Gaila Woods

Recently all Gaila Woods residents were sent a letter from Charlie and Son Trash Service stating that they will no longer be servicing the neighborhood. The letter announced that Charlie and Sons handed over all of the Gaila Woods accounts to American Disposal Services. A representative from the GWCC Board of Directors contacted American Disposal to make sure that they were going to use smaller trash trucks so as to not damage our roads. The conversation was very inconclusive and the board decided to shop our neighborhood to other trash service companies.

The GWCC Board has accepted Patriot Disposal as the exclusive provider for trash and recycling collection services for the Gala Woods HOA. Patriot Disposal will begin servicing our community on September 1, 2015.

The services and terms that apply follow:

• Upon notification either by email or phone, each home would be set up as an individual account with us at an agreed price of $14.25 per home per month.  Billing will be quarterly, to be paid in advance.  We accept checks by mail, and VISA/MC over the phone.  We also have the ability to set up the account for automatic payment each quarter by VISA/MC or ACH.
• Patriot Disposal has several smaller trucks and will make every effort to use them to provide these services.  On occasion, it may be necessary to use a larger truck, and if that happens, we will try to make sure it is empty before going into the community.
• Trash collection will be on Tuesdays and Fridays; recycling collection will be on Wednesday.  All pickups will occur between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible.  All items for collection must be out at the curb no later than 5:00 a.m. (or the night before) on each service day.
• Patriot will provide each residence with one 96-gallon trash container (Toter) and one 64-gallon recycling container (Toter) free of charge.  Additional Toters are available for a one-time rental fee of $25.00 each.  There is a $100.00 replacement charge for each 96-gallon Toter, and a $75.00 replacement charge for each 64-gallon Toter that is lost, stolen, or damaged by means other than normal wear and tear.
• Recycling is single-stream, meaning that all recyclable materials can be placed together into one container.  Recyclable materials include newspapers, magazines, catalogs, assorted paper/mail, phonebooks, plastic containers, beverage and soup cartons, glass food & beverage containers, metal food and beverage containers, flattened cardboard no larger than 4 ft. x 4 ft. and clean aluminum foil.  Items that are not recyclable include plastic bags/liners, coat hangers, diapers, drinking glasses & dishes, Styrofoam, light bulbs, sharps/needles, etc.
• Yard debris will be collected on Tuesdays.  Yard debris is defined as grass clippings, leaves and hedge trimmings.  Yard debris must be placed at the curb in plastic bags, paper bags, or in a separate container clearly marked “yard waste.”  Brush must be less than 4-inches in diameter, cut into 4-foot lengths, and tied in bundles, or bagged.  Yard debris does not include stumps, whole trees, or clean-up from storm damage.  Collection of these items may be provided for an additional charge.
• Special items will be collected at the curb each week.  Small furniture (1-2 pieces) and mattresses can be put out with the regular trash, no advance notice is necessary.  This includes couches, bed frames, recliners, headboards, tables, etc.  Special items that require advance notice and will be collected for a minimum fee of $25.00 each include all appliances, grills, lawnmowers, exercise machines, TVs, etc.  Again, we can take payment over the phone with a VISA/MC or debit card.  Pickup of special items must be paid for prior to collection; they will not be billed.
• No services will be provided on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day or any other collection day when the refuse and recycling facilities are closed.  If a service day falls on one of these days, collection will resume on the next regularly-scheduled service day.  No adjustment will be made to the account.
• Patriot will make every effort to provide services when the weather is inclement.  Services will be suspended upon notification that a snow, ice, or other weather-related emergency exists.  In the event of such an emergency, collection services will resume on the next regularly-scheduled service day, road conditions permitting.  No adjustment will be made to the account.
• No services will be provided for any homes located on roads that are deemed to be impassable due to construction, construction vehicles, parked cars, or other obstructions or conditions.  Uncollected items will be removed on the next regularly-scheduled collection day, road conditions permitting.  No adjustment will be made to the account.
• Patriot Disposal will exercise reasonable care to avoid damage to the street and/or curbing of the property.  Patriot Disposal will not be accountable for liquid spills (paint, yard waste condensation (“grass juice”), etc.) or for cracks or sinkage in the pavement resulting from standard industrial refuse removal vehicles.
• Customers will be invoiced on the 15th day preceding each quarter for the following quarter’s service.  Invoices will be subject to interest at one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month if not paid within 30 days.   Interest calculations will be made from the first day of the quarter for which the charge was incurred.  In the event of delinquency of payment by the Customer, Patriot reserves the right to stop service and/or to refer collection of the account to an agency or attorney.  The Customer will then also assume responsibility for all fees incurred in the collection of the account.

