Recently in HOA News Category

Van Metre welcomes K. Hovnanian Homes as a builder within our Raspberry community. They will be offering their Estates series of fine homes on certain lots in Sections D-1 and D-2.  Examples of these homes are found in the nearby community of Evergreen Reserve in Ashburn, VA. Raspberry is a Van Metre signature community for which we are committed to maintaining its design integrity and community feeling.  With K. Hovnanian offering their Estate series homes at Raspberry, we will continue to maintain those standards.

Date:

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Time:

6:00 pm

Place:
Hampton Inn
117 Fort Evans Road Northeast
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 669-8640

Map:

View Larger Map

From Loudoun Water Wednesday June 16th:

Dear Raspberry Falls Residents,
Good news. We have received the final results from samples taken on Tuesday, and again, there were no traces of coliform bacteria. We informed the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) of the results, and they have advised Loudoun Water that we can lift the Precautionary Boil Water Notice.

As noted previously, in consultation with the VDH, we issued the boil water notice as a precaution. The distribution system has safeguards to minimize chances of water contamination when pressure drops, and we maintain disinfectant in the system, so the tests were to ensure that your water maintained public health standards.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you again for your cooperation as we worked through this issue.

Sincerely,
 
Todd Danielson
Manager of Community Systems
Loudoun Water
tdanielson@loudounwater.org
tel: 571.291.7835

With the departure of Sarah Gerstein, Armstrong Management has announced Mark Halfill will assume responsibility for the Raspberry Falls HOA. Same phone number and email address (see contact info at the bottom of the page).

From Loudoun Water Sunday, June 13th PM:

Dear Raspberry Falls Residents,
 
On Sunday evening, June 13, 2010, the Raspberry Falls water treatment plant experienced a short disruption in service that prevented pumping water into the system for approximately two hours. This caused several customers to lose water pressure at their residences. Because the distribution system has safeguards to minimize chances of water contamination when pressure drops, and we have maintained disinfectant in the system, we believe that your water continues to meet public health standards. However, through an abundance of caution and in consultation with the Virginia Department of Health, Loudoun Water is issuing a Precautionary Boil Water Notice. Operations staff has collected water samples and additional samples will be taken on both Monday and Tuesday. Loudoun Water will remove the Precautionary Boil Water Notice on Wednesday pending sample results.
 
Loudoun Water will provide an update Tuesday once the first bacteriological sampling results are received.
 
We have listed additional information from the Virginia Department of Health that explains procedures customers should follow during a Boil Water Notice.
 
Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Sincerely,
 
Todd Danielson
Manager of Community Systems
Loudoun Water
tel: 571.291.7835

FAQs are here => Frequently Asked Questions about Boiling Water for Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water

Over the course of the last several  months, Raspberry residents and members of the Board of Directors engaged in several discussions with Sally Kurtz, the Catoctin District Supervisor, concerning water quality. The attached files document several inquiries and responses concerning the LOD, water quality and potential for access to the Town of Leesburg water infrastructure. Also included is a link to the County website with information on water dye testing in Raspberry. Continue reading to access the attachments:

Correspondence with Sally Kurtz, Catoctin District Supervisor
Kurtz 2009-09-18 Raspberry.pdf
Kurtz 2009-12-09 Raspberry.pdf
Kurtz 2010-04-23 Raspberry.pdf

Loudoun County Website:
Dye Tracing in Raspberry Falls Area

Date:

Thursday, March 20, 2010

Time:

6:00 pm

Place:
Hampton Inn
117 Fort Evans Road Northeast
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 669-8640

Map:

View Larger Map

Pool season is right around the corner, and your Association is ready to ease you into the water!  The pool is scheduled to open May 29th.

Prior to the beginning of the 2010 pool season, every owner must complete and return a pool application (enclosed) whether one has been previously submitted or not.  Applications must be received by Armstrong Management Services, Inc. prior to May 15, 2010 in order to ensure your application is processed in time for you to use the pool on opening day.  Applications can be mailed, faxed, or hand delivered to Armstrong Management Services, Inc.

Pool access will only be permitted to those owners who are in good standing with the Association.  If you are a tenant and your landlord has outstanding assessments or uncorrected violations, the Association will not allow you to use the pool.  

