| Although we all hope warm weather will soon
be here to stay, the following information may be helpful in the event that
Mother Nature decides to send us another snowstorm.
• Franklin Farm Foundation contracts with a private company for snow removal
on the following private streets in the Farm: Whaley
Court, Foxlease Court, Tayloe Court,
Old Dairy Court, Higgs Court, Rosemere
Court, Elevation Lane, Kinfolk Court,
Hill Haven Court, Piney Ridge Court, Stone
Heather Court, Coates Lane, Apple Barrel
Court, and Tranquility Court.
• Two major arteries leading into these areas — Tranquility Lane
and Old Dairy Road — are maintained and plowed by the Virginia
Department of Transportation (VDOT).
• All other roads in Franklin Farm are public streets,
which are plowed and maintained by VDOT. State law prohibits individuals
or private companies from plowing VDOT-maintained roads.
• If you live on a public street that has not been plowed, report it to
VDOT at 703-383-8368. In the event of
a heavy snowstorm, messages are often taken by Fairfax County Supervisor
Michael Frey’s office, 703-814-7100.
• When it snows, please remember to also clear your sidewalk,
mailbox, fire hydrant, and storm
drains. Be mindful of your elderly or disabled neighbors, and help
them shovel out, if you can.
Spring
Tennis Information |
|
Locks have been installed on the doors at all three
Franklin Farm tennis courts (Dairy Lou, Wrenn House, and Still Pond).
Residents must obtain an access card in order to
use the courts — one card will be issued per resident address.
Access cards can be purchased at the Foundation office for $10.
Franklin Farm residents who would like to purchase a card must come
to the Foundation office (12700 Franklin Farm Road), fill out a form,
and make payment. A photo ID will be necessary, and renters must furnish
a copy of their lease.
No cards will be issued to non-residents.
** Click here
to access information about classes, camps, and leagues for children
and adults by FirstServe Tennis.
|
| Watch
Out for Deer on the Road |
| Did you know that Virginia had the eighth highest
total number of deer-vehicle collisions in the United States over
the 2007–08 time period?
According to Drive Smart Virginia, an estimated 54,000 (54,135) drivers
have collided with deer. These issues are not isolated to rural areas
of the state. Fairfax County has a very active deer population,
and, particularly at this time of year, police urge motorists to drive
cautiously.
Deer are especially active from pre-dawn to mid-morning and from dusk
to early evening — right about the time when many Fairfax County residents
are going to and from work or school. So, remember
the following safety tips:
-- Be aware of posted “Deer Crossing” signs. They are placed in areas
known for high deer traffic.
-- Do not rely on car-mounted deer whistles; they may not work.
-- Drivers should use their high-beams when there is no on-coming
traffic for a better view of the edge of adjacent woods and fields.
-- Do not swerve to miss a deer. This could cause
you to lose control of your vehicle, strike a tree or another vehicle
or to overturn. Those types of accidents result in far more fatalities
than auto-deer crashes.
If you cannot avoid hitting a deer:
-- Slow down and grasp the steering wheel firmly with both hands.
-- Take your foot off the brake at the time of impact so the front
end of your vehicle will lift up and enable the deer to go under the
car, rather than over it – reducing the danger of it crashing through
the windshield or windows.
-- If the animal is injured or killed, report the collision through
the county’s non-emergency line at 703-691-2131.
|
Trash
Pickup on Pipe Stems Available |
|
CSI and the Foundation have come to an agreement
that will allow for the pickup of trash on the pipe stems
in the community. If resident owners who live on a pipe stem desire
this service, then all owners that share the pipe stem must agree
to receive the service and pay an additional contract cost for the
service.
The owners must also agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation harmless
from any claims arising from this service, including holding
CSI and the Foundation harmless for any deterioration of
the common driveway that may be attributed to the trash trucks’ use
of the common driveway.
Starting October 1, 2009, the cost
of the service is $105.50 per year, with a 5.5% increase each year
until September 30, 2013. For service prior to October 1, 2009, there
will be a $50 charge. Pipe-stem owners interested in this service
should contact the office, 703-620-6230.
|
How
to Address Neighborhood Concerns
Nuisance Issues — loud noise, toys left in your yard, overgrown
grass/bushes
• Speak with the neighbor (at least twice is recommended).
• Notify the Foundation office either by e-mail (foundation@franklinfarm.org)
or phone, 703-620-6230.
