Use of Limestone Hills Facilities

The recreational facilities throughout the community of Limestone Hills are primarily for the exclusive use of residents of the community. Owners in any cluster location in Limestone Hills can use all the facilities throughout Limestone Hills with the exception of those facilities in the Berskshire community, as they are private. Currently there is not a requirement to “sign up” for usage of the volleyball court, the basketball courts, or the tennis court. Creating a sign-up process is, however, being considered by the LHMC Recreation Committee.

LHMC Income Summary, LHMC Balance Sheet as of 4/13/09 and
Expense Summary 9/1/08 - 4/13/09 (pdf)

LHMC Profit & Loss 2008-09 and Proposed Budget 2009-10 (pdf)

LHMC Financial Statement &
Independent Accountants’ Review Report 8-31-09 (pdf)

LHMC Community Newsletter “HiLites” to be
published November, March, June, September and December-08

Our quarterly community newsletter, “Hi-Lites” is getting back on track in the thanks to Liz Baroski who will once again chair the committee.
All future issues of “Hi-Lites” will also be available in a digital format!  Click here for the September 2010 issue of “Hi-Lites” (in pdf format- click link above to install Acrobat Reader on your computer).  Just another way that we are trying to make this the best community (and cyber community) in Delaware!

Delmarva Power Launches ‘Smart’ Meter Deployment in Delaware

Starting in November 2009 and continuing through 2010, Delmarva Power will install new advanced metering technology (commonly referred to as "smart" meters) for all of its Delaware residential and business customers.

Crews from Scope Services Inc., the company performing the work for Delmarva Power, will be in your community during the next several weeks and will visit your home or business to make the meter upgrade.  According to Delmarva Power, Scope Services Inc. is a reputable firm that has been in business for more than four decades.

Scope Services' workforce will be driving white Ford Ranger pickup trucks with Scope Services and Delmarva Power signs on them. Each employee will wear a uniform and a photo identification badge.  It is important that installers have access to your meter.  In cases where they have existing agreements to access meters, they will exercise those arrangements. Installation of the new equipment may require a brief interruption to your electric service.  For customers in NCC which have natural gas service, in most cases your gas service will not be affected. 

If you have general questions about this installation or any other issue, please call Delmarva Power's Customer Care Call Center at 800.375.7117.  You will not need to contact Scope Services or Delmarva Power at this time to schedule an appointment for this meter exchange. If an appointment is needed, Scope Services will provide a door hanger notice with the necessary instructions.  Delmarva Power article link:
Delmarva Power Launches ‘Smart’ Meter Deployment in Delaware

Postal Warning

It has been reported that outgoing mail is being taken from mailboxes in Limestone
Hills and Mendenhall Village.  Mail containing checks do not reach the addressee and stop payment on these checks have had to be issued.

This means that whoever is taking the checks now has a name and bank account number.  It is suggested that you avoid mailing your bills by placing them in your mailbox.  Give them directly to your mail carrier if possible, or place them in the larger mailboxes at the shopping center/office building or drop off your mail at the post office.

Graffiti has regularly been scribbled on our brand new play facility on Middleton Drive at Saratoga. This graffiti is unsightly and such distasteful writing is an eyesore and an insult to the community. Anyone caught by the Maintenance Corporation will be prosecuted!  We take pride in maintaining a fun and family friendly atmosphere for our children to enjoy in our playgrounds, please help us to stop this terrible abuse!  To report graffiti in your area, contact the New Castle County Police’s Graffiti Tip Line (302) 571-7332.

Northern New Castle County ban goes into effect Jan. 24, 2008

The ban prevents yard waste from going to Cherry Island Landfill.  Residents are encouraged to mulch or compost yard waste, or they can pay $1 per bag to have it hauled away.

A second New Castle County community yard waste drop-off site was recently opened on Polly Drummond Hill Road in the Pike Creek area—gates that also swung open to an opportunity for citizens to recycle their lawn clippings, collected leaves, and lopped shrubbery and small tree limbs.

The Pike Creek area site is located one-half mile north of Kirkwood Highway on Polly Drummond Hill Road, directly across from the entrance to the Judge Morris Estate.  This yard waste drop-off site offers residents of the Pike Creek area an opportunity to drop off organic waste that will be recycled into mulch and made available free to residents for landscaping and gardening, a beneficial use for waste diverted from the landfill.

The site is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and is for use by New Castle County residents only. Commercial businesses, such as landscaping and lawn care companies, as well as municipalities, are not allowed to deposit yard waste at the Polly Drummond Hill site. Only loose material can be left; plastic bags and other containers must be emptied and removed from the site.


What are homeowners’ options for managing yard waste after the northern New Castle County ban goes into effect Jan. 24, 2008?
 
   * Handle it yourself by composting, using a mulching mower or by taking it to one of DNREC’s free community yard waste drop-off sites.

   * You can also arrange to have someone else manage your yard waste by either hiring a landscaper or making arrangements to have your waste hauler remove your yard waste.

   * Develop a community-wide solution by creating your town or community’s own yard waste site. Assistance may be available through DNREC's Recycling Assistance Grant program.
 

What is yard waste?
•Grass and leaves
•Christmas trees
•Brush, shrubs, clippings and limbs up to 4 inches in diameter

According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), yard waste, which includes such items as grass, leaves, and bush and shrub clippings, accounts for about 20 percent of the residential waste that enters into the Cherry Island Landfill. As a result of the ban, Delaware residents will not be able to mix yard waste with their normal household waste, and will have to find another method to dispose of it. The ban is a condition of a permit that DNREC issued in January of 2006 to the Delaware Solid Waste Authority that will allow the expansion of Cherry Island landfill but also includes provisions for closure of the landfill when capacity limits under the permit are reached. The landfill is expected to reach capacity by 2025.

