December 2022 Newsletter From Steve Erikson

As we approach the end of 2022, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of our residents for the support and neighborly cooperation each of you have extended this past year. It has been a pleasure working with the fine group of Board members you elected this past March (Jim Robbins, Merrill Malone, Emily Rodriquez, Mary Lou Stubbs, Don Farnham, and George Smith). Their commitment and dedication have been exemplary, and I am certain that they will continue to represent our community well in the coming year.

Your HOA Board met earlier this week, and it is our pleasure to share with each of you the details of that meeting.

• Missing Lantern at Entrance - With the help of Merrill Malone, we were able to locate and

retrieve the lantern and supporting bracket that mysteriously disappeared a few months ago.

Without his continued efforts, we were looking at a replacement cost of $3,000+. We have a

date of December 14th to have the lantern remounted to the front wall.

• New Neighborhood Website - Special thanks to Emily Rodriquez for setting up a new

website (barkleysquarehoa.com). With this new website, we will be able to communicate

better and more often with our residents, greatly reduce printing costs. I encourage each of

you to check out this new website at your leisure.

• Neighborhood Help/Assistance - We would like to form a group of volunteers who could

make themselves available to neighbors needing assistance with a fall, transportation to the

grocery store or pharmacy, or simply changing out a floodlight or relighting a gas lantern.

Please contact Don Farnham (205-234-3374) if you would be willing to participate.

• Sidewalk Repair and Cleaning - We are in the process of getting quotes from several

contractors to repair some of the brick pavers on our sidewalks and pressure washing the

sidewalks and curbs and gutters. Once we select a contractor, residents will have the option

of having their driveway pressure washed at their expense.

• Covenant Concerns - 1) With the strong winds we experienced the other night, several of

our gas lanterns were extinguished. If you are unable to relight your individual lantern,

please notify one of your Board Members. 2) We still have several cars that are being parked

on the street. This can be a real problem for school buses, fire trucks, ambulances, and

garbage trucks. If you are unable to park your car in the garage, please make every effort to

park in your driveway. 3) As we approach the holidays, let’s be mindful of the appearance of

our homes from the street. Do not leave bicycles, toys, yard tools, unused pots, etc. in your

driveway or yard. These items should always be stored in your garage when not in use. 4)

Familiarize yourself with the scheduled garbage service days of Wednesday and Saturday.

Bagged lawn clippings should only be put out for the Wednesday morning pickup and left

next to your garbage can.

• Changes to Existing Covenants - In the past year, your Board has become aware of

numerous instances where investment companies are beginning to acquire residential

properties to convert to a Airbnb. Having a short-term rental in our neighborhood could

result in noisy parties, clogged parking, and property damage. In an attempt to prevent this

from ever occurring in Barkley Square, your Board is in the process of obtaining legal

assistance in proposed changes to our covenants. More to come on this in the months to

come.

• Election of New Board Members - In March of 2023, we will have three Board Members

completing their 3-year term. If you would be interested in serving or would like to nominate

someone, please contact any one of our current Board Members.

• Annual HOA Dues - Your annual HOA dues in the amount of $300.00, are payable as of

January 1, 2023 but not later than January 31, 2023. Please make your check payable to

Barkley Square Homeowners Association. Envelopes can be dropped off in the box located

at the front door of Don Farnham, 1164 Barkley Lane or mailed to this address. Payments

received after January 31st will be subject to a $10.00 per month late penalty in accordance

with our covenants.

• Barkley Square Pickle Ball - Everyone and their mother seems to be playing this relatively

new sport. If you would be interested in playing with your neighbors, please contact Merrill

Malone at (858-740-4774).

Thanks again for being such wonderful neighbors. Your HOA Board would like to wish each of you a joyous holiday season and a wonderful New Year!