2019-12-12 From HHOA President Vance Shaffer
Information and Request to Hemmingwood Homeowners-
2. Reminders
3. Projects
Several projects approved at the annual meeting will take place over the next few months.
4. HOA Committee Chairperson Changes
5. Many thanks to Kathy Felts and her team for putting up the Christmas lights at the gazebo and entrances. Everything looks great!
Please let me or any other HOA Board member know if you have any questions or issues. Board members’ contact information is listed on the HOA website. Happy Holidays to all!
Vance Shaffer
President, Hemmingwood HOA
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2019-09-10 From HHOA President Kathy Pedigo
As we approach our Annual Meeting of the Hemmingwood Homeowners Association, I wanted to share two important dates with you. The first is Monday, September 23, 2019 at 6:00pm at the Big Gazebo by the lake. The Board of Directors will be available for a “Town Hall” style meeting. We will have copies of the proposed budget for the upcoming year for your review and we will answer any questions that you have on the state of our finances as well as any other neighborhood issues or updates.
The Annual Hemmingwood Homeowners Association meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 7, 2019 at 6:00pm. The location is Faith Church and the address is 15512 Old Hickory Blvd. Nashville, Tennessee 37211.
Please watch your mail for a packet that will include all of the documents that pertain to the Annual Meeting. There are two open board vacancies that we will fill at this meeting, and if you have not been contacted by a member of the nominating committee, please forward your interest in being a candidate for a board position to Kathy Pedigo at pedigokathy@gmail.com.
I look forward to seeing you at these two meetings.
2019-04-10 From HHOA President Kathy Pedigo
Happy Spring to everyone in our neighborhood. We are now in the middle of the most beautiful time of the year in Middle Tennessee. I have not communicated some of the information about the ongoing activities of your board of directors in as timely a manner as I should have so this is going to be a “catch up” message for everyone.
First, a bit of unsettling news, we have had thieves canvassing our neighborhood in the early morning hours looking into cars in driveways, and unfortunately at least one car was stolen Tuesday morning. With the help of security cameras on neighboring homes, these people were captured on video and this information was given to Metro Police. If you watch the news you are painfully aware that this is not an uncommon occurence in our city these days. Metro Police asked that everyone be notified of this theft and be aware that we are not immune to crime. They suggest that you never leave valuables in a car that is outside of your garage, always lock your doors, and make sure your keys are never left in your vehicle. I believe that they have stepped up their patrols because I have seen numerous police cars in the neighborhood today. If you see suspicious activity, please report it to police.
I have spoken with Patti and we are in the process of putting together a newsletter to pass along more information about the activities that are ongoing in the neighborhood, but there are two important pieces of information that I want you to be aware of today. The first is that we have a new Landscape Contractor for all the common grounds as of April 1. Green Pastures is the name of the company and please be patient with their employees and with us as we transition into this new contract. Vance Shaffer and Norrita Kowalski have spent countless hours working through bids and interviews so if you see them in the neighborhood, make sure and thank them for all their efforts on behalf of all of us.
There are several more topics that will be updated in the upcoming Newsletter, such as, “What are those five bubble spots in the lake, and what is the long term tree scape plan?” Make sure you watch for that Newsletter!
On behalf of all board members and committee chairs, please volunteer and get involved in our beautiful neighborhood. Middle Tennessee is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and our small neighborhood is a microcosm of the best it has to offer. Please help preserve it, and enjoy it everyday by getting out and getting involved!
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Town Hall Meeting 2017-10-24 6:00pm: Bring a lawn chair to the large gazebo
Greetings from the board! We would like to thank everyone for attending the Annual Meeting and participating in the lively discussion. However, we left the meeting with the feeling there was still much to be discussed. With that in mind, we would like to invite everyone to a Town Hall meeting at the large gazebo on Tuesday, October 24 at 6:00 pm.
