SOCIAL COMMITTEE SURVEY

 SOCIAL COMMITTEE SURVEY:

Please help us plan events for 2012 and beyond. 
  If you have not yet taken the survey, you may still do so!
Your input is vital.
Click on the link below to take a 5 minute survey regarding community activities
that you would like to see available here at Silver Mesa.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W8KJCSL

COYOTES IN PALOMINO PARK

Coyotes continue to be seen in Palomino Park, and nearby cities.
Residents are reminded to take proper precautions,
especially when small children or pets are present.
If you do experience an encounter with a coyote displaying aggressive behavior,
you are encouraged to notify the Colorado Division of Wildlife, 303-291-7227

Click HERE for a flyer filled with practical advice,
YOUR GUIDE TO AVOIDING
HUMAN-COYOTE CONFLICTS.

DOGS

Residents are reminded that

Dogs must be on leashes at all times.
This required by Douglas County, Silver Mesa and Palomino Park.
This is for the safety of pets and residents.

Pet Owners must pick up their pet waste........
Small trash cans were strategically placed throughout Silver Mesa to provide for easy disposal.

Be courteous of your neighbors, and do not walk your dog too close to resident's front doors, patios, or windows. 
We have plenty of open grass areas here in Silver Mesa and Palomino Park.

Resident cooperation is expected, and required.

Please help keep our beautiful community clean.

TRASH COLLECTION

Click HERE for the 2012 Waste Management Recycling Calendar.

Silver Mesa recycling pick up day is usually on the GREEN Friday.

Our next recycling pickup will occur on Friday, May 25, 2012

SILVER MESA WINTER NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2012

SILVER MESA BOARD OF DIRECTORS and ANNUAL MEETING UPDATE

The 2011 SM BOD ANNUAL MEETING was held on Thursday, December 8, 2011.
At that time, the 2012 Budget was ratified, and a new Board Member was elected.

Click  HERE for the 2012 Budget.

One of the best pieces of news was that the HOA Assessments for 2012 remain unchanged at $290. The assessment has remained the same since 2009!
(Please note that the $30 monthly water payment is to be paid to HRCA
along with our monthly assessment of $290.)

Please welcome our newest Board Member, Peter Haughey.

In Peter's own words:

VISION:

I moved into Silver Mesa on July 1, 2010 relocating here from Southern California. One of the reasons my wife and I selected this park was the wonderful landscape and multiple array of colorful flowers. I soon volunteered for the Landscape Committee and have been an active member for the past several months. Currently, I work a few days a week at the Iron Horse desk as an attendant

I am seeking this board position to carry on the leadership in keeping Silver Mesa one of the most desirable communities in the Denver area.

Additional items discussed at the Annual Meeting included an overview and summary of major improvements and events in Silver Mesa during 2011, including the Reconstruction, Landscaping, Clubhouse Renovation, Individual Trash Collection, Website Updates, Rental Status Monitoring, FHA Recertification, Streamlined Water Billing, Snow Removal Upgrades, Parking Policy Updating, Security System Upgrades,
Collection Policy progress.

Click  HERE to access the Slides as presented at the Meeting.

BOD POSITIONS

New Board of Director Positions were established at the Dec. 15 BOD Meeting.

David Ferguson, President

Jason McKnight, Vice President

Lyn Farley, Treasurer

Jennifer Dienna, Secretary

Peter Haughey, Member at Large

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AFTER HOURS CALL CENTER

The after-hours number is 303-591-9027

HRCA has contracted with an after-hours call center whereby homeowners can reach a "live person" when the community manager or staff is not available after hours. This number is provided on our phone messages and it will be added to the website for homeowners as well. . We hope this new service will increase the ease for homeowners to reach someone when needed. Protocols with whom to call have been provided to the call center and of course their first call will be to Tracy Lang, as Silver Mesa Manager.

Silver Mesa Property Management Team: normal business hours are
Monday through Friday from 8 to 5

RENTALS IN SILVER MESA

The SM Property Management Team has been updating all rental files, and has recently notified Homeowners of rental requirements and updated documents that may be needed.

If you are a Homeowner, with a rental, and have NOT received notification, then the Silver Mesa Property Management Team needs to hear from you...........please contact them at 303-470-7400 this week.

If you are a Renter, please cooperate with your Homeowner or Property Manager, in completing any requirements and requests that they may have in regard to these updates.

If you are a Homeowner and are contemplating renting your unit, please contact the Property Management Team at 303-470-7400. They will provide you with the necessary information needed to complete all Silver Mesa mandatory requirements for rentals.

The Silver Mesa Community consists of 264 units. Currently, about 20% of the units are rentals, with 80% owner-occupied. Homeowners and Renters are required and expected to comply with all Silver Mesa Policies/Procedures/Covenants:

Rental agreement is subject to the terms of the Silver Mesa Homeowner's

Association Inc. Declarations, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation,

Rules of the Association and Policies. Failure of the Tenant to abide by the Declarations,

By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation, Rules of the Association and Policies shall

Constitute a default and such default shall enforceable by either the Board of

Directors or the landlord/Owner, or by both of them.

People living in Silver Mesa are "residents".
All are valued members of the Silver Mesa Community.

COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION REQUESTED

Did you know that we have several Committees here in Silver Mesa???

Landscape and Snow Removal Committee, BOD Liaison Peter Haughey

Social Committee, BOD Liaison Jen Dienna

Pool and Clubhouse Committee, BOD Liaison Jason McKnight

Covenant Compliance Committee, BOD Liaison David Ferguson

The Committees would benefit from more participation!!!
Help make Silver Mesa an even better place to live!!
Contribute your expertise and enthusiasm to these important community activities.
If you are interested in being on one of these committees, please reply to this email.

With the new year, we will be starting meetings once again.....
the meetings will be announced here in the community email blasts.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE will be meeting  Saturday, January 7 at 9 am in the Clubhouse. We will be planning for the Super Bowl Sunday party (February 5)
as well as outlining 2012 activities. Please join us!!

ENJOY THE WINTER AT SILVER MESA!

DECEMBER 1, 2011

WATER BILLING UPDATE

Beginning January 1, 2012 all homeowners who currently pay their HOA assessments using ACH (AUTOMATIC DIRECT DEBIT OF YOUR BANK ACCOUNT) will automatically have the $30 for water and sewer added to this debit, for a total withdrawal of $320. Because we are not able to process ACH payments in differing amounts, you will not be able to use ACH for the HOA dues only. If you are unable or prefer not to pay the $30 monthly for water and sewer using ACH, you will need to cancel ACH and pay your dues via check or online banking through your financial institution. Because the water bills are paid by the HOA, we will look to each owner for payment of these costs. For those homeowners who may rent their units, and if you have your tenant make payments directly to us, you will still be considered the responsible party in the event of non-payment. Unless you cancel ACH using the attached form, the new amount of $320, which includes the $30 for water and sewer, will be added to your ACH debit beginning January 1.

If you would like to cancel or start using
ACH (AUTOMATIC DIRECT DEBITING OF YOUR BANK ACCOUNT)
Click HERE to access the ACH FORM

PARKING UPDATE

Good news!! The Board of Directors have approved a new program regarding RESERVED GUEST PARKING PERMITS.
This is in response to repeated requests for additional parking throughout the community.
A limited number of spaces are available for Reserved Guest Parking.
The monthly fee is $60, on a month-to-month basis. The Reserved Guest Parking Permit is NOT for a specific space, but rather it can be used for any open, legal, guest parking space within the Silver Mesa Community.

The approved, ratified and posted Amended Parking Policy states that the Reserved Guest Parking passes will be issued on a first come first served basis.

Applications for the Reserved Guest Parking Permits may be obtained from the Silver Mesa Management Team. Please contact them at 303-470-7400 or send an email to

Applications must be received no later than December 10, 2011 for this first offering.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome by December 17, 2011.

Click HERE to access the PARKING POLICY

ANNUAL SM HOA MEETING & BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
ELECTION UPDATE

Thursday, December 8, 2011
7 pm
Silver Mesa Clubhouse

Materials for the meeting were recently mailed out to all homeowners.
(Annual Member Meeting Notice, Ballot Card, and Budget)

Bring these materials to the meeting, as copies will NOT be available at the meeting.

Click HEREand HERE for the materials.

Please make plans to participate in this important
Annual Homeowner Meeting.

OPEN BOARD POSITION:

There is one Open Board of Directors position.
If you are interested in running for this BOD position, please submit your resume to the Property Management Team.

So far, we have one candidate: Peter Haughey.
Click HERE to access Peter's resume.

Thank you Peter for stepping forward.
Other candidates are encouraged to step forward, as well,
so that their resumes may be circulated in advance of the election.

WINTER FREEZE WARNING: PREPARE YOUR HOME,
PREVENT FROZEN PIPES

Cold Winter weather is finally here!!

According to Weather.com, the temperature is expected
to drop to 10 degrees tonight, and stay below freezing for at least the next 5 nights.

It only takes a few minutes to avoid a surprise watery mess this winter. Protect pipes from freezing and bursting by taking a few precautiions.

INDOOR PIPES:

1. Keep the indoor temperature to at least 58 degrees.
2. Open cupboard doors beneath the sink, to allow the warm air to circulate into the cupboards. This is especially important for sinks/piping located on exterior walls.
3. For additional protection, wrap your pipes with foam pipe insulation, or foam tape, or layers of old newspapers then cover with plastic to keep out moisture.
to help prevent freezing.
4. Let faucets drip a little to avoid a frozen pipe from bursting.
5. Know how to shut off water valves.

OWNERS WHO ARE AWAY FROM HOME:

IF YOU ARE AWAY FROM HOME, and don't have your heat on to at least 58 degrees, NOTIFY SOMEONE LOCAL WHO CAN ACCESS YOUR UNIT TO TAKE THESE PRECAUTIONS.
The best protection is to have the property Winterized, whereby the water is shut off, and pipes drained.

For additional information,
go to this article from Weather.com on Preventing Frozen pipes:
http://www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/home/hometips/severeweather/pipefreeze_prevent.html

CONSERVICE UPDATE NOVEMBER 18, 2011

  Change from Conservice Billing of Water/Sewer Utilities

The Silver Mesa Board of Directors voted to terminate service with Conservice, the third party vendor from whom we have been under contract with since Silver Mesa's inception. 

Last year Metro Districts, our water provider, instituted a new monthly recurring storm water service charge that Conservice was not presently contracted to bill for.  Accordingly, their billing rates would have increased in addition to this new charge being bill and collected each month.  We will also save over $10,000 annually that they charged to invoice and collect for our water utilities.

After posting this proposed change to our website, we received only three comments which we believe have been addressed.  One was the cost increase for some nominal water users.  We have been able to reduce the monthly charge from the anticipated $34 per month to $30 per month.  This is less than the new minimum rate that would have been billed by Conservice. HRCA will act as our third party biller and will collect the new monthly payments for water and sewer.

Building Water $5.72 - Water Base Charge $ 8.43 - Sewer  $14.66 - Storm Water $ 1.19 -
Total Rate  $30.00

Accordingly, you will now send a monthly payment for water and sewer to our management company, HRCA.  When you receive your 2012 coupon books for your HOA assessments, the $30 will be billed there and can be paid separately or together with your HOA assessments. 
The last bill you receive from Conservice will be for service October 1 to November 1 and due on December 1. 
Also due in December will be your first payment of $30 for December service and $15 for the balance of November.  If you can make this $45 payment via check it would be greatly appreciated.  If you use ACH to pay your HOA dues, starting January 1, the amount will automatically be included. 
Please make payment to Silver Mesa HOA. 
It is due no later than December 20, 2011.  If you have any questions, call 303-470-7400.

                                                             INVOICE                                                              

Water and Sewer Charges from November 11 through December 31

Amount Due $45 (Half of November ($15) and December ($30))

Payable to:  Silver Mesa HOA, c/o HRCA, 9568 University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO  80130

Due Date:  December 20, 2011

UPDATE: NOVEMBER 23, 2011

COYOTE ALERT
Coyotes have been spotted in Palomino Park/Silver Mesa.  
Here is some advice from the Colorado Division of Wildlife on
What to Do if You Meet a Coyote.
  Click HERE for more detailed information

What To Do If You Meet a Coyote

---

• Coyotes provide an enjoyable wildlife viewing experience.
•  Keep your distance and do not approach the animals.
• Enjoy the opportunity to view wildlife.
• Keep your pets on a leash when walking them.
• If a coyote approaches you or your pet, you can throw rocks or sticks to frighten it away.
• Use a loud, authoritative voice to frighten the animal.

