April 2004 | The Ledger
Well it is the monsoon season. Hopefully the tsunami will not come crashing down into the pool. This year we found it necessary to charge for a members guest visiting the pool.
Although nominal – 1 dollar for 12 years old and under; 3 dollars for 13 years and over. Based on last year’s guest statistics this equates into three thousand dollars in additional funds to Ledgewood Homeowners Association. Ironically, we have just received a 3 thousand dollar increase in our general liability policy from the insurance carrier. Evidently, in the insurance game a Homeowners Association Policy is not too profitable and exposure is great.
www.ledgewoodassociation.com is where you will find most of the answers to your questions and contact people. We would like to slowly phase out the printed newsletter. The website holds critical data necessary to be a well informed member of our Association. We have received many “warm fuzzies” from members, realtors, residents of Strongsville, lending institutions, and citizens considering a move into Ledgewood. All have reported painless access to the data. Prior to the website, one citizen claimed the pain tolerated to extract deed restrictions from our association was equivalent to a root canal.
Try to keep the lawns cut between raindrops, and arrange for cutting while you are on holiday.
Stay Well
Jim Turk – President – 846-1447
Pool
The pool will open on Memorial Day weekend, May 29th. Hours on weekends will be noon to 8:00 p.m. Hours during the week will be 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. until school is out.
Guest passes – $1.00 charge for children 12 and under, $3.00 charge for 13 and older. Each Book will contain 25 single dollar coupons. Guest pass booklets may be purchased in $25.00 increments from the lifeguards at the pool front desk. Please pay with a check made out to the Ledgewood Association. The staff will not accept cash.
Erosion Project
We are meeting with Mayor Perciak and Councilman Daymut later this month to discuss the stormwater and erosion issues impacting the Association’s pool and valley area. The goals of this meeting are to develop both short-term and long-term plans for addressing the storm water issue affecting the Ledgewood properties. The issue has no easy fixes.
Communities all across the Nation are dealing with the problem of excess storm water as a result of rapid development. In addition, we are identifying practices (for example, types of ground cover), for protecting the hillsides in Ledgewood from further erosion.
Pool Renovation
In line with the approved Reserve Study for protecting the Association’s capital assets, the Board recently approved the renovation of the Association’s pool complex. This renovation is $162,000 and will include the replacement of sub-grade piping, a new filter system and pumps. The new sand filter system will reduce supplies cost and allow all of the operating equipment to be above ground where it can be easily maintained and monitored for leaks. Down time for filter cleaning will be reduced from hours to minutes. The project is scheduled to run from September 2004 to April 30, 2005; with no impact to the pool season.
The Ledgewood pool complex was completed in 1970; the pool infrastructure is more than 34 years old. The current replacement value of the pool is between $600,000 - $725,000. Our pool is a steel walled pool versus most new pools with poured concrete walls. In the past 34 years, we have spent approximately $160,000 in capital repairs (e.g. PVC liner in 1994 for $91,000, $56,000 for upgraded piping in the filter pit and well are in 1988, and three heaters or a new heater approximately every 11 years with an average cost of $7,000). This averages out to approximately $4,705 a year or $9.03 per home. This project is the first major exterior pipe replacement in the pool’s life. In addition, the filter system is original.
After evaluating 4 potential bidders for this project, we selected Designor Pools. Designor Pools has built many pools in northern Ohio. All of the references we contacted were outstanding in their praise. They have built and upgraded several Bob Schmitt development pools. The contracts for this project were approved by the Association’s legal counsel.
The project will be funded in accordance with the 2003 Ledgewood Reserve Study. This project will not impact other funds earmarked for capital replacement, allowing us to more proactively sustain the life of our capital assets.
We have a wonderful asset in the Ledgewood pool complex. The pool complex, along with our other capital assets (e.g. clubhouse, tennis courts) and Ledgewood’s unique natural setting provide an important value to each of our homes.
Mark Slavik – Vice-President-Pool
440-891-1210, ext. 231
pool@theledgewoodassociation.com
Assessments
The second half installment is due June 1st for the 2004 annual assessment. To avoid interest, late fees and the filing of a lien, payments must be received by the 1st. If your unit is ‘ For Sale’ the assessment must be paid and the title company will pro-rate the assessment between buyer and seller at the time of title transfer. Notify them that they should contact me for a letter verifying that the assessment has been paid.
