HOA & COA News

View the proposed 2021 budgets for MVF-managed home corporations.

East Village annual meeting message

by David Cline

East Village Homes Corporation is a vibrant community of 1,389 homes located in the larger community of Montgomery Village. Every effort by the board of directors and the officers has been made to ensure that East Village residents live in an attractive community with an abundant amount of resources for all members to enjoy.

Many projects were started and completed in 2019. First, major expense was made to remove trees in specific neighborhoods and replaced with trees that are well suited to thrive in the Mid-Atlantic. Additional trees were removed, as storms caused some to fall and they had to be removed to prevent damage to persons and property.

Monthly inspections were performed to keep pace with changing needs of the community. Feedback was provided to BrightView, our maintenance contractor, to increase the attractiveness of East Village. BrightView management was also involved in making suggestions for improvements to our community. Streets on Dry Ridge and Hamil Circle were repaired due to a resident’s water main breaking and causing significant damage.

As part of a team, East Village maintains its high standards due to the great teamwork of the individual board members and the professional staff with Montgomery Village management and the maintenance company of BrightView.

Board members serve in various capacities as officers and on committees. Kevin Linck, a long-time board member, served as president. His advice on different items related to the community has proven to be invaluable. Kevin has also given his time as a representative to the UpCounty Advisory Board. He has consistently brought back information from the advisory meetings and shared it with the East Village board. Issues related to future transportation needs of the UpCounty region have been particularly helpful.

Assisting as vice president is another long-time board member, David Cline. He also chairs the publicity committee, writing for the “East Village Echo” and on Facebook.     

Jayant Shukla served as the East Village board treasurer. His financial wisdom has helped East Village maintain a healthy financial outlook.

Aaron Shura also shares his talent as a writer. He has written some excellent articles for the “East Village Echo” and we hope to see more in the coming months.

The East Village board is also thankful to have support from directors Terry O’Grady, Suzanne Jubert, Jack Helenek and our newest board member, Monica Guillen.

Finally, even with all of our best efforts, we would be lost without the guidance of our wonderful Community Manager, April Steward. She is the calm voice residents hear on the phone when they call with an emergency or have a question or suggestion. April drives through our neighborhoods each and every day before or after she arrives at her office. She is to be commended for her quick response to the needs of the residents. She has been extremely easy to work with as board members when they have questions or suggestions. She is a wealth of information, and we’d be poorer without her.

I want to also thank BrightView for their willingness to increase productivity and actively engage and listen to suggestions from board members and residents. It’s their everyday work that keeps East Village looking spectacular.

However, it is the residents that should be thanked. It is your board, and we happily serve you, our neighbors. We appreciate your feedback, for every comment is needed to keep East Village one of the best communities in Montgomery Village.

Looking forward, as East Village ages, we’ll need to be mindful of the infrastructure and vegetation that need more attention. Our resources have been spent to maintain our corner of the Village, but we’ll need to keep even more care to build up our reserves for the future. While financially strong, we should plan for the unexpected while continuing steady progress.

I hope we can improve our communication through Facebook, and increase community outreach through small picnics and gatherings with our neighbors where they live. As a board united with purpose to serve our neighbors, I feel confident we will serve out our terms successfully.

East Village Echo: for residents of The Downs, The Reach, The Estates, Essex Place II, Candle Ridge, Gablefield, Glenbrooke, Meadowgate, Ashford, Holly Pointe and Wethersfield.

Eastgate Homes Corporation Candidate Statements

by the Eastgate Board of Directors

The following statements have been submitted for candidates for the Eastgate Homes Corporation Board of Directors.

Jeffrey Amtmann
I would like to remain on the East Gate Homes Corp. Board of Directors for another three-year term. I have been a board member since 2000, and enjoy volunteering to improve the quality of our neighborhood.

I moved to East Gate in April 1999, and like the quality of life in Montgomery Village. There is always room for improvement, so I want to continue to serve my community and neighborhood faithfully. I derive satisfaction from being involved in maintaining our neighborhood by participating in our board meetings to represent Hickory Grove and Wood Edge homes. I have learned a lot about what it takes to keep our HOA functioning properly during my 20 years of service.

