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Message from the President
Greetings from 37,000
feet! As I sit here and type this, somewhere over
On
As an existing Board
member from last year, I would like to recognize all of the effort put forth by
our Treasurer, Seth Low and our Property Manager, Sher Opal in developing this
budget. There was a conscious effort made, on both of their parts, to strike a
balance between fiduciary responsibility and the needs of the community.
Judging from the responses of those residents who were present, I believe that
most were satisfied with their efforts as well.
During the Election of
Officers portion of the Annual meeting, David Biette and Gedeon Werner were elected
to fill the two available Board positions. They will be replacing Gordon Avery
and Shannon Watson. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank
both Shannon and Gordon for all of the hard work and years of service that
they provided to the
Fairlington Mews Community. This community has become a better place for all of
us to live as a result of their efforts, and I encourage each of you to express
your thanks when you see them.
Following the Annual
Meeting, in accordance with the Mews By-Laws, the newly elected Board members
gathered together to elect the officers for the coming year. The officers for
the upcoming year are: Rob Stewart, President; Gretchen Martin, Vice President;
Seth Low, Treasurer; David Biette, Secretary; and Gedeon Werner, At-Large. As
new officers, we had a brief discussion regarding the comments that we heard
during the general discussion portion of the Annual Meeting. A common thread
among a lot of the concerns raised by residents was a simple lack of communication.
As a Board, we all agreed that this can be improved. In addition, we agreed to
meet in August to develop a list of goals for the coming year. I would like for
us to be able to discuss these goals, and their associated action plans, before
the community during September’s Board meeting.
On an administrative
note, with the recent election of David Biette to the Board, David will be
stepping down as Chairman of the Recreation Committee. David has agreed to
remain the Chair of the Recreation Committee until the pool closes this fall.
However, it is important that we find a replacement as soon as possible. Anyone
who is interested in this opportunity should contact me at the email address
listed at the end of this column.
Finally, on behalf of
the newly elected Board of Directors, I would like to say how much we look
forward to serving this community in the year to come. We are a diverse group
of professionals that is committed to working to make the Mews the premier
neighborhood in all of Fairlington.
Have a safe and happy
August!
Rob Stewart
President, Fairlington
Mews
Click Here, Dude!
Fairlington
Web Site Resources
A reminder - A reminder - A reminder!!!
Yes, you’ve seen this information before. JUST DON’T FORGET IT - GET IT? Many of you already have visited and made
good use of this Community web site - www.fairlington.org.
Here are some helpful
links:
·
Mews Handbook http://www.fairlington.org/mewshand.htm
·
Board Minutes/Newsletters
http://www.fairlington.org/mewsindex.htm
Volunteers
At
Work
Landscape Committee
The
Landscape Committee would like to express our thanks to all of the residents
for their continued patience with our timid progress. The unusual wet
spring and continuing abnormal weather has been a challenge to say the least!
Plus we had some major budget cuts due to the winter snows.
We
were able to begin our planting plans this spring but unable to complete
them. For those we spoke to about future plantings, we apologize for not
being able to finish the project but do have them scheduled for fall planting.
In the meantime, we are working on some hardscaping projects, removal of
deadwood and mulching that should help toward preservation and promotion of
good health for many of our beloved trees.
We
had stated in an earlier publication that we would be doing a renovational
pruning in the spring. As you all are aware, the pruning did occur but
later than anticipated. It was our desire and direction that the pruning
attempt to respect and adhere to the natural shape of the shrubs. More
shearing seemed to dominate than expected. That means we have more
communication to do with the landscaping contractor!
For
all the trees and shrubs we were able to plant, (in case we should have a
shortage of rain!) please keep your eyes on the new items should they need
watering. If they appear thirsty and
have not had a good shower in three days, go ahead and give them a good drink.
This includes the trees along the street that were recently planted by
the City of Arlington.
Landscaping
in the community is always a work in progress but all and all, we think you
will agree our community is looking quite nice.
If
you are interested in joining the Landscape Committee, please contact Brenda
Camenzind (703) 671-1677 and inquire about the next meeting date.
Recreation
Committee
WATER AEROBICS: Jen Gardner leads a water aerobics class on
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. All are welcome,
residents and guests alike. Cost is $10/class, or $45 for a 5-class coupon good
all summer.
