Gas Leak Near Malone & Oak Brook

Posted by rbutler on Thursday, October 11 @ 8:08pm

There is a strong smell of a gas leak near the intersection of Malone and Oak Brook; Atmos has been alerted and is sending a crew out to check the area.

New Retail at Bethany & 75

Posted by rbutler on Thursday, March 29 @ 3:40pm

A frequent question the HOA has received is about new retail around the neighborhood. Although this isn't in the immediate area, we would like to mention that several retailers are committed for the Watters Creek mixed-use development at Bethany & 75 including a Market Street supermarket, P.F. Changs restaurant, Borders books, Ann Taylor Loft and Eddie Bauer. There will also be an eight-screen Studio Movie Grill cinema and a 135-room hotel as part of the project.

Shingle Damage From Last Weekend's Strong Winds

Posted by rbutler on Tuesday, February 27 @ 6:24pm

We've received several queries over the last few days about shingle damage caused by the strong winds over the weekend.

Depending on the age of your residence, you may still be covered by a warranty from the original builder. We also covered this in the newsletter last year, and more information is available there.

Next Open Forum Monday, December 4th

Posted by rbutler on Tuesday, November 28 @ 11:31am

The next open forum meeting will be held on Monday, December 4^th at the Allen Public Library at 300 N. Allen Drive in downtown Allen (near the post office) starting at 7pm. We will be discussing:

• The change in management companies,
• Annual dues for 2007 including accepting credit card payments,
• The stage 3 watering restrictions,
• Hiring off-duty police to curb vandalism,
• Whether to continue events such as the neighborhood garage sales, Spring Blockparty & Halloween parties,
• An urgent need for volunteers and what can be done to increase participation,
• Spending additional money to mail advance notices of meetings and events, so more people are aware of what's going on.

Next Open Forum Monday August 21st

Posted by rbutler on Monday, August 7 @ 9:48pm

The next HOA open-forum meeting will be on Monday August 21st from 7-8:45PM at the Allen Public Library. If you have questions, comments, concerns, or just want to meet some of your neighbors, please join us in the meeting room along the main hallway.

We've also updated the HOA Public Calendar with dates of other upcoming events.

HOA Watering Along Malone

Posted by rbutler on Tuesday, June 13 @ 9:25am

We've received a few questions via email concerning the HOA sprinkler system and the current Stage-3 water restriction in place by the City.

The HOA has received a variance from the City to allow us to water the common area along Malone due to the recent construction that damaged the sod. This variance is through the middle of July, and is specifically to allow the damaged sod to regrow. This variance does not apply to the sprinkler systems along Bethany or Shelley.

The HOA is having soaker hoses installed along the center median along Maxwell Creek Dr. to assist these new plants to survive. The soaker hoses are allowed under the Stage-3 water restriction.

Construction Along Malone

Posted by rbutler on Wednesday, May 31 @ 6:12pm

We've received a few queries about the work being done along Malone, as well as the flags extending through several homeowner's yards and wanted to report back on the information we found.

The work being performed is on behalf of Comcast; additional fiber optic lines are being run down Malone to feed the new neighborhood being built south of Shelley. This work has been subcontracted to Gardner Telecommunications, INC. Comcast is also working with the Engineering department with the city of Allen; the contact person with the City is Janet Moeri.

As part of this work, the contractor is pulling up sod relaying it after the fiber has been placed. We have been assured that this work is / will be done as non-destructively as possible. Because of the new water restrictions coming into force on June 1st, we raised a concern with the City that the sod would not be able to recover; the City is considering a temporary variance on the restriction.

Open-Forum Meeting 2/27

Posted by rbutler on Friday, February 24 @ 12:01pm

The next open-forum meeting will be this coming Monday, 2/27. As with previous meetings, there is no set agenda, merely an opportunity to meet your neighbors and to ask questions tothe HOA board members. We expect that there will be a discussion of the management company selection, as well as an update on dues for 2006.

Homeowner Missing Package

Posted by rbutler on Thursday, January 12 @ 5:44pm

One of our homeowners, Sue Ridder, reported a missing package, and asked that anyone with information to please contact her. The package was delivered by DHL from the Dr. Pepper Museum and it was supposedly delivered at 1:55 p.m. December 21 to 1622 Briarhollow Court. The package weighed approx. 2 lbs and should be in a small- to medium-sized box.

Open Forum Meeting Monday Oct. 3rd 7:00pm

Posted by rbutler on Friday, September 30 @ 8:29pm

The next open forum meeting will be held on Monday, October 3rd at the Allen Public Library, starting at 7pm. Please note the new location at 300 N. Allen Drive. As with previous meetings, there is no specific agenda, the plan is to hold an informal question and answer session, and to help everyone meet their neighbors.

Sprinkler Problem on Shelley

Posted by rbutler on Monday, August 8 @ 12:41pm

Just to let everyone know, we're aware of the sprinkler problem on Shelley (two zones running for 24hrs+) and contacted our landscape company about the problem on Sunday.

Thanks to everyone who let us know about the problem!

Next Open Forum Meeting Saturday August 13th @ 2pm

Posted by rbutler on Wednesday, August 3 @ 10:32am

The next open forum meeting will be held on Saturday, August 13th at the Allen Public Library, starting at 2pm. Please note the new location at 300 N. Allen Drive. As with previous meetings, there is no specific agenda, the plan is to hold an informal question and answer session, and to help everyone meet their neighbors.

