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Drainage Installation
on Magnolia Court. |
New at Society Hill
Magnolia Court Drainage Improvements
The board has awaded a contract to improve the drainage behind two buildings on Magnolia Ct., and to construct a new drain to carry major rain flows underground to a catch basin. Work will be completed shortly, and is designed to remediate drainage problems and reduce winter ice buildup in front of these buildings.
New Projects
Your Board of Trustees is planning for replacing building gutters and downspouts, roadside guardrails, window shutters, and installation of some shrubs necessary to offset winter limb losses.
Regulations Adopted and Updated
-- High efficiency heating and air conditioning systems impacting common elements, approvals required.
-- Updated Association Enforcement Rules and Standard Penalties; ADR procedures, here.
Special Assessment Levied
In an unusual step, it was necessary to levy a special assessment of $100 per unit to cover the extraordinary snow and storm expenses of the 2010 winter. Details.
Site Management Changes
Society Hill has a new Site Manager.
Signature Property Group, which is engaged by Society Hill to manage our daily business affairs, has assigned Matt Lubas as our new Site Manager. Read more about this and welcome Matt! Details.
Creek Inspection
The Board engaged Becht Engineering to examine the several creeks that flow through our property. Based on their initial report, they now will develop a plan for necessary improvements. Actual work will necessitate detailed plans and environmental permits. Unusually heavy rains during the summer of 2009 resulted in overflowing, and we want to be sure that the infrastructure is in the proper condition.
Organic Lawn Program
The Board is implementing the organic lawn maintenance recomendations of expert Mike McGrath. Read the whole story here. No chemical weed killers are in use, and all lawn fertilizers are organic. Natural corn gluten is now spread on the grounds each spring as a weed emergence preventer. This new total approach, which also includes the introduction of compost, will take several years for full effect.
Revised Delinquent Assessments Penalties Policy
To protect the Association and its unit owners from the adverse financial impact of those few owners who fail to pay their fees on time, the policy has been revised effective July 1, 2009. Read the details here.
Fiber Optic Installation
Read about the possible installation of Verizon fiber optic infrastructure at Society Hill to allow optional high speed phone, TV, and Internet services. Extended delays in Verizon's obtaining needed permits were overcome, but actual work has been delayed extensively by Verizon; residents will be advised if and when when work is about to commence.
Pear Tree Limbs
Pear trees planted by the developer throughout the community, near parking areas, continue to be problematic. Susceptible to wind breakage, they are no longer a recommended planting. To reduce exposure, limbs have been thinned out, drastically reducing the problem. As required, pear trees are being removed, but may not always be replaced.
 
Read a description of our grounds efforts in our illustrated article "Grounds for Enjoyment," and a more recent discussion of our enhanced organic lawn maintenance efforts here. Feel free to report any needs you see. All requests are noted and evaluated for priority.
Vote on Bylaw Changes
Your Board of Trustees is recommending your favorable vote on a bylaw amendment to reduce the number of votes required to establish quorum. Details here.
Lawrence-Hopewell Trail connection to Mercer Park Northwest
A new pathway connecting Village Park with Mercer County Park Northwest is now open. This allows Society Hill walkers easy access to this growing trail. For more on the trail, go here. See a map of the full planned trail.
 The connector is seen at right, with bridge over wetland area. Construction featured porous blacktop and mulch to meet wetland requirements. It may be accessed from the head of Gordon Avenue, near the Village Park parking lot. See our map location here, where it is represented with a dotted line extending to Keefe Road.
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