2009 Budget Approved
he
Budget meeting of the Fairlington Commons Council of Co-Owners was held on
Tuesday, December 9, 2008. Co-Owners from 87 of the Commons 229 units either
personally attended the meeting or submitted proxies for a quorum of 39%.
A
2009 budget of $811,000 was approved, with 75% of the represented Co-Owners
voting aye, 22% nay, and 3% abstaining. The budget reflects an increase in
assessments of 5%, in line with inflation. Condominium fees coupon books will
be mailed soon; if you don’t receive yours by December 31, please contact
Murphy & Associates at 703-370-9100.
Condominium fees should be mailed to Fairlington Commons at Dept. 79265,
Baltimore, Md. 21279-0265. Condominium
fees are published at: www.fairlington.org/commonsindex.htm
The major topic of
discussion at the meeting was the cost and appearance of manufactured versus
natural slate roofing. The Board also announced that it was competing the
grounds maintenance contract, and, in 2009, will compete the contracts for
painting and trash removal/recycling. Rules enforcement was also discussed.
Based on feedback from the
Co-Owners at the meeting, the Board will call a special meeting to further
discuss the issue of natural versus manufactured slate roofing. This special
meeting is tentatively scheduled for February. A formal notice with additional
information will be forthcoming in January.
Grounds
he Commons has signed new
contracts for landscaping and snow removal services with Somerset Landscaping
Company of Alexandria.
The Board solicited six
proposals and received five, of which three were competitive. The Board and
Grounds Committee Co-chairs Kate Clausen and Laura McPherson then met in
executive session with the two finalists to hear their presentations and ask
questions.
During reference checks with
existing customers, including Fairlington Green, the Board heard glowing
comments about Somerset. This positive experience of our neighbors was an
important element in our decision to select them as our grounds contractor
beginning January 1, 2009.
Somerset's bids were the
lowest. At a base price of $52,245.00, the landscaping contract is more than
$10,000 below the amount budgeted for 2009, with a final price to be determined
following decisions regarding contract options.
The Grounds Committee is
seeking your input! As a newly formed body, we are in the initial planning
stages for our grounds "greening" efforts, and we would like to hear
from you. A meeting is planned for January. Please contact Kate Clausen
(kateclausen@gmail.com) or Laura McPherson at (ljm2005@comcast.net) if you are
interested in participating.
Time to Winterize
f
you haven't already, please take the following steps to prevent burst pipes and
flooded basements this winter:
·
Disconnect all garden hoses.
·
Turn off faucet shutoff valves. (These are generally located under
kitchen sinks for rear faucets and inside a hatch in the basement ceiling for
front faucets.)
·
Open faucets to drain trapped water.
Postal Problems
ail has been coming later and
later, prompting Co-Owner questions. Shirlington Post Office officials tell us
that the facility has been downsized and is short-handed, that our previous
carrier bid a new route, and that carriers are now pulling two routes a day at
a time when volume is up due to the holiday. Please practice forbearance when
you interact with our new mail carrier.
If It Snows…
nd your car is parked in an
end space of our parking lots, please move it. This will allow our grounds crew
to push the white stuff over the curb farthest from the street. Your
cooperation in this matter is appreciated. Board members try to monitor the
snow and ice conditions, but need assistance from volunteers throughout the
Commons to keep us informed. Please
contact John Sinks if you’re willing to be part of a sidewalk/roads monitoring
team this winter.
Trash Talk
omplaints have recently been
received about storage of trashcans and recycling bins. Trashcans and recycling
bins are to be stored in your unit, patio, or on or under your deck. They are
not to be stored in front of your unit, beside the porch, behind shrubbery, or otherwise in the General Common
Element. Your cooperation is requested in maintaining the appearance of our
community through the appropriate storage of all personal items. Reminder: Due to the Christmas and New
Year holidays, recycling pickups will be December 27th and January
3rd.
Rules Enforcement
ew people like rules, but in
our case they help define expectations and promote harmony and a more pleasant
appearance throughout the Commons. Recently, the Board has had to take action
to assure compliance regarding satellite dishes, unauthorized signage,
neglected vehicles, parking, and use of the General Common Element for personal
storage. While we take such action with reluctance, the good of the community
requires that we enforce our rules. Please cooperate. If you have questions
about whether something you plan to do may violate our rules, check the Bylaws
on our website or contact any Board member.
Home & Garden Tour
he
biannual Fairlington Home and Garden Tour will be held Saturday, May 16, 2009
and is hosted by the Fairlington Historical Society (FHS) to benefit its many
functions. Funds raised from the tour
this year will go to two projects: producing the 3rd edition of Fairlington
at 50 and restoring the Fairlington model home display that was dismantled
during the renovation of the South Fairlington Community Center.
The
tour is an all-volunteer effort, and is seeking your help to develop a
database, create and/or illustrate a brochure or T-shirt, or work with a
printer. Since the FHS relies on
voluntary donations, persons to help with fund-raising are also needed. During the tour itself, house sitters will be
needed. To take part, please e-mail
Committee Co-chairs Sharon Bisdee and Marilyn Brazier at FHS2009Home@aol.com.
Sharon
and Marilyn are also seeking homes to be nominated. Several South Fairlington homeowners have already
offered their units for consideration.
Garden-only stops are also being sought.
It would be great to have a Commons’ property on the tour.
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Board of Directors
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President
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John Sinks
E-mail jsinks@comcast.net
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931-2660
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Vice President
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Christine Sivigny
E-mail CSivigny@hotmail.com
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Secretary
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Bernie Weaver
E-mail WeaverBW@comcast.net
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671-7024
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Treasurer
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Arvy Myers
E-mail Arvy.Myers@gmail.com
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At Large
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Jim Sharpe
E-mail grosharp@msn.com
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