I am a proud graduate of NC State class of 1987, with a degree in horticulture and landscape architecture. This has allowed me to help our board develop programs for tree maintenance, entrance sign improvements, seasonal flower rotations, and offering recommendation to our board about best value. My knowledge is valuable for quality control since our landscape maintenance and other construction tasks are performed by contractors not affiliated with MVF.

I have spent my entire professional career as a project manager for a Gaithersburg based site work contractor. Therefore, I am knowledgeable about asphalt paving, concrete sidewalks, and general maintenance. Currently, I have 7 years’ service employment at Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection as a construction representative. I am now also knowledgeable about storm water management, algae control, streams, and associated watershed concerns.

I also have a personal interest in keeping our neighborhood beautiful and visually attractive. I am aware of concerns about crime, dog waste, and litter issues. I would like to be granted the opportunity to serve on our board for another term so I may assist in properly managing dues by careful spending, and wise management of existing infrastructure. I look forward to volunteering on our board for my 7th term. Thank you for your vote and continued support.

Kayla Jones
My name is Kayla Jones and I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I have been a resident of Montgomery Village since 2004 and have worked as a Financial Program Analyst for over 13 years and currently work for the Federal Government. I served on the Eastgate Board for the past year and feel that my knowledge and experience has served to benefit the Eastgate Community. I moved into Eastgate in 2012 and part of my selection for this community was the beauty, quietness and how well family oriented the neighborhood seem to be. Since becoming a member of Eastgate Board it has allowed me to have a better understanding of all the minor day-to-day involvement in being able to keep our community great while addressing valid issues and concerns which made us want to be a resident. I would like the opportunity to serve again in the upcoming term and help make our community a great place to live. Thank you.

Eric Olson
I would like to remain on the Eastgate Homes Corporation Board of Directors for an additional term. I joined the board in 2013, have been a resident for 13 years, and have been an active neighborhood watch block captain for 5 years. I am a software analyst with attention to detail and wish to continue serving.

Board membership has allowed me to directly participate in addressing concerns regarding security, maintenance, litter, general complaints, and beautification of Eastgate. Before joining, I found myself periodically sending a variety of reports to EGHC on such matters as security, maintenance, and litter issues. It was at that point the board encouraged me to become more directly involved, given my active participation.

Fall is fast approaching!

by the Maryland Place Board of Directors

The board receives constant complaints from residents about trash. Residents are seen placing plastic bags of trash, recycling bins, paper leaf bags, furniture, appliances, etc. on community property daily! Not only is this unsightly and unsanitary, it’s also against Montgomery County law and the Maryland Place By-laws.

All trash and recycling should be stored on your own property in a sealed rat/vermin-proof container at all times. Trash or recycling should never be placed on community property, period! As a result of all the plastic bags of trash left on community property, we now have a major rat problem. We are providing them with a buffet of food in easy-to-chew-through plastic bags. The board has contracted Orkin to place rat bait stations throughout the neighborhood. These stations are child and pet proof. This service is not cheap, and the board will monitor it to see if it is helping with the rat problem.

As a reminder, all trash is to be placed out for collection on Sunday and Wednesday nights after dark at the rear of your property. Trash is picked up on Monday and Thursday mornings. Recycling is to be placed in the front of your property on Wednesday night after dark for collection on Thursday morning. At no time should trash or recycling ever be placed on community property.

Maryland Place Messages: for residents of Maryland Place.

Middle Village Towing Policy

by the Middle Village Homes Corporation Board of Directors

The current Middle Village Parking policy states:

"All vehicles parked overnight in the community are required to display a MVHC parking tag/permit or they are subject to immediate towing. For purposes of these Rules, overnight is defined as parking a vehicle in MV anytime between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m."

