Secure Trash So It Doesn't Blow Away

Two residents from different parts of Invenress, C Blanton and S Cooperstein, have spent a lot of time and effort picking up trash from the woods and common area that was not secured properly on trash collection day. They have sent me an email containing information on how to make sure your trash is properly secured so that it won't blow away.

Here is their email:

Please remind everyone that spring not only brings our beautiful woodlands and yards into bloom, it also brings winds that notoriously scatter trash and ruin what should be a gorgeous view. The biggest culprits, loose papers or styrofoam left unsecured in recycling bins, too often get blown into the woods or neighbors' yards, so *please* do your part to keep our neighborhood clean.

Montgomery County's waste reference site explains how to safely and effectively dispose of practically anything:
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/dep/solidwaste/collectionservices/index.asp
If you click on "paper" for example, it will tell you that all clean paper can be combined and placed in:
small paper bags
tied with strong twine in small bundles
placed in small containers and/or small boxes with lids
Wheeled carts for paper recycling
Also, make sure contractors properly dispose of all their trash too -- including treated shingles that cannot just be thrown into the woods to degrade, screws and nails that can puncture tires, food containers, etc. Let's all help to keep our grounds clean and tidy.

Thanks,
C Blanton and S Cooperstein

These two residents, and other residents who pick up trash from the common areas, deserve our thanks and appreciation. You can show your thanks by emulating them and picking up trash from the common areas wherever you see it.

Also, the link in the column to the right from Montgomery County contains useful information on trash and recycling.


Harvey
ifatreasurer@mac.com

Warning on Itinerant Roof Repair Workers

I received an email from Inverness resident Beth Dromerick warning of the dangers of hiring a pair of itinerant workers who say they will repair minor damage to roofs inexpensively. Beth warns that this is a scam. Here is her email:

Thought you might want to alert IFA homeowners that there are a couple of older men who come around periodically to clean gutters. They drive a station wagon well stocked with spray paint. Upon "inspecting" the roof they usually recommend minor roof repairs. Homeowners should be forewarned that their "repair job" is generally an expensive spray painting job. They do not actually fix anything but only make things look "good" from the curbside. We had our roof replaced a few months after they spray painted pipes, caulked and nailed down loose shingles. The roofing company confirmed it was just topical treatment poorly done. The men also spray painted our neighbor's trim that was peeling and painted right over the peeling paint without ever scraping and preparing the area. In addition, walking on an old roof can cause more damage and nailing old shingles causes more splitting. I was sorry to see more homeowners being taken advantage of last month and wanted to alert the community.
Thought this may be of interest to the Inverness Forest Today blog.
Beth Dromerick

I have my own warning to residents about hiring itinerant workers to do repairs to their houses. Any repairman you hire should be bonded and have insurance against liability that might arise should the repairman be injured when working on your house. If one of the repairmen that Beth mentioned should fall off the roof, the homeowner might be sued for huge damages. It is very unlikely that the repairmen in this instance have liability insurance. Ask them to show you a certificate of liability insurance before you hire them. At least get a recommendation from other residents before engaging workmen who knock on your door.

The community's website has a message board that residents can use to communicate with the community. One topic on this message board is set up to let homeowners pass on their experience and recommendations about local repair companies. Take a look at this topic and perhaps you will find a recommendation for a service you plan to use. A link to the website can be found in the column on the right.



Harvey
ifatreasurer@mac.com

(See Comments below for residents responses)

Spruce Up Your Garden This Spring

Board member Nicole Fleisher of the Inverness Forest Community Relations Committee has arranged to have Montgomery County Master Gardener Bob McDowell give a talk on the advantages of using native plants in our gardens. The event also features door prizes and a raffle. The talk will be held at the Heights School adjacent to our community. Here is Nicole's announcement:

INVERNESS BLOOMS
April 21st, 7 p.m.
The Heights School, Chesterton Hall


Looking for a way to spice up your garden this spring?

Interested in plants that are beautiful, hardy, drought resistant, low maintenance, and that will benefit the environment?

Native plants may be the answer you’re looking for!

Join Montgomery County Master Gardener Bob McDowell to learn why it’s important to use native plants in our home landscapes. Learn how native plants help provide habitat for birds and butterflies, conserve water and save you money.

Please join us for this informative presentation - featuring door prizes and raffle!

- Sponsored by the Inverness Forest Association Community Relations Committee -

Harvey
ifatreasurer@mac.com

Dog Poop and Free-ranging Dogs

As you can see from by picture on the right (with my dog, Candide), I am fond of dogs. So is my fellow board member and dog owner, Nicole Fleisher. As a member of the Community Relations Committee, Nicole has received numerous complaints from Inverness Residents about irresponsible dog owners. Here are Nicole's comments:

Reminder to residents and four-legged friends

We are lucky to have many wonderful canine companions and their owners living in our community. As responsible, law-abiding dog owners, most of us know that it is illegal in Montgomery County to walk our dogs without a leash outside our property and that we are required by law to pick up after our dogs on common property. In every community; however, there are always a few individuals who choose to ignore or overlook these laws, and the IFA receives its fair share of complaints about off-leash dogs or people not cleaning up their dogs’ poop.

Over the next few weeks, the Montgomery County Animal Services Division will be patrolling our neighborhood to issue citations for these violations ($100 fine, increasing to $500 for subsequent violations). The Animal Services Division has also requested homeowners’ help: if you see the leash law or the pooper scooper law being broken, please call their non-emergency complaint line at (240) 773-5960 and provide as much information as possible (type of dog, owner’s address, where and when dogs are usually walked).

Dog owners, please help keep your dog safe by keeping him/her on a leash, and please help keep our neighborhood clean – there’s nothing that will ruin your day like stepping in a pile of poop!

All Inverness residents, please help by giving dog owners who are overlooking these laws a friendly reminder, or by calling the number above.

With everyone’s help, we can keep Inverness clean for everyone’s enjoyment!

If you would like to comment on this post click the "comment" link below.

Harvey
ifatreasurer@mac.com

Request for Help with a Leaky Basement

I've received the following eamil from Inverness resident Yasaman Shirazi about a problem with a leaky basement.

Dear Harvey,
Do you know of anyone who can fix my leak problem in the basement. The water is coming from the top of the sliding door through the dry wall. I had someone work on it before, but it doesn't seem to have worked. Maybe someone who understands construction a bit more be helpful. Thanks

If you have a suggestion for Yasaman, please leave a comment on this post (so others can see it too) or you may email Yasaman at
y_shir@yahoo.com

(if you don't leave a comment, please copy me on your email so I can add your advise to the message board -- thanks)


Harvey
ifatreasurer@mac.com