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Summer Newsletter
July – September 2012
From the woodpile…President’s Article
Summer is officially here, and we have all enjoyed a very pleasant spring. It’s time to remind all of our homeowners that maintaining “Curb Appeal” and Covenants is about more than following rules, it is about our investment in our homes and our community. In order to retain the value of our homes, even in hard economic times, we need to keep up with property maintenance.
Replacement projects make a house look good immediately. New windows, new siding, and a new front door not only make a house look great while we live there, but it will sell faster and for more money.
The top 10 remodeling projects listed below are all projects that replace worn items, bring parts of the home up-to-date, or add living space without expanding the home’s footprint:1. Replace exterior siding with upscale fiber
cement.2. New midrange replacement vinyl or aluminum
siding upgrades the look of the house.3. New foam backed vinyl siding replacement
keeps the house warm and can cut down on the utility expense.
4. Upscale vinyl replacement windows can be very cost effective as well as improving the curb appeal of your home. New windows have low emission glass, which helps save on heating and cooling costs.
5. Replace an entry door with a midlevel 20-gauge steel door.
6. Replace the garage door with a mid-range door to increase curb appeal and function.
MWHOA Board of Directors:
President Donna Harding Vice President Charles Kortlang
Treasurer Paula Oas Secretary Kevin Kenealy Member at Large Elizabeth Hobbins
How to Reach the Board:
Address: Post Office Box 2645 Laurel, MD 20709
Voice Mail: (240) 554-2438 E-mail: [email protected] Internet www.mwhoa.com
MWHOA does not necessarily endorse
advertisers’ products and services
7. Note that replacing the garage door with a high end one also adds curb appeal, and generally returns more upon selling than what it cost.8. Did you know that a new wood deck usually
earns back 70% of its cost at resale?9. Effect a minor kitchen remodel by adding a
new (midrange) sink, faucets, and appliances. 10. You can add living space to your home in an
economic way by using space already there. a. Remodel an attic into a bedroom by
popping out a dormer for a 5-by-7 foot bathroom, then insulate and finish the walls and ceiling, extend heat and air conditioning, and improve the wiring and lighting.
b. Remodel the basement - the next most cost efficient way to add living space.
A word on the Common Areas
Several homeowners have expressed concern that trash, tree cuttings and limbs have been dumped in many of the common areas in the neighborhood. This is against our covenants, and certainly not to be condoned; it will be an ongoing issue until all of us in this beautiful community recognize that the common grounds are here to be enjoyed by all, and not used as a dumping ground because it is easier or less cost to “me.” Quoting from our Architectural Control Guidelines: 12. Common Areas No structures of any type, vehicles, trash, or other materials will be placed in common land area parcels of the MWHOA. Homeowners are also instructed to notify the Architectural Committee, in writing, of any such items or any unsafe conditions noted in common land parcels.
Though guideline #12 does say to contact the architectural committee in writing, neighbors should first talk to each other about the situation. As a board, we can send individual letters, write newsletter articles, and hold
meetings. The bottom line is that we are each adults responsible for our own actions.
~Donna Harding, President
Home Modifications The Board appreciates all of you who have taken the time to communicate with us regarding planned exterior modifications to your homes or requests for operating a home business. We are aware that homeowners may not always get the response they would like, most often because the request is a violation of our covenants or architectural guidelines. However, as long as we are able to discuss these matters, we work hard to arrive at a solution that is acceptable for both the homeowner and the community at large.
Grinder Pumps
Some homeowners have contacted the Board about problems with grinder
pumps Not all houses in the neighborhood have these, but some do. The company that installed the original pumps for the Montpelier Woods builder is:Freemire & Associates, 1215 Old Dorsey Road, Harmon, MD. 21077, phone 410-768-8500. They are still in business and have spare parts to repair these pumps. Note: This is being provided for informational purposes only and is not an endorsement of the company.
Bulk Trash Reminder
The Board continues to receive complaints about homeowners in our neighborhood who deposit and leave bulk trash (furniture, refrigerators, tires, water heaters, mattresses, etc.) in front of their homes for days and sometimes weeks at a time.
Not only is this an eyesore that affects property values, in some cases this is potentially hazardous, especially to children and animals.
The Board has previously included newsletter articles that outlined PG County requirements for handling and disposing of bulk trash. As we continue to spruce up our homes and put bulk items out, we would like to remind you of the County guidelines for disposing of bulk trash.
