Town Crier Articles

What’s the deal with these signs?
Posted on September 1, 2024 6:45 AM by Eden Glenn
For many of us in New Town, our porch may be a sunny place for potted plants, a dry place for Amazon deliveries, or a comfortable space to sit and relax.  Porches have been around for many years, but they started to really take off in the 19th century in America as a means of extending the inside of a house to the outside.  Porches contributed to the sense of community, as neighbors gathered together in the evenings, especially in the summer months to escape the indoor heat.
 
Not every residence in New Town is fortunate to have a porch large enough for socializing, but there is a role every resident can play in building a sense of community nevertheless.  On the second Saturday of each month, porches throughout New Town become the focal point for food donations.  Non-perishable food items are left on porches (by 9 AM) for volunteers to collect and deliver to local food pantries.  It’s a simple process that has a profound impact on addressing hunger in our greater Williamsburg community.
 
New Town is participating in these monthly food drives through PORCH Communities, a grass roots organization focusing on hunger relief.  The organization coordinates over 2,000 volunteers representing 550 communities, across 10 states.  In the two months since New Town joined PORCH, volunteers in green shirts have collected 1,243 pounds of food from New Town porches. This just proves that neighborhoods such as ours don’t need large, wrap-around covered porches to create a sense of community.
 
When you see the green PORCH signs go up each month, please remember the role porches have played in bringing people together in building community and help us put our porches to good use in bringing New Town together to fight hunger.
 
Mark your calendars, the next PORCH food drives will be September 14, October 12, November 9 and December 14.
Closing Out the 2024 Pool Season with Our August Pool Party
Posted on September 1, 2024 6:45 AM by NTRA Activities Committee
 
In the days before our last pool party of the summer, we had an amazing week of weather with temperatures in the seventies, a welcome relief from the beastly August heat.  Saturday, August 24, it was a bit warmer, low eighties and sunny, but the pool water after that unseasonably cool weather, was definitely chilly.  Normally the pool is a popular spot on July and August Saturday mornings. Young families, with antsy kids ready to get some energy out, arrive at the pool for the early 10:00 opening.  But this Saturday, at 12:00pm when the pool party was scheduled to begin, Activities Committee members, who had tables piled with pizza, watermelon, and dessert and had created plans for water games, looked around anxiously at the virtually empty pool site.  Only one small group of four residents huddled under an umbrella. 
 
 
But, before the Committee could start thinking about plans for all that excess food, residents began streaming through the gates, with over 60 attending.  This pool party featured eating and visiting more than swimming, although some brave souls took to the water, but not enough for the planned pool games.  Still kids enjoyed playing with beach balls bought for the games, other folks played cornhole, and residents Nathaniel David and Susan Byrne won $25 gift certificates, courtesy of the New Town Commercial Association.  Others, like a new Shirley Park family with a three-year old daughter, learned more about our community and met some neighbors.  
 
The pool closes after Labor Day, but please join the Activities Committee at its next major event, the Fall Fest on Saturday, October 5 (rain date Sunday, Oct. 6) at 2:00 at Village Walk.
 
Check out more fun photos of our 2024 pool parties at our latest photo album:  2024 Pool Party Fun.
 
Live Music Featured at July New Town Poolside Social
Posted on August 1, 2024 6:57 AM by NTRA Activities Committee
 
The New Town Residential Association Activities Committee hosted a Social at the community pool on the evening of Friday, July 19 which drew over seventy residents.  They brought their favorite adult beverages and enjoyed a variety of delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts.  The  temperate weather with low humidity was a welcome relief from the sweltering heat of the last weeks. Conversation flowed easily as neighbors caught up and met new residents.  Adding a special touch to this event was live music provided by  Joe Duggan, who sang a variety of  favorite songs in a mellow voice, which made a beautiful evening  even more special. We look forward to welcoming Joe back to our future socials.
           
Our next event is a pizza pool party on August 24 at 12:00, rain date Sunday, August 25.  We are adding a new touch to this season’s last pool event,  games, races and prizes for adult and kids!!  We hope to see you there for all the fun. 
 
   
 
   
 
Preparing for Emergency Sheltering
Posted on August 1, 2024 6:56 AM by NTRA Emergency Preparedness Committee
 
In an emergency are you prepared to take shelter in a designated community facility? 
 
