Gaila Woods

The board in in discussions with a possible new trash company to service our community.  If all of the details are agreed upon by both parties this is what we will be getting for $30 a month:

• The same size trash and recycle cans – 96 gallon for trash and one 64 gallon for recycling
• New trash pickup day – Wednesday mornings for both types (put out Tuesday night)
• Locked in price for three years
• No additional cost for yard waste

We will also have the option for a twice per week pickup for $7 dollars additional – it is a decision that needs to be made for everyone – not just some once a week and some twice.  Currently 73 out of possible 100 houses are using Patriot Disposal.  If I get email from 44 folks (60%) saying that they want twice a week pickup that is what we go with and the same for once a week – first one to 44 is what we go with.  If I do not get a 60% vote either way we will stick with once per week pickup.  Please send your name, address and if you want once or twice a week trash pickup to president@gailawoods.com to participate.  I will post the counts here as they come in once the names and addresses are matched up to our database.

If you have any questions or comments please click on the title of this post and add it there.

UPDATE 8/2:  Looks like we will be looking at once per week pickup for trash and recycling.  Stay tuned for more info regarding change over procedure.  We are going to continue with Patriot until the last pickup day in September (9/29).  Patriot will pick up their trash cans on their last pickup date for trash and recycling.

25MPH speed limit signs were installed today at both entrances to the community.  Please slow down and watch out for neighbors walking along the roads!

Those of you in the community who use Patriot Disposal for their trash and recycling services have already received or will soon be getting a letter from them explaining that as of September 30th they are no longer providing service for our community.  The board is already working on alternative solutions and will be updating this posting when we have more information to share.

UPDATE (7/20/2021):  We are working with a couple different companies right now to replace Patriot.  Please DO NOT try to find a company yourself – the reason the HOA is working on this for the community as a whole instead of as individuals is to make sure that whatever company services Gaila Woods agrees to only use smaller trash trucks.  The normal size trucks (and larger) will destroy the roads due to their weight and because our roads are of tar/chip construction.

UPDATE (7/21/2021):  I called Patriot regarding the last two Tuesday morning trash pickups that were missed and they assured me that it was in no way related to the September 30th cut-off date.  The have had 10 different employees suffer from heat related issues on both days and were not able to finish their routes.  I also have been promised that if it happens again that the board will get notified.

Please be advised that Prince William County (PWC) has recently incorporated changes to its County Code regarding curbside collection of yard waste. Please see the summary of the changes from PWC here.

Effective October 1, 2021, residential yard waste in PWC must be collected separately from trash March 1st through December 31st. Also included will be Christmas tree recycling pickup during the first two weeks of January.

These changes to the County Code will result in a significant increase in the monthly price that you are currently paying. This requirement will require us to route an additional vehicle to collect yard waste from your community once weekly. Currently, yard waste is collected with the trash.

Additional details will be provided prior to October 1st regarding the exact amount of the increase, as well as set-out requirements and other specifications.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or require additional clarification, please visit the County’s website and/or contact your Patriot Disposal sales representative. Thank you.

Thank you,

Patriot Disposal, Inc.

• as long as the property belongs to YOU, or
• you have WRITTEN permission from the owner — on your person — while you are riding.

• Know your vehicle, because there are different operator and safety rules based on horsepower.
• Know the rules for the age-group of your rider.
• Know the rules of the road.
• Know the law.
• Ride safely and responsibly. 

Effective Monday, May 18^th, Patriot Disposal will resume regular yard waste and bulk/special item collections, with the following limitations:

Yard Waste Collection

• All yard waste must be placed in paper bags or in a rigid container clearly marked “yard waste.” Yard waste in plastic bags will not be picked up.
• Bundles or loose branches placed at the curb will not be picked up.
• Residents are limited to a maximum of 5 bags of yard waste per home per pickup.
• As a reminder, unaccepted materials include tree stumps, food waste, lumber, treated wood, pallets, sawdust, dirt, mulch and sod. Please do not mix any of these materials in with your yard waste.