It’s really easy.
Bulk trash collection is provided by the County by appointment only. To
schedule an appointment, homeowners should call 301-952-7600 Monday through Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Appointments may also be scheduled electronically at [email protected].
If the County fails to make the scheduled collection date due to inclement weather, the collection will be rescheduled for the next day. If the homeowner fails to place the items at the curb by 7:30 a.m. on the scheduled collection day and the items are not picked up, the homeowner has to reschedule for the next available date AND the items must be removed from the curb until the next scheduled pick-up. Homeowners must not leave bulky trash items at the curb or outside their homes past the pick-up date.
A list of acceptable and non-acceptable materials and more can be found on the County’s website: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/der/waste.asp
We again ask all homeowners to adhere to these guidelines for handling and disposing of your bulk trash. Please be considerate of your neighbors.
Looking Ahead…
We are now reaping the benefits of our mild winter. If you have been looking around the neighborhood lately you have probably noticed the abundance of small animals. The squirrel population --which has definitely grown in leaps and bounds almost reminiscent of its movements-- may even have tripled its numbers. The rabbits,not wanting to be left out, have multiplied like… rabbits. A sharp eye will discover them hopping here and there in search of food on almost all the lawns. These are but two examples of the many species that live among us in Montpelier Woods.
As squirrels, rabbits, and their friends have multiplied, so have the predators that prey on them. Foxes, owls, snakes, and others also benefited from the mild winter. So, while we continue to enjoy our view on the world around us, now is the time
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Note: There will be a vacancy on the Board this fall; your nomination form is after p. 6
to prepare for these animals looking for a warm place to stay in our homes during the next winter.
Trim back any overhanging tree branches that will allow easy access to your roof for an animal looking for a warm spot. Check all gaskets, seals, and weather stripping on all outside doors. Don’t forget to check the door that goes into your garage. Make sure the screen is in place on gable vents. Have your chimney checked before using it: squirrels and raccoons love to hide there. When checking your gutters, also check the leaders for smaller woodland friends.
So, enjoy your cup of coffee this summer while watching our four-footed friends, but also take the time to think of ways to protect your house from these unwanted houseguests this winter.
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NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH Promoting Harmony and Security
Before writing this article, I reviewed the past 3 year's July Newsletters. Some things haven’t changed, and that’s a good thing. Major crime rates this year continues to drop significantly: murder, assault, rape, kidnapping, and robbery are down 50% in the county, and our area (District VI) continues to experience the lowest rates.
However, we still have a problem with commercial robberies and home breaking and entering (B&E). Commercial robberies are up 14% over last year, while B&E's are up only slightly.
The police have had some success in catching commercial robbers. One 7-11 robber arrested recently is believed to
have robbed over 40 stores in the MD/DC/VA area. Also, shoplifting in department/chain stores is a major crime activity. Recently a gang working the Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington areas was arrested and over $100,000 of merchandise was recovered. A major police task force (FBI/State/Local Police) was formed to counter large store robbery, and many under cover officers are now in large stores in our area.
We did have two thefts from autos on Aspenwood Lane in June. Please make an effort to secure your property, and report suspicious people immediately to the police. Call 301-352-1200. There are many good tips to secure your home, auto, and person at our web site (MWHOA.com).
I’ve received many calls and comments about illegally parked vehicles, and the answer is:please call the County Community Standards
Office at 301-883-6100 (also on the web site, under frequently called numbers). The inspectors will ticket/tow unlicensed and improperly parked vehicles. And don't park on the street going against traffic - you will get a ticket!
Speeding continues to be a problem as well as failing to stop at stop signs. The speed limit on every street of Montpelier Woods is 25 mph. Please respect the safety of your neighbors; children and adults alike. Also, do not park in your driveway so that you block the public sidewalk. The sidewalk is County property, and you may receive a citation. It's the law.
Good news: we have two new block captains for our Neighborhood Watch. Debra Kelly for Amblewood Drive and William Berkson on Blackwood Court. Thanks for volunteering. Block Captains are still needed on Basswood Drive, Basswood Terrace, Bignonia Drive, and Balsamwood Terrace. Have a safe and secure summer: be careful out there.
