| During the summer, serious acts of vandalism
were committed at the Wrenn House recreation area and at other sites around
Franklin Farm. Fires were set, and extensive graffiti
incorporating possible gang-related and racial hate messages was discovered
on the courts, paths, signs, play equipment, electric boxes, and other flat
surfaces around the community.
In addition to these recent wanton acts of destruction; bottles
have been broken; signs have been painted and, along with
trash cans, have been dismantled and thrown in the ponds;
fences have been broken; and personal possessions
have been moved or stolen from residents’ property.
The Foundation does not take these incidents lightly. The Fairfax
County Police have been notified, and detectives are investigating
these acts (especially to see if these are hate crimes or gang-related incidents).
Your continued help in stopping vandalism is needed! If
you have any information about these or any other crimes, please call the
police non-emergency number, 703-691-2131, immediately. If you witness crime
in progress, call 911.
Access
Card Necessary to Use FF Courts |
|
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.
|
| Be
Aware of Copperheads |
|
An unusually high number of copperhead snakes have
recently been reported in Fairfax County. Copperheads are venomous
snakes that are found here and throughout Virginia.
Copperhead snake bites have been reported across Fairfax County in
the Dranesville (Riverbend Park), Hunter Mill (Reston), and Springfield
(Clifton) Districts. Typically, reports of snake bites (and sightings)
do not peak until between August and October when baby copperheads
are hatching. Residents in the Brynwood, Foxlease,
and Gatepost neighborhoods have reported sighting
copperheads in recent days.
Virginia is home to three poisonous species of snakes, the Timber
Rattlesnake, the Cottonmouth, and the Copperhead.
It’s important to remember that while death from snake bite is Virginia
is extremely rare, they can be painful and cause a number of symptoms,
such as swelling and bruising, sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting,
muscle twitching, and a metallic taste in the mouth. It is important
to seek medical attention if you or your pets are bitten.
The Fairfax County Wildlife Biologist recommends the following safety
tips:
• Keep grass and vegetation mowed short on private property -- Snakes
like to hunt in tall grass.
• Stay on the sidewalk and park trails.
• Supervise children at all times.
• Do not approach a copperhead -- NEVER pick up a snake.
• Keep dogs on leash at all times.
• Do not overturn rocks or logs.
• Wear appropriate protective clothing when outdoors.
If you are bitten by a snake:
• Stay calm
• Do not apply a tourniquet
• Keep body part immobilized and area level with heart
• Seek immediate medical attention (nearest hospital)
For more information on copperheads or other local wildlife, please
visit the Fairfax County Government Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/animals/wildlife.
For more information, or to report a copperhead incident, contact
Vicky Monroe, the Fairfax County Wildlife Biologist,
at 703-324-0240.
|
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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