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Spring Ridge Review Newsletter
April 2004

Board of Directors Corner
Meeting: April 20, 2004 at 7p.m.

1. The Board is seeking an update regarding the Town House construction. Look for any updates in future newsletters.
2. The Board would like to thank the Recreation Committee for their efforts in planning the many events for the Spring Ridge Community. See this newsletter for specifics on the start of the sports season.
3. The Board asks those interested in being part of the Spring Ridge Landscape Committee to contact Richard Gemmell at 301-620-0782. We are looking for this committee to make recommendations to the Board on how to keep the landscaping at Spring Ridge looking its best.
4. The Board thanks Brownie Troop 1762 in advance for your efforts to pick up the garbage and litter in Spring Ridge. This should occur on April 14th, weather permitting.
5. If you, as a Spring Ridge resident are not satisfied with the county roads, please contact Bill Routzhan with the Frederick County Highway Department at 301-696-2930.
6. Finally, it’s hard to believe that we are less than two months away from opening our pools at Spring Ridge. Pool passes are only valid for Spring Ridge residents whose Association fees are paid. If your fees are not current, you will be denied admission to the pool.

Yard Waste Recycling

For Single family and town homes:
Yard waste and grass clippings pickup will occur on Wednesdays from April through November. Grass and other yard clippings can be placed in paper bags, kraft bags, or loose in uncontaminated containers. The trash hauler cannot/will not take grass/yard waste in plastic bags. No sod will be allowed. 4" diameter branches may be bundled with cord and recycled as well, as long at the bundle does not exceed 4' in length.

All yard waste and grass clippings will be recycled which helps our environment and saves the association in landfill dumping fees. Should you have any questions, contact the management office at 301-620-0782.

Contractor Advertisement Signs

Management has recently noticed a large amount of contractor advertisement signs throughout the community. We would like to remind residents and contractors that advertisement signs of any kind are prohibited in Spring Ridge. Anyone who sees an advertisement sign is requested to remove it from the property and deliver it to management at the Visitor Center. If you have any questions, please call the Visitor Center at 301-620-0782.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR TEENAGERS ARE?

Over the last few weeks, our teenagers have been out and about our Spring Ridge Community. Reports have been made on their drinking, use of drugs, and sexual encounters. Do you know we’ve had arrests for drug use? Do you know that many kids don’t know the consequences of sexual encounters? Parents, do you know where your kids are and what they’re doing?

On Monday April 19th at 7pm in the Visitor Center, a community conversation will be held on what’s happening in our community with our teenagers. Deputy First Class Tom Johann of the Frederick County Sheriffs Office as well as representatives of the Sheriffs Narcotics Department and County Health Department will give a brief talk on these happenings. But lastly, we will start the campaign for the Neighborhood Watch here in Spring Ridge.

With various events happening within the community, it is imperative to have a calling network and e-mail contacts in place in Spring Ridge. If you are interested, please come. If you are interested and cannot attend, please contact Debbie Smith at 301-662-6234 or at smith2u4u@msn.com, or Lise O’Connell at 301-698-1252 or at oconnell@xecu.net for more information. Teenagers are welcome to attend this informative conversation.

Spring Ridge Directory

The 2004 Spring Ridge Community Directory has been complete since the end of January. Unfortunately, due to a lack of volunteers to distribute directories, some residents have not received a copy. If you have not received a directory, please stop by the Visitor Center between 11am and 5pm Monday through Friday to obtain a copy. If you have any questions, please call the Visitor Center at 301-620-0782.

Annual ACC Inspections

Spring is upon us and Management has begun the annual ACC inspection. The Covenants allow Management or the Board to perform on site property inspections. Richard and/or Bill will be out on the property noting any changes homeowners have made to their property, both in front and rear yards. Afterwards, we will be verifying that applications were submitted and structures were built as applied for. If you have a change that has been made and forgot to submit an application, please take the time to do so now. We will be requesting applications for any changes that currently do not have one. Visit the Spring Ridge website at www.springridgeonline.com or stop by the Visitor Center for an application. The ACC meets on the second Wednesday of every month and the deadline for application submission is the Friday prior to the meeting. If you see one of us on your property, please keep in mind that we are there to perform this inspection. This walk through will bring the ACC up to snuff, increase your property values, and in general, make your community a better place to live. Thank you for your cooperation.

Residents Who Make Anonymous Complaints

From time to time Management receives anonymous letters or phone calls. While we have no problem with this, it does pose a problem in certain situations. For example, if we receive a complaint we will look into it and take the appropriate action. However, action is not always required. If the complaint is anonymous, we have no way of contacting the person and telling them why nothing was done. So, invariably, we will receive a second or even third anonymous letter or call about the same thing, and then people begin to wonder, “Why didn’t Management resolve this issue?” Please keep two things in mind when reporting suspected violations. First, and most importantly, if you make a complaint your name is kept confidential. Secondly, not all things that are reported are actually violations. Many of the things that are reported to us are not the responsibility of the Association, but rather fall under Frederick County jurisdiction.

