The Ducks are setting up Housekeeping

Spring isn't far away, in fact the Spring Equinox will be early in the morning of March 20. As usual, we get a range of weather at BLMH this time of year. Today it is overcast and 43F. Just three days ago it was much colder and we had a fine dusting of snow. There was a sufficient amount over two days that the bobcats arrived and cleared the driveways. That was supposed to be a major winter storm, but it was mostly confined in this area to lake effect.

Today the ducks are setting up housekeeping, in anticipation of the restart of the water falls and the stream. They do want ring side seats. What a difference a few days makes.

Ducks at Waterfall #1

Here's the same view three days ago. The waterfall is in the center of the photo and hidden by about 1/2 inch of snow:

Taking Care of the Ducklings

One of the issues in our association is saving the ducklings. Now, that is a real issue and it is a priority for some residents.

There is a real disconnect in our community. One of our board members is scrutinizing every bill and recently complained about a $25 bank charge. I'm attempting to find ways to reduce costs without reducing services while properly maintaining the property and build necessary reserves and keep fee increases below 3 percent each year.  Other board members are attempting to keep the peace between all of the differing viewpoints of our owners.

Now, it is true we can do anything; all it takes is time and money. Our 2017 budget is more than $1.3 million. The infrastructure is insured for about $90 million and we span about 40 acres with 15 acres of turf and 44 buildings.

A $25 charge is about 7 cents per owner per year, or about .002 percent of our annual budget.

Can we make improvements to save the duckling who come to our property, fed illeglly by owners? Of course we can. "All it takes is time and money." In fact, in the most recent association newsletter I stated that it takes "sweat equity." The sweat of the board and the equity of the owners.

I'm sure for a couple of $thousand we can deal with the ducklings. That's about $6 per owner, plus many hours of the board's time. But wait, we're sweating a cost of $0.07 per owner. So spending about 100 time more is the easy thing to do?

This, by the way, is precisely why this association ran into serious financial trouble. A lack of setting priorities, a lack of proper maintenance, a lack of reserves and pandering to owners. Back in the good old days "the squeaky wheels got the grease."

Now, if enough owners complain about "saving the ducklings" perhaps the board will make completing the deck and stream behind Thames a priority. Or maybe not. I'm not holding my breath.

In fact, we really need to begin building reserves and we have some major issues to deal with, No "Mega Projects" like that $2 million roofing project, thank God.

Rain, Rain Go Away - Ducks and Mosquito Glade, Revisited

The photos in the previous post show an area that was more water prone 5 years ago. One board replaced a portion of the walk, but one of the tasks I took upon my self was to have the area thinned. It was overgrown with trees, which had intertwined and created a small glade of perpetual dusk. Rainwater would stand, or the area would remain damp for days after heavy rainfalls. There was simply insufficient sunlight striking the ground to grow grass or dry the area out.

There is a plan to improve the drainage in this location, but there are so many tasks. With the removal of a large (dead) ash to the south last year, improving the drainage may be a real possibility. However, there are about 50 other areas which also require remedial work, after the removal of ash trees, or new roofs and drainage.

Here is the "before" video, taken in August 2010.

Here's another view of the area, this video from May, 2010:

Rain, Rain, Go Away?

Update 4:35pm
We continue with intermittent rain and that is the prediction for the entire week. Now, this might seem to be a lot of rain, but NOAA.gov provides the following for this storm. These are the storm totals and current conditions. For my immediate area, the total rainfall for this storm is about 2 inches, with more to come. At this rate, we won't get to 1% (100 year) conditions; the NOAA is predicting an additional 1/4 inch late this afternoon and tonight. However, there are flash flood warnings. I provide this to document this storm, which is not an unusual one for this area. It will produce standing water and some inconvenience:

Here's the current radar:

Original Post:
We've had a rash of rain storms move through the area in recent days. Today is another thunderstorm with locally heavy rain, This is the NOAA radar current image:

Meanwhile the rain settled in some low areas and the ducks were really enjoying Sunday's storm:

The puddle above quickly drained into the soil, but today's new storm created another puddle.  As the rain saturates the soil, the time to drain will become longer. We know this, and the area in the photo is on the list of problems and issues to deal with. However, as this area drains in a few hours, it isn't considered an "emergency" by me. Of course, a very few owners who are annoyed by paying their monthly fees have a different opinion.

Construction Continues - The Votes are In

Click on the image to enlarge

Old Drainage Problem - No Solution from the Board

The attached is a video of a drainage problem which has existed for several years. This was discussed during board meetings by our former Architectural Director commencing in 2008 and 2009. After the 2008 election there was disagreement among the old and new board members. One trouble spot was corrected. The one depicted in the video was dropped in favor of more pressing "social" issues by the newly elected board members.

How would you like to have a mosquito glade just outside your patio? I sympathize with the unit owner at this location.

The following is the second of two videos posted on August 15th, 2010 pertaining to this subject. This video does include an audio commentary.



I have sent an email to the board with a link to this video. I have also sent a copy to management.

Here is the content of the email:

Hi [Madame President],

Here is the second of two videos of standing water and runoff problems. This one is the sidewalk behind [nnnn]Harrow Court. This is an old problem which was brushed aside by the board in 2009 because of more pressing social issues. [Bob], the former Architectural Director, brought this to the attention of the board during at least one association meeting I attended. He requested that the board look at this location and the issues of drainage and mud aggravated by lack of sun in this particular location.

Perhaps the board will find it in their hearts to consider moving this ahead of other items.

Please forward this to other board members, for their information and action.

I will also send a copy of this email to management.

Comments, Corrections, Omissions, References
================================

1. The specific address was removed from this post. 
2. I used the "find it in their hearts" appeal because any other approach, such as "this is part of your fiduciary duties", or "this is part of running a business" doesn't seem to have much influence on most of the board. 

Great Weather for Ducks

We've had a wetter than normal spring and I have heard remarks that "this is great duck weather". I took the opportunity to walk BLMH with family during the downpour on July 4th, in search of ducklings. I noticed five different flocks of ducklings on parade. It was great weather for ducks! Here are a few photos taken that day.