The purpose and agenda are simple. We will introduce the Board members in their new roles: David Howe-President; Paul Ross-Vice President; Diane Payne-Treasurer; Al Kirwan-Secretary and Will Forte-At-Large. We will then circulate signup sheets for those of you who wish to volunteer for a committee, and then turn the floor over to you. We want to hear what you have to say.
To keep things flowing and on topic, we will follow the agenda below. We will moderate the meeting and introduce the topics in order of the agenda. This is not an official meeting and there will be no roll call or votes. This is an opportunity to informally exchange ideas and information. The board will be available for questions and comments.
On a final note, I look around this beautiful neighborhood and feel so privileged to live here. We are truly blessed! Let’s enjoy the beauty, share our thoughts constructively, and get to know one another as one community.
David Howe, HHOA President
Town Hall Agenda:
Opening Comments & Board Introductions
Committee Sign-Ups
Treasury Items
Old/New Business
Eclipse 2017-08-18
See this important information from Nashville Metro
Event 2017-07-21
See the main web page upper left for more information about the 2017-07-29 event.
Annual Homeowners Meeting
Will be Monday, October 2
Weather Station 2017-07-21
Hemmingwood now has its own weather station at the end of Kelly Road. You can get its weather readings by clicking on the Weather link at the upper left navigation panel on the main web page. Email harrelfe@gmail.com for any questions.
Moles 2017-07-21
Contact Ronnie King, Trappers Wildlife Control
HCA Health Park 2017-06-03
Several HHOA members attended and spoke at the 2017-06-01 Nashville Metro Stormwater Management Committee hearing. The following from David Howe is an update of what happened and what we currently know about the project. Detailed project plans may be viewed in the Google Drive members/Surrounding Development/HCA folder.
Access to Kelly Road: According to Brandon Burnette, Planning/Codes/Zoning Liaison for the Metro Council Office, “the proposed grading plan/variance proposes no access to Kelly Road. Despite how the application may be worded, this variance would not grant the developer vested rights to access Kelly Road.”
Stormwater Runoff Quantity and Quality: The proposed changes to the HCA parking would add two two-story parking structures and replace some of the paved spaces with pervious green spaces. According to the Stormwater committee and HCA representatives the amount of runoff would be reduced and the quality of the runoff would be improved by the current plan. However, the Stormwater Council denied the current plan because it unnecessarily encroaches the stream buffer. The committee urged the developer to go beyond what is legally required, in terms of increasing pervious surface etc., if they proceed with their work with no further change requests.
Trash, Fence, and Communications: We voiced and the Stormwater echoed disappointment with HCA failing to communicate with neighbors, construction workers littering, and the poor quality of the temporary construction fence. The representative of HCA took notes and acknowledged the need to improve. We exchanged contact information and hope for improved communication going forward.
Brush Collection 2017-06-03
Metro Nashville Public Works Department is scheduled to begin Brush and Leaf collections in your area on Thursday, June 15, 2017.
Thank you!
Note to residents: The Brush Crews sometimes go into the next zone when finished with the prior zone to stay ahead of demand in case of storms or equipment issues. They will run the entire zone again starting on the scheduled date. To ensure that your brush will be collected, you should have limbs and all other yard waste out and ready for pick-up on the date above. Place only limbs, branches and true yard waste by the curb for brush crews. Lumber, household trash and other types of debris found in your brush pile means it won't get picked up. Brush piles should not be placed close to mailboxes, utility poles, fences, trees, other stationary objects, in medians, in ditches or near storm drains. The mechanical arm of the knuckle boom truck needs enough room to lift the brush pile up and into the trailer pulled behind the truck.
Place leaves in biodegradable paper bags only. Paper biodegradable bags can be purchased at most hardware stores, Wal-Mart's, Target, Home Depot, etc. Public Works also has a supply of these bags available for purchase at the Omohundro Convenience Center: 5 bags for $3.00 and 10 bags for $6.00.
Plastic bags will not be picked up.
