Living in the Neighborhood

“In the Know in Our Neighborhood” is intended to provide important, useful, or interesting information that might not be known by all neighbors. I need topics that you feel appropriate. If you have ideas, call Dave Smith (704.987.1472) or e-mail davidbsmith@bellsouth.net.

Neighborhood Break-Ins

New Neighborhood has once again been the target of home break-ins. Two homes on Fairview Lane were entered during the evening hours over the Easter holiday weekend. The burglaries are still under investigation by the Davidson Police Department and updates will be included in the newsletter as more information is available.

At this time, however, the Police Department would like to re-emphasize tips regarding measures to help protect you from such occurrences:

• Always lock cars and vehicles parked on the street.
• Never leave tempting items (e.g.: purses, gifts, valuables, etc.) in plain view, even with the vehicle locked.
• Lock all doors, windows and screens
• Use the garage whenever possible, but do not leave doors open, particularly at night and when away from the home.
• Never leave doors from the garage to the house unlocked. Many of us leave garage door openers in our vehicles, and if entrance can be obtained to that vehicle, it is a simple task to open the garage door.
• Gates to exterior patios in townhome units should be locked and doors to the house or garage from the patio should be locked at all times.
• If you have an alarm, use it. If you have never registered and activated your alarm system, please consider doing this. [Reminder: The Davidson Police Department requires that activated systems be registered with the department in order to insure response. See “In-the-Know-in-Our Neighborhood” article above.]
• Keep a close eye on strangers in the neighborhood and report suspicious behavior to the Police Department immediately. (Dial 911.)
• Report unauthorized door-to-door solicitation to the Police Department.
• If away on vacation or business, ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your residence. (Leave an emergency phone number with a neighbor.)
• Ensure there is adequate lighting around your home.

The Davidson Police Department has a “Home Security Check Program” in effect. If you are going out-of-town for more than 24 hours and would like the Davidson Police Department to pay special attention to your property, please complete the form at the following link to provide details to the Department:
http://www.ci.davidson.nc.us/units/police/seccheck.asp
New Neighborhood has a large pet population. Dog walkers should also provide good neighborhood watch skills when walking along sidewalks and parks, particularly in the evening hours.

Replacement of Shrubs and Plants

The Landscape & Grounds Committee and Abbott Enterprises have received a number of requests to replace dead plants and shrubs around townhome units. Although these requests are expected to be reviewed and new shrubs planted, Contemporary Landscapes has indicated that late spring and summer are generally poor times to replant. To give plants the best chance of survival with the least shock, early fall is the best time for this work. Therefore, unless a special request is made otherwise, replacement shrubs and landscaping will be planted in the fall (October/November).

If there are residents who wish immediate replacement of dead shrubs and plants, the Association has agreed to honor these requests if possible, but caution owners to insure good summer care and watering. If further replacement is needed as the result of summer shock, the owner may assume the cost of further plantings.

Some owners have replaced plants at their own expense in order to get a jump on the season. Although this cost cannot be reimbursed, the Committee would like a record of what was planted and where. These records help define neighborhood changes from original standard and aid the landscape service in defining appropriate care. It is important to note that, with the exception of bedding plants, replacement of shrubs and permanent landscape materials does require approval by the Architectural Review Committee (in partnership with the Landscape & Grounds Committee).

The Landscape & Grounds Committee continues to work hard to keep our community beautiful. If you have issues that need to be addressed, you may contact Abbott Enterprises directly or you may pass the information to one of the committee members.

Yard-of-the-Month Winner – May, 2006

The Landscape & Grounds Committee congratulates Cathy and Alan Sterling of 107 Caldwell Avenue as the May 2006 winner of the “Yard-of-the-Month.” The Sterling’s have gone above and beyond with their landscaping. The color and scale of plantings combine to create a lovely example of spring in the Carolinas! In addition, the yard and beds are so neatly trimmed and edged. The criteria list for the selection process has come to life!

Each month from April through November, a yard will be selected among single-family homes. The home will be selected one or two weeks prior to the month of the award and will be featured in the newsletter and posted on the website.

The Sterlings now proudly display the neighborhood Star of Excellence. Lewis Deaton & Jon Guttman, residents in the home across from the Sterlings’, highly endorse this month’s selection.

Selection Criteria for Yard-of-the Month

The Selection Committee (representatives from the neighborhood) has established criteria for selection of the Yard-of-the-Month. This award is our way of recognizing neighbors whose yards stand out from the rest. The extra time, energy and money these residents expend on their yards not only enhance the value of their homes and the homes around them, but the care also fosters a positive image of the entire neighborhood.

The total exterior appearance of the yard should be one of neatness and visually appealing as evidenced by:

• Mowed and edged lawns.
• Well defined planting beds that are mulched and weed-free.
• Pruned shrubs and trees.
• Effective use of seasonal color through plantings of annuals and/or perennials.
• Plantings in scale to size of yard.
• No, trash, junk, or dead plant/grass material.

If you have questions or suggestions regarding this plan, please call Shirley Fischer at 704.894.0222.