Bentwood Farms - Mallard Pond Homeowners Association

Spring 2004

Sep 06, 2004

Creepy Crawly Things with Wings
Over 6800 acres of trees defoliated in Licking County. Over 50,000 additional acres defoliated in Ohio and over 4,500,000 acres laid bare in Pennsylvania. These are the frightening statistics offered by the Ohio State University and Ohio Department of Agriculture attributed to the Gypsy moth, described as ?“the most important insect pest of forest and shade trees in the eastern United States.?” And, it?’s coming our way.
The larval or caterpillar stage can frequently strip entire trees and even forests of leaves over wide areas. Although the defoliation itself won?’t kill trees, severe defoliation can weaken trees, leaving them more susceptible to other stresses such as drought, disease and other lethal insect pests such as borers. Either way, the Gypsy moth, who feeds on the leaves of more than 300 species of trees and shrubs, can make a yard and neighborhood look like a wasteland. The trees most favored by the Gypsy moth include oaks, aspens, birches, sweet gum, lindens, crabapples, hawthorns, mountain ash and willows. Moth resistant trees include honey locust, red maple, silver maple, green ash, white ash (both ashes are, however, susceptible to the emerald ash borer), dogwood and tulip. Evergreen trees are generally resistant, but blue spruce and white pine are susceptible to Gypsy moth defoliation.
Gypsy moth caterpillars can also be a significant nuisance when populations are high because they have a tendency to aggregate on the sides of homes as well as produce large amounts of frass (fecal pellets), which fall from the tree canopies onto the yards and patios below. Some people, especially children, can experience an allergic reaction when they come in contact with the many hairs covering the body of the Gypsy moth caterpillars.
A native to Asia and Europe, the Gypsy moth was introduced to the U.S. in 1869 by a scientist in Medford, MA who brought several from France in hopes of breeding with silk worms to boost the struggling silk industry in New England. The Gypsy moths escaped captivity and, over the past century and a quarter, slowly spread through Massachusetts, New England and west through Pennsylvania. Since the egg baring female moths are unable to fly, ?“ballooning?” by larvae is the chief method of spreading. The eggs, however, are very easily and commonly spread by ?“hitchhiking?” on newly burlap balled nursery stock, newly planted landscape trees and firewood. Therefore, it?’s important to know where your purchases are coming from.
The safest and most effective tool to control the caterpillar is the application of an insecticide spray derived from the naturally-occurring bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, commonly known as BT. BT spray is only effective ?“when the Black cherry are blooming?” or, from late April through late June when newly hatched caterpillars climb into the trees and begin feeding. During the day, caterpillars can be lured to hide under a piece of burlap cloth suspended as a skirt over a string tied around the trunk of a tree. These caterpillars can be collected by day and destroyed before they return to the tree to feed at night. After they have completed feeding, caterpillars enter the pupal stage from which adult moths emerge in 10 to 14 days only to die after mating and producing about 1,000 eggs per moth. At this point, insecticide is ineffective.


Notes from the President
By Jim McGrath
It?’s been a busy month already. We?’re still trying to get stop signs at key intersections in our subdivision. The township is trying to use ?“alternative?” methods of controlling speed. You may have noticed, they recently painted large speed limit signs on the road, put up more speed signs, and are thinking about the potential addition of ?“speed humps?”, which are large raised squares placed at intersections to slow you down. None of this would be needed if the drivers traveling through our neighborhood would just drive the speed limit. After I first wrote a letter in December to the Violet Township Trustees about this issue, the Sheriff started having tickets written. In a recent six-week period, there were over 63 tickets issued. Sadly, 21 of them were for our own residents.
Recently, we had a bad crash near one of the intersections where we had asked for a stop sign. Had this sign been in place, this crash most likely would not have occurred. Now we are praying that the motorcyclist will live, and then heal from his injuries. We also had a driver fall asleep at the wheel, take out several sections of fencing, and hit a tree along Refugee Rd, at the Mallard Pond entrance. We are thankful that this did not happen along Harmon Rd at a time when children would have been going to/from school. Please remind your children to be alert while walking anywhere near the roads.
We plan on finishing the path repair where we had the bank rebuilt at the pond last year. We are also in conversations with various agencies and companies to assess what needs to be done to the catch basin in the newer area of the neighborhood. If you have ?“screening trees?” planted by the developer (along Harmon and Refugee Roads) and notice bagworms in the pines, please contact Sharon Lach so that we may get them treated this year. Also, please remember to get your $80 dues paid, as that is how we pay for these types of maintenance items.
On a lighter note, for those who had our Santa come visit them, we have pictures which were taken by his helper. If you would like to have me email yours to you, please contact me at jmvett@aol.com. Have a great Springtime!


