Spring
Newsletter
April 2010
From the woodpile…President’s Article
Hopefully spring is here to stay… And we’ll appreciate being outside even more after the harsh winter. Now is the time for taking care of things from the top down, inside and out.
· Get your chimney cleaned now, the chimney sweeps are available to work!
· Wet basements are best avoided by providing drainage away from the house. One preventative measure is to ensure that run-off from the roof is directed away from the ground beside the foundation wall using downspout extensions or splash blocks.
o Check your roof and gutters for ice and snow damage.
o Are the splash blocks, downspout extensions and window well covers still in place, and in good shape?
Fixing these items will remove a major source of basement leaks.
· Examine your sump pump and the sump well. Is the area where the sump pump dumps water outside your house properly sloped? Is the basement stairwell drain clear?
· Also, check your windows, doors, and siding for damage and replace any deteriorated caulking. These areas can
MWHOA Board of Directors:
President Charles Kortlang
Vice President Donna Harding
Treasurer Paula Oas
Secretary Kevin Kenealy
Member at Large Alda Simpson
How to Reach the Board:
Address: Post Office Box 2645
Laurel, MD 20709
Voice Mail: (240) 554-2438
E-mail:
Internet www.mwhoa.com
MWHOA does not necessarily endorse
advertisers’ products and services
allow water to come into your home, resulting in rot and mildew.
Moving on to the yard…
· Be sure to tune up your lawn mower and other power equipment. You will save fuel and reduce pollution at the same time.
o Correctly setting and sharpening your mower blade ensures the the grass is cut cleanly and at the right height.
o A proper cut makes your lawn more resistant to disease, retains moisture in the soil, and controls weeds.
o This not only reduces the need for watering, it eliminates the need for synthetic fungicides and herbicides.
· If you use them, please read the labels on all fertilizers and pesticides, then apply them properly. Consider pets and animals when you use chemicals
· Remove any fallen or dead foliage from your property. Unfortunately, nature did a lot of damage this winter, but if you have a fireplace, Bradford Pear is a fairly good wood to burn.
· Save water by checking your spigots, hoses, and nozzles for any leaks. Washers are inexpensive and save a lot of water.
· Consider putting up a bird feeder. During the snowstorms our feathered friends were in dire need of food and water. If we establish feeding areas for them now they will know where to go when the ground is covered.
And last but not least…
· Replace the wipers on your car, refill the washer fluid, and, while you’re at it, check your tire pressure.
· Let’s keep those windshields clean and unobstructed.
· Proper pressure means your tires will last longer and you can save gas at the same time!
-Charles Kortlang
MWHOA Financial Update
Balance Sheet
As of 2/28/10
Assets
Bank, Savings & Investment Accounts
Checking Account at
Bank of America (BOA) $ 9,909.86
Money Market - E-Trade $18,580.48
CD - Risk Free - BOA $ 9,231.79
CD - Regular - BOA $30,266.60
CDs account - E*Trade $0.00
Other Assets
Assessments receivable $ 1,295.06
Late fees receivable $ 360.00
Legal fee receivable $ 1,705.00
Liened amounts receivable
for pre-2005 $ 1,461.24
Certified mailing cost/
NSF receivable $ 201.50
Lien recording costs receiv. $ 1,897.13
Total Assets $74,908.66
Liabilities and Owners Equity
Prepaid Owner Assessments $ 186.00
Owners Equity $74,722.66
Total Liabilities and
Owners Equity $74,908.66
-- Paula Oas
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Helping your neighbors and
your community
Crime statistics continue to show reduced criminal activity in District VI of Prince Georges County, as well as in Laurel. Robbers apparently do not like to work in deep snow! While there have been incidents in the adjacent communities, we have not heard of a criminal act in Montpelier Woods for the last 4 months.
Unfortunately, there has been an increase in
speeding (which is against the law),
particularly on Basswood Drive and
Snowden Road. It seems that as the
temperature rises, drivers increase their speed. Please slow down -- protect yourself and your neighbors. We expect to see radar and laser speed traps in our community soon, so don’t speed unless you want to have a policeman pull you over. And no, we don’t profit from the fines…
Did you know Prince Georges County Police are available to do a free home security check? You can learn how to secure your property and show a police presence in our community too. Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) squad can schedule a survey at a time good for you. He can be reached at 301-937-0910.
One last thing…each spring we seem to have a surge in unwanted solicitation. You can ignore the people knocking at your door, or you can call police dispatch at 301-333-4000 and report it immediately. There is no approved solicitation in Montpelier Woods, except for the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
BE WATCHFUL, AND RELAX. ENJOY THE SOUNDS AND SMELLS OF SPRING.
Dale Good, Neighborhood Watch Chairman
Our Common Areas
Montpellier Woods has many areas that are available for the enjoyment of our residents. No, there is not a community swimming pool, tennis courts, or even a meetinghouse. Our community’s common areas are wide-open green spaces, and wooded areas.
Our free space was designed to allow
residents an opportunity to enjoy the
woodlands that surround our
community. Behind many of our homes is a ring of common areas that allow us to walk around the perimeter of our neighborhood. The smaller common areas between some of the homes allow access to these areas, as well as a shortcut to other streets. This does not mean you can open someone’s gate or hop their fence, of course!
The Board maintains all the common areas. That means cutting the grass and removing the leaves from the grassy areas. For the woods, it means cutting down dead trees that residents report to the board as hazards.
