Copperfield

Neighborhood News Winter 2004

I remember with gratitude the fruits of the labors of others, which I have shared as a part of the normal experience of daily living.

I remember the beautiful things that I have seen, heard, and felt-some, as a result of definite seeking on my part, and many that came unheralded into my path, warming my heart and rejoicing my spirit.

I remember the moments of distress that proved to be groundless and those that taught me profoundly about the evilness of evil and the goodness of good.

I remember the new people I have met, from whom I have caught glimpses of the meaning of my own life and the true character of human dignity.


-? ?  Howard Thurman, ?“Blessings at Year End,?” A Grateful Heart, pp 80

* Newsletters prepared by your Board of Directors

Copperfield Holiday Party

On December 4th, sixty-one friends and neighbors came to the home of Carl and Marilyn Manka. The Manka?’s once again graciously and superbly hosted the neighborhood Holiday party. Thank you Carl and Marilyn!

Holiday Decorations

Thanks to Pat Mishler for rallying volunteers to help decorate the neighborhood for the Holidays. Thank you Roger and Pat Mishler, Bob Hatcher, Skip Dickens, Bob McMillan, Bill Sims, Bob Smart, and Len Paulsen for your decorating efforts.

There have been some youths in vehicles that have caused some minor vandalism and left empty and broken beverage bottles. Please report Vandalism or loitering to the police. Call 862-8600 for non-emergency issues.

Annual Homeowners Meeting

The annual homeowners meeting was held on November 8th. A capsule of the 2004 HOA activities and financials was presented along with an opportunity for questions and answers. Two Board Members were elected. Rob Karwedsky will remain on the Board and Susan Travis-Paulsen will replace Bob Hatcher.

We are very fortunate and thankful for Bob Hatcher?’s contributions to the neighborhood during his term on the Board. Bob successfully guided the creekbank project (see the article in the third column) and does many big and small things for our neighborhood. Who do you think cleaned up the entrance area of sediment after the latest big rain? Who removed large hazardous tree limbs from the creek? Who walks the neighborhood with a bag to pick-up debris? Who jumps tall buildings in a single bound?

Bob will be difficult to replace, however, those of you who know Susan Travis-Paulsen realize she is a dedicated person who will work tirelessly to help our neighborhood.

Traffic Calming Update by Susan Travis-Paulsen, Chairwoman of the Traffic Calming Committee

Phase III of the Traffic Calming Program began on September 1, 2004, with the installation of three traffic circles on Copperfield Way at Micawber Court, Nickleby Down, and Trotwood Down. To prevent motorists from veering around the circles into the walk/bike lanes, Metro Public Works (MPW) used yellow ?“bumps?” instead of the 6?” high ?“mushrooms?” which are no longer manufactured. If needed, additional sections can be added to the ?“bumps?” to slow motorists who straddle the devices.

Signage has generated a number of conversations with Bob Whelan of MPW. This has resulted in three less reflector poles in the traffic circles and two less sign poles by the pedestrian crosswalk. The remaining signs are not negotiable in terms of location or height. For public safety and liability reasons, MPW must follow rules set forth in the Federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. However, we are allowed to mount the signage on poles which would match the current street and stop signs in Copperfield. MPW will not participate in the cost of upgraded poles or signs.

During October, a flyer (provided by MPW) on ?“How To Negotiate Traffic Circles?” was delivered to each homeowner. Many of us are unfamiliar with the driving rules pertaining to the kind of mini-traffic circles we have in Copperfield. Just remember to always DRIVE to the RIGHT; to turn left, STEER RIGHT and then drive AROUND the traffic circle; and, each driver MUST yield to a vehicle already in the traffic circle.

During early December 2004, MPW began evaluation of the project to determine the effectiveness the traffic circles have had on speeding and cut-through traffic. This will include speed studies, traffic counts and other data collection as needed. It is important that homeowners share their observations and suggestions. You may either contact me at 837-8601 or Bob Whelan, MPW, at 880-1661. Once the evaluation is complete, the results will be available within approximately one-week. At that time, a MPW official will meet with the traffic team to discuss the findings. If the objectives have been met, the project will be considered finished. If not, we will move to the next level (Bulb-Outs). Either way, homeowners will be notified of the decision.

Should MPW decide that the project should be modified or removed for safety reasons, they will proceed to do so. If MPW has no concerns with the project but the homeowners decide that the traffic calming devices should be removed or significantly altered, the neighborhood must furnish petitions and signatures of more than 67% of homeowners in support of this action. MPW may ask homeowners to share in the cost of removal or alteration of the project. In addition, the neighborhood would not be eligible for any other Traffic Calming Program for a period of seven (7) years.

Creek Bank Stabilization Update by Bob Hatcher, Immediate Past Board Member

During 2002, the Copperfield HOA Board recognized increasing creek bank stabilization problems. This included:

• Erosion of banks due largely to very close ?“weed-eating?” of bank vegetation,
• Excessively close mowing of common grounds,
• Deep voids (up to four feet deep) under sidewalks at 15 sites (including a few behind the fountain pools), and
• Decaying crosstie retaining walls.

If not corrected soon, the problems and related costs could have dramatically increased. Threats included:

• collapse of portions of the adjacent parking lot and sidewalks.
• collapse of the decaying crosstie retaining walls (a few crossties washed out during floods before the project was completed).
• exposure of buried electric wires along the creek bank (a few feet of wire became exposed).

The preliminary bids in 2002 for correction of these problems were $55,136.

Prior to the more expensive treatments, we allowed the creek bank vegetation to grow to a height of 12 - 15 inches in order to provide more bank, beginning in August 2002. Beginning with the 2003 season, mowing heights on common grounds was increased from two to three inches in order to slow down lateral inflow of rain waters.

From December 2003 through April 2004, the following treatments were applied:

1. Jen-Hill Contract: $15,404
   • Reshaping of selected bank areas for greater hydrological stability,
   • Seeding of grasses and flowering plants under erosion mats at more critical sections,
   • Installation of rock-filled gabions against steeper eroding banks, and
   • Rock rip-rap in strategic places along the bank
2. Dixie Ties Contract - Replacement of Crosstie Retaining Walls: $5,019
3. Installation of new electrical wiring in a trench parallel to the creek bank: $3,000
4. A-1 Concrete Contract - Pumping of concrete into 15 voids under sidewalks: $2,325

By providing the preliminary treatments of taller adjacent vegetation, we were able to reduce the costs from the initial bid of $55,136 to a revised total cost of $25,748.

During 2004, the creek bank retained good stability during a few floods, with substantially reduced erosion. However, an October flood washed out some of the loose rip-rapped rock. Flowering plants, including silky dogwoods, didn?’t compete well with the thick grasses on the erosion mats. Jen-Hill has been requested to return to help address these relatively minor shortcomings to the extent feasible. Monitoring will continue.

Board member Rob Karwedsky is to coordinate future creek bank stabilization needs. He is well qualified by: 1) career in the compliance section of the Corps of Engineers, and 2) approximately 20 years on the Conservation Board of the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association.

New Gazebo Roofs

This fall the Association replaced the roof of the bridge near the tennis courts and the small gazebo roof at the Copperfield Way and Nickleby Down intersection. This leaves two small gazebo roofs out of the original eight that need replacement. The original roofs were approximately 15 years old and needed replacement.

Night Out Against Crime

Thanks to Susan Travis-Paulsen, Marilyn Manka, and John Payne for planning another successful event this past August. Thanks to Charlie Hendrix for the digital photos you can find on our website.