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Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Autumn Walk Landscaping Update 11/14/17

In response to some inquiries about leaf removal, here is a landscaping update.

Tammy from the Autumn Walk Board met with the landscaping supervisor on Tuesday 11/14/17:


1. They will be out next week for leaf removal.

  • They are removing later this year because the trees have been slow to shed.
  • They will do a lighter clean up again early December.
  • Now that a frost has hit the leaves should really start falling. 
 2. Work on the middle island should begin this week.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Minutes: Autumn Walk 2017 Annual Meeting - Draft

The 2017 Autumn Walk HOA Annual Meeting was held on Oct. 30, 2017.

Highlights:
  • HOA is in strong financial shape, ahead of schedule in saving Reserves
  • Monument Sign: Chose a design (see bottom) and will proceed to installation
  • Landscaping:
    • Need to spend $2100 to replace shrubs in small island
      • Possibly killed by dog waste, cannot proceed till this is addressed
    • Will defer maintenance/replacement of crepe myrtle trees/knockout rose on large island
    • Landscaping contract issues this year
      • Severely behind schedule early in year, inconsistent even later
      • Landscaper not identifying issues (such as the dead shrubs)
      • Have discussed with vendor, will monitor performance in final year of 3-year contract
    • Water problems coming from neighboring HOA addressed via Emerson HOA
      • Initially not noticed behind houses because Autumn Walk HOA is maintaining yards
  • Elections
    • Two positions with 2-year terms elected
    • 2018 Board:
      • President: Dharmesh Patel
      • Vice President: Fred Leong (also Secretary & Communications)
      • Member at Large: Tammy Penning
Details:

Friday, November 3, 2017

2017 Halloween Block Party and Chili Cook-Off

Many thanks go out to Allie for hosting the 5th Annual Halloween Block Party + Chili Cook-Off + Pumpkin Carving!

The events were held this year the weekend before Halloween due to schedule conflicts, but there was still a very nice turnout from the block and even a few neighboring streets.


A dedicated crew of kids started things off with pumpkin carving in the common area on Friday evening (with some kids a little bigger than others):

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Maryland Homestead Tax Credit

There are two Maryland programs that can provide tax relief on your property taxes.

1. Maryland Homestead Tax Credit

The Maryland Homestead Tax Credit limits the amount by which your property tax assessment can increase on your principal residence to 10% or less each year. (The limit in Howard County is presently set to 5% per year.)


Rising Assessments

What this means is that when your house is reassessed (roughly every 3 years), even if the value of the assessment increases sharply, the amount of the property tax you pay will be limited to increasing by no more than 5% a year in Howard County. Typically the increases are phased in over a 3-year period.

The law was enacted to prevent sharply rising property values from causing financial difficulties for long-time residents, especially retirees on fixed incomes.

But You Must Apply

The caveat is that the Maryland Homestead Tax Credit is not applied to your residence unless you submit an application. But once approved the credit is automatically applied each year afterwards.

If you're unsure of the status of your Homestead Credit, you can check your property in the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation SDAT Real Property Database.

You can apply by mail or online:

2. Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program

A separate, much less well-known program called the Homeowners' Property Tax Credit limits your property taxes on your primary residence based upon income thresholds.

Since your net worth must also be below $200,000 (not including your residence and retirement accounts) and combined gross household income must be below $60,000 this program most likely would have the biggest benefit if you suffer a sudden, unexpected financial issue such as job loss.

Also, this affects only the taxes from the first $300,000 of assessment valuation.

The maximum property tax varies as household income increases:

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

2017 (Almost) Halloween Chili Cook-Off & Pumpkin Carving

This year's Chili Cook-Off and Pumpkin Carving will be a few days early because of scheduling conflicts on Halloween itself:

Dates:
  • Friday Oct. 27: Pumpkin Carving (in the grassy common area behind 9832/9834)
  • Saturday Oct. 28: (Almost) Halloween Chili Cook-Off & Block Party
Everyone is welcome to attend (whether you enter a chili or not)!