"Parking tag/permit must be clearly/properly displayed, on the driver’s side, facing the front windshield, on vehicles parked in a reserved parking space, or parked in the community overnight. Tags/permits can be hung from the rearview mirror or taped to the driver’s side dashboard or front windshield, front side facing toward the windshield."

"Failure to properly display the current year’s parking tag/permit will lead to immediate towing – even if vehicle is parked in the appropriate reserved parking space. No warnings or notifications will be issued."

“No commercial vehicles or trailers of any type, campers, or recreational vehicles shall be permitted to remain overnight on either the property of a private dwelling unit or on the community-owned property within Middle Village. For purposes of these rules, overnight is defined as parking a vehicle between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.”

“Commercial vehicles include vehicles with any type of writing or printing (letters, words, pictures, insignia, etc.) identifying a firm, organization, service, product, etc., of any kind, type or description. All vehicles carrying ladders, pipes, ladder racks, truck-loaded tools or truck-loaded tool boxes, etc., will be considered commercial. Vans used for delivering, storing or transporting goods or cargo are also considered to be commercial vehicles and are prohibited from remaining overnight in the community. Police vehicles are exempted.”

“No commercial vehicles (including commercial pickup trucks) shall be permitted to remain overnight in the community. Pickup trucks must not have ladder racks, truck-loaded tools or truck-loaded toolboxes. Further, pickup trucks may not park overnight in the community with any cargo, items or material of any kind in the truck bed (landscaping debris, tools, boxes, trash, equipment, etc.) that exceeds the height of the truck bed sides or that extends beyond the tailgate. Pickup trucks with cargo that meet this description will be considered commercial vehicles and are not permitted to park in the community overnight. Violations are subject to immediate towing.”

Assessments

We live in a community that requires every homeowner to pay assessment fees. Assessments are used to pay contractors for landscaping, snow removal, trash collection, collection of illegally dumped trash, lighting, repairs on community property, etc. If you are a homeowner, you were provided with this information during closing.

Reminder: Assessments are due to be paid monthly. Your payment must be received by ComSource on or before the 15th of the month to avoid late charges. Your regular payments allow us to continue providing services to our community.

Homeowners who are delinquent with their assessment payments must pay their past due balance in full or make arrangements to pay them. The first step to making payment arrangements is contacting Edna Kweti at 301-924-7355 or e-mail ekweti@comsource.com.

Important Contact Phone Numbers
Big Tow: 301-424-4869
Potomac Disposal: 301-294-9700
Montgomery County Police
Non-emergency: 301-279-8000
Emergency: 911
ComSource: 301-924-7355

Contacting ComSource

ComSource is our management company. If you have a comment or complaint, please include your name, address, phone number, location of issue/problem and specific details in your correspondence or when you are leaving a phone message for the property manager.

Contact ComSource at 301-924-7355 or e-mail ekweti@comsource.com or sumali@comsource.com.

Board Meeting Schedule

The next Middle Village board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all meetings will be held virtually via Zoom until further notice to protect the health and safety of our residents and board members.

Residents who have registered with ComSource to receive community information via e-mail will receive the meeting link. Those who have not registered should contact Edna Kweti at ComSource to receive meeting details and sign up to receive all the latest information for our communities.

Middle Village Voice: for residents of Thomas Choice West and Clubside.

Leaf ahead

by the North Village Board of Directors

As the leaves have started falling, please keep in mind that storm drains and gutters should be kept clear to avoid expensive maintenance and clean up. In the past, North Village Homes Corporation (NVHC) has paid $2,500 to have one storm drain cleaned out.

Here are the tentative dates for leaf pickup. Mark those dates on your calendars!

Monday, Nov. 16 through Thursday, Nov. 19
December dates are TBD – check the Village News and www.montgomeryvillage.com for updates

Please do not rake leaves into the streets at any time. Wait until the BrightView Landscaping signs have been posted before raking leaves to the curb. At all other times homeowners are responsible for leaf removal either by bagging and recycling or mulching them. Leave them out on the curb for the county recycling on their regular service days. The county will take them at no cost. Branches should be trimmed to a 4-foot width and tied in bundles for the county pickup.