Dale Good, Neighborhood Watch Chairman
**National Night Out **Tuesday 7 August, 6:00-8:00 pm
District VI police station, 4321 Sellman Rd, Beltsville This awesome event is great fun, and the activities, food, games, police and fire displays are all FREE Want to volunteer? You can help set up from4:00 to 4:45 or 4:45 to 5:30; assist with the food from 5:30 to 6:15, 6:15 to 7:00, or 7:00 to 7:45; or assist with clean up from 7:45 to 8:45. Email your name, contact number, and shift time to Karen Coakley at [email protected] by 1 August.
As officer Hibbert and officer Woody say: “Let’s show everyone how a strong community comes together to make it work, and have a lot of fun too!”
* * * * * *News you can use
Reflections After the Storm
The latest round of challenges that the residents of Montpelier Woods experienced began on the eve of June 29th. I was watching television and knew that a storm line was approaching. As is my habit when trying to get an idea of the strength of
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an approaching storm, I switched from time to time to the weather radar station. No, not the weather channel, the radar station on television (FIOS). It soon became apparent that we were in for another round of bad weather.
I grabbed our emergency battery / solar powered NOAA weather radio and started listening to the emergency weather reports, and watching the radar closely. When the radio said there was some rotation in the approaching storm, just north of the District that was it. I woke my wife up with the news that the storm coming in had some potential for really bad weather. We sat in the living room watching the storm on the TV, listening to the weather radio, flashlights by our side. Though hoping for the best, we were ready to head for the basement if a tornado was observed close by.
The wind was heavy, rain light, lightning strikes spectacular. At times the lightning was almost continuous. When the lights started to go out I made it to the AC switch and turned if off by the time the lights flickered for the second time. Then all went dark; fortunately for us it was only until Sunday. Many were out of power longer.
This was not the first storm that has hit Montpelier Woods. There have been previous power outages, blizzards, trees down across roadways, and other major inconveniences that have been thrown our way. The question is, how prepared were you, and your family for this last power outage?
Did you know what to do? Or did you have to run around and find things? Some of our neighbors took the outage in stride, even though they were without power until Wednesday. Others were at their wits’ end. The point is we cannot foretell when the next “disaster” will strike. The question is how prepared will you be? NOW is the time to plan for the next storm.
Go to the Federal Emergency Management Agency site www.ready.gov for information, and begin to get ready. The site gives recommenda-tions for preparedness
supplies, as well as guidelines to follow for specific types of emergencies. Download the pages today. Remember, no electricity - no internet. Don’t count on that cell phone connection either, the cell towers need power also.
If you prepare now, the next incident won’t be so stressful.
And by the way, our neighborhood did look great lit just by moonlight…
~Vice President, Charles Kortlang
On Being Neighborly
The HOA Board of Directors has recently received several letters/emails with requests to address varying issues that, upon further reading, seem to address issues between specific neighbors. While board members are here as a resource to help keep Montpelier Woods a welcoming and friendly community to live in, we also want to remind residents that the best way to resolve specific issues is to discuss them with your neighbors first. By keeping those lines of communication open, both parties can often find a solution that they can live with.
Helping Yourself and the Environment
Looking to cut down the number of catalogs you receive that just end up in the recycle bin? Try www.catalogchoice.org -- the website is easy to use, and free to join.
Just enter the appropriate info from the mailing label into the system -- customer number, key code, source code. This should be on the label, but, you can file a request without it. Then, Catalog-choice forwards that info to the catalog company, and tracks the receipt and response to the request.
You will be notified when the company removes you from the mailing list. If you continue to get catalogs after 90-days (which they all say is needed to get your name off the list), then catalogchoice
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Need lawn services?
Vacation specials for MWHOA residents!
offers an avenue for a formal complaint. Catalog-choice does NOT use your email address when dealing with the companies.
After using this website for a little over a year, my catalog volume has gone down at least 85%.
~Liz Hobbins, Member-at-large* * * * * * * *
What are the community’s expenses?
Much of it is what you’d expect – upkeep of the common areas, removing dead trees, printing and mailing of the assessment notices and the quarterly newsletter, and maintaining a community website.
It’s surprising that the neighborhood has had to pay out a lot in attorney’s fees in repeated attempts to collect overdue assessments from a few households. Here’s how you can help keep expenses down:
Pay your annual assessment on time. Pass on the MWHOA documents to the
new owners when you sell. This is required by law.
