Neighborhood Halloween Gathering: Saturday 11/2/24 @ 4 pm

Unfortunately there weren't enough entries to have a Chili Cookoff this year, but Allie and Joe will still be hosting a neighborhood gathering Saturday 11/2/24 at 4 pm so come on by 9832 Garden Ranges!

Feel free to bring a snack or a dish to share.

I didn't want to waste Mia's great flyer so it's below, even without the Chili Contest.

Autumn Walk HOA News 10/1/24

We have quite a lot of important information to cover this time so I will try to summarize it and then provide links for more detailed information below. Please let us know if you have any questions, thanks!

1. Selling and Refinancing Your Home: New Online Platform for Getting Resale Packages

2. Auto Debit of HOA Fees: Emerson Form Updated

3. 2025 Annual Meeting & Board Elections in November (both Emerson and Autumn Walk HOA) + Budget (need 13 houses for AWHOA quorum)

4. Save the Date: Chili Cook-Off on Sat. 11/2/24 (weekend after Halloween)

5. Miscellaneous

• Pet Waste: please pick up after your dogs, especially on the large island!
• Maintenance and Repairs
• Shredding Events (Emerson HOA 10/5/24, Howard County 11/9/24)

1. Selling and Refinancing Your Home:

2023 Autumn Walk HOA Minutes

The Minutes from the 2023 Autumn Walk HOA (AWHOA) Annual Meeting and Elections are below.

The key results are: 

1. The Board voted to adopt the proposed budget with a $10/month increase that both gets us out of operational deficit, and funds the large mandatory increase in Reserve requirements after the new Reserve Study in 2023 doubled the expected replacement cost of the retaining wall at the end of the street.
2. If you pay through your bank you must change the payment amount. Auto-debit through CAS will withdraw the correct amount. New coupon books for those who pay by check are expected in late December.
3. The Board and CAS Management will look into the cost of a forensic engineering analysis of this retaining wall since it dominates our Reserve requirements and the projected expense more than doubled.
4. Dharmesh Patel was re-elected to the Board, with his term expiring in 2026.
5.  Fred will update the Contact information on the web site sent to him by April of CAS Management, to ensure everyone knows how to set up payments, especially with the increase.

2023 Autumn Walk HOA Annual Meeting 

Date: November 13, 2023

Location: Via Zoom

Attendees:

1.     Board & Management Team:

a.     Dharmesh Patel (President), 9811

b.     Fred Leong (Vice President, Communications), 9854

c.      Allie Stegner (Member-at-Large), 9832

d.     April Day, Community Manager, Community Association Services, Inc. (CAS)

2.     Residents

a.     Attending (2): Oge (9806), AJ (9838); partway through meeting Issy (9809)

b.     Proxies (12): 9804, 9810, 9814, 9819, 9838, 9843, 9846, 9848, 9851, 9852, 9853, 9860

Agenda:

·       2022 Minutes

·       Report on Past Year

·       Landscaping, Reserve Study

·       Discussion

·       Resident’s Forum

·       Elections

·       Budget, Fees

 

2023 Meeting Notes:

Bollywood Flamingo Friday 8/11/23

The next Flamingo Friday will be hosted by 9846 on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 6 pm. They will provide beverages and Indian appetizers, and everyone is welcome to bring other items - or just show up!

These are informal events hosted by residents to give everyone a chance to meet and mingle!

Flamingo Friday 5/19/23

Fred will be hosting a Flamingo Friday this week on Friday, May 19th from 6 pm - 8 pm at 9854. Everyone is welcome to stop by for beverages, some light desserts, and maybe some appetizers.

• Since it's been a few years since we've had one of these events, the key thing to know is that anyone can host a Flamingo Friday, and the intent is simply to give neighbors a chance to gather and socialize in a casual setting.
• Also, we can help you publicize a different date if Friday doesn't work for your schedule, but this is a resident-driven event and not an official HOA activity.
• You can add something to drink or light snacks if you wish, but we hope you attend even if you don't have something to bring!

All of our residents, as well as our "alumni" and close friends, are welcomed!

For some of the history of Flamingo Fridays and the original idea you can visit the page:

http://www.autumnwalk.com/p/flamingo-fridays.html

We hope to see many of you on Friday, if just for a little while!

Autumn Walk Forum

The name of the Facebook Group for Autumn Walk HOA has now been changed to reflect its broader use as a means for residents to connect. Formerly it was primarily focused on repair and warranty issues.

