Tire-rolling postponed

Due to expected rain & storms all day today, we'll postpone the removal of tires from the trail. A new date & time will be determined later.

Help needed removing bus tires from along trail

We could use a few volunteers to help roll the bus tires (formally known as steps) along the trail for disposal. We'll roll them into the Long Brick Row parking lot & then load them into a van. If you can help, please meet in the Long Brick Row parking lot (behind 780 to 744 Oella Ave) at 11:00am this Sunday.

Thank you!

Watch out! Dead trees along the trail

Please watch out for dead trees along the mill race trail. We've got someone slated to take them down soon, but please watch out for falling tree bits in the meantime.

We will also have some other dead trees & limbs around the neighborhood taken care of in the near future.

Reminder for home sellers and buyers

If you have recently sold your home, please remember to inform the HOA so that we may send HOA correspondence to the new owners. New owners, please notify the HOA if you are not receiving dues invoices or other correspondence. If you own a rental, be sure to give the HOA a permanent address where we may send correspondence.

Contact us in writing at:

Oella Homeowners Association
P.O. Box 802
Ellicott City, MD 21041

Now accepting contributions to newsletter

We're now accepting contributions to the Summer/Fall 2007 newsletter. Photos, short articles, or even news about events such as births and graduations are welcomed. Please send contributions to laueram@yahoo.com.

Oella Ave repairs

Here's the latest:

The steel soldier piles were delivered to the contractor's yard instead of to the construction site. The contractor is supposed to bring the piles to the site today or early next week. The contractor estimates that it will take 50 working days to install the piles. During and after this time, the concrete walls will be cast on site. The contractor will then insert the concrete walls between the piles. Once this is finished, the county workers will finish the roadway work. Estimated completion: end of October (subject to delays due to weather).

Tree trimming

A tree specialist is coming by on Monday to give some estimates for tree trimming at several HOA common area sites (Lillies La, Race Rd, MJW and "tot lot" behind Holland's Antiques). If you are aware of a tree that needs to be checked out, but you haven't yet contacted the HOA board about the situation, please e-mail Richard Gambrill at rgambrill@comcast.net with a description of the problem.

Granite Hill update

You may have seen the new construction trailer at Granite Hill. Refurbishing of the existing structures will continue, and construction of the new homes on the site will likely begin soon. The area around the trailer is to be spiffed up with landscaping, etc., and a sales office will open in the Fall.

Message from Director of Landscaping

The HOA has contracted with Scientific Plant Service to maintain the turf on our common areas. They will be applying herbicides twice a year (late spring and late summer). Their objective is to keep the use to a minimum. Weeds are sprayed after they emerge for optimal control. While we would prefer not to use any herbicides, a minimal amount is necessary to keep the poison ivy, mile a minute and other invasive weeds under control. Please take care to keep your pets and children away from areas that have been sprayed (marked by flags).

July 9 BOD meeting highlights

Last night was a busy meeting. Among the issues covered:

-Problems with the transfer of architectural control from the developer to the HOA
-Landscaping update (Timber Point progress; trees that need to be trimmed or removed)
-Parking lot maintenance & assignments
-Scheduling a board tour of the Oella Mill and possible meeting between Oella Mill officials and board Oella Mill Liaison Committee
-Storage of items and damage to HOA property
-President Gambrill resigned his office, but will serve the remainder of his term as a Director-at-Large. Amanda Lauer elected to fill the office of president.

The official June minutes will be posted on the HOA website within a fews days. July minutes will be posted after they are approved.

Baltimore County's tips for staying cool

Tips for Staying Cool
In anticipation of tomorrow’s temperature, here are some tips to follow to keep yourself and your family safe:

* Visit one of three County cooling centers. Stay inside or in shaded areas as much as possible. Consider visiting a family member or neighbor who has central AC or an air-conditioned facility in your area during normal business hours such as a mall, local library or senior center.
* If the home is not air-conditioned, keep windows shaded, use fans and where possible, stay on the lowest level in the building because heat rises.
* Check in on elderly or chronically ill family members, friends and/or neighbors to make sure that they are okay.
* Never ever leave a pet or small child in a car alone!
* Stay hydrated with water or fruit juices. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages; they increase risk of dehydration.
* Wearing loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunglasses while outdoors.
* Use sunscreen and reapply often when you spending time in the pool or sweating excessively.
* Limit physical exertion and outdoor exercise, and watch carefully for signs of heat exhaustion. Carry a water bottle for drinking water, or use it to splash cool water on the face and neck during exertion.
* To help keep the home cool, eat foods that require minimal cooking.
* Make sure you take care of your pets by providing plenty of water and appropriate shelter.

Board of Directors meeting July 9

7:00pm in the Westchester Center small meeting room. All HOA members are welcome to attend.

Agenda:
Call to Order
Disposition of May, 2007 Minutes
Treasurer's Report & discussion
Old Business: ARC status & discussion, parking lot maintenance &assignments,
Landscaping: limb removal schedule, TP complaints
New Business
Member input/feedback - Board discretion
Adjournment

County code enforcement/complaints

The more complaints about housing and land use code violations that the county receives, the more likely they are to force homeowners to comply. If you notice a code violation, such as weeds in excess of 1 ft or trash littering a property, please submit a code violation complaint at the link posted above. You can attach your name and address, or you can submit an anonymous complaint.

The Baltimore Co. website also has a searchable version of the codes online.

Rebuilding of Oella Ave. retaining wall?

According to the BaltCo District 1 newsletter, construction /repairs began on Oella Ave last month. A resident spotted some workers drilling holes in the road surface and some guys looking around. Has anyone spotted any other construction-related activities?

Construction is expected to take about 6 months.

Need volunteer to deliver basket to Patapsco Park HQ

A volunteer is needed to deliver a basket of goodies to the Patapsco Valley State Park during work hours or on the way to work in the AM. The headquarters are located off Rt. 40 in Catonsville. Thanks to generous donations by community members, the basket is too heavy to send in the mail. If you can help out, please e-mail Amanda at laueram@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Property at 522 Oella Ave. condemned, be alert for illegal activities

Baltimore County is slated to raize an illegal building at 522 Oella Ave. (outside the homeowners association area). However, there has been a delay in accomplishing this. Neighbors report that there are several people entering the building in the wee hours of the morning (it is not supposed to be occupied). One of them is thought to be a man who has warrants out for his arrest. Please be vigilant when walking in this area, and call 911 if you see suspicious activity.