December 30, 2016

Happy New Year!  We wish you all a happy and prosperous 2017!

As always rent is due on Sunday, January 1.  To avoid late fees please make sure to have your rent deposit made before Thursday, January 5.  Please use the deposit slips included with this letter.  If you need to make out a new deposit slip, please be sure to include your unit number.  

Some residents have signed up for Cozy.co to make their payments.  I have not included deposit slips for you.  Cozy.co is a free service to you that makes paying rent much more convenient, and keeps us informed on when payments will be made. If anyone would like to know more about Cozy.co, please let me know.

Please use the garage and designated parking spaces as much as possible.  We are getting into the snowy season, and we will have someone come out to plow the main drive if there is more than a few inches of snow.  They may not be able to complete plowing the snow if vehicles are parked in the way.

We still have a unit open on the South Side.  This is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath with an oversized 2 car garage.  The place has been totally repainted, and thoroughly cleaned.  Rent is $650 per month.  December is a tough time to get renters in, but I expect that this place will move quickly after the holidays.  If you recommend someone that passes the background search, and signs a year lease, we will credit you for a $100 discount of your rent the first month after they move in.  So let us know if you have any friends, coworkers or family members looking for a great place to live.

We also have a storage unit available.  For residents the storage unit rent is $25 per month.  Please let us know if you have any interest.

During the cold weather furnaces really work hard to keep the units warm.  Please make sure to change your furnace filter every month.  If you need a new filter, please let me know.  I normally carry the filters with me in my pickup, so feel free to stop me when I am on the property to ask for a fresh filter.  Of I will be willing to come into the unit to change the filter if you would like.

If we do get any significant snowfall, we will get someone in to plow the central drive.  The sun normally does a good job of clearing off all the south facing drives.  I will get ice melt on the areas that tend to freeze to try to keep them clear of ice.  

We hope you had a wonderful holiday, and look forward to serving you in the coming year!

November 30, 2016

I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.  

Rent is due on Thursday, December 1.  To avoid a late fee please make sure to have your deposit in by end-of-business on Monday, December 5.  We are still offering an online payment at Cozy.co.  This is a free service to you, and will hopefully make the rent payment process easier for you.  Please let us know if you would like additional information on this service.

Please make sure to bring your garbage cans in as soon as possible after the garbage has been picked up.  I have noticed some cans sitting out for several days.  Please do not leave your can sitting by the road side.

We still have a unit available to rent.  If you have a friend, family member or coworker that you would recommend, we will give you a $100 credit on your next month’s rent once the person has signed a year’s lease, and moved in.  The unit will be available in early December.  It is one with a double car garage, so I expect it will go fast.  If you have anyone to recommend, please let me know!

We also have a storage unit available for rent.  It is clean, and dry.  For residents the rent for the storage unit is $25 per month.  Please give me a call if  you would like to rent the storage area.

Now is a good time to change your furnace filters!  I will be glad to provide a clean filter for you!  Just let me know by email, or stop me sometime when I am around the property.  I usually carry the filters in the back of my pickup.  Changing the filters regularly will help your furnace run more efficiently, and save you money!

It is also a good time to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms.  Especially if you are planning on bringing a tree in for Christmas it is a good idea to make sure your smoke alarms are working properly.

Thank you all again for your patience and understanding regarding the new asphalt on the driveway.  Please let me know if you have any concerns about the property, or suggestions for improvement.  Any emails that you send to me at bpgroe@gmail.com will be treated with the strictest confidence.

We hope that you all have a Merry Christmas, and we wish you all a prosperous New Year!

November 11, 2016 - Driveway is Complete!

I apologize for so many updates this week!  I just wanted to let you all know that the driveway is done!

Pace Construction arrived onsite at 11:30, and got right to work on putting down the new asphalt!   This was a quick job for them, and they were done by about 2:00.

You will notice that the driveway has been widened out so that it is the same width down the entire length of the property.  Hopefully this will make it easier to meet another car.

The drive will be open again tomorrow afternoon.  Right now there is a tape across the end of the driveway.  I am hoping to get in tomorrow to sweep out the parking areas, and clean up just a bit.  Then I will open it up for access.

Thank you all for your patience as we tried to get the contractor onto the property.  This is a small job for him, so it is a very low priority.

Let me know if you have any other issues.

November 10, 2016 - Driveway Update

Another Delay!