If you are renting your property, you may convey your right to use the pool to your tenant by completing the appropriate section of the pool application.

If you have any questions regarding the application process or the 2010 Pool Season, please contact Armstrong Management Services, Inc. at (703) 385-1133 or poolpass@armstrong.net

Attachments:
2010 Pool Hours.doc
2010 Pool Pass Application.DOC

Congratulations goes out to Greg Branic, Raspberry homeowner and one of two resident HOA Board members. Greg was nominated and appointed HOA Treasurer at the March 4th Board meeting. Greg accepted the appointment.

As reported by the Dulles Area Association Of Realtors (DAAR):

On Wednesday, February 17th, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted to impose the Limestone Overlay District which alters the way property owners use their land on over 14,000 areas north and south of Leesburg.  The LOD regulations apply to all land development applications and those property owners who disturb land within the district.

The regulations would establish setbacks around the karst and sensitive environmental features, restrict uses within such setbacks, require a geophysical study of a site prior to undertaking land development or land disturbance, establish standards for such geophysical studies, require communal well and sewage disposal systems for developments of fifteen or more lots, increase the hydrogeologic study requirements for communal systems, prohibit certain uses in the district, including irrigation systems and establish a requirement to provide notice in all deeds, site plans, and record subdivisions for properties subject to the LOD.

DAAR is exploring opportunities to help mitigate the regulation's impact on property owners.  For more information, contact Christine Windle, Director of Government Affairs and Communications, 703/579-0304.

Date:

March 4, 2010

Time:

6:00 pm

Place:
117 Fort Evans Road Northeast
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 669-8640

Map:

View Larger Map

We just learned that CSI will pick up trash and recycling on Friday, February 12th.

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is set to vote on the controversial Limestone Overlay District during their  Wednesday, February 17th business meeting. There is a public input session scheduled for Tuesday, February 16th at 6:00 pm at the County Government Center. For more information and to participate in a call-to-action visit www.limestoneboondoggle.com.

Loudoun County Dulles District Supervisor Stevens Miller request to VDOT to clarify road clearing procedures (where and when) received this explanation:

1. What is VDOT's policy governing which roads are plowed and when?

Crews first clear interstates, primary roads and routes that connect localities, fire stations, employment hubs, military posts, schools, hospitals and other important public facilities. They will then treat secondary roads and subdivision streets if multi-day storms hit Virginia, but crews will focus efforts on roads carrying the most traffic.

2. Why are some side streets and other secondary roads plowed while others nearby are not?

Pre-assigned maps are provided to VDOT’s contractors assigned to specific subdivision streets. Only when there is more than two inches of snow and/or there is ice accumulation exceeding 1/10 of an inch does VDOT assign contractors to subdivisions. However, thoroughfares within subdivision streets, streets next to emergency facilities, hospitals, fire stations, etc. are addressed first.

Many subdivisions have more than one plow assigned to them to clear the streets. If one plow does not get to your street, it probably means another one has been assigned to your part of the neighborhood and will be along soon. Please note that crews clear a path through subdivisions so that vehicles can reach the main roads - they are not cleared curb to curb.

3. How can a resident receive a prediction from VDOT as to when a certain street will be plowed?

As much as VDOT would like to get to all subdivision streets right away, it is not always possible. Depending on the amount of snow and/or type of weather event, it could take anywhere from 48 hours or more to treat/plow subdivision streets.  Interstates and other high-volume commuter routes must be the top priority.

4. Why is it that some streets marked with numbers, or otherwise known to be under VDOT control, never get plowed at all?

VDOT recognizes that it does not have a perfect snow removal process, but it is continuously working hard to improve upon it.   There are times where some streets are missed by VDOT contractors. Please have patience but if you feel your street has been ignored, contact VDOT at NOVAInfo@VDOT.Virginia.gov or (703) 383-VDOT.  

5. Whom should a resident contact if their street has been made impassable by the results of plowing a cross street? 

The best phone number for residents to contact VDOT is (703)383-VDOT or email NOVAInfo@VDOT.Virginia.gov.

As a center for philanthropy, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is accepting donations for the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Every dollar donated to this fund will be matched up to $12,000 by the Community Foundation and its generous donors* and given to the American Red Cross to benefit Haiti earthquake victims.

