Project Update

Projects continue to move forward at BLMH. These include repairs to streams and waterfalls, gazebo replacement, landscaping, decks, drainage, streets, storm sewer basins and so on.

My challenge is to deal with all sorts of infrastructure issues while preparing for the future. It's been a 10 year mission while on the board for eight years.  But we don't live forever, and so who will take up the challenge in the future? That's a real question which I cannot answer. I am pragmatic and so I assume it will be up to me to get the critical things done, enroll others, and deal with the party people who do nothing. Ergo my approach in which "urgency" is the operative word. I won't be here forever and so I have a very limited amount of time to make a  very needed difference.

We're currently addressing a stream issue which has existed for about 20 years. It wasn't dealt with because the association lacked the funds to do so. How is that? Well, owners wanted "low fees" and boards accommodated them. So the association could barely meet the requirements of roofing replacements, let alone street work and landscaping issues. Everything else was put "on the back burner" as we say in the kitchen.

In 2018 the board has taken up the challenge, yet again, and again, and again. We'll finally complete the stream and waterfall maintenance issues which have languished. We'll replace the asphalt pavement on another two cul-de-sacs. We'll repair storm water basins and curbs on those streets, too.

Yes, it really is a race. Or, I could simply sit back, and let future boards deal with this and so many other issues. But that's not the way I approach life. We can either make a difference, or amount to no difference.

After a recent water main failure the City of Wheaton intervened in our association's water main replacement.  This was the direct consequence of a water main break which was dealt with as soon as possible on an emergency basis. Because the break occurred under a 4-car driveway the association board agreed on an emergency basis to replace the entire main section under the driveway, about 90 feet, to avoid future interruptions to owners at this address and others on this section of water main, about 20 homes in all. This would also avert near future repairs to this driveway because of any water main issues.

With initial approval by the city of  Wheaton employee who came onto the property because of the break to ascertain the nature of the problem and provide City input, the association plumbing contractor put about 40 feet of main into the ground.

However, at that point a City of Wheaton employee arrived on the scene and demanded that the replacement cease. It was stated that the type of pipe used for this replacement was not acceptable. (This approach has been approved by the city for recent replacements, including 2015). Apparently the EPA is now the determinant for water main replacements! Another benefit to owners as a consequence of the Obama Administration's intrusion into all aspects of one's life.

With no alternative, the 40 feet of NEW main was removed, and replaced as mandated by the City of Wheaton.  This increased the replacement cost by $10,000, delayed water main repairs and disrupted water for 20 resident units for another two days.

Here's the official Wheaton  video of the May 21st City Council meeting in which I attempted to get this sorted out. The interesting part begins at about 17:30.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/271192290


Most residents are oblivious of the issues. Of course some things don't change. After all, service "is what I pay my fees for."