September 2013 | The Ledger

Messages from the President | Bob Folino

Pool Flooding

pool@theledgewoodassociation.com

We have completed the renovations and landscaping required to stop the mud from getting into the pool during hard rainstorms. Our previous efforts managed to stop the mud from clogging the catch basin at the top of the hill but we were foiled by the fall collection of dead leaves that washed down with the water. The leaves blocked the drain pipe and the overflow took the usual path through the two backyards and down the hill. We did not get near as much mud but still enough to close the pool a week. We have now cut through the high ground behind the catch basin and have a spillway for excess water to follow way back behind the pool and into the creek. We have replaced the dirt and damage to the backyards caused by the flooding by filling in with our excavation.

At the bottom of the hill we have removed the accumulated mud and rock that has come down the hill in the last couple floods. We have added drain tiles behind the stone wall, a new drain between the wall and the fence and excavated a trench around the pool to drain into the creek.

This fall when we replace the concrete decking, the slope will be away from the pool into a drain around the pool like the one between the two pools. That only leaves a blocked underpass to cope with. To avoid having that happen again, we and the city are keeping the creek free of large trees and obstructions.

Lampposts

The previous source of the globes has increased their price over the years to $85. We have found another source of white globes that are about $20. We are switching to these globes. There is one in front of the club house. You will notice that they give a more diffused light and not just the bulb in the middle of the globe. If you need a globe, minor repairs or a light bulb change you can contact our Maintenance Operations Manager, Jim Chmura, and for a fee Mr. Chmura will attempt your repair/replacement. He can be reached at (440) 238-6000.

Dog Walking

This one is simple. Clean up after your dog. I have had a few people tell me they have neighbors who refuse to and I have asked for their names. I am not above a little public embarrassment. (What good is power if you can’t abuse it a little?)

Community Garden

We seem to have some newbees working the garden this year. Please throw your weeds back into the woods to biodegrade. If you put them in the trash barrel by the tennis courts Jim has to sort through the trash and throw the weeds into the woods. It makes him irritable and we don’t want Jim irritable.

Architectural Review | Nancy Picard & Laura McLaughlin

architectural@theledgewoodassociation.com

The annual walk through was conducted between June 22 and July 10, 2013. During the walk, at least two board members and one resident volunteer evaluated every single family home. Condominium and cluster units are evaluated by their respective associations. Letters were sent to 105 homeowners. Formal complaints were made to the City of Strongsville concerning maintenance issues at four homes. We continue to follow complaints made in previous years. This is often a long and difficult process. In general it is easy to keep our neighborhood looking great.

• Everyone needs to do their part by keeping all public sidewalks accessible, no plantings growing over the sidewalk perimeter (ornamental grasses seem to be a big problem this year), and tree branches should allow a 6 foot tall person to walk without brushing the branches.

• Remove dead trees, branches, shrubs, and flowers. They are unsightly and can fall and cause damage to people and property.

• Do not display signs on your property including: Reserved Parking, Beware of Dog, and Landscaping by ____________.

If you have a construction project at your home you may need the use of a dumpster or storage pod. Please do what you can so that your large BOX is not a longtime fixture in your neighborhood. This is not the look your neighbors enjoy.

• Please do not store vehicles with expired license plates in your yard.

• Many are installing or replacing fences. Here is a copy of the City of Strongsville’s Ordinance for fences. These should help with your plans.

1252.17 LANDSCAPE FEATURES, FENCES, WALLS AND DRIVEWAYS.

Landscape features, such as hedges, trees and shrubs and yard structures, such as fences, trellises, walls and outdoor fireplaces, may be permitted in a required front, side or rear yard as follows:

(a) Front Yards, Interior Lot. Fences and hedges shall not be permitted along a side lot line in the front yard, except a two-rail type of fence not to exceed forty-two inches in height.

(b) Front Yard, Corner Lot. Landscape features within a triangle formed between points on front and side lot lines within thirty-five feet from their intersection shall be maintained to a height not exceeding two and one-half feet above curb level.

(c) Side and Rear Yards. Fences, walls and hedges shall be permitted along a side and rear yard lot line to a height of not more than six feet above the average grade. All fences shall be designed and constructed in such fashion that the finished side of such fence faces to the exterior of the lot. If a fence is designed so that only one side is finished, and the unfinished side contains structural members, including posts and framing, which are exposed to view, then the unfinished side of the fence shall face the interior of the lot upon which the fence is erected. All fences shall be treated with appropriate weather preservatives or painted and maintained in good condition. On a corner lot, fences, walls and hedges shall be set back from the side street right-of-way and any sidewalk not less than twelve feet (12') if the fence, wall or hedge is four feet (4') in height or less and not less than sixteen feet (16') if the fence, wall or hedge is higher than four feet (4') in height. Tool sheds and other enclosed structures shall conform to the yard regulations for accessory buildings set forth in Section 1252.15.

(d) Driveways. Driveways to garages or parking areas shall be permitted in any required side yard that is not less than ten feet wide.

(e) Other Structures. Floodlights, search lights, loudspeakers or similar structures shall not be erected or used in a residential district in any manner that will cause hazards or annoyance to the public generally or to the occupants of neighboring property.

(f) Permits. Fences and walls over four feet high and all accessory buildings shall require a building permit. (Ord. 2012-085. Passed 9-17-12.) Again this year we looked for examples of great yards. If you see these homeowners, please tell them we appreciate their efforts. This is just an informal list of homes that we noticed on the walk about: 12176 Park Cliff 12228 Moss Point, 17488 Ridge Creek, 12194 Woodridge (also noticed in 2012), 18165 Falling Leaves (also noticed in 2012)

Common Ground | David Minich

commongrounds@theledgewoodassociation.com

This has been a very exciting summer with many improvements being made to the Common Areas. At the top of the pool hill the secondary culvert was rerouted with additional stone added on the hill approach. Two additional drains and stone were added at the east end of the pool. The tennis courts and the playground areas are holding up well. Just a reminder that if you would like to use the tennis courts a key is required. The new keys can be picked up from either Jim or me.

A new security system will be installed in the fall in the Club House and the Pool areas.

Food drive | Jay & Denise Coniam

The Ledgewood Swim Team and the families who organized the 2013 neighborhood Food Drive wants to thank all of you for your participation this year.

We are pleased to tell you that this was our most successful year to date. We collected approximately 675 food items, a 30% increase from last year, and doubled the monetary contributions. We have delivered the donations to the two food banks. The directors were thrilled with what we collected, and are sincerely appreciative.

Once again, Ledgewood residents have shown their kindness and concern for this worthwhile and necessary project. This is such a great and caring neighborhood. With your continued support, we fill a need for families who are struggling to put food on their tables.

We look forward to doing this again next year. We will continue to count on your help to succeed.

Ledgewood Board of Trustees

Bob Folino | President – 238-4251

John Herold | Vice-President | Pool – 216-513-7684

Nancy Picard – 440-238-4784 & Laura McLaughlin 440-238-8348 | Architectural Review

David Minich | Common Ground – 440-846-1794

Debbie Harler | Clubhouse – 440-212-1609