• If noise issues are causing a disturbance, call the non-emergency number
for the police, 703-691-2131.
Health Code Issues — pet droppings not picked up in yard, excessive
garbage pileups, and rodent infestation
• Speak with the neighbor and request item(s) be properly discarded.
• Call the Fairfax County Health Department at 703-246-2300.
• Notify the Foundation office either by e-mail or phone.
Criminal Activity (non-emergency) — substance abuse, vandalism,
graffiti
• Contact the non-emergency number for the police, 703-691-2131. This may
need to be done repeatedly to establish a case, and all neighbors who are
affected should call individually.
• Document the activity (notes, pictures, video). This may need to be done
repeatedly to establish a case. The more neighbors involved, the better.
• Contact 911 when you witness criminal activities (burglary, breaking
and entering, domestic violence) in progress.
Abandoned Cars — outdated inspection stickers and/or license plates
or inoperable vehicles
• Notify the Foundation of the vehicle, including type, license plate number,
location, how long it has been there, and owner/suspected owner (if known).
| Three
Ways to Pay Your Assessments |
The
Franklin Farm Foundation has changed banks. The Foundation’s new
bank is Community Association Banc (CAB) headquartered in Phoenix,
Arizona. This change was undertaken because of excessive fees charged
the Foundation by its previous bank for services to handle assessment
payments and the Foundation’s other financial transactions. CAB
is a division of First National Bank of Arizona and was established
to serve the needs of organizations like the Franklin Farm Foundation.
We anticipate savings of over $7,000 per year with the change to
CAB. The change to CAB will affect your payment of quarterly assessments
in several different ways which are explained in detail below.
|
| Please
note the new mailing address, effective as of January
1, 2006:
Franklin
Farm Foundation
P.O.
Box 61388
Phoenix,
AZ 85082-1388
|
| QUARTERLY
STATEMENTS
You will still receive quarterly assessment statements; however, your
payments will now be mailed to CAB in Arizona. There is a change from
the prior payment procedure in that you now will be asked to tear
off a coupon from the statement to be sent to CAB along with your
check.
If an account is in arrears, the Foundation will adhere to the collection
procedure detailed in Policy Resolution 9G, Procedures Relative to
Collections and the owner will receive late fee notices from the Foundation.
Quarterly assessments are payable and due on the first day of January,
April, July and October. Please allow sufficient time for your payment
to reach the lockbox in Arizona in a timely manner to avoid a late
fee charge. The back page of the “Almanac” provides you with the quarterly
assessment schedule. It is necessary to continue whatever process
you currently use to pay your assessment for the December 15, 2005
assessment billing. If you are mailing your check, please tear off
the payment stub and mail it with the check to the Arizona lockbox,
using the pre-addressed envelope. This assessment is due January 1,
2006 |
|
ELECTRONIC
DEBIT
Electronic debit began April 1, 2006. Those wishing to participate
can pick up a form at the Foundation office or online on our Web site.
With the submittal of the completed authorization and voided check
to the Foundation, an owner is enrolled for the automatic withdrawal
that will be made for the quarterly assessment payment due immediately
following enrollment and for all future assessments.
Future Electronic Debit Enrollment: The Foundation must be in receipt
of the authorization form and voided check thirty (30) days before
the assessment is due to ensure ELECTRONIC DEBIT enrollment for the
upcoming quarterly assessment. Please contact the Foundation Office
to sign-up now for the convenient electronic debit or to answer your
questions.
Electronic Debit and a Future Assessment Change: Any variance in the
quarterly debited amount adjusts automatically with the approved yearly
budget. Annually, this information is published in the August Almanac. |
|
CREDIT
CARD OPTION
The change to CAB as the Foundation’s Bank also allows you make your
assessment payment by credit card. Please be aware that CAB will charge
you a fee of an additional 8% of the assessment to use this service.
Credit card payment of assessments can be accomplished by accessing
CAB’s Website at www.cabanc.com and following instructions there.
Credit card payment may be useful to avoid late fees if you have forgotten
to pay your assessment to avoid the Foundation’s imposition of the
$35 late fee. |
|
The Franklin Farm Foundation - 12700 Franklin
Farm Rd - Oak Hill, VA 20171
Phone: 703-620-6230 Fax: 703-620-9021
E-Mail: foundation@franklinfarm.org
Map of Franklin Farm Map
of the foundation office
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