The
WEDGEWOODS
Newsletter June 2009
Introducing your 2009 Board of Directors: Jim Ockers - President Tom Hodges - Vice-president Melanie Adams - Treasurer Rose Taylor - Secretary Message from the Board: Anne Sharp - Officer Gloria Boguslaw - Officer Larry Penner - Officer
We would like to thank last year’s Board of Directors for all their efforts through some very trying time and difficult challenges. Also we would like to thank Suzanne, Gordon, and the rest of the Longley Condominium Services team for doing a great job getting many of our issues under control. As your new Board we discussed our objectives and priorities for the upcoming year. We are all concerned about condo fees, and we will all make every effort to try to hold the condo fees at their current rates. The single biggest reason for last year’s condo fee increase was due to insurance claims and insurance premiums related to frozen heating pipes. Much effort has been made to address this issue but it remains an on-going concern. The Board will work with Longley Condominium Services on the insurance policy and renewal for the upcoming year. The other common concern for this Board is the preservation and improvement of property values throughout the complex and Villas. Also we want to make sure that we are receiving good, responsible value for the many services needed to maintain The Wedgewoods at the level of quality we expect. We have a good set of by-laws and previous Boards have established additional policies under which the organization operates. Enforcement of these by-laws and policies is important in maintaining acceptable standards. The Board has engaged Williams Engineering to investigate concerns regarding the construction of the complex. The investigations are in progress and Williams will be reporting to the board with their findings. Once the board has considered the reports we will provide you with further information. Finally, in an effort to improve communications between owners, residents, the board, and property managers, we are working on a website for The Wedgewoods. This should give everyone more open access to what is going on around the property. Please send an e-mail to website@wedgewoods.ca if you are interested in volunteering to work on the web site - we especially need people to provide content for it and organize the content.
In this issue:
Homeowner / Resident TIPS Things you can do What’s happening Safety Contact Info
TIPS FOR AROUND YOUR PLACE
Dryer Lint Traps All suites have a lint trap located in the utility room right above where the dryer is installed. This trap should be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent moisture buildup and also avoid a potential fire hazard. Fireplace Pilot Light During the summer months, as quick as they are, some suites experience very warm conditions in their units. The boilers for heating during these months are in standby mode and yet radiant heat from the sun still persists. One thing that can help is to turn off the pilot light for your fireplace. The control for the pilot light is located behind the lower grate (which flips down), turn this dial to off. Restarting the pilot is just as easy... turn the dial to pilot, hold down while clicking the red starter switch, and continue to hold down for about a minute or until the pilot light remains on... then you can turn the dial to the on position for fireplace use. Electrical Problems in Bathroom Sometimes the breaker switch on the plugin receptacle (where you would plugin your hair dryer) will trigger shutting down lights and plugins in that area off the suite. When this happens, both the reset button near the plugin and the circuit breaker on your breaker panel will need to reset. Sometimes this will take several attempts but should fix the problem. If it is still causing problems please call your property manager Gordon Donovan.
THINGS FOR RESIDENTS TO DO
BALCONIES Balconies are not to be used for storage of personal items including bicycles. Natural gas BBQ’s, patio furniture and plants are all welcome. All pet owners must keep their balconies clear of pet refuse at all times. PARKING STALLS Lack of storage is an issue with a complex of this size. We are brainstorming some ideas about storage in parking stalls for those owners who are unable to have a storage cage installed. The interim solution is for residents to store personal belongings in Rubbermadestyle chests and keep stall areas tidy and free of debris. STORAGE CAGES It has been brought to our attention by Calgary Fire Dept. that covering or tarping of storage cages in the parkade poses a fire risk and is against regulations. As of June 15/09 residents must uncover all cages to allow proper access of the sprinkler system.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE WEDGEWOODS
MAINTENANCE Springtime brings a lot of activity to The Wedgewoods. Parkades have been cleaned, the forested areas have been cleaned up, landscaping has begun. Looking ahead: June - Complex-wide fire inspection. The testing company will need brief access to all suites. The testing will be conducted over a week and 2 weeks notice will be given to everyone. We’ll also be repainting the parking lines in the courtyard area along with replacing some of the parking curbs and a general tidying up of the parking area. August - Window cleaning. Residents will be asked to remove their screens during the cleaning. VOLUNTEERS REQUESTED We have a major need for volunteers from the community for several projects being implemented by the Board. Topping the list is our planned Beautification Day. We need motivated individuals to help organize and coordinate what could be a fun and beneficial event. We’re thinking of a general clean-up enlisting the community followed by a BBQ or something to that effect. Jim Ockers is steering the development of a web-site for The Wedgewoods. We’re looking for assistance establishing content and functionality.
• In the past Bonita Leniuk headed up the •
social committee and although we don’t currently have a budget set aside we’re looking for help to re-vitalize this committee. We are revisiting the Pet and Parking policies this year and may need help with these committees. Please contact your board if you have some other ideas you’d like to pursue to make our community more enjoyable. RECYCLING We have a recycling firm waiting in the wings to implement an on-site program at The Wedgewoods. The program has been temporarily put on hold until the City of Calgary reveals their plans for recycling at complexes such as ours. In the meantime there are recycling depots at both Westhills and Richmond Canadian Tire - no sorting necessary but no styrofoam. Combustible and hazardous goods cans be taken to various firehalls - call 311 for more information. Also ask them about propane tank disposal. Consider donating household items to charity (many groups pickup larger items). As of June 1/09, bottle depots are required to refund deposits for milk containers. Please rinse first! Any E-cycling check www.calgary.ca/recycling or call 311.
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Did you know...
Griffiths Woods, as a natural habitat, attracts a wide variety of wildlife throughout the year. Among the frequent visitors are deer, coyotes, rabbits, and weasels with the occasional sighting of moose, bear, racoons, skunk, fox, lynx and cougar along with over 70 different species of birds... all within the city limits. Truly a very special place to live!
GENERAL SAFETY ISSUES
The forest that surrounds The Wedgewoods is a protected area and is very susceptible to fire. Some residents have been throwing cigarette butts from their balconies into the forest. This absolutely must stop as this may be the single biggest fire threat on the property. We’ve also been experiencing neighborhood children riding their bikes and skateboards both in the courtyards and in the parkades. We ask your help in stopping this. Security is doing their best to keep this from happening but cannot be in all places at all times.
CONTACT INFORMATION
On-site Property Manager Gordon Donovan Direct 403-686-1192 gordon@longleycondo.com Fax 403-240-1110 #113 Chateau 10 Mon to Fri (except holidays) 9am to 5pm Longley Condominium Services Ltd. #203, 8408 Elbow Drive SW Calgary, AB T2V 1K7 403-228-9882
Wedgewoods Board of Directors wedgewoodscondo@hotmail.com
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
FIRE / POLICE DOGS On-site Security DOGS Security Main line AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES Longley condominium Services 911 403-966-3120 403-966-3647 403-228-9882
Please send us your email address if you would like this Newsletter sent via email. Send your address to gordon@longleycondo.com