Social Committee News
By Andrea Turner
Hello everyone. I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday and is ready for spring to arrive. This year will be my last year as the Director of the Social Committee. We will still have the Easter Egg Hunt on April 3rd from 12:30 ?– 1:30. Please use the enclosed RSVP form and put it in the mailbox in the common area on the corners of Winners Circle and Steeplechase Ave. The RSVP deadline is March 17th. If you would like to help with the egg hunt please mark the appropriate line on the RSVP form. We are always in need of volunteers. We are also in need of someone to take over the Social Committee. It is a very rewarding position that helps make our community a more special place to live. If you are interested in learning more about it, please feel free to give me a call at 577-9311. See you in April.


Time to Garden Again
The Pickerington Garden Club meets every third Wednesday at 1:00 pm at the Pickerington Public Library, 201 Opportunity Way, across from Pickerington Central High School. Programs and any changes in meeting day or time are announced in the Columbus Dispatch and three local area newspapers. Guests and new members are invited. For more information, call Beverly Zurhorst at 864-6012.


Community Baby Sitting List
Adults:
Melissa Wulliger (Before and/or After School)
Secretariat Place . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 860-0160
Bobbi Haverfield - Saratoga Lane . .. 575-0011
Teresa Harness - Harness Place . . . . 755-2861
Kelli Albanese - Thoroughbred Dr. . . .861-1756
Betsy Pierce - Teal Lane . . . . . . . 575-6505
Kelly Marcum - Arabian Ct. . . . . . . 861-9058
Teenagers: (Listed Under Parents?’ Name)
Terry Anderson - Thoroughbred Dr. . . .861-1206
Laura Goslee (2 Teenagers) - Saratoga Ln. 755-9567
Judy Hagerman - Belmont Place . . . . .864-4494
Jannet Hausmann - Mallard Pond Dr. . . 759-9390
Sherri Ricart - Saddlehorn St. . . . . 868-0849


Architectural Control Committee
By Craig Turner
The Architectural Control Committee (ACC) would like to extend our thanks to all our neighbors that have adhered to the deed restrictions in regards to submitting written requests and plans for various exterior home projects, removing stored boats and vehicles, maintaining the exteriors of your homes, etc. during the past year. As the new building season approaches, we hope that this process continues.
As a reminder for all projects needing approval, the ACC requires a copy of your plot plan that shows where the work is located at on your property, a cover letter that gives a brief description of the work along with your name and address, copies of plans/prints if available, and any product data that is applicable for the type of material and/or color that will be used. Submissions will be kept for our records.
The ACC?’s goal is to have a seven-day turn around for review on project submissions. A letter of approval or disapproval will be delivered to the resident as soon as the ACC members sign it. Please allow for this time when scheduling your project start date.
The ACC would like to thank you in advance for following these requirements.

Sexual Predator Alert
As the weather improves and our children enjoy the sun and fresh air in their yards and on area playgrounds, we all need to be aware of this unpleasant danger. Keep informed and up-to-date by logging on to www.sheriff.fairfield.oh.us and clicking on: ?“Registered Sex Offenders.?” Click on the ?“Click Here?” call out on the top of the next page for a complete list of registered sex offenders in Fairfield County by name and address with photographs. There are now five registered sex offenders in the Pickerington/Violet Township area to watch for.
+ Tricia A. Blake, 12904 Coventry Avenue
+ William Edward Boyd, 10650 Stoudertown Road
+ Corey P. Chapman, 12061 Rocky Springs Lane
+ Derric D. Noll-Haney, 7725 Reynoldsburg
Baltimore Road
+ Donald C. Primmer, 13725 Brainwick Drive


Bentwood Farms-Mallard Pond
Home Owners Association
2003/2004 Budget Report ?–
Final as of 2/15/03
Expenses: 2003 Actual 2004 Projected

Accounting Supplies $ 65 $ 100 Checks, Stop
Payment
Return Checks
Community Events $1,049 $ 800 (net of fees paid by participants)
Electric $1,071 $1,150 On going costs, no new improvements
Grounds Maintenance $5,242 $3,600 Trees, Special Clean Ups,Trimming
Lawn Care $15,591 $16,200 Mowing &
Weed Control
Insurance $1,018 $1,018
Government fees $ 119 $ 600 Lien & Court Fees
Mailing Supplies $1,803 $1,400 Stamps & Paper supplies
Taxes $ 939 $1,200 On common land
Legal Reserve $12,000 $- Outstanding legal Fees
Emergency Reserve $- $ 800 Property damage,signs, insurance deductible
Special Projects $6,544 $7,300 Pond & Stream fixes, grounds improvements

Total Expenses $45,442 $34,168

Income:
Homeowner Dues $33,680 $33,680
(421 houses @ $80 each)
Less uncollected dues (net)
($ 698) ($1,000)
Other income $ 104 $ 100 Community events
Interest $ 382 $ 300

Total Income $33,468 $33,080
Net loss ($11,973) ($1,088)
Carry over-2002/2003 $13,442 $1,469
Net end of year cash $ 1,469 $ 381

Owners who did not pay ?‘03 Dues- $1,040 (Excludes interest charges and filing fees)
Total Past Due Amount- (all years)- $2,832 (Excludes Interest charges, Includes filing fees)


Communications Committee, Etc.
By Sharon Lach
GROUNDS: The grounds are monitored weekly to ensure a neat appearance and repair any damage. In spite of our best efforts to prevent vandalism, there has been some spray painting on the stone signs and malicious destruction of the trash can in front of the pond. If you see someone vandalizing or causing damage to any common areas, please call a Trustee or the Sheriff. We will again be planting flowers at the entranceways to our community. Curb appeal is the first impression families have of us. Volunteers will be needed in the spring to continue planting flowers in the beds. We greatly appreciate your time and help. Volunteers make all the difference.
WELCOME WAGON: If you have new neighbors or didn?’t receive a Welcome Folder when you moved in, please call Sharon Lach.
UP COMING EVENTS: When was the last time you saw the back of your closet? Can?’t fit 2 cars in your 2 car garage? Our community garage sale is scheduled for Friday May 14th starting at 9am. It will run until Sunday the 16th or when all your ?“stuff?” is sold. Remember to put balloons on your mailbox for greater visibility. Ads will be placed in all 3 local newspapers. For the safety of our children, please: ?“no early birds.?” With the increased traffic, the buses can not negotiate turns or see children close to cars at bus stops. Any questions, call Sharon. 861-0325.


Dates to Remember:

SATURDAY, APRIL 3rd
12:30 to 1:30 pm

annual easter
egg hunt

Fill Out the Enclosed RSVP and Return!

FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY
MAY 14, 15, 16 STARTING AT 9:00 am

ANNUAL COMMUNITY
GARAGE SALE

Directory
Trustees:
President ?– Jim McGrath, Email: JMVETT@aol.com
Vice President ?– Chuck Zurhorst, 864-6012
Treasurer ?– Curt Anderson, 861-1206
Secretary ?– Stephania Wilson, 868-8068
ACC ?– Craig Turner, 577-9311
Communications/Grounds/
Welcome Wagon ?– Sharon Lach, 861-0325
Special Projects ?– Wayne Whitehead,
Email: wpje@excite.com
Committees:
Social Committee ?– Andrea Turner, 577-9311
Architectural Control Committee (ACC) ?–
Craig Turner, 577-9311
Mike Lyman, 751-9614
Chuck Zurhorst, 864-6012


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THE DUCK & PONY SHOW

Contact Jim McGrath at JMVETT@aol.com for Rates and More Information