Carleen Sundvall – Recording Sec-Treasurer – 440-826-5662
Clubhouse
The clubhouse is being readied for your use during the summer season. Permanent wood ‘railings’ for the swim team pictures were installed by Ed Pohjala during the winter, and he also repainted the wainscoting in the clubhouse. Permanent safer, cement handicap ramps were installed at the front and back doors of the clubhouse this spring.
For clubhouse rentals, please call Ray Geisler at 440-878-4273.
Yvette Grants – Clubhouse – 878-1927
clubhouse@theledgewoodassociation.com
Common Ground | Recreation
Spring 2004 – Hopefully we will have a normal spring this year. The grounds crew has started the clean-up and preparation process of the common grounds/islands/common areas within Ledgewood. Also we continue to seek the best remedy to keep the grass looking good at the entrances to Ledgewood and along Falling Water Rd.
We are pleased to announce that Gerda Brooker has offered to supply the association with as many day lilies as we would like for the islands and road dividers throughout Ledgewood. Mrs. Brooker is well known for her hybrid plants. Thank you for your most generous donation, Gerda.
Watch for other changes and improvements in the area.
Tennis courts – Courts 3 and 4 are up and running. Courts 1 and 2 (Omni surface) are on schedule for servicing and will be ready for play shortly. We all look forward to an active and trouble free tennis season.
Please refrain from planting garden plants in our wooded common ground areas. Please keep your favorites within the confines of your own lot. We all want to keep Ledgewood’s unique rustic and natural flavor. After all, that is the feature that attracted most of us to buy our houses in this lovely setting.
Terry Cain – Common Ground Recreation & Landscaping – 878-4544
Betty Anderson – Common Ground - 238-7555
commongrounds@theledgewoodassociation.com
Architectural Review
The yard work season is fast approaching. We have some lovely landscaping in the neighborhood and the Association appreciates all the effort it takes to keep the grass mowed and the landscaping trimmed and tidy. The deer in the neighborhood seem to be trying to keep many of the plants (too) well trimmed. If only we could limit their midnight snacking to those bushes encroaching on sidewalk areas. Since we can’t, we rely on each homeowner to keep bushes trimmed back so they don’t spill over the sidewalks. In the early summer Architectural Review will conduct the annual walk through. We’ll check for those overgrown bushes and trees as well as weeds, broken light posts and other items. Take a minute or two to review and decide if anything on your property is on the list and should be attended to. Your attention to your home and yard affects not only your property, but also that of your neighbors.
Are trees or shrubs encroaching on the sidewalk? In other words, can you walk past without tripping or having your eye poked out?
Is the concrete walk tilted or sunken more than 1 inch?
Is the lamppost rusted off or broken? It must have a black post and the standard Ledgewood globe. (Available at the maintenance garage) Check with Home Depot if you need to have yours replaced. Be sure the vegetation does not obscure the light. This is a safety issue for neighbors walking by.
Mailbox condition. Most of the original “bird houses” have rotted away and been replaced by a variety of styles. If you have to replace yours, please stay with the wooden post and a style that blends with the house.
Are there dead trees and shrubs in the yard?
Are retaining walls in good condition?
Is the lawn in reasonable condition? Are you seeding the neighborhood with dandelions.
Is there clutter in the yard? Beside your home…. the sides of your house are not an open-air storage area for ladders, yard furniture and general clutter.
Are fences painted and screens in good repair?
Are the gutters in good condition? Are they serving as planters for mini-trees?
Is the roof in good condition?
Could the house or any fencing stand a new coat of paint or stain?
And last but not least, the catchall “Are there any other eyesores?”
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Marcia Folino – Architectural Review – 238-4251
architectural@theledgewoodassociation.com
www.ledgewoodassociation.com. The past three newsletters will be on the website.
It saves us printing and mailing costs. However, it is important that we reach ALL our residents. Return the form to Ledgewood Association, P. O. Box 360484, Strongsville OH 44136. Send back only if need printed and mailed Ledger.
You can print copies of the Covenants & Restrictions, By-laws, clubhouse rental procedures, pool rules, reach a board member via e-mail, etc. Explore the website and let us know what you think.
Please continue to send me a printed and mailed Ledger.
Homeowner Name _________________________________
Homeowner Address _________________________________
