Ascot Homeowners Association
Minutes, Board of Directors -- Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Prepared by Secretary, Julie Reiss
On Wednesday, May 17, 2006, the Board met at Lars Okeson's home for our monthly meeting. Those in attendance included Lars, Mick Fox, Julie Reiss, and Diane Preston for part of the meeting. Our first order of business was approval of the prior minutes from April 5th.
Architectural Review
Next, the Board unanimously approved a number of construction projects, which had been submitted in writing prior to the meeting. Robert and Ashley Goodner want to rebuild their existing walkway with classic red brick pavers. The Havermanns will install a custom-built shed with siding to match their home. Diane and Ben Preston have contracted to add significant square footage to their home. The Thomas family submitted a request to replace an existing swing set, which the Board readily approved. All homeowners had first checked with surrounding neighbors about their projects before submitting plans to the Board.
Neighborhood Watch
The Board thanks Diane Preston for a creative solution to vehicle speeding. Diane located and purchased Sidewalk Sammy, the visible green turtle with red flag warning drivers to slow down. Another sign, a black and white square named "Billy" has not been seen in many weeks. Please let a member of the Board know if it turns up near your home.
Spring Clean Up
Board members Lars, Mick, and Dave Peirce will trim more trees to finish spring clean-up over the next month or so. Contact one of them if you can help. Please let them know which days are best for you.
Basketball Fixtures
The Board is still in the process of replacing one of the hoops entirely and fixing a broken piece from the other basketball hoop, which is closest to Bishopsgate Way.
Annual Dues Payment
As of the May 17th meeting, 62 homes had paid dues. Lars will soon begin to contact those seven homeowners who have not yet paid. Please pay the $120.00 to the Ascot address below if you have not already.
Speeding
Please contact the Board if you notice anyone speeding through the neighborhood. One Brandermill nanny spoke to a Board member about an unknown Ascot resident who reported her vehicle speeding to the police. She insisted it must have been a mistake.
Police have monitored the neighborhood again this past month and found generally good driving habits. The Board thanks everyone for staying aware of the 25 MPH speed limit.
Small District Five
At our meeting with Supervisor Hudgins on April 18, a group of seven homeowners' associations expressed our desire to be removed from the tax district, mainly because we are not part of the Reston Master Plan. Subsequent to the meeting, the Supervisor authorized lowering the tax rate a half penny from .052/$100 assessed property value to .047/$100. On a $1 million home, this will reduce the tax from $520 per year to $470 per year.
Our desire to be removed from the tax district was prominently featured in The Reston Connection and The Reston Times. Supervisor Hudgins requested the County Attorney and the Tax Administration Director to provide the next steps toward bringing the matter to closure. This does not necessarily mean we will be removed from the tax district, however. Please write to Supervisor Hudgins to express your views at HNTRMILL@co.fairfax.va.us or North County Governmental Center, 12000 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, VA 20190-3307.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Reiss
Secretary, Oct 2005 - Sep 2006
Contacting the Board
Homeowners are welcome to contact the Board about community concerns. Send email to the Board, write to Ascot Homeowners Association, PO Box 934, Great Falls, Virginia 22066-0934, or contact any Board member.
