Stonecreek Homeowners Association

September 2001 Issue

Sep 05, 2001

STONECREEK NEWS
A MONTHLY NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSLETTER September 2001
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Back to School !
An ACC member will be missed.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS CORNER:It is with a heavy heart that this Directors Corner is being written. The Stonecreek Community has lost a truly valuable friend this month. Mr. George Knudsen, who was an original member of the Stonecreek HOA Architectural Control Committee (ACC), passed away in August. George's knowledge of building and the Town of Gilbert?’s Code was invaluable to the HOA, the Architectural Control Committee, the Board of Directors and Borg Property Services. George will truly be missed for his sense of humor, dedication to Stonecreek HOA and his neighbors.

The Association is preparing to overseed the common area grass for the winter. The Board of Directors has voted to overseed all turf common areas this year.

Stonecreek HOA has reserved September 29, 2001 for a tour of the SRP San Tan Power Plant. The tour will begin at 8:30 a.m. at 1005 S. Val Vista Dr. You will be receiving a letter from SRP inviting you to attend this tour. If you would like to attend the tour please contact Rosalyn Richardson at 602-236-2872 or Borg Property Services at 480-456-6927. SRP suggests that visitors wear comfortable clothing and close-toed shoes. This should be an informative and interesting tour.

Just a reminder that school is back in session. Please watch out for the students as they as walk to and from school. We hope that all of the Stonecreek students have a fun and successful year at school.

The Board of Directors and Borg Property Services are working on the 2002 Annual budget. If you have any ideas on what should, or should not be in the budget, let Nancy at Borg Property Services know right away.

THANKS GEORGE
We would like to bring to your attention the passing of George Knudsen, a long time member of the ACC. The Board of Directors and the ACC would like to thank George for his contributions to the Stonecreek Homeowner's Association. He worked effortlessly for the good of the Association and he will be missed.
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A tree will be planted in the common area to remember George and his contributions to the Stonecreek HOA.

ASSOCIATION ACTIVITY:
THREE CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED:
T2 Pest Control - monthly pest control,

Water Works by George - drain, clean and repair the front water feature (not to exceed $2,000),

Pacific Landscape - seed winter rye grass -entire grass area, 370,000 sg ft ($5,700).


WE HAVE ONE UPCOMING CONTRACT: Landscape Maintenance
If you know of anyone who would like to bid on a Stonecreek HOA bid, please have them contact Borg Property Services at 480-560-6927.

GET INVOLVED -
The ACC committee is looking for new members again. Contact Sharon Howes for information or to sign up.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Call Sharon Howes if you want information on a committee or want to join a committee (480﷓497﷓8124). Sharon will then handle the volunteer?’s communications between the Board of Directors, the homeowners and Borg Property Services.

ACC COMMITTEE
The committee processed the following requests:
RECEIVED: - 9 APPROVED - 0
DENIED: - 0 PENDING: - 11

If you have questions about a planned project and would like to know if approval is required, please contact Borg Property Services at 480-456-6927.

You can get ACC forms from:
(1) Borg Property Services at 480-456﷓6927 or
BorgProp@AOL.COM or
(2) Frank at 480-926-4412 (Stonecreek Resident).
The CC&R?’s require ACC approval before starting projects that will change the appearance of your home or yard.

HOA WEB PAGE IS STILL ACTIVE
Visit our web site at: (all lowercase letters) WWW.NEIGHBORHOODLINK.COM/GILBERT/STONECREEK

LANDSCAPE VIOLATIONS
Borg Property Services reported a total of 165 violations this month. Please take care of the weeds on your property as this is a finable violation in Stonecreek HOA.

FOR MOM?’S AND KID?’S ONLY
Now that school has started is the time to come join a play group for moms and kids. Stonecreek residents only, kids between the ages of one to four years. Get to know each other and have some fun with our children! If you are interested, please contact Borg Property Services at 480-456-6927.

NOTE:
T2 Pest Control now has the contract to perform pest control for our HOA. They will honor Shamron Solomon?’s (Top Notch Pest Control/Best in the West Pest Control) offer to do monthly pest control service for Stonecreek homeowners for $20 per month (inside and out).

