Stephens Manor

If you're like me, you've wondered about the graceful house that sits next to the Emerson Clubhouse. Though somewhat tattered around the edges, it was clearly once a house of distinction, but there aren't any signs posted to tell you who lived there. After a little amateur sleuthing, I think I've found some answers.

Autumn Walk is Now on Facebook!

Thanks go out to Sam Morgan in 9834, who has set up a Facebook page for us to use as a controlled forum for discussions within the community. The cover photo came from Randy Ransier in 9858 (the rainbow, by the way, was real!).

In order to encourage the free exchange of information, the privacy settings have been set at a level so that only residents who "friend" Autumn Walk can see and post to the page.

Please recommend that other residents "friend" Autumn Walk Emerson (http://www.facebook.com/autumnwalkemerson).

We hope this will serve as a valuable supplement to this blog in helping our residents connect, get to know each other, and help each other out!

Possible topics:

• Social: discussions and ideas for social events
• Recreation: queries and suggestions on places to eat, play, work out, etc.
• Issues: Problems that may be of general interest (posts might be deleted later if the issue is resolved permanently)

If you have any other ideas for the community, please let us know! (Or better yet -- post on Facebook!)

Emerson Master HOA: Notes July 2012

Note: This post does not contain formal notes from the meeting, but is intended only to flag Autumn Walk residents of items of interest from the larger Emerson Master HOA.

Topics from the Emerson Master HOA Meeting on 7/23/12 (for details, see the full post below or contact Emerson):

• National Night Out
• Annual Pool Party (June)
• Skylark Boulevard
• HOA Fees
• Alternate Fence Designs & Architectural Review
• Emerson Clubhouse
• Next Meeting: September 24, 2012 at 7 pm in the Clubhouse

Laurel Mall Redevelopment Begins

Update 5/14/13: From The Baltimore Sun:

"In terms of tenants for the redeveloped site, mall officials said fully executed leases are now in hand for a 49,000-square-foot Harris Teeter grocery store; a more than 33,000-square-foot Sports Authority sporting goods store; a 12-screen, state-of-the-art Regal Cinemas theater; and nearly 65,000-square-feet of space for Burlington Coat Factory."

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/laurel/ph-ll-laurel-mall-tenants-0516-20130514,0,1078069.story#ixzz2TKWiFjDm

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The developers for the overhaul of Laurel Mall, to be called Towne Centre at Laurel, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, August 13th with officials from the City of Laurel and Prince George's County.

The company intends to demolish the existing mall and convert it into an open-air retail center similar to their developments in Hunt Valley and Annapolis, with an expected re-opening in September 2014.

• Towne Centre at Laurel (Greenberg Gibbons Commercial)
• Laurel Mall Makeover Begins with Groundbreaking (Laurel Leader 8/13/12)

Photo 8/17/12 from Greenberg Gibbons:

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HOA Fees

This page provides information on your HOA fees (including payment methods and how to get auto-debit forms) for both of your HOAs:

• Autumn Walk HOA 
• Emerson Master HOA

Last updated: 8/15/12

2012 Landscape Contract

On July 5, 2012, the Autumn Walk Board awarded a contract for the rest of CY2012 for full-service maintenance of the property.

For this year, we chose not to raise the assessment fees, but if the service is continued in CY2013, fees will rise to balance the budget.

The decision will be made at the 2013 Budget Meeting on November 19, 2012 in the Emerson Clubhouse.

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Grounds Contract: July-November 2012
Start Date: July 12, 2012
Cost: No extra cost in 2012; full service will require extra dues in 2013
Scope: Full Property

1. You are responsible for:

• Mulching, weeding, and pruning your own flowerbeds 
• Watering your grass and flowerbeds 
• If you have a fenced-in yard, you must mow it yourself

