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Message from the President
Dear Mews Owners and
Residents,
One of the reasons I like living in Fairlington so
much, and I suppose one of the reasons I decided to seek a seat on the Mews
board of directors, is that I like the sense of community here. We don’t live
on two-acre lots far from each other—we live right next to each other and we
share common spaces and common amenities. I’m even proud to say that I’ve never
owned a lawnmower!
I am reminded of a former next door neighbor, an
older somewhat infirm woman whom we rarely saw. When we did see her, though,
she was quick to point out how much she loved living in Fairlington because it
had older people, babies, young single people, children of all ages, people who
worked regular jobs, people who worked irregular hours. It was a real
community, she said, and she wouldn’t have wanted to live anywhere else.
Just seeing the incredible activity on Halloween
shows what kind of community we have here in Fairlington. Residents sit on
stoops to welcome neighborhood children—and others—who see this as a welcoming,
safe area. Even adults get involved, some offering chili to grown-ups
accompanying children, others enjoying the activity and looking out for
trick-or-treaters.
MEWS CALENDAR
·
Jan
7/Feb 4 Large Item Trash Pick Up
·
Jan 24 - Mews
Board of Directors - South Fairlington Community Center @ 7:00 PM
·
Feb 27- Mews
Board of Directors - South Fairlington Community Center @ 7:00 PM
I think that this reflects
Arlington County’s vision: “Arlington will be a diverse and inclusive
world-class urban community with secure, attractive residential and commercial
neighborhoods where people unite to form a caring, learning, participating,
sustainable community in which each person is important.”
But community doesn’t just happen,
we have to try sometimes to make it work. Given where we live near the nation’s
capital, given the events of September 11th, and the recent natural disasters
on the Gulf coast, we ought to give thought to how we work together as a
neighborhood and as a community, and with each other.
Craig Wagner (Court 14) sent me an article from the
Post this fall, one that I had highlighted myself. I excerpt part of it here:
As we saw with hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, we need
to be able to take care of ourselves in our neighborhoods for the first 72
hours after a disaster. Emergency personnel will be overwhelmed, and
disruptions in electrical supply and in communications can make it impossible
to get accurate information immediately. All of us can improve our preparation
through participation in community emergency response teams.
Pioneered in the Los Angeles area for earthquakes,
these teams have shown that providing training and making neighborhood
connections can improve response. We need to get better acquainted with our
neighbors. Who’s got a generator? Who needs electricity for a ventilator? We
need to be able to assess needs and resources and do some preliminary matches
for the first few hours before first responders can reach us.
I hope that disaster preparation will remind us
again that we are tied together in networks of mutual and reciprocal
responsibilities. Let’s not wait for a hurricane or other disaster to work on
the social networks that can make all the difference.
(letter to the Washington Post, Oct. 8, 2005)
This letter raises many questions that each of us
should consider, as well as others which the Mews board of directors and the
entire community ought to debate.
Arlington County has extensive information on
emergency preparedness, with a link direct from the homepage
(http://www.co.arlington.va.us). Additionally, the National Capital Region has
extensive information at http://www.makeaplan.org. I urge you to take a look at
this information. Keep in mind, too, that events don’t always happen when we’re
at home.
Personal preparedness is important, but so is
reaching out to neighbors who might need extra help in an emergency. Get to
know your neighbors better; see if anyone might need help when the electricity
goes out (which thankfully is relatively rare in Fairlington) or when the water
goes out (which happened in early November to some residents near 34th and
Wakefield).
See what you can do to become more active in the
community!
With best wishes for the holidays and 2006,
David Biette
President
Community Issues
Towing in the Mews
Over recent months there have been a few towing
incidents in the Mews, so we’d like to take this opportunity to clarify the
Mews Towing Policy. Many of us have come across situations where someone is
parked in our assigned space or in an illegal spot. While this can be a frustrating
experience, we’d like to encourage everyone in the Mews to be a good
neighbor—towing should only be requested as a last resort.
The only folks that have authority to approve a
towing request are Members of the Board of Directors and Legum & Norman,
the management company. The towing company has been informed of this policy and
will only respond to requests from these sources. Contact information can be
found on the back of the Mews Newsletter and on the website.
