President’s Updates Spring 2023 HOA Semi-Annual Meeting
Fiber for Internet Services:
o AT&T has been approved to install fiber. They will primarily use their current right of way in the island medians for access points. Installation is currently planned for Q4 2023.
o Google still requires micro-trenching of streets for installation. The Board has decided to defer any installation by Google until closer to the time of street repaving which is currently years away. If Google should develop new methods for installation the BOD will reconsider their proposal.
Landscape Architects – Several members of the BOD have had preliminary discussions and a neighborhood walk-through with a local landscape architecture company. There will be more information once we are able to determine pricing and project scope. Potential design information will be shared in community forums when it is available. Most local landscape architects are extremely busy between new construction and designing new plans post drought and flash freeze and are not accepting new projects.
Parking – a Parking Committee will be formed to assess Abbottsford’s status compared to other HOA neighborhoods in the Green Hills area and recommend if any policy changes should be made.
Security – Security is a growing concern throughout the greater Nashville area. A security committee will be formed and co-chaired by Margaret Levine (recently retired from Bridgestone as VP of Security) and Cody Carroll (on-site property manager).
Pickleball – A motion was brought from the floor for Abbottsford to reconsider converting one tennis court to a pickleball court or allow pickleball play. A forum will be convened to listen to those who are for this proposal and those who are opposed. Facts, costs, current information related to noise reduction techniques, and the degree of neighborhood interest will be considered in this discussion. The timeline for the forum is anticipated to be later in Q2.
Many thanks – Both Breck Walker and Brad Pendleton were acknowledged and thanked for their years of service on the Abbottsford Board. Brad has been re-elected to another term on the BOD and Breck will continue to serve on multiple committees for Abbottsford.
May 8th 2023 Semi-Annual Meeting Landscape Summary
Master Landscape Plan Map: Ashley & Cody created a google map of Abbottsford’s landscape projects ongoing and anticipated for the next few years. This map is accessible on www.Abbottsford.net in the Landscape section of the website. Ashley & Cody will update the map periodically.
Redoubt: Arborist Steve King removed 13 dead ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae killed by the 2022 drought. Four Sweetbay Magnolias & 3 ‘Dan Fenton’ Hollies were planted as replacements. Cody marked 19 ash trees treated prior to 2023 with brown paint. Arborists evaluated the area: 3 of the 19 trees treated previously were elm trees. Ten additional (untreated) ash trees were found, saving us ~$15,000 in removal expenses. Cody marked the 26 ash trees with blue, A-Z tags and created an Ash Tree Treatment Map (location, diameter, & condition). Trees were reevaluated this spring. Two large ash trees (D & I) will be removed as well as several small, redundant suckers. The remaining 24 ash trees will be treated to prevent EAB with a treatment method & product that is more effective (99%) than in prior years (60%).
Root Nashville’s Free Trees for Private Property Program: To meet the goal of planting 500,000 trees by 2050, Metro Nashville has partnered with Root Nashville (RN) and Cumberland River Compact (CRC) to provide free trees & maintenance on public & private properties. Abbottsford selected 25 trees, 3 Swamp White Oak Trees, 4 ‘Wildfire’ Blackgums, 7 ‘Autumn Brilliance’ Serviceberries, & 11 Sweetbay Magnolias, to replace dead/dying trees. Arbor Art’s arborists professionally planted them for $2,700. Professional planting is important for their long-term health & to reduce future maintenance or removal needs. CRC provides 2 years of free watering each week <1” of rain falls, according to the NOAA. CRC also provides free mulch once per year; removal of dead trees once a year, if any; and free pruning of trees two years after planting. Seven new trees will be offered each year for consideration.
Bigtooth Aspens: Ashley is leading the Bigtooth Aspen Project to preserve dwindling populations of Bigtooth Aspens in middle TN and KY. The first 6 trees were planted near Covenant as memorial trees. Some were planted in Green Hills Park. Abbottsford now has a few small trees, which were planted in the corner of Kensington Park between the perimeter fence and the pine trees. They will replace pines that will require future removal. Bigtooth Aspens grow 2-6 feet per year and are extremely rare.
Playground Area: Bigtooth Aspens were originally planned for this location, but severe soil compaction from retaining wall construction thwarted that plan. Plants in the floating bed were relocated. Cody amended the topsoil, graded, & planted grass to reclaim that area as play space. Additional plantings will be needed to replace dead arborvitae pending nursery availability.
Boxwood & Shrub Expert Summary: Ashley consulted many shrub & tree experts, including 3 well-respected boxwood experts, Bobbie Calloway, Gale Higgs, & Brad Spain. A summary of their advice is available on www.Abbottsford.net in the Landscape section.
General Aesthetic: The drought & flash freeze of 2022 damaged or killed many trees & shrubs. We are planting lantana to temporarily fill gaps left by dead plant removals. More permanent plantings will be selected once plant availability and prices normalize (fall ‘23-Spring ‘24). You don’t need to submit a deposit, obtain permission, or get approval to remove dead plants. Go ahead and prune or remove them, if possible. Many of Abbottsford’s trees are in decline. Safety concerns will always be prioritized. Decline Causes: Overcrowding, Southern Pine Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer, weather extreme incompatibility, improper planting, age, Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale. Aesthetic tree removals are a secondary priority, including Sweetgum (spiky seed pods), female Gingko (foul-smelling fruit), & unsightly trees.