SWIM LESSONS: Private swim lessons
are available for children and adults. Please see the lifeguards to make
arrangements.
SOME REMINDERS FOR
THE POOL (Parents: make sure your
children see this section.)
•
SIGN IN. Please show your pass and sign
in the log book each time you use the pool—this is for young people with
a youth pass, too.. It helps us monitor the use and the busy hours. The pool is
for Mews Residents and their guests only and is available as part of our
monthly condo fee. (We were surprised last year to find people coming over from
North Fairlington to use our pool because they liked it better!)
•
FOOD. Arlington County health code
prohibits food in the pool area except on the grassy area. If you’re going to
snack, move to the tables on the grass.
•
LAP LANE. Please be mindful about
drifting and playing in the lap lane. Multiple swimmers should agree to take
one half of the lane or swim in a circle.
•
ADULT SWIM—QUIET TIME. On weekdays, adults (16 years
of age and up) will have priority between 7:00pm and 9:00pm. The thinking behind this is the younger set
will likely have been able to use the pool during the day and it gives adults a
chance to unwind. However, if the pool is not crowded, children may use the
pool quietly.
•
CHILDREN IN THE DEEP END. The lifeguards have asked us to
restrict the deep end to children who have passed a swim test. This is for
their own safety. This rule applies to all children under 12, including guests.
•
GUESTS. Guests of Mews residents are
welcome at the pool; discretion is encouraged, however, particularly at peak
usage times. The pool manager or lifeguards may restrict or suspend guest
privileges to prevent overcrowding. Guests must be accompanied by the
resident with a Recreation Pass; unaccompanied guests will not be admitted.
Requests for exceptions to this rule (for example, temporary house guests or
house-sitters) should be addressed to the Recreation Committee two weeks in
advance. Guests are subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to
residents: guest conduct is the host’s responsibility at all times.
•
GUESTS OF CHILDREN. Mews residents’ children aged 8
to 11 with a Youth Recreation Pass (having passed the swim test and written
parental permission to come to the pool unaccompanied) may bring an
unaccompanied guest provided that the guest child has passed the swimming test
and has written permission from her or his own parents to be at the pool
without the host adult. See the lifeguard for the permission form.
•
POOL RULES accompanied the Recreation Pass
application and are posted at the pool. They are also available on the web at
http://www.fairlington.org/2003PoolRules.htm
Please contact a committee member
if you have any questions.
The pool will close
officially on Labor Day, Monday, September 1st. If the weather looks good for
the week after Labor Day, we will work with World Pool to add another week to
the schedule.
POOL
HOURS
Monday through Friday
in season 12:00 noon to 9:00pm
Saturday and Sunday,
10:00am to 9:00pm
School Days: 3:30pm to
7:30pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)
1:00pm to 7:30pm
(Wednesday)
3:30pm to 9:00pm
(Friday)
Questions?
Problems? Please address any questions to the Recreation
Committee, in care of Ann Timmons and David Biette, e-mail MewsRec@biette.com or telephone
703-820-9589. The Committee will refer issues to the board of directors as
necessary.
Stairwell Refurbishment
- NEW UPDATES!!!
This
project commenced on July 21st. Certified letters were sent to each owner
with a new mailbox key and mailbox name tags. Once the mailboxes are installed,
the painters will follow and then the carpet installers. Look for the
schedule for your particular stairwell, so you can set up time to have your
door painted in the open position.
Update: Carpet installation will not commence until September 2nd
and will take approximately 3 weeks to complete.
After
this work is done, new light fixtures will be installed as well as needed fire
extinguishers/cabinets and new door knockers/kick plates for each unit door. We
are all very excited to see this project begin and hope you enjoy your new
stairwells. Anticipate completion by the end of September.
Board
Minutes
Highlights
Complete, detailed Mews Board Minutes can be found on the
Fairlington Web Site at the Mews Home Page:
www.fairlington.org/mewsindex.htm
March 25, 2003
- Judith
Guerny – Speaking on behalf of Susan Yakey and Steve Irmo, submitted a
request to improve the parking lot drainage for Court 9
- Shannon
Watson extended thanks to Ron Patterson and Tom Corbin for their efforts
in developing, printing and distributing the Mews Newsletter.
