Maintenance Updates
When the Board of Directors transitioned to homeowner control from Declarant control in 2016 the Board worked with the Association's Legal Counsel to determine which maintenance items were the Association's responsibility and which items were the individual homeowner's responsibility. Based on the attorney's review and advice, the maintenance resolution was prepared and adopted to help provide clarity to homeowners and allow the Board of Directors to properly plan future maintenance needs.
Spring Pests and How to Identify them:
It seems spring has finally sprung and warm humid days are in the near future. Spring also brings the return of some less than desirable pests which we do not treat for so we wanted to provide some helpful tips and definitions to identify and manage these pests.
Termites - Termite protection is not listed a service set forth for Townhome Association governing documents. If a homeowner would like to receive coverage they are welcome source their own provider directly.
Fire Ants – Fire ant mounds can pop suddenly and preventive treatments are both not very effective and expensive. For this reason, the Association does treat for Fire Ants and you may see them pop up through the summer, especially after a hard summer rain that disturbs their mounds. Fire Ant bait applied directly to their mounds once they pop up usually destroys the colony within 24 to 48 hours. Fire ant bait is readily available at a low cost at Lowes, Owners are encouraged to treat mounds when they see them.
Snakes – If you see a snake on the property, please immediately call animal control at 311. Please do not approach any species of snake, even if you believe it to be non-venomous. The easiest way to prevent snakes from entering the property is to limit areas for them or their prey to hide such as yard debris. Like all animals, they need regular access to water and will frequent areas with standing or flowing water; limiting water around the homes helps ward them off.
Cicada Hawks – These appear to be huge wasps that fly around with intensity and make their homes in large holes in the ground. While scary looking, Cicada Hawks hunt hornets and wasps and are considered to be a good pest. They do not sting unless physically handled very roughly; even then, they lack venom, so it feels like a slight pinprick. They can be territorial, so you may notice them engaged in aerial combat with each other; this can be scary as you think you are being swarmed. However, they do not care about humans and only approach people to make sure they are not rival Cicada Hawks.
Wasps/ Hornets/ Yellow Jackets – At this time of year Wasps and their cousins begin foraging and building nests in hollow spaces in fencing, under decks, eaves, and soffits. Most exterminators no longer are able to carry insurance to treat stinging insects that require them to get on a ladder to reach. Due to this, the Association asks Homeowner to treat these when they see them. Wasp spray such as Spectracide is very effective against these nests, however, please use caution if you choose to spray hives as they can become aggressive. Alternatively, you can get affordable nectar traps that capture and eliminate the wasps, these are safer than engaging stinging insects directly. We have provided a picture of these traps if you choose to place them.
Mud Daubers – These appear to be slender wasps and make nests that appear as a ball of mud on the side of a home. They are generally none aggressive unless directly threatened; even then, stings are uncommon. Mud Daubers hunt spiders and are the primary predator of Brown Recluse and Black Widow spiders so they are very beneficial if Owners can stand to leave them be.
Mosquitos – Mosquitos breed and grow in pools of stagnant water so please remove items from the property where water can pool for days at a time. While the females need blood to lay eggs, all Mosquitos are nectar feeders and can swarm around flower beds. The same traps used to catch wasps also work well in catching mosquitos.
If there is a pest you have a question about feel free to contact our Property Manager Kristen Goyette at kgoyette@camsmgt.com
Common Area Landscaping
Below is a brief landscape update of what will be happening this spring and summer.
At previous Owners forums, the Master Board of Directors has discussed many aspects of the community landscaping plans and the challenges in maintaining portions of it around homes and throughout the common areas. One of the biggest challenges we work through each year is the longer, hotter summer temperatures that severely damage the turf areas, which must be regrown throughout the fall. Portions of the common area turf currently consist partly of Fescue grass, which is a cool-season grass suitable for northern climates, does best in cool weather, and must be regrown from seed after the summer heat has passed. In other areas, we have Bermuda turf, which is a warm-season grass that is drought tolerant and self-repairing when it becomes damaged but does go dormant in the winter. While we do maintain and run irrigation on some of the common areas, there are portions of it that only receives natural rainfall, the system is intended to be supplementary to natural rainfall, and in stretches where we receive little to no rain, it is difficult to get the turf the amount of water that it requires. If the neighborhood stayed on its current Fescue grass program in years to come, it would eventually be overtaken by Bermuda grass naturally. For this reason, we have decided to accelerate the process and begin converting over to Bermuda, which is a multi-year process.