Classifieds

For Sale:

Dining Room Table with Chairs. Table is oak with oak vanier top, two 20 inch leafs, ecru. Six chairs, swivel/rocking, fabric on chairs is country blue/peach pinstripe. $400 OBO. Call Eileen at 301-662-3450.

Sofa/Couch. So comfortable, 90 inches, Hunter Green/Burgundy/Striped, excellent condition. $400 OBO. Call Eileen at 301-662-3450.

Wooden China Cabinet. 2 pieces, Glass shelves, 6 ft. x 4 ft., ornate carved front. $200 OBO. Call Eileen at 301-662-3450

Miscellaneous Household Items. Kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, decorative, small furniture items. Call Eileen at 301-662-3450.

Long Dresser and Matching Nightstand. Light (natural) wood with antiqued brass nobs. $125 for both. Call 301-631-1272.

Bedroom Furnishings. Laura Ashley Full size bed quilt (colors include: periwinkle, rose, light yellow, and white), bed skirt, and (2) pillow shams. Matching Laura Ashley full length curtains with (2) valences and rods. Like new. $100. Call 301-631-1272.

Table. Rod iron base, marble top, 47in. wide x 31 in. high x 47 in. long. $350. Call Ferren at 301-694-5410

Gas Range Stove. GE, white on white, 6 yrs.old. $200. Call Ferren at 301-694-5410.

Refrigerator. Maytag, top of the line, 1 ½ year warranty still in effect, white on white, 3 yrs. old, Like New, water/ice in door, 27 cubic ft. Originally paid $1,750.00, Asking for $800. Call Ferren at 301-694-5410.

Trundle Bed. Twin, very good condition. $50 Cash and Carry. Call Helen at 301-662-7296.

Lost and Found

Found:

Girls and Boys Bicycle. One 20 inch bike and one 14 inch bike. If you think one or both of these bikes could be yours, please call the Visitor Center at 301-620-0782.

Book Mobile Information

The Frederick County Library Book Mobile will be at the Visitor Center parking lot on Monday, April 12 and Monday April 26, 2004 from 3pm - 7pm. Come and pick out books for the entire family to enjoy.

If you need additional information about the book mobile or other library services, call your local branch or the Extension Services at 301-694-1615.

Calendar of Events

April 1 ~ 7pm - Recreation Committee Meeting in VC
April 11 ~ EASTER SUNDAY
April 13 ~ 7pm - Pool Committee Meeting in VC
April 14 ~ 7pm - ACC Meeting in VC
April 15 ~ 7pm - Hampton Court I BOD Meeting in VC
April 19 ~ 7pm - Neighborhood Watch Meeting in VC
April 20 ~ 7pm - Conservancy BOD Meeting in VC
April 21 ~ 7pm - FAN Club Social
April 22 ~ 7pm - Spring Ridge Condo Annual Meeting in VC

Upcoming Events at the Spring Ridge Community Schools presented by the PTAs and PTSAs of Spring Ridge Elem., Oakdale Elem., Gov. Thomas Johnson Middle and Gov. Thomas Johnson High Schools.

April 6-9 ~ Schools Closed
April 13 ~ 7pm - PTA Meeting - SRES
7pm - PTA Meeting - OES
7pm - PTSA Executive Meeting - TJMS
6:30pm - Safe and Sane Meeting - TJHS
April 16 ~ 7pm - Bingo Night - OES
April 20 ~ 7pm - PTSA General Meeting - TJHS
April 22 ~ Academic Letter Ceremony - TJHS
April 23 ~ 7pm - PTSA Dance (6th Grade) - TJMS
April 24 ~ 9am-??? - School Wide Clean-up - TJHS
April 27 ~ 7pm - PTA County Council Membership Banquet

For more information, please contact the representative schools. Times and dates are subject to change.

Boy Scout Mulch Sale

Boy Scout Troop 371 will be holding a Mulch Sale on Saturday, April 3, 2004. Residents may pre-order the mulch and have the option of picking it up at the Visitor Center or having it delivered to their home. For more information, please call Pam Eaton at 301-831-6560.

Landscape Committee

We are trying to form a landscaping committee. If you have any interest in helping Spring Ridge look even more beautiful please give Richard a call at the Visitor Center at 301-620-0782.

RECREATION COMMITTEE NEWS

The recreation committee is so excited to thank all of the volunteers who have stepped forward in the past couple of months! Volunteers in our community have offered to help with and/or to chair events this coming year! Our traditions of excellence and fun that have been established by previous committee members will continue! Thanks!

The yard sale will be held on May 15th. Please fill out the registration form at the bottom of the page and enclose $1 toward advertising and map making. The ad will appear in The Frederick Post and The Gazette and will note date and time (8am-noon). Maps of participating community members will be available for pick-up Saturday morning. Rain date is Sunday, May 16th.

T-ball is set to begin on April 17th for 3-5 year olds. Please arrive at 9am on the 17th with a $10 registration fee (checks can be made out to SRRC). The kids will need to bring a glove. No cleats or bats are necessary. The practices will begin at 9:30 am and will run for 5 consecutive weeks.