Fun Run to Benefit Nashville Metro Police Department 2017-05-09
The 9th Annual Shoney’s 5K Family Fun Run, Walk & Festival benefiting the Nashville Police Support Fund will be held Saturday morning, May 13th, at Nissan Stadium. Families across Nashville and Middle Tennessee are invited. Click here for more details.
Community Garage Sale 2017-04-29
The sale will take place Saturday May 6, 8am-noon.
Two Beavers Trapped 2017-04-21
Two beavers were trapped by the mouth of the southern creek, and removed. Hats off to Ronnie King and Norrita Kowalski.
New Beaver 2017-04-06
Update: if you see the beaver and startle it, watch and report which direction it heads; that is usually towards its home base and is where a trap needs to be placed.
A beaver was spotted swimming around the lake on 2017-04-04, along with some new minor damage to two trees by the water south of the large gazebo. A message from Norrita Kowalski:
I just met with the Wildlife guy( Mr King) this morning and his advice to us is to wait a little longer to see if we see any more damage to some of our trees. He thinks that it is a small beaver at this point. This time of year, we have so many turtles in our lake that are so active that they will set off the traps constantly. It is a three hour drive for him to come back when the turtles get caught in the traps. He feels that it is going to be extremely hard to catch the beaver at this particular time. He did not want to waste our money! He recommends that we remove the beaver dam and try and fill in where we caught the other beaver. This will help deter any new beavers having a home already built for them to occupy. I will discuss this with the landscaping committee for a solution to have these beaver homes removed. If anyone see's any new activity of trees being eaten on, please let me know as soon as you can where I can stay in touch with our Wildlife guy.
Norrita reported that the beaver dam is on the northeast side of the southernmost bridge, and there is an opening where a beaver could easily make a home on the south side of the northwest bridge.
Never Feed Canada Geese 2017-03-26
It is extremely important that you never feed geese or ducks around our lake. Ten important reasons are described here.
Warning: Coyotes 2017-03-26
Please read the following, provided by David Howe. A pack of coyotes is living in the woods on Kelly Road just west of its intersection with Abingdon Court.
Please watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfdntYarJOA
Beaver Update 2017-03-26
After the last beaver was trapped and removed, all traps were removed and no activity has been noted. If you see any evidence for new beaver activity, please email Norrita Kowalski at kowalskin@comcast.net.
Coyote Sighting 2017-03-20
A coyote was spotted earlier this week running on the pathway around the lake and standing still while residents walked nearby. Residents are advised to keep a close watch on their children and small animals. The coyotes living in the woods on Kelly Road are becoming more comfortable around people. Never give food to a coyote or try to pet one. The coyotes may actually be coywolves, a coyote/wolf hybrid. This are larger and smarter than coyotes but fortunately are no more aggressive to humans.
Committee Chair Appointments 2016-12-12
At the 12/12/16 HHOA Board Meeting, the following Committee Chairs were appointed by the Board of Directors as Officers of the Association for the year 2017 in accordance with Section 7.a of the HHOA By-Laws.
These Committee Chairs and members of their respective committees shall be covered by the terms of the HHOA By- Laws as defined in Section 8, Indemnification.
Free Bulk Item Pick-up Service in Davidson County 2016-12-06
This is offered through the Davidson County Sheriff's Office. They will haul away large household items like furniture, appliances and mattresses, but no paint, toxic material, tires or building materials. You can call Deborah Pittman of Davidson County Sheriff's Office Community Services at 615-880-3897 or email her at dpittman@dcso.nashville.org. The service is free, but the items must be curbside.
Mailbox Maintenance 2016-10-16
Jesse Gough has written an exceptionally helpful article about how to fix or replace your mailbox. See the Public Files section of the left panel on the web site. After clicking that, click on Maintenance then on the Mailboxes document to view it. Or click here to go directly to the document.
Beavers in Lake 2016-10-05 updated 2016-12-06
Beavers have been spotted in the lake and they have damaged at least two trees. A company has been hired to set traps for them in the lake. Dog owners please beware of the danger posed by these traps. Traps will be present for two weeks. Thanks to the Landscaping and Grounds Committee for quick action.