- Seth
Low reported that the current budget showed a $45,230 surplus but
cautioned that the fees to cover the cost of snow removal in February had
not all been received
- Brenda
Camenzind reported that the Landscape Committee was starting Phase I of a
long-term plan for the replacement and removal of shrubs and she asked
that the Landscape Budget be reserved in order to support this effort.
Brenda also reported that she was expecting a proposal for this work,
which would be covered under her budget, and she asked that the Board
approve the work so that planting could begin as soon as possible. A
motion was made to conditionally approve this work unless, after reviewing
the details of this work, objection was registered through email. The
motion passed unanimously.
- Chairman
David Biette reported that he submitted the Rule and Regulations for the
Pool and Tennis Courts for 2003. The Rules and Regulations were approved
unanimously.
- Jennifer
Birtwhistle reported that she had recently met with residents for comments
on the preliminary stairwell designs. Jennifer presented samples of
carpet, wallpaper and paint that she proposed would be used for the
renovations along with rough estimates for the work. Jennifer requested
that the Board provide approval for her to solicit formal bids for
completing the work. The Board approved the request unanimously.
- A
motion was made to adopt the Management Committee’s recommended guidelines
for performance review of Management. The motion passed unanimously.
- Sher
Opal reported that the previously approved roofing contractor, P.J.
McTavish, had failed to supply proof of ownership of the necessary
Virginia State Contractors License. For 2003, roofing work will be
performed by the James Walls Contracting Company, Inc.
- Jerry
Dieruf, Dieruf Landscape – Sher Opal reported on the status of a disputed
invoice for $467.50. Sher presented that the amount was excessive for the
work performed. The Board unanimously agreed to provide half payment in
the amount of $233.75 in order to settle the dispute.
- Sewer
Pipe Liners - Sher Opal Presented a proposal for having the sewer pipes
lined to help eliminate further drainage problems. Sher reported that in
order to receive the special price of $90/ft, we should submit a joint
proposal with Fairlington Green. Sher recommended to the Board that the
Mews commit $50,000 for this work in 2003.
·
Court
9 Drainage Repair – A joint request was submitted on behalf of the residents of
4654, 4652, 4650, 4648 and 4646 South 34th Street which called for
the repairs to the parking lot and side walk drainage to prevent flooding of
the above mentioned units. Sher Opal presented the Board with a proposal from
Donaldson and Sons for $8816.00 to complete the work. A motion was made to
accept the proposal. The motion passed unanimously.
April 29, 2003
- Home
Owners Forum: Gene Guerny – Expressed concern
regarding use of the basketball hoop by non-residents. The issue was
referred to the Recreational Committee. Janice Peters – As a lamplighter,
Janice expressed concern regarding the overall condition of the carriage
lamps throughout the Mews property.
- Tom
Corbin submitted several proposals on behalf of the Landscaping Committee
for the removal and replacement of a variety of trees and shrubs
throughout the Mews property. The combined costs of these proposals were
$10,700, which was within the Landscaping Committee’s budget. A motion was
made to approve the work requested with the stipulation that all co-owners
affected must be notified in advance of any work. The motion passed
unanimously.
- Tom Corbin reported that the
Mews Newsletter would be distributed the first Saturday in May.
- Jennifer
Birtwhistle reported that she had recently held a community meeting
regarding the proposed renovation of the stairwells. Jennifer presented
the Board with a detailed estimate of $73,416 to complete the proposed
work. Seth Low stated that $30,000 had been allocated to the common
elements replacement reserve budget to cover such expenses. The Board
approved the proposal unanimously.
- Josh Winicki reported that
the Trash Committee was reviewing two proposals, one from Waste
Management, the other one from Capitol Services for providing trash
service at the Mews. Once the information is compiled, the Trash Committee
will present the information for comments by Mews residents in a public
forum. Invitations will be sent by mail. Following the public forum, a
recommendation will then be presented to the Board during the May meeting.
- Gutter
Replacement – Sher Opal presented the Board with a proposal for $6,197 to
install Leafguard Gutter Systems on the new roofs which are under contract
to be replaced this year in Court 6. The Board approved the request
unanimously.