Hired landscapers

Please remind your hired landscapers to pick up or bag the yard waste when they are done with your lawn. There has been a recent trend of workers blowing the debris and leaves onto common areas, again creating more work and potential cost to the entire community.

Parking in North Village

We are aware that parking is a hot topic, and the board is diligently working on a new parking policy. If you wish to add your voice on this issue, please join us for our next meeting (see how to join below). In the meantime, we are in the process of evaluating different options with the goal of accommodating the needs and concerns of all the subdivisions in North Village.

Where has the day gone? 

As the days get shorter, be sure to turn on your outside lights earlier. Remember to lock your car doors and keep your garage inner doors locked. Keep garage doors closed when you leave your home and otherwise when you can. Most break-ins happen due to ease of access.

Like a great neighbor

“If you see something, say something.” In other words, if you see suspicious activity anywhere in Montgomery Village, please call the police at 301-279-8000. Of course, if it is an emergency, dial 911.

Bulk pickup is free, and keep recycling

Free bulk pickup on large items is available. Remember that failure to call and arrange the bulk pickups leads to increased costs for all of us. Many of us have now seen updated recycling information on our blue cans and front doors. Review the fliers and postcard and keep them handy. Contact the number below, or go to MyGreenMontgomery on Facebook for more details.

Important number to keep:
Security APS: 240-631-2399
Potomac Disposal: 301-294-9700
MC Recycling – New Blue Bins – Scrap Metal: 311
Pepco: 877-737-2662
WSSC: 301-206-4001

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the board is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be conducted via audio/video conference.

Individuals desiring to attend the October virtual board meeting must e-mail their intent to attend the meeting with their name and unit address to asteward@mvf.org no later than noon on Thursday, Oct. 15. Management will then respond with further instructions.

Individuals desiring to speak to the board during residents time must e-mail their comments and or questions to asteward@mvf.org no later than noon on Thursday, Oct 15.

If you have any questions or want to report any problems please call our community manager, April Steward, at 240-243-2327.

North Village View: for residents of Essex Place, Highland Hall, McRory, Perry Place, Picton, Pleasant Ridge and Salem’s Grant.

End of summer updates

by the Northgate Board of Directors

The FY2021 Northgate draft budget was approved at the September board meeting. There will be no increase in the assessment rate next year.

Funds were approved to prune the street trees in Williams Range. Mead Tree will be doing the work.

We are fortunate that COVID-19 has not had a major impact on the ability of our contractors to perform the trash and landscape work. While some items may be somewhat delayed, the work is getting done.

We continue to ask for your patience as the board works on parking issues. As we mentioned in a previous column, in order to allow residents of Apple Ridge, Overlea, McKendree I and McKendree II communities to have a better chance to park in their individual subdivisions, new parking policies will be put into effect. There will be no changes for four areas. Dorsey’s Regard and Shadow Oak have two reserved spots per house, the maximum that can be allocated. Williams Range and The Points have driveways and double garages.

The proposed amendments will be mailed to all homeowners. Again, please be patient as they are finalized, passed by the attorney and enforcement logistics are worked out. This is a case where COVID has impacted our ability to move any faster.

The board will continue to meet remotely for the foreseeable future. The next board meeting is in October. Any questions should be directed to NorthgateHC@comsource.com.

Northgate News: for residents of Apple Ridge, Dorsey's Regard, McKendree I & II, Overlea, The Points, Shadow Oak and Williams Range.

Patton Ridge updates

by the Patton Ridge Board of Directors

The Patton Ridge Homes Corporation has continued its work during these difficult times. The common spaces of our community have been maintained, and essential maintenance issues have been addressed. The board’s June and July meetings were held via web conference. Thank you to our residents who have been in communication with the board and to those who have participated in our virtual meetings.

