Colonial Forest Condominium Newsletter
The Forest Gazette
To put in ads E-mail: contactus@colonialforest.net
I will do the newsletter online as it is easier to get information out when it is needed instead of after the fact or not report on items that fall in between issues. If you want a printed newsletter, I can print the snapshot in time but it is a snapshot in time of what is on the web site on that day. Out web site is www.colonialforest.net and if you do not have a computer, they will let you use the PC's at the Library and you can get free e-mail addresses from places like Yahoo.com.
New e-mail address you can use to e-mail work orders for the guys: it is:
colforstaff@q.com. The guys will ALWAYS schedule non-emergency jobs into their weekly work schedule as planned but emergent projects come first. E_MAIL to CF office staff is NEW E-Mail Address!!
If you have an emergency, call Targa at 253-815-0393 as they have a 24 hour number for emergencies and they have a list of qualified people to handle different emergent situations.
Note: Look at bottom of Newsletter for information on Garage Sale and how you can be a part of it !!
Targa has found a new office building that is quite a bit larger to accommodate and serve our clients better. It is still in Federal Way and just down the road from our current office. Below is the new address.
720 S 348th St. ste. A
Federal Way WA, 98003
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Annual Picnic
The annual Picnic will be at the area we had the last picnic. It will be on August 22, between 1:00 and 3:00
We will have the new 10 x 10 Gazebo up and we will provide Fried Chicken and Watermelon plus the drinks (pop and water)
as well as what we did last year, i.e.; plates, plasticware etc
We are asking that you all come to the picnic and bring a dish for 8-10 people to share, and a chair for each of you or a blanket to meet and visit with your neighbors.
We had a nice time last year and we want to make it a good time every year, please come help us do that!
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Spring Notice
Republishing the white and gray paint codes for your spring maintenance to your units, the black does not have a code, so get the black you can.
Gray Paint for decks:
Glidden Latex Satin Porch Enamel PF7090
colorant oz 1/48 1/96
B Lamp Black 2 26 0
C Yellow Oxide 0 7 0
KY White 9 14 0
I Raw Umber 0 1 0
White paint for rails, lights, doors, fences etc:
Semi-latex House and Trim Ultra white base 159A310
colorant Y 1/48 1/96
B 0 1 0
C 0 8 0
I 0 4 0
The types of storm doors like are approved:
Emco 200 Series 30-36 inch doors Tradition or Crossbuck can be purchased. Cost about $147.00
Emco 75 series 30-36 inch doors in Crossbuck with black strap. Cost about $96.00
They all have hidden windows and are available at Home Depot.
As stated in the Minutes this month, resident gardens are to be maintained by the residents or they will
lose the privilege and the areas will be maintained by our guys as they can schedule that area for cleanup.
If you look around the complex you can see nicely kept areas that are maintained by the residents and some that are
solely the responsibility of the guys to do. As we have more and more depended on the guys (Dave and Fred) for
more maintenance of property and machinery etc. to save money and be more efficient it is getting more time consuming to get to the over 500 small and large weeded plots in the complex. Since it is spring, please consider keeping the small areas in your building area free of weed and debris.
We also are doing more walk around's to see that residents are complying with the Rules given each home owner when you purchaed your units and they are also posted on the web site.
There are more bread crumbs and peanut shells put out for birds and squirrels or even your own pets which is in violation of the rules and if caught you will be fined up to $100.00. We pay quite a lot to keep rats and other vermin out and for some of you to still put out food for whoever it is disturbing that you still feel it is Ok to do so.
We are again asking that NO ONE PUT FOOD OUT!!!!! PERIOD!
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This is a totally awesome organization!!
http://www.trurecycle.com
They're in Tacoma and they will pick up any and all electronics, computers, phones, metal, and other recycle-ables for FREE anywhere in WA state. Like to work with businesses who are upgrading their equipment, etc.
Great resource!
They are a NONPROFIT recycle concern that provides resources to families through job training, food bank, clothing bank, and give functional computers to families who don't have them. I love these guys!
They also rebuild and sell computer set-ups for cheap when they have too much inventory.
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Annual Garage Sale
This year the Garage Sale will be done by the residents only. If you want to head the Garage Sale Committee, please contact me at contactus@colonialforest.net or call me at 253-517-7906. Anyone that wants to head the committee can contact me for advise or to let me know that they will do a flyer that can be taped to each box next to the mailboxes for signup, information etc. Also can put a free ad online and a short paragraph in the South King County Newspaper, plus do outside flyers or any of the above to advertise the sale. You can group together so it looks like more to draw people or maybe buildings group together so more will be displayed and draw interest. Something to think about as you will select the date and time and inform the Board so we can be aware of it and also include it in the minutes prior and post it on our online site.
Goals for 2010:
That each homeowner will take some responsibility for the upkeep of their units outside maintenance.
It is the responsibility of each homeowner to paint railings/garage doors etc. To maintain/replace steps and decks boards as needed. When making improvements, i.e.: new doors, storm doors, windows, decks and other items that effect the outside appearance of your unit, the requirements are that it conform to the regulations of the condo association. The rules and CC&R's are posted on the web site as well as each got a copy when you purchased your unit.
The goal is to have our units look the best they can and not just rely on the guys to do it for you. They do a great job year round to work towards that goal but they cannot do everything so it is each of our responsibility to do what we can and should to help reach the goal of looking our best. This not only makes a nice place to live but enhances our ability to get the best dollar if we are selling our unit in these uncertain times.
To think that our guys only are working when you see them is not accurate. They also have worked on the truck to keep it running, small machinery like mowers etc. and sprinklers, repair and dig holes for repair of things like leaking pipes etc. to name a few, like Dave completely redid the front sign .
All these things are saving us money therefore helping to keep costs down and dues from going up more. They are a great asset to us and we can rely on them for many things you do not see, so when you can do something like weed your own small common area, or pick up some litter this frees them to do more costly urgent things that helps us all. Please keep that in mind as we are in a community complex with on site maintenance but it is still our home.
Tip: Because it is not cost effective, through our research of places, to keep putting bark in the small common areas. To help keep some of the weeds from taking these areas over, in my small common areas I have put down a beauty bark that is treated so it stops weeds from growing and is about $3.50 a big bag at Home Depot, Lowes or Walmart Super Store. If you want to help keep the weeds down and help the appearance of those areas, you might consider getting some and putting it out. It also keeps its color longer than the other bark as mine has.
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Property Tax information:
Here is an e-mail I got the the tax assessors office concerning tax exempt status and deferral status. Apparently a raise in the amount is going before the house soon. The current amount is 35000 and 45000 concurrently.
There is a Senate Bill 6215 that will go before the Legislature, 2010 Regular session raising the income amount to $40,000 and also the Deferral program to $45,000. Contact your local representative or Legislature for more information as to the status.
There is usually more than one attempt to change the limit. This is one that was referred to our office.
Sincerely,
Karyl Laustsen
Exemption Unit
Here is the web site where you can find access to your legislature in your district.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rosters/default.aspx
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If there is a problem let us know as we can't look for a solution if we do not know the problem.
That is not to say we can solve all situations, but we need to know from you what is the problem and we will seek a solution if there is one.
If you would like to group together to get a project done, like replacing windows, doors etc
you might consider advertising in the newsletter to get others so you can possibly negotiate a better price like the dryer vent deals.
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Your Property Taxes Information (Moved to bulletin)
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List of handy people to hire
I have moved the list to the Bulletin Board link on this site
so please check it out and add to it if you have people you have used that
others can benefit from.
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Members of the Board:
I am acting President until we appoint a new3 President
Vice-President: Joni (Jolene) McKee 253-517-7906
(also in charge of web site )
Treasurer: Val Krzyzaniak 253-449-5351
Secretary: Marilyn Kelleigh 253-815-1975
Landscaping: John Halvorsen 253-924-1809
At Large: Hank Lazzar 253-874-5212
At Large: Aaron Dahl 425-281-1889
At Large: Mark Wurz 253-838-6941
Condo Management Targa Real Estate Contact person:
Justin Smith 253-815-0393 ex 32
please do not contact Justin with problems that should be resolved by the board, Targa is our management company
e-mail: justin@targarealestate.com
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Web-site: colonialforest.net
If you have any suggestions for the web site please e-mail them to me, thanks Joni
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