CHECK LIST FOR MAINTENANCE OF LYSTRA ESTATES DRIVE
Based on a consultant’s recommendations for extending the life of the pavement of Lystra Estates Drive and previous agreements among lot owners, each lot owner is responsible for these items:
It is important to keep roots from growing under the pavement, causing the pavement to crack or heave, or growing down into the pavement so that water can infiltrate. Therefore,
• Keep the pavement along your property clean by brushing, raking, sweeping or blowing off all debris such as pine needles and leaves. This should be done several times a year, especially after leaves fall in the autumn and in the early spring before new growth starts.
• Dig up or spray Roundup on grass and weeds growing out of or into the pavement. Note that debris on the pavement can give grass a chance to grow.
• If you have grass that borders the pavement, keep it edged, or use Roundup or another herbicide to kill weeds and grass within 3 inches of the pavement.
(Note: we voted to hire someone to take care of the three items highlighted above. Home owners are still asked to do the things listed below.)
• Cut and clear saplings (under 6 inches in diameter) and brush back from your edge of the road. This should be done back to the far side of the ditch on your lot, or, if you do not have a ditch, back to a distance of 10 feet. If your property slopes off sharply in less than 10 feet, clear from the pavement to the drop off. (Please note that to really kill a small tree, you need to treat the stump with Roundup and may need to repeat.)
• No new trees, shrubs or woody perennials or invasive plants such as English ivy should be planted within 10 feet of the pavement.
It is also important to keep ditches and culverts clear so that rain water drains freely and does not stand on or seep under the pavement. Therefore,
• Rake or dig accumulating dead leaves or other matter out of the ditches on your lot.
• Keep the culverts from filling with debris. Rake or dig them clear several times a year.
Both to keep leaves and pine needles from collecting on the road and to prevent damage to our cars and trucks,
• Trim back limbs lower than 8 feet so that they do not hang over the road.
• If you have trees that cannot be trimmed back that much, please note that you need to make extra effort to keep the pavement along your lot clean of debris.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Road Maintenance Checklist
April 5, 2011
Dear Neighbors and Lystra Estates Property Owners,
Over the years, we have talked a lot about maintaining the road and trying to extend the life of the pavement. We have a special assessment ongoing since 2010 to prepare for the next time the road must be paved, and we want to make the expensive surface we paid for in 2000 last as long as possible.
At the Annual Meeting in February 2011, we agreed that it would be useful to have a check list of exactly what each of us should do as property owners to take care of our portion of the road. You will find that checklist on the next page.
Katherine Lindsey, Chip Chescheier and I volunteered to put together the checklist and to use the terms of the Covenants to be sure that anything that should be done, is done. We have walked the road, testing the instructions on the check list and they seem to be workable and effective.
In the next few weeks, Katherine, Chip and I will talk with some of you concerning work that needs to be done, and we will ask that the work be done within a month of our talking with you. If you need an extension, let us know; we’ll be reasonable if we can be. Also, some of us may be willing to help you with some tasks. That will be voluntary, and it won’t change your overall responsibility for maintaining your property.
If necessary, we will hire someone to do the needed work with the lot owner being responsible for the cost. We realize that for some of you, especially those who do not live in Lystra Estates, this may be the best way to take care of any problems, so please let us know right away if you would like for us to proceed with that. Please understand, we will not seek multiple bids.
Mature landscape plantings may not have to be removed, if trimming of branches and/or roots can accomplish the goal of preventing further damage to the road.
Please get in touch with Katherine, Chip or me if you have any questions. This is still a work in progress.
Thanks, everyone!