There are several projects that have started within or near the community. Monument Realty has begun construction on the new development, Bloom Village, which is on the grounds of the former golf course. This project is impacting residents in multiple areas of Patton Ridge, and we recognize the inconvenience caused by this work for the long-term benefit of the Village. Colonial Pipeline’s project near Montgomery Village Avenue and Duffer Way is underway and should be completed in about three weeks. Colonial is excavating the pipeline, inspecting it and conducting much needed maintenance. WSSC is also completing pipeline replacement work near Duffer Way.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold, we encourage our residents to follow the guidance of public health officials and look out for your neighbors. We also encourage residents to confirm their voter registration and complete their 2020 Census form. The Maryland voter registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 13, and the deadline for completing the 2020 Census was extended to Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Patton Ridge Report: for residents of Arrowhead, Fairway Islands, Fairidge, Greentee I & II, Highfield and Partridge Place I & II.

Parking permit pickup resumes

by the South Village Board of Directors

The MVF Office is open, and South Village Homes Corporation has resumed Parking Permit pickup. South Village residents may come to the office, 10120 Apple Ridge Road, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, through Friday, Aug. 14 to pick up their parking permits.

Please carefully review the instructions below in order to be issued your parking permit. South Village residents will need:

• ID and vehicle registration for no more than 2 vehicles, for verification on the day you come for your passes (permits will not be issued without it).
• Completed “Parking Permit Form.” Signature is required. Forms must be filled out in advance of coming to the office. Due to COVID-19 changes at the office, there is not an area for visitors to fill out the form on site.
• Tenants or landlords must also provide a copy of the “Current Lease Agreement” and “Owner Permit Release Form” (both required) with the Parking Permit Form.

Please note:

• Parking Permit and Owner Permit Release forms are previously mailed and are also available online at www.montgomeryvillage.com/communities/village-communities/south-village-homes-corporation. For more information, e-mail lroberts@mvf.org.
• Parking enforcement requiring the display of permits begins on Monday, Aug. 17.
• If you are not in good standing with the association, you will not be issued a parking permit. If you have a parking spot on community asphalt, it will be removed.
• Unauthorized vehicles per the parking policy are not eligible to be registered.

The South Village Board of Directors appreciates your patience, cooperation and compliance while we work to improve the community.

South Village Scenes: for residents of Center Stage, Dockside, Grover's Forge, Hamptons, Millrace, Nathan's Hill and Walker's Choice.

Stedwick Homes Corporation Annual President’s Statement

by Keith Silliman

This Stedwick Homes Corporation Annual Meeting is being held after a 6-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic and related governmental restrictions. The significance of these results has dimmed by that delay, but they are reported as part of the annual meeting tradition.

The 2019 year was a good one for the Stedwick Homes Corporation. Overall expenses were below budget, and investments have been made to enhance the appearance and the environmental quality of our community. However, we continue to be confronted with significant parking and trash problems.

The Stedwick Homes Corporation’s 2019 financial status indicates an increase in overall expenses compared to 2018, but it was still slightly under budget. Snow removal costs were significantly under budget. Storm drain repair, tree removal from storm damage and trash removal costs all increased. A financial reserve study was completed and resulted in updated reserve contribution projections.

Investments were made in our community’s infrastructure. Fire lanes were repainted throughout Stedwick. Curb and street paving repairs were made in Clusters II and Club Hill. Twenty-five American Hybrid Chestnut trees were planted in the large open greenspace area inside the Wayridge Drive loop as a joint effort with The American Chestnut Society.

Replacement of incandescent post lamp lighting fixtures in the Clusters I and Clusters II communities reduced electricity consumption and costs.

We continue to hear concerns about parking problems throughout our community and are seeing an increased number of trucks, vans and cars parked along Stedwick and Watkins Mill roads. Our security service continues to be aggressive in stickering cars which are in violation of parking rules.

The smooth operation of the Stedwick Homes Corporation results from the cooperative efforts of our board of directors, our management team, our contractors and our residents. Thanks to all our board members for volunteering their time and efforts; to Community Manager Karen Kodjanian and her team; and to all our contractors, especially the team from J.B. Kline Landscaping, which provides our landscaping and snow removal services. Audrey Houser, our maintenance chair, deserves a special thank you for her tireless efforts working on maintenance related items, from evaluation of the problems through their correction, and finally approval of payment for the work accomplished. We thank Wayne Rowland for his service on the board of directors. He chose to not stand for re-election.