DONATE NOW!

Thank you to Dave & Carol Young, Steve & Donna Gladis, and Grant Thornton and Richard LaFleur. Visit the NVCF website and click the "Relief Fund for Haiti" link on the home page.

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season sometimes we forget about basic security practices.  The holiday season is typically one of the highest crime periods of the year.  Many people have their gifts stolen while at the office or as they carry them out of stores, from their parked vehicles, and from their homes. We encourage you to take the following security measures during the holiday season.  
 
Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Security Guy

The Dulles Area Association of REALTORS® (DAAR) provides this update on their website:

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (LCBOS) continued their review and consideration this month of a Limestone Overlay District (LOD) intended to place land use restrictions on 1,200 property owners on 14,000 areas north and south of Leesburg. The LCBOS Transportation and Land Use Committee (TLUC) met on November 18th to discuss the proposed regulations and concerns raised since the public hearing on the issue in September.

At this juncture, the TLUC has approved modifications to the provisions related to the disclosure notice, garden sizes and structures size exemptions. The TLUC will meet on December 16th to discuss further modifications to the proposal which may be considered during the LCBOS business meeting on Tuesday, January 5th, 2010. To express your views on the proposal to the LCBOS, visit www.limestoneboondoggle.com.

The Dulles Area Association of REALTORS® provided an update on this critical issue on October 29th. DAAR strongly opposes this potential regulation as an advocate for homeowner property rights and the potential negative impact on property value. Here's an excerpt that includes a call to action:

On Monday, October 26th, the TLUC met and discussed several issues raised at the public hearing and at the September 28th TLUC meeting.  The proposal may be considered by the full LCBOS as early as their business meeting on Tuesday, December 1st.  For more information, visit the new DAAR call-to-action website on this issue - www.limestoneboondoggle.com

DAAR's full update can be found on their Website at Supervisors Continue Debate on Limestone Overlay District

We are receiving many inquiries about registering for residents only access (On the Vine). On or about February 11, 2008 a letter from the Board was mailed to all then current residents announcing the launch of the website. Instructions for registering are contained in the letter along with each resident's unique Authorization Code.

Don't have the letter? See About Resident Registrations. Instructions for new homeowners too!

This meeting is intended to introduce the opinions of a prominent Land Use Attorney, and the Dulles Association of Realtors, as we seek to understand the LOD, and how it will affect us as individuals, and as a community.

29 September 09
Raspberry Falls Golf Clubhouse
6:00-7:00 Mike Banzhaf, Attorney
7:00-8:00 Dulles Association of Realtors, TBD

The discussion will be limited to the LOD, and we ask your cooperation in advance. This will not be an open forum, therefore, there will be no Q & A.  Questions may be submitted prior to the meeting, or during the presentation, to the Board Of Directors for consideration, and will be addressed as time allows.

Effective immediately, there will not be a separate mailing to announce official HOA meetings. Instead, a banner will be placed at the entrance to Raspberry Falls encouraging residents to check the Website. Meetings and events are always posted on the home page of raspberryfalls.org (on the right under Meetings and Events).

Pool season is right around the corner, and your Association is ready to ease you into the water!   Prior to the beginning of the 2009 pool season, every owner must complete and return a pool application (2009 Pool Pass Application.pdf) whether one has been previously submitted or not.  Applications must be received by Armstrong Management Services, Inc. prior to May 11, 2009 in order to ensure your application is processed in time for you to use the pool on opening day.  Applications can be mailed, faxed, or hand delivered to Armstrong Management Services, Inc.

Pool access will only be permitted to those owners who are in good standing with the Association.  If you are a tenant and your landlord has outstanding assessments or uncorrected violations, the Association will not allow you to use the pool.  However, before the suspension of any privileges, a hearing will be held with the Board of Directors.

If you are renting your property, you may convey your right to use the pool to your tenant by completing the appropriate section of the pool application.

If you have any questions regarding the application process or the 2009 Pool Season, please contact Armstrong Management Services, Inc. at (703) 385-1133 or poolpass@armstrong.net

Please have a safe and enjoyable swim season.