Where should I go?
 
Because New Town is within James City County, New Town residents will be sheltering at facilities to be announced at the time of the emergency event.  Per our JCC Emergency Management Planner, those facilities may be a number of local schools and he recommends that in an emergency, individuals heed communications from JCC regarding shelter locations and their hours of operation. Another possible option may be what was described as “Power & Shower,” during which non-city residents may be able to go to a Williamsburg city shelter to power their personal devices and take a shower.             
 
When New Town residents take shelter, the sheltering guidance provided for Williamsburg city residents will also be applicable to New Town residents. The most current guidance may be found at https://www.williamsburgva.gov/210/City-Shelter.  Here is an abbreviated version (as of July 2024).     
 
What should I bring?
 
Be prepared to take shelter for approximately 1 – 2 days and bring the following in sufficient quantities for a stay of that length:  
  • Food, 
  • Special Dietary Foods, 
  • Manual Can Opener, 
  • Change of Clothing,
  • Sleeping Bag and Pillow, 
  • Personal Care Items,
  • Medications and First-Aid Supplies,
  • Important Papers,
  • Key Information, and
  • Miscellaneous items to include cell phones and chargers.     
The shelter will be staffed by medical personnel to assist medically-dependent persons to maintain their status during the emergency.  Those who are oxygen-dependent should bring extra oxygen. 
 
The shelter will accommodate service animals. As a pet-friendly shelter, there are limited accommodations for household pets (cats and dogs, no exotic animals).  Pet owners must bring: any pet medications, collar/leash, pet crate, pet food, proof of rabies vaccination, water and food bowls.
 
New Town’s Monthly Food Drive Off to a Great Start
Posted on August 1, 2024 6:55 AM by Eden Glenn
 
Last month, 51 homes in New Town donated 550 pounds of non-perishable food. Donations were left on front porches and collected and delivered to Williamsburg House of Mercy for its food pantry. Contributions by neighborhood were as follows: Abbey Commons 40 pounds, Chelsea Green 35 pounds, Charlotte Park townhomes 40 pounds, Charlotte Park detached homes 231 pounds, Village Wall 111 pounds, and Shirley Park, 93 pounds.
 
New Town is participating in monthly food drives through PORCH, a grass-roots organization focused on addressing food insecurity in communities across the US.  Next month’s drive will take place on Saturday, August 10th with donations going to FISH.  Look for an e-blast that week indicating what food items FISH needs the most for its food pantry.  Place donations by your front door by 9 AM and PORCH volunteers (all residents of New Town) will pick up and deliver to FISH.
 
Thank you, New Town, for giving back to the greater Williamsburg community through your generous donations. Remember, we collect on the 2nd Saturday of the month, so consider getting in the habit of putting a bag on your porch for those in need. 
 
Salzman Trail Signs Installed
Posted on August 1, 2024 6:50 AM by Jack Espinal, Board President
 
 
Early this spring Larry Salzman, one of the driving forces behind New Town's development, had the remaining portions of the extensive trail system throughout New Town deeded over to the New Town Residential Association (NTRA).  When he passed away the NTRA Board decided to name the trail system in his honor.  As reported last month, Robert Dennis, Charlotte Park, volunteered to create signs and place them at multiple locations along the trail system with arrows pointing to our various neighborhoods. These signs have now been installed at locations approved by the Board.  Made from cedar and finished with marine grade varnish the signs are a great addition to our wonderful trail system and you can see Bob's true woodworking craftsmanship. They will give direction to new users of our trails.  Please thank Bob for his volunteer efforts when you see him in our community.
 
 
Addition Underway to the New Town Commercial Area
Posted on August 1, 2024 6:47 AM by Town Crier Staff
 
Curious about the construction next to The Pointe at New Town apartments?  
 
A development of 14 townhomes is under construction at this location. This ABVA development will be part of the New Town Commercial Association (NTCA). The area is Block 18 of New Town Section 6 (Parcel 3911500012) – 4385 New Town Avenue. These townhome residences will form a new Northeastern boundary for New Town.
 
Music Returns to Sullivan Square This Fall
Posted on August 1, 2024 6:45 AM by New Town Commercial Association (NTCA)
 
Save these dates and plan your evening of musical entertainment.
 
