Siding Policy | Parking | Exterior Paint Colors | Tree Types | Leash Law | Polybutylene Pipes | Baltimore County Police & Community Relations Board
The Issue
All homes within English Run HOA have some amount of masonite siding (this is the darker horizontal sheets near the roof of each home). The masonite materials we have on our homes are almost impossible to find and even harder to find someone willing to put it up.
The Solution
Given the difficulty in replacing what currently exists, the BOD has established a new "alternative standard" for siding. The goal of the new "alternative standard" is to attempt to ensure that the color, size and material selected will not be obsolete in 10 or 20 years. Rather, it is forecasted to be readily available for the next 20 years.
Light Color Trim
Besides the siding itself, there is a wood trim, painted Harness Shop Tan, that frames the siding. There is no change in the policy for this item. However, some installers have been able to wrap the wood trim in Aluminum (with an identical color match to Harness Shop Tan), rather than install and paint new wood. If this is attempted, a color sample of the proposed aluminum wrap must be submitted and approved before work can begin.
Considerations
When selecting a manufacturer and brand of siding there are many factors you should consider. To help you in your research process here are a few tips:
1. Make sure your installer is bonded and licensed. A long track record of installing vinyl is also a good idea.
2. Examine other properties that your installer has done. Look at work done as far back as 10 years.
3. Check with the better business bureau to make sure your installer has a clean record.
4. Installation is critical with this product, e.g., nailing in a manner that allows board movement to accommodate the expansion/contraction characteristics of vinyl.
5. Underlayment board can be fan fold or Styrofoam. Either can work effectively but some type of underlayment board should be used.
6. Labor is 80 percent of the cost of installation. This could have a major impact on negotiating pricing and quality of workmanship.
7. Warranties are normally for materials only, but 5 year labor warranties can be obtained through reputable dealers.
8. Seamless is an available option. Vinyl comes in 20 & 25 foot lengths and offers improved aesthetics, but is not as forgiving over time. Buckling could appear, especially on West facing walls.
Association Resolution to Establish an Additional Policy for Installation of Replacement Siding
Background:
All homes within English Run Homeowners Association, Inc. (ERHOA) were constructed with masonite siding of approximately 11 inches in height and painted the McCormick Color Chadwicke Tan (116).
The board of directors recognizes that replacement and repair of the original siding has become increasingly difficult. In addition to permitting repair and replacement of the existing siding with identical materials and colors, the board shall establish an additional standard for replacement siding.
Approved Item:
The ERHOA board of directors authorizes the approval of replacement siding with the following parameters:
Material: Vinyl
Size: Double 5 inch, Clapboard
Texture: Wood Grain
Colors: CertainTeed Prairie Sand Georgia Pacific Tan
Other colors as determined to be a sufficient match by the ERHOA
Authorization Process:
No siding may be installed unless first approved by the ERHOA. All requests for replacement siding must be submitted to the ERHOA per the customary approval process. All requests must include a piece of sample siding and a color swatch.
This is still a problem but is improving.
It has come to the attention of the Board of Directors that we have some serious parking hazard situations in the English Run community. Vehicles have been parked on the curved areas of the curb that are entrances to a street, thereby preventing refuse collectors from performing their tasks. Not only is this a problem from a trash collection perspective, it is also a police and fire protections public safety issue.
A number of vehicles are parked outside the designated parking spaces in front of the residences. Some vehicles are being parked at the curbs facing the wrong direction; some are in areas of no parking. Recently a school bus was unable to pass through English Run Circle due to vehicles parked opposite one another creating too small an opening for a school bus, much less an emergency vehicle such as a fire engine. This is not only a safety issue, but is illegal and therefore subject to ticketing by the Baltimore County Police. We ask that you be considerate with the parking of your vehicles and respect your neighbors' right to a safe English Run community.
The Association has obtained paint samples for each of the various original colors of doors and shutters as well as the exterior windows and sideboards for the end of group homes. Anyone contemplating contracting to have the exterior of their home painted, or doing it themselves, should contact Trenton Property Services (410-879-8333) to be sure that you purchase the correct color by obtaining a palette. In so doing you will avoid any conflict with the community covenants pertaining to this issue.
Four tree types have been approved for our community
The Board of Directors has approved the following trees for planting in our community. Of course, before planting any of the following trees you should request approval from the Architectural Committee by submitting your plan to Trenton Property Services. These trees were approved based on their size and root structure. You may see these trees at Valley View Farms, but please be aware that this is not an endorsement or recommendation to make your purchase from that establishment. The choice of where to make your purchase is up to you. The tree names are: Stewartia, Snowbelt, Chinese Dogwood Kousa and Eastern Redbud.
There has been much concern of dogs (and cats) running loose. Some homeowners have been knocked over by the over-friendly, growled at by the more protective and scared to death by dogs charging them. We've even had reports of dogs being in fights with each other. The newspapers are riddled with stories of unleashed dogs, mauling and even killing children, adults and even other pets. Baltimore County has a leash law, which requires your animal be on a leash when outside your home. The law is being enforced more now than in the past because of these stories. Please protect yourselves and your animals from citations: keep them leashed.
FYI: there is a great dog park off of Falls Road called the Robert E. Lee Park. The dogs have it made with romping with other dogs, swimming, playing catch, etc. It is a fun place to go even if you're not a dog owner. Check it out!!
As you all know, our community was built using Polybutylene (PB) pipes to connect our homes to the main water line. These pipes have been breaking causing flooding to either your basement or your yards resulting in costly repair not to mention a muddy mess. Here are some items to consider:
1. In the likely event that your home does have the PB pipe you may consider having it replaced with copper piping to avoid that risk. The process involves threading the copper piping through the PB pipe and then puIling the PB pipe out.
2. Should you opt to wait until the pipe breaks, please review your homeowner's insurance policy and/or discuss with your insurance agent. Most policies will cover the consequential damages of the flood but will not cover the cost to replace the broken pipe.
Our previous newsletters provided information on how to contact the Consumer Plumbing Recovery Center which has been set up in response to a Class Action suit filed against the manufacturer of the PB pipes. The phone number of 1-800-876-4698 is good. Although the web address is also good, the site is defective and will not bring you information regarding these pipes. An alternative site to try is www.pbpipe.com On a good note, our conversation with this Center indicates the Statute of Limitations may not have run out as we initially thought. Losses (when the pipes have actually burst and property damages have resulted) must occur within 14 years from the date the PB was installed in order for you to be considered for a reimbursement for your loss. There may be other conditions that need to be met for a claim to be successfully presented.
Baltimore County Police and Community Relations Council
This Council was formed to provide assistance to all members of the community to recognize their responsibilities in achieving a better community within which to live and work as well as seeking to improve relations and communications between the community and our police department. For those new to the neighborhood, we fall under the Cockeysville Precinct. So, how can this help you? This Council meets every fourth Wednesday (some exceptions in November and December) @ 7:30 p.m. to discuss problems occurring in our community and to seek viable solutions to those problems. As a participant to these meetings, you will be introduced to informative guest speakers on topics affecting us all. You will also be educated on various helpful programs available to citizens just like you. All are invited to come to the meetings to meet our Police Officers, one-on-one and discuss any problems you would like to see addressed. Should you have further questions, you may contact Ron Praydis, President @ 410-667-1478 or Officer Eileen Dwalina @ 410-887-1863.