Boulders and Trees etc.

Ok, so the first bid from Poynter or installing boulders along Quail Hollow Lane was just under $11,000. I have another bid from a smaller contractor at $4,500.00 plus or minus depending on the actually weight of the boulders. His bid (Enviroscapes) is for (9) approximately 4000 pound boulders roughly 2-3 feet long, placed about every 50 feet from the first "no parking" sign southward. The boulders are on the order of those already in the landscape that fronts Ridge Road.

The other option was to run trees down the lane. If we do that, we'll need about 15-20 trees, spaced about 25 feet apart. A typical deciduous tree roughly 10-12 feet tall is about $200 planted in quantity, so its roughly the same cost. The only downside to the trees is that they can die and that they will require replacement if someone hits one and runs off, like the trash guy. They also can't be placed too close to the pavement so they may not act as a real deterrent to running into the turf.

We could do a combination of boulders and trees and the cost would be somewhere around $4000 - $6000 depending on what we did.

I'm open to discussion and suggestions as I am sure George is. Please give us your feedback. We can get a discount on the labor if we do something before 2/15/09 with either contractor so we should get a plan together soon.

Your friendly neighborhood trustee,

Erik

Still working on the lane edge

Just in case you thought I'd forgotten about the edge of the street on the Lane, I haven't. I have gotten a cost from Poynter Landscaping which was crazy expensive. I now have a couple other guys working on it. It looks like its going to be somewhere around $4000 for just the boulders. 

I'll let everyone know via email of the options and their cost as soon as I get them.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Erik

Interesting warranty work

Some of you may have noticed that there was a landscape crew replacing "iffy" trees on the berm. I was surprised to see them as well. It turns out that Wildwood made Bud Miceli replace the trees before they would give him his final escrow funds. They replaced about 7 trees, all evergreens, some pines and some spruces, at NO CHARGE to the association. Not bad. Just thought you all would want to know.

Erik

Systems Shut Down, Backflows Next

I assume, but you know what they say about assuming, that US Irrigation let everyone know that the inspections would be done sometime after the shut downs. So just in case you were wondering, they will be done by a licensed inspector in the coming days. You should not have to be home and you may not even know it was done unless you look at the inspection tag. 

They will send out the bills once both items are completed. If you have any questions just call me.

Erik

Irrigation Winterization - Update

US Irrigation should have begun contacting everyone you indicated interest in the winterization today. Depending on weather, they expect to have the systems shut down next week. They will need someone home the day the winterization is done and in order to get the discount they need to do all the systems on the same day, so we all need to be as flexible as possible.

Erik

Access to the Blog

If you want to be able to post comments on the blog, follow the instructions in the email that was sent to you today. You will have to create a Google account to be an blog author. If you just want to be able to read the blog, you don't need to do anything. 

Erik

US Irrigation Winterization and Backflow inspection

Mike with US Irrigation is going to discount the winterization to $52.00 per system. They can do the mandatory backflow inspection for an additional $73.50 each. You don't have to have the inspection done now but it will have to be done by spring by someone for certain. He needs to know right away so let me know asap. 

Something I forgot from the meeting...

We will be getting a cost for new street signs. A more decorative and attractive style than the typical green and white variety we have now. Something like...

Let me know what you think.

Fall Meeting Was A Success

The fall meeting went very well, as usual a good time for sure.

We covered expenses and updates on old projects. To summerize:

1) Expenses look good, we are on track to have a surplus. We took a show of hand whether or not to keep the 2009 assessment at $1,500. It was agreed to, so the 2009 assessment will be $1,500.00. The assessment invoices will go out in March.

2) We have not had as many landscape related repairs this year; mainly just a few white pines replaced and some repairs to the irrigation system.

3) We still have a problem with vehicles running into the grass on Quail Hollow Lane, particularly in front of the Jasielowski's. I will be getting bids to either run a row of boulders, trees or shrubs down the lane, near the pavement to help "curb" this problem. Once the pricing is gathered, I will post it and we can discuss the best solution. 

4) We will be planting daffodil bulbs in the two big mulch beds that face Ridge Rd.

5) We are getting pricing to have US Irrigation shut down all of the home owner system that have not been winterized, sort of a group-buy. I will post the cost and the date as soon as I have it.

6) We be removing dead wood from the big, scary tree just past the entrance soon, in an effort to avoid any damage to the Loaiza's lovely home.

7) Everyone in attendance agreed that we should have some sort of get together. Since it was my idea, we will host the first one sometime in November. I'll let you know.

8) We discussed having a drainage line ran between the Wilsons' and the Reids' homes since Miceli didn't put one it. We (the Wilsons and the Reids) would prefer to wait until other expenses are measured before proceeding.

9) The water problem in front of the Jasiewski's home is going to be addressed. We may need to raise the burn slightly to help divert more of the run off. We will work with them to find a solution.

I'm sure I've missed something so if anyone want to add it please do so.

Thanks,

Erik