The Village of Bailey Station Homeowners Association, Inc.

The Village Voice - Nov. & Dec. 2005

Nov 03, 2005

THE VILLAGE VOICE

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005

LOCATION . . . LOCATION . . . LOCATION!
VALUE . . . VALUE . . . VALUE!

Villagers recently received a mailing from Village resident Terry Cardillo. Terry is a Broker for Century 21 Home First Realtors. Terry?’s mailing, which she mailed at her own expense, contained important information about the increase in the value of the homes in the Village. Terry reviewed recent sales in the area for comparable homes, as well as the amenities available in those homes and the quality of their construction versus the amenities and quality Villagers enjoy. Terry?’s conclusion? Villagers are seeing a significant increase in the value of their homes. For those of us who enjoy living in the Village - or as Terry called it ?“the best-kept secret in Collierville?” - that news was just ?“icing on the cake.?” Thanks to Terry for her research and taking the time to prepare and mail the flyer.

CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL . . .

Residents whose homes are near the two detention ponds in the Village are aware of the fact that a number of wild ducks and geese have made our ponds, at least temporarily, their home. But many Villagers have also noticed that the wooded area north of the Village property line and extending to the train track and Poplar Avenue is teeming with wildlife. Most notably, a herd of deer routinely travels the wooded area eastward to and beyond the Porter Development property, and westward across Bailey Station into the wooded area which eventually abuts the commercial property being developed on Houston Levee between Poplar and Winchester. The small soybean fields on either side of Bailey Station just south of Poplar are areas where the deer routinely congregate to feed. Some Villagers have reported seeing as many as ten at a time, including several adults and fawns. Unfortunately, a fawn was hit and killed by a car recently while it was apparently trying to cross Bailey Station from one field to the other. This, of course, brings up one of the points of this article ?– Be sure to watch out for our ?“neighbors?” as you drive down Peyton Parkway and Bailey Station, especially during the early morning and late evening hours, these being the times when the deer most commonly leave the cover of the woods to feed.

Several residents have observed the deer traveling through the woods at points very near the Village property line. Van and Michelle Smith have a great view of the wooded area from their deck and patio and report that they see the deer quite often.

But the woods are not a home for deer alone. Raccoons and opossums live there. These animals can, of course, be problematic due to their propensity to take up residence in attics. Thanks to George Goehring, who resides at 1728 Wainwright, there are fewer raccoons and opossums now than before. George has caught a significant number of them in his live trap and transported them to wooded areas where development is not occurring. ?“Trapper George?”, as he has become known to those aware of his exploits, reports that some of the critters put up quite a rucous at first when caught. However, when released into their new ?“homes?”, George says they scamper off without much of a fuss.

Of course, the woods are also home to the ubiquitous squirrels. But some Villagers have reported seeing armadillos (or at least the aftermath of their digging in flowerbeds) and others have even reported seeing a fox, and at least one lynx or bobcat has been sited. Earlier this year, a bobcat was hit and killed by a car on Poplar just west of the Bailey Station intersection. However, more recently, another one was seen by a resident late one night along the northern fence line.

While seeing deer, raccoons, fox, bobcat and even the wild geese and ducks residing in our ponds is an interesting and even exciting experience to many residents, the truth is the presence of all of these birds and animals is not a good thing for us or them. The development ?“explosion?” in Collierville has destroyed natural habitat and forced them to live ?“among?” us. In time, their presence will diminish. In many cases, this will be due to the fact that they will meet a regrettable end when crossing a street or not finding enough food in what is left of their habitat. While there is not much we may be able to do about that ultimate reality, for the time being we can at least be mindful of the presence of these birds and animals, be watchful for them when driving in the area, and appreciate their beauty when we are fortunate enough to get a glance, or have a chance encounter.

THE NEW MALL . . .

Many stores in the new mall are now open and residents report that they are very nice, indeed. Most of the restaurants are not yet open. However, when opened they will bring new dining experiences within easy reach.

The conveniences offered by the proximity of the new mall are obvious and they represent the ?“positives?” of that development for all Villagers. There is a difference of opinion on the potential ?“negatives?” of the development, however. Some Villagers believe that there is the possibility that the mall will bring increased traffic into our larger neighborhood and possibly even to streets more immediately adjacent to us, maybe even in the Village itself. Other Villagers believe that because of the Village?’s unique location and design (e.g. our entrances, the fencing along the perimeter streets, the narrowness of our interior streets, etc.) we will not see an increase in ?“drive throughs.?” Time will tell. But it seems prudent that we all watch out for any increase in ?“stranger traffic?” near and certainly within the Village. Any suspicious activity should be reported directly to the Collierville Police Department at 853-3207, or to our Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Martha Gardiner at 853-5273.

MEETING WITH RESIDENTS REGARDING
THE EAST DETENTION POND

A very productive meeting was held on October 3rd between residents of homes adjacent to the east detention pond and several members of the Homeowners Association Board of Directors.

For well over a year, it has principally been the Village residents adjacent to the east detention pond who have had to endure the negative consequences which development of the Porter Farms property has had on the pond. Board Members reviewed the Board?’s efforts to work through both Collierville and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation officials to enforce the erosion control requirements which the developer was obligated to comply with, as well as to seek remedies for the damage caused to the pond by virtue of silt runoff from the property under development. In particular, Board Members pointed out that the developer had received a total of three notices of non-compliance from state officials following inspections of the site and the discovery of inadequate erosion control measures. For their part, residents expressed concern over the fact that the pond continues to become turpid following rain events and littered with debris from the construction site and gutters.

Residents also questioned the absence of a workable fountain on the pond. Board Members reviewed the efforts and funds which had been expended this year to keep the existing fountain in working order as well as the Board?’s conclusion that it would not try to make any further repairs to the existing fountain, but would instead consider the purchase of a new fountain after the first of the year. Residents urged the Board to reconsider this approach and instead consider the acquisition of a new fountain this year. Residents also raised the issue of the construction of a fence along the Village/Porter Farms property line. Board members explained that this matter too had been examined and that it had been determined that with additional plantings the privet hedgerow which now extends along the property line would create a formidable natural barrier sufficient to deter trespassers. Residents again, however, asked the Board Members to reconsider this approach and expressed a desire that a fence be built. Finally, residents asked that the Board provide them with more frequent updates on the Board?’s efforts to deal with issues associated with the east detention pond and decisions being made regarding it. Board Members in attendance committed to doing so.

While there were obvious differences of opinion expressed at the meeting about various issues and strategies for dealing with them, all in attendance were in agreement that the east detention pond, when properly maintained, is every much an asset to the overall beauty of the common area of the Village as is the west pond located at the Village entrance.

HELLO NEIGHBOR!

The Village Voice and all Villagers want to welcome Ms. Kitty Lawson to The Village. Kitty resides at 1730 Gosnold Bluff Road.

If we have missed any new neighbors, we apologize. Please let us know and we will include the information in the next edition.

IN MEMORIAM

We regret to report on the passing of valued neighbors:

- Joan Robinson who formerly resided on Gosnold Bluff Cove but who had recently moved because of health issues.

- I.J. Patterson who resided at 1709 Village Ridge. As most Villagers know, I.J. served as President of the Homeowners Association for several terms and along with him his wife Dolly routinely volunteered to perform a variety of services for the benefit of the Village and its residents. In honor of I.J.?’s service, Villagers sent flowers to I.J.?’s funeral which was held in his home State of Texas. Dolly has written a thank you note addressed to all Villagers:

?“I.J. would have loved the flowers sent to the funeral by the Village. As you know, he loved to work outside and it was his wish to have flowers at his funeral. I want to thank everyone in the Village for praying for me, and supporting my family during I.J.?’s illness.?”

On behalf of all Villagers, the Village Voice says, ?“You are welcome, Dolly.?”, and ?“Thank you again I.J., we will miss you.?”

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

?“GOOD GRIEF, IT?’S ALMOST THANKSGIVING???!?” The Village Voice bets more than a few Villagers have heard such an expression in recent days, or even uttered it themselves. And if it?’s almost Thanksgiving, you know what that means? . . . Christmas isn?’t far behind. Yes, this wonderful time of year is at hand . . . again. The Village Voice hopes all Villagers have a great ?“Thanksgiving?” and we say ?“thanks?” to all who work hard to make our Village the kind of place where we should all be ?“thankful?” to live. We will visit with you again in December.

YOUR IDEAS ARE WELCOMED!

Send your ideas and suggestions for the Village Voice to Ted Yeiser at (901) 853-7233, by mail to 1722 Higginson Square, Collierville, Tennessee 38017, or via e-mail to taayeiser@aol.com. We need all the help we can get!