The Autumn Walk Forum will remain a private group (so only members can see posts and who's in the group), but has been unhidden to make it easier for new residents and owners to find it and send a join request (please include your name and house number).

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/autumnwalkforum

Although the larger Emerson Facebook Forum likely addresses many of the needs of our residents, there are still some issues that are much more specific to our street and the unique design of our houses.

We encourage all owners and residents to join!

Autumn Walk Pizza Party 2022

*** Update: The forecast for Friday is mixed so we will plan on that date, but may need to change if it looks like we will get thunderstorms *** 

AJ has volunteered to organize the Autumn Walk HOA Pizza Party on Friday, June 17th from 6-8 pm to celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of summer!

Please RSVP so she knows how many pizzas to order (and please spread the word):

https://forms.gle/ALWYGuvsUBYUzG1UA

The event will be held outdoors at the large island in the cul-de-sac at the end of Garden Ranges. Rain date will be Sun. June 19 at noon.

Thanks!

2021 Autumn Walk HOA Annual Meeting

The 2021 Autumn Walk HOA Annual Meeting was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 as a virtual (videoconferencing) meeting.

Attendance:

• Board of Directors: Dharmesh Patel (9811), Allie Stegner (9832), Fred Leong (9854)
• AJ (9838), Mike (9853)
• Proxies (11): 9808, 9810, 8914, 9815, 9823, 9825, 9838, 9840, 9843, 9852, 9860 [Dharmesh will send to CAS]
• Management: April Day, Community Association Services (CAS)

Agenda:

• Approval of 2020 Minutes
• Report on past year
• Landscaping
• FY22 Budget
• Elections

Meeting Notes:

1. Meeting was called to order by Dharmesh at 6:05 PM
1. Quorum was achieved (12 houses needed, Dharmesh will send proxies to CAS)
2. 2021 Annual Meeting minutes (written by Allie)
1. Approved 2020 Minutes 3-0 [Dharmesh motion, Allie second]
3. Report on past year
1. No events in 2020 due to pandemic
2. Ice Cream Social in August 2021
3. Halloween Parade on Oct. 31 (Allie reported most residents and children in attendance of any previous event)
4. Landscaping
1. Discussion of what has been done, what the contract calls for, and what needs to be corrected
2. Fall mulching and aerating with overseeding completed
3. However, Fred asked:

Picnic Replaced by Ice Cream Social Friday 8/6/21

Our apologies for the change, but the 2021 Autumn Walk Picnic has been cancelled.

However, because there have been so many new families that have moved into Autumn Walk in the past 2 years, we still wanted to give you an opportunity to meet each other.

So we will have an ice cream social this Friday on the large island at the end of our street. We know it's short notice!

Walk-ups are welcome but please help us with our planning by going to the RSVP link (you don’t need an account to RSVP, but we ask that you give us your name and house number):

• https://bit.ly/3xca3pi

You're also welcome to bring something to the social and we hope you'll be able to attend if only for a little while! Hope to see you there!

Date: Friday, August 6, 2021
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Location: Large island in cul-de-sac

Emerson Clubhouse Construction Begins

The rebuild and renovation of the Emerson Clubhouse will begin soon, with the parking lot fenced off beginning Wed., June 30, 2021. The construction trailer is already in place.

A second story will be added to the Clubhouse, creating usable space for the first time for large meetings and events, and also adding a small fitness center.

The pool pumping equipment was also evaluated during the pre-construction phase and it was discovered that the equipment would need to be repaired or replaced. Rather than perform this work in two phases the Emerson Board of Directors decided to close the pool entirely for 2021.

Originally slated to begin in Winter 2021, the project was delayed in getting permits and is now scheduled to be completed in early 2022.

During construction the Emerson Food Trucks (every Friday, and alternate Wednesdays) have located to the Enclave at Emerson parking lot at 8450 Upper Sky Way, Laurel, MD 20723.

Save the Date! Autumn Walk Picnic Sat. 8/28/21

Save the Date on your calendars! The 2021 Autumn Walk HOA Picnic will be on Saturday, August 28, 2021 (with the next day the Rain Date). More details will be coming in a month.

It's been two years since we've had a Picnic due to the pandemic, making it harder to meet the neighbors including several new families.

Thanks go out to AJ (9838), Swapnil (9846), Jenny (9847), and Fred (9854) for volunteering to organize the event. Let them/us know if you want to help in any way, even if you can't participate in the planning!