Even after explaining the disruption that has been caused by these multiple schedules and delays … Pace construction has postponed the driveway work once again!

The plan was that they would be in today to lay the asphalt.  Now they are saying that they will be on S. Howell early (7:30) tomorrow morning (Friday, November 11).  They assured me that they will be there.  However I am not inclined to believe it until I see their equipment.

Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience.  I am calling as often as I can, but I don’t have a lot of influence on when they show up.

If I hear anything else, I will let you know as soon as possible.

Brian

Driveway Update - November 7, 2016

Well ... we are making progress, but the driveway still isn't done!

Last week Pace Construction finally got in to finish digging up the old asphalt, and the dirt work that was required. This at least gives everyone a good base to drive on.  I realize that the base is a real mess, but at least they got rid of the big pile of dirt in the middle of the drive!

I just talked with Pace Construction, and they said that the asphalt work will be done on Thursday (probably in the afternoon).  I will plan to be onsite late Thursday morning to make sure that cars are out on the street.  Once the asphalt is down you should not plan on driving onto the property until Saturday morning.

I understand how frustrating this is, and I appreciate your patience as we get this work done.  As you can tell, I have very little control over when the contractor comes to do the work.  They have given me about 3 different schedules, and have missed most of them.  I will continue to pester them until this job gets completed.

November 3, 2016 - Driveway Work is Beginning!

Well, it is 2 days behind schedule, but the driveway work is beginning today!

The 'dirt work' is being done today.  This means that there are a lot of big trucks and diggers onsite.  You should be able to get by the work today to get in and out of the property.  Once the gravel is down later today you will be able drive on it which will help pack it down.

Pace Construction is expecting to lay the asphalt on Saturday morning.  You will not be able to drive on the asphalt once it is laid.  Any vehicles that you need for the weekend should be parked on the street either Friday night or VERY early on Saturday morning.

If you drive on the new asphalt too soon you have a possibility of getting tar on your vehicle, and will affect the integrity of the new asphalt.  We have been told that there should be no traffic on the new asphalt for a minimum of 24 hours, and the longer we keep traffic off the better it will set up.  So depending on when they finish laying the asphalt you should plan on leaving your cars on the street until Monday morning.  You can leave cars parked in your parking areas, but they will NOT be able to be moved out until Monday morning.

Thank you for your patience with this work.  It has been a big task to get the contractor onsite!

October 31, 2016 - Monthly Letter

Happy Halloween!

Rent will be due on Tuesday, November 1.  To avoid any late fees, please make sure to have your rent deposit made before end-of-day on Saturday, November 5.  Reminder that banks close at Noon on Saturday, so make sure that you have your deposit in before then.  Please use the enclosed deposit slip, or if you make up one please make sure to include your unit number.  

We have set up an account with www.cozy.co where you could make electronic payments of your rent.  You all received an email explaining the process.  If you need more explanation please let me know.  This is a free service to you, and will make the monthly payment process much easier.  You will have complete control over when a payment is made from your account.

The painting is done, and the doors look great!  Thank you all for your cooperation and understanding as this work was going on.  

Fixing the driveway is a project that is costing Diana and I over $9,000 to complete, but we want the property to be nice for you.  I talked to the contractor on Friday, and the current plan is:

• Pace Construction will be onsite Tuesday and Wednesday to finish the grading and gravel work.  They will work on one side of the driveway at a time, so you will be able to drive onto the property while this work is being done.
• They are expecting to do the asphalt work on Thursday.  You will not be able to drive on the asphalt for at least 24 hours.  You should have any vehicle you want to use on Thursday or Friday parked on the street Wednesday night. You will not be able to drive back on the property until Saturday.  If you try to get on the asphalt early you will likely get asphalt on your car, and ruin the integrity of the new drive.

In order to avoid this type of problem happening again, I have asked the garbage truck to not come down the main drive any more.  Everyone needs to take their garbage cans to the street each Tuesday morning.  We appreciate everyone’s understanding.  I will also be posting a “No Trucks” sign at the entrance to the property.

Check out the new blog at wellingtoncircle.blogspot.com.  This is where I will put all relevant information about what is happening around the property.  Please post a comment on the blog so that I can see everyone that has access.

There is a storage unit available.  Because of issues with the storage units in the past, I am removing all electrical connections in the unit except the overhead light.  We will require a new storage unit lease which will define what the storage unit can (and cannot) be used for.  For residents rent for the storage unit will be $25.  Non-residents rent is $35 per month.

