MARCH 2022
The Farmstead Commons annual meeting was held on January 22, 2022. Prior to the meeting a budget was sent to all owners. If anyone missed the notice, revised budget and minutes of the meeting that were hand delivered (mailed to non-resident owners) last month please note at the meeting a motion was made to amend the budget to reflect a $2 per month increase in the fees effective March 1, 2022. Fees at Farmstead are now $212/$216 effective with the March 1 payment. If you paid the lower amount for March, it is ok to pay the difference and catch up with the April payment.
It is still a bit early, but bears will be waking up soon and Farmstead is a popular place for them to peruse looking for food. They have been known to come right up on to the patios! We ask all residents to take in all bird feeders, do not leave any food or trash items on the front stoop or rear patio. We will let you know when bird feeders can be put out again.
Although winter is ALMOST over, we remind residents to call CB Property Management when the snow slides off the carport roofs. White’s Groundskeeping checks the carports/lots regularly when melt is occurring; they will clean up and salt the areas. However, they could be on site and the snow could fall off right after they leave, if the temperatures drop enough before they return to check again - the fallen snow becomes a large ice lump! Added to the frost heaving of the asphalt areas in front of the carport spaces, the fallen roof snow situation can be an issue. We’d prefer three phone calls that the snow has fallen than one call that there is a lump of frozen snow at the perimeter of the carport entrances.
We recently had an issue with a clogged kitchen drain pipe at Farmstead that was quite intense. One suggestion to assist with keeping the drains flowing: never put grease down the kitchen drain and a drain company that worked on the line suggests hot water, baking soda and vinegar be poured down the kitchen drain every other month to help keep the lines clean. Drano can be harmful to the cast iron pipes so that is not recommended as a preventative option.
Here’s a breakdown of the per-month fee for 2022 for each unit at Farmstead. Please note these figures are the average of all 82 units – not separated by carport or non-carport fee. Bldg Maint $14.75 Condo $0.35; Grounds $3.60; Insurance $25.95; Landscaping $29.85; Legal $5.08; Management $18.00; Trash $11.87; Utilities $1.32; Winter $35.27; Roof Reserve $24.39 Operating reserve $6.98 and Capital reserve $19.91; Asphalt Reserve $17.03
The Board of Directors and Management will be walking the grounds this spring to add repair items to the list of work to be done this year. If you see an exterior repair or grounds maintenance issue you would like us to take a look at – please contact CB Property Management by phone 603-358-0040 or email cbpmdiane@aol.com
Don’t forget to set your clocks forward on March 13 when daylight savings time begins. This is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms to keep them working properly.
Please don’t park in anyone else’s carport (without their permission) or in another’s assigned parking space. I know sometimes during snowy weather it’s hard to figure out exactly where your assigned spot is, so pick a shrub, bush (or Unit number) as a reminder so you get it right and don’t inconvenience others. And I know we keep repeating this, but it continues to be a concern - residents should never park in guest spaces.
Please everybody (and this is important) update your phone number with the office if it has changed in the recent past. Many people are using cell phones instead of land-lines and the numbers we have on file for you are no longer in service. We also encourage the use of email as the main communication for notices, newsletters etc – send your email along as well. In an effort to have all current information, we will be sending new Questionnaires to all residents. Even if you feel like you just filled one out and sent it over, please take a moment to complete and return this important document to my office.
This is YOUR newsletter, so feel free to use it if you have anything you want your neighbors to know: birth, death, marriage, graduation; or if you have something to buy, sell or swap, to rent or a service to offer, let us know and we’ll include your information at no charge. You can also send along this information and it can be posted to the Farmstead Commons Owners section on the Association website.
In the upcoming months the By-Laws of the Association will be reviewed by an Attorney to make any amendments or revisions to ensure the Documents are in line with NH Condominium Law. These amendments to the documents will require participation from ALL owners so please be on the lookout for notices (from this office) pertaining to the information gathering, informational meeting dates and the final vote on the updating of these documents and please respond promptly when requested.
Please remember when ordering on line or take out delivery etc. be sure to state your FULL address – 238 Base Hill Road Unit #___. We have had a few deliveries sent to random units.
So…..are you sick of winter yet? Before you know it we’ll have rain that doesn’t freeze when it hits the ground, birds singing in the morning, crocus and daffodils coming through the ground!!
Keep your fingers crossed and
THINK SPRING!!!!