Walden Pond Newsletter
Summer 2008
online at http://waldenponddurhamnc.org/
Aesthetics Improvements
Over the last several months, many of you received letters informing you of things that needed to be fixed on the exterior of your townhome in order to comply with our maintenance and aesthetics policy (see http://waldenponddurhamnc.org/govdocs/aesthetics_policy.pdf ). The Board would like to thank all of you who have already complied with these letters and made repairs and improvements to your homes that boost all of our property values. The neighborhood is looking much better thanks to your hard work.
A second round of letters will go out soon to address problems that are not yet fixed. If you receive one of these letters, please do your best to resolve the aesthetics issue promptly, or contact the Board at directors@waldenponddurhamnc.org or (919) 479-5762 to discuss the matter.
What the Heck is a Mullion?
Perhaps the most common aesthetics issue in Walden Pond is inconsistent or missing mullions. Mullions are the thin wood strips that form a grid in the windows that were originally installed in Walden Pond townhomes. Windows that have been replaced may not have mullions at all; the trend is to forego them altogether for a sleeker, more modern look. The original windows have mullions that are extremely easy to remove; they also, as we can see, tend to fall out very easily.
Our aesthetics policy states:
All windows on a particular face of a unit must be consistent with regards to screens and mullions. Neither screens nor mullions are required, but if they are present on any window they must be present on all windows of that face of the unit. Screens and mullions must be in good condition and must be properly aligned. No torn, bent or dangling screens are allowed.
So this is perhaps the easiest and cheapest aesthetics problem to fix – all you have to do is remove all the mullions. The same can be said of screens. What is important is that all the windows of your unit look the same. Note the missing mullions in these windows:
By simply straightening or removing mullions, you can make a positive difference in the appearance of your home.
Be a Good Neighbor
Most Walden Pond residents are responsible and courteous towards their neighbors. However, the Board often receives complaints regarding the following behaviors of neighbors:
• Is parking in my parking space or parking in such a way that my car is blocked in, or is parking on the street facing the wrong direction.
• Makes noise that disturbs me while I am inside my house (barking dogs, loud music in the house or in a car, etc.).
• Does not properly deal with garbage (leaves food scraps or garbage lying around front or back porch, does not roll garbage can to the curb even though it is overflowing, does not remove garbage can from the curb once the city pick-up is done, leaves garbage bags on the ground instead of in the garbage can, places large items on the curb, etc.).
• Does not clean up after their dog.
• Lets their dog run off the leash.
Not only are these behaviors discourteous, but they are also against the law. The city is actively handing out fines for garbage violations, and will turn off water service if these fines are not paid (see http://www. durhamnc.gov/departments/solid/cart.cfm ). Also, you may get a parking ticket if you park on a city street facing the wrong direction (see Article IV, Division I, Section 20-95, http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments /general/parking.cfm ). Unleashed dogs, even small ones, pose a danger, especially to children and to themselves (see http://www.durhamcountync.gov /departments/anml/Dogs_at_Large.html ).
Walden Pond HOA Current Projects
The HOA is working hard to revitalize Walden Pond. Several parking lots have recently been repaved and/or repainted and others will be done before the year's end. It is worth noting that we are able to do the repaving without imposing any special assessments, which is often not the case in townhome and condominium communities.
Another upcoming project is to remove dead or unsightly shrubbery and put down mulch in front yards. Traditionally, front yard landscaping has been the responsibility of the homeowner. However, in last year's spending priorities survey, an overwhelming number of you voted to have the HOA take responsibility for basic front yard landscaping (see survey results at http://waldenponddurhamnc.org /minutes/2007/priorities_survey.htm ). If you are an avid gardener and do not want the HOA to perform landscaping work at the front of your unit, you may opt out of this plan. For the rest of us, this should be a welcome addition to the services provided by the HOA. It will make a tremendous improvement in the overall appearance of our community.
Changes in HOA Board of Directors
Recently, the President (Don Barry) and Vice-President (Virginia Hunter) of the HOA Board both moved away from Walden Pond and resigned from the Board. We would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication to Walden Pond and wish them well in their new homes. At the monthly Board meeting in June, according to the Walden Pond Bylaws, Michael Long of 24 Durbin Place was appointed to serve the remainder of Don's term and Chantal Winston of 20 Astor Court was appointed to serve the remainder of Virginia's term. Steve Williams continues as Treasurer and Laura Atkinson continues as Secretary (a non-voting position). There are currently two open positions for non-voting Officers. If you are interested in one of these positions, please let the Board know.
If you have any questions or concerns about these or any other issues, please contact the Board or, better yet, plan to attend the next monthly Board meeting which will be July 22 nd at 7:00 p.m. at McMannen Methodist Church . The success of the HOA depends on your active participation!
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