Carrsbrook Homeowner’s Association
Annual Meeting Minutes
July 29, 2021
Tom Leinbach, the Carrsbrook HOA Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room at Northside Library. There were 21 members in attendance and Tom welcomed several new neighbors. The purpose of the HOA includes encouraging homeowners to make the Carrsbook neighborhood a friendlier, safer, and more attractive place to live. For a video of the meeting,
please go to: https://www.facebook.com/carrsbrook22901
I. Minutes of the May 2, 2019 meeting were accepted as written.
They are posted on the website--
http://www.carrsbrook22901.org
II. Election of Officers was held, using the slate presented below. A motion was made from the floor to accept the slate, it was seconded and unanimously accepted by vote.
Mary Ann Thompson, Chair telephone: 434.825.5675
Michael Geisert, Vice Chair. [email protected]
Linda Hitt, Secretary telephone: 979-4093
[email protected]
Deborah Thacker, Treasurer telephone: 973-3982
III. Treasurer’s Report
Since the last HOA meeting in 2019, Deborah reported HOA dues collected of $760 and no unusual expenses. In the past 12 months, the only expenditure was $25 for licenses and taxes. The ending cash balance is $3,120.26.
IV. Committee Reports
Neighborhood Improvement
Tom Leinbach is seeking volunteers to help weed and mulch the area around the Carrsbrook sign on 29 North. He thanked all those who have picked up trash along Carrsbrook Drive from the sign to Indian Springs Road. VDOT only mows this area once or twice a year. The owner rarely mows it, and the only other option is to hire someone to cut it periodically and pay for it from HOA funds.
Activities
Martha Leinbach discussed options for the planned fall picnic, September 19th, at Pen Park. Most at the meeting seemed ok having the picnic this year at Pen Park, even with COVID cases continuing, since it is outdoors. She will survey the neighborhood on several options, like the HOA providing prepackaged boxed lunches, drinks, and dessert; or the HOA providing drinks and dessert only and neighbors bringing their own picnic food; or neighbors bringing their own food and drink. Martha is open to suggestions and would like to work with a co-coordinator this year, and someone who might continue planning activities next year. A volunteer(s) is needed – please let any officer know if you are interested. Post pandemic, plans are to have the HOA provide entrée and several sides and neighbors to bring a desert or side to share, as traditionally done.
Membership
Linda Hitt reported that 14 new neighbors moved into the Carrsbrook neighborhood since the last HOA meeting in 2019. It is exciting to have so many new neighbors and we want to welcome all of them! Recently, a letter was placed in new neighbor mailboxes requesting email and phone number. We need everyone’s help in keeping the data base accurate and up to date. Emails are limited to neighborhood HOA activities, and such things as local changes that affect our area or a search for a lost pet or item. Phone numbers are used for emergencies, a lost item found or sometimes to notify a neighbor who does not have an email address about HOA activities.
Neighborhood greeter
Kathy Marshall has been greeting neighbors for 15 years and we thank her for her wonderful service! She would bring a plant or baked goods, along with a welcome packet, to the new neighbor on a short visit. During the pandemic visits were stopped. She would like to find a volunteer(s) to replace her – please let any of the officers know if you are interested. . She will write up a short job description and has left over welcome packets to give to the new volunteer.
Building Committee
Rives Bailey reported there were just a few applications from neighbors concerning building changes and they reviewed and approved them. Information about their committee should be given to new owners as early as possible, so they will know to give information to the committee about renovations affecting the space outside of the house.
IV. Concerns of Homeowners
Continuing concerns --Power outages/underground utilities
Tom Leinbach reported that the planning process has started, Stantec Company’s staff, hired by Dominion Energy are still surveying and in a couple of months, they will be ready to call a meeting with us to explain the underground project and answer our questions. We could hold meeting(s) at Northside Library. If the project moves forward, the telephone poles will stay, unless other utilities can be coordinated to go underground as well. We are requesting the easement documents ahead of the time so they can be reviewed carefully before neighbors need to sign them. Permission needs to be granted before they can go over or tunnel under our land. If we don’t want it, they won’t do the project.
New concerns
Watermain breaks/repairs
The Carrsbrook water system is probably 40 years old and starting to show signs of wearing out. Other older neighborhoods, like Hessian Hills, have had all the water lines replaced. Ours will likely need to be also.