Contact Terrell (480-215-5232) for information or to arrange service. (They will be in stonecreek on the 2nd Monday of each month.)
(Bee removal available separately.)

DO YOU KNOW?
...that holding down the ?‘Control?’ key of your IBM keyboard and then pressing the ?‘B?’ key will cause any selected text to be highlighted?

...that you can still get your Casa Blanca Medical Center medical records by calling 480-632-5378? Be prepared to give your name, date of birth and physician?’s name. Allow one to three weeks before the records are available for pick up.

... that August is National Children?’s Eye Health and Safety Month?

... that CBS?’s 60 minutes is different from other TV shows in that the program lacks a theme song or music.


The Board of Directors is still looking for a candidate to fill the open three year Board member position. Call Nancy at Borg Property Services if you are interested or want more information.

PLANTS - VACATION - WATER
Ever wonder what to do when you have plants, want to be away for a few days, but don?’t want your plants to go without water? Try putting wet towels in a sink and putting the plants on top of the wet towels. The plants can get their water from the wet towels. You can use a bath tub if you have a lot of plants. If you are going to be gone for a longer time, put some water in the sink (bath tub) which will keep the towels wet longer.

CALENDAR:
Sept 1 - Conway Twitty Birth Date (1933)
(Country/Western Singer)
Sept 2 - VJ Day (Fly the American Flag),*
Sept 3 - Labor Day (Fly the American Flag),
Sept 10 -T2 Pest Control on site today, *
Sept 9 - Grandparents Day,
Sept 14 - Learn how to display photos in an album, *
Sept 19 - Board of Directors meeting -
Mesa Public Library 6:45 PM-8:45 PM.
Sept 22 - A Free SAT practice exam, *
Sept 23 - First Day of Autumn,
Sept 26 - Native American Day,
Sept 27 - Scleroderma Support Group Meeting -
Mesa Lutheran Hospital 6:30-8:30 PM (623-847-3757),
Oct 8 - T2 Pest Control on site today,
Oct 20 - Congress of Neighborhoods, *
Oct 24 - Board of Directors meeting -
Mesa Public Library 6:45 PM-8:45 PM.
If you wish to speak at the Board of Directors meeting, you must contact Borg Property Services before the meeting so that you may be added to the agenda. If you wish to speak at the September meeting, you must contact Borg Property Services by September 12, 2001.

VJ DAY *
VJ Day stands for Victory over Japan. The official ratification of the Japanese surrender occurred aboard the USS Missouri at Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

FREE SAT PRACTICE EXAM *The Princeton Review will give a practice SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) on 9/22/2001. This will help high school students prepare for the actual SAT test. They should bring two pencils and a calculator to the test. All test materials will be provided.
Location: Southeast Regional Library
775 N Greenfield Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
Conference Room B.
Date & Time: 9/22/2001 @ 1:00 P.M.
Duration: 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Registration is required
Contact: Adult Information Desk 480﷓539﷓5119
SCRAP BOOKING * Learn the importance of recording family stories and displaying photographs in an album that can withstand generations. Karen Sprenger, a consultant in scrap booking, will emphasize journaling (storytelling), and will complete some actual pages as a demonstration.
Open to adults and teen.
Registration is required.
Location: Southeast Regional Library
775 N Greenfield Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
Conference Room A.
Date & Time: 9/14/2001 @ 1:00 P.M.
Duration: 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M..
Contact: Adult Information Desk
480﷓539-5120

Congress of Neighborhoods *
Representatives (and residents) from all Gilbert neighborhoods are encouraged to attend the Congress of Neighborhoods, ensuring that residents have a voice In building a better community. The event gives neighborhood representatives an opportunity to work with other neighbor leaders, Town officials and the Town of Gilbert Neighborhood Services Department. The Congress brings residents together on a regular basis to meet, talk and learn about how to make the community better.
When: 10/20/2001, 8:00 A.M. to 1 P.M.
Where: South East Regional Library
775 North Greenfield road
Contact: Helga Stafford (480) 503﷓6767.

