Neglected in Southern Walk - Unruly Grass

Regardless if you are the only person with a specific issue or not, you should still voice your concerns. The HOA is there for ALL of us, as a community or individually.

 

Actually, I do not agree (not surprising, right?). There have been recent studies done recently where people much prefer "online" communication as opposed to voice mail or telephone. In fact, many companies are doing away with voice mail and giving the employees blackberrys. I believe there is a certain age group that (don't know the exact statistic, but let's say under age 38) will respond FASTER to an email than to a voice mail. I've tested this theory and more often than not the "non-real time" communication will get much faster results. Seriously, try emailing a 25 year old and they will get the text instantly on the BB and reply within minutes. Try that with a phone call.

Anyway, I think you would be surprised how fast information can be disseminated via the forum (and the internet in general). I think you will continue to see a trend where emergency notices, work orders, complaints, etc. all move toward instant messages, forums, and emails. Many banks, airlines, stores actually charge extra to talk to a "person". Try reaching Amazon customer service! It's not real time, but you can bet they would rather receive an email.

I understand that the HOA still uses the telephone, but the forum really is not a bad idea if you think about it. Maybe there should be a section just for HOA requests (maybe there already is one and I just don't know about it).

 

Noted. I'll keep it in mind for the future. The mindset probably carries over from my job as an informatics specialist, where when we make help requests to our vendor, it helps to have other client sites with similar issues chime in - strength on numbers... or, clarity from the masses if it's NOT the vendor's issue.

 

The money goes into our general fund. It hasn't been very much.

 

Enough for doughnuts?

Thanks for answering. Like others have said, I like seeing board members who are responsive and passionate about the community and working to keep Broadlands a nice place.
Thank you!

 

Yay, it was finally mowed! I agree with the marker suggestion -- homeowners can mark where areas need attention. I am very new to SW so I was not here when you used them in the past but I like the idea.

 

Agree. Cliff lambasts the poster for "snotty and snippy comments that don't exist in his world"...well now, pot meet kettle...

Cliff's 1st three posts were totally inappropriate.

 

Then don't plant them....frequent watering of new plantings is a must to ensure establishment.

If ya ain't gonna do it right, then don't bother.

 

And I'm sure you found the first post productive and appropriate.
Sorry I don't meet up to your standards.
And those type of comments only exist in the anonymous, on-line world. Never had someone act that way when their identity is known.
Maybe because I don't hide my comments behind anonymity, it bothers me a bit when other people launch tirades anonymously. Guess I'm a little too sensitive for the blogging world.
If you all want to criticize me for my comments or actions (and you can because you all know who I am when I post) that's okay.

 

Before markers start popping up everywhere, I would first suggest that if an area is missed, contact the HOA Office with the area. It might simply be educating a new mower of Common Area. If the same area is missed continuously, then some type of marking might be appropriate.

 

Thanks for offering up a solution. A few things, though.
What is the square footage of the area you are referring to? Can you go out and do a rough measurement?
Also, you need to do the following before laying sod:
1) Remove existing vegetation and loosen up the soil.
2) Remove rocks and other debris, level area, then install the sod.
3) Ensure the area is well watered for the first few months. Can't necessarily count on rain.
I'll get a price for this.

Then you have the ongoing problem....another drought could kill off the grass. To what extent and expense does the HOA go to keep Common Areas up to everyone's satisfaction?

We could spend hundreds of thousands per year on water trucks like Van Metre did for a few years. They stopped because of the cost. And that cost was just for the main roadways, not all the other smaller areas throughout.
Install irrigation lines? That would run several hundred thousand in annual maintenance, let alone the cost of installation and water/wells.

What about a special assessment for individual sections that want certain Common Areas redone? A house on Merion isn't going to see any benefit if the Common Area behind Fieldthorn looks nicer. Should the expense be spread out to everyone?

Just a few things to think about. The Annual Meeting is coming up in a few weeks. Feel free to come and express your thoughts.

 

Looked a little more into this. January through March was very dry, with precipitation well below normal....primarily due to very little snowfall.
April, on the other hand, which is mowing time, has had 1.26 inches more precipitation than normal.

 

They must be really backed up or low on manpower this year because our section was mowed over 2 weeks ago and not again since! Grass is over a foot long in our area once again.

 

We are in the Courtyard section of SW and they mowed yesterday. Hopefully today is your section.

 

I know they were working down your street last night, and we have 3 extra crews this year out and about. But with all the rain we had and now all the heat the grass and everything is just popping.

Staci

 

The grass also seems to be growing really fast right now. I normally don't need to mow my lawn twice in a week but I had to do so last week. Crazy.

 

It IS crazy this season! There are a couple areas in Broadlands North that don't appear to have been touched in quite some time. I got excited when I heard a mower yesterday but he was just going down the path, not mowing anything.

 

I just came back from a walk with the dogs & the grass along Ridgeway is taller than my tibetian spaniel who stands 9' tall. Its great HLS mowed the Courtyard homes near Larchmont yesterday - but they seem to forget the Courtyards on Sunstone. It has been 15+ days since they have mowed our street much less the common area.

 

They're here! Finally I'll be able to find my dog's poop buried in there somewhere!!! (Not looking forward to that though...)