Truck traffic on Dover Road
Because of a sod farm near the Rivanna River below Dover Road, there has been a lot of truck traffic on Dover Road, including large semi flatbed trucks. A petition was circulated on Dover Road, presented to the owners, and the owners are in the process of responding to the individuals listed on the petition. If any neighbors want to talk further about it, Mary Ann is willing to hold a meeting and invite the owners and sod farmers, to look at issues like any covenant violations, any point of sale, etc.
VI. Speakers
Terri Kent, creator of the website BetterWorldBetty, Charlottesville’s favorite green resource, is passionate about promoting a way of life that is more earth friendly. Her positive message is hoping we all can feel inspired to try one good thing, that every action matters and perfection is not necessary. Starting at home makes sense. Her approach is: 1. Do I really need it (buy less waste less -- buy used, share/borrow as needed), 2. Can I purchase it from an eco-friendly local company and from a responsible manufacturer? (Ask Betty and she can tell you) Ideally, buy good quality things and own them for a long time.3. Donate locally when no longer needed, and if that is not possible, recycle or compost (again Betty has lots of information on how and where).
She referenced The Story of Stuff, by Annie Leonard, as a must read.
Contact BWB by email, to be certain of something mentioned on the website, since things change all the time. It may take a bit of time to receive a response since it is an all-volunteer organization.
Wilson Ratliff, from the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), stated that the organization’s staff pride themselves on being a resource to the community and the homeowner’s advocate. Here are the four areas they are involved in:
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Hitt
Annual Meeting Minutes
July 29, 2021
Tom Leinbach, the Carrsbrook HOA Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room at Northside Library. There were 21 members in attendance and Tom welcomed several new neighbors. The purpose of the HOA includes encouraging homeowners to make the Carrsbook neighborhood a friendlier, safer, and more attractive place to live. For a video of the meeting,
please go to: https://www.facebook.com/carrsbrook22901
I. Minutes of the May 2, 2019 meeting were accepted as written.
They are posted on the website--
http://www.carrsbrook22901.org
II. Election of Officers was held, using the slate presented below. A motion was made from the floor to accept the slate, it was seconded and unanimously accepted by vote.
Mary Ann Thompson, Chair telephone: 434.825.5675
Michael Geisert, Vice Chair. [email protected]
Linda Hitt, Secretary telephone: 979-4093
[email protected]
Deborah Thacker, Treasurer telephone: 973-3982
III. Treasurer’s Report
Since the last HOA meeting in 2019, Deborah reported HOA dues collected of $760 and no unusual expenses. In the past 12 months, the only expenditure was $25 for licenses and taxes. The ending cash balance is $3,120.26.
IV. Committee Reports
Neighborhood Improvement
Tom Leinbach is seeking volunteers to help weed and mulch the area around the Carrsbrook sign on 29 North. He thanked all those who have picked up trash along Carrsbrook Drive from the sign to Indian Springs Road. VDOT only mows this area once or twice a year. The owner rarely mows it, and the only other option is to hire someone to cut it periodically and pay for it from HOA funds.
Activities
Martha Leinbach discussed options for the planned fall picnic, September 19th, at Pen Park. Most at the meeting seemed ok having the picnic this year at Pen Park, even with COVID cases continuing, since it is outdoors. She will survey the neighborhood on several options, like the HOA providing prepackaged boxed lunches, drinks, and dessert; or the HOA providing drinks and dessert only and neighbors bringing their own picnic food; or neighbors bringing their own food and drink. Martha is open to suggestions and would like to work with a co-coordinator this year, and someone who might continue planning activities next year. A volunteer(s) is needed – please let any officer know if you are interested. Post pandemic, plans are to have the HOA provide entrée and several sides and neighbors to bring a desert or side to share, as traditionally done.
Membership
Linda Hitt reported that 14 new neighbors moved into the Carrsbrook neighborhood since the last HOA meeting in 2019. It is exciting to have so many new neighbors and we want to welcome all of them! Recently, a letter was placed in new neighbor mailboxes requesting email and phone number. We need everyone’s help in keeping the data base accurate and up to date. Emails are limited to neighborhood HOA activities, and such things as local changes that affect our area or a search for a lost pet or item. Phone numbers are used for emergencies, a lost item found or sometimes to notify a neighbor who does not have an email address about HOA activities.