Patriot Disposal can be reached at 703-257-7100
www.patriotdisposalservices.com

Annual Meeting: It is again time for our annual GWCC meeting. We have scheduled the meeting based upon available space. The meeting will be held on April 6th, 2015 at 7:00 pm and will be held at Coles Elementary School in the library. We should be able to keep the meeting under 90 minutes. The principal purpose of the meeting is the election of the board members for 2015 as well as a presentation of our present financial status and plan for the upcoming year.

Board Elections: Please remember that the board is totally voluntary. Anyone that would consider serving on the board should please contact a current board member as soon as possible. The current board has agreed to serve for another year. However, it would be great if any other potential members could come forward and apprentice on the board.

Road Status: Roads were patched last year, however, tar and chip was not done. We plan to have ½ of the roads tar and chipped after we have any patching done this spring. When this is done, we would like to ask you to try not to spin tires on them. If you see someone spinning tires, please call the county police and report them.

Driveway Drainage: On the subject of roads, we are all responsible for maintaining clear culverts at the end of our driveways. If they become clogged, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to clean and/or replace them if need be. If not then the GWCC Board will be forced to have them cleaned and or replaced at the homeowner’s expense. This is not something that board members like to do, but will do in order to preserve the roads. Please verify you have clear passage under your driveway, for street drainage.

Snow Removal: We have continued our snow removal contract with Artisan Multi-Services this year for the Gaila Woods Community. Artisan Multi-Services does offer residential services for homeowners. If you are interested in contracting with them? Contact them directly for driveways (includes your walkway at no additional charge). Early-bird guaranteed pricing. (703) 596-5037. http://www.artisanmultiservices.com). We do plan on keeping Artisan for next year as well. Let’s hope we are done with the snow for this year.

Main Culvert Repairs: Over the past year we have looked into culvert repairs for Coronado Court South. We have erosion in all three culverts and will have to address them sooner or later. In the coming months it may be necessary to do costly repairs on one or more of the culverts that run under Coronado Court South. If at all possible, these repairs should not be delayed.

Assessments: It is important to make sure you are up to date with your dues. If not, be advised that all past due accounts are being turned over for collection, along with any interest and fees. The 2015 homeowner assessments are included with this mailing. If your account is not current, it is important to contact Jim Huisenga (Treasurer) as soon as possible.

Assessment Note: It was decided at the last meeting of the GWCC board that, unless otherwise stated, that the due date for all future GWCC assessments is 1 April. Thus, you can put this date onto your financial calendars. Likewise, the amount of the annual assessments has been set at $500.

Maintaining your easement area: All homeowners are responsible for trimming back low hanging tree branches, removing storm damage debris and cleaning out and maintaining their culverts. If GWCC has to do it, we will have to bill the homeowner for the work. We have any number of these issues that need to be address, from clogged culverts to downed trees and ditch areas that are not allowing proper storm water flow. Trees need to be trimmed back to the ditch line and above the phone lines. The rule is from the center of the road back 20 feet plus or the easement area.

Trash Service: GWCC, Inc. request that homeowners use Charlie and Son’s for trash pickup. No other companies are allowed due to the damage their trucks cause to our roads. If you have another service coming in please move to Charlie and Son’s. They use a small truck and have been very easy on our roads. If we do find other services coming into GWCC, Inc. we contact them and let them know they cannot come into our subdivision. We always let them know if they have a smaller truck available we will let them participate in the bidding process.

Dog Issues: We would like pet owners to help us with a few things. We are seeing loose dogs through out the subdivision and need your help to keep them on leashes and not running loose.

If anyone is having any issues, please contact one of the Board Members for assistance or direction.

By Mark Bonner

http://gailawoods.blogspot.com/