Allie needs RSVPs for anyone entering the Chili Cook-Off so she knows how many meat and vegetarian chilis to expect!


To sign up or for more information about the events Friday and Saturday, go to the SignUpGenius page for the event:
We hope to see everyone there!

Schedule of Events:

Friday 10/27 @ 5pm: 

Monday, October 2, 2017

2017 Annual Meeting for Autumn Walk HOA

*** Update: Location has been changed to 9811 Garden Ranges. Proxies are available at:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B36wLSaQsOJHODVldWNjVDU1X0k/



The 2017 Annual Meeting and Elections for Autumn Walk HOA will be held on Oct. 30th. If you cannot attend that evening, please submit your proxy forms so the results can be valid.



Date: Monday, October 30, 2017
Time: 7 PM
Location: Emerson Clubhouse 9811 Garden Ranges (Dharmesh/Bindu's House)

Agenda:
  • Autumn Walk Board Elections 
    • One position open
    • Quorum required: 12 houses
  • Adoption of FY18 Budget
    • Entrance Sign
    • Dues will remain $75/month
  • Open Forum for Residents
    • Maintenance Issues

Monday, September 11, 2017

Another Terrific Autumn Walk Picnic!

The weather was picture perfect for the 6th Annual Autumn Walk Potluck (Picnic)!


The 2017 Picnic was a pizza party held on Sunday, Sept. 10th with Autumn Walk HOA supplying free pizza, and residents bringing a wide variety of dishes, desserts, and drinks.




About half the neighborhood attended for a day of food and fellowship, meeting neighbors with kids playing nearby. We had about 35 adults and 20 children, and a couple of furry family members as well.

Many thanks go out to Ally, Bindu, and Daphna for once again being the organizing force behind the picnic, to include roping their husbands into assisting (with Joe being the pizza delivery guy) and working with Kelly, Randy and Fred to host the event in their garages.


It's the volunteers who make our neighborhood special and we hope that some of you will be able to join us at the next event!


A full album is on our unofficial Facebook page (open to our residents and owners):

https://www.facebook.com/autumnwalkemerson/media_set?set=a.888508151301156.1073741842.100004259378442&type=3&pnref=story

Saturday, September 9, 2017

2017 Autumn Walk Pizza Party!

The Annual Autumn Walk Picnic will be a Pizza Party this year!

Date: Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017
Time: 3 PM - 6 PM
Location: At the end of the large cul-de-sac (on the right side)

Join us for the 6th Annual Potluck! Pizza will be provided by the Autumn Walk HOA. Feel free to sign up for a main course, side dish, dessert, cooler, ice, etc. 

Not able to bring anything? That's okay! Your presence is what's most important! Looking forward to seeing you there!


Thursday, April 20, 2017

The Flamingo Is Out and About!

The Flamingo is out and about! It must be Spring! That means everyone is welcome to come hang out Friday, April 21st around 7 PM.

While food and drinks are always welcome, the most important thing to bring is yourselves!


Look for it around the middle of the block (9834).

To read more about Flamingo Fridays:

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Howard County Performing Comprehensive Review of Zoning Regulations

Howard County Department of Planning & Zoning (DPZ) sponsored a very informative session on the comprehensive review of Zoning Regulations on Wed. Mar. 29 at North Laurel Community Center (NLCC).


There will be a year-long process of public engagement and feedback sessions, plus written input will be welcomed.

More information (and eventually a feedback submission link) will be at:

https://www.howardcountymd.gov/regulationassessment

• In Phase 1, zoning documents will be examined over the next year with the intent to recommend ways to:

- simplify the code,
- make it easier to read and understand, and
- make sure it has the right tools to either preserve the existing character of zones (e.g., the rural west) or help a zone achieve its intended goal, as defined in Howard County plans approved by the Council.

• In Phase 2, the regulations would be rewritten.

• Specific to our area, a Route 1 planning study will also be done at the end of the year running concurrent with the zoning regulations review.


Details:

1. HoCo will conduct a new Route 1 study to plan revitalization in late 2017 or early 2018.