Town Crier Articles

 

“Here we go again” 

 

This seems to be said a lot over the past few months, few years, maybe even a few decades. Another store is closing.

 

What stores in New Town have closed? Kays Jewelers, Victorias Secret, The Mole Hole, El Tapatio, Pisco 51, Candyland, Christopher & Banks, Claires, Corning Ware, Justice, Bath and Body Works, White House Black Market, Cogan’s Deli, and others have closed over the last fifteen years. Some of these have closed as parent companies closed or downsized. Some have relocated and can be found elsewhere in Williamsburg and some owners have retired.  

All is not gloom and doom. Change is inevitable as shoppers habits and needs change, technology changes, and economies change. We are blessed to see new stores, restaurants and gathering places move into New Town. 

Over just the past few years we have seen:

 

Could we use more shops? Certainly, we don’t like to see empty storefronts, and no one likes to see people lose their jobs. Various ideas have been posted on social media spots and there are many favorites that folks would love to see open in New Town. Craft stores, pubs, bakeries have all been mentioned. Maybe a drop off/collection site for Amazon packages so we don’t have so many delivery trucks constantly in the streets. Walking down to Main Street to pick up a package and then stopping for an ice cream or a meal might be good exercise and fresher air and a chance to meet a New Town neighbor. At any rate let’s support the businesses we have as much as possible and meet neighbors and make new friends as we do.  

Center Street Condominiums recently joined the New Town Residential Association in its monthly food drive to benefit the hunger relief programs at Williamsburg House of Mercy and FISH. Drives are conducted the second Saturday of each month in association with PORCH Communities, a national grassroots hunger relief organization based in North Carolina. 

 

Since July of 2024, New Town residents have contributed over 7,500 pounds of food. By simply leaving donations on your porch (or by the elevator in the case of the condos), items will be picked up and delivered to these organizations for distribution to those in need in the community.

 

In addition to New Town, other Williamsburg neighborhoods participating with PORCH include Holly Hills, Rolling Woods, Holly Hills Carriage Homes, Holly Hills Town Homes, The Meadows, Brandywyne, and  Kingsmill.

 

Kudos to Joanne and Tom Kramer for volunteering to coordinate the condo collections! If any other New Town condominiums would like to join our mission, contact Eden at edenaglenn@gmail.com.

 

Reminder:  April's collection will be Saturday, April 12th.

 

They are recent offerings/or needs from the New Town Buy Nothing group. The best part is that all of this is free. No trades, barters, or cash is ever involved. Why not check it out? It’s spring cleaning time, so what might you regift to a neighbor?

 

Administrator Gina Forster reports that the number of Facebook participants is growing, but she would like to see this be a “wonderful, thriving resource” for New Town residents.

 

How do you sign up? Simply head to Buy Nothing New Town Williamsburg on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/share/A4pgKhZ4cCACj2XV/?mibextid=K35XfP 

(Remember to answer the membership questions and agree to the rules to be accepted into the group.)

 

Buy Nothing is not just for sharing items, it's also for skills that you might want to offer. Give where you live!

 

Are you passionate about maintaining the beauty and integrity of our neighborhood? Do you have an eye for design and a commitment to community standards?  The NTRA Architectural Review Committee needs you!  The committee meets monthly to review, approve, and provide feedback to homeowners on their proposed projects to modify their property.

 

Responsibilities:

• Review and approve homeowners' architectural and landscape plans for changes to their property.
• Ensure compliance with community guidelines and standards.
• Collaborate with fellow committee members to maintain the aesthetic harmony of our neighborhood.
• Provide feedback and suggestions to homeowners on their project proposals.

If you're interested in making a difference and ensuring our community remains a beautiful place to live, please contact our community manager at ntramgr@1cbm.com to learn more. All NTRA owners in good standing are eligible to volunteer. 

 

Join us in shaping the future of our neighborhoods, one project at a time!

 

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On the last Sunday of February, New Towners cheered on the William & Mary Women’s basketball team in a game against the College of Charleston’s Cougars at the Kaplan Arena. Our neighbors joined a large crowd supporting the Play4Kay fundraiser which honors female cancer survivors, and the William and Mary players demonstrated their support by trading the Tribe’s traditional dark green for pink uniforms.

