CROOKS ROAD AND CUL-DE-SAC LANDSCAPE
In season landscape work in these areas is an important part in keeping the Crooks
Road and cul-de-sac landscape in as top shape as possible. From May to November we hire Hundich Landscape Services for the necessary seasonal cleanups and weekly lawn mowing services. We also rely on Hundich for our seasonal flower plantings in the flower and shrubbery beds at our two Crooks Road entrances. Area lawn fertilization and weed control is utilized as needed. An important part of our grass and flower upkeep is our reliance on our Crooks Road sprinkler system.
During the growing season we adjust the watering frequency on an as needed basis.
The sprinkler system operating condition as well as seasonal repair needs is overseen by a Board Member with needed assistance from a sprinkler systems company. The Crooks Road landscape area runs from the road edge to the top of the berms the full length of the subdivision.
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SUBDIVISION TREES ALONG CROOKS ROAD
A number of years ago it came to the attention of the Board that the original planted
Austrian Pines along the subdivision border of Crooks Road were dying. It was determined that there were over fifty trees in need of replacement. Over the last few years we have used a budgeted portion of the subdivision dues fund for cutting down and replacing these trees on an incremental basis. Our tree work continues and is made successful by cooperation from the homeowners by allowing the Board Members access to their water source for important new tree watering. This will enhance the life and growth of these trees. This is a significant project and takes a number of years before all of the Austrian Pines are replaced.
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HOLIDAY LIGHTING
Each year, we continue to install holiday lighting at both of our subdivision front entrances. The Board feels this beautiful eye-catching display is enjoyed greatly by the homeowners (some homeowners have written notes to voice their appreciation for their festive presence when coming in-and-out of our subdivision). Also the colored lights greet visitors, drivers on Crooks Road, and any prospective buyers entering our neighborhood from around Thanksgiving into the New Year. If you have any questions about the holiday lighting, please contact any Board member.
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UTILITIES
There are typically a group of utility boxes near the sidewalk at the property line every three or four homes apart. They consist of several small light gray boxes that provide network service (AT&T, Comcast, and WOW). They are called pedestals. There are also large green boxes on a pad. These are DTE transformers that provide electrical service.
If the transformer appears damaged, it should immediately be reported to DTE (damage tends to be rarer). Stay at least 10 feet away. The transformers contain thousands of volts.
The pedestals are often hit by the lawn cutters and can be partially knocked out of vertical. There may be exposed cables. If unsightly, you can call the provider and request the pedestal be repaired. However, many of the pedestals are not labeled. It may be easier to contact a HOA Board Member so we can route the request to the proper provider. Usually, repair is requested if the pedestal is more than about 30 degrees off vertical.
Many homes have planted vegetation around the pedestals and transformers to hide them from view. Be aware, technicians must be able to access the equipment to provide service. If the technician does the trimming, you may not be happy with the results.
Transformers need clearance at the front. The workers use long poles to replace fuses or perform switching with the circuit energized. Otherwise, the whole subdivision would have to be shut down for the work to be performed. Again, if access is not provided, they will trim it.
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MAILBOXES
For the past few years the Board has made a strong effort to work with our residents in maintaining and repairs that may need to take place with the subdivision mailboxes. Our standard mailboxes are of cedar wood construction with a standard metal mailbox liner. Post and support bar are of treated lumber. The importance of maintaining this standard is covered in our resident approved Deed Restrictions. During the season of April to November Bob Dennis, Board Member, will handle any known need of painting the boxes with our standard mailbox color, along with minor needed repairs. Materials cost covered from the
subdivision treasury. On occasion a mailbox or mailbox system may need to be replaced. In this case the Board will contact a person with mailbox build and install capability at the expense of the homeowners that share mounted mailboxes. In 2025 the full replacement of a 4-box system would run about $1,500, shared by the box owners. |
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