From the Board
To Our Island Creek Community,
While 2020 was certainly a memorable year, I am hopeful that 2021 will bring you much peace and joy. As many of us are returning to work and school (even virtually), remember to take time for self-care and to check-in on your fellow Island Creek neighbors. One of the many things that I am grateful for is the kindness that abounds in our wonderful community.
While this season is typically a bit slower, the Board is hard at work. Here are just a few highlights:
Food Trucks - Thanks to Jay Aronowitz for his leadership in coordinating food trucks for our community. The feedback we have received from residents over the past 7 months has been overwhelming, and the list of vendors continues to grow. These small businesses are very appreciative of your community support. If there are other food trucks you would like to see in Island Creek, please contact Cindy Wade (Community Manager) at communitymanager@islandcreek.org.
During the December meeting, a few residents expressed concerns about the location of the trucks in the clubhouse parking lot. As a result, we now ask all vendors to park in front of the clubhouse towards the tennis court side of the parking lot.
Island Creek Pool –While 2020 has shown us that nothing is guaranteed, we are working on measures for a possible pool opening later this year. The Island Creek Community Association will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for companies to provide all necessary management, supervision, personnel, equipment, etc. related to the safe operation of the pool. The RFP includes specific requirements to ensure we can meet any state guidelines associated with COVID-19. We hope to review proposals and award a contract by late February.
During our December Board meeting, we received a homeowner inquiry regarding the placement of pool furniture on the deck. Please note that the furniture remains covered to protect against weather damage but will remain on the pool deck until the clubhouse and pool bathroom makeovers are completed. We anticipate an update on this timeframe in the next few weeks.
Landscaping/Grounds Committee – We have received interest from two homeowners in re-establishing the Landscaping/Grounds Committee in 2021. In order to establish a committee, we need a minimum of three residents. You may have already seen an email from Cindy Wade inviting homeowners to express interest in joining the committee. The primary responsibility of this committee is to provide the Board with recommendations regarding all landscape and common area grounds maintenance matters. Consider volunteering for the committee to help enhance the beauty of Island Creek! See Cindy’s 1/11/21 email for additional details.
Input from the Community – As always, the Board welcomes input and feedback from all Island Creek homeowners. The Board meets (virtually) on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Each meeting includes an opportunity for homeowners to comment during an open forum. We encourage you to attend!
Thanks,
Malik Walker
Island Creek HOA Recording Secretary
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Changes for 2021
The Island Creek Community Association Board of Directors recently passed the 2021 budget for our community.
2021 Quarterly Assessment Rates:
- Single Family Homes $323.89
- Townhouses $305.26
- Condominiums $82.35
All quarterly assessments are due on the first of each quarter (Jan 1, April 1, July 1, Oct 1). If paid after the 30th of the month, there will be a $25 late fee assessed.
To Pay By Check:
Please make checks payable to "Island Creek Community Association" and mail to:
Island Creek Community Association
c/o Barkan Management
P.O. Box 360
Emerson, NJ 07630-0360
Please write your 16-digit account number in the Memo/Notes section of your check which is the account number located on your payment coupons you received in the mail.
For more information about community dues payment options offered by Barkan Management, please click HERE.
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Making Dues Payments Online
To pay online or setup for auto pay, please go to www.clickpay.com/barkan and set up your user profile and use your 16 digit account number located in the coupon book you recently received to complete the registration.
If you use auto pay, be sure to set your auto pay date for a date between January 1-29th and set it to quarterly.
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Holiday Decorating Contest Winners!
Congratulations winners and to all residents who participated in decorating your home providing holiday cheer and just the extra spark to end 2020 on a high note!
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1st Place - 6500 Susan Barkley Court
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2nd Place - 7741 Sullivan Circle
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3rd Place - 7510 Shirley Hunter Way
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Kids Choice - 6504 Susan Barkley Court
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Island Creek Food Truck Schedule
Take a night off of cooking and enjoy delicious food just steps away from your house! Know that every meal purchased at a food truck is helping a small business!
Jan 14 - DC Slices
Jan 16 - Bun’d Up
Jan 23 - Cipolla Pizza
Jan 28 - DC Slices
Feb 06 - Little Lady Latin Grill
Feb 11 - DC Slices
Feb 13 - Jambalaya Brothers
Feb 20 - Himalayan Soul Foods
Feb 25 - DC Slices
Feb 27 - Mazza Kitchen
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Effective Jan 1st, American will No Longer Collect Yard Debris in Plastic Bags-Must Use Paper Bags
Recently, there have been changes implemented by processing facilities. Effective January 1st , 2021, ADS may no longer collect yard debris in plastic bags.
Instead, residents must use compostable paper bags for grass clippings and leaves. These compostable paper bags can be purchased online or found at the grocery store and warehouse stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, or any garden centers.