MWHOA Financial Update
Balance Sheet As of 5/31/12
Assets Bank, Savings & Investment Accounts Checking – Bank of Am $ 8,645.20 Savings – Bank of Amer 5,102.24 Money Market - E-Trade $11,574.17 CD - Risk Free - Bank of Am $ 9,318.16 CD - Reg. - Bank of Am $40,934.95
Other AssetsAssessments receivable $ 1,839.81Late fees receivable $ 540.00Legal fee receivable $2,750.90Liened amounts receivable for pre-2005 $ 1,461.24Certified mailing cost/ NSF receivable $ 322.81Lien recording costs receiv. $1,802.68
Total Assets $ 84,292.16
Liabilities and Owners EquityPrepaid Owner Assessments $ 37.00Owners Equity $84,255.16
Total Liabilities and Owners Equity $ 84,292.16
-- Paula Oas
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Beautification Committee Note
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer so far. Many thanks for those who turned out for ourspring cleanup. I would like to thank Dale Good, Dave and Sue Straney, Donna and Bud Harding,Jim and Paula Oas, and my husband Charlie for taking time out of their busy schedules. This is a great way to meet new neighbors, get some exercise, and make our area a little nicer too!
The next project is our entry signs. I will be sprucing them up over the next couple of weeks. We have been trying to make our entrances more welcoming, especially during the various holidays, but unfortunately there are people who think the Christmas wreaths and American flags we put out by the signs are worth stealing. If you see someone doing that, please call 911 – while that may seem like overkill, it is a crime and it is in progress. Please get the tag number if you can without putting yourself at risk.
The walkers in our community would appreciate it if homeowners would trim back trees on their property that are encroaching the sidewalks. Homeowners can call the county to come out and trim the trees that are located on the strip of grass between the road and the side walks in front of their home. If you do trim bushes or trees on your property, be sure to tie the pieces into bundles no longer than 3 feet long. The county will not pick up debris just lying alongside the road, but will if it is tied in bundles.
Thanks for doing your part to make our neighbor-hood a great place to walk!
~Betty Ann Kortlang, Beautification Committee
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Alice Cole Williams 12105 Amblewood Dr.
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Welcome to our New Welcome to our New NeighborsNeighbors Thank you for joining us in Montpelier Woods!
From hoops and sticks to fifes and drums, come experience life in from Maryland 200 years ago on Montpelier Mansion's grounds.9650 Muirkirk Road, 301-377-7817 Residents $1/day; Non-Residents $2/day
Julio Benitez 11901 Blackwood Ct.Leonardo Hernandez-Torres 11509 Basswood Ct.
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THINGS TO DO IN PG COUNTY
Hispanic FestivalSunday, 16 September, 12 noon-6 pm Lane Manor Park 7601 West Park Dr. and University Blvd. Adelphi Bring the family! Celebrate the rich heritage of our Hispanic communities. Carnival games, crafts to make, music, entertainment, delicious ethnic food, displays/exhibitors, crafts for sale, face painting, pony rides, and much more! FREE admission!
KinderfestSunday, October 7, 2012
Come to the 32nd annual family festival at Watkins Regional Park301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20774 FREE admission; fee for some activities and food concessions.
No pets.
Iron Cross – 20th anniversary tourSaturday, 11 August 6:30 PM, Dekelboum Concert Hall
Iron Cross is a rock band from Myanmar. The band has been touring around the world on their musical journey and the 20th anniversary album will be released in the coming months.Ticket prices: $40 - 70
A Soldier's TaleMonday, 24 Sept 8:00 PM - Dekelboum Concert Hall Michael Votta leads the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus, along with members of UMD
Chamber Singers, in an all-Stravinsky program featuring L'Histoire du Soldat (A Soldier's Tale).A Soldier's Tale uses three actors in the story of a soldier who trades his fiddle to the devil for a book that predicts the future of the economy.FREE
A Midsummer Night's DreamThursday thru Sunday, 27 – 30 Sept, five performances A co-production of UMD School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies and The National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts William Shakespeare's whimsical tale of love and mistaken identity comes to life in a completely new way
in this bilingual Chinese and American co-production.The cast includes Chinese and American actors, who will each perform in their native language.$35 Check the website for evening and matinee show times.