If someone is parked in your spot or an illegal
spot, if possible please try to determine who they are or who they are visiting
to ask them to move their car. If alternative parking is available, leave a
note on their car. If there is no other option, please call one of the Board
Members or Legum & Norman to address the situation.
On Trash
·
Please
do not put your trash out the night before trash pick-up. When animals and birds get
into the trash, it makes quite a mess.
·
One way to discourage squirrels from rooting through your
trash: spray the inside of your trash bag with a diluted ammonia
solution (1 part clear ammonia to 4 or 5 parts water in a spray bottle) before
you set the trash out. This has proven very effective at keeping squirrels out.
·
Construction Trash. Do not put out construction trash from
construction work at your unit. Our trash contractor does NOT pick up this
debris, even if it is left on the curb. You and your contractor are responsible
for safely disposing of construction trash. If the condominium has to have the
trash removed, you will be billed for its removal.
Home Renovations
Are you considering interior renovations to your
unit? Remodeling your bathrooms? Updating your kitchen? In most cases, you will
need a variance from the Mews board of directors AND a building permit from the
county.
There are some “blanket” variances (window
replacement, replacement of plumbing fixtures equivalent to those already
installed, installation or removal of lighting fixtures).
Variances must be requested for major modifications,
which include but are not limited to:
·
Partial or total removal of
walls, floors, or partitions
·
Modifications to plumbing (new
tub, reworking shower plumbing, etc.)
·
Electrical modifications
requiring changes in circuit breaker alignment
·
Installation of fireplaces or
stoves which require flues or external vents
·
Any modification affecting
roofs or foundations.
Major structural changes to a unit interior
(removing or moving interior walls, for example) may require the acquisition of
a statement from a structural engineer, to be obtained at co-owner expense,
attesting to the compatibility of the change to the building structure.
For more information, see the sections of the Mews
Handbook (section 9, “Variances”), or look it up on the web at
http://www.fairlington.org/mewshand.htm.
You should also check Arlington County’s web site,
http://www.co.arlington.va.us/Departments/CPHD/isd/CPHDIsdPermitRequired.aspx,
to see when a permit is required. In most cases, if you need a building permit,
you need a variance.
It is important that plumbing and electrical work is
done correctly. Our units are connected to each other and work should not have
any effect on adjacent units, or endanger others (for example, shoddy
electrical work which could cause a fire).
When choosing your contractor, do your homework.
There has been a discussion in recent issues of The All Fairlington Bulletin
of a certain contractor who has done inferior work, leaving the homeowner high
and dry with incomplete work.
Water and Sewer
Did
you know that one of the Mews’ largest annual expenses is for water and sewer?
Water and sewer service is included as part of your monthly condo fee. Recent
increases in the county’s water/sewer rates are in part responsible for the
recent increase in the Mews’ condo fees.
You can do your part towards saving water—and
keeping our common expenses down—by doing a number of things:
·
The biggest waste of water
appears to be improperly operating toilets. Usually the cause is a warped
flapper ball (the “stopper” at the bottom of the toilet tank) or an improperly
set water level. Signs include:
o
vibrations
and noise that may appear to come from the walls or a nearby unit.
o
the toilet “turning on and off”
by itself
o
a toilet that runs continuously
o
a tank water level that rises
to the escape pipe
o
improper “seat” of the flapper
ball
§
These problems can be easily
corrected.
·
Fix faucets that drip.
·
Use your dishwasher and washing
machine for full loads only
·
Invest in new water-saving appliances
(they are usually quieter, too!).
·
Notify the condominium’s
property manager or the county if you see a water leak.
Replacement Doors
Fairlington’s front doors were designed along with
the rest of the buildings’ façades. You will notice the pattern of the “lights”
(or windows) at the top of the door: some have two rectangular lights, some
have four square lights, and others have four “keyhole” lights.
Unlike diamonds, front doors are not forever and
must occasionally be repaired, reinforced, or replaced. Unfortunately, any old
front door replacement won’t do. Finding the right front door replacement can
be difficult and costly.