2020 Autumn Walk HOA Annual Meeting

 2020 AutumnWalk HOA Annual Meeting 11-16-2020

Attendance:

• Present: Dharmesh (9811), Allie (9832), Mike (9853), AJ (9838)
• Proxies:
• Management: April Day, CAS Inc.

Agenda:

Quorum Established (12 accounted for)

• Adopt 2019 Minutes
• Financial Review
• 2021 Budget 
• Presidents Report
• Yearly Overview
• Community Gatherings/Events
• Landscape
• Snow Removal
• Misc
• Election (One open position) 
• Residents Forum

1. 7:05 Call to order
2. Introductions
1. AJ and Mike were in attendance. They are new to the neighborhood this year.
3. Adopt 2019 Minutes (Motion: Dharmesh, Second:Allie; Passed uncontested)
4. Financial Review
1. No need to raise dues
2. Working with slightly less income because of lowered interest rate
3. Not a lot has changed as far as expenses
4. No delinquency problem
5. Current management contract was due for an increase this year
6. Current landscaper contract was a 3% increase this year.
5. Adopt 2021 Budget (Motion: Dharmesh, Second:Allie; Passed uncontested)
6. Community Gatherings
1. Due to Covid the community picnic and Halloween chili cook-off was canceled.
2. We were able to have a social distant pumpkin carving activity and Halloween parade with goodie bags for the kids.
7. Landscaping
1. Johnson Landscaping will be out to trim low hanging branches around the sub-division.
2. Bushes will be planted in the large island in the back to replace ones that have died.
3. Leaf collection will be happening within a week.
8. Snow Removal
1. Haven’t had a large need for this the past couple of winters Johnson is in touch with Dharmesh prior to a snowstorm coming.
9. Elections
1. One position open
2. Allie, Member at large
3. Bindu (9811) nominated Allie for re-election.
4. Motion to reappoint Allie made by Dharmesh, AJ Carew second motion.
5. Passed uncontested.
10. Residents Forum
1. No one had any additional concerns or questions
11. Best wishes to Fred for a speedy recovery
12. 7:50pm Meeting Adjourn

Autumn Walk at Emerson News 8/24/20

1. Stephens Road Bridge Project: Closure next week o/a 8/30/20
2. Night Hours: After 10 PM
3. Welcome new neighbors!
4. Landscaping & Maintenance
5. Clubhouse Plans Revealed 8/27/20
6. Emerson Food Trucks: Wed, Fri, Weekends
7. Emerson Upgrades & Initiatives (driven by Emerson Community volunteers)
8. Hammond High School: $76M Renovation/Expansion Has Begun

News Items August 2020:

1. Stephens Road Bridge Project: Closure on/about Sunday 8/30/20 

• Stephens Road to close for about a week to relocate water/sewer lines during work hours (7 AM - 4 PM)
• Afterwards, construction of new bridge to begin, may take as long as 2 years
• Project lifts the bridge out of the floodplain (raising it 7-8 feet). Will also widen Stephens, add sidewalks, and add a median for traffic calming.
• Will have two spans, so for the most part should always have one span open without major detours
• Full info at bottom

2. Day/Night Hours: After 10 PM

Draft Minutes: 2019 Autumn Walk HOA Annual Meeting 10/28/19

The 2019 Autumn Walk HOA Annual Meeting and Elections were held on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 7 PM in the Emerson Clubhouse. Fred Leong took the minutes as he did for 2018 as well.

·        Attendance:

o   Present (4): (9811) Dharmesh, (9832) Allie, (9854) Fred; (9836) Tammy

o   Proxies (13): 9807; 9810; 9812; 9814; 9830; 9837; 9840; 9844; 9846; 9847; 9848; 9853; 9858

o   Management: April Day, CAS Inc.

·        Agenda

o   Quorum Established (17 accounted for, 12 needed)

o   Call to Order and Introductions

o   Adopt 2018 Minutes

o   Financial Review

§  2020 Budget

o   Presidents Report

§  Yearly Overview

§  Community Gatherings/Events

§  Landscape Beautification

§  Snow Removal

§  Misc

o   Proposals

o   Elections (2 open positions)

o   Residents Forum

Highlights:

1.     Board proposes Picnic for Sunday, May 17

a.     Pizza party with drinks, rest is potluck

b.     Will check that location is available, and that residents can attend

2.     Landscaping

a.     Please remember to keep your yards accessible for the landscaping contract, and avoid having anything breakable in your yards

b.     Will remove dead bushes on traffic islands (both large and small), just replace with mulch

c.     Board will add removing weeds in sidewalk cracks to Landscaping contract; will get a price on full weeding

d.     Authorized up to $5000 for an improvement project (does not have to be in those locations), resident proposals requested

e.     Board votes to ask if the sub-HOAs will jointly formally request that Emerson cover tree trimming and snow removal on major roads throughout Emerson

