Newington Community Association Monthly Newsletter
May 2015
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
President’s Corner .......... p. 1, 4
Directory .............................. p. 2
NCA Clean Up Day ............. p. 3
Community News ................ p. 4
Budget Committee ............... p. 4
Farmer’s Market .................. p. 4
Minutes ............................. p. 5-7
Community Yard Sale ......... p. 8
Upcoming Projects .............. p. 8
Pool Pass & Procedures ....... p. 9
Exterior Project Form ........ p. 10
Calendar ............................ p. 12
2015 NCA BOARD OF
DIRECTORS MEETINGS
May 6
June 3
July 1
REMINDER:
Spring Clean Up Day
Saturday, May 2
(see page 3 for details)
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
By Beth Rodriguez
Ah, May is here! Hope you are enjoying the flowers all around,
especially the daffodils planted by volunteers and the landscape work done
by our contractor. Let’s maintain the beauty of our community by: 1.
Fighting litter (pick it up when you see it and don’t litter) and 2.
Participate in our Community Clean Up Day on May 2nd. Meet at the pool
parking lot at 9 a.m. (for more information see announcement page 3). A
clean community sends the message to criminals that we care about what
happens in our community.
Spring is also the time to change batteries in your smoke detectors and
carbon monoxide (CO) detectors? There have been two instances of
deaths in the metro area because of carbon monoxide poisoning. If you
have gas heat, please consider installing a CO detector and changing its
batteries along with your smoke detector’s batteries 2X per year.
Everyone should also have a working smoke detector, as I am sure you are
aware. Upon looking on the Fire Department section of the Fairfax
County Website, I found out that the fire department will perform fire
inspections for residences and will install a smoke detector. Go to the
website http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/outreach/commoutreach.htm for
further information.
During this nice weather and seeing the grass beginning to grow
reminds me to mention that there are community guidelines/rules
regarding grass height (no higher than 6 inches) and maintenance of your
property. What the board and the rest of the community really want is for
everyone to keep their yards neat and clean and their houses in good
repair. If you follow that principle everyone will be most grateful.
Remember if you are planning an exterior project; please talk with the
community manager. She will let you know if your project needs prior
approval.
Anyone interested in becoming more
Continued on Page 4...
BRANDEIS NEWSLETTER DELIVERY PERSON NEEDED!
Please volunteer your time. Only takes 30 minutes each month. If
two people share the court, should only take about 15 minutes.
Students could use the hours toward school volunteer credits. The
exercise is great!!!!
Email [email protected] or call us at 703-4553606 if you can help.
1
NEWINGTON STATION DIRECTORY
http:\\www.newingtoncommunity.org
NCA COMMUNITY OFFICE
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
703-455-3606
Fax: 703-455-0013
Hours:
Monday / Wednesday /Thursday
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday / Friday
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Community Manager: Lori Randall
Assistant Community Manager: Tina Queen
Email: [email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President - Beth Rodriguez (Aug ’15)
Email: [email protected]
Vice President - Kevin Benore (Aug ‘17)
Treasurer - Louise Whitt (Aug ‘17)
Secretary - Chris Hammel (Aug ‘16)
Member - Florence Smoczynski (Aug ‘15)
Member - Vacant (Aug ‘16)
Member - Vacant (Aug ‘16)
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE
Chair - Cameron Mulloy
Emergency
911
Non-Emergency (Police & Fire) 703-691-2131
Including barking dog complaints
American Disposal Services
703-368-0500
Animal Control/Shelter
703-830-1100
Cox Cable
703-378-8422
Domestic Violence Hotline
800-838-8238
Dominion Towing
703-730-1177
Dominion Virginia Power
1-888-667-3000
Fairfax Connector
703-339-7200
www.fairfaxconnector.com
Fairfax County
www.fairfaxcounty.gov
Fairfax County Housing Authority
Selena Davis
703-704-6758
Fairfax County Storm Water
Management (not State streets)
703-934-2800
Fairfax Water
703-698-5600
Key Middle School
703-313-3900
Lee High School
703-924-8300
Lorton Fire and Rescue
703-339-5141
Lorton Landfill
703-690-1703
Poison Control
202-625-3333
Pool (emergencies only)
703-455-9873
Saratoga Elementary School
703-440-2600
Streetlights
1-888-667-3000
Summit Management
703-360-0904
Supervisor Gerald Hyland
703-780-7518
Virginia Highway Department
(Snow—State Roads Only)
703-383-8368
Virginia Railway Express
1-800-RIDE VRE
Voter Information
703-222-0776
West Springfield District Police 703-644-7377
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Chair—Louise Whitt
Newsletter Distributors
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Chair—Lou Tobat
Liaison - TBN
Kathy Anderson
Donna Kellam
Lori Randall
Amanda Baird
Patrick Lent
Roche Family
Abdul Berlas
Mike Smith
RECREATION COMMITTEE
Chair - Volunteer Needed
Liaison—TBN
Karen Chauvin
Pat Levister & Sandra
Wolford
William & Mary Loy
Regina Watson
MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE
Chairs - Lori Randall
Ethan
Richard Neimeyer
Jennifer Firman
Al Owens
Gladys Diaz
Nicole Drummond Sharoyn Marshall
2
Spinelli Family
Spring Clean Up Day - Newington Community!