FLU SHOTS
Start planning early. As awful as it sounds, Flu shots should be available in October.

School has started. Slow for the students and the school zone speed limits.

WWW.BBBONLINE.ORG/
Use this address to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

ROOM HOT OR COLD WHEN THE REST OF THE HOUSE IS COMFORTABLE?

?“There are several factors that could cause a room to be uncomfortably warm or cold:

?“Air Infiltration
Air leaking into your house around windows, doors, electrical outlets, light fixtures, open chimney flues, and gaps between floors and walls can cause drafty and uncomfortable rooms.

?“Insufficient Insulation
Inadequate insulation in your walls, ceiling or floor could be another reason a room is uncomfortably warm or cold.

?“Windows
Inefficient windows can affect the comfort of a room. Leaks around a window may make a room feel drafty. If you have single pane windows, more heat passes through the window because they are about half as efficient as double panes. If you are in a warm climate, the solar radiation from the sun can heat up a room if you don't have window shading.

?“Poor Heating/Cooling System Distribution or Sizing
A number of heating or cooling system problems might contribute to a room being uncomfortable. Duct work leading to some spaces may be too small, or inadequate. Leaky or poorly insulated ducts can lose much of their warm or cool air before it gets to the space, which is especially troublesome if ducts run through attics, unconditioned basements, crawlspaces, or outside walls. Imbalances can also cause too much hot or cold air to reach some rooms at the expense of others . . .

?“Prescribing a remedy is difficult, as this condition can be affected by many things. If the room feels drafty, air infiltration may be the problem. Many of the leaks are easy to fix by installing weather stripping around doors and windows, and electrical outlet gaskets. To do a thorough job you will need a "blower door" test to diagnose how "leaky" your house is, help find hidden leaks and verify that indoor air quality and combustion appliance safety are not compromised.

?“In some areas, you can hire a professional contractor to perform an on﷓site audit and diagnostic tests to determine why your home has this problem. The network of trained professionals is growing and there may be one in your area who can recommend the most cost effective improvements and help you implement a strategy to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of your home . . .

?“Another remedy may be insulation. Properly installed insulation keeps your house more comfortable, saves energy and money, and cuts down on noise. The ENERGY STAR?® Insulation guide is a brochure that helps homeowners choose the right insulation depending on the climate. The guide shows appropriate R﷓Values for insulation, tells you how much insulation to install, and offers tips on getting the most from insulation.

?“Windows may be the source of your discomfort. Can you imagine windows that are warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer? Windows with the ENERGY STAR label do just that. New technologies in the glass and frame systems will help make your home more comfortable, and lower heating and cooling costs too!

?“ENERGY STAR?® labeled windows are designed for your climate, no matter where you live. In warm climates, special coatings on the glass dramatically reduce UV radiation and keep the heat out. In cold areas, better frames, advanced spacers, and improved glass will keep your home toasty. And for variable climates, there are windows that offer the best of both worlds.

?“If you suspect your heating and air conditioning system is the source of your discomfort, you should contact a heating and air conditioning contractor to inspect your system and ducts. If you have a forced﷓air system properly installed, sealed and insulated air ducts are an important component, affecting the overall efficiency of your system and the comfort it provides. To get the most from your heating and cooling equipment, ask your contractor to test whether your air ducts should be sealed and if they are correctly sized.

?“When making improvements to your home, look for the ENERGY STAR?® label on products like windows, doors, lighting fixtures, appliances, and heating and cooling equipment. ENERGY STAR labeled products use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment.?”
Source: http://www.epa.gov

?“Lamps used more than two hours per day on average are good candidates for replacement with compact fluorescent lamps. The energy bill savings will more than pay for the extra cost of the lamps over their lifetime, and you will have to replace fewer lamps because fluorescent lamps last ten times longer than ordinary light bulbs. Motion sensors or timers on outdoor lights can help reduce the electricity bill for these high﷓use lamps.?”
Source: http://www.epa.gov

NOTE: the HOA does not recommend or endorse any products listed in the newsletter.


THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE IN TRYING TO SAVE ENERGY AROUND THE HOUSE:

?“* letting the furnace or air conditioner salesperson sell them a unit that's much bigger than they need,
?“* not getting the ducts checked for leakage when installing a new heating and cooling system,
?“* thinking that "since heat rises, we only need to insulate the attic." Floors over a basement or crawlspace matter.
?“* ceiling and portable fans use very little electricity. Use them to circulate air in the house, keeping the air mixed. This will reduce the amount of time that your heater or air conditioner needs to run. In addition, when used with fans, the thermostat setting for your air conditioner can be raised to 85?°F, and still maintain the same comfort level as the lower setting.

?“We don't own a home;?” we rent a house.?” What can we do??”
?“* If your landowner pays the utility bills it should be easy to convince him or her to make efficiency improvements, since they will realize the economic benefits. If you pay the utility bills you are still not without hope, because there are inexpensive things that you can do to lower your bills and make your home more liveable.

?“* Water heating costs can be reduced by putting a blanket on your heater. Blankets typically cost less than $10 and can save between 10 and 40% of your water heating costs. However, water heaters less than five years old already contain sufficient internal insulation, and should not be wrapped, otherwise they might overheat. You can also reduce water use and heating costs by installing low flow shower heads and faucet aerators.

?“* Weatherstripping can reduce or eliminate drafts through windows and doors. It doesn't take long to install, increases comfort and reduces costs. Rope caulk provides a temporary seal during the winter months around windows that leak. You can remove this seal in the summer so that you can open and shut the windows. If your windows are very leaky, you can fit a piece of plastic over the window during the winter to form an inexpensive storm window.

Here are some other possibilities:
?“* Seal and caulk major air leaks around windows, door, electrical outlets, plumbing fixtures and outside architectural features like chimneys.
?“* Shade south and west glass with deciduous plants to keep the heat out during the summer.
?“* Use fans with your air conditioner. By circulating the air you can set the thermostat around five degrees higher and maintain the same comfort level.
?“* Install compact fluorescent lights (CFL) in frequently used fixtures. While CFLs are expensive, you can take them with you when you move.
?“* If you own your refrigerator, you might want to consider replacing it if it is more than ten years old. New efficiency standards went into effect in 1992, and older units are typically two to three times more expensive to run than a new unit. If you have a second refrigerator in the garage, consider getting rid of it. Chances are it is an older, inefficient unit, and garages are hot, making it even more expensive to run.
?“* If you have a long﷓term lease, or expect to be in a house for a while, it could be cost﷓effective for you to install major efficiency improvements with short payback times, such as insulation.

What information can you give me on air﷓to﷓air heat pumps for the home?
?“Air﷓to﷓air heat pumps are basically air conditioners with the capability of running backwards in the wintertime. During the summer, air conditioners remove heat from your house, and shunt it outside. Air source heat pumps have a switching system that allows them to operate in reverse in the winter, removing heat from the outside air, bringing it into your house. Since air source heat pumps are not actually creating heat, but moving it from one place to another, they are less expensive to operate than electric resistance heaters, and depending on the costs of both natural gas and electricity, possibly gas furnaces as well . . .

?“One drawback to air source heat pumps is that they get less efficient when the outside air temperature gets colder. It is harder to extract the residual heat from colder air. Electric resistance furnaces become more cost effective when the average winter air temperature is below 30?°F?” source

?“Suggestions for Hiring a Contractor
?“ How long has the contractor been in business?
Ask to see proof of a valid contractor's license.
Ask if the contractor is adequately covered for workers' compensation, liability and property damage.
You can call the Insurance company to verify.
Ask If the contractor is a member of the Better Business Bureau? You can contact the BBB to find out if any complaints have been filed. (WWW.BBB.COM)
Ask to get the name of 3﷓4 references you can contact about the contractor?’s work?
Ask If there is a warranty for labor and parts?
Make sure you clearly understand what service is being provided and the benefits.
Always make sure that all work to be done is included in writing, and do not rely on verbal understandings for the cost of materials or services.
Obtain multiple bids and never be pressured into signing a contract.
Don't make final payment until you're satisfied with the work..?”source

REMINDERS:
When you walk your pet, please clean up any messes that it leaves behind. To leave their mess is an HOA violation and a Town of Gilbert Code violation.

