The Townes at Meredith Creek
Adam Pillsbury
I'm a somewhat new resident to the Townes at Meredith Creek, and I want to
say how good a community it is to live in. However, I feel that it can be
more by implementing a few ideas to make it a great community.
First and foremost, I think that it is a wonderful idea to provide a tot lot
for the community’s young people. And, I love the speed limit signs
recently installed.
A little food for thought:
• Why not provide roll-able trash cans for the community residents?
o We have a private trash company service the community on Tuesdays and
Fridays, and on these respective days, I see loose trash and bags line the
streets. This is very unattractive. Furthermore, when these trash bags are
not tied off properly, loose trash blows out on to neighboring lawns.
o By not having cans give a poor community appearance. Uniformity seems to
be a resounding theme in the community; trash cans should be no exception to
the rule. Trash cans, albeit a device designed for function over form, have
a necessary purpose, and more importantly, would rid the streets of trash
overflow.
o We pay enough every month in HOA dues to provide private service, et
cetera; why not the cans to coincide?
• We should, as a community, encourage or enforce recycling.
o Going back to what was stated earlier by providing trash cans; individual
recycle bins should be provided as well. Furthermore, a service company
should be hired to provide pickup of the reusable refuse. I feel that it
is important to do our part by conserving our environment by prevention.
o There are several overflow parking areas in the community which are rarely
used. This would be a good spot for a 'green' recycling canister for
community use.
• The community landscaper could use a little more direction
o When the landscaper comes through the community, the work that he provides
is mediocre at best. I have found many spots in my own lawn that remain
un-mowed. Some examples:
 Large unmowed patches of grass
 The area surrounding our A/C units never gets mowed. This is
especially important; otherwise the A/C units will fail prematurely. The
grass can cause the unit not to perform as it needs an air space to function
properly.
 The grass at the common fences is almost always never cut, leaving
tall and unsightly grass.
o It is obvious to me that he is on a time constraint and our lawns and
common areas are subject to sub par work.
o After mowing our lawns, the landscaper should rake the fresh cut grass
clippings from the yards. Otherwise it will eventually kill the lawn below,
leaving the overall community looking terrible.
o With a community that emphasizes the overall appearance, I should think
that better exterior attention to detail by our landscaper is necessary. I
understand that the community is not small, and mowing individual lawns is
no small feat; however, I think that he needs to be aware of this
importance.
o I have reason to believe that the mulch that was recently spread
throughout the community was diseased. This was brought to my attention by
a colleague with a long background in landscaping. He explained that it is
why a few of my plants had died in our yard.
• It would be wise to provide for a dog bag and refuse stations throughout
the community.
o This would encourage those pet owners to clean up.
• Other than the already provided speed limit signs in the community, speed
bumps and marked cross walks are another form of traffic calming that would
be of good use in the community.
o These would not only slow traffic, but make motorists more aware of the
surrounding environment.
o Furthermore, “Slow. Children Playing” signage is important to slow the
offending traffic.
• Our community mailboxes should have signage and pavement markings for no
parking
o To provide access for the residents (especially handicapped) to access
their mailboxes.
o Walking in-between and around parked vehicles is cumbersome.
o Furthermore, our mail has been refused delivery in the past due to
vehicles blocking access for our postman.
• Free or low priced wireless broadband and or FiOS should be provided.
o In such a tight-knit community, why not provide a service that could be
used by all, for a small fee, or tied into our HOA dues. It would make our
community stand out among the best in the west end, and raise home values!
o FiOS would be an even more tremendous mechanism to provide
state-of-the-art internet, television and telephone service, utilizing
fiber-optic technologies.
o The HOA meetings could then be conducted in our homes.
 This would encourage more homeowners to be involved in the decision
making process.
 Morale in the community would be raised.
• The HOA should encourage more community outings and festivals.
o This would provide opportunity to meet new and old residents/neighbors.
o A greater community awareness can be promoted by offering these parties.
o It is a great opportunity for residents to speak amongst themselves about
community issues and concerns.
o Morale in the community is boosted.
o This can be easily done by following national holidays.
I want to thank those of you who have taken the time to give attention to
these issues, large or small. I think that it is important to have a look
at the community overall and provide the best possible services for the
neighborhood as a whole.
Please feel free to contact me via email or stop by my home to discuss any
of these items. My best wishes to all of you, and I look forward to
speaking with all of you soon.
Adam Pillsbury
9310 Meredith Creek Lane
Contact me via email at adpi...@hotmail.com
_________________________________________________________________
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Navjot Marwaha
I personally like all the suggestions you noted. Some thoughts:
1. The issue of trash cans has been discussed at length previously. The main problem is that more than half the home owners already have 1-2 trash cans, so it would be unfair for all to pitch in. I am personally in favor or dropping in personalized messages to people who do not use cans in the mail and having a fine / instructing trash removal company to not pick trash that is not in the cans.
2. I love the idea of a tot lot. I had made this recommendation a while back and was asked to do some cost analysis for getting one constructed. I never got the time to do that analysis, so if you are willing to partner, maybe we can team up and get some estimate for the board to consider.
3. Solidly second the suggestion on providing recycling stations. Currently I am collecting my paper and plastic separately and disposing them off at the fire station. Would be very convenient for me if the service is provided in the community.
4. Speed bumps are annoying and unsightly, but better than folks speeding in a community which has some kids. If that is the only option, I am all for it.
5. Landscaping remains an issue. We recently changed the landscaping company and I am not too happy with the service they provide. I did notice one plant die in my yard as well, thanks for the note on diseased mulch. I work at Capital One and the landscaping service at the campus is amazing. It's Brenshire / Breckenridge (can't recall exact name) but can follow-up on that. May be we should try them next time.
Thanks,
Navjot
Large unmowed patches of grass
The area surrounding our A/C units never gets mowed. This is
especially important; otherwise the A/C units will fail prematurely. The
grass can cause the unit not to perform as it needs an air space to function
properly.
The grass at the common fences is almost always never cut, leaving
This would encourage more homeowners to be involved in the decision
making process.
Morale in the community would be raised.