Neighborhood News Archives

Neighborhood News

(Updated 11/7/2012)

SECOND ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARADE!!

Please join us for the Second Annual Chesterfield Mews Halloween Parade.  It will take place on Saturday, October 27, at 4:00 PM.   Participants will meet at the aMewsments playground, parade the neighborhood, and then return to the playground for food and socializing.  Once again, we owe our thanks to Patricia and Jeremy Trillet for putting this together.  Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

(Updated 10/27/2012)

Preparing for Hurricane Sandy

• Sign up for the County’s Community Emergency Alert Network text/email updates that will provide weather alerts and other critical information.
• Check back for updates on the County Emergency Information Blog

Be Prepared:

• Make sure you have emergency supplies such as extra water and food, as well as additional batteries for flashlights and radios.
• It’s Fall and trees are showing off their reds and oranges, but many leaves have hit the ground. Keep storm drains clear in case we receive inches of rain.
• If you happen to live in an area that is prone to flooding, be prepared to relocate your family and vehicle before flood waters have an impact. In past events, there has been little warning once the water begins to rise.

 (Updated 7/3/2012)

BEWARE! 

The Post has now reported four separate robberies in Mantua.  The latest occurred December 3, adding to the November 3, August 25 and September 8 thefts that saw prescription drugs, jewelry and heirlooms stolen from residences in Mantua.  Residents are urged to be especially vigilant since Mantua is so close to the Mews.  Please be sure to lock your doors and windows when you are not at home, keep your outside lights on at night, and help your neighbors by keeping an eye out when you know they are gone.  Street lights are also a deterrent to theft, so if you notice any that are out in the neighborhood, please call Dominion at 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) to report.  Make sure you have the number (found on the pole) handy when you call.  Thank you!

LANDSCAPING IN THE MEWS IS UNDER WAY

While the minutes of the board of directors’ May 30 meeting are still in the process of final approval due to the many expenditures and details that must be confirmed, here is an update on the status of most of the near-term neighborhood landscaping projects. As many of you are already aware, a number of these projects have already begun or are now fully planted:

1. Turf rejuvenation and turf aggressive renovation to be addressed in the fall of 2012 at a cost of $5,000.
2. Community entrance enhancements at a cost of $3,000.
3. Up to $12,000 to address erosion areas including lower Colchester Brook Lane and lower Readsborough Court, plus other areas to be identified at future board meetings and with community involvement.
4. Landscape improvements at the northeastern corner of Colchester Brook Lane (at the intersection at the bottom of the hill) for over $4,000.
5. Trees and plantings in areas surrounding the Guysborough traffic circle for up to $6,000.
6. Landscape plantings for Traffic Circle improvements for approximately $3,000.
7. Landscape plantings on both sides of opposite-facing corner beds at the intersection of upper Eakin Park Court and Guysborough for approximately $6,000.
8. Parking island landscaping for approximately $15,000.

Additionally, the board approved over $3,000 for water truck services as recommended by Professional Grounds to ensure the new plants survive the transplanting.

The above motions totaled approximately $58,000 and are in addition to setting aside $8,000 for emergency tree funds. Professional Grounds is developing proposals for areas where the board asked for changes to the first set of proposals.

As always, please feel free to post any comments/concerns through the Contact Us section of the website.

NEW CMCA OFFICERS ELECTED

The newly installed CMCA Board of Directors has nominated and elected the following officers for the upcoming year:

President: Bob Parker

Vice President: Nancy Minter

Secretary: Gordon Silcox

Treasurer: Bruce Pincus

DRAFT GROUNDS PLAN

Thanks to all of you who commented on the draft Grounds Plan for the Mews. For your reference, here is a link to the plan Draft Chesterfield Mews Grounds Plan

(Updated 6/18/2012)

****ASPHALT SEAL COATING UNDERWAY***

Dominion Paving is in the Mews this week to seal our roadways and parking areas. Due to the weather forecast, this will be a 2-day effort. On the day that your street is scheduled for work, all vehicles on your street and in your parking area must be moved by 6:30 a.m. Work will begin at 7:00 a.m. Any vehicles not moved by 6:30 will be towed at your expense.  Please move your cars to the service road (parallel to Route 50) or along other roads in the community not scheduled for a seal coating work day. Please DO NOT park in other owners’ reserved parking spaces. Note: On Wednesday, June 13 yard waste will be picked up starting at 6:00 a.m.