 
Look for more details later this summer on the NTCA website: https://newtownwilliamsburg.com
Summer Fun Continues at the New Town Pool
Posted on July 1, 2024 7:00 AM by NTRA Activities Committee
 
Despite a delayed opening, the 2024 pool season is now off to a great start! Seventy-five neighbors participated in the Saturday, June 15 pool party and finished off twenty pizzas in short order, as well as enjoying watermelon and homemade cookies and bars. The weather and the water temperature were perfect and everyone from toddlers to teens splashing and jumping about, parents, grandparents, young couples and seniors enjoyed the water or poolside socializing. Octovia Wyman of Town Creek won the raffle for a gift certificate provided by the New Town Commercial Association.  More raffles to come at all our events.
 
The Activities Committee wants to send a shout out to the whole crew of Activities Committee member Terri Finn’s Shirley Park neighbors, who volunteered during the pool party, helping to make everything go smoothly.
 
Our next event is a Poolside Social on Friday, July 19.  Joe Duggan from the Williamsburg band, Joe’s Day Off, which covers country, rock and oldies, will be providing live music.  You are welcome to take a dip in the pool, participate in a fun ice breaker, or just enjoy the company. There will be several raffles, appetizers and desserts.
     
Finally, look for details on Family Pool Volleyball, one evening each week, if enough folks want to play. It is pure fun, no experience necessary and we use a light ball.  
 
 
 
   
Home Exterior Inspections Begin This Month
Posted on July 1, 2024 6:58 AM by Everett Lunsford, Board Member
Submitted as Board Liaison to Asset Management Committee
 
Hello NTRA Neighbors!
 
Recently the 2024 home exterior inspection schedule was sent to NTRA residents signaling the start of the annual inspection process. This is your association’s way of ensuring all the homes are kept beautiful, making everyone proud of New Town and the area in which we live and play. The program was designed and adopted by the Board in 2018 to maintain the curb appeal of NTRA homes and the overall property values for all invested in New Town.
 
Chesapeake Bay Management Company, assisted by members of the NTRA Asset Maintenance Committee, will begin inspecting all home exteriors starting around July 18th in Village Walk. These inspections will proceed neighborhood by neighborhood to make sure all homes are up to standards reflected in the HOA Master Declaration and Rules and Regulations (available on the NTRA website). The goal is for all homes to be inspected no later than October 31, 2024.
 
Follow-up inspections for any locations with identified deficiencies will be conducted in each neighborhood after a 30-day period to allow for repair.
 
The inspection schedule is:
  • Village Walk – Thursday, July 18, 2024
  • Charlotte Park – Thursday, August 1, 2024
  • Shirley Park – Thursday, August 22, 2024
  • Chelsea Green – Thursday, September 12, 2024
  • Savannah Square – Thursday, September 26, 2024
  • Abbey Commons – Thursday, October 10, 2024
Note: These dates are all weather dependent.
 
Please review the areas we will be inspecting as shown in the 2023 revised Self-Checklist for Owner Inspection of Homes (so you can make any repairs necessary prior to the inspection.)  
Note for Village Walk -- while most exterior surfaces of Village Walk homes are the NTRA’s responsibility to maintain, there are items which are solely a homeowner responsibility. Consult the Village Walk Maintenance Responsibilities Chart.
 
What do I do if I receive a deficiency notice? If you receive a notice, respond with your “plan of correction” within two weeks. Violations come in all forms and the inspection checklist is on the NTRA website. The AMC also has compiled a list of vendors other owners have used in the past for repairs/maintenance. Being realistic, not all violations can be cured in a short period of time. The important thing to remember here is to provide your “plan of correction” to Chesapeake Bay Management (ntraadmin@1cbm.com) as soon as your plan is worked out. A plan could be as simple as,
“I power washed the front of my house and the deficiency is corrected. I am in compliance.”
“I am researching house painters and obtaining bids. I will advise you by ____ (date)”
It is up to you, the homeowner, to maintain communication with Chesapeake Bay Management on progress being made to cure the deficiency.
 
Please understand that failure to communicate your plans and actions to correct inspection deficiencies can result in fines for not keeping your property in accordance with the NTRA requirements.
 
If you have any questions, please contact the Chesapeake Bay Management Office.
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