The clean up day is scheduled for:
Saturday, May 2
9:00 am to 12 Noon.
We will supply:
 Trash Bags
 Gloves
 Muffins
 Water
Please meet at the pool to get supplies and bring yourself and a friend to help!
Please call or email with questions.
Contact: [email protected] or call 703-455-6506 for more information.
3
… continued from Page 1, President’s Corner
Architectural Standard
Reminders
involved in their community, please note there are many
opportunities for volunteering in Newington Community.
Many of our committees go without community
participation. Two that I can think of are: the Budget
Committee and the Neighborhood Watch. The Budget
Committee works on preparing a recommended budget for
the Board to approve. This is where next year’s HOA’s
dues are determined. Would you like an opportunity to
influence that decision? The Neighborhood Watch
provides an extra set of eyes for the betterment of our
community. There is another committee that is just being
formed to consider amending our covenants. Our
community and our covenants are 40 plus years old. In
that time our community’s needs and the laws may have
changed. One issue we will be considering is political
signs (just in time for the 2016 elections), If you would
like to help on any of these committees please contact the
Community Manager and give her your contact
information.
On last item, be aware that pool passes may be picked
up during office hours beginning May 14th. They may also
be picked up at the office between 7:00 & 9:00 pm on May
13, 21 & 27 and on Saturday, May 16 between 10:00 am &
12:00pm.
Fences and decks may NOT be painted. All
decks must be left UNSTAINED and
UNPAINTED to weather naturally. A clear
preservative may be used on all fences and
decks. Composite wood must be of a wood
tone. If you have stained or painted your fence/
deck without approval, you could get a
violation notice.
In addition, NCA Architectural Standards,
Article VI, Section 9 states:
“The yards of all townhomes and detached
homes must have some type of ground cover,
i.e. no bare ground, and be well maintained so
as not to detract from the overall appearance of
the community. Grass height must not exceed
6 inches. . . “
Violations of the Architectural
Standards can result in a $50 charge!!
Enjoy this wonderful spring, everyone!
Budget Committee Forming
The Committee will be looking at the
2015 budget information to generate the
draft 2016 budget with recommended
dues amounts for presentation to the
Board.
If you would like to part of this effort,
contact NCA office at (703) 455-3606 or
Treasurer at:
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Keep Newington Station
Looking Beautiful!
Lawn Services for Hire
Do you have lots of leaves or untamed grass? Do
you not have the time or energy to take care of
it? Hire me -- a responsible, able-bodied teen
looking for some work. I have experience with
yard work and contribute to the community regularly.
Price: $20/hr. (min. 1 hour)
Contact:
John Paul Spinelli,
703-451-1779
4
NEWINGTON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING – April 1, 2015
Draft Minutes of the Meeting – NCA Pool House Meeting Room
At 7:00 pm President Beth Rodriguez called the meeting to order. Board members present were President Beth
Rodriguez, Vice President Kevin Benore, Treasurer Louise Whitt and Director Florence Smoczynski.
Secretary Chris Hammel was not in attendance.
PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS
In order to keep the meeting flowing and to maintain control over the discussion, President Rodriguez asked
that the Board raise their hands or indicate they would like have the floor as opposed to speaking out.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Director Smoczynski made a motion to accept the March 4th monthly board meeting minutes as written.
Treasurer Whitt seconded the motion. Vote: 4 yes. Vice President Benore made a motion to accept the March
4th monthly board meeting executive session minutes as written. Director Smoczynski seconded the motion.
Vote: 4 yes.
HEARINGS
Lots 43, 47, 85, 115, 126, 243, 296, 298, 393,
394, 484 all had a scheduled hearing as an
opportunity to comment on a rule violation.
Lots 43, 85, 115, 126, 243 (via letter), 296, and
394 were in attendance.
COMMUNITY FORUM
A resident mentioned that the trash company
needs to inform us as early as possible if trash
collection is going to be cancelled. The CM
noted that as soon as they notify us, which is
dependent on when the weather becomes bad,
that information is put on the office answering
machine.