Update from Norrita Kowalski 2016-10-07: I just spoke with the Wildlife guy this morning and we checked the traps that was put in one area only. We were not successful today but will leave those traps there and put a couple more out around the lake where there is beaver activity. With this being said, I think that it would be to everyone's best interest to email everyone in the association to stay away from the water until we get this family of beavers caught!
Update from Norrita Kowalski 2016-10-07: The wildlife guy has been setting traps out for the beavers and one of the traps keeps going off, but no beaver!!! Please make sure that everyone stays away from the caution tape where the beaver traps are marked. The good news is, we have been able to save most of our trees that line the lake area from the beaver doing any more damage to our trees!! I have applied the clear calk called (tanglefoot ) to our trees where the beavers have been eating. This has saved us around six to ten trees already. The good news is, it looks like the beavers have left our area for right now but the wildlife guy seems to think that they might come back again.
If anyone sees a beaver in the lake, please give me a call as soon as you spot one.
Update: Around 2016-11-20 the beaver seemed to have been caught in the trap and then eaten by a predator.
Seven Springs Projects 2016-10-01 from Doug Lewis
Highwoods: AIG has completed their move into the West Tower and the West Garage is open. There is landscaping to be completed around the site.
Solomon: SS2 building is constructed and is being completed internally. The garage hole is dug. No more blasting. The foundation is being completed and steel and concrete work to be finished in November. Total construction of area to be completed in May 2017. Landscaping will be completed after everything else is done.
No word on what new additions, if any, will be added to the front west side. There is space.
Financial Spreadsheets 2016-09-14
Four spreadsheets with current HHOA financial summaries are now available in the members financials folder, for those homeowners who have subscribed to the HHOA Google Drive file repository. If subscribed, you will see the financials folder contents after you click on it in the lower right of the main HHOA web page. Then you can click on individual files to view them under Google Drive.
Brush and Leaf Pickup 2016-09-15
Metro Nashville Public Works Department is scheduled to begin Brush and Leaf collections in our area on Thursday, September 22, 2016.
Seven Springs Retention Pond 2016-09-13
Summer 2016 Treatment Schedule:
June - 6/2 Algae treatment
6/11 Mosquito treatment
July - 7/6 Algae treatment
7/12 Mosquito treatment
August - 8/2 Algae treatment
8/23 Mosquito treatment
It is our understanding that mosquito traps have been placed in the woods near the pond so that the types of mosquitos can be analyzed (for Zika, etc.).
Letter from the President 2016-09-09
Hello to all:
It's hard to believe that almost a year has passed since being elected to the HHOA Board (again). My thanks go to a terrific team of Directors and Committees. Under the leadership of these neighbors, there have been many accomplishments this year, including several much needed projects for our common grounds, maintenance and/or repair of some of our capital assets, and several successful social events that allowed our neighbors to get to know each other better. We have also taken on the task of
establishing clear, concise charters for our committees. These will help insure that the committee members and the board have guidelines to follow that can be passed on from one group of committee members to another as well as eliminate the need to "reinvent the wheel" each time new people volunteer, or be dependent on the interpretation of whomever is on the Board at the time. We are also studying our By-Laws to more fully understand how they coincide with state and federal rules and regulations that we are required to follow.
At the Annual Meeting we will be electing two new Board members, who will serve on the Board for the next three years. The Nominating Committee, headed by Kathy Pedigo, is currently working on the roster, starting with names collected from the Needs Assessment sheets handed out at the last Annual Meeting and recommendations that she has received over this past year. This Ad-Hoc committee works independently of the Board, and no Board members are on that committee. If you are interested in serving on the Board, please contact Kathy to let her know.
