenance and Safety - Jack Espinal, will talk about the basics of home maintenance, from safety (how to turn off the gas) to replacing filters and simple home repairs.   

June 18 (Thursday)- My Time with General Colin Powell - Leslie Lautenslager, aide to Colin Powell for twenty-five years, will talk about working with Powell.  She  has  also published a memoir about that experience.
Home Inspection Season is Upon Us
Posted on May 1, 2026 6:45 AM by Town Crier Staff
 
May begins NTRA’s season of home exterior and landscaping inspections for owners who have opted for less than full NTRA provided landscaping services (i.e. packages C, D, or E). Our community manager will visit these properties roughly every 3 weeks. The inspection will be done from the sidewalk or street and will identify obvious deficiencies using NTRA's Landscaping Standards (adopted August 2025.)  Then each neighborhood will be visited every 6 weeks by a team – CBM, landscaper, and Landscape Advisory Committee representative (and Board liaison). These walks are similar to what was done in 2025 to identify areas that may need improvement and look generally at all owner lots.
 
Home exterior inspections this year will cover three neighborhoods: Abbey Commons, Chelsea Green and Village Walk. Remaining neighborhoods will be inspected next year.  Be sure you are familiar with the exterior inspection checklist  and have kept up to date with your power washing and painting.
Spring Concert Season Starts Wednesday!
Posted on May 1, 2026 6:40 AM by New Town Commercial Association (NTCA)
Categories: Life in New Town
 
The fun starts this week in Sullivan Square!
 
Food and beverage vendors announced for May 6th: 
Bali Bali, Burgers on the Edge, Corner Pocket, Dominion Dogs, Polar Snow
 
Alewerks Brewing Co., Billsburg Brewery, Frothy Moon, The Virginia Beer Company, and Williamsburg Winery 
 
 
(Note the band change for June 3 below.) You can find the latest information each week on the New Town Commercial Association website events page. 
 
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