THANKS to all of you who cut the grass in
the small common areas between houses. It
has reduced our financial obligation, and you can enjoy a space that is just as well- kept as your yard does.
What the Board would like to know is, how do you use the common areas? Do you enjoy looking out at the green space or woods? Is this a pleasant place for a walk? Do you consider the trees past your back yard a hazard? Do you pick up trash, if any, or report damaged/dangerous trees to the board? What about photographing the birds, squirrels, or other wildlife?
Inquiring minds want to know! Contact the Board at 240-554-2438, or MWHOA PO Box 2645 Laurel MD 20709. Please include your name and address along with your comments.
Waste Collection – help collectors help you!
Did you know that curbside collection of yard waste is now available year-round, and every week? Yard waste includes grass clippings, leaves, small branches, brush, and Christmas trees. But, it can’t just be left out on the curb.
Put the yard waste in heavy-duty trashcans with handles and a secure lid, or in securely tied, heavy-duty paper or plastic bags. Cardboard boxes are not acceptable.
There are also size and weight restrictions. Limbs must be under 4 feet long and 3 inches in diameter, and securely tied in bundles. Bundles of limbs and bags of dry grass/leaves must weigh less than 60 pounds; wet grass and leaves must be less than 25 pounds.
Where does it go? Once collected, it is taken to the Prince George's County Yard Waste Composting Facility. This County-owned and operated facility processes over 50,000 tons of yard waste annually.
For more information, call (301) 952-7630, or go to the website at http://www.princegeorges countymd.gov/der/waste.asp
This sure is a neighborhood full of friendly people, willing to help each other out. The two back-to-back blizzards certainly bore that out. Neighbors rose to the occasion in many ways; the list is long and the people many.
Some were prepared, some not. We hear one neighbor borrowed a snow shovel for the December storm, and then the first blizzard, and then the second… It was a good thing his neighbors had bought their shovels early! If you plan to drive in the snow, be sure to keep a small shovel in your car. Spray the blade with silicone, and the snow won’t stick to it.
Many knew they did not have to complete the shoveling all at one time, especially when there is a lot of snow, and paced themselves.
numbers of a few local young adults looking for work shoveling. Some neighbors used them; others turned them away but later wished they hadn’t! Local kids are willing to work, ask around now about lawn work and shoveling.
Keeping a stock of supplies on hand --since daily trips to the store can’t be guaranteed-- should include an extra tank of propane, and at least 2 gallons of gasoline. Why? When the snow blowers ran out of gasoline, neighbors who had it gladly gave up fuel to keep them going. Gasoline has a shelf life that can be extended with stabilizers. If the gasoline is not used within 2 or 3 three months it should be used in the car and the can refilled. With stabilizers you can go up to 6 months before putting unused gasoline into the car tank.
Know your neighbors. They are your best resource for aid when you need it. If we didn’t get it before, we certainly get it now that we can’t expect help for at least 2 to 3 days, maybe more when things get bad. And when In Montpelier Woods, neighbors helped each other digging out – shoveling snow goes easier when shoveling with someone else, or just having a friendly chat across the ever-growing mounds of snow.
claiming they wanted to buy a paper, but they actually wanted to see how things were in the neighborhood. It was great to see people out and share the news we had…
…But it was also disconcerting to discover just how vulnerable we are. There was a tree on the line bringing electricity into our community, and that prompted a flurry of calls to BG&E. At one time, Mallard Drive was blocked
by a stuck tractor trailer, and Snowden Road was blocked by abandoned cars, eliminating all access to Rt197. At the same time, a tree partially blocked Pheasant Run. So, the only way into our neighborhood was via Basswood Road off 197…if we could navigate the hill with cars blocking that route as well, that is.
In the end, though many of us were effectively snowed in, we could still check on each other.
To our neighbors who kept their cars off the streets, and especially to those who pitched in when needed, THANKS for being so
NEIGHBORLY we all appreciated it !!!!!!
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Here are some ideas from “10 Green Investments That Pay for Themselves: Simple ways to help the environment — and your wallet, as well”
By Erin Courtenay, Dec 2008, www.everydayhealth.com
Going green requires us to think about the long term, and carefully consider the choices we make today so that we can continue to enjoy a healthy planet and a good quality of life well into the future. Here are some investments that will benefit not just the planet, but your budget as well.
Greening Your Personal Transportation
Take your car in for a tune-up. A properly maintained engine will optimize fuel efficiency, and a tune-up can improve a car's gas mileage by as much as 4 percent. It also helps prevent costly breakdowns and is a key step toward prolonging the life of your car. Most experts recommend a tune-up every year or every 30,000 miles.
Consider a hybrid or fuel-efficient car. Not only are hybrid cars a good investment because of fuel efficiency (some models get 45+ mpg), but as manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand, owners of used hybrids are able to cash in on the resale value. Combine that with lending incentives, tax breaks, and insurance discounts, and laying out the up-front cash for a hybrid begins to look like a very smart investment.
Invest in a quality commuter bike. Getting around by bicycle is good for the environment and for your pocketbook, but it's great for your health.
Commuting by bike is more appealing if you invest in a comfortable, safe bike. While you're at it, spend a little extra on proper gear, such as padded bike shorts and padded gloves. Helmets reduce the risk of serious head injury by 85 percent, and are required by law for riders under 16.
Cut Down on Your Utility Bills
Get an energy audit. Utility companies eager to help customers reduce consumption often offer services to help make their homes more energy efficient; some provide free energy audits. Contact your local utility to find out more.