Sincerely,


Armstrong Management Services, Inc.
Management Agent for Raspberry Falls Homeowners Association

Enclosures:  2009 Pool Pass Application.pdf

We have seen our first hint of snow flakes and we’d like to take this opportunity to remind residents who is responsible for which streets within the community.  Some streets are still maintained by the developer, while the association maintains some, and some have been turned over to VDOT for the county to maintain.

Van Metre is soliciting homeowner feedback on the Raspberry Falls Homeowners Association. Your opinion counts and will make a difference! Take the survey by signing into On The Vine. It takes less than a minute. Are you a Raspberry Falls homeowner and not registered? Register here. Need help with registration? Get it here.

The HOA recently sent notices to several homeowners stating black algae stains are a maintenance violation that requires mitigation (cleaning). These black stains typically occur on north facing roofs (receives little sunshine and can remain damp for long periods) and are caused by an airborne algae (type of mold) that is endemic to the east coast from Florida to New England. Once a roof is affected, the spores can literally spread from home to home. There are several remedies not the least of which is roof replacement (ouch). There are also several products and countless businesses that claim the offending spores and resulting stains can be removed. Here are the remedies:

If you did ... you get a second chance before the recycle bin police come after you! ;-)

On Thursday, June 19th, Con-Serv Industries delivered new 48 gallon recycling containers to all residents in Raspberry Falls. We distributed notification asking that residents leave out their smaller containers that morning for pickup. Several residents did not leave their small containers out so we are asking that if you still have the smaller bins, please place those recycling bins curbside this Thursday, June 26th by 6:00a.m. A truck will be by to pick up the old containers. Please use these new containers for the single-stream recycling program.

Calling all Volunteers!!! The Raspberry Falls HOA is in need of volunteers to serve on the following Resident  Committees: 

On Thursday, June 19th, CSI will be delivering a single 48 gallon container for all recycle material. Please have your smaller containers curbside by 6:00 am and leave the containers out for pick up by CSI. The larger containers will be delivered the same day.

There are many of us (maybe all of us)  that only received one recycle bin from our new contractor (CSI). After waiting patiently for an answer from the HOA, I called CSI to get the straight scoop. Here it is:

They didn't have enough on hand to provide two to each homeowner. More bins are on order and will be delivered as soon as they are received by CSI. In the meantime, I will improvise (save those boxes from COSTCO!).

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted 7 to 2 to deny permits to build several cell towers in western Loudoun. Here's an excerpt from Sally Kurtz, Catoctin supervisor:

The towers would have detracted from western Loudoun's historical charm and natural beauty. Imagine a gigantic fake pine rising 40 feet above the rest of the trees. ... We sell scenery. Our rural tourism business is booming, and that is because of the way the area looks.

Supervisors Waters and York (board Chairman) voted to approve the applications on grounds that many residents in western Loudoun are unable to access broadband internet that the new towers could provide. They also cited a safety concern because of spotty cell coverage in some areas.

So, no new cell towers in the vicinity of Raspberry ... at least not for now.

The homeowners elected Kathy Haberman to the HOA Board of Directors at the annual meeting tonight. Kathy is a 14 year Leesburg resident and a Raspberry resident since 2004. She currently is serving on the Landscape and Budget committee with Scott Lutz, Matt Elliott and Greg Branic. She is looking forward to serving the community as a Board member and preserving the Raspberry character and quality of life we all enjoy. Kathy is now the second homeowner on the Board as we prepare for the long anticipated HOA turnover to the residents from Van Metre.

Congratulations Kathy!

Con-Serv Industries (CSI) becomes our new trash pickup contractor effective March 1st . The last pickup by Potomac Disposal Service (PDS)  will be February 28th. Pickup days will remain the same; Monday and Thursday. Containers need to be curbside by 7:00 am on collection days. PDS will pickup their containers and recycling bins on February 28th and 29th. CSI will begin delivering containers beginning February 27th. Additional details follow:

Schedule:

• All containers to curbside by 7:00 am on pickup days
• Trash pickup days: Monday and Thursday
• Recycling pickup: Thursday
• Yard waste pickup: Monday
• Bulk waste pickup: Thursday
• Christmas tree pickup: First two weeks in January

About Recycling:

• CSI uses a "Single-Stream" recycling process.
• Please see the attachment to the announcement mailed to all residents.