2. The Contractor will provide the following services:

Autumn Walk HOA Actions

Consolidated Record of Pending or Completed Actions: Last Updated 4/24/2013

• 2013-06-03: 2013 Autumn Walk Elections: Votes on expansion of Board from 3 to 5 members, then will vote on one or three vacancies for 2-year terms
• 2013-05-15: Emerson Presidents: Emerson Presidents exchange information
• 2013-04-25: 2013 Call for Nominations and Newsletter: Mailing Begins of Call for Nominations (Autumn Walk Elections) and Autumn Walk Newsletter
• 2013-04-23: Review of Landscaping Issues: CAS meets with Brickman to review landscaping issues and discuss mowing inside fenced yards.
• 2013-04-22: Homeowner Request for Landscaping Changes: Homeowner asks for the process to change plants in front beds. Fred queries Emerson, reviews bylaws. Response pending.
• 2013-04-20: Residents Propose Flamingo Fridays: Publicized in Newsletter, on web site, Facebook. First event will be 5/10/13.
• 2013-03-25: Final Snow of Season: Did not require snow removal from sidewalks. Autumn Walk snow budget was not needed this winter.
• 2013-03-15: Street Dedication: Fred contacted Howard County to find out status of handover from Builder to Howard County maintenance of street. Punchlist is being addressed, Howard County expects it to be on the docket in June.
• 2013-04-11: Quarterly Financial Report: CAS provides 1Q-2013 financial report showing income and expenses. Fred reviews.
• 2013-03-15: Financial Controls: Fred queries CAS on financial controls and crime insurance policy. CAS provides detailed response on 4/1/13. Recommends independent audit.
• 2013-03-13: Emerson Presidents: Emerson Presidents exchange information
• 2013-03-11: HVAC and Humidifier Presentation: Fred worked with ARS to provide free presentation on HVAC systems and Aprilaire humidifiers, hosted by Jenny
• 2013-02-10: 2012 Tax Returns: Fred signs tax returns for 2012
• 2013-01-09: Tax and Audit Engagement: Fred signs letter authorizing accountants to start Autumn Walk taxes
• 2013-01-01: Landscaping Contract Signed: Autumn Walk authorizes 3-year full-mowing maintenance contract. Added pesticide treatments (twice in 2013, annual thereafter). Snow removal to be performed on as-needed basis for sidewalks adjacent to parking spaces and common areas & mailboxes only.
• 2012-12-21: Speed Limit: Speed limit reduced to 15 mph for safety reasons.
• 2012-12-18: 2013 Management Contract: Board voted 3-0 to continue management contract with CAS for 2013 under the same terms as 2012
• 2012-12-02: Turf torn up: Turf torn up behind Lots 25-27, 28; possibly from animals digging for grubs - Board voted 2-0 to contract for 2 grub treatments in 2013, treatments began c. 4/5/13
• 2012-12-02: Recycling trash: Recycling trash loose after collection, probably from overfilled bins - Posted to web site on 12/17/12, followed with email
• 2012-11-27: Erosion on slope (Slope belonging to The Landings behind Lots 5-11): Grass is not growing properly. Also possible dead trees behind Lot 4. The Landings still managed by Builder (Williamsburg). Resolution: President contacted Williamsburg on 12/4/12; they inspected, will repair in the Spring. Lot 11, however, is on Autumn Walk property and must be addressed by us.  (Follow-up: Fred contacted new President of The Landing on 4/16/13; CAS also inspected with Brickman on 4/22 and 4/23.)
• 2012-11-19: 2013 Assessments: New budget adopted, fees will rise to cover cost of full mowing service effective Jan. 2013. New HOA fee coupons will be mailed by CAS.
• 2012-11-19: Drainage Issues (Common Area Between Lots 4 & 5): Standing water after every rain
• 2012-11-19: Public Trees: Evaluate trees for replacement near lots 21, 27 & 28; question about long-term effect of roots
• 2012-11-19: Snow Removal: Resolve whether Builder or HOA will remove snow prior to County takeover in 2013 (Closed 11/29/12: Miller & Smith will pick up cost for one final season. Expect to sign contract for sidewalk snow removal on 2012-12-03.)
• 2012-11-19: Next HOA Meeting: Completed, Budget Adopted - Approval of CY2013 Budget and Assessments - Formal Notification Mailed 30 days prior
• 2012-11-15: Handover Punchlist: List of Items HOA would like Builder to address (Status: List provided to CAS to determine which items will be addressed by Builder)
• 2012-10-31: Residents Organize Halloween Parade
• 2012-10-21: Request for Maintenance Reminder (Mulched Beds) 
• 2012-09-12: Request to Address Dog Waste Problem: Posted messages 10/9/12; signs budgeted for FY13
• 2012-09-03: Residents Request Traffic Changes for Street (Action: Fred) - Howard County traffic engineer recommended lowering speed limit to 15 mph plus curve warning sign. Will be Autumn Walk responsibility. CAS checking whether Howard County can provide the sign(s) for installation. 
• 2012-08-27: Autumn Walk Facebook Page Goes Live (forum for residents only)
• 2012-08-16: Blog Goes Live! Comments requested
• 2012-08-13: Draft Blog Created: Comments requested
• 2012-08-12: Budget and Financial Reserve Analysis: Completed 10/17/12 (Assigned to Fred)
• 2012-08-10: Drainage Issues: Runoff in Swale: Pending
• 2012-08-09: Drainage Issues: HVAC discharge: Connected to underground drainage 9/12/12
• 2012-08-09: Mowing Issues: CAS walkthrough with Contractor, obtaining recommendations from Contractor on how to maintain drainage, HVAC, and reforestation areas (in progress)
• 2012-08-03: Request for No Soliciting Sign: Board Approved 3-0, Action Pending (CAS)

Autumn Walk FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Last updated 03/11/2013

• Trash and Recycling
• Landscaping & Maintenance
• HOA Assessments
• Parking
• Pets
• Architectural Review
• Community Events
• Board Activities
• Home Repairs & Renovation

Welcome to Autumn Walk @ Emerson!

If you've stumbled across this blog, the intent is to create a web site for our HOA to communicate the latest news, track our activities, and serve as an archive of important information.

The blog will go public once enough material has been generated to make it useful, but in the meantime, feel free to browse the pages of this work in progress. Suggestions (and help!) would be welcomed.

Reference posts with information of long-term value will be linked permanently in the sidebar, and updated as needed. Current plans are to include:

• Frequently Asked Questions
• HOA Actions
• Builder Materials (used in the construction of your home)

Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating in your HOA!

Best regards,
Your President
Autumn Walk HOA