Frederick Keys games are back! Plan on joining us for $7 block seating and free meal packs! (hot dog, popcorn, and soda) Spring Ridge plans to go to the June 13th game. More details in the May Newsletter!

Jessica McFarland is planning the first Spring Ridge Moms event! She is planning an Earth Day Brunch Bunch for April 22nd at 9:30! Food, play, and kids’ crafts will be the highlight! Call her if you are interested at (301) 695-4336 or e-mail at seannjess@prodigy.net. If you can’t make it on this date, but would like to get involved, give her a call! We have another mother in Spring Ridge interested in coordinating play groups if we get enough interest!

Spring Ridge Golf League–16 Weeks–9 Hole League–Wednesday Evenings Beginning May 12–6:00 PM, Shotgun Start–Musket Ridge Golf Club, Myersville, Weekly Prizes, Mid and year end tournaments, Fun, Fun, Fun!!! For Information and to sign up: Please call Earl Englehart @ (301) 698-8165 or email SpringRidgeGolf@adelphia.net.

Call Susie Houston at (301) 668-2205 with any questions regarding upcoming ecreation committee events.

Please join us at our next meeting on April 1st at 7pm in the Visitor Center

Spring Ridge Shark Swim Team

This year promises to be another exciting year! We have many activities planned and a great meet schedule! Our registration will begin Sunday, May 23rd 4-7pm at the Visitor’s Center; registration forms will be accepted through Wednesday, June 9th. All registrations will be handled through the Visitor’s Center. We are looking forward to seeing our old friends as well as welcoming new ones. The Spring Ridge Sharks Swim Team is an all volunteer organization made more successful by the active participation of our members. As in previous years, we ask the parents of swimmers to support the team by volunteering to work at the meets and special functions. It’s a great way to meet new neighbors!

Our swimmers are required to participate in at least two of our four regularly scheduled meets starting Saturday, June 26th- July 17th to be eligible for the Divisional meet held at our pool July 24th. All home meets have a rain date of Sunday, the day after the scheduled meet. The minimum age is 4 years old to join; children must be able to swim before joining the team.

Our website is currently under construction for the 2004 season and will be active prior to registration. It will contain the meet schedules, event and contact information, Shark rules as well as the rules of the Frederick Summer Swim League (FSSL) that we are members of. More information to come in our May update, so be watching! Shani Roeder is our Volunteer Coordinator. If you are interested in supporting the Sharks and want to volunteer to support this great community team, you can reach Shani at theroeders@msn.com or at 301-663-1960.

The “hot” item this past Christmas was motorized scooters, and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office has been receiving numerous calls on the operation of these vehicles on the roads in Spring Ridge.

Unfortunately, I have bad news for the vast majority of scooter riders in the community.

Maryland law requires that motor scooters must meet the provisions set forth in Transportation Article 11-134.4, which requires that the motor scooter:

1 – Has a seat for the operator;
2 – Has two wheels, of which one is 10 inches or more in diameter;
3 – Has a step-through chassis;
4 – Has a motor:
With a rating of 2.7 brake horsepower or less; or if the motor is an internal combustion engine, with a capacity of 50 cubic centimeters piston displacement or less; and
5 – Is equipped with an automatic transmission.
Motor Scooter does not include vehicles manufactured for off-road use.

In addition, per Transportation Article 16-101b and 16-104.2:

Each individual operating on any highway (roadway) in this State a moped or motor scooter shall be a minimum of 16 years of age and they must possess a drivers license issued to the individual by this State or another state of residence, or a moped operators permit issued by MVA. (The moped permit covers motor scooters)

Any other operation of non-compliant motor scooters or persons under the age of 16 is a violation of Maryland Law.

Thus far, our agency has handled this problem by attempting to make the operators and their parents aware of the illegal operation of these scooters. It is important that parents know that there are specific charges in Maryland Law for authorizing or knowingly permitting a minor to violate these provisions. Mom and Dad, you can get a citation in addition to the charges placed against your child. Unfortunately, we continue to receive complaints about reckless operation and “close calls” with young children riding on the roadways. It is only a matter of time before we have a tragedy in Spring Ridge when an unsupervised, young child drives through a stop sign on their motor scooter. For safety sake, we need your cooperation in ending this dangerous situation immediately.

These motor scooters are also illegal on sidewalks as Maryland law only allows for bicycles and play vehicles (foot-powered vehicles like skateboards, non-motorized scooters, big wheels, etc.) to be operated on a sidewalk. The only safe location for your child to operate their scooter is on private property, where they have permission to ride. The common areas do not apply to this criterion as the Conservancy has not granted permission for anyone to ride motorized vehicles in these areas.

I realize that you may have been mislead when purchasing this item for your child, however, for safety reasons, the illegal operation of these motor scooters must cease! Voluntary Compliance with the cited laws will ensure that the community, and more importantly your children, will continue to live in a safe environment.

If you have any questions please contact Lt. Tom Winebrenner with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office at 301-631-3626.

Thank You.

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