As part of long-term planning for Park South Station, the Master Board of Directors, in conjunction with the Townhome and Single Family Home Associations, chose to proceed in changing turf types over the next few years to help improve the condition of the turf during the summer and reduce ongoing annual costs. Attached you will find a timeline breakdown provided by the landscape company of steps that will be taken to help the conversion along. While Fescue grass will be phased out of the property, it is a conversion that takes time, and we can expect it will be stressed and not look as aesthetically pleasing as we would like this summer as we promote the Bermuda turf program. The goal at the end of conversion will be to reduce the cost of overseeding every year, which can be upwards of $15,000 annually for the common areas, it will also cut back on extensive water usage by 25% to 30% or roughly $30,000 community-wide. If you have any questions, please submit them to our community manager Kristen Goyette at kgoyette@camsmgt.com.
Townhome Landscaping
At previous Owners forums, the Master Board of Directors has discussed many aspects of the community landscaping plans and the challenges in maintaining portions of it around homes and throughout the common areas. One of the biggest challenges we work through each year is the longer, hotter summer temperatures that severely damage the turf areas, which must be regrown throughout the fall. Portions of the common area turf currently consist partly of Fescue grass, which is a cool-season grass suitable for northern climates, does best in cool weather, and must be regrown from seed after the summer heat has passed. In other areas, we have Bermuda turf, which is a warm-season grass that is drought tolerant and self-repairing when it becomes damaged but does go dormant in the winter. While we do maintain and run irrigation on some of the common areas, there are portions of it that only receives natural rainfall, the system is intended to be supplementary to natural rainfall, and in stretches where we receive little to no rain, it is difficult to get the turf the amount of water that it requires. If the neighborhood stayed on its current Fescue grass program in years to come, it would eventually be overtaken by Bermuda grass naturally. For this reason, we have decided to accelerate the process and begin converting over to Bermuda, which is a multi-year process.
As part of long-term planning for Park South Station, the Master Board of Directors, in conjunction with the Townhome and Single Family Home Associations, chose to proceed in changing turf types over the next few years to help improve the condition of the turf during the summer and reduce ongoing annual costs. Attached you will find a timeline breakdown provided by the landscape company of steps that will be taken to help the conversion along. While Fescue grass will be phased out of the property, it is a conversion that takes time, and we can expect it will be stressed and not look as aesthetically pleasing as we would like this summer as we promote the Bermuda turf program. The goal at the end of conversion will be to reduce the cost of overseeding every year, which can be upwards of $15,000 annually for the common areas, it will also cut back on extensive water usage by 25% to 30% or roughly $30,000 community-wide. If you have any questions, please submit them to our community manager Kristen Goyette at kgoyette@camsmgt.com.
Townhome Landscaping
As part of long-term planning for Park South Station, the Townhome Board of Directors in conjunction with the Master and Single Family Home Associations chose to proceed in changing turf types over the next few years to help improve the condition of the turf during the summer and reduce ongoing annual costs. Attached you will find a timeline breakdown provided by the landscape company of steps that will be taken to help the conversion along. While Fescue grass will be phased out of the property, it is a conversion that takes time and we can expect it will be stressed and not look as aesthetically pleasing as we would like this summer as we promote the Bermuda turf program. The goal at the end of conversion will be to reduce the cost of over seeding every year, which can be upwards of $15,000 annually for the Townhomes alone, it will also cut back on extensive water usage by 25% to 30% or roughly $30,000. For Townhome Owners that do not want to wait for the conversion to occur over time through over seeding, the landscapers can quote sod installation if Owners would like to pay for it directly. Depending on the availability and timing of the installation, as a reference, it would be around $1.80 a square foot for front yards and $3.80 a square foot for rear yards to remove the old material and install new sod. If you would like a quote on sod or have any questions, please submit them to our community manager Kristen Goyette at kgoyette@camsmgt.com.
Thank you for your patience and understanding while we go through this conversion, we will provide regular updates as we go forward.
Thank you for your patience and understanding while we go through this conversion, we will provide regular updates as we go forward.
Townhome Painting
Scope of work to be completed
Front and back doors, shutters, window headers, vents, garage door trim, door casing and decorative pieces, metal roofs, and bay windows. Caulking will be done on areas of the home that have been previously caulked. Old caulk will not be removed in this scope. We will also be caulking areas of the window that have previously been caulked.
Materials to be used
We will be painting with Sherwin Williams exterior latex Duration paint in a gloss finish. Roofs will be painted with a Black Rustoleum oil base gloss finish. Caulking will be done with a Sherwin Williams Silicon Clear. We will wash down the fronts of the buildings before painting if needed.
Power Washing
Townhome power washing for 2023 will be commencing in July and go through early September and will take six to eight weeks to complete, weather depending. The areas to be power washed on each home include front stoops, sidewalks, driveways, divider fences, and original installation back yard patios. This will remove mold, mildew, and spider webs off of the building’s exterior. Other areas of the building that will be cleaned are the vinyl surfaces, gutters, soffits, garage doors, entry doors, and windows. Please note that the windows will be sprayed off, but they will not be individually cleaned to remove spots.
The power washing map for 2023 is attached for review, along with the list of addresses to be washed this year, and can be found on the Maintenance Update section of parksouthstation.org. If you are not listed on the map for 2023 but would like to receive power washing, the Association has worked out a reduced rate with WELCH POWER WASHING of $85 per townhome, payable by the homeowner. They plan to complete elective washes after the townhome project is completed. If you want to sign up for elective power washing you can contact Josh Welch at welchpowerwashing@gmail.com, or 704-507-0052 to get put on the schedule.
Homeowners will receive a flyer in their front doors a week or so before their home is going to be power washed, letting them know to remove their items from patios and decks. An additional hanger will be placed the day before you receive service as well as a reminder. It is important to note that residents must remove all their belongings off the back patios, as well as cars out of the driveways, or they will be skipped. Residents that are skipped will have to pay the power washing company directly if they would like to receive services.
If you notice water entering the home in or around the windows or doors, please let Kristen Goyette know immediately so it can be addressed right away. If you have any questions, you can contact Kristen at kgoyette@camsmgt.com.
October is Fire Prevention Month
As part of this Condo I will be having a Fire Drill on October 9th with the Charlotte Fire Department. We wanted the neighbors to be aware, so they were not concerned when the drill is occurring.
Also, just a reminder that Fire Pits are not allowed on any lot in Park South Station based on the Governing Documents and the direction of the Fire Marshall. While it is tempting to purchase a fire pit now that the nights are cooler, this is unfortunately not permitted by the Covenants.
This month, make sure your home is protected from (and your family is prepared for) a fire. Here are 10 simple tips to help you avoid fires and reduce the risk of injury should one occur:
1) Smoke Alarms – These are still a very important addition to your home. Smoke alarms are widely available and inexpensive. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and test it monthly.
2) Prevent Electrical Fires – Don’t overload circuits or extension cords. Cords and wires should never be placed under rugs or in high traffic areas. Avoid loose electrical connections by checking the fit of the plug in the wall outlet. If the plug loosely fits, inspect the outlet right away. A poor connection between the plug and the outlet can cause overheating and can start a fire in minutes.
3) Keep Plugs Safe – Unplug all appliances when not in use. Follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions and use your senses to spot any potential disasters. If a plug is overheating, smells strange, shorts out or sparks – the appliance should be shut off immediately, then replaced or repaired.
4) Alternate Heaters – Make sure there is ample space around any portable heating unit. Anything that could catch fire should be at least three feet away. Inspect your chimney annually and use fire screens to help keep any fires in the fireplace.
5) Fire Safety Sprinklers – When combined with working smoke alarms, home fire sprinklers greatly increase your chance of surviving a fire. Sprinklers are affordable and they can increase property value and lower insurance rates.
6) Create An Escape Route – Create and practice your escape plan with your family from every room in the house. Practice staying low to the floor and checking for hot doors using the back of your hand. It’s just like a routine school fire drill – but in your home.
7) Position Appliances Carefully – Try to keep TV sets, kitchen and other appliances away from windows with curtains. If there is a wiring problem, curtains can spread a fire quickly. Additionally, keeping your appliances away from water sources (like rain coming in from windows) can help prevent wiring damage which can lead to a fire.
8) Clean Dryer Vents – Clothes dryers often start fires in residential areas. Clean the lint filter every time you start a load of clothes to dry or after the drying cycle is complete. Make sure your exhaust duct is made of metal tubing and not plastic or foil. Clean the exhaust duct with a good quality dryer vent brush to prevent blockage & check for lint build up behind the dryer at least twice a year.
9) Be Careful Around the Holidays – If you fill your home with lights during the holiday season, keep them away from anything that can easily catch fire. Check all of your lights prior to stringing them up and dispose of anything with frayed or exposed wires.
10) Conduct Regular Inspections – Check all of your electronic equipment and wiring at least once a month. Taking a little time to do this each month can really pay off.
Following these simple tips could potentially save your life or the life of a loved one. Pass this list on to your friends and family and make this fire prevention month count!
Need Maintenance Assistance?
If you have a maintenance repair request that you need to submit, please contact us at cscharlotte@camsmgt.com
If you have an emergency or after-hours emergency maintenance need, please contact CAMS at 704.334.5207 and leave a message with our 24 hour emergency response service.