COMMITTEE/BUSINESS REPORTS
Treasurer’s Report, Louise Whitt
Treasurer Whitt asked the CM to put an
announcement seeking volunteers for the
budget committee in the next newsletter.
Community Manager (CM) Report, Lori Randall
General
 Disclosure Packets: 8307 Moline, 7778 Euclid,
8548 Gwynedd, 7847 Godolphin, 7709 Matisse
 Asphalt paths/stream crossing update: County
has approved bridge design. Engineer is putting
RFP out for path work and both stream crossings.
 Brandeis Way renovation: requested a start date.
Notice in newsletter about upcoming construction.
 Development of community survey in progress.
 Working with playground installers designing
replacement structures for all tot lots. Committed to two more replacements (Getty and Marconi)
5
 Scheduled painting of Moline addresses and tic marks
section to coincide with the Virginia Property Owners
Act so that instead of obtaining 75% of the owners’
signatures to make an amendment, only 66% would be
needed. She would like to head up a committee and
hopes to get people interested in changing the CCRs to
allow political signs. A plan needs to be developed
and presented to the Board. Vice President Benore
made a motion to create an ad hoc committee for the
purpose of revising the CCRs. President Rodriguez
seconded the motion. Vote: 3 yes, 1 no. Treasurer
Whitt provided the Board with a copy of our
attorney’s newsletter article on the subject of political
signs.
Community Survey – The CM has created a
survey and is using esurv.org. It is in the test phase
and the CM will time it to see how long it takes. The
Board discussed mailing copies to non-resident owners and making it so that it is not anonymous. The
survey will be open for a few months once ready.
Tennis Court Repairs – As a continuation of last
month’s discussion on Reserve maintenance for 2015,
the Board was given quotes from last year to repair the
tennis courts. The CM will get updated proposals for
the next meeting.
for late April or early May. Not as much as budgeted.
 Called all banks/brokers to get requirements to update






signing authority on all accounts.
Pohick Church has new administration and is updating
all records and procedures for facilities use. Use of
common room has gone up to $250 with a $250 refundable security deposit. Have asked for and received a reduced fee for this year, $150.
Resident will organize Clean Up Day for Saturday, May
2nd
Annual Egg Hunt scheduled for Saturday, April 4th.
Attended Virginia Common Interest Community Law
and Regulation seminar.
Reported Lodge Court pothole twice. Still waiting for
VDOT.
Architectural committee performed some inspections.
Resident Complaints/Issues/Comments
 School bus is driving on Moline without picking anyone
up.
 Trash company dragged a plastic bag that ripped open
and made a lighthearted attempt to clean it up.
 Resident would like to help NCA get County funds from
its conservation assistance program that provides matching funds for landscape projects. Are there any areas
that would need or be good for some native plants?
 Someone drove behind homes on Brandeis, got stuck
then tow truck drove behind homes to get vehicle out.
Large ruts in common ground.
 Mop hanging in neighbor’s tree.
GENERAL BUSINESS – New
Reserve Fund Investments – Treasurer Whitt
provided the Board with information for a discussion
on how to invest NCA’s reserve funds of $650,000
considering $210,000 in a TIPS investment will
mature on April 15th. Besides the rates of the existing
accounts, Eagle Bank has a 1%, 2 year CD with no
penalty for early withdrawal and Capital One has a
With the cost of Pohick Church’s meeting room
promotional rate of 1% for six months on a savings
going up, it was recommended that we looking into
account. The CM stated that Treasuries, although
library space for the annual meeting in 2016.
down over the last month, have shown improvement
The CM read from her notes important points that
since a few years ago when it was not beneficial to
were made at the community law seminar she attendcontinue the previous plan of investing all funds in
ed.
U.S. Treasuries. She felt it was important to get back
to the investing strategy of laddering investments in
Planning and Development, Lou Tobat
Treasury Notes if the rates made it beneficial. Per the
Treasurer Whitt has an email contact at VDOT if NCA
CM’s conversation with a Charles Schwab consultant,
wants to ask permission to plow state roads.
reinvesting in TIPS is not recommended. The Board
considered how much was needed in liquid funds for
Personnel Compensation Procedures, Chris Hammel
pending reserve funded projects.