Bulk and Special Item Collection

All residential customers can now begin scheduling bulk and special item collection with the following limitations:

• Advance notice is required for all items by phone at 703-257-7100 or by email at customerservice@patriotdisposalservices.com.
• There will be a nominal charge of $25.00 and up per item for bulk items such as small furniture and mattresses to cover the additional handling costs that we incur due to COVID-19.

Thank you for your patience throughout this process. If you have any questions concerning this notice, please contact us at (703) 257-7100 or by email at customerservice@patriotdisposalservices.com.

Thank you,

Patriot Disposal, Inc.

Annual Meeting:  With the COVID-19 virus emergency and the social distancing necessity, we have postponed our GWCC annual meeting until sometime later this year.  Make sure you check our website to keep updated with the rescheduling of the annual meeting, community events, upcoming projects, and other news relating to our community.

Board Elections:  The 2020 ballot was mailed.  Please remember that the board is totally voluntary.   Anyone that would consider serving on the board should contact a current board member as soon as possible.  At this time, the current board has agreed to serve for yet another year. 
Please submit your 2020 ballot no later than Monday, May 20, 2020 to:
Mr. Mark Bonner
13779 Coronado Court
Manassas, VA 20112

Snow Removal:  We contracted snow removal services with Proper Snow Removal, LLC during this past winter and are pleased with the services and responsiveness that they provided.  We spent only $1,056.50 during this past winter on snow services which will allow us to apply more money to our operating budget for planned 2020 road work.

Main Culvert Repairs Update:  The culvert replacements  have held up quite well, even with the heavy rains we had during 2019 and so far this year. They should be in good shape for the next 20-30 years with minor general maintenance.

Road Repairs and Maintenance:  Road work during this past year has been minimum due to the priority and cost for the culvert repairs/replacements last year.  Road maintenance will be our number one priority project for this year.   We are working with several local paving companies to obtain estimates to do all our roads to a higher standard this year.  To complete this project, we are also working with our bank to obtain a GWCC, Inc. loan.

Annual HOA Assessments:  Annual dues have been historically due April 1^st of each year and are considered late if not paid within 30 days.  Due to the COVID-19 emergency we have extended the due date to July 1, 2020 (with a 30 day grace period until July 31, 2020).   If your account is “current” but require additional time beyond July 31, 2020, contact a GWCC Board member to request an extension. 

It is important to make sure your annual dues are up to date.  If they are not up to date all past due accounts have been turned over to a company that GWCC has a contract with that specializes in debit collection.  Additionally, there are additional fees that will be added to your overdue amount (attorney and late fees).  In addition, GWCC has and will continue to place liens on properties that owe past GWCC assessments.

Assessment Note:  It was voted on at a previous meeting of the GWCC Board, that unless otherwise stated, the due date for all current and future annual GWCC assessments will be  April 1st of each year.    Additionally, the dollar amount for our annual assessment is and will continue to be $500.00.  You will be able to pay your annual assessment using your credit/debit card through PayPal if you desire (see our GWCC website for details) or via a check or money order.

Maintaining Your Easement Areas:  All homeowners are responsible for trimming back low hanging tree branches, removing storm damage debris, and cleaning out and maintaining the culverts under their driveways.  Trees need to be trimmed back to the ditch line and not interfere with the electrical and phone lines. If you have property that has any road footage (sides, front, or back), you are responsible for making sure the shoulders are clean to the center of the ditch (easement).  We all need to get out this early spring and do some general cleanup.  We still have some GWCC members who have property bordering on two streets that have not maintained all sides.  If GWCC must clean them, the property owner will be held financially responsible and charged for the work.

Trash Service:  GWCC, Inc. require members to ONLY use Patriot Disposal, Inc. (703-257-7100) for trash and recycling needs. Inform them that you are in the GWCC subdivision.  Patriot has done an excellent job since they started servicing us and at a reasonable monthly rate.  Additionally, and most importantly, they are using small lightweight waste trucks within our community which have been easy on our roads.  No other company can be used without GWCC approval.  At this time only Patriot Disposal is approved to service our Gaila Woods community.