PALOMINIO PARK MASTER HOMEOWNER  ASSOCIATION (PPOA) BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL MEETING

Monday, December 19 at 3 pm
Colorado Club lower Conference Room

Agenda

Roll Call - Pat Hutchison
Proof of Notice of Meeting - Ken Pesick, Email sent November 21, 2011
            Secretary Report -  Reading 2010 Minutes
Officer Reports -  Treasurer
Committee Reports - No Open Committees
Potential Committees : Signage, Landscape. Events

Old Business
1. Palomino Park Common Website- Pat Hutchison
New Business
1.  New Financial Statement Presentation - Ken Pesick
2.  2012 Budget status and funding levels - Pat Hutchision
3.  Working Capital Fund Audits update - Ken Pesick
4. Appointment to Board one member for TIAA CREF

Adjournment  -  Pat Hutchison, President PPOA
            Kenneth S. Pesick, CMCA, Palomino Park Director

CLICK HERE for the Agenda

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

BOARD ELECTION:  
There is one HOA Board of Directors position expiring this year. 
The position is for a three year term. If you are interested in running for the BOD position, please contact Tracy Lang, Property Manager immediately ()
Nominations can also be made from the floor during the meeting.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER NEEDED:
Silver Mesa is working with Gold Peak in the design and planning for signage on Quebec, stating that property ownership is available in Palomino Park. 
We would appreciate input from a Graphic Designer in the development of this signage.  Please contact Nancy Linsenbigler (nanclinsenbigler@comcast.net)
 if you would like to participate in this project.

FALL NEWSLETTER 2011

Fall at Silver Mesa is indeed a glorious time!   We have such a great variety of colorful trees, set against that bright blue sky!   This year, in addition to the lovely weather, we can enjoy  our beautiful, newly renovated community .
The Reconstruction activity is 99% complete, with just a few remaining items to be done. A big huge thank you to Reconstruction Experts, headed up by Bruce Fenn, Superintendent, and Mark Lundell, Project Manager.  Lyn McFarley was the lead Board Member working alongside RE every step of the way.  
The Landscaping project is complete, with new flowing rock beds, new plantings, fresh mulch,  and fall beauty in the growth. A big Thank You to Brickman Landscaping, and Marcia Pryor and crew, for making our community so green and lovely. 
The Clubhouse renovation is almost done.  The new target date for completion is October 23.  The clubhouse interior has undergone a major change, with new paint, new carpet, new granite counters, new cabinets, new appliances, new TV, and new furniture!!!   A big Thank You to David Lyon, with Design This! and Jason McKnight,  the lead Board Member working alongside David and crew. 

All of these projects collectively have been a huge undertaking for our normally quiet, calm community.    Every resident has participated, one way or another. 
Thank you to all for working together so cohesively and cooperatively. 
Our Silver Mesa is bright and shiny and beautiful.

TREES and TREE TRIMMING:

Trees here at Silver Mesa and Palomino Park are beautiful this fall.  We have a riot of color, including  blazing reds, warm oranges, bright yellows, and still some greens.  Have you ever wondered what kind of trees we have  at Silver Mesa?  We recently completed some tree trimming ,  with more planned for 2012.  A thorough assessment was conducted of our trees.   Here is a breakdown  (more or less!) of the types of trees we have gracing our SM property:

 84 Maple Trees

63  Canada Red Chokecherry Trees

7 Linden Trees

38 Ash Trees

1 Cottonwood Tree

35 Crabapple Trees

3 Pear Trees

68 Aspen clumps of Trees

121 Austrian Pines

47 Spruce

6 Concolor Fir

TRASH SERVICE

Waste Management Customer Service: 303-797-1600

To order large item pick-up or recycling bins, or to exchange a warped-lid container, contact Customer Service.

Reminders:
1. Recycling is every other week according to the GREEN schedule on the Recycling Calendar 
2.  Trash containers may be set out no earlier than 8 pm on the Thursday
before trash collection on Friday.
3. Trash containers should be removed from the alley no later than 8 pm
on the Friday of trash pick up.
4. Friendly reminders will be issued for the next week,
if needed, for containers not adhering to the above schedule.
5.  Violation letters may be issued if residents do not comply with the scheduled dates and times for pick up and removal of containers.

6. Silver Mesa will provide large dumpsters twice a year (April and September), for residents to dispose of large, bulky items. Additionally, residents may schedule a large item pickup directly with Waste Management, for a nominal fee. Please refer to the letter from Waste Management for the specific details and contact them directly to schedule the large item pickup.
7. Silver Mesa will also provide hoses and water for trash container cleanout, twice a year (April and September).
8. Residents should identify their trash containers, by prominently writing their unit address on the bins (using paint or bold permanent markers) or by using large stick on letters and numbers (from Home Depot or similar vendors)

Basically, trash dumpster areas at the dead end of alleys will become
snow removal zones, with no parking allowed.
Areas in cul-de-sacs with space permitting will accommodate compact sized cars. 
New signage will be placed appropriately in each area. 
 Resident cooperation with the allowed usages is expected and appreciated. 

