This has traditionally been a potluck event with Autumn Walk HOA providing a small budget for drinks and a main course.
Contact someone on the Board or send an email to autumnwalkhoa@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out!
Monday, August 13, 2018
Autumn Walk Picnic - Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers to organize and/or host a pizza party or picnic in September.
This has traditionally been a potluck event with Autumn Walk HOA providing a small budget for drinks and a main course.
Contact someone on the Board or send an email to autumnwalkhoa@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out!
This has traditionally been a potluck event with Autumn Walk HOA providing a small budget for drinks and a main course.
Contact someone on the Board or send an email to autumnwalkhoa@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out!
Flamingo Friday Farewell - Take 2 (Friday, Aug. 17th)
The Farewell Flamingo Friday for Daphna, Sam, and Seth has been rescheduled for this Friday, August 17th!
Please join hosts Allie and Joe at 9832 as we wish a fond farewell to the family that brought Flamingo Friday to Autumn Walk.
Everyone is invited to come over early at 6 PM. The event will be held in back by their patio in the open common area behind that row, but if it rains it will be moved into the garage and basement.
As always everyone is welcome and the most important thing to bring is yourselves!
Flamingo Friday Farewell
Date: Friday, August 17, 2018
Time: 6 PM
Location: Behind 9832 in the common area
In Case of Rain: The event will be held rain or shine, but will move into the garage or basement if it rains
Please join hosts Allie and Joe at 9832 as we wish a fond farewell to the family that brought Flamingo Friday to Autumn Walk.
Everyone is invited to come over early at 6 PM. The event will be held in back by their patio in the open common area behind that row, but if it rains it will be moved into the garage and basement.
As always everyone is welcome and the most important thing to bring is yourselves!
Flamingo Friday Farewell
Date: Friday, August 17, 2018
Time: 6 PM
Location: Behind 9832 in the common area
In Case of Rain: The event will be held rain or shine, but will move into the garage or basement if it rains
Emerson Annual Inspections Begin Aug. 13th
Emerson's Annual Inspections begin on Monday, August 13, 2018 and will continue on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis until completed.
This process usually takes a few weeks to complete the 1100 homes within the community.
Only the exterior is inspected, so homeowners do not need to be present. If an issue is noted, the Emerson Community Manager will send a notification with a timeframe for addressing the issue.
The checklist provided to the teams is as follows:
This process usually takes a few weeks to complete the 1100 homes within the community.
Only the exterior is inspected, so homeowners do not need to be present. If an issue is noted, the Emerson Community Manager will send a notification with a timeframe for addressing the issue.
The checklist provided to the teams is as follows:
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Basketball Backboards Not Permitted in Townhomes
Emerson's bylaws do not permit basketball hoops in townhome communities at all, even if they are put away in the evenings.
From the Emerson HOA Bylaws, certain types are permitted in single family homes but not townhomes:
06 BASKETBALL BACKBOARDS
A. General Considerations
1. Basketball backboards (both permanent and portable) must be located so as to minimize the impact of their appearance and noise on neighboring properties.
2. When locating basketball backboards, the size of the property, relationship to adjacent residences, and screening provided by existing and proposed structures and/or vegetation are important.
3. Pole-mounted backboards are recommended rather than building-mounted backboards.
4. Any addition of paving material also requires review and approval.
5. Townhomes: Basketball Backboards are not permitted in Townhome Communities due to the close proximity of units, and the potential negative acoustical impact.
Sunday, June 17, 2018
Flamingo Farewell (Postponed)
*** Update 6/22/18: The Flamingo Farewell is being postponed because the weather is not cooperating for an outdoor event. Allie & Joe will let everyone know when a make-up date has been decided. Please help spread the word! ***
Please come out this Friday for a Flamingo Friday Farewell to Sam, Daphna, and Seth!
As many of you know, they were the ones who brought the concept of Flamingo Fridays to Autumn Walk, which has helped to create the friendly, welcoming atmosphere on our street.
The event will be hosted by Allie and Joe at 9832 on the patio behind their house. With the long summer days, Allie invites everyone to come over early starting at 6 PM.
As always, the hosts will provide refreshments and while you should feel free to bring some food or drink, please attend regardless to meet the neighbors and say farewell to the original Flamingoers!
Date: Friday, June 22, 2018
Time: 6 PM (starts early!)
Location: Patio behind 9832 (look for the Flamingo)
Please come out this Friday for a Flamingo Friday Farewell to Sam, Daphna, and Seth!