- FY2003
/ 2004 Audit Preparation Engagement Agreement – Sher Opal presented the
Board with a proposal from Goldklang, Cavanaugh & Associates for
auditing the Balance Sheets and preparing the Tax Returns for the next
fiscal year. The proposal for $2755 was approved unanimously.
- Painting
Contract – Sher Opal presented the Board with a proposal from Palmer
Brothers to provide exterior painting services for the Mews facilities.
The proposal for approximately $30,000 per year represents a significant
savings over the previous contract. The Board approved the proposal
unanimously.
Timely
Tips
By Sher Opal
Management Agent Representative
Often
owners ask me what common area expenses are included in their condo fees, but
rarely do they ask me what is not included in the fees that are their
responsibility. Here is a list of these items:
- Outside water
faucets servicing their unit which control the cut-off valve.
- Any plumbing,
electrical, cable or telephone line servicing their unit, whether inside
the wall, outside the unit, or in the unit.
- All windows, doors
& door hardware servicing their unit, except for routine painting of
doors and wooden windows performed every 3 years.
- Outside light
fixtures controlled by their switches.
- Back to back kitchen
sink back ups – owners should jointly share cost.
- Water intrusion
problems below ground level.
- Back yard
maintenance – fence repairs performed by Association.
- Any trash to be
picked up that was put out at the wrong time or any special (large items,
e.g.) pick up needs to be arranged in advance
Reminders -
Plantings
in Mews Common
Areas!
Residents are reminded that ALL plantings in the commons areas are the property of the Mews
Condominium Association co-owners. The
following regulations govern plant materials in common areas and should be
followed by residents:
- Residents
who assume the responsibility for maintaining front/side beds near their
units agree to weed, feed, deadhead, and mulch the beds. The Board of Directors may ask the
grounds contractor to remove plant materials which are neglected by the
resident.
- Residents
need to complete the flower bed waiver form distributed in the spring to
agree to maintenance of their beds.
Forms are available at http://www.fairlington.org/flowerbedwaiver.htm
and are kept on file by the grounds committee.
- Residents
must install a red reflector in such flower beds.
- Extensions
to existing beds, additions of borders or trellises require a variance
from the Board of Directors.
- The
Mews Board also will consider requests for replacement or REMOVAL of
shrubs.
- No
landscaping changes may be made to the common areas without the Board’s
approval. (Chap. 8, #2, “Welcome Handbook”)
- Container
plants (in pots or hanging baskets) must not obstruct pedestrian traffic,
must be on the owner’s side, and the planters and containers must be well
kept and watered.
- BRICK
borders around existing bedding areas may be installed provided the bed is
adjacent to the residence; the bed is continuously enclosed by common red
bricks (matching the color brick of the units’ walls); and the brick is
uniform in a saw tooth pattern or flush to the surface. Maximum height of
the border is 2.5 inches (Chap. 9, B 12, “Welcome Handbook”)
NOTE: Other edging materials require a variance before
installation.
Summer Gardening
Tips
It is not too late to put out summer annuals if you have
barren spots in your garden. Those
annuals that thrive on the heat and humidity include: ornamental sweet potato
vine, coleus, lantana, begonia, petunia, melampodium (varieties such as
‘Derby’, ‘Million Gold’, and ‘Lemon Delight’) and gloriosa daisies.
Regular deadheading (removing spent flowers), watering,
and fertilizing will keep your plants blooming into the fall. When annuals become “leggy” and look unkempt,
reduce the plant by one third to one half, and apply a light application of a
quick acting liquid fertilizer such as Peters or Miracle Grow (always follow
the product’s directions). Some perennials will repeat bloom if sheared after
their initial bloom. Applying a slow release fertilizer (such as Osmocote) when
you plant will also keep your plants happy.
Do not pinch chrysanthemums at this time as they will set
buds soon.
Divide early blooming perennials as needed after they
have completed their blooming interval.
Remember fall is the time to plant spring bulbs. The “little bulbs” such as grape hyacinth and
crocus are planted in September. Plant daffodils
in early October,, and tulips may be planted up until Thanksgiving if the
ground does not freeze. If you catalogue
shop, order now for delivery at the proper planting time.
Pruning spring flowering shrubs at this time will remove
their buds for spring flowering, so do not prune!
Gardening fans will want to check out the magazine Virginia
Gardener Magazine which has many features just for this area. There is a website www.vagardener.com.