Click HERE for the Waste Management Welcome Letter and Recycling Schedule

PICK UP AFTER YOUR PETS

Fido needs to do his business.  And owners need to do their business, which is picking up after their pets.  Pet Owners, please be responsible and courteous when walking with your pet.  Pick up all pet waste as soon as it occurs.  Residents, if you notice problems with waste, please alert the HOA Manager as to who is responsible.

Friendly reminder that pets need to be on a leash at all times in
Silver Mesa.
Cats should not be allowed to run freely.
 This is unsafe for the cat (predators abound, such as owls, coyotes, foxes)
and not to mention cars.
If you have not yet registered your dog with Management, please do so immediately.

 

ENJOY SILVER MESA IN HER AUTUMN GLORY

 

 

NEW PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL ASSISTING TRACY:

In order to better serve you, HRCA has added new personnel to help process work orders and answer questions you may have. Please welcome Dee Webb who will be working along with Heidi Peterson and Tracy Lang.  Dee and Heidi should be your primary contacts for maintenance items.  They can be reached at:

Please note that Tracy will be out of the office and unavailable from September 15 through September 25.  Please refer all questions or concerns to Dee Webb.  Thank you

 

PARKING POLICY AMENDED AND UPDATED

The Vehicle Parking and Enforcement Policy has been reviewed, and amended.  The Board is hereby providing notice of the Amended Policy for Vehicle Parking and Enforcement.  Please click HERE to access the Amended Policy.  Members of the Association may comment on this Resolution, by contacting the Property Manager via email, or by attending a Board Meeting, no later than October 7, 2011.

GROUNDS AND LANDSCAPING  

SNOW PUSH ZONES:  NO parking is allowed in the snow push zones located at the end of some alleys. 

For snow push zones located in the normal parking areas, parking IS allowed April thru September, weather permitting, and NOT allowed October thru March. 

Signs will be posted soon.

Snow push zones with dirt on top will be grass-seeded early in the fall.  We need to wait till the weather cools down, when the water schedule can be increased in those areas, to allow the grass to grow

Thank you for your patience.    

INSURANCE UPDATE

Insurance Renewal Information

The Homeowner�€�s Insurance Information for Silver Mesa has recently been updated.  You may wish to share this contact information with your own insurance provider:

Our community policy starting July 1, 2011 is with Van Gilder Insurance
You can request proof of insurance by contacting Julie Fitzgerald at Van Gilder.
Phone:  303-831-5298   Fax: 303-831-5295    email:  
Certificates are also located in the http://www.silvermesahoa.com/ Resource Center under Insurance Information

Accidents and unforeseen events happen.  When they do, and damage occurs, having a comprehensive individual insurance policy can save thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket expenses. 

Have you reviewed your individual Homeowner/Resident insurance policy lately??

Consider adding or increasing coverage for the following:

Glass Breakage
Water and Sewer Back up
Loss of Use
Loss Assessment

PARKING ENFORCEMENT:

 Now that our construction efforts are nearing completion and few cars are displaced due to construction, we are STRICTLY enforcing our parking regulations including towing without further notice as applicable.  Please review the parking policy (click HERE) if you are unsure about the rules for Silver Mesa. 

Reminders:

Stored, commercial or non-operative vehicles may be towed immediately without further notice.

Vehicles with no guest pass or with an expired guest parking pass may be towed without further notice.

Vehicles with OVERFLOW parking passes must park at the Colorado Club designated parking and may be towed without further notice from Silver Mesa property.

Residents CANNOT park on site, even with a valid guest pass.  Your vehicles will be towed.

POSTPONED:  STAY TUNED FOR NEW DATE:

Silver Mesa 10 Year Anniversary and Community Appreciation Party at the newly renovated Clubhouse

Pot Luck Party, Silver Mesa Memories, Lots of Fun with SM Friends and Family

 

 

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PALOMINO PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS

Click HERE for the updated Palomino Park Rules and Regulations

FIRE EXTINGUISHER  PRACTICE  AND COMMUNITY SAFETY HANDOUT

The Fire Extinguisher training class, held in January, was a big success, according to the participants!

Check out the Photo Gallery for the live action shots!

Click HERE for the HOME INSPECTION CHECKLIST,
provided by Captain Mike Balzer, from Littleton Fire Rescue