Nora Esthimer
919-968-7877
nesthimer@bellsouth.net
March 22, 2011
CHECK LIST FOR MAINTENANCE OF LYSTRA ESTATES DRIVE
Based on a consultant’s recommendations for extending the life of the pavement of Lystra Estates Drive and previous agreements among lot owners, each lot owner is responsible for these items:
It is important to keep roots from growing under the pavement, causing the pavement to crack or heave, or growing down into the pavement so that water can infiltrate. Therefore,
· Keep the pavement along your property clean by brushing, raking, sweeping or blowing off all debris such as pine needles and leaves. This should be done several times a year, especially after leaves fall in the autumn and in the early spring before new growth starts.
· Dig up or spray Roundup on grass and weeds growing out of or into the pavement. Note that debris on the pavement can give grass a chance to grow.
· If you have grass that borders the pavement, keep it edged, or use Roundup or another herbicide to kill weeds and grass within 3 inches of the pavement.
· Cut and clear saplings (under 6 inches in diameter) and brush back from your edge of the road. This should be done back to the far side of the ditch on your lot, or, if you do not have a ditch, back to a distance of 10 feet. If your property slopes off sharply in less than 10 feet, clear from the pavement to the drop off. (Please note that to really kill a small tree, you need to treat the stump with Roundup and may need to repeat.)
· No new trees, shrubs or woody perennials or invasive plants such as English ivy should be planted within 10 feet of the pavement.
It is also important to keep ditches and culverts clear so that rain water drains freely and does not stand on or seep under the pavement. Therefore,
· Rake or dig accumulating dead leaves or other matter out of the ditches on your lot.
· Keep the culverts from filling with debris. Rake or dig them clear several times a year.
Both to keep leaves and pine needles from collecting on the road and to prevent damage to our cars and trucks,
· Trim back limbs lower than 8 feet so that they do not hang over the road.
· If you have trees that cannot be trimmed back that much, please note that you need to make extra effort to keep the pavement along your lot clean of debris.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
SUMMARY OF ROAD REPORT AND NEED TO RAISE DUES
June 7, 2010
Dear Lystra Estates Drive Property Owners,
David Poythress, an expert on road maintenance, examined the condition of Lystra Estates Drive and prepared a report for us. He also answered some additional questions. All of the information he provided is attached.
The major points from the report and additional answers are:
• The road is currently in “good” condition. There is a scale used by professionals to evaluate the condition of pavement. David rated ours at 85.7. The “Good” ranking is from 81-90.
• Reevaluation should be done every two to five years.
• Intermediate maintenance such as the work done by Mark and his crew in 2009 should be done every 1-2 years to lengthen the life of the road. David estimates this cost to be in the range of $1,000 to $2,000.
• Once the rating drops to the 75-80 range, we’ll need to be ready to resurface the road. This could be in five years; routine maintenance can extend the life of the road.
• In addition to maintenance of the pavement, it is important to keep ditches and culverts clear so that water flows away from the road.
• At present, David estimates the cost of resurfacing the road to be approximately $65,000.
On Sunday, June 6, 2010, Nora (President), Terry (Secretary-Treasurer), Stuart and Barb (both elected to the Board of Directors) met to review David’s reports and to make recommendations to all HOA members, for your vote. (Nancy is also a Director. Clara is the Vice President. Neither of them could attend the June 6 meeting.)
David’s recommended process for routine maintenance and the cost of that maintenance are in line with the work that Mark and his crew did in 2009. We will ask Mark to clean the road surface and fill cracks again, as his earliest convenience.
The strong sense of the HOA when we met earlier in the year was that we are willing to see annual dues increase so that we will be prepared for the major resurfacing cost when it becomes necessary. Those of us who were here when the last resurfacing occurred remember that the HOA had very little money and we had to charge ourselves a lot in a short time to raise the funds. It was a hardship on many of us and we want to avoid that situation.
The fact that we now have $26,000, most of which can be considered to be for the resurfacing, is the result of an increase in dues passed years ago in an effort to plan ahead. It is great that we already have more than a third of the projected cost. However, we cannot know for sure what the cost will be. The $26,000 accumulated over about 10 years and we cannot count on having another ten years.
