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Franconia Commons Homeowner’s Association Newsletter

This newsletter is written and distributed by the Franconia Homeowner’s Association Board. The Board is a group of your neighbors; unpaid volunteers who donate their time to help make Franconia Commons a better place to live. Please feel free to join us for our monthly meetings and discussions.

Common Grounds Letter from the New President of the Franconia Commons Homeowner’s Association

Hi Franconia Commons!

I would like to thank last year’s president and board for the hard work and service to the community. I also would like to welcome the new board members who will be joining those of us returning from last year. This will be my 3rd year on the board. I served as the Chair of the Pool and Social Activities Committees last year.

One of the things I truly enjoyed during the summer season was getting your feedback on the pool and events. I worked with my committees to incorporate some of your suggestions last year and some suggestions are under consideration for this year. As President, I look forward to getting your feedback on the community and encourage you to attend HOA Board meetings to let us on the board know your thoughts on what is going on in the community and what you would like to see happen.

I also hope that if you have time that you would consider joining a committee and assisting the board with different areas of focus around the community. Franconia Commons is our home. Let’s all work together and make it an even better place to live!

Trung Nguyen-Dinh

Our Community We are fortunate to live in such a wonderful, diverse community! Young and old, singles, parents, even grandparents, cat, dog, bird and fish lovers, athletes and nerds - and neighbors from all over the world. It’s a great place to live and bring up a family. For information about what is happening around our community, the board communicates with all residents by newsletter, fliers, sandwich board signs, Website: http://myfranconiacommons.org/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FCHomeowners/

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A Tale of Two Trash Problems

Trash! We all have it and want it gone, quickly and quietly. But problems arise once your trash is placed

outdoors. In our community, critters and weather attack trash, especially overnight.

I. Rats, Raccoons, Possoms and Foxes – Oh, My!

Yup, we’ve got ‘em! All kinds of wild animals are growing fat around here, raising babies and settling in,

because we so generously leave them *food* to eat, twice a week.

If you place a plastic bag out the night before trash pickup and it has the last remains of your chicken dinner

in it, you can pretty well guarantee some four-footed animal will be gnawing a hole in your bag and finishing

off the last of your chicken dinner before the night is through.

If the thought of roaming wild animals and their diseases makes you feel slightly ill, then you might consider

following the community rules, which are pretty simple:

1.) Trash put out the night before pickup should be in CANS. Preferably with lids. That won’t stop

all animals, but at least it gives us a fighting chance.

2.) BAGS should only go out to the curb the morning of trash pickup. (Place them by your front

door (inside) the night before, and walk them out to the curb the next morning.)

NOTE: To keep persistent and clever animals out of your trash, spray a little ammonia on each trash bag.

II. There’s This Thing – Called Wind

What happens to your overflowing stack of newspaper, plastic bags and bottles once you move it outside?

Loose, light items do not disappear once the wind blows – they just relocate. All over the neighborhood.

Down the street, in the gutters, in other people’s yards and in their rose bushes. And picking up OPR (Other

People’s Recycling) is not anyone’s favorite task. Ever.

So, please! Put something heavy on top of your very light trash / recycling. Or place it outside

before it overflows. If you need an additional blue recycling bin, please contact Chris Huemmer at

(703) - 913-1480 to request an extra recycling bin.

P.S. Cardbox boxes should be flattened and bagged, binned, or recycled after being broken down. Thanks!

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Snow Removal

Snow removal from the courts will only happen after 2 inches has accumulated.

Homeowners are responsible for clearing snow from the sidewalks in front of their townhouse.

Fireplace Safety Tips

It’s that time of year again. Coming in from the cold, the thought of a warm fire crackling in the fireplace calls to us. Watching the fire from your favorite chair is both soothing and peaceful. It’s a nice end to a long day, or a welcome addition to time spent with family and friends. At the same time, we want to be aware of fire safety. So here are a few fireplace safety tips to remember:

1. Place logs and seasoned firewood at the rear of the fireplace on a grate.

2. Only use seasoned firewood. Green wood that is full of moisture produces more smoke and more sparks.

3. Always have a fire screen in place to catch sparks.

4. Keep the hearth area clear. Make sure furniture, pillows, or other flammable materials are not within 36 inches of the fireplace.

