FAIRWAY VILLAGE
DECEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER
Budget and Condominium Fees.
Enclosed is the 2018 Budget and Condominium Fees. Fees are increasing 1.5% due to increased costs and additions to Reserves. The Building Envelope Project is almost over – we still have chimney caps to replace and window screens to repair.
The Board of Trustees would like to express their appreciation for your cooperation, understanding and prompt payments of the additional fees during this 3-year-long project.
Snow Removal Procedures:
* Snow removal generally takes place after two inches of snowfall.
* Park your car in the garage during and following a storm.
* If you own two vehicles, park your second car in front of your garage leaving four feet of space between the garage and your car. This will allow the hand-shovel crew to clear your walk and the area in front of your garage.
* When a storm ends, clear the snow from your car and move the car to a cleared straight section of the road. The plow will clear your driveway during a subsequent pass.
* Duffy Willard, our snow removal contractor, will plow your driveway only if both your car and your neighbor’s car have been moved out of both driveways.
* Do not park on the curves, along the shrub beds, or at the ends of major drives, such as those at the ends of Phases I and II. These are very difficult to plow and are ideal places to push the snow.
* Return your car to your driveway as soon as the contractor is done.
* The snow removal contractor will return the next day to clear any remaining driveways and to push back any drifted snow.
We appreciate all residents cooperating with our snow removal efforts by moving vehicles from driveways as the bobcat approaches your residence. This will enable Duffy Willard to remove snow on the driveways and will help minimize icy conditions. During snow removal, please do not park in the guest spaces at the end of Phases I, II and VI as this is where Duffy Willard pushes the snow.
The conditions of the sidewalks and driveways can change from day to day or even within a day. If your sidewalk or driveway turns to ice, please call HPMG. For your safety, please buy or consider picking up some sand or ice-melt for the in-between times. You can pick up sand for free at the DPW located at the recycling center on Route 9. Bring your own bucket. Please make sure HPMG has your current telephone numbers so we can reach you for a robo-call.
CHIMNEY INSPECTIONS. With the recent spate of chimney fires it is more important than ever that residents have their chimneys cleaned. The Fairway Village Rules and Regulations require that all residents who use their fireplaces or pellet stoves get them inspected and cleaned every year, and must submit the receipt for this work to Pat Taylor. Let’s get this work done before January 15th, please. For residents who don’t use their fireplaces, you can go to the HPMG website at www.hpmgnoho.com for the form you must complete and submit for non-use.
OPEN MEETINGS. The next scheduled open meeting is scheduled for February 28. 2018 at 6pm at the office of Hampshire Property Management located in Thornes Marketplace, 150 Main Street, Third floor, Northampton,
OWNER IMPROVEMENTS. There has been increased interest in a few unit improvements. The Board of Trustees has worked persistently at putting together new Rules for the installation of min-split HVAC units, radon remediation systems, and of course, Solar panel installation. The Rule for mini-splits is currently on the HPMG website, with the Solar Rule soon to follow.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The Fairway Village Board of Trustees members are Alan Height, Tammy Hyson, Cathy Chandler, Shannon Trzcienski, and Johanna Kasidi. Melissa Hensdickson serves as an Alternate members. We are still looking for one more alternate member for the Board. Contact Pat if you are interested in becoming a non-voting member.
WINTER VACATIONS: If you go away, please inform your neighbors and the management company. Consider leaving a key with someone who could occasionally check on your unit. Do not turn off your heat. Lower your thermostat to 55 degrees and keep all your inside doors and bathroom and kitchen sink cabinet doors open. There is no need to use the heat pump. If you are away for more than a few days, you should turn off the water to the condominium by turning the yellow lever which is generally located by your water meter. You might consider shutting off the water heater at the circuit breaker panel.
TRASH HAULER 2017: Alternative Recycling Systems picks up trash on Tuesdays. Bring your trash to the curb by 8:00 am – please do not bring it out the day before. Trash must be in covered containers, and returned to your garages the same day. Recycling must be separated. Plastic, bottles and cans in one container, paper and cardboard in another. Please use something heavy to hold down the recycling so it does not blow around. You can contact Alternative Recycling Systems directly at 587-4005. They will pick up bulk items if you call and pay in advance.
INSURANCE: The Fairway Village master insurance policy has a $5,000 deductible, which can affect your personal (HO-6) condominium insurance policy. All owners, particularly owners that have made significant physical improvements to their residences, should consider carrying higher “Coverage A” limits. Ask your insurance agent’s advice about expanding your insurance coverage to include a “special form” on your dwelling. Also ask your agent about “Loss Assessment Coverage” which may bridge a portion of the deductible gap between the Association’s $5,000 and your individual HO-6 policy deductible which is considerably lower. The Board strongly recommends the Loss Assessment Coverage for all owners. Jubinville Insurance is the agent for Fairway Village and can be reached at 538-8293
PARKING: Owners’ vehicles may be parked in the garage and the driveway only. PARKING IN THE ROAD IS DISCOURAGED DURING THE DAY AND IS NOT ALLOWED DURING AND AFTER A SNOW STORM. Cars parked in the road hinder effective snow and trash removal and increase the chance of an accident. Additionally, vehicles parked in the road in Phases IV, V, VI, and VII hinder access for emergency vehicles. PARKING IN THE ROAD OVERNIGHT IS PROHIBITED. If a vehicle is parked in the road overnight or it hinders access for emergency, snow removal or other contractors, the vehicle so parked is subject to being towed from the property. Guests or visitors have no protection from being towed off the property if they are parked in the roadway as described above.