The CM
and Kevin Benore
recommended getting back to investing in Treasuries
Vice President Benore stated he contacted Summit but
since the rates were better than the current bank
they didn’t have any information that would be helpaccount rates and limiting the spread of investments to
ful. They have a plan and hope to keep it simple.
three accounts. Vice President Benore made a motion
They will have something to share next month.
to open an account and obtain a $200,000 CD with
Eagle Bank, close the Burke and Herbert account, and
GENERAL BUSINESS – Old
Political Signage and Amending the Declaration reinvest the proceeds from the maturing TIPS with
of Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions – President Charles Schwab into a three year Treasury Note.
Rodriguez would like to amend the Declaration of President Rodriguez seconded the motion. Vote: 3
Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions amendment yes, 1 no.
6
Signature Authority on Reserve Accounts – The
CM brought it to the Board’s attention that there are
three reserve investment accounts that need updated
signature authorities and all have different requirements for changing signatures on an account. The CM
noted that officers change and board members change
which make it hard to keep up with multiple accounts.
She asked for confirmation of who would be on the
board long enough to make it reasonable to add their
name to signature cards. NCA Bylaws Article XI,
Section, Officers and their Duties were discussed. The
CM clarified that with the contracting to an outside
financial management company, those duties are no
longer accurate. Vice President Benore made a motion
that for the United Bank savings and checking
accounts, John Nolan be removed and new signature
authorities would be Beth Rodriguez, Kevin Benore,
Louise Whitt and Lori Randall. President Rodriguez
seconded the motion. Vote: 4 yes.
Vice President made a motion that for the new
Eagle Bank bank account to invest in a CD, the signature authorities would be Beth Rodriguez, Kevin
Benore, Louise Whitt and Lori Randall. Director
Smoczynski seconded the motion. Vote: 4 yes.
Vice President Benore made a motion that for the
Charles Schwab investment account signature authorities would be Beth Rodriguez, Kevin Benore, Louise
Whitt and Lori Randall. Director Smoczynski seconded the motion. Vote: 4 yes.
Additional discussion regarding writing checks
from the United reserve checking account resulted in
the Board stating that two signatures are needed on
these checks, the Community Manager and one other
signatory.
Reserves Budget; Eminent Domain Earmark – In
2011 and 2012, $5000 was budgeted to be used for
attorney expenses relating to eminent domain in the
event issues arise with the widening of Rolling Road.
Since the County has withdrawn their plan to widen
the road and affect the NCA pool, the earmark should
be eliminated. President Rodriguez made a motion to
allocate the $10,000 earmark back into the general
common grounds reserve pool. Vice President Benore
seconded the motion. Vote: 4 yes.
At 9:27 pm Director Smoczynski made a motion to
convene to executive session to discuss hearings and
an attorney recommendation regarding starting a nonjudicial foreclosure on a delinquent owner. Vice
President Benore seconded the motion. Vote: 4 yes.
At 9:56 pm Vice President Benore made a motion
for the Board to reconvene to the regular meeting.
President Rodriguez seconded the motion. Vote: 4
yes.
Regarding Lot 43, 85, 115, 126, 243, 296, and 394,
Director Smoczynski made a motion to waive any
violation assessment. Vice President Benore seconded
the motion. Vote: 3 yes, 1 no.
Regarding Lot 47, 298, 393 and 484, Vice
President Benore made a motion to assess a $50
charge for a trash violation. Director Smoczynski
seconded the motion. Vote: 3 yes, 1 no.
Rees Broome sent a letter to the Board advising
them on the possibility of authorizing the attorney to
begin non-judicial foreclosure proceedings on an
owner. The Board discussed the process, costs
involved and potential risks. Vice President Benore
made a motion to ask the attorney to inquire on the
status of the foreclosure from the mortgage lender.
If no foreclosure activity is being undertaken by the
mortgage lender, the attorney is authorized to send a
letter to the owner requiring payment for any
amounts secured by lien within 60 days and then
provide an update to the Board at the end of those 60
days and before proceeding further. Treasurer Whitt
seconded the motion. Vote: 4 yes.
At 10:01 pm Vice President Benore made a
motion to adjourn. Director Smoczynski seconded
the motion. Vote: 4 yes.
NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, May 6, 2015
at 7:00 PM - NCA Pool House. All residents
encouraged to attend.
******
LOST & FOUND
Baby blanket found on Godolphin
Drive. Call 703-440-8885.
7
Community Yard Sale!
Looking for an opportunity to clean out those closets and sell those unused
toys, clothes, furniture, and other items taking up space around the house?
Pool Parking Lot
Saturday, May 16, 2015
(rain date Sunday, May 17)
8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cost $5 per numbered parking
spot or two spots for $8
Register with the Community Office today! Reservations can be made up until,
Friday, May 15. Spaces assigned as requests/payment come in. Minimum of
12 participants needed to ensure this event is not cancelled.
