Newsletter 2/5/18

Post date: Feb 6, 2018 5:20:03 AM

Association News (from Chris Jones)

1. Road Safety

Tonight around 6pm a resident coming up the hill almost hit 2 teens skateboarding down the hill in the dark with a Toyota truck following them.

I didn’t think things like this need to be posted, but we will start here for safety. The following are not allowed on the access road: (from the Ortega gate to the signposts):

NO

Skateboarding

Bicycles

Runners

Roller skates

Riding of Horses

2. Barking Dogs

I know we all love our dogs, but not listening to them bark for a long period of time. So please respectful to your neighbors.

3. Gate code

We will be changing the code at the gate and vehicle clickers. We will let you know (via email AND phone call) when we set the day and time.

4. Roads

Champion may be working on the road later this week to finish opening a few drains and striping.

There are a few items that have to be completed on the road before Champion starts work throughout the valley. I will be emailing everyone who has contacted me for for asphalt work -- should be within the next couple of weeks. Tom will be scheduling appointments to go over the job.

(From Chris J. )

****

Escorting Trucks

Just another friendly reminder… because it’s not always happening...

I get a phone call at least once a week from someone who met the escort truck that was right in front of the big truck and didn’t give them time to safely pull over.... or about an unescorted truck... or about a big horse trailer that was being driven too fast that almost ran a resident off the road. Drive carefully!!!

ALL LARGE AND HEAVY TRUCKS MUST BE ESCORTED UP AND DOWN THE HILL.

The homeowner (not the contractor) is responsible for properly escorting large trucks such as building material trucks, cranes, moving vans, and heavy equipment transport vehicles. Homeowners need to carefully instruct their renters, contractors or escort vehicle drivers.

The escort vehicle should be in front of the large truck approximately 1000 feet (about 1/5 of a mile) with emergency flashers on AND flagging down oncoming traffic. Wave your arm up and down to get their attention. If they don’t slow down, honk your horn. Indicate the number of trucks you are escorting – i.e.“1” or “2" and motion for them to pull over. Make eye contact or talk to the driver in the oncoming car so that they understand a large truck is behind you.

In the “S” turns, it’s advisable to be even farther in front of the large truck and point oncoming vehicles to the turns outs. Visitors don’t know our system – so wave your arm and yell “1 large truck is coming – please pull over now.”

If you encounter an escort vehicle, PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT as soon as you safely can and WAIT for the truck(s) to pass.

FIRE SAFETY

Using a Fireplace, Wood Stove or Fire Pit

I have received several phone calls and emails this year about extraordinary amounts of “smelly” smoke coming from several different sources. For those suffering from asthma, this is a big problem.

Here are some suggestions of what NOT to burn:

 Wet wood. Wet, or unseasoned, firewood can contain up to 45 percent water. When the wood burns, it produces more smoke than seasoned wood, which can cause dangerous creosote to build up on your chimney’s inner walls. Wet wood also does not produce as much heat for your home.

 Painted or treated lumber. Painted or treated lumber can contain toxic chemicals that are released when burned. Those chemicals are dangerous for you and your family, and can corrode your fireplace.

 Any type of paper with colored print. Paper with colored print, such as wrapping paper, magazines, cereal boxes, and pizza boxes, may release noxious, corrosive, or carcinogenic gases when burned.

 Plywood, particle board, or chipboard. Manufactured wood products release toxic fumes and carcinogens when burned.

 Cardboard. Cardboard can release toxic chemicals when burned, especially if it has been printed with a logo.

 Fire accelerants or fire starters. Accelerants, such as kerosene, gasoline, or grill starter fluid may help get your fire started but they can cause flare ups or heat your fire to extremely high temperatures that are unsafe for your fireplace and chimney.

 Plastics. Any type of household plastic, whether its bubble wrap or a plastic cup, should not be burned. Plastics release toxic chemicals, including hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, dioxins, and heavy metals, that are dangerous for your health and bad for the environment.

 Dyer lint. Dryer lint may be an effective fire starter, but it can release toxic chemicals into your home and up your chimney.

 Christmas trees. It can be tempting to cut up and burn your live Christmas tree in your wood-burning fireplace. In addition to not being properly seasoned, the evergreen wood of your Christmas tree contains high levels of resin. These resins burn quickly and can pop, causing a risk of chimney fire.

WHAT TO BURN:

Use seasoned firewood. Manufactured firedogs can be used in a fireplace or fire pit, but should not be used in a wood stove.

If you have any news for the newsletter, please reply to this email or call me.

Nancy S

-0711