Lastly:  We encourage all homeowners to bring to the attention of the Board any and all issues they may have concerning anything within our HOA area.  We look forward to seeing and meeting as many of you as possible during our annual meeting later this year.  Thank you all for being neighbors and have a great 2020.

To All Residential Customers:

On March 13, 2020, the President issued a COVID-19 Emergency Declaration which identified solid waste collectors as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers.” In addition, Virginia Governor Northam has declared a state of emergency for Virginia.

Our solid waste employees play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of our community as they move from house to house to collect, transport and dispose of waste. Due to the nature of their duties, our workforce is unable to wear most of the protective equipment that other essential employees are required wear to protect their health and the health of others. They are unable, in many cases, to follow the social distancing guidelines due to the requirement that they occupy the same vehicle and work side-by-side to collect solid waste.

As a result of these facts, it has become necessary to make additional changes to our collection services, effective Monday, April 6th:

• No yard waste will be collected from residents in Prince William, Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. At the present time, this does not include the Town of Leesburg or Manassas Park.
• In communities with trash cans and/or Toters: trash outside of the container, including bagged trash, will not be collected. Trash that does not fit in the container should instead be placed into the container for collection on the 2nd pickup day of the week.
• In communities without trash cans and/or Toters, or those with once weekly pickup: trash that is wholly contained within trash bags, sealed or tied tightly, will be collected.
• Due to the increased amount of residential trash and recycling being collected during this time, no adjustments will be made to your account due to these changes.

From the Fairfax County website:

Residents can help provide safer working conditions for our workforce by following these best practices.

1. REDUCE THE WASTE YOU GENERATE- During this unprecedented time, residents should be mindful of the quantity of waste they generate, so as not to overwhelm the collection system. For example, this is not the best time to clean out the garage/do spring cleaning.
2. STOP SETTING OUT YARD WASTE AT THE CURB. Start grasscycling, backyard composting, and limit generation of yard waste if possible.
3. BAG ALL TRASH and REFUSE – Bagged trash limits exposure to potentially harmful materials, such as used tissue that could spread viruses and bacteria.
4. KEEP ALL RECYCLING CLEAN AND LOOSE – When recycling is loose in the bin, not in bags, it is easier to process. Removing food and liquid residue from recyclables minimizes the spread of viruses and bacteria. Only place plastic bottles and jugs, paper, cardboard, cartons and metal cans in the bin.
5. EMPTY ALL LIQUIDS – Liquids in bottles, cans, and other containers can carry viruses and bacteria and can splash onto collectors when trash and recyclables are emptied.
6. WIPE/DISINFECT CART HANDLES AND LIDS – The two main touch points on a cart for collectors are the lid and the handles. By wiping those areas down with disinfectant or soapy water, you minimize the danger of shared contact areas.
7. SEAL AND MARK ALL SHARPS/NEEDLES – Properly dispose of medical sharp objects such as syringes by placing them in a sealed, rigid plastic container. Seal the container with sturdy tape, clearly mark it as “Sharps,” and place in the trash.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. If you have any questions concerning this notification, please contact us at (703) 257-7100 or by email at customerservice@patriotdisposalservices.com.

Thank you,

Patriot Disposal, Inc.

Dear Valued Customer:

Patriot Disposal is following the latest developments concerning the COVID-19 virus on an on-going basis and will follow the recommendations and guidelines set by the authorities. At this time, we would like to address the following:

• We are an essential service and expect to continue services as scheduled.
• Until the virus is completely contained, there is the potential for delays in service.
• Any updates will be posted on our website where they can be found under ‘Contact Us’.

Residential property managers – please communicate the following to the residents of the communities you manage:

• Please hold on to special items (furniture, appliances, etc.) for collection if possible. For example, if you have a grill (or similar item) that you would like to have picked up, please consider saving that request for a later date.

As always, we appreciate your understanding and patience. Thank you!

Patriot Disposal, Inc.