Assets Updates:
Detention Pond: We are monitoring some drainage issues in the detention pond and are currently researching all possible solutions and comparing options. We are still in the research phase, but we will provide updates to the community as we make progress toward any solution.
Irrigation: We have contracted with Aquaduct Irrigation to help in addressing and repairing irrigation issues during the startup season. Due to the cold temperatures we have had since last fall, we have discovered several additional issues that we are addressing. We are starting with spray heads, nozzles and leaks first, before moving on to electrical issues later this spring. We are hopeful to tackle many of the issues we have with our dated irrigation system and begin updating with some more water conscious features.
Pool: Several updates have been completed during the off season to improve the pool area. We have made several changes that we believe will enhance the overall experience for residents and their guests. We have updated the pump and filtration, replaced the pool basin plaster and waterline tile, as well as repaired and resealed the pool deck area. There are a few other small painting and signage tasks left to do before the opening date of May 15th.
Asset Improvements: We have several asset improvements planned for the 2023 year, including security and camera upgrades, painting of select light posts and signs, painting of the east side of the perimeter fence along Abbott Martin Rd, playground updates and improvements, small roadway repairs, and cleaning of the curbs throughout the community. We will prioritize other repair work that comes up as needed.
Some of the smaller projects that have been completed this winter include:
Kensington water runoff and retaining wall improvements.
Working on additional LED lighting conversions.
HVAC services for the clubhouse and guardhouse.
Welding repairs to mailboxes and fences.
Schip Laurel cutbacks.
Pool improvement project management.
Managing Spring Fling.
Creating assets and landscaping master maps.
Property Manager Updates:
Newsletter: If you are not receiving the newsletter, please check your junk mail folder. We have been receiving feedback that some residents are not receiving the newsletter. Please ensure that you add our email to your contacts and check your junk mail folder regularly to stay up-to-date on important community news and events.
Website: Our website is the go-to place for all relevant community information, including assets and landscaping maps. We update the website regularly with the latest news, so please visit it often to stay informed. All information sent out in the newsletter is available anytime at abbottsford.net.
Directory: Cody has taken over gathering information for the directory. Please send in any changes to your contact information you would like included in the newest issue.
Questions or Comments: I am always available to answer questions and take comments about the Abbottsford community or active projects. Please reach out with any questions you may have. I use comments and feedback from the community to help the board of directors find the best solutions for issues we are facing in the neighborhood.
Financials Updates
·The investment accounts were combined into a single investment account with Raymond James. This allows for far simpler administration and overview.
·This platform also allows for purchasing brokered CDs at various banks to maintain FDIC coverage but have the corpus housed at one entity.
·None of our investments are with currently known failed financial institutions.
·Discussed concern of adequate reserves given the pricey fix for the retaining wall and recent expenditure on the pool.
·Reviewed YTD financials. Advised the over budget revenue items of Interest Income and Working Capital would likely continue through the year. Further explained the new Working Capital category was tied to transactions and borne by the purchaser. Finally offered the opinion that the favorable variance in expenses would likely equal out over the year.
ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE – NANCY LORENZI
The Abbottsford engagement activities have increased thanks to the contributions of more than 50 Abbottsford residents. Without their creativity and tireless efforts, the following list of activities would not be possible. The Board thanks ALL volunteers!!!
Always Available
Butterfly Garden: Located at the corner of Hyde Park and Abbottsford.
Little Library: Located in the playground area. There are interesting books to read.
Weekly
Mahjongg gatherings are on Wednesday from 2:00-4:00 in the Clubhouse.
Monthly
Happy Hours started in May 2022
o Let us Celebrate the committee for its one year of successful HAPPY HOURS!
o They are considering the June 1 HAPPY HOUR to also focus on Celebrating the Pool Opening.
Annually
Abbottsford Directory: Cody Carroll’s will be responsible for this year’s directory. Rosemary
Brown was previously responsible for the Directory.
Spring Fling Cleaning: The 2023 event occurred on March 21. There were more than sixty cars for Goodwill and the shredding truck.
Behind the Garden Gate: The Engagement committee decided not to hold this event this year because of the landscape damage.
Mid-Summer Celebration: We intend to hold this event to focus on the pool and children.
Fall Fest: We again hope to hold this event sometime in October.
Halloween: We will ask neighbors to participate.
Through the Year
Book Discussion Group: This group is active and would like more people to join in the discussions. The dates and bools for 2023 are:
o May 17 Boys in the Boat (Daniel James Brown)
o July 19 Demon Copperhead (Barbara Kingsolver)
o September 20 Lessons in Chemistry (Bonnie Garmus)
o November 15 A Man Called Ove (Fredrik Backman)
o January 17 Diamond Eye (Kate Quinn)
Welcome Committee: Randy Bellows and Cody Carroll are now members of the Welcome Committee for new residents.
Abbottsford Newsletter: Cody Carroll has assumed responsibility for the newsletter. Send your suggestions for information to include to Cody at abbottsford615@gmail.com
Discover and Learn: We are looking for Discover and Learn options. Several people are exploring opportunities.
Acts of Kindness: Our 2023 Acts of Kindness involved filing plastic eggs for the children under Department of Children’s Services (DCS) control. Through the contribution of many neighbors, we had over 1900 eggs donated. The Board thanks Jeannine Adams and Sally Smallwood for proposing and managing this effort.
