Neighborhood News Summer 2003

Be humble, For you are made of earth
Be noble, For you are made of stars


?— Old Proverb

* Newsletters prepared by your Board of Directors

Copperfield joins Nashville?’s 2003
Night Out Against Crime
Tuesday, August 5th

August 5th ?— Night Out Against Crime
6:00 p.m. ?— 8:00 p.m.
Large Gazebo

National Night Out is the one night a year that residents in the community come together to give crime a ?“going away party.?” We have asked our local Police and Fire Departments to join our community effort. In addition, the Candidates for the 31st District Metro Council seat will be in attendance. Come share volleyball, an assortment of food and soft drinks with your neighbors and learn what we can do to be proactive against crime.
Pizza delivered at 6:45 p.m.

Stream Bank Problems and Solutions by Bob Hatcher

Many of us often enjoy walking the sidewalk trail along our creek. You certainly have noticed some bank erosion problems, especially lately. Crosstie and rock retaining walls have helped avoid major damage in past years, but problems threaten to worsen and become more expensive to correct. Substantial further damage occurred during the floods of early May.

Your Board of Directors has been evaluating causes of the problem and possible solutions for more than one year. Some problems and simpler actions to date have included:

Bare Creek Banks - Streambank vegetation was previously so bare that the creek banks eroded, exposing and weakening tree roots. We have begun cutting grass on the creek bank at 12 - 15 inches, and only about 3 times per year. This allows taller grass and deeper root systems to help prevent bank erosion, as well as permitting more wild flowers for our enjoyment. We have requested that no grass cuttings or other debris be placed on the stream banks (or in the creek). Besides looking bad, the debris smothers plants and their protective root systems. Faster Flood Run-Off - Increased pavement and roofs resulted in faster lateral flow of rainwaters, eroding the stream bank. Grass mowing heights on our common grounds was increased from 2.5 to 4.0 inches, with more dense grass seeding planned for future years. This not only reduces erosion, but also helps shade out weeds and retains better soil moisture for maintaining more attractive lawns for longer periods, including drier seasons. Decaying Crosstie Retaining Walls - Bids were obtained for replacement of decaying 16-year old crosstie walls, but before funding could be obtained, floods washed out most of two walls during early May.

After on-site consulting with bank erosion specialists since August, 2002, we propose the following actions:

Crosstie retaining walls will need to be replaced where washed out this spring and/or excessively decaying. ?• Revegetation is proposed with deep-rooted plants, which provide the most effective and least expensive long-term bank stabilization solution. Plans are to make them as attractive as possible. Some plants will bloom during different times of the year, helping attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and song birds. One or two decaying crosstie walls can possibly remain in place (without replacement costs), while gradually being covered by deep-rooted plants. Where banks are too steep or eroded for effective revegetation, limited low-level gabions and/or rip rap rock is proposed.

We have applied for two grants to help fund the above proposals; ?“Stream Mitigation Funds?” from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation and a ?“Community Enhancement Grant?” from the Metro Mayor?’s Office of Neighborhoods. The total project will likely require two or three years, depending on available supplemental funding.

Traffic Calming Update by Susan Travis-Paulsen

The above program was developed by Metro Public Works (MPW) to provide a process for neighborhoods to identify and address traffic-related problems. To review the Traffic Calming Program (TCP), our application was submitted on June 1, 2001.We received notification October 31, 2001, that Copperfield had been selected after placing eighth out of ninety-four neighborhoods. A Neighborhood Orientation Meeting was held on November 26, 2001, to introduce the TCP to residents. During December 2001, the Program was put on "hold" to the effectiveness of the devices (speed humps) being used. The "revamped" resumed during May 2002, with the implementation of the first of a three phase process utilizing Metro Police for enforcement of the speed limit and educational efforts in the form of radar speed trailers. Traffic Calming signage was installed at both entrances during the latter part of 2002.

Since that time, MPW leadership has changed with the appointment of Bob Weithofer as the Director of Transportation. He has hired Bob Whelan, Traffic, to work with the various neighborhoods in the Program. Recently, several meetings have taken place with Mr. Whelan and most recently, Mr. Weithofer. According to the latter, more changes and options for homeowners, as yet unknown, are forthcoming within the next month.

In the meantime, two additional speed trailers are on order, and a grant from Highway and Safety has been requested to fund more police enforcement. An independent review of these efforts will continue to quantify their effectiveness. A second engineering study considering the feasibility of stop signs on Copperfield Way at Nickleby Down failed due to "lack of traffic volume" and "safety" (in other words, no fatalities).

Once notification is received on our additional options for traffic calming devices, a Neighborhood Meeting will be scheduled and all residents invited to attend. Hopefully, 2003, will be the year something is done to resolve the speeding and cut-through traffic on Copperfield Way and Copperfield Court. Please remember - this impacts ALL residents in terms of safety, security, and livability issues along with protecting the value of our homes.

Lawn Care / Landscape

The heavy and frequent rains this spring and summer caused many problems and delays to our lawncare and landscape schedule. There were plans for a supplemental mulch in June to freshen up the appearance. Continued rains resulted in the Board deciding to wait for our regularly scheduled fall mulching.

New Large Gazebo Roof!

The roof of the Large Gazebo was replaced this spring as scheduled and within budget. We had not planned for additional roof replacements this year however we may reconsider this due to the wear and tear on our small gazebo roofs.

Tennis Court Resurfaced!

The tennis court nearest to Old Hickory Blvd. was resurfaced this spring as scheduled and within budget. We are pleased to see our court facilities getting used daily.

Timing of Creek Bank and Other Issues

Your Board has spent a great deal of time and effort trying to solve the creek bank issue. The article by Bob Hatcher on the inside panels of this Newsletter describes the effort. The current cost estimate to solve the erosion problems is approximately $55,000. We have sought grant funding from several sources and are optimistic that these funds will be obtained. The dilemma we face is that until the course of action is approved by the funding sources, we risk approval or exclusion of certain expenditures if we move forward without approval. That puts the project in a hurry up and wait mode and affects our planning on other projects because of the uncertainty of Copperfield funds available. Visit our website to see digitized photos illustrating our creek bank upon completion.

Keep Your Garage Doors Closed

Here are three reasons to keep your garage door closed:

A Copperfield homeowner recently had his golf clubs stolen, because he left his garage door open. We are all potential targets. Thieves look for moments of opportunity.
Animals and reptiles like to find shelter in open garages
Our association rules prohibit leaving garage doors open except for entering and exiting

Please keep your garage doors closed. Come to the August 5th Night Out Against Crime to learn more about what you can do to protect yourself and the neighborhood against crime.