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TRANSCRIPT
October
2013
Issue 182
The Morgandale
Connection
The Council Members of Morgandale are …
Tim Cooney, President
Gary Cassel, Treasurer Barb Crippen, Vice President
Joan Cossman, Secretary John Lyon, 2nd Vice President
Ed Trbuza Resigns from Council
Ed Trbuza and his family have moved to their new dream home.
For that reason, the Council for Morgandale has reluctantly
accepted Ed’s resignation from Council.
Ed served as a dedicated and loyal member of the Morgandale
Council and Treasurer for the past seven years. As Treasurer, Ed
oversaw the operating and reserve expenditures, as well as the
current investments for the Association. Ed provided a summary of
the monthly financials, and worked closely with Management on
the annual draft budget.
Ed was the Council’s liaison to the Association’s auditor, ensuring
that the audit is done annually, and the appropriate tax returns are
filed. He also monitored the reserve study to ensure that it is
adequately funded. It was Ed’s goal to serve the Morgandale
community responsibly, ethically, and professionally, while
protecting and enhancing the assets of our community.
In addition to his role as Treasurer, Ed was also the Chairperson for the Rules and
Regulations Committee; and a volunteer for: Morgandale Day, the Adult Pool Party, a
Snow Captain for the community, and an alternative Member on the Site Committee.
Ed was instrumental with several special projects such as the research and purchase of: the
Clubhouse Home Theatre System, additional playground equipment for the Tot Lot, security
cameras, and new vehicles and equipment for the maintenance staff. Ed’s career as an
instructor of Retail Distribution Management at North Montco Technical Career Center, and
a Retiree from the United States Armed Forces, proved to be a valuable asset for
Morgandale.
continued page 2
Ed brought out the best in every one of us. His inquisitive mind, good sense of humor, and
broad based knowledge were wonderful contributions. Ed’s knowledge of everything and
anything, earned him the affectionate nickname, ‘Mr. Jeopardy’. Ed is truly a superstar in
our book!
The Council, Management, and In-House Staff would like to thank Ed for his contribution to
Morgandale. We wish Ed, his wife Missy, and their children, Kyle and Vanessa, a wonderful
adventure and happiness in their new home.
WELCOME JOHN LYON TO COUNCIL
The Council for Morgandale is delighted to announce the appointment of John
Lyon to the Morgandale Council, to fulfill Ed Trbuza’s term. John moved to
Morgandale in June of 2009. Prior to moving to Morgandale, he lived in a
condominium, and served as the Board Treasurer.
John is retired from both the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and the
Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company. Most of his career was spent as a
business analyst liaison between the business departments and the IT
departments. However, not completely retired, he has been a Board of Director
and volunteer property manager for Keystone Opportunity Center since 1999.
John was born and raised in Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University. He
has five children and four grandchildren. He was very active with his children’s
school activities, and currently sings in his church choir, in addition to being an
usher.
John is currently an active member of Morgandale’s Site Committee; therefore,
he attends most monthly meetings to present his Committee Report. He is also a
member of the Recycling Committee and the Adult Pool Party Committee.
Please give a warm welcome to John, our 2nd Vice President for Morgandale
Condominium Association. We believe he will be a fine addition to our team!
IMPORTANT SNOW MEMO
Snow is a beautiful thing – waking up in the morning and finding everything covered with a pure white blanket of snow.
However, snowstorms and blizzards can be challenging when trying to get to work or to school. So please read the
following snow removal procedures for Morgandale Condominium for a better understanding of what the Association is
faced with to help you get on your way.
The snow removal begins as soon as it is feasible and after three (3) inches of snow has fallen. The three entrances and
Morgandale Drive will be plowed first, fire hydrants will be cleared, and then the plows will enter your court and clean a
center path. The plow will then move to one or more courts and do the same.
The staff will rotate where they start for each storm, so please know that you may not be first every time there is plowing
to be done. This first pass will give you access to the road and time to move your vehicle out of the court. The plows
will then return to your court and begin clearing what has been made open and available. If one parking space is empty
and there is a car in front or on the side of it, it is impossible to plow this one space. Please understand we are not trying
to skip you in this instance and if the plow slips while attempting to plow out one single parking space, damage could be
sustained to your vehicle.
The main walks will be cleared by the 4-wheeler, and then the shovelers will clear the walkways to the
homes, cluster mailboxes and the trash enclosures after the storm has ended. The sidewalks of those who
are on the ‘emergency list’ will be shoveled first. If you have a driveway, please remember that the snow
removal for your driveway is your responsibility.
Keep in mind there are 32 courts in Morgandale. We have two trucks, one skid steer, one ATV with plowing equipment,
and two snow blowers for the use of our full time staff. Wherever possible, we will attempt to utilize our in-house snow
removal equipment to handle a storm, therefore, controlling your snow removal expenses. We also may bring in
additional snow shovelers, should we need their help. We will absolutely call in our snow removal contractor, Clarke’s
Landscaping, should we see that we are unable to handle the storm ourselves.
If there are guests at your home, please ask them to utilize the center and overflow parking spaces.
Doctors, nurses, or emergency personnel who may need to exit the property quickly can utilize the parking
cutouts on Morgandale Drive. These same individuals should contact the office so that they can be placed on
the priority list along with others who have medical conditions that could require them to need medical
assistance on an emergency basis. If you were on the list last year, you still need to call this year to confirm
your priority.
Chemicals will be applied in accordance with the weather conditions, i.e. rock salt for streets and calcium
chloride for sidewalks. Personal quantities of both of these items are available at the Clubhouse, near the
recycling bin. Please be reminded that calcium chloride must be used on the sidewalks. All of the new
concrete walks have a one-year warranty. If the concrete is damaged due to salt exposure, the warranty will be
voided. Only a small amount of calcium is needed to be effective, clumps of calcium are not necessary.
continued next page
Weather conditions can help or hinder snow removal. 40 mile per hour winds will cause drifts, even if we
have just shoveled, those winds will blow these areas closed very quickly. Temperatures under 25 degrees will
render chemicals ineffective. “Snow Emergencies” issued by the state or local authorities mean that condi-
tions are unsafe everywhere and for everyone. This means you should be staying home and often it means that
more snow is falling than can be promptly removed by the state, local, and Morgandale crews.
If your trash enclosure has not been cleared, please do not throw your trash in the snow or on top of the dump-
sters. This causes the in-house staff to have to clean up your trash, often frozen solid and stuck to whatever
surface it was thrown on.
Again, Morgandale consists of 32 courts and 560 homes. After Morgandale Drive is cleared, the courts are
rotated with each storm so everyone gets a chance to be first. However, while someone is first, someone has to
be last. We ask that you please consider this when it appears that the snow removal process in your court and
in the community is taking longer than you think it should.
If we all work together and think of elderly neighbors, staff, contractors and each other, we will have success-
ful snow removals. If you would like to report conditions to Management or ask the status of your court’s
snow removal, please contact us at 215-368-6350. Please do not approach the staff during the snowstorms.
They are truly trying their best to get the job done, and cannot do their job if they continue to get interrupted.
Thank you!
The Recycling Corner
Once again, Mother Nature provided a crisp, breezy and partly sunny day
for our Fall Recycling Event on Saturday, October 12, 2013.
Are you ready for this? We are extending a hearty “thank you” to the 56
participants who showed up for our Fall Event between 9:00 – 12:00 that
morning. This was 8 more than our spring event turnout and only one shy
of our all-time record of 57 participants at our fall event in 2012. Incredibly,
we had 7 participants from Hillock Court and 6 participants from Devonshire Court. Residents of Morgandale
are awesome, and the “Going Green” concept is alive and well in our community.
A total of 10 small recycling bins were distributed to individuals who answered a recycling trivia question
correctly. For example: Do you know how many members are on your recycling committee? Answer: 5. Do
you know how many times we hold recycling events each year at Morgandale? Answer: Twice – once in the
spring and once in the fall. How many total recycling containers are in the clubhouse parking lot? Answer: 4.
Have we ever had more than 50 participants at one of our recycling events? Answer: YES!
All in all, it was a fun day, and the committee provided donuts. We would also like to thank the
individuals who donated canned goods to Manna on Main Street, as well as blankets for our canine
friends. The boxes of canned goods were delivered to Manna by the committee the following Monday, and we
did let them know that these were donated by the generous residents of the Morgandale community. Way to go!
Now, what you all have been waiting for…. The winners of our three $25.00 gift certificates were:
Chris Calhoun --- Christopher Court – Henning’s Market in Harleysville
Marilyn Venetz --- Devonshire Court – Giant Supermarket in Hatfield
Alan Marjoram – Fairbourne Court – Casey’s Saloon & Eatery in Hatfield.
Our next Recycling Committee Meeting is in January 2014 and our Spring Recycling Event is scheduled in
April 2014. More details to follow.
We will also advise of upcoming recycling events in our area.
Thanks again for your commitment to our recycling program and the “Going Green” concept.
October 2013 Management Report
Concrete Work/Retaining Wall/Railings:
The concrete work scheduled for this year, primarily
in Lexington and Stockton Courts, has been
completed. D. Trozzi and Sons workmanship,
product, and professionalism are exceptional.
After the concrete replacements were done in
Lexington Court, Marano Ironworks completed the
installation of the new railings on the one side
Lexington Court, and L & L Services completed the
retaining wall on this same side of Lexington. The
homeowners’ in Lexington are thrilled with the
results.
Clubhouse Improvements:
The electric fireplace wood set was purchased from
and installed by The Woodburner’s in Hatfield. The
clubhouse window valances are on order, in hopes
that the valances will be installed in time for the
holiday party.
The new attractive 72” x 36” wooden Edwardian
Clubhouse sign, manufactured by Display & Sign
Center, will be installed on the clubhouse wall by
early November.
The in-house staff thoroughly cleaned and repaired
the meeting room furniture and cleaned the
clubhouse bathrooms this period.
New Light Poles:
Management ordered 20 new street light poles from
Forsite. An additional 15 tall and 81 short street
poles will be needed to complete the project. Forsite
is considering the Council’s proposal to hold the
prices on the light poles for the next five-years.
Shutter Painting:
The shutter painting on Centennial Court is
underway. Centennial and Hillock Court shutter
painting/replacements will progress through the
winter months.
Landscaping:
The total number of cuts by Clarke’s Landscaping so
far this season is 24. Due to the rainy season this
year, Management expects the Association will
exceed the 25 cuts budgeted for this year.
Clarke’s Landscaping removed 20 dead trees;
however, still is in the process of grinding stumps.
Clarke’s pruned 20 trees this period as well.
Approximately 30 trees will be installed sometime in
November.
Brooks and Barber applied horticultural oil to the
trees and fertilized the Oak trees this period.
In addition to backfilling and seeding around the new
concrete, the in-house staff is in the process of
grading and seeding several bare areas throughout
the community.
The mums and pansies were planted at the entrances
this past period. The in-house staff started leaf
removal this period.
Gutter and Downspout Cleaning:
The in-house staff started the Fall gutter and
downspout cleaning. Devonshire, Clemens, and
Hillock gutters/downspouts have been cleaned so far.
Property Inspections:
Management inspected the backs and fronts of the
homes on Pennland, Aberdeen, Jamison, Rosedale,
Crowther, Mason, Morton, Windsor, Salinus,
Belvedere, Keeler, Jefferson, and Winfield Courts
this period.
In-House Staff Maintenance:
In addition to the many work orders this period, and
the above referenced work, the in-house staff
watered flowers, swept trash enclosures, and emptied
trash cans and doggie stations several times this past
period. The budget meeting announcement, recycling
day announcement, and September newsletter were
delivered this period.
www.morgandalecondo.com:
Management adds something new to your Web site
at least once a week. The ‘What’s New’ section
shows the most recent updates, such as the
following:
August, 2013 Approved Minutes
September, 2013 Newsletter
Recycling Event Notices
Community Yard Sale Pictures
Tree Spraying Notices
New Council Member Information
Halloween Safety Tips
Sincerely,
Jill L. Geiger, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
Community Manager for Morgandale Condominium
Dates to Remember 2013
Council Meeting, 2014Budget Review,
November 21st, 6:30 p.m. Edwardian Clubhouse
Holiday Party, Sunday December 15th, 4 p.m. to
7 p.m. Edwardian Clubhouse
Management Contact Information
Carol A. Richard, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
Regional Director, 215-368-6350, Ext. 245
Jill L. Geiger, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
Community Manager, 215-368-6350, Ext. 344
Carolyn Carr, CMCA, AMS
Community Administrator, 215-368-6350, Ext. 241
Office Hours—Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. Other times by appointment.
Fax: 215-368-6375
www.morgandalecondo.com
Towamencin Township Information:
www.towamencin.org
Bulk Items Disposal Advanced Disposal Services
610-440-3700 or 610-584-5450 or
Recycling Committee:
Gary Cassel
215-450-2373
Esther Miller
215-368-7951
John Lyon
215-368-0204
David Bencker
215-361-8548
Marianne Natali
215-432-4427
Morgandale Condominium Association, the Council for Morgandale Condominium Association, and Mid-Atlantic Management
Company/Associa does not endorse any of the above advertisements. This advertisement page is supplied as a convenience to homeowners.
Selling condos since 1975
Homeowner in Morgandale
#1 Selling agent in Morgandale in past three (3) years
Gary L. Cassel, GRI Broker / Owner
www.prudentialkeystone.com
Keystone Properties 2131 N. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446
Bus 215 855-1165 x120 Direct 267 638-2120
Cell 215 450-2373 Fax 215 855-3136
[email protected] An independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates. Inc.
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