Please note that front door replacement requires a
variance from the board of directors.
Masonry repairs
Residents
will have noticed that some stoops are being repaired, others not. What’s going
on?
The Mews has a very limited budget. The condominium
employed an engineer to assess the steps and only those with loose bricks or that are seriously dangerous are scheduled for repair at
this time. Others will be repaired soon.
The board acknowledges that some of the work that
was done in the past was not of the best quality. The most recent repairs seem
to have been well done, and if there is money left in the current budget for
additional work, other steps will be done as is possible under the current
contract.
Please let management know about walks and steps
that need attention.
Pets
Pets must be on a leash while on common grounds,
and any droppings must be promptly removed and properly discarded.
Please take steps to ensure that your dog’s barking does not disturb your
neighbor. Here is the Mews policy on pets from the handbook: Residents who keep pets must prevent them from
becoming a nuisance. Cats must not be allowed to roam freely because,
among other things, they may get into garbage or destroy a neighbor’s
plantings. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times because they can be
a threat to property, people, children, and similar pets. Dog excrement is offensive
and a sanitary hazard. Therefore, dog walkers must scoop up after their
pets. Feces must not be placed in storm sewers or flowerbeds.
The Board
hopes that pet owners will cooperate with these reasonable rules, but it will enforce
them as necessary. Article 6, Section 6, paragraph 9 of the Bylaws is explicit:
“In no event shall dogs be permitted in any of the public portions of the
Project unless carried or on a leash. The owner shall indemnify the Council and
hold it harmless against any loss or liability of any kind or character
whatsoever arising from or growing out of having any animal in the Project. If
a dog or other animal becomes obnoxious to other owners by barking or
otherwise, the owner thereof must cause the problem to be corrected or, if not
corrected, the owner, upon written notice of the Board of Directors, will be
required to dispose of the animal.”
While it is
preferable for Mews residents to settle matters related to pets amicably among
themselves, a resident may seek recourse by writing to the Board
Clothes Dryer Vents
Overheated Clothes Dryers Can Cause Fires
CPSC Document # 5022
Updated June 2003
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates
that in 1998, clothes dryers were associated with 15,600 fires, which resulted
in 20 deaths and 370 injuries. Fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer
or in the exhaust duct. Lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat
build-up, and result in a fire in some dryers.
To help prevent fires:
·
Clean the lint screen/filter before or after
drying each load of clothes. If clothing is still damp at the end of a typical
drying cycle or drying requires longer times than normal, this may be a sign
that the lint screen or the exhaust duct is blocked.
·
Clean
the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically. Check the outside dryer vent
while the dryer is operating to make sure exhaust air is escaping. If it is
not, the vent or the exhaust duct may be blocked. To remove a blockage in the
exhaust path, it may be necessary to disconnect the exhaust duct from the
dryer. Remember to reconnect the ducting to the dryer and outside vent before
using the dryer again.
·
Clean behind the dryer, where lint can build up.
Have a qualified service person clean the interior of the dryer chassis
periodically to minimize the amount of lint accumulation. Keep the area around
the dryer clean and free of clutter.
·
Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting
material with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct. Most manufacturers
specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides
maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil type duct can more easily trap
lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the
airflow.
·
Take special care when drying clothes that have
been soiled with volatile chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning
agents, or finishing oils and stains. If possible, wash the clothing more than
once to minimize the amount of volatile chemicals on the clothes and,
preferably, hang the clothes to dry. If using a dryer, use the lowest heat
setting and a drying cycle that has a cool-down period at the end of the cycle.
To prevent clothes from igniting after drying, do not leave the dried clothes
in the dryer or piled in a laundry basket.
Click Here, Dude!
Fairlington Web Site Resources
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 www.fairlington.org/mewshand.htm
·
Mews
Handbook www.fairlington.org/mewshand.htm
·
Board
Minutes/Newsletters www.fairlington.org/mewsindex.htm
·
Condominium
Resources Site www.fairlington.org/condoresourcepage.htm
·
Emergency
Preparedness Page
www.fairlington.org/emergencypreparedness.htm
Volunteers
At
Work
Landscape Committee
Check for Moisture before You Water!
