Oakbrook Townhouses Board Notes to Members May 10 2021

 

Board Notes to Members

May 10, 2021

                                                                                                   

Authorized and Unauthorized Persons

The Board has been made aware of several instances of unknown and/or uninvited persons entering Oakbrook Townhouses property, and wishes to call members’ attention to this.

In most cases, the encounter occurs during normal working hours (sometimes on weekends), and is the result of Board-approved activity by either Board members, our general maintenance contractor (Edwin Wittstruck), or by Board authorized outside contractors engaged for a variety of Board approved, legitimate purposes.  Examples include landscaping, pest control, or tree trimming or removal personnel.  They may also be persons engaged to read water, gas, or electric meters, or engaged in repair or replacement of such meters.  Some of them will have uniforms or identifying name badges. Encounters may occur on the roofs of our units, or in the front, side, or rear open areas, and persons you encounter should have no problem identifying themselves and their purpose for being there.

In the case of Board-authorized work, Northwest Properties makes an effort to notify members likely to be effected (such as members of Buildings 10 on the re-roofing job, or the members affected by the installation of the last two cluster mailboxes), but the number and variety of such encounters, including those for which we have no control, such as weather, makes such an effort difficult.  We are asking members’ assistance…if you have a question about an encounter, contact NWP or a Board member first.

In other cases, the encounter may occur anytime during the day or night, and be with a person or persons encountered, who has no legitimate business.  Members are encouraged not to engage such persons, but to report such encounters to Northwest Properties (during the day), or the Lakewood police department, depending on the nature of the encounter.  If you see something, say something!

Fire Control Risks

With the coming summer season, members may be more active outdoors, with outdoor gatherings, barbeques, and minor maintenance and repair activities.  These activities provide greater opportunities for risks of slips, falls, and fire risks.

As a result of a recent fire in Oakbrook Townhouses the Board wishes to urge members to be extra careful of the use or placement of combustible materials in such a way as to increase fire risk.  This includes charcoal and gas barbeques, paints and stains, a variety of combustible household  chemicals, and rags saturated with them.  Remember that combustible material soaked rags do not need an open flame to burn, but may spontaneously combust when in the presence of oxygen and warmth, even that of sunshine.

Smart Watering

Attached is the Smart Watering notice the Board approved on April 9, 2014 and sends out each year in the spring to ensure our members are aware of ways we can control excessive use of water, which is paid for by the Association (and therefore by you!).  The Board asks that all members read and abide by the guidelines in it.  Our landscaping contractor has indicated the sprinkler system will be turned on the week of May16-22.

Landscaping

The Board engages a landscaping company to maintain the general landscaping within Oakbrook Townhouses common areas.  It also allows, under certain conditions, members to plant or maintain portions of the common areas adjacent to their units.  The Board adopted a policy on landscaping on May 9, 2016 to guide members on this matter.  A copy is attached, and the Board asks all members to observe its provisions.  Failure to do so may result in removal of member-planted vegetation at the member’s expense.

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