"The
Crier"
"The
Crier"
The Colonies Monthly Newsletter
A Publication of The Colonies
Condominium at McLean
March 2010 
Quick Links
Administrative Office Hours/Emergency Contacts
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If you wish to be a building representative
please submit your name to the office 703-827-8388.
Current building representatives are:
Bldg. 5 Ginny Sandhal/Claudia
Bonetti
Bldg. 6 Sandra Sincavitz
Bldg. 7 Carolyn Baldwin
Bldg. 8 Eliana Romeo
Bldg. 13 Nathan Dean
Bldg. 14 Alfonso Zavala
COUNTDOWN Annual Meeting, Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at The
Colonies Clubhouse. Change your Clock…
Change your Smoke
Detector
Batteries.. Spring Forward Daylight savings time begins and clocks move
forward.
SMOKE ALARM
MAINTENANCE— SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD
The Meeting of the Colonies Board of Directors on
March 3, 2010, a cold, wet, winter evening, was preceded by a lengthy
Owners Forum. The many issues brought up by attendees included:
pet and trash violations; mud tracked onto
hall carpets; noise outside buildings (especially at night); fire doors
being repeatedly propped open threatening building residents’ security;
maintenance of the common areas; and status of building representative
list. Apropos common area maintenance, it was noted that the problem is
compounded by the age of the complex, resident carelessness and repeated
vandalism, and the effects of the harsh winter. Colonies staff have been
scrambling just to keep up with the snow plowing and shoveling and to
remove the debris caused by heavy snow and winds. After all the
storm-related projects are tackled, the usual spring clean up and spruce
up will commence. Apropos building representatives – there were
volunteers for all but four buildings and these names will be published
in the Crier. If anyone in the four unrepresented buildings is
interested in volunteering to be their building representative, please
contact the office. There were also questions about the many Tysons
projects such as: are we in a special tax district (no, only businesses
are in the special tax district); and do we have any control with the
Tysons project (a Board member is a liaison to the project).
During the business portion of the meeting, the
board appointed
Carole Folsom, Gay Haney and
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Building 10 redecoration has begun and staff
members are still busy cleaning up the plethora of downed branches and
other debris left by the violent winter storms.
After the cleanup, comes the welcome
spring spruce up and then planting of flowers.
We all are really looking forward to the
warm weather this year. However, we need the cooperation of all
residents in helping to make and keep the Colonies an attractive
pleasant place to live. That means keeping noise levels down at night,
picking up after your dog, disposing of trash including cigarette butts
in appropriate containers, following all regulations and policies, and
in general, genuinely trying to be a good neighbor.
WE GET LETTERS
A
PLEA TO DOG OWNERS
Could the office please remind the residents of
Bldg. 13 that the snow does not excuse
This is the third time I have found dog feces in
the hallway of Bldg. 7 on the 3rd floor. Resident Bldg. 7
This evening we brought down a pot of chicken &
rice soup for the snow crew…. Thanks for all of your help and please pass
our gratitude on to the staff.
Resident Bldg. 6
Thanks very much for the situation report and
photos on how The Colonies is weathering the...weather.
A Colonies Co-owner (Bldg. 8) that lives in Thailand STORAGE ROOMS Residents utilizing their storage bin (located in
the garage) are encouraged to inspect their storage room periodically to
ensure that their items are “high and dry.” From time to time, (usually
when residents are preparing to move out) we receive calls of property
damage in the storage room. “Any Co-owner or resident at his sole risk
and without liability or responsibility on the part of the Council of
Co-owners may use his assigned storage space for its intended purpose.
The Council shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or expense that
may be suffered or sustained in connection therewith. Items stored in
storage space must comply with county ordinances.” All items placed in the storage bins should be on
pallets and covered with plastic sheeting in the event the sprinklers go
off or there is any water seepage or other water leak. If personal
property damage occurs, please file a claim with your insurance carrier,
as the Council is not liable for the loss, destruction, theft, or damage
to such property. Please do not place any items in the storage room
aisles, as the items will be removed in compliance with county
regulations. The staff will dispose of items removed. NEIGHBORS REQUEST Please don’t smoke
2010 Vehicle decals and facility pass stickers are now available
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE
Reminder as of December 21, 2008 the Master
Insurance deductible increased to $10,000 per claim.
COMMON
AREA HVAC –
CONSERVE ENERGY BY CHANGING YOUR HVAC FILTER MONTHLY Not changing filters
regularly is the number one reason for furnace failure.
.KEY FEES:
Bldg/unit/clubhouse/storage/mailbox
key copies are $3.00 each.
FREE EXTERMINATING: This service
is offered FREE every Wednesday.
WATER SENSORS—We
have a new stock of water sensors, at the low cost of $18 battery included.
Detect a leak early and avoid a deluge.
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CHILD CARE
PROVIDER—I have a 4 year old girl and I can baby-sit
for you part time or full time
PIANO
LESSONS—Beginner
level lessons for Adults in The Colonies.
TUTORING—MATH
for all ages, all levels through calculus & statistics by college
instructor. |
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IN-UNIT
SERVICE FEE SCHEDULE $30.00
½ Charge per visit minimum $45.00
Hourly charge per person.
Parts and Materials – at cost plus 25%
mark-up
for handling. Special order/purchased
for customer – i.e. decorative
faucets,
light fixtures, ceiling fans, doors,
etc.:
Cost + 25% mark up + $15 travel fee. $60.00
Minimum charge per emergency
maintenance calls after office hours,
weekends and holidays. The schedule may be amended by the Board at any time without prior notice to the Unit Owners. All Unit Owners receiving services under this program (Administrative Resolution II-B-3, In-Unit Service) during a month will be billed for such services on the next assessment billing. Payments are due and payable by the first day of the following month. If payment is not received by the 10th day of the month when due it shall be deemed late and subject to the same penalties as delinquent assessments. Renters requesting service will be told that a work order must be requested by the Unit Owner (or his property manager) unless there is written authorization, on file, from the unit owner which grants permission to the tenant to order service. |
Monday - Friday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Closed Saturday,
Sunday & Holidays. *
Office Phone
(703) 827-8388
Office Fax (703)
893-2484
E-mail: colonies@erols.com
Web Page:
www.thecolonies.com
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
CONTACT SECURITY:
(703) 790-8730
(This includes maintenance
emergencies during non-office hours.)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING:
Wednesday,
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Welcome To "The
Colonies Connection"
Looking for a way to easily communicate with your Colonies neighbors? A free internet Google group site has been created which allows Colonies residents to post information for all to see (non-commercial please). Similar to Craig’s list but on a much smaller scale. More information can be found on the group site.
To
join The Colonies Connection for free,
Click here For questions, inquires, or help contact Dominic @ the above email or call 703-725-9306
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have visited this site.
Thanks for stopping by.
Think
warm weather everyone!!!!
directly outside your neighbor’s windows and please, 
EVERY RESIDENT
SHOULD KNOW
March 2010