If you have any questions for the Board of Directors or comments on the newsletter, call Borg Property Services or attend the monthly Board meeting.

All residents are encouraged to attend the monthly Board of Directors meetings. Call Borg Property Services to confirm the time and location and to insure that we have available seating. You may also check our web page for meeting information.
WHO'S WHO?

FIRE/POLICE DEPT. (EMERGENCY) 911
Fire Dept. (Information) 480-503-6300
Police (Information) 480-503-6500
Gilbert www.ci.gilbert.az.us
HOA Web page: www.neighborhoodlink.com/gilbert/stonecreek
Voter Registration/elections 506﷓1511
Borg Property Services 480-456﷓6927
Borg Property Services - BorgProp@AOL.COM
Sean Callahan - HOA Board of Director
Jeff D?’Aurora - HOA Board of Director
- HOA Board of Director
Jack Maas - HOA Board of Director
Judy Morgan - HOA Board of Director
Sharon Howes -Volunteer Committee 497-8124
Gilbert Police Crime Prevention 503-6527
Can I burn in my fire place? 506-6400
Town of Gilbert (barking/vicious dogs) 503-6500
Town of Gilbert (dead animal removal) 503-6400
Town of Gilbert (graffiti removal) 503-6500


SELLING YOUR HOME?
Please help yourself by telling your title company that a sale is pending and that they must notify Borg Property Services of the pending sale. Borg Property Services has seven (7) days to inspect your house before the sale can be completed. (House bill 2299) If the inspection must be done in less than seven (7) days because they did not notify Borg Property Services, then Borg Property Services will charge the homeowner an extra fee. Title companies have been known to ask for a rush inspection because they did not notify Borg Property Services, and the homeowner is charged the extra fee.

There is always a fee associated with this inspection. The homeowner pays this fee at closing. Contact Borg Property Services for its rates.
NEED TO CONTACT YOUR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY?
If you have a question or complaint concerning Stonecreek HOA, contact our property management company, which is Borg Property Services. Their office hours are 9-4 M-TH and 9﷓12 Friday.
Phone: (480) 456﷓6927 FAX: (480) 456﷓9439
E-mail: BorgProp@AOL.COM.
Send all correspondence and payments to:
Borg Property Services
1245 W. Guadalupe, #B6-306
Mesa, AZ 85202

APPROVED PAINT COLORS:
BASE COLORS: (Dunn Edwards or equivalent)
Pheasant, Baja White, Desert Dawn,
Navajo White, Bone China

If the house will be all one color, then no ACC approval is needed provided you use an approved Base color. If you are painting the ?“pop-outs?” (raised stucco surrounding the windows and/or garage) an approved trim color, then you do not need to submit an ACC form.

TRIM COLORS: Original Cinnamon, Briar,
Dry Earth, Adobe South
ROOF TILE = Monier #1604 or equivalent Lifetile #108

To review these colors call Frank at 926-4412 (Stonecreek Resident). You may review the chips in his home or checked out to review at your home. Please respect Frank as a fellow homeowner and contact him only between the hours of 10 am-8 PM, Monday-Friday.

If you choose a different color than those approved by the ACC, then you must submit an ACC form with a large sample of the color you wish to use. You must allow 45 days for approval of a new color.

Homeowners have painted the following locations if you would like to drive by and check them out.
543 N. Quartz street (Baja White, trim cinnamon)
1414 E. Mineral - Bone China with Dry Earth
1501 E. Commerce - Desert Dawn with Dry Earth

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:
September 10, 2001 is the deadline for all information to be in the next issue. (1268 E. Laurel Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85234.)

This Newsletter is published monthly by the Stonecreek HOA. Contact Borg Property Services with questions or comments.