Until the root system is established—which
is usually one full year, but in some cases longer depending on the plant—you
should check the soil moisture to accurately determine how dry or wet it is.
Even though a plant may have an established root system after one year does not
guarantee that a plant will live without water. Plants always need to be
monitored for moisture levels. This can be done by pulling back the mulch and
feeling the soil with your hands along side the root ball about four inches
below ground level.
During
the spring and fall, you should check the soil moisture approximately every 3
to 5 days. During the hot and dry summer months, this should be done every 2 to
3 days for smaller plants and every 3 to -5 days for
larger plants and trees.
If the soil is dry, water thoroughly until the
entire root ball and surrounding soil is wet again. If it is moist, do not
water but check the soil in a few days. The object of watering is to find that
“happy medium”—neither too wet nor too dry. Learn how long it takes particular
soil to dry slightly between watering. Don’t water a plant unless it needs
water! Be aware that both too little water (top moist and bottom dry) and too
much water (constant saturation) can be fatal.
Tips on Watering:
1.
It is very important to water trees and shrubs thoroughly in the late fall
(November/December) before the onset of winter.
2.
Thunderstorms can provide some helpful moisture, but should not be considered a
substitute for deep watering.
3.
Plants that are growing in shady conditions caused by large trees can dry out
more quickly because of the competition for moisture from the large tree roots.
4.
Wilted leaves can result from the plant being too dry or too wet. Be sure to feel
the soil to determine which scenario exists before watering.
With
all of these tips for watering being essential for a healthy, happy plant, it
is important to remember to always check the soil moisture to accurately
determine how dry or wet is the plant.
--Fred Peratt
Environmental
Enhancements, Inc.
Committee Report
Environmental
Enhancements, our grounds maintenance contractor, has completed the fall
plantings in November. The work included several requests received from
residents for landscape modification of the common bed in front of their units
or their surrounding areas. We appreciate input from residents as it indicates
an interest in the grounds work and an awareness of our committee’s desire to
improve the appearance of our community. For any request, please use the
landscaping modification form which may be downloaded from the Mews website at
www.fairlington.org.
Ron Rubin of Thrive (tree health consultant
service) conducted an analysis of the trees in our common areas. Based on his
assessment, the Mews Landscaping Committee is proposing the removal of some
trees that are in decline. To our tree lovers, we say that no tree is removed
unless there is a safety, a tree health, or a tree longevity issue. Examples of
some of our trees in decline are: the dogwoods, hemlocks, and Austrian pines that
are near the tennis courts. The committee will submit to the board for approval
a removal and pruning proposal by Don Hook’s Tree Services, who will perform
the contracted work in early or mid December.
The Landscape Committee
continues its shrub rejuvenation project, requiring pruning of shrubs that have
grown too large for the site or have become unsightly with age. This will
require very drastic pruning of some shrubs. The shrubs being pruned are mostly
yews and euonymus. Both respond well to such pruning. The euonymus will fill
out by the end of the summer, perhaps sooner, if we have good rains. The yews,
being slower to come back, may take a year or longer. Be forewarned, the
immediate impact will be very unattractive, but please bear with us, for they
will come back! Those that do not rebound will be removed and replaced if
necessary. Committee members will walk around with Environmental Enhancements
staff in early December to designate those to be pruned.
The long-awaited
turf repair in Court 14 has been completed. We thank Craig Wagner for
committing to watering the turf until it is well established. .
Special
thanks to all residents who helped water the landscaped areas around their
units and surrounding area during the August-October drought.
Without your help we stood to lose many of our plants. The committee also
thanks all of you who have properly maintained your flowers all summer. Your
efforts make for an attractive neighborhood.
As our community prepares for
the end of the growing season, residents are reminded to clean all beds
individually maintained over the summer to conform to the overall cleanliness
of the community. Please properly bag and dispose of the resulting debris.
As part of the fall cleanup, we
have one more leaf removal, which is scheduled between December 15 and 20.