The board of directors has worked to keep the Stedwick community an attractive place to live, to keep it safe and affordable, and to be environmentally friendly. That job has been a collaborative effort of the board members, our community manager and our contractors. Thanks to all of them for their efforts. And a thank you to our residents who attractively maintain their property and pay their assessments on a timely basis.

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Contact our Stedwick Homes Corporation community manager at 240-243-2327; visit our website, www.stedwickhc.com; e-mail stedwickhc@mvf.org or communicate via regular mail to the Stedwick Homes Corporation at 10120 Apple Ridge Road.

Stedwick Signals: for residents of Club Hill, Clusters of Stedwick I, II, III, Forest Brooke, Frenchton Place, Ridges of Stedwick and The Heights

Happy New Year!

by the Thomas Choice Condominium Board of Directors

Happy New Year, Thomas Choice Condominium!

Along with welcoming the new year, it is the hope of the board of directors and management that all residents take the time this year to become well informed and intentionally aware of the many moving parts of the community. You are invited and encouraged to attend all of the 2020 board of directors meetings, starting with our upcoming meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13 in the North Creek Board Room, 20125 Arrowhead Road. You will find all of the meeting dates posted online at www.montgomeryvillage.com or in the Village News.

Questions may be submitted to Community Manager Liana Roberts at lroberts@mvf.org by 5 p.m. the day before each meeting. Feel free to forward questions in advance of the meetings so that management can provide you with the most accurate information. Communitywide understanding of the cost to operate, maintain reserves and maintain the community is imperative in the efforts and strides to keep Thomas Choice Condominium a wonderful place to call home.

Lastly, please note Thomas Choice Condominium is not reissuing parking passes for 2020. Please make sure to carefully read any and all correspondence received and ensure that the community name is Thomas Choice Condominium and not another community within Montgomery Village.

Thank you, and best wishes for the new year!

Autumn in Whetstone

by Whetstone Board of Directors

Autumn has begun to arrive in earnest in Whetstone. It is always a season of change. The leaves of summer begin to fall, and eventually make way for the new growth that spring will inevitably bring. This annual reminder of seasonal change and rebirth comes at a time when the community is also undergoing a change. Residents will have noticed the ongoing demolition of the Professional Center to make way for Lidl. For many residents, the Professional Center was historically a place where children attended their first doctors’ and dentists’ visits, and where residents could conveniently obtain necessary professional services. For decades it was a place that helped keep Montgomery Village healthy and vibrant. Although its time had passed, and while we are all hopeful that Lidl will become a valued part of our community, which is itself undergoing a cyclical renewal, the end of the Professional Center is a little bitter sweet.

The Whetstone board had a productive meeting on September 10. The management committee reported that Crepe Myrtle trees will be planted on Rhodes Way. The board took the opportunity to review existing community policies. The board also approved draft language to present to the community regarding the proposed covenant amendment that, if it passes, would permit residents to park personal use, non-commercial pick-up trucks in their driveways in Whetstone. The draft amendment is with the board attorney for final review and for preparation of voting materials.

Finally, residents will be pleased to learn that M-NCPPC is planning to renovate Centerway Local Park. The project is only in its infancy. A design will need to be developed, reviewed by the public and approved before construction permitting can begin. The project is not projected to be complete until 2022. Interested residents should check out the county parks webpage for more information, and to find out how to become involved: www.montgomeryparks.org/projects/directory/centerway-local-park.

In an effort to communicate more effectively with our residents, the WHC board would like to update our board e-mail list. This allows you to receive meeting notices, agendas, emergency information, etc. This is not a neighborhood discussion forum. If you are not on the current list or have changed your provider, just send an e-mail to vermillion.whc@gmail.com.

Whetstone Watch: for residents of The Courts, Goshenside, Lakeside and the Ridges of Whetstone.