Smithsonian Resident Associate Programs http://residentassociates.org/ticketing/index.aspx
Julia Child’s Bon Appetit for Life Wednesday, 8 August, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Julia Child was a tall, irrepressible woman who laughed easily, dabbled in espionage, became a world-class chef, and changed America’s attitude toward food. Biographer Bob Spitz portrays her life as an adventure story from working for the OSS, spying in Ceylon with husband Paul Child, attending the Cordon Bleu in Paris where her idea of adapting French cuisine for main-stream America began, and a long career on public TV.
Art Treasures of Italy’s Cathedrals and BasilicasSaturday, 8 September, at 9:30 a.m. In this richly illustrated seminar, Eric Denker, senior lecturer at the National Gallery of Art, discusses some of the greatest repositories of ecclesiastical art in Italy: the churches of Venice, Rome, Siena, and Florence.
The High-Tech Behind Secret Operations (3-part series)Thursdasy, 13, 20, and 27 Sept,10:15 to 11:45 a.m.
This three-part series, cosponsored with the International Spy Museum, features distinguished experts and notable former intelligence personnel who will introduce you to some of the coolest uses of technology from airborne intelligence to geospatial.
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Have A Blast in the Past: Hands-on History Playground19 July - 11 August11 am -3 pm, Fridays to 7 pm
In her kitchen inParis, 1950
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, U. Mdhttp://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu (301) 405-ARTS No matter how you experience the extraordinary -
with your eyes, ears, heart, or mind - you’ll recognize it throughout our 2012–2013 season
D.C. Duck Tours Set in a WWII-era amphibious vehicle, the 90-minute D.C. duck tour covers both land and sea. The first leg hits the history-packed National Mall, then switches to a scenic river trip. The boat also pauses at Gravelly Point, a park located just a few hundred feet from the runway at Reagan National Airport, so you can watch roaring planes take off and land. Save some $ if you buy on-line, at: http://www.dcducks.com/
From the Editor’s Desk:
Would you like to give back, and get far more than you give? There is a real need for volunteer Math and Reading tutors for the Student, Teachers Achievement Retention (STARS) program at the Woodland Job Corps. Job Corps is at 3300 Ft. Meade Rd, just off the Parkway, before you get to Rt 32. Want to join the STARS team? Contact Gloria Coliton, STARS Coordinator at 301-362-6045 or [email protected] You’ll be glad you did!
These students not only ask to be tutored but Gloria personally interviews each one before they are accepted into STARS. The students are motivated and very much appreciate not only your
knowedge but also your personal interest. This is a great return on investment!
Fall Programs at the Belair Mansion in Bowie
Calling all aspiring novelists and historical fiction readers… On 11 September, the Governor Robert Bowie Chapter, NSDAR, will host Lucia St. Clair Robson, author of historical novels including
Shadow Patriots. Learn how she makes history come alive, from ideas to research to storytelling, to enduring the editing process.
Washington D.C. Historian Joan Chaconas will speak on 9 October on spiritualism -- a popular practice in 19th Century America, dabbled in by President and Mrs. Lincoln as well as other famous people. On 13 November, the Deputy Commander of the “Old Guard” will discuss the history of the regiment that guards the Tomb of the Unknowns.
This series of programs is presented at the Belair Mansion, 12207 Tulip Grove Drive, Bowie, MD (301-809-3089), between 7:30 and 8:30 pm. You are cordially invited to the lectures, plus the engaging
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Q&A. For details on the DAR, you can check out http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mdbcdar/index.htm or email [email protected]
I hope to see you in STARS, and at Belair Mansion! - Deborah Barrett, Newsletter Editor
Montpelier WoodsHomeowners Association, Inc.Post Office Box 2645Laurel, MD. 20709
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Look Inside For:
* President’s Article* Common Areas and more
* Neighborhood Watch
* News you can use: storm reflections, neighbors, and recycling
* Lawn Service ad – check it out!
* New Neighbors
* Financial Update
* Beautification Committee, and walking in the community
*Things to do
*BOARD NOMINATION FORM*
*Letter from the Editor
* Tower FCU Offer
NEXT MWHOA MEETING DATE
Deerfield Run Community Center13000 Laurel Bowie Road
Monday, 27 AugustMeetings begin at 7:30 pm
Please check www.mwhoa.comfor future meeting dates.
Homeowners are encouraged to attend!
