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Tall Grass

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by napper, Apr 19, 2013.

  1. napper

    napper New Member

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    Hi, I'm wondering if the grass along Vestals Gap and Demott will be cut soon. I've never seen the grass so high. And a warning to dog walkers, check for ticks. My dog has one or two crawling on her every time we get back from our walk!
     
  2. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Napper, best thing to do is to call the HOA office and let them know. They will in turn let HLS know. Thanks!
     
  3. napper

    napper New Member

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    Will do, thanks!
     
  4. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    I'll also follow-up later today if I can get out of my meetings ;-)
     
  5. napper

    napper New Member

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    Awesome, thanks!
     
  6. smheese

    smheese New Member

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    Also have tall (and very weed ridden) common area grass on Cattail Meadows.
     
  7. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    I believe HLS should get to it this week. Contact the HOA office and let them know if you don't see any progress.

    Keep in mind that grass 'popped' everywhere this week, and HLS can't get to everything in one day. Thanks!
     
  8. Mr Rogers

    Mr Rogers Active Member

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    I called the HOA. "They are trying their best". I wonder if the covenants apply to common areas as well as homeowner land? Can I use this excuse if my lawn gets long? Can I say, "My landscape company is just swamped. They are trying their best!"

    It seems that HLS gets overwhelmed every Spring in the 11 years that I have lived here. Perhaps it is time for a new contractor.
     
    chris67 likes this.
  9. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Mr Rogers, while I can understand your frustration, I don't believe it's a fair assessment of the situation. Every Spring, we get the same complaints from some residents about the common areas, who somehow expect a development as large as Broadlands to instantly have all common areas taken care of in a matter of a day or two. While that could be done, the Board doesn't believe that such an expense would be well received by our residents. If you believe that more should be spent on common area maintenance and that you are okay with either increasing our monthly dues, or reducing other services (or a combination of both), then I urge you to take a look at our budget and let us know how you would do things differently. Our monthly HOA Board meetings are open to all residents and we are always very happy and eager to hear from our residents.

    I, as a Board member, believe that HLS is doing a great job, as do many residents who have expressed their satisfaction over the years, both publicly such as on these forums, as well as directly to HOA staff, Board members, etc.

    In regards to your comment about using an excuse such as "My landscape company is just swamped. They are trying their best!", I believe we give our residents more than enough time to rectify an issue that is identified. In many circumstances, residents have approached the Board requesting more time based on things such as travel, etc. Additionally, you as a resident are responsible for quite a smaller amount of land as opposed to all common areas in Broadlands. You can easily deal with your lawn in an afternoon, but there are greater logistics involved when dealing with things at a community level.

    Residents inform us of areas that need attention, and HOA staff do their best to coordinate with HLS to get the situation rectified. In fact, when the original poster in this thread contacted the HOA regarding the tall grass, HLS was able to take care of the issue the next day I believe. We're happy to work with our residents to get issues resolved; I would hope that this is a two way street and that residents work with us. A little bit of patience and understanding goes a long way.
     
  10. Mr Rogers

    Mr Rogers Active Member

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    I worked as a General Manager for a Municipal Golf Course that was over 340 acres. Our budget for grounds, which included snow removal and the maintainance of 12 acres at green height 1/4", 30 acres at fairway height of 1/2", and roughs at 2-3" was $450,000 / year. This included the green keeper's salary and benefits of more than $120,000 / year.

    If I could figure out how to post a picture, I took one of the grass on Chickacoan. The average height is well over 8" and their are sections over 20". If my super had let any part of the course get to this point, he'd be collecting unemployment.

    Every year, it is the same story. I cannot imagine how the performance our landscaper pleases you. If this was the grass in front of the HOA Building, heads would be rolling. If it was my lawn, I'd get a letter and perhaps a fine.
     
    chris67 likes this.
  11. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    In a previous post you indicated you called the HOA office to report this - when did you call and who did you speak to? I'll be happy to follow up with HOA staff to determine what the status is for you.
     
  12. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Mr Rogers has passion over this issue. I see an opportunity. Maybe he could volunteer to look at other Landscaping companies that can manage Broadlands, get some bids, and get a written assurance built into the contract that all grass, at all times, will never exceed 6 inches in height.
    I could be wrong , but I think that requirement will result in zero bids.

    I also spent years working golf course grounds maintenance. That is a piece of cake compared to managing the grounds of a residential community with scores of small, disjointed pieces of property. Plus doing the individual maintenance for hundreds of homes.
     
  13. Mr Rogers

    Mr Rogers Active Member

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    Cliff,

    I would be happy to ask for bids from other commercial landscaping companies. I can only imagine that the ones that maintain retail spaces, medical complexes and other businesses are at least as disjointed as a subdivision.

    And I am not worried about 6". If was an average of 10" with many clumps well over 20". These areas had not been mowed a single time and it was the beginning of May.

    I just believe that it should NOT be the job of residents to point out gross neglect to the management. It should be primarily taken care of by the contractor,and secondarily the HOA management should make weekly trips through the entire property to see how everything looks. Not just the mowing areas, but the paths, homes, roads, etc.
     
  14. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Well, I disagree with your statement. I think it IS our responsibility to let the HOA know when things need attention.
    We have over 1800 acres and 3400 residential units, many miles of trails, numerous tot lots, pools, community buildings, etc.
    I'm curious how big of a staff you think we need and how often you think all of these things need to be inspected. I don't want to pay for a staff of 20 because the grass gets long in the spring.
    That being said, if you did call, speak to the HOA and point out the specific area that needs attention, they should have been able to provide you with a timeframe when the issue would be addressed.

    Lastly, when you get your bids, make sure to get your required guarantee..."At no time will any grass anywhere on the property ever get over 10 inches tall."
     
  15. Mr Rogers

    Mr Rogers Active Member

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    You are silly. Maybe as silly as me. I have to get some work done.
     
  16. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Silly is as silly does. (To paraphrase Forrest Gump).
    Noticed the HLS workers out mowing and blowing in the rain today.
     
  17. Redolant

    Redolant New Member

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    There's long grass everywhere! its crazy... but I better weed my fenced in private back yard though!
     
  18. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Here is a thought, take care of YOUR yard and quit beeotching about grass that is longer somewhere else.
     
  19. Redolant

    Redolant New Member

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    Here's a thought, take your own advice and mind your own business. This is a forum and I can make comments if I wish to.
     
  20. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    As can I.

    and again, why worry about mowing grass you do not have to. Take care of your own business and stop looking for excuses to not do so.
     

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