We do need to look at increasing the annual dues again. The HOA membership will be asked to vote for one of two increases, as shown below.
• Increase from $250 a year to $400 a year
o When added to the current balance, this can be expected to cover routine maintenance and to accumulate approximately $70,000 over ten years.
• Increase from $250 a year to $650 per year.
o When added to the current balance, this can be expected to cover routine maintenance and to accumulate approximately $70,000 over five years.
Note that the “Five Year Plan” ends up costing each lot-owner less--$3,250 over five years—compared to the “Ten Year Plan.” The total cost per lot over 10 years will be $4,000.
However if any of you would find that the higher amount would be a hardship for your household, you are welcome to let us know that by leaving a note (anonymous, if you prefer) in my (Nora’s) mailbox. My address is 391 Lystra Estates. I am sure the HOA will want to take that into consideration.
This is how we go forward:
• The HOA will meet at Nora’s house on Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. The meeting’s purpose will be to discuss the information which is attached to this letter, and to vote on an increase in the annual dues.
• If you cannot attend the meeting, you may vote by proxy. Proxies will be mailed or emailed to you in July.
• There are now 19 lots, with two households owning two lots each. To pass the increase, ten households will have to vote in favor of the new amount.
• You will find the following attachments to this email, or enclosures to regular mail:
o David Poythress’ report and additional emailed answers
o A spreadsheet illustrating accumulation of funds under the Five Year Plan and the Ten Year Plan.
Please read all of the material and talk with Nora or Terry if you have additional questions that should be answered before the vote is taken.
David’s report, as noted above, does emphasize the need to keep the sides of the road clear, to provide good drainage, etc. Since we largely rely on individual property owners to do their own maintenance, please take a good look at your boundary and do what needs to be done.
• Cut down saplings and bushes.
• Clear undergrowth. Be sure your driveway culvert is clear.
• Remove dead trees.
• Clear dead leaves out of ditches so that water runs to culverts.
• If the needed work is beyond your ability or time, please hire someone to take care of it. It is your responsibility, as we have all agreed.
Dear Lystra Estates Drive Property Owners,
David Poythress, an expert on road maintenance, examined the condition of Lystra Estates Drive and prepared a report for us. He also answered some additional questions. All of the information he provided is attached.
The major points from the report and additional answers are:
• The road is currently in “good” condition. There is a scale used by professionals to evaluate the condition of pavement. David rated ours at 85.7. The “Good” ranking is from 81-90.
• Reevaluation should be done every two to five years.
• Intermediate maintenance such as the work done by Mark and his crew in 2009 should be done every 1-2 years to lengthen the life of the road. David estimates this cost to be in the range of $1,000 to $2,000.
• Once the rating drops to the 75-80 range, we’ll need to be ready to resurface the road. This could be in five years; routine maintenance can extend the life of the road.
• In addition to maintenance of the pavement, it is important to keep ditches and culverts clear so that water flows away from the road.
• At present, David estimates the cost of resurfacing the road to be approximately $65,000.
On Sunday, June 6, 2010, Nora (President), Terry (Secretary-Treasurer), Stuart and Barb (both elected to the Board of Directors) met to review David’s reports and to make recommendations to all HOA members, for your vote. (Nancy is also a Director. Clara is the Vice President. Neither of them could attend the June 6 meeting.)
David’s recommended process for routine maintenance and the cost of that maintenance are in line with the work that Mark and his crew did in 2009. We will ask Mark to clean the road surface and fill cracks again, as his earliest convenience.
The strong sense of the HOA when we met earlier in the year was that we are willing to see annual dues increase so that we will be prepared for the major resurfacing cost when it becomes necessary. Those of us who were here when the last resurfacing occurred remember that the HOA had very little money and we had to charge ourselves a lot in a short time to raise the funds. It was a hardship on many of us and we want to avoid that situation.
