Architectural Committee Needs YOU

01/28/2018summerfieldestates

Can you help keep our neighborhood looking great?

Summerfield needs a new chairperson for our Architectural Committee.  After five years in the role, Dick Woodward is stepping down when his current term expires in June of this year.  We now need a new volunteer from within the neighborhood to join and lead the Architectural Committee.

Most of you know that Summerfield benefits greatly from the efforts of our Architectural Committee.  Their work makes a major contribution to sustaining the beauty of and high demand for homes in our neighborhood.  Historically, we have always had a homeowner serve as the leader of the committee.  We hope to we can continue to do so (the alternative could be very expensive and raise our annual dues).

So, how do we find Dick’s replacement?  Frankly, anyone who is willing to work about 15 hours a month on average in this role is someone we would like to hear from.  The job, fortunately, does not require a Ph.D.  It doesn’t require extensive computer skills either, although experience with MS Word and file management will make the job a lot easier.

We are looking for someone who will take the maintenance of our architectural standards seriously while keeping an open mind when disputes arise.  Historically, the ideal candidate has been someone who is either (a) retired, or (b) still works but has limited job hours and manageable job-related travel.  We are looking for someone who appreciates the work of this committee in preserving Summerfield’s attractiveness and home values, and who now can personally contribute to sustaining those efforts.  If this describes your situation, we’d really like to hear from you.

Dick indicates that the Architectural Chair position is quite the opposite of a “thankless job.”  On the contrary, he has received many more thank you’s than complaints; the gratitude of our neighbors can make this role a “feel good” opportunity.  There is the added benefit of working with other members of the committee and the SHOA board – both pretty nice (and fun) groups of your neighbors.

And lastly, don’t forget the many financial benefits that come with the job!  You will not be paid!  You will not go on exciting junkets!  And, your annual bonus will always get “lost in the mail.”  But, you will get support from your peers and the knowledge that you are giving back to a great neighborhood.

So, please help us.  Volunteer to serve if you can, but if not, try to recruit a neighbor who might.

Please contact board member Tom Halfaker if you are interested.  He can be reached at 858-774-4103 or [email protected].

Thanks for considering our request,

The SHOA Architectural Committee and Board of Directors

Summerfield Pool: West Yard Improvement

11/19/2017summerfieldestates

Dear Summerfield Neighbors,

The board is embarking on a number of updates in the pool area: fixing the drains and repairing uneven sidewalk areas among other things.

The area to the west of the pool and south of the covered patio area has a small grassy area surrounded by a sidewalk that has become very uneven. We would like to find a way to allow the neighborhood to have the best use of this area and return it to being an asset for us all. See the yellow shaded area in the picture below for reference.

We want to survey the neighborhood for ideas on which approach to take towards renovating this area. For example, perhaps we can make it a better area for parents and toddlers to hang out while older kids play on the south lawn.  No matter what we do, we want it to be safe and kid friendly.

Please consider which options would be most appealing to you and best enhance our community. We encourage you to go look at the area to help formulate your responses.

We cannot guarantee that we will go with the items with the most votes (we will need to see what the cost and practical implications will be) – but we want to hear from YOU!

Look for the survey in your email, on our private Facebook group or NextDoor!

Of course, if anyone wants to directly talk with any board member or send us an email at [email protected], we look forward to your input.

We plan to leave the survey open until December 5, 2017 so that we can review the results at the next HOA board meeting on December 7. We will report back to the neighborhood as we proceed with this process.

Thanks!

2017 Pool Closing Date

10/25/2017summerfieldestates

The pool will be closing this year on Monday October 30. See you next spring!

Want to give back to Summerfield?

10/10/2017summerfieldestates

Summerfield Community,

Some of you might be looking for a volunteer opportunity or maybe you just want to give back to the great neighborhood we live in. Well, that opportunity now exists. We are looking for one or two new members for the Architectural Committee. The time requirement is minimal, just two to three hours per month. If you are interested, please contact Dick Woodward, the Chair of the Architectural Committee at [email protected] or via the contact form https://summerfieldpoway.com/contact-us/.

Best Regards,

Summerfield Estates HOA

Bittersweet day for Summerfield

09/17/2017summerfieldestates

This past Friday the large stone pine tree at 12849 Elmfield was taken down.  For decades it has been a “familiar face” as we walk or drive down Elmfield.  As some note, it’s a community asset, something that makes us feel better.

Unfortunately, as is often the case with large trees, there comes a time when we as responsible stewards have to bid farewell.  Friday was that day.  The roots of the tree had become too difficult to endure, causing foundation damage to not only the owners’ property, but to the property of neighbors as well.  There was also the growing risk that the tree might some day topple of its own accord in a wind storm, with potential damage almost too frightening to contemplate.  In addition, the owners will now be able to put in a lawn that will meet Summerfield standards.

The owners tried hard to save the tree, incurring significant costs earlier this year to have the tree thinned, but ultimately it had to be taken down.  We’ll miss our “old friend”, but we can be thankful that the removal occurred without incident, and that Summerfield continues to have so many nicely landscaped properties, including some beautiful trees.

Respectfully yours,

The Summerfield HOA Board

Improved Search Function

08/02/2017summerfieldestates

We have updated the search function on the website to use Google. This means that searches will now find words inside of our governing document PDFs, newsletters, and so forth.  This should make it easier to find the documents or announcements that have the information that you need. (Of course, Google will place an advertisement on the search page, just skim past that!)

Pool Safety

07/14/2017summerfieldestates

Safety First!

• The gate to enter the pool area must be kept locked at all times.  PLEASE – Help save a life – Do not prop the gate open – If a child wanders in unsupervised, a tragedy could result!
• Similarly, please make sure the bathroom doors are kept closed when not in use and supervise small children in the bathrooms.
• Additionally, don’t forget that glass containers are BANNED in the pool area.

Share the Fun – Not the Germs!

We love our pool – but we want it to be a healthy experience.  Keep the pool area, the water and the bathrooms clean.  Please protect your family and neighbors by making sure to follow the tips from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/swimming/resources/share-fun-not-germs-508c.pdf
Stay out of the water if sick; Rinse off before getting in the water; Don’t foul the water; Don’t swallow the water.
And remember: swimming diapers are only good for a few minutes before they can start to leak.

Pool Party?

If you plan on having a pool party, it is your responsibility to clean the pool area after your party. That includes:

• Removing all food items and trash off of the tables and pool deck.
• Remove all decorations and any tape.
• Put tables and chairs back in place.
• It is also your responsibility to haul your trash home. We keep extra bags available with the trash can so you can leave the trashcan ready for the next group.

We operate on the honor system, but if the pool area is not sufficiently cleaned after each party, we will consider requiring a cleaning deposit for all parties.
Please remember when hosting a party at our pool, adequate adult supervision is paramount. We, all Summerfield homeowners, as an association will bear the consequences if there is an accident or injury.

All done? Don’t forget:

• Pick up your trash.
• Make sure the bathrooms are closed.
• Make sure the gate is left closed.
• The pool belongs to all of us – we are all responsible for leaving it in good shape for our next visit and for our neighbors.

Finally:

If an biological contamination accident does happen in the pool, please contact one of the board members (numbers and email at https://summerfieldpoway.com/hoa-board/) so we can close the pool and have the water treated.
The pool rules are posted at the pool and on our website. We are all responsible for helping to enforce them.

All of your efforts to keep the pool area enjoyable, clean, and safe are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!