Open Forum Meeting

Posted by rbutler on Monday, June 27 @ 11:21am

Due to the delay in publishing the 2nd quarter newsletter, many people were not aware of the date of the last Open Forum meeting on Tuesday, June 14th.

Because of this delay, we will be holding a second special Open Forum meeting on Tuesday June 28th at the Allen Public Library, starting at 7pm. As with previous meetings, there is no specific agenda, the plan is to hold an informal question and answer session, and to help everyone meet their neighbors.

Please note the new location at 300 N. Allen Drive.

Open Forum June 28th

Posted by rbutler on Thursday, June 16 @ 7:12pm

Due to the delay in publishing the 2nd quarter newsletter, many people were not aware of the date of the last Open Forum meeting on Tuesday, June 14th.

Because of this delay, we will be holding a second special Open Forum meeting on Tuesday June 28th at the Allen Public Library, starting at 7pm. As with previous meetings, there is no specific agenda, the plan is to hold an informal question and answer session, and to help everyone meet their neighbors.

Please note the new location at 300 N. Allen Drive.

Volunteer Coordinator Needed!

Posted by rbutler on Tuesday, January 4 @ 4:12pm

As a result of the survey sent out with the annual dues invoice, we've received a number of responses from people willing to volunteer their time. Unfortunately, we haven't had a chance to contact everyone yet, and we could really use a volunteer coordinator!

If you think you can help us with this job, please contact us!

Flags in Alley & Digging Along Street / Update on Construction Along Malone

Posted by rbutler on Monday, October 18 @ 2:52pm

We've received a few questions about the flags placed in the alleys and the construction begun along Oak Brook Ln. We checked into it and received this response from Janet Moeri with the City:

Verizon is in the process of installing an underground fiber optic distribution line in that area. The flags are marking existing underground utilities so that the contractor knows their locations prior to excavation. The City's line locator, Jim Gates, will be keeping an eye on the contractor to protect the City's infrastructure and to insure that proper restoration is done. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to call me directly at 214.509.4583 or email me at jmoeri@cityofallen.org

Additionally, we contacted the City for an update on the sewer line construction along Malone and Bethany. In brief, the commencement date has been delayed by a month until February 2005, and the construction will now begin on Bethany and work back towards Malone, rather than beginning at the lift station on Malone as was planned originally. The complete response with specific details about the project has been posted in the FAQ.

Reminder: Open Forum Meeting Tonight

Posted by rbutler on Monday, October 4 @ 10:23am

Just a reminder, the next open forum HOA meeting is tonight at 7:00pm at the Allen Public Library on McDermott.

Next Open Forum Meeting Monday 10/4 7:00pm

Posted by rbutler on Monday, September 20 @ 11:53am

The next open forum meeting will be held Monday, October 4th at the Allen Public Library on McDermott from 7-8pm. If you have any questions for the HOA, we encourage you to attend!

Frequently Asked Questions

Posted by rbutler on Tuesday, July 20 @ 3:54pm

We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions that have been discussed at several meetings and in the various newsletters, and placed them all in one article. If there is a question you have that isn't addressed, please let us know.

Next Open Forum Meeting Monday 7/19 7:00pm

Posted by rbutler on Friday, July 16 @ 1:47pm

The next open forum meeting of the Association will be held this coming Monday the 19th at 7:00pm at the Allen Public Library on McDermott. As in the past, there is not specific agenda, however the following topics are likely to be covered:

• Board Member Resignations / Volunteer Needs
• HOA Dues
• Upcoming Construction along Malone and Shelley

Advertisments in Next Newsletter

Posted by rbutler on Monday, June 21 @ 2:56pm

We're preparing to finish up the next newsletter for publication, so anyone wanting to place an advertisment, or include an article or letter to be printed should do so in the next 2-3 days. Everything must be received no later than Thursday, June 24th at midnight in order to be included.

Open-Forum meeting tonight

Posted by rbutler on Monday, March 15 @ 4:34pm

Just a quick reminder to everyone that the HOA will be holding the next HOA open-forum meeting tonight at the library on McDermott from 7-9pm. There is no formal agenda, it's open to everyone to come and ask any questions or voice any concerns you may have.

Management Company / Contact Information Changes

Posted by rbutler on Tuesday, September 9 @ 12:00am

The HOA terminated it's contract with Excel Association Management Company effective September 9th, 2003. At this time, we will not be using a management company, and will try to pull all of these activities back to volunteers within the neighborhood. We decided to make this change for several reasons:

• Improved Communication. The old management company (Excel) was doing a very poor job of communicating both to homeowners as well as the HOA board. There were several occasions where Excel sent out violation letters to residents that had no clear violation listed, and no suggested remedies. There were other letters sent out that in one paragraph told a homeowner they were in violation, and in the next thanked them for complying.
• Improved Reporting. Excel was not able to provide such items as clear, concise budget reports, or lists of which residents had been sent violation notices and why those notices were sent.
• Improved Follow-up. Excel was unable to provide timely information to either the HOA board or residents, and usually multiple requests were required.
• Lower Costs. Excel charged a significant fee each month compared to the value being received.

Please bear with us during these changes, as there is a lot of behind the scenes work that must be completed! Additionally, we did not receive complete documentation from Excel as to which homeowners have received violation notices, and which have not. Please excuse any duplicate notices, as they are not intentional.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about this change.