5. Consider buying special logs to help keep creosote build-up at a minimum. (Here is an example of a creosote sweeping log on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Creosote-Sweeping-Log-Fireplaces-Pack/dp/B001EPRAGM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449753701&sr=8-1&keywords=creosote+sweeping+log )

6. Always make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.

Enjoy your fireplace and the warmth it adds to your home and gatherings!

“Always make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.”

Christmas Tree Pickup Dates

Christmas trees will be picked up for recycling on the following dates:

January 6, 2016

January 13, 2016

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Upcoming Neighborhood Improvements

News from the Franconia Commons Homeowners Association Landscaping Committee

Flat Rock Road Sign Enhancements:

The three signs at the entrances of Flat Rock Road will have the following combination of plants installed. This will give the signs a nice face lift and provide consistency with regards to the overall look. Nellie Stevens Holly, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Ilex Verticillata, Goldmound Spirea, Justin Boxwood, Goshiki False Holly, Flirt Nadina.

Nellie Stevens Holly Oakleaf Hydrangea Goldmound Spirea

Pool House Landscape Renovation

Along the clubhouse walls, the following will be installed: Upright Plum Yew, Golden Euonymus.

Upright Plum Yew Golden Euonymus

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Franconia Elementary School, Entrance #3

Franconia Commons Homeowners Board Meetings

The Franconia Commons Board meets on the third Thursday of each month, with the exception of December and July. Homeowners are always welcome and we encourage you to participate.

Locations and times for the next three meetings are:

Thursday, January 28, 2016 7:00 p.m.

Franconia Elementary School Cafeteria

6301 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22310

Thursday, February 11, 2016 7:00 p.m.

Franconia Elementary School Cafeteria

6301 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22310

Thursday, March 17, 2016 7:00 p.m.

Franconia Elementary School Cafeteria

6301 Beulah Street, Alexandria, VA 22310

Help Keep Our Neighborhood Safe

Winter days are short and darkness falls early. To help keep our neighborhood as safe as possible, here are a few easy safety

reminders:

Always leave your front porch lights on at night.

Lock your car doors. Don’t leave valuables in your cars overnight.

Take a walk. The more of us that are out walking at random hours of the day or night, the less the chance

of mischief.

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Important Telephone Numbers

Chris Huemmer FC Community Manager

703-913-1480 Verizon 1-800-837-4966

Jeff McKay Lee District Supervisor

703-971-6262 Fairfax County Water 703-698-5800

Dominion Towing 703-730-1177 Inova Healthplex Emergency

703-797-6800

Trash Company American Disposal

703-368-0500 Fairfax County Animal Control

703-691-2131

MISS Utility 1-800-257-7777 Fairfax County Animal Shelter

703-830-1100

Mail Box Problems 703-971-1003 Franconia Fire Station 703-971-5858

Household Hazardous Waste 703-324-5068 Fairfax County Police Non-Emergency

703-691-2131

Cox Communications 703-378-8400 Police-Fire-EMS Emergency Number

911

Recycling - American Disposal americandisposal.com/recycling

(703) 368-0500 Franconia Commons Home Owners Association Board

Email: Secretary.FCHOA@yahoo.com

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Trash and Recycling Information

Monday Pickup Thursday Pickup

Trash Trash Only

Recycling

Trash

Trash should only go out in CANS the night before pickup. Trash can be placed out in BAGS the morning of pickup. (This is to help prevents rats and other animals from feasting on our trash.)

Recycling

Please do not place recycling out on Thursdays! If you need an additional blue recycling bin, there are a limited number of extra bins currently in storage. Please contact Chris Huemmer at (703) - 913-1480 to request an extra recycling bin.

Large or Bulky Item Pickups

Please contact the trash company at 703-368-0500 to arrange for pickup of large or bulky items. There will be a fee.

Trash Cans Left Out

Current rules state: Trash cans left out after 1 p.m. on the day after trash collection are confiscated by Chris Huemmer.

Fines for Violations

Since we have a serious animal problem in our neighborhood, those in violation of the trash rules may be fined $50.00 for violations.