The fact that we now have $26,000, most of which can be considered to be for the resurfacing, is the result of an increase in dues passed years ago in an effort to plan ahead. It is great that we already have more than a third of the projected cost. However, we cannot know for sure what the cost will be. The $26,000 accumulated over about 10 years and we cannot count on having another ten years.
We do need to look at increasing the annual dues again. The HOA membership will be asked to vote for one of two increases, as shown below.
• Increase from $250 a year to $400 a year
o When added to the current balance, this can be expected to cover routine maintenance and to accumulate approximately $70,000 over ten years.
• Increase from $250 a year to $650 per year.
o When added to the current balance, this can be expected to cover routine maintenance and to accumulate approximately $70,000 over five years.
Note that the “Five Year Plan” ends up costing each lot-owner less--$3,250 over five years—compared to the “Ten Year Plan.” The total cost per lot over 10 years will be $4,000.
However if any of you would find that the higher amount would be a hardship for your household, you are welcome to let us know that by leaving a note (anonymous, if you prefer) in my (Nora’s) mailbox. My address is 391 Lystra Estates. I am sure the HOA will want to take that into consideration.
This is how we go forward:
• The HOA will meet at Nora’s house on Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. The meeting’s purpose will be to discuss the information which is attached to this letter, and to vote on an increase in the annual dues.
• If you cannot attend the meeting, you may vote by proxy. Proxies will be mailed or emailed to you in July.
• There are now 19 lots, with two households owning two lots each. To pass the increase, ten households will have to vote in favor of the new amount.
• You will find the following attachments to this email, or enclosures to regular mail:
o David Poythress’ report and additional emailed answers
o A spreadsheet illustrating accumulation of funds under the Five Year Plan and the Ten Year Plan.
Please read all of the material and talk with Nora or Terry if you have additional questions that should be answered before the vote is taken.
David’s report, as noted above, does emphasize the need to keep the sides of the road clear, to provide good drainage, etc. Since we largely rely on individual property owners to do their own maintenance, please take a good look at your boundary and do what needs to be done.
• Cut down saplings and bushes.
• Clear undergrowth. Be sure your driveway culvert is clear.
• Remove dead trees.
• Clear dead leaves out of ditches so that water runs to culverts.
• If the needed work is beyond your ability or time, please hire someone to take care of it. It is your responsibility, as we have all agreed.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Dues Time
Terry has passed out or mailed the reminders that our HOA dues should be paid to her by July 31, 2009.
$250 per lot, payable to Lystra Estates Homeowners Association. Don't make Terry work harder than necessary this year!
Thanks, and I hope you're all enjoying summer and those home grown tomatoes. Nora
$250 per lot, payable to Lystra Estates Homeowners Association. Don't make Terry work harder than necessary this year!
Thanks, and I hope you're all enjoying summer and those home grown tomatoes. Nora
Legend Oaks Phase III
Hi everybody. Property owners whose lots abut Legend Oaks Phase III have received a letter from the County. I thought all would be interested, so I'm posting it here. If it appears small, double click on it and I think you'll get it big enough to read.
I'm interested to see that the developer wants to extend the time for submitting the final plat for approval to 30 months.
Obviously, "we don't want more neighbors" isn't going to be a good argument. I think the Planning Department should be aware of how steep and rocky the land is. Other thoughts? Thanks, Nora
I'm interested to see that the developer wants to extend the time for submitting the final plat for approval to 30 months.
Obviously, "we don't want more neighbors" isn't going to be a good argument. I think the Planning Department should be aware of how steep and rocky the land is. Other thoughts? Thanks, Nora
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Goats!
www.thegoatpatrol.com
We could probably keep them busy for a few days!
PS--I've edited the link. I previously had goatpatrol rather than thegoatpatrol. I understand goatpatrol is X-rated. My deepest apologies to anyone who got it.
We could probably keep them busy for a few days!
PS--I've edited the link. I previously had goatpatrol rather than thegoatpatrol. I understand goatpatrol is X-rated. My deepest apologies to anyone who got it.
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