                                               i.     Affects appearance of entire community and budget has cashflow

3.     Emerson Election

a.     Need 169 houses to reach quorum, will have proxy forms at Halloween Block Party

4.     Home Maintenance: Emerson Violations

a.     Many houses received violations for fences, but confusion as to which fences belong to which house, especially when there are two dividers – is it the property line, or the side facing your house that matters?

                                               i.     Who cleans, paints, replaces fence?

                                             ii.     Will get clarification from Emerson

b.     Board will need to inspect Autumn Walk in late May

                                               i.     Yards should replace landscaping with something if everything has been removed

                                             ii.     Also some yards typically need cleanup, usually weeding

5.     2020 Budget adopted

a.     One-time deficit for landscaping improvement project

b.     Want to avoid raising fees as long as possible

6.     Elections

a.     Dharmesh Patel, Fred Leong reappointed to 2-year terms (no other applications received)

Details:

2019 Halloween Block Party, Pumpkin Carving, and Chili Cook-Off

Be sure to stop by Allie's house (9832 Garden Ranges) on Halloween (Thursday, October 31st) for the annual Autumn Walk Halloween Block Party!

Please let Allie know at amehok01@yahoo.com if you want to enter the Chili Cook-Off. She has three meat entries and two vegetarian at the moment.

The schedule of events:

• Sunday, October 26 at 2:30 PM: Pumpkin carving in Allie's garage (9832 Garden Ranges)
• Thursday, October 31 (6 PM - 8 PM)
• Chili Cook-Off (please bring your entries between 5 PM and 6 PM)
• Halloween Block Party

2019 Halloween Block Party on Garden Ranges!

The Autumn Walk Halloween Block Party and Chili Cook-Off will be on Halloween (Thursday, October 31) this year!

• Allie Stegner will be the host in 9832 again so please let her know if you are interested in entering a chili (meat or vegetarian) and whether you would be interested in a pumpkin carving contest.

• Email her at amehok01@yahoo.com or tell her when you see her.

Also:

Is anyone interested in taking over the decoration of the small island or other common areas from Fred Leong?

• We can provide the existing decorations and maybe even provide a small budget.

Emerson Community Facebook Forum

Did you know that Emerson has a Facebook Forum, a closed group open only to residents and owners, that has become the place to go to get recommendations, find out what's going on in the community, and do a little buying and selling?

Join in the fun! You'll be asked to provide an Emerson address.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/emersonhomeowners/

Autumn Walk Annual Meeting Notes 10/29/18

·         Agenda 10/29/18

o   7:00      Quorum Established

o   7:01      Call to Order and Introductions

o   7:02      Adoption of the 2017 Annual Meeting Minutes

o   7:05      Financial Review

§  2019 Budget Overview/Formal Board Adoption

§  Grounds Contract 2019

o   7:20      President’s Report

§  Yearly Overview

§  Community Gatherings/Events

§  Misc

o   7:30      Election – one open position

o   7:45      Open Forum for Community Concerns

o   8:00      Meeting Adjourned

·         Quorum Established (12 needed)

2018 Autumn Walk Picnic

After weeks of rain, the weather for the 2018 Autumn Walk Picnic was unbelievably beautiful: sunny, mild, and with low humidity.

The HOA provided a wide variety of pizzas and the community furnished drinks, beer, side dishes, desserts, and most importantly - themselves!

Thanks go out to Melody and Jim for hosting the event in their garage and parking pad, as well as providing tents, tables, drinks, food, and even TV and music.

We had at least 18 houses participate in some form or another, with almost 50 adults and kids stopping by at some point during the day to chat or just to snag some pizza.

And the weather was so perfect that an event scheduled from 1 pm - 4 pm lasted well into the evening, with Jim and Melody breaking out the fire pit after sunset. Jim's drone was also a hit with both the big kids and the little kids!

For a full album, go the Facebook page, and we hope to see you all at the next event (probably the Halloween Block Party on Sat. Oct. 27th unless someone throws an impromptu Flaming Friday in between)!

• 2018 Autumn Walk Picnic (Facebook album)

Halloween in Autumn Walk

Our 2018 Halloween decorations in Autumn Walk: