TALK OF THE TOWNS
TOWNHOMES OF TIMBERLAND
SPRING 2008
Homeowner’s Association’s to Hold Board of Directors Meeting
Spring 2008 Townhomes of Timberland 7
The Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday April 30, 2008 at 7:00 PM at Ellicott Mills Middle School, 4445 Montgomery Road. The Board has invited “Neighbor to Neighbor” to talk about emergency preparedness, and our new ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance account manager, Mr. Jim McKeever, has been invited to address any landscaping questions or concerns. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!
Neighbor to Neighbor
Do you remember what you were doing on September 11, 2001? Were you ready for the power outages, the lack of water supply and the electrical lines that were down in the middle of neighborhood streets because of Hurricane Isabel? Could you have been prepared, or ready, for these horrific events, despite the fact that they usually arrived unannounced?
Representatives from the Community Emergency Response Network, Neighbor-to-Neighbor, will speak at our April Board meeting on preparing our community for emergencies. There are practical steps you can take that emphasize plans for you, your family, and neighborhood to take, if instructed by local authorities to shelter-in-place following an unexpected disaster or emergency. Being able to sustain yourself, your family and neighborhood for up to five days is the goal of Neighbor-to-Neighbor.
Visit the Neighbor-to-Neighbor website at www.bepreparedbeready.org/sites/n2n for more information. Better still, attend the April 30th meeting at Ellicott Mill Middle School and learn more directly from the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program.
Spring 2008 Townhomes of Timberland 7
Neighborhood Parking Problems and Violations
Spring 2008 Townhomes of Timberland 7
Parking, without a doubt, is one of our community’s biggest hot-button topics. In this issue of the newsletter, we will look at parking problems that are violations of either Maryland Motor Vehicle Laws and/or the Howard County Code.
· It is illegal to stop, stand, or park a vehicle in a fire lane.
· It is illegal to stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not:
o In front of a private driveway, except with the consent of the owner
o Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
· It is prohibited to stop, stand, or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid a conflict with other traffic, or when complying with the directions of a police officer:
o On a sidewalk
o Within an intersection
o In the opposite direction from the flow of traffic
· When parking on a two-way roadway, such as Timberland Circle, park with the right-hand wheels, front and back, parallel to and within 12 inches of the right hand curb or edge of the roadway.
While it might not seem like a big deal when we see a car or truck breaking one of these parking laws here in our community, consider the consequences of the action. For the convenience of one, the entire neighborhood could be not only inconvenienced, but it safety could be put at risk.
A car parked in the fire lane could mean a fire truck might not be able to negotiate the curve in the road, delaying the time it takes to respond to a fire. It could also mean not being able to hook up the fire hoses to the closest hydrant.
Parking across the end of a driveway, even partially, could result in property damage to one or more cars if the resident whose driveway is blocked tries to enter or exit their driveway around the illegally parked vehicle. It could also force the driveway owner to find another place to park, adding to the already over burdened parking problem in the courts or around the circle.
While it might seem commendable to try to get an extra car or truck into the end or bottom of a driveway, the resulting blocking of the sidewalk is also illegal. It is also a safety concern, as walkers would have to walk in the street or through your yard.
When a car, truck, or other vehicle violates the above laws, the police will issue tickets, and in most cases can have the violating vehicle towed at the owner’s expense. To report a car or truck parked illegally in the Townhomes of Timberland, call the Howard County Police non-emergency telephone number, 410.313.2200, to report the violation(s).
Spring 2008 Townhomes of Timberland 7
Become Involved with Your Neighborhood, Join a Committee
Spring 2008 Townhomes of Timberland 7
The Homeowner’s Association’s Board of Director has set up the following committees for the improvement and advancement of the community. Residents interested in joining their neighbors on one or more of these committees should contact the Board of Directors by emailing the management company at dboso@wpmllc, or sign up at the April 30th Board meeting.
Architectural Review Committee - The committee, under the direction of Board member Rob Kimberl, will review homeowner’s requests for improvements, modifications, repairs, or changes to their townhouses, based on the ARC Modification Forms submitted by the residents. The committee will make suggestions for addressing common problems most homeowners must cope with in maintaining their townhouses.
Communications Committee - Members of this committee will write and publish future issue of the Townhomes of Timberland newsletter, Talk of the Towns. They will also review, rewrite, update and recommend improvements to the community’s web site, townhomesoftimberland.com. The committee will also propose new methods by which the Board can improve communications with the homeowners and residents of the community. Board member Doug Neilson will work with this committee.
Emergency Preparedness Committee - Working with Board member Mark Hensman, who brings his experience with the American Red Cross, the committee will look at ways our community can prepare for nearly every kind of emergency, such as fire, tornados, earth quakes, hurricanes, blizzards, etc. The committee will develop an inventory of, organize, and manage all resources and information to help residents prepare for and survive any disaster (large or small) which affects our neighborhood.
Grounds Committee - Working with Board President Leila Bristow, the Grounds Committee focus will be on landscaping (lawn mowing service, planting beds in the common areas, front entrance planting), snow removal, the care and maintenance of the sidewalks and court surfaces, and the tennis court. The committee will look for ways to improve the various services and make suggestions for community improvements. Committee members will be an extra set of eyes for the Board and HOA, watching out for problems with the use or abuse of the Common Areas.
Social Committee - Member of this committee will serve as the Townhomes of Timberland’s “Welcoming Committee.” The committee will help develop a welcoming kit with the Board and management company that will help new residents get to know the community, their neighbors, and the amenities that Ellicott City and Howard County have to offer. Another project will be to update, upgrade, and maintain the community telephone directory. However, it is not all about work, as the Social Committee will plan and organize community events, such as picnics, cookouts, tennis tournaments, community cleanup projects, yard sales, etc.
XDo You Have a Gas Leak?
Recently one of our neighbors discovered, for a second time in 5 years, that the natural gas connection to their house was leaking. The leak was significant, requiring BGE to make emergency repairs.
All residents are encouraged to check their gas meters, located either on the front or side of their homes, and all inside gas connections for any sign of a leak now and on a regular basis. One simple method you can use to check for leaks is to “paint” the connections with a soapy water solution (1-part dishwashing liquid soap to 2-parts water.) If you see any bubbles in the liquid, you have a leak. You can also use your nose to check for leaks. BGE adds an unpleasant odor to the natural gas supplied to our homes, making it smell similar to rotten eggs. (If you have ever been to Yellowstone National Park or any natural sulfur springs or geysers, you are probably familiar with this smell.) Here is some useful information from BGE:
Possible gas leaks:
Extinguish all open flames.
Do not use matches or lighters, and do not attempt to light your appliances.
Do not touch electric switches, thermostats, or appliance controls.
If the odor is strong, do not use your corded or wireless phone. All of these devices can cause sparks.
Leave the premises and go to a safe place.
Call BGE: 410.685.0123 or 1.800.685.0123 or 1.800.735.2258 TTY/TDD (Maryland Relay)
Remain at the safe location and wait for BGE to arrive. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Planning to Sell Your home?
You will Need a Resale Package
If you are selling your townhouse, you are required by Maryland law to provide the buyer with a Resale Package. Resale packages are prepared by our management company, WP&M,The cost for preparing these packages is $175.00. Once you have submitted your request with the check, the management company has 12 days to provide you with the package. Your Resale Package will be valid for only 90 days from the date it is issued. If you do not close on the sale of your home in that time, you will have to request a new package and submit another check for $175.00.
The Townhomes of Timberland Resale Package includes a variety of documents such as:
ü Articles of Incorporation
ü Declaration of Covenants
ü By-Laws
ü Rules and Regulations
ü Budget for current fiscal year
ü Balance sheet
ü Planned Urban Development form listing any violations at the home and/or any balance due the Homeowner’s Association at the time the package was issued
To get a Resale Package, Contact:
Resale Department
c/o WP&M Real Estate Group
7 Gwynns Mills Court, # F
Owings Mills, MD 21117
443.796.7400 – Office
443.796.7188 – Fax
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Spring 2008 Townhomes of Timberland 7
Pet Corner…
Please Use Proper Pet Etiquette - Clean-up After Your Pets!
Spring 2008 Townhomes of Timberland 7
An edition of the Talk of the Towns newsletter would not be complete without including an article on cleaning up after our pets. Unfortunately, this problem seems to be increasing instead of disappearing from our community. Pet waste is not attractive. It is not a fertilizer. It can smell bad, and is a health concern for pets and humans.
Experts estimate that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which can cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans. The EPA estimates that two or three days’ worth of droppings from a population of about 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay, and all watershed areas within 20 miles of it, to swimming and shell fishing.
Dog feces are one of the most common carriers of the following diseases:
Heartworms Whipworms
Hookworms Roundworms
Tapeworms Parvo
Corona Giardiasis
Salmonellosis Cryptosporidiosis
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pet droppings can contribute to diseases animals pass to humans, called zoonoses. When infected dog poop is deposited on our lawns, the eggs of certain roundworms and other parasites can linger in your soil for years. Anyone who comes into contact with that soil—be it through gardening, playing sports, walking barefoot or any other means—runs the risk of coming into contact with those eggs; especially your dog.
Under the Howard County Code, pet owners are responsible for immediately removing excrement deposited by their pets and disposing of it in a sanitary manner. If you see anyone violating these laws, tell them to clean up after their pets and call the Howard County Animal Control Division at 410.313.2780. If a dog walker cannot bother with exercising proper pet etiquette by cleaning up their pets’ waste, they are not welcome to walk their pets in our neighborhood. Please help keep our neighborhood clean!
Spring 2008 Townhomes of Timberland 7
Spring 2008 Townhomes of Timberland 7
Keep your Pets on a Leash!
When your dog is not on your property, it must be on a leash and under the direct control of a responsible person. Howard County offers dog owners an off leash park where dogs can run, jump, and play. Worthington Park is located at 8170 Hillsborough Road, just off New Cut Road. For more information visit www.hocodog.org/Welcome.html. Your dog must have a valid Howard County license and you need to either purchase a daily pass ($5 per visit) or obtain a $40 per year user permit from Howard County.
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Cat & Dog Licenses
Licenses are required for all cats and dogs over the age of four months living in the county. You may purchase a license at the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043 - 410-313-2455. The proper fee, a current rabies certificate and proof of neutering, if applicable, are required. You can download a cat/dog license application form the county website at www.co.ho.md.us/DILP/DOCS/petlicense.
pdf.
Spring 2008 Townhomes of Timberland 7
Clothes Dryers + Excessive Lint [could] = Fire
Spring 2008 Townhomes of Timberland 7
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 15,500 fires associated with clothes dryers occur annually. These fires account for an average of 10 deaths and 310 injuries and more than $84.4 million in property damage annually. One cause of dyer fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct. Lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat build-up, and result in a fire in some dryers.
To help prevent dryer fires: