October 24:       The driving range nets will be packed away for the winter by New Star staff. Get your practice in while they’re still up!

October 24:        Attached is a letter from Alliance outlining plans for pruning, scheduled for Wednesday, October 24th.  If you do not want your plants pruned be sure to take the necessary steps to prevent such pruning.

October 24:        Weather permitting, New England Sealcoating will be crackfilling throughout the complex. Mainly the filling work targets the streets; however, in some cases where there is a crack at the interface with the street, these will be filled as well.

October 19th:      Alliance will be applying two treatments to the lawns: a fertilizer application and a lime application.

October 11 & 12: Signaling the end of the season, Alliance blew out our irrigation systems.

October 9:           Upon follow up inspection of turf, Alliance recommended another treatment of insect killer which will be follow up two more times next spring. This treatment was performed.

Landscaping Update: Trees, Overseeding & Slice Seeding

New Star has advised on a number of landscaping details you will be seeing around the community.

Good Morning Hickory Woods!

With the rain from yesterday (8/22/18), Alliance has delayed the round up application until Friday. In further conversation, I wanted to clarify that the round up is for weed control in the mulch beds as well as stone cover (around buildings).

Crabgrass in the lawns has already been treated; in many cases twice. While the crabgrass presence has been significantly mitigated, its presence is still seen. As colder weather approaches, the remaining stragglers should be die off naturally.

At the Board Meeting yesterday there was a question on Alliance’s cutting by the retention pond and common area on the lower section of Quarry. Upon review with Alliance, these areas are being cut. However, as these areas are relatively new (in terms of lawn), there is a preponderance of crabgrass and weeds which tend to emerge first in new lawns. These weeds grow faster than lawn grass. While it appears that the area isn’t being cut, it’s the weeds growing faster than surrounding grass.

Alliance will be running a double application of aeration and overseeding for these relatively newer areas this fall. As the lawn becomes more established, Alliance will more aggressively go after the weeds in this year in 2019 and we can expect a more consistent looking lawn area.

Best,

Tim
New Star

From New Star Properties, July 24, 2018

We do trust you’re enjoying the summer season. As we’re in the middle of it now, I wanted to relay some information relating to crabgrass management as well as clarify operations related to sprinkler adjustments and repairs.

First, on crabgrass… As you’re probably aware, this stuff is a very resilient weed. To beat crabgrass, the Association applies a crabgrass preventative that is pre-emergent early in the season. While Alliance expects that the pre-emergent treatment to hold back about 90% of the weed; as temperatures rise into the 90’s the pre-emergent crabgrass barrier starts to break down, allowing crabgrass to grow…and requiring a post emergent treatment.

Alliance applied the post emergent treatment on July 16th that also included fertilizer and grub control. (This application is the Association’s 3rd treatment for the year). For crabgrass, the post emergent weed killer takes between 7-14 days to take effect. After 14 days, Alliance will follow up to treat any remaining weed spots. Crab grass is a problem and Alliance is hunting the weeds down…but, you may see some weeds as the summer progresses.

As noted earlier, while unit owners actually own their sprinkler systems, the Association is responsible for opening the system in the spring and closing down (blowing out) in the fall. During mid season (beginning early August), Alliance will be making adjustment check of all heads. This is strictly an adjustment, if there are broken heads, they will be flagged and the homeowner is responsible for the actual repair and follow up. (You may use Alliance if you wish).

If you have sprinkler concerns regarding your controller, heads, repairs or an adjustment that is outside of the Association’s mid-season check, you may call Alliance directly (603-622-1111) to arrange for your personal service. (You can also choose an alternate vendor or do-it-yourself). For your information, I understand an Alliance service call is billed at $55 (1 hour). To give you an order of magnitude, the cost for a replacement head (part only) is $20.

Hopefully, you found the crab grass discussion helpful? No doubt, this will be a recurring theme every season.

Enjoy the day!

Tim
New Star Properties

From New Star Properties, July 20, 2018
In order to protect the health of the grass, Alliance will postpone mowing until next Wednesday, as the grass it currently too short and mowing may damage it. Alliance will be on site today to keep up with the weeds and line trimming, though.

From New Star Properties, July 13, 2018
Based on community input and further discussions with Alliance, we have revised our “mid season” irrigation adjustment/repair plan.

First, Alliance will start the mid-season adjustment process about August 1st and it will likely go about 3 days. The irrigation team will check the heads and adjust as necessary, all part of the contract. However, if a head is determined to need replacement, Alliance will “flag” the head in the lawn and not immediately replace the component unless a unit owner is on site and agrees to the replacement and costs. If the unit owner misses the Alliance visit and a replacement is required; the unit owner can either address the issue on their own or call Alliance for a follow up visit.

Frankly, while the initial concept was well intended and likely the most cost efficient solution to replacing heads assuming 3rd party service, the appearance of an invoice for a part that wasn’t ordered by the unit owner is a tough proposition. We understand that and, consequently, revised the original plan.

Separately, in my discussions with Alliance, we talked about optimal watering schedules given the hot weather. During these hot weeks of summer, the grass probably needs a minimum of 40 minutes in the early morning. Alliance mentioned that possibly another 30 minutes in the evening might also be helpful.

Finally, you may have noticed the emergence of crab grass. In the next fertilization round, Alliance will be delivering crab grass treatment and grub preventative. We’ll advise when the application is expected.

Have a great weekend!

Tim

The schedule below was amended as follows on 5/11/17:
(Please be advised that due to schedule delays caused by ongoing weather, mulch installation has been pushed out to next Monday, May 15. Weekly mowing will start next week as well.)

Following is a quick update on spring landscaping activities:

LAST WEEK (4/17/17)
– Plow cleanup, begin turf repair from winter damages, de thatching, sweep thatch, edge mulch beds, blow out leaves under decks.

THIS WEEK (4/24/17)
– Finish last week’s cleanup, edging and repair activities
– Apply spring fertilizer (as weather permits)
– Irrigation Startups – irrigation head repairs, timer setting (we’re still on odd/even day watering restrictions. This will be reevaluated at the May town meeting)
– Begin mulching association maintained areas by week-end. (mailboxes, tree rings, front and side yards as originally installed).

NEXT WEEK (5/1/17
– Finish mulching and irrigation setups.

MULCHING OF OWNER MAINTAINED AREAS:
Some units have made efforts at their own expense, to landscape and improve the areas behind their units. To assist homeowners wishing to purchase mulch, Alliance can provide the association’s standard ‘Premium Red’ hemlock/pine/spruce mix mulch as follows:
– $65/yard installed as directed by owner.
– $35/yard delivered to the driveway.
– Contact Alliance at (603) 622-1111 and speak to Mia to order, or to request a visit from Glenn or Nick to estimate your mulch requirements. Alliance can take your credit card over the phone.

OTHER LANDSCAPING NOTES:
– Normal mowing days will be on Wednesday again this year, but could vary based on seasonal conditions.
– Weed spraying and pulling from stone and mulch beds will start in June and continue through September. We will send out a message again when this begins.
– Trimming of the back hill on Tavern Hill and Black Forest will occur 3x per season. 1st trimming is planned for June, but that schedule will be evaluated throughout the season.
– Shrubs and ornamental trees will be trimmed in July and August.

NETS INSTALLATION
A quick non-landscaping related note: we are tentatively set to have our nets installed on Thursday in the recreation areas behind the clubhouse, and be ready for the weekend. Rainy weather will be a factor throughout the week however, so if this should change, I’ll send out a quick message to the community.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line or speak to me at the monthly Board Meeting.

Best regards
Doug Kilgore, Association Manager
The Evergreen Harvard Group
603-622-7000 Ext 3360
dkilgore@harvardmanagement.com

Received via email from Harvard Management on 12/29/16 at 9:34 AM

Good Morning Hickory Woods Residents –

We are expecting snow to begin today with the snow ending by early Friday morning, we wanted to send out the SNOW REMOVAL PROCESS for the community once again so that everyone has a moment to review before the storm begins. (below, and attached).

1. PLOWING STARTS AT 2 inches – Contractor will keep all roads and driveways PASSABLE throughout each storm and will generally begin plowing before 2 inches of precipitation has accumulated, and no later than when municipal plowing begins and roads and roads will be kept open with no more than 3 inches of accumulation throughout the storm.

2. IN EXTREME STORMS with accumulation of more than 1 inch per hour when the above criteria may not be achievable, the contractor will plow roadways at least once every 3 hours, and driveways, walkways and parking areas once each 6 hours through the storm.

3. MIDNIGHT TO 6AM – Contractor will have roads and driveways passable by 6AM for storms that start after midnight.

4. PRIORITY DRIVEWAY CLEARING – If you are an early morning commuter and must have your driveway made passable prior to 6AM, please contact Alliance directly at a 603-622-1111 and ask to be added to the priority driveway clearing list carried by the plow drivers.

5. CLEANUP OPERATIONS
a. AFTER STORM CLEANUP WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN 10 HOURS OF THE END OF A STORM. Contractor is responsible for after storm cleanup consisting of: clearing driveways & walkways to their full width, clearing all catch basins, shoveling steps to front door (NOTE: Not responsible for scratched decking!) clearing parking, clearing hydrants, and using ice melt salt on roads and driveways as conditions dictate. Caution will be taken not to pile snow over electrical boxes.

b. BACK DECKS/PATIOS AND GENERATORS – Alliance will clear back decks and patios on a fee basis, for $30.00 per patio/deck and $15.00 per generator for requests submitted by December 15, or $45.00 per hour for requests received after December 15. Roof raking is available for $55.00 per hour on an On-call basis. Billing will be done by Alliance. Contact Alliance at 603-622-1111 to be put on this list.

6. VEHICLES IMPEDING SNOW REMOVAL – Any vehicles left on the road or at the clubhouse that impede the snow removal procedure are subject to towing.

7. QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS – Please contact Property Administrator Cheryl Mahaffey at cmahaffey@harvardmanagement.com or 603-429-2019 Ext 302 with any questions or concerns, which will be logged.

Best regards,
Doug Kilgore, Property Manager – Harvard Management Solutions

Received via email from Brian Wells on 12/22/16 at 10:16 AM

To: Hickory Woods Residents,

The Board and our property manager met with Alliance yesterday (12/21/2016) to talk about how the snow plowing is going. During the meeting, we discussed the concerns that were brought to our attention by a few residents and also discussed the Board member views on how the snow plowing is going.

Alliance said that they removed the boards at the ends of the driveways before starting to plow. They are concerned that the board could go flying and damage property. They said that they understand the desire of some unit owner to put the board back, but asked unit owners if they could remove the board from the end of the driveway ahead of future snow storms.

We discussed the timing of the plowing. How long it takes to get your driveway plowed out depends on where you live in the development and where Alliance starts the clearing process. Alliance said that the driveway plowing on Quarry and Pepper Hill Roads takes longer times because these driveways have not received their finish paving. The plowing equipment needs to maneuver more carefully over the rough driveways.

Alliance agreed to alternate the starting point for the plowing between Tavern Hill Road and Quarry Road. So, on average, everyone should experience about the same time from the end of the storm to having the driveway cleared. Alliance has also agreed to add another person shoveling. This should help move the clearing along a little quicker.

The Board and our property manager will continue to meet with and work with Alliance to find ways to improve the process. If you experience problems or have suggestions, please let us know at bodinput@hwcommunity.info.

Sincerely,
The Hickory Woods Board of Directors

Received via email from Harvard Management on 12/11/16 at 1:48 PM

Good afternoon Hickory Woods Residents –

As Sunday night into Monday is anticipated to be our first significant snow fall, we wanted to send out the SNOW REMOVAL PROCESS for the community so that everyone has appropriate expectations (below, and attached).

1. PLOWING STARTS AT 2″ – Contractor will keep all roads and driveways PASSABLE throughout each storm and will generally begin plowing before 2″ of precipitation has accumulated, and no later than when municipal plowing begins and roads and roads will be kept open with no more than 3″ of accumulation throughout the storm.

2. IN EXTREME STORMS with accumulation of more than 1″ per hour when the above criteria may not be achievable, the contractor will plow roadways at least once every 3 hours, and driveways, walkways and parking areas once each 6 hours through the storm.

3. MIDNIGHT TO 6AM – Contractor will have roads and driveways passable by 6AM for storms that start after midnight.

4. PRIORITY DRIVEWAY CLEARING – If you are an early morning commuter and must have your driveway made passable prior to 6AM, please contact Alliance directly at a 603-622-1111 and ask to be added to the priority driveway clearing list carried by the plow drivers.

5. CLEANUP OPERATIONS
a. AFTER STORM CLEANUP WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN 10 HOURS OF THE END OF A STORM. Contractor is responsible for after storm cleanup consisting of: clearing driveways & walkways to their full width, clearing all catch basins, shoveling steps to front door (NOTE: Not responsible for scratched decking!) clearing parking, clearing hydrants, and using ice melt salt on roads and driveways as conditions dictate. Caution will be taken not to pile snow over electrical boxes.

b. BACK DECKS/PATIOS AND GENERATORS – Alliance will clear back decks and patios on a fee basis, for $30.00 per patio/deck and $15.00 per generator for requests submitted by December 15, or $45.00 per hour for requests received after December 15. Roof raking is available for $55.00 per hour on an On-call basis. Billing will be done by Alliance. Contact Alliance at 603-622-1111 to be put on this list.

6. VEHICLES IMPEDING SNOW REMOVAL – Any vehicles left on the road or at the clubhouse that impede the snow removal procedure are subject to towing.

7. QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS – Please contact Property Administrator Cheryl Mahaffey at cmahaffey@harvardmanagement.com or 603-429-2019 Ext 302 with any questions or concerns, which will be logged.

Best regards,
Doug Kilgore, Property Manager – Harvard Management Solutions

Received via email from Harvard Management on 12/11/16 at 1:00 PM

Good afternoon Hickory Woods Residents –

This is a reminder that for 2016-2017, our snow removal vendor, Alliance Landscaping, is offering a shoveling service to homeowners that sign up prior to December 15.

Areas will be shoveled at regular intervals. Not every storm will require shoveling and shoveling will generally be done the day after the storm, not the day they are doing plowing and cleanup.

RATES:
Patio/Deck – $30.00
Generator – $15.00

For those that don’t sign up by December 15th, requested services can still be performed, however they will be billed at Alliance’s standard labor rate of $45.00 per man hour with a 1 hour minimum.

**Roof Raking can be done on an On-Call basis at $55.00 per hour.

Please call the Alliance office at 622-1111 to be put on the list.

Best regards,
Doug Kilgore, Property Manager
Harvard Management Solutions