It is not too late to plant
spring tulips. The rule is to plant them pointed end up and 6 inches deep,
meaning 4 inches of soil above the top of the bulb. Plant a little deeper, to 8
inches, to help keep them out of reach of the squirrels. You can also keep squirrels
away by spraying the bulbs with a rodent repellant before planting or layering
them with daffodil bulbs. Squirrels won’t eat them—they’re toxic. After
planting, firm the soil and water thoroughly. Don’t water again until leaves
appear.
The Landscape Committee meets
regularly on the second Monday of each month. Any interested resident is
encouraged to attend. Contact Lori Olivas at 703-379-4927 to confirm the
date.
--Lori
Olivas
Finance
Committee
Update
The Finance Committee is in the process of reviewing proposals for a
Replacement Reserve Study to be conducted this year. This study follows the
preliminary work that was done last year to address concerns about the Mews
Replacement Reserve Accounts. The study will provide a thorough review of all
Mews reserve elements (such as roofs and fences), their current condition, and
the replacement cost, so that the Finance Committee can propose a reserve
savings and spending plan to appropriately address the community’s needs over
the next several decades.
The Committee is also working on several other items including: improved
automation of our budget/reserve history and our current year operating budget,
improved and automated monitoring of water usage, and an improved, documented
process for approving budget requests. The Committee is working on a lot of
projects to get a better picture of the finances of the community, but doesn’t
have enough members to accomplish what they feel needs to be done. Please,
if you can help out in any capacity, contact Ben Marglin at 703-671-7281 or benmarglin@gmail.com. Become a part
of deciding how your money is spent, and what your condo fee needs to be to
maintain the community in good repair, now and in the future.
--Ben Marglin
Tennis Update
Gee, I’d like to practice but I don’t have a
partner…
Not to worry, you
don’t need one to use the new backboard that’s been installed on the double
courts on 36th Street.
But
what will my kids do while I’m practicing?
They
can use the new four-square that has been painted on the back of one court, for
children’s activities!
What
if someone is using the backboard or four square when
I want to play tennis with a partner?
They
must relinquish the court to those who want to play tennis with a partner.
Board
Minutes
Highlights
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
David Biette reiterated the need for Legum and Norman to
prepare the monthly financial statement to indicate not only expenditures, but
also the amount remaining in each budgeted category.
·
It was agreed that Engelking should provide a
more detailed listing of work provided on the submitted invoices.
·
Steve Navar reported he was gathering estimates
for a study of Mews’ reserves.
·
Lori Olivas reported that the tree health
assessment had been completed. Residents will be informed about significant
landscaping changes that might affect the common areas near their units.
·
The Recreation Committee suggested that the pool
contract for next summer include a noise abatement clause to curtail
the use of the leaf blowers on
weekends. David Biette said he would remind World Pool to put away the deck
furniture.
·
Board members agreed that the monthly financial
management reports should be more detailed to include actual-to-budget
figures as well as total expenditures for each account.
·
The remaining video recordings of the completed
sewer pipe lining project will be scheduled during the coming month.
·
The masonry repairs on the brick porches will
begin next week.
Tuesday, October 20, 2005
·
The new contract with Environmental Enhancements
was studied and the Board unanimously approved extending the contract for a three-year period.
·
Photinia have been removed by Alexandria City
workers on King Street, and there is concern about which municipality has
responsibility for the vegetative restoration of this area. Lori Olivas
reported that the replacement of eight diseased photinia will cost $1560. The Board unanimously approved the
motion to replace the eight diseased photinia
from the repairs and maintenance account.
·
Lori discussed the ongoing concern of plant
watering during dry summer periods. The Board unanimously approved the
following motion: The landscape committee
is authorized to work with the community management company to engage the
services of an individual to water identified plantings as necessary, the funds
to come from the Landscaping budget.
·
Ben Marglin reported that members have discussed
the financial issues that were raised at the annual meeting, and that the
committee is working on them. The committee has agreed to make a list of
budgetary subcategories, thus reflecting more detail in the budget report.
·
The engagement letter for the financial audit for
the last fiscal year has been signed; the draft audit should be available within
a few weeks.
·
Community Manager Steve Navar was told that the
monthly financial statements should include for every category the following
elements:
·
the amount budgeted;
·
the amount spent for the reported month;