As many of you know, they were the ones who brought the concept of Flamingo Fridays to Autumn Walk, which has helped to create the friendly, welcoming atmosphere on our street.
The event will be hosted by Allie and Joe at 9832 on the patio behind their house. With the long summer days, Allie invites everyone to come over early starting at 6 PM.
As always, the hosts will provide refreshments and while you should feel free to bring some food or drink, please attend regardless to meet the neighbors and say farewell to the original Flamingoers!
Date: Friday, June 22, 2018
Time: 6 PM (starts early!)
Location: Patio behind 9832 (look for the Flamingo)
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Flamingo Friday!
Our new neighbors Jim and Melody hosted the first Flamingo Friday of the season last night!
The weather was so beautiful that they told people to come over any time after 6 PM and a nice group was already assembled by the usual starting time of 7 PM.
Melody also made a pitcher of mojitos with home-grown mint, which is going above-and-beyond but which didn't elicit any complaints!
For a few pictures, see the album on Facebook:
The weather was so beautiful that they told people to come over any time after 6 PM and a nice group was already assembled by the usual starting time of 7 PM.
Melody also made a pitcher of mojitos with home-grown mint, which is going above-and-beyond but which didn't elicit any complaints!
For a few pictures, see the album on Facebook:
Thursday, April 12, 2018
No Front Footage Fees!
What's a front footage fee, and why should we be glad we don't have one in Autumn Walk?
What Are Front Footage Fees?
When new communities are built, often water and sewer lines have to be extended to the new homes.
In some cases the cost of this infrastructure is just incorporated into the cost of the property when it's sold to the homeowner, without additional charges -- as is the case with our street, Garden Ranges!
What Are Front Footage Fees?
When new communities are built, often water and sewer lines have to be extended to the new homes.
In some cases the cost of this infrastructure is just incorporated into the cost of the property when it's sold to the homeowner, without additional charges -- as is the case with our street, Garden Ranges!
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Autumn Walk Spring Clean-Up
The Annual Spring Clean-Up was finished today!
The Autumn Walk Spring Clean-Up is a valued benefit of our landscaping contract. In 2013 we extended the contract for maintaining the Common Areas to cover our private yards as well.
Although this resulted in our HOA fees rising by $15/month, we have been able to keep dues stable for the past 5 years even as the cost of the contract has risen slightly with inflation each year, while still practicing sound financial management.
As a reminder, the contract now covers mowing and trimming of our yards throughout the Summer, as well as a one-time Clean-Up of all houses in the late Winter and early Spring, and three leaf removals in the Fall.
(The rest of the year we are all responsible for pulling weeds in our front yards, trimming our bushes, and other maintenance.)
This year, the schedule of services for the Clean-Up has been:
The Autumn Walk Spring Clean-Up is a valued benefit of our landscaping contract. In 2013 we extended the contract for maintaining the Common Areas to cover our private yards as well.
Although this resulted in our HOA fees rising by $15/month, we have been able to keep dues stable for the past 5 years even as the cost of the contract has risen slightly with inflation each year, while still practicing sound financial management.
As a reminder, the contract now covers mowing and trimming of our yards throughout the Summer, as well as a one-time Clean-Up of all houses in the late Winter and early Spring, and three leaf removals in the Fall.
(The rest of the year we are all responsible for pulling weeds in our front yards, trimming our bushes, and other maintenance.)
This year, the schedule of services for the Clean-Up has been:
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
New Autumn Walk Entrance Sign
Autumn Walk has a new entrance sign!
At the Annual Meeting on October 30, 2017 the Board selected a design similar to the other signs in Emerson because the price was the most reasonable and the area was deemed too small for a wall.
The sign vendor included the quill pen in the Emerson logo (which hearkens back to Emerson's namesake, the writer Ralph Waldo Emerson) even though we had omitted it because it was supposed to cost extra as a custom design, so that was an unexpected bonus. The stone accent at the bottom was also a free option.
Our HOA is presently trying to decide how to landscape the area around the base and expect to have that area repaired and cleaned up within a few weeks.
The total price exceeded the target budget slightly once bids were received and permit fees were included, but our HOA is still very healthy financially, with reserves ahead of schedule for our major future expenses.
And the relative lack of snow this winter means our snow removal budget was largely untapped (though weather is so unpredictable a future winter could always exceed its budget).
For those interested, the pictures below show the entrance monument sign in various stages of construction:
At the Annual Meeting on October 30, 2017 the Board selected a design similar to the other signs in Emerson because the price was the most reasonable and the area was deemed too small for a wall.