In fairness, I must also report that along with compliments we've received for the jobs we have accomplishments this year, the Board has also received some criticisms. We have been referred to as knuckleheads, good old boys and dictators, and there have been inferences that the Board is hiding information from the homeowners. I can assure you that this is not the case and the members of this Board of Directors have one thing in common, and that is to do the best job possible for the neighborhood. We do so by following the guidelines set forth in our governing documents, insuring that our funds and assets are preserved as well as possible, and assuring that all homeowners maintain compliance with the HHOA governing documents and Architectural Standards to make this the best neighborhood possible. We have volunteered our time and energy for the betterment of our community, but without the support of the community, our goals could not be achieved. The old saying, "It takes a village" is very true, and ideas, constructive criticisms and suggestions from Hemmingwood's homeowners are always welcomed and appreciated. All information received is considered and evaluated. As in any organization, some ideas and suggestions are adopted, and some are not, but all are discussed with an open mind with one goal in mind, making Hemmingwood a great place to live.
As mentioned, we are fully engaged in studying and learning more about our governing documents so that we can be sure we are adhering to their contents as well as the letter of the law in the fairest and most open way possible. All homeowners should have copies of our governing documents. If for some reason you don't have them, please let any Board member know and we will see to it that you get them. Those of you who have subscribed to Google Drive can access documents through the members area docs folder, most easily found by going to hemmingwood.org.
I hope all of you will come to our Annual Meeting on October 10th. Within the next several weeks, you will be receiving information about the meeting and election. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to send me a note. Regards, AI Kirwan, alkwn@comcast.net
Seven Springs II Blasting
Blasting for the Seven Springs II Parking Garage begins Thursday 2016-07-28, and will be completed at the end of August. The blasting will occur only within the following time frames: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. All seismographs are in place.
HHOA Committee Charters: Letter from the President
July 11, 2016
Dear Neighbors:
Recently, questions have been raised regarding the responsibilities of committees and their relationship to the HHOA Board of Directors. These questions brought up an awareness that for years, our committees have operated on guidelines generated by whomever was in charge at the time. There were no clear cut descriptions of procedures, responsibilities or requirements, resulting in each new committee having to “reinvent the wheel” for many issues. As a result, an extensive research project was implemented to determine how the role of committees has been established in other HOAs throughout the country so that we could insure that our Association is in line with, or could benefit from, the information derived from that study.
A common thread found in the study is that the strength of a homeowner association lies in the effective volunteer efforts of its members. While the major responsibilities and all liabilities fall on the Board of Directors (BOD) for preserving and enhancing the community, committees significantly lighten the load by focusing on their defined tasks.
There are two types of committees - standing and ad hoc. Standing committees exist indefinitely or until the BOD decides their purpose is no longer needed. Examples include Landscape, Hospitality and Architectural Committees. Standing committees have ongoing tasks to accomplish, while ad hoc committees are formed for a specific purpose which, once accomplished, terminates. In our case, examples of ad-hoc committees are the Holiday Decorating and Seven Springs Committees.
Of the many HOA Committee Charters reviewed, all contained most of the items listed in this overview and are all governed by Association By-Laws. Points covered included:
Currently, only our Architectural Committee has a charter. The BOD will immediately engage in developing charters for all other currently existing committees using the framework described above as it applies to our community, our By-Laws and the laws of Tennessee.
Questions have also been raised about granting contracts to Hemmingwood residents or family members of residents. Our HHOA is governed by codes established by the Tennessee Nonprofit Corporations Act (TNCA). There are specific codes within this Act that prohibit persons related to either directors or officers (committee chairpersons) from receiving Association contractual awards; hiring companies in which the directors or officers may have some form of ownership or from whom they may receive rewards; and rules against giving preferential treatment to one Association member over all others. Since penalties such as legal sanctions and Association fines are associated with the failure of an Association to comply with the TNCA codes, it is imperative that we carefully asses contractual decisions to ensure that our Association does not violate any of these codes.
Our committees are and always will be extremely important to our Association, and their diligence, hard work and creativity are appreciated. I hope this information will provide some clarity to any issues of concern regarding our committees.
Best regards,
Al Kirwan, HHOA President