Containers:

• # of trash containers: One (1) per address (95 gallon tote)
• Extra containers: $75 (purchased by resident - contact CSI directly to order)
• # of recycling bins: 2

Holiday Schedule:

• Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years: No pickup
• Pickup after these holidays will be on the next scheduled pickup day (NOT the day after)

Reminders:

• Trash containers must be kept out of sight at all times except on pickup days.
• Containers may be placed curbside after sundown the day before pickup but must be removed before sundown the day of pickup.

CSI contact: 703-444-3181

Residents who are selling their homes can advertise them on this site for free. Your ad will randomly appear on the home page (@Home in Raspberry Falls) with a full page on Homes for Sale. Simply email the Website Administrator (see bottom of page) and we will provide instructions. Our Website enjoys a high Google ranking and prospective buyers will find us when searching for Raspberry Falls. Restricted to residents. Not for real estate agents.

Letters were sent to all homeowners yesterday (February 11th) announcing the official launch of @Home in Raspberry Falls. What is important is that the letter contains your permanent registration authorization code and  registration instructions to gain access to the private areas of the site.

Questions or comments about the new site or the registration process can be directed to

admin at raspberryfalls dot org.

We are actively seeking volunteers to help manage the site. These include:

• News contributors
• Writers
• Content editors
• Publishing management
• Assistant webmaster

The site is built on the Movable Type publishing platform and is very easy to administer. Our goal is to create and promote the most professional, high content and interactive HOA site in the region and beyond. If you are interested in participating, direct your email to the address shown above.

The LCSA is proposing the management combination of multiple community infrastructures as opposed to stand alone as we now have in Raspberry. This means rates could change. LCSA held a meeting for homeowners at the RFG&HC clubhouse on February 20th.

Representatives of LCSA made the following presentation: LCSA Proposed Rate Increase Presentation - Raspberry Falls.ppt. The following FAQ's were distributed: LCSA FAQs Proposed Rate Increase - Raspberry Falls.doc

Also, here is an Excel file to assist in estimation the new rate for you: LCSA Bill Estimator For Raspberry Falls.xls. Residents can add their information in the highlighted area. The rest of the spreadsheet is formula driven.

From a letter dated January 3, 2008 to Raspberry Falls homeowners:

The Board of Directors for your association would like to add another homeowner Board member to the Board of Directors. Application for Candicancy must be returned to Armstrong Mangement by January 21, 2008.

The letter included the appropriate application form. Those interested should complete the application and return to Armstrong Management as soon as possible and before the deadline.

 

The letter also annonced that the Moorlands Homeowners Association (AKA Raspberry Falls HOA) meeting will be on March 13, 2008. This is being billed as the Annual Meeting and a further notice will be forthcoming.

 

Questions can be directed to the HOA manager. See contact info at the bottom of this page.

In a letter to homeowners dated December 27, 2007 the HOA declares that the Board of Directors has not yet adopted the 2008 operating budget. Assessments remain the same for January and February of 2008. The delay is due to "research into community landscaping and other items and prefer to have answers to questions regarding these items" before establishing a new assessment level.

Questions should be directed to Customer Service or at (703) 385-1133. 

Raspberry Falls is unique being the first community in the county to be developed using the hamlet design ... we continue by being among the first community homeowner associations to deploy social media technology for the benefit of its members and the public.

The new @Home in Raspberry Falls website sponsored by the HOA is now firmly embracing this technology allowing our residents to "connect" on a social level as well as being kept informed about the events and issues that we share.

Raspberry Falls @Home is transitioning from a privately sponsored site to HOA ownership. "Residents Only" features will be added including:

Public features will include:

• The existing Forum with public access to community news. The Forum will be upgraded to include opt-in email alerts when new information is posted.
• Marketing and sales information from Van Metre and Marquis.
• Ability to advertise homes for sale in the community.
• News from the Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club.

Want to auto pay HOA dues each month?
Get the HOA Automated Payment Service Authorization Form here:

Selling your Raspberry Falls Home? By law (the Virginia Property Owners Association Act) you must supply the potential purchaser a resale package for review when you ratify a purchase contract and prior to settlement. The resale package can be ordered via the internet at Armstrong's Resale Package Request Website.