The sign vendor included the quill pen in the Emerson logo (which hearkens back to Emerson's namesake, the writer Ralph Waldo Emerson) even though we had omitted it because it was supposed to cost extra as a custom design, so that was an unexpected bonus. The stone accent at the bottom was also a free option.
Our HOA is presently trying to decide how to landscape the area around the base and expect to have that area repaired and cleaned up within a few weeks.
The total price exceeded the target budget slightly once bids were received and permit fees were included, but our HOA is still very healthy financially, with reserves ahead of schedule for our major future expenses.
And the relative lack of snow this winter means our snow removal budget was largely untapped (though weather is so unpredictable a future winter could always exceed its budget).
For those interested, the pictures below show the entrance monument sign in various stages of construction:
Monday, March 26, 2018
Emerson HOA Board Meeting 3/26/18
Attendees:- Emerson Board:
- Nancy Tucker (Howard Hughes Corp.)
- Erica Root-Cikanek
- Feleke Eshete
- Unable to attend:
- Knott Realty Representative
- Narsimha Doma
- CMC Management:
- Steffanie Felder Nollie
- Heather McGreevy
- Residents: Approx. 7 in attendance
Summary:
- Resident Forum: dog waste stations, commercial vehicles
- Committees need volunteers, especially Safety
- Swimming Pool to open full-time May 26 (there will be no early opening dates)
- Clubhouse Renovation Update
- Emerson Finances very healthy, intend to lower assessment rate again
- Yoga Class approved for Clubhouse (10 weeks)
- Draft FY19 Budget to be prepared by 4/22/18, approved 5/21/18
- Emerson wants to revitalize Committees
- Possible Committee Night
- Also potentially seek an intern to update web site
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Forest Conservation Easements
One of the distinguishing characteristics of Howard County is the extensive 2600 acres set aside as green open space that supports a wide variety of wildlife and also plays a critical role in floodwater management.
(According to Howard County, soil beneath a mature forest can absorb 14 times the stormwater of a mowed grass lawn.)
Reforestation Areas
Since the 1970s new developments in Howard County have been required to set a certain percentage of their land area aside for open space.
Included within that preserved land are forest conservation easements managed by Howard County Recreation and Parks, though this only directly affects a few of our houses in Autumn Walk.
Sometimes also called reforestation areas, these tree-filled lands are embedded within our communities, but as a rule neither homeowners nor HOAs are permitted to alter them.
Storm Damage (Maintenance of Reforestation Areas)
Last month Winter Storm Riley's highly unusual sustained winds of over 30 mph (with gusts over 70 mph) toppled trees in the rain-softened ground throughout the region, as well as taking off shingles, siding, and other exterior items.
The question arose prior to the storm of who can address storm-related issues in the reforestation areas:
(According to Howard County, soil beneath a mature forest can absorb 14 times the stormwater of a mowed grass lawn.)
Reforestation Areas
Since the 1970s new developments in Howard County have been required to set a certain percentage of their land area aside for open space.
Included within that preserved land are forest conservation easements managed by Howard County Recreation and Parks, though this only directly affects a few of our houses in Autumn Walk.
Sometimes also called reforestation areas, these tree-filled lands are embedded within our communities, but as a rule neither homeowners nor HOAs are permitted to alter them.
Storm Damage (Maintenance of Reforestation Areas)
Last month Winter Storm Riley's highly unusual sustained winds of over 30 mph (with gusts over 70 mph) toppled trees in the rain-softened ground throughout the region, as well as taking off shingles, siding, and other exterior items.
The question arose prior to the storm of who can address storm-related issues in the reforestation areas:
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Autumn Walk (Early) Spring Update
80-degree days in February make it feel like Spring has already arrived, so here's a quick (Early) Spring 2018 Update:
1. Welcome Committee
The new Autumn Walk Welcome Committee put together a lovely basket for our newest neighbors Melody and Jim, to make sure they are welcomed to our community.
- Autumn Walk Welcome Committee
- Spring Clean-Up
- Autumn Walk Entrance Sign Construction
- Stephens Road Bridge Project
If you have any other ideas or see issues that need to be addressed, please contact us at autumnwalkhoa@gmail.com.
1. Welcome Committee
The new Autumn Walk Welcome Committee put together a lovely basket for our newest neighbors Melody and Jim, to make sure they are welcomed to our community.
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.
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.
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:
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
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):
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):