All participants are responsible for cleaning up the parking lot after yard sale.
PARDON OUR DUST!
NCA has a few construction projects that will occur in 2015:
1. Address/Tic Mark Painting on Moline
Place. Anticipated in April or May.
2. Street Replacement and Sidewalk/Curb
Gutter repairs on Brandeis Way (short and
long). Anticipated in May or June.
During these projects, residents will have to
remove all cars from the streets. For the bigger project, cars may not be allowed in parking spaces for weeks.
Please observe instructions on all signs placed at entrance to your street!
If you have any questions, contact the office at 703-455-3606. Thank you.
8
Wrightscompleteautomotive.com
Facebook.com/wrightscomplete
When you present this flyer prior to
service between March 15 and April
30, 2015, $5 from every oil change
and 5% of all other services will be
donated back
to
Lee High School Boys Lacrosse
571-432-6538
POOL PASSES
2015 Pool Procedures
Updated Pool Rules on Community Website.
Pool passes will be available
for pickup on the following
dates:
May 13:
May 16:
May 21:
May 27:
7:00 - 9:00 pm
10:00 am - 12 Noon
7:00 - 9:00 pm
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Remember that pool passes
may be picked up during
regular office hours too.
Passes will be available in the office starting May 13th as
long as the Registration Forms were completed properly, old
passes returned, pictures provided, assessments are current
and everything turned in by May 4. RESIDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PICK UP THEIR ANNUAL POOL PASSES IN THE
COMMUNITY OFFICE and proof of residency will be required. The office will have a few evening and weekend
hours in May to accommodate picking up the passes. Dates
and times will be posted in the May issue of the NCA newsletter.
Drop all completed forms in the red drop box at the base of
the NCA office steps. Lost passes are $10 each to replace.
Late registrations should be accompanied by a $20 check.
Lori Randall, Community Manager
Newington Community Association
P.O. Box 351 Springfield, VA 22150
703-455--3606
9
10
10+ Years’ Experience in Northern Virginia Real Estate
LAURA ORTEGA,
REALTOR
NEIGHBORHOOD
SPECIALIST
Free Consultation
Office: 703-569-7870
Mobile: 703-582-3369
E-mail: [email protected]
Laura has stayed on top of the ever-changing VA market…how?





Laura's strengths start with her availability and unparalleled dedication; she is
exceedingly responsive and makes a client feel as if he/she is the only one
Laura "cherry-picks" potential properties, serving clients’ interests and
facilitating the process
Laura is diligent in ensuring that the many concurrent action items do not fall
through the cracks, as they easily may
Laura is solution-oriented; she is forward thinking when obstacles arise
Laura offers her support beyond the typical constraints of an agent
Resident of “our” Newington community for 20+ years!
HABLO ESPAÑOL
11
Farmer’s Market
Opening May 2015
Fridays, May 1 - October 30, 4-7 pm, Giant
parking lot, 5935 Kingstowne Towne Center
Saturdays, May 2 - November 21, 8am-12pm,
Burke VRE parking lot, 5671 Roberts Parkway
Sundays, May 3 - November 8, 9 am-1pm,
Lorton VRE parking lot, 8990 Lorton Station
Blvd
NCA Calendar
SUNDAY
MONDAY
May 2015
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
Trash Timing
Monday & Thursday- Placed out for pick-up NO EALRIER than 5PM
Tuesday & Friday - Placed out for pick-up NO LATER than 6AM
FRIDAY
1
SATURDAY
2
Trash & Bulk pick-up
Spring Clean Up Day
9am - 12pm NCA Pool
Farmer's Markets Open This Weekend (pg 4)
3
4
5
6
7
8
Trash & Recycling
Yard Debris pick-up*
White Goods Removal1 Trash & Bulk pick-up
9
7:00pm NCA Board
Mtg (pool house)**
10
11
12
13
14
Trash & Recycling
Yard Debris pick-up*
White Goods Removal1 Trash & Bulk pick-up
15
16
Article Deadline
8am-12pm
Pool Parking Lot
17
18
19
20
Trash & Recycling
Yard Debris pick-up*
26
27
Trash & Recycling
Yard Debris pick-up*
21
22
White Goods Removal1 Trash & Bulk pick-up
23
11:00 AM POOL OPENS
24
25
28
29
White Goods Removal1 Trash & Bulk pick-up
30
31
** Board meetings are open to all NCA residents.
1
* For Single Family Homes Only
Contact American Disposal Customer Service at 703-368-0500 24 hours in advance of pick-up. There is an
additional cost to resident for this service.
12