Here is the work schedule:

Day One – Wednesday, June 13

• Readsborough Court
• Delburne Court
• Guysborough Drive beyond the circle to Readsborough Court -one half
• Eakin Park Court – “Lower Eakin” street addresses of 3150 through 3191
• Asphalt walkway to the tennis courts

Day Two – Thursday, June 14:

• Eakin Park Court – “Upper Eakin” street addresses of 3130 through 3145
• Guysborough Drive beyond the circle to Eakin Park Court – remainder
• Guysborough Parking Area – both Odd and Even numbered addresses
• Colchester Brook Drive

Because of the condensed schedule, No Parking will be available either day on Guysborough Drive beyond the circle.

Here’s what to expect:  each day’s designated areas will be thoroughly power cleaned, including the curbs. Parking space numbers will be written on the curb with chalk. Areas will have sealant applied and striping and numbers will be reapplied the same day.

Vehicles may be returned to completed work areas at 6:30 the next morning.

Note: If rain is forecast, the schedule may have to be altered, as this work cannot be undertaken in the rain.  Check back frequently for updated information right here on our website:

www.inthemews.com

GREAT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY!

Open the link to see the complete schedule for cleanup of the Accotink Creek, which runs right behind the Mews.  Cleanup will go at various locations along the creek every Saturday between March 31 and April 28, and is sponsored by Friends of Accotink Creek.  Two of the locations of the April 21 cleanup date (Pickett Road and Barkley Drive) are near the Mews.  This is a great opportunity for any middle- or high-school students of yours to earn community service hours, or for your younger children to help out while having a great adventure!  Accotink Creek Spring 2012 Cleanup

HALLOWEEN PARADE A ROUSING SUCCESS!!

We are happy to report, despite Mother Nature dealing us an unseasonable wintry blow on the designated day of Saturday, October 29, that the turnout on the makeup date of Sunday, October 30 was fabulous!  Many thanks to Trish and Jeremy Trillet for starting what we know will be a permanent tradition in the Mews!  Look on this website for future announcements regarding other Holiday parades.

(Updated 9/13/2011)

The second stage of our tree work was begun today in the Mews, and will last for several days this week. You have all gotten a flyer in your door that identifies which trees are targeted for attention and/or removal.  Here is the link to the flyer…click on it twice to open. Homeowner_grounds_update

The Post reported on 8/25 and today 9/8 that jewelry and heirlooms were stolen from 2 residences in Mantua.  Residents are urged to be especially vigilant since the latest robbery occurred close to the Mews.  Please be sure to lock your doors and windows when you are not at home, keep your outside lights on at night, and help your neighbors by keeping an eye out when you know they are gone.  Street lights are also a deterrent to theft, so if you notice any that are out in the neighborhood, please call Dominion at 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357) to report.  Make sure you have the number (found on the pole) handy when you call.  Thank you!

Neighborhood Parking Concerns

At the CMCA Annual Meeting May 24, residents from upper Eakin Park Court brought up a particular issue concerning curb parking that impedes an owner’s access to his duly assigned spot.  The Board formed a Street Working Group (SWG) of four of its members to address the problem and make recommendations.

The SWG made three recommendations at the Board’s July 26 meeting:  (1) Identify a small number of “no-parking” curb areas to be marked by yellow paint; (2) Establish a procedure for giving warning notices to violators; and (3) Establish last-resort procedures for towing vehicles should the notices go unheeded.  The Board unanimously approved all three recommendations.