 

Before the game, participants gathered at the Wrightman Room in the arena for a pizza party.  The event attracted New Town basketball fans as well as those interested in socializing with friends and meeting new neighbors.  As they munched on pizza, veggies and cookies, William & Mary assistant coach Kenia Cole spoke briefly, promising a fast-paced game with lots of three point shots.  Attendees, including a delighted youth basketball player, won a basketball with the team’s signatures and Virginia Barch won a gift certificate provided by the New Town Commercial Association. 

 

As promised, it was an exciting contest.  Led by Bella Nascimento, who currently leads the league in scoring, the Tribe jumped out to an early ten-point lead, but Charleston fought back and it looked like they were going to take control of the game. However, William & Mary did not go quietly and had a chance at the end to tie the game with a three pointer that unfortunately rimmed out. While disappointed by the loss, resident Bob Finn declared “It was a heck of a close game” and a fun time.

 

The Activities Committee’s next event, is an Easter Egg Hunt on April 19 at Lydias Park in Abbey Commons.   Feel free to bring your kids and grandkids or just stroll over to watch the fun!

 

 

 

One of the great advantages of living in a managed community like New Town is that the homeowners association requires owners to keep their property in good condition and controls the community’s environment.  For townhomes and detached homes, this is accomplished through the provisions of the New Town Residential Association’s (NTRA) amended Master Declaration and Covenants which owners agree to abide by when they purchase a property in New Town.  This document allows the NTRA Board of Directors to establish association rules. The NTRA Board has passed only one set of rules, with two amendments.  The comprehensive rules passed in 2005 covers things that residents can and cannot do.  These were amended 1) in 2018 to clarify placement of outdoor grills, and 2) in 2019 to address trashcan storage problems experienced by certain NTRA cottages with limited storage. These documents are provided as part of the buyer disclosure packet to everyone who buys a home in New Town and are available on the NTRA website. 

 

I am going to review some of the rules that generate complaints to our association manager and our Board of Directors. A variety of FAQs are also available on the NTRA website Frequently Asked Questions page.

 

 

Parking in streets and properties within New Town is restricted to private automobiles, passenger vans and small, one town or less pickup trucks and SUVs.  Except for a commercial vehicle of 1 ton or less for personal use, no commercial vehicles and trailers of any type can be parked within New Town residential properties overnight. 

 

 

Pets must be kept under control and on leash while they are in New Town.  Owners must also pick up and properly dispose of animal droppings. Pets causing or creating a nuisance or unreasonable disturbance or noise may be permanently removed from New Town upon ten (10) days written notice from the Board of Directors.

 

3. What is the procedure for trash pickup and the storage of trash and recycle cans? (Section II, Rule 39)

 

Trash pickup is provided weekly, generally on Wednesdays (weather or equipment failures can impact this occasionally). Covered trash containers can be placed on the street for pickup on the day before the scheduled pickup and removed the evening after the pickup.  Trash containers should be kept in a concealed or screened area - they cannot be kept in driveways, on sidewalks, or in front yards.  The 2019 Rules amendment makes an exception for specific cottage homes with limited storage space.

 

4. Are there rules about nuisances and noise in New Town?  (Declaration Section 7.1(a) and (k), Rules Section II, Rule 26 and 27)

 

Yes, there are.  Residents may not use any New Town property including our common areas in a way that could reasonably cause “embarrassment, discomfort, or annoyance” of other owners.

 

5.  Can I use all or part of my home as an Air B&B? (Declaration Section 7.1(dd))

 

No.  Homes in New Town can only be leased for periods of 12 months or more.  Leasing owners must notify the Association of their new address and phone number along with information on their tenant (tenant name, work and home phone numbers and management company as applicable.)  Leases of less than 12 months are prohibited and properties cannot be used or occupied for transient or hotel purposes.  Owners are also responsible for ensuring that tenants abide by the Association’s governing documents and rules.

 

 

Generally, oral communications with the violator of NTRA rules resolves the problem.  If this is not successful, a formal violation process will be started with a letter sent to the homeowner.  If the violation continues, the offending homeowner will be invited to a hearing before the Board of Directors to explain the situation and offer any extenuating circumstances.  Charges may be assessed to mitigate any expense incurred by the NTRA and repair any damage resulting from the violation.  The Board of Directors may also fine a violator up to $50 dollars for a single violation or up to 10 dollars per day for continuing violations up to 30 days.