Personal cans may be used; however, they need to be marked “yard debris”.
Sincerely,
American Disposal Services
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Have a Shovel and Interested in Earning Some Extra Money?
Island Creek is looking to compile a list of people interested in shoveling snow for residents. If you would like to have your name listed in our Snow Shoveler Roster, please send your contact information along with a short description of your service info to communitymanager@islandcreek.com.
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Covenants Architectural Guideline Review
Please review the changes to our Guidelines as recommended by our legal advisors.
The comment period closes on Friday, January 15th.
Covenants Committee
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Grounds Committee Volunteers Wanted!
We would like to re-establish a Grounds Committee in 2021 and volunteers are needed! We currently have two interested residents, but we need three or more to constitute a committee.
The primary responsibility of the Landscaping/Grounds Committee is to advise the Board of Directors on issues affecting the grounds and landscaping matters.
Here are a few examples of Grounds Committee activities:
- Regularly walk the common areas and trails, note problems and report to Board any recommendations for corrective action
- Recommend a grounds maintenance program assessing needs both short and long-term
- Prepare a maintenance budget for the Board's consideration
- Recommend major improvements such as additional plantings, irrigation, etc.
- Review bids and contracts for grounds maintenance, check references, and make recommendations to the board
If you enjoy the outdoors and like seeing our community look the best possible, please volunteer for the Grounds Committee! If interested, please submit a committee volunteer form located HERE. |
Winter/Holiday Trash Service Schedule & Christmas Tree Pickup
Christmas Tree Pick up: you may dispose of your tree on Fridays with your regular trash.
Please remove all tinsel, ornaments and lights from the tree prior to putting it at the curb. DO NOT put trees in plastic bags. Please DO NOT throw your trees into the wooded area behind your house.
If service is suspended and you have already put out your garbage and recyclables, please return them to your garage or backyard and do not leave them on the sidewalk in front of your house.
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Let it Snow!
Snow Removal Service Info for Town & Single Family Homes
Plowing begins when 2” or more inches of snow accumulates. The first sweep through the community by the plow is to clear an access path for emergency vehicles and cars. After this, the plows go back through the community and clear the balance of the street.
Want to Receive a Quicker Response?
Why would that matter? Answer: because management can easily forward it to the snow crews currently working on the ground for immediate response. Otherwise, your request will take longer to process if management has to research to find your address and then provide a third person description. But, with an address and first person description in an email from you, it will be immediately forwarded to the snow plow crew on the ground in real-time which will translate into a quicker response.
VDOT, not Island Creek, plows Morning View Lane, Thomas Grant Drive (townhome side) & John Thomas Drive (townhome side). Report hazards or concerns to VDOT by calling 800-367-7623 or go to VDOTplows.org to see the status of plowing.
Other Tips:
- Remember to clear the sidewalk in front of your property. When clearing your sidewalk and parking space be sure to deposit the snow in your front yard or island and not in an empty parking space or the street.
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Keep the mailbox area near your home clear of snow buildup or the postal carrier may not deliver mail. Shovel out mailbox area if needed to enable mail delivery.
- Help your neighbors clear each other’s sidewalk and parking spaces; it is the neighborly thing to do.
- Treat any icy areas that are prone to ice buildup with eco-friendly products.
- Do not park cars near the salt pile in the clubhouse parking lot so our contractor can to get to it.
- Park vehicles in your driveway or reserved space.
- Do not shovel snow into the street or empty parking spaces.
- Clear snow from fire hydrants & storm drains.
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Watch out for children playing in snow and drive SLOWLY.
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Emergency
If you are having an emergency, please call 911. For non-emergency information call (703) 691-2131
Power Outages
Dominion Power’s hotline call 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357). Call for power outages and downed lines. You can also visit them online via mobile devices at Dominion's website http://dom.com .
VDOT
VDOT is responsible for Morning View Lane, Thomas Grant Drive (townhome side) & John Thomas Drive (townhome side). To report unplowed roads or hazardous conditions, call VDOT at 800-367-7623 or log onto http://VDOTplows.org to see the status of plowing in our neighborhood.
Drivers can check weather, road conditions and traffic before traveling at the 511 Virginia Website at http://511Virginia.org or by calling 511.
Fairfax County
Hazardous and fallen trees/branches:
Posing public danger – 703.324.1770
County Parkland – 703.324.8594
State Roads – VDOT 1.800.FOR.ROAD
Other Utilities
Verizon Phone/Fios Outages- 1-800-837-4966 or for TV Outages - 703.378.8422
Gas Emergencies
Washington Gas: 1-800-752-7520 or 703-750-1400
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Classifieds Ads
Island Creek maintains a list of service providers for our community. If you are interested in advertising, please email communitymanager@islandcreek.org.
You can check out the current classifieds on the community website here.
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