There are a few guest parking areas around the property meant for the temporary use of visitors. If you expect a guest to stay longer than a couple of days, you must contact Pat Taylor to request permission. These parking areas are not intended for routine use by residents. You must park in your driveway and garage.
WEBSITE ACCESS. Fairway Village owners now have access to information via the HPMG website at www.hpmgnoho.com. Choose Condominiums. Scroll to Fairway Village and choose “Other Documents”. Your code is 455spring. This will give you access to the most recently set of approved minutes.
COUNTRY CLUB. Article IV, Section (5) of the Fairway Rules and Regulations states that Owners, tenants, and guests who are on the Country Club grounds do so at their own risk! The Club is willing to allow Fairway Village skiers and snowshoers to use the course during the winter as a recreational facility but skiing or walking over the greens and tee boxes is not allowed. The greens and tee boxes are easily damaged so please be careful. Each green is designated by a flag. Dogs do not belong on a golf course. Pursuant to City ordinances, if you take a dog outside, it must be kept on a leash and any messes cleaned up. In addition to creating a friendly atmosphere, all these measures are an effort to keep costs down. We want to see our neighbors succeed and everyone benefits by acting thoughtfully.
MAINTENANCE AND OTHER CONCERNS: If you notice a problem that needs attention or repair, please contact Pat Taylor at 413-650-6018. If an emergency occurs after normal business hours, call 582-9970, and choose option 7 to be connected with our answering service, and the on-call person will be contacted.
RENTALS: If you are interested in renting your condominium, you must make sure your tenants receive a copy of the Rules and Regulations and sign a form agreeing to abide by the terms of the Rules before they move into your condominium. Go to the website to obtain a “rental package.” Parking seems to be the biggest, but not the only, rule problem. If you are interested in renting your condo, contact Sharon Heston at www.rentnoho.com, who requires applications and references from all prospective renters. Tenants must complete a tenant information form, also available from the website, so the Board of Trustees and the management company can contact the tenant if necessary, e.g. via robo-call notices.
BOOK CLUB: Fairway Village book club welcomes new members to come read and discuss with us. We read one book per month, then taketurns meeting in each other's homes for a discussion. We read fiction, both contemporary and classical. We have been meeting for fourteen years and are about one dozen strong. Come sit in with us sometime to see if you might be interested in reading with us. Contact Peggy Winnett at or further information
REMINDERS
· TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Please make sure HPMG has your current telephone numbers (such as your cell phone number) and all emergency phone numbers.
· SPEED: Please drive slowly through the Village. The speed limit is 20 mph. There are children living at the Village, so caution is required at all times.
· PETS: All pets must be on leashes whenever they are in the common areas. Pick up pet waste immediately.
· EXTERIORS: Other than seasonal decorations, nothing can be added to or displayed on the exterior of the buildings.
· DRYERS: Clean the vent to avoid any build-up of lint, which can be a fire hazard.
· SMOKE & CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS: Check your smoke detectors once a year. Carbon monoxide detectors will beep if the battery gets low. Remember, these devices save lives.
GARAGE DOORS. In the past the Condominium Association frequently replaced the bottom garage door panels because the wood was compromised from ice and snow. The wooden doors are no longer manufactured, and now the entire door will need to be replaced, which is a unit owner responsibility. Garage doors should be steel with the same "wood grain" pattern. There are 3 steel doors already installed at FWV #206, #109, and #101. Raynor Door at 527-2447 can replace the door, help with repairs to the springs, or getting you a new remote.
STORM DOORS: The storm doors are Anderson full light storm doors. 3000 series. Rhodes Construction 413-658-8276 can install the doors.
PREFERRED VENDORS. Make certain that the contractor you hire is licensed and insured.
· Appliance Repair: Dave Gauger’s Appliance Repairs 413-527-2277; Mark’s Home Appliance 413-586-7997.
· Carpet Cleaning: The Butler Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning. Call Carl at 538-7088
· Carpentry or Remodeling: Rhodes Construction 413-658-8276
· Chimney Sweeping: Absolute Chimney Services 413-967-8002; Moe Berthiaume 413-436-8234
· Dryer Vent Cleaning: Advanced Air Quality 413-821-8800; Dustbusters 413-782-8682 Ext
· Electrician: Beaulieu Electric 413-538-8741
· General Repairs: Jimmy Bro’s Home Repair 413-250-6414; Tom Rhodes 413-658-8276
· Insurance Firm for Fairway: Jubinville Insurance Agency, Inc. 538-8293
· Painting: D&G 413-374-2062; Rhodes Construction 413-658-8276; Boss Painting 413-221-3601
· Mini-Split HVAC – Wilson Services 584, 3317; MJ Moran 413-268-7251; Pioneer HVAC 584-1634
· Plumber/Hot Water Tanks: Schneider Plumbing - 584-1634; MJ Moran 413-268-7251
· Satellite TV: Electronics Center – Bill Lesko – 586-2270