Please make sure to disconnect all hoses from outside spigots!  

If you need a new furnace filter, please let me know.

October 27, 2016

The doors are finally done!  Thank you all for  your patience and cooperation.  I think that this really makes the property look nice.

It took a little longer than I hoped it would.  David had to put 3 coats of the blue on to make sure that the original color didn't show through.  Then it took another day to do the 2 coats of white for the trim work.

Last week my daughter got married in Columbia, so we had to leave on Thursday before I could get the weather stripping back in.  I apologize for the delay.  I understand that the wind was really whistling through the gap in the doors!  I was able to get in on Sunday, and get the weather stripping put back in place.

If there are any problems with the doors, please let me know.  I understand that any little scratch on the door will cause the original white color to show through.  I have some of the blue in my storage unit to touch up any spots that need it.

Now we need to get the driveway done!  I will keep you posted on how that is coming along.

October 13, 2016

Work on the driveway is going to begin today!  

They should already be on the property tearing up the current drive, digging out about 12 inches, and putting down gravel for the new drive.  They are going to work on a side at a time so you should be able to get by them by driving on the other side.  

Once the gravel is down you will be able to drive on that area.  In fact it will help to pack it in for you to drive on the new gravel.

They will be coming back either next week or the week after to put down the asphalt (weather permitting).  At that time you will not be able to drive on the newly laid asphalt for at least a day.  I will hopefully get a couple days notice before they come.

Beginning next Tuesday you will need to take your garbage to the street on Tuesday mornings.  I am going to post a sign saying "No Trucks" on the drive.\

October 7, 2016

Welcome to the Wellington Circle blog!

I will admit that I have started a blog like this a couple times, but never got any feedback so the blogs went by the wayside.

That is a hint!  I really want your feedback about what is happening around the properties, or comments about the posts.  Feel free to comment here to let me know how things are going.  This might be a way to get to know your neighbors!

I've also set the blog up so that you will automatically get an email when I upload a new post.  I promise not to flood your email boxes!

I will begin posting my monthly letters here, along with any seasonal related notices that I have.

That reminds me...
Fall is here, so please make sure that all hoses are disconnected from outside spigots.

Why Wellington Circle?
All of the duplexes are owned by either Wellington Circle Ventures, LLC or Welling Circle Properties, LLC.  The name comes from our time in Boston when we lived on Wellington Circle.

Online Payment of Rent
All of you should have received information about how to setup an online payment account through cozy.co (Yes...it is cozy.co not cozy.com).  As long as you are making payments from a bank account this is a free service to you.

Once you setup an account you can either setup an automatic payment to be made, or you can go into your Cozy account each month to setup your payment.  This will also accommodate partial payments if that is needed.

We will be able to see when payments have been setup, and when the payment is actually made for each unit.  Cozy will provide you with a transaction history so there is never any question about when the payment is made.  The transaction history will also be helpful for you if you ever need to show payment history for any reason.

If you haven't received an invitation from Cozy, please let us know and we will make sure that one is sent to you.

S. Howell Driveway Repair

The big project for this fall is the damaged driveway on S. Howell.  I have contracted with Pace Construction to do the work, but they have been doing some state roadwork near Mountain Grove.  As long as the weather stays nice they are not going to get in here to do the drive.  At this point they are saying mid-October for the drive.

This will be done in 3 steps:

1. The will tear out most of the old driveway, and dig down about 12 inches for the roadbed.
2. They will put in a gravel bed of about 10 inches.  Once this is in they said that things need to settle for a couple days.  You will be able to drive on the gravel, in fact that will help to pack it down some.
3. They will come back in to put on several layers of asphalt.  This will be hot mix that will need to cool for at least a full day, and maybe 2 days to get all of the tackiness out.  So to protect the drive and your cars you will not be able to drive on this for 2 days once the asphalt has been laid.  You will need to park on the street those days.

I will upload a new post when I have specific dates when this work will be done.

Once the new drive is in, we will not allow the garbage truck to come back onto the property.  We are going to ask everyone to take their garbage cans to the street every week.  We feel that this will also contain some of the spillage that occurs when the garbage is picked up.  We can provide numbers to put on your cans if necessary.

Please respond to this to let us know your thoughts about this plan.