Neighborhood greeter
Kathy Marshall has been greeting neighbors for 15 years and we thank her for her wonderful service! She would bring a plant or baked goods, along with a welcome packet, to the new neighbor on a short visit. During the pandemic visits were stopped. She would like to find a volunteer(s) to replace her – please let any of the officers know if you are interested. . She will write up a short job description and has left over welcome packets to give to the new volunteer.
Building Committee
Rives Bailey reported there were just a few applications from neighbors concerning building changes and they reviewed and approved them. Information about their committee should be given to new owners as early as possible, so they will know to give information to the committee about renovations affecting the space outside of the house.
IV. Concerns of Homeowners
Continuing concerns --Power outages/underground utilities
Tom Leinbach reported that the planning process has started, Stantec Company’s staff, hired by Dominion Energy are still surveying and in a couple of months, they will be ready to call a meeting with us to explain the underground project and answer our questions. We could hold meeting(s) at Northside Library. If the project moves forward, the telephone poles will stay, unless other utilities can be coordinated to go underground as well. We are requesting the easement documents ahead of the time so they can be reviewed carefully before neighbors need to sign them. Permission needs to be granted before they can go over or tunnel under our land. If we don’t want it, they won’t do the project.
New concerns
Watermain breaks/repairs
The Carrsbrook water system is probably 40 years old and starting to show signs of wearing out. Other older neighborhoods, like Hessian Hills, have had all the water lines replaced. Ours will likely need to be also.
Truck traffic on Dover Road
Because of a sod farm near the Rivanna River below Dover Road, there has been a lot of truck traffic on Dover Road, including large semi flatbed trucks. A petition was circulated on Dover Road, presented to the owners, and the owners are in the process of responding to the individuals listed on the petition. If any neighbors want to talk further about it, Mary Ann is willing to hold a meeting and invite the owners and sod farmers, to look at issues like any covenant violations, any point of sale, etc.
VI. Speakers
Terri Kent, creator of the website BetterWorldBetty, Charlottesville’s favorite green resource, is passionate about promoting a way of life that is more earth friendly. Her positive message is hoping we all can feel inspired to try one good thing, that every action matters and perfection is not necessary. Starting at home makes sense. Her approach is: 1. Do I really need it (buy less waste less -- buy used, share/borrow as needed), 2. Can I purchase it from an eco-friendly local company and from a responsible manufacturer? (Ask Betty and she can tell you) Ideally, buy good quality things and own them for a long time.3. Donate locally when no longer needed, and if that is not possible, recycle or compost (again Betty has lots of information on how and where).
She referenced The Story of Stuff, by Annie Leonard, as a must read.
Contact BWB by email, to be certain of something mentioned on the website, since things change all the time. It may take a bit of time to receive a response since it is an all-volunteer organization.
Wilson Ratliff, from the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), stated that the organization’s staff pride themselves on being a resource to the community and the homeowner’s advocate. Here are the four areas they are involved in:
- Energy assessments – Residents in the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County can get this for just $45, which identifies how a building is using energy, health and safety issues, and what improvements could be made, or renewable energy systems installed. Recommendations may involve insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, heating, air conditioning, furnace upgrades and water heater replacement. Residents involved in home renovations can get help identifying energy efficient options.
- Weatherization program –LEAP is a provider of Dominion Energy’s income and age qualifying home improvement and energy share weatherization program at no cost to qualifying individuals. Individuals qualify with income under $74,950 and if one member of the household is over 60, with income under $112,440. Upgrades might include such things as low flow showerheads, faucet aerators, pipe wrap insulation for hot water pipes, attic insulation and air sealing.
- Solar – LEAP works with vetted regional solar contractors to serve as a one-stop shop for residents to learn about solar options and to facilitate installation and financing of the individuals’ project. The best service and pricing are sought with these solar contractors. If several people sign up for a solar project, more discounts are offered. A free solar satellite assessment can be provided.
- Education and Outreach—To promote a clean energy future, LEAP is involved in providing programs and workshops including community education events, customized workshops, visits to the energy house on Ridge Street where offices are located, and even classroom visits.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Hitt