Neighboring states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland already ban yard waste from their landfills.


“How to” composting guides are available at:
www.dnrec.state.de.us/
www.howtocompost.org
www.dswa.com
www.midatlanticcompost.org
ag.udel.edu/extension

Please Note: Compost piles, as discussed at a recent LHMC Board meeting
are not permitted in Limestone Hills. For a compost structure, an architectural review form must be submitted to Tom Cahill for approval.

Yard waste pick-up services:
•Strobert Tree Services Inc. is the first group to register with DNREC as
a company that will accept yard waste beginning in January. Contact
Andy Strobert for more information at 475-7089.
•Tristate Waste Solutions will offer yard waste collection to Greenville and Brandywine
Hundred residents. Call 622-8600 for more information.
•DNREC expects many more companies will offer service as the deadline
approaches. Call DNREC at 302-739-9043 in December for a complete list.

(Excerpts from a Greenville Community News article –published 9-26-06)

DSWA's Pay As You Throw (PAYT) yard waste program is available to residents in the state of Delaware!

All residents in the State of Delaware will have the opportunity to participate in DSWA’s new and improved Pay As You Throw (PAYT) yard waste collection program.Our pay-as-you-throw program offers pick-up of your  yard waste at your curb.  Weekly pick-up will occur during the months April 1-December 31 and every other week during the months of January 1-March 31.

Customers will be able to purchase stickers from DSWA to be placed on bags of yard waste. Stickers will cost $1 each and are purchased in increments of 10.  For example, you may purchase 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 stickers at one time. Stickers will be available to order through DSWA’s website www.dswa.com or by calling DSWA’s Citizens’ Response Line 1-800-404-7080 after January 1st, 2008.  There are a few simple rules to follow when preparing yard waste for pick up: 
- Place yard waste in bags (provided by customer). Customers can purchase bags at their local grocery, home improvement, or other retail outlet. 
- Bags should not exceed a maximum size of 39 gallons and no less than 1 mil. in thickness.
- Sticks and small branches must be bundled rather than put into bags. Bundles should be no longer then 4 feet in length, 2 feet in width, and 2 feet in height.
- Bundles should be tied together with rope or twine, and the sticker placed around rope or twine. Bundled branches and limbs will not be picked up unless a sticker is placed on the rope.
- Place fluorescent pink yard waste sticker onto the bag and place at your curb for pick-up.

DSWA will accept an unlimited number of yard waste bags or bundles having stickers on your designated collection day. 

This optional program can be combined with or subscribed to independently from our
curbside recycling program. This gives our customer the choice of participating in one or both programs.  Existing customers who subscribe to the DSWA yard waste program will receive a refund of any monies owed. Refunds will only apply to customers who have paid past December 31, 2007.
For more information on the new and improved yard waste program, please call the DSWA Citizens’ Response Line at 1-800-404-7080.

Limestone Hills Block Watch Update
             by Paul Kline, Coordinator

SOLICITING OF ANY KIND IS NOT PERMITTED IN OUR COMMUNITY

It is advisable to be EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS about opening your door to strangers.   Police records indicate that these tactics have been used to set up a possible burglary or home invasion. Rather than trying to ascertain whether or not they are      legitimate, just say no thank you. If the person/s persist, they are TRESPASSING and you should immediately lock your door and call the police at 573-2800 or 911.

Recently we have had discussions with the New Castle County Police (NCCP) regarding the numerous attempted and actual auto break-ins, thefts, burglaries, vandalism, and other undesirable activity in our Limestone Hills neighborhoods.

The NCCP have reported that a significant number of those related to auto break-ins are encouraged by articles of value being left in the car and are visible. In some instances the vehicle was not locked.  Target items include; iPods, cell phones, briefcases, purses, laptops, or any item that may be perceived as valuable on the street.

Some precautionary steps we can take will help…do not leave articles of value in your car…be sure to keep all doors and windows locked…garage doors down…night lights on. If you plan to be away, ask a neighbor to keep an eye on things while you are gone.  A sense of awareness will provide an alert to suspicious persons or behavior and the NCCP should be notified immediately.  The NCCP contact phone number is listed at the bottom of the inside page of this newsletter.  They want to be informed and involved. Your help is appreciated.

We take pride in the quality of life in our community. By taking an active part, we can help keep our community safe and secure.

If you would like to be a “Neighborhood Block Watch” volunteer, contact me at 302.234.0316.  If I am away, leave your name, number and a brief message.  I will return your call.               

Editor’s Note: Our thanks to Paul Kline for his work on this project. His determination and hard work is obvious, as we can see in these updates.  The Block Watch is a welcome addition to our community of Limestone Hills and with Paul’s leadership we know it will be successful.  Additional thanks to the many volunteers who participate in this important program!

To view the New Castle County Police Crime Map for our area, begin by clicking on the link below, and learn about the type of data that can be accessed by entering your address on this web site. Crime mapping provides an efficient mechanism for the police department to show general crime trends to the community.
http://nccde.org/police/home/webpage5.asp

Be Aware!! "Stop Crime, Submit Tips"

If you notice suspicious activity and wish to report information relating to crime such as suspected drug activity or anything of a suspicious nature, you can do so by calling the New Castle County Police at 302.573.2800.  Remember: If your information is an EMERGENCY or requires immediate action by the police, please DIAL 911.

You can also report crime tips to New Castle County via the internet at: http://www.co.new-castle.de.us/ci/home/tipsadd.asp
 

Tennis Courts Improvements
by Paul Kline LHMC Board Member 11-09

During the first week of November, the courts have undergone repairs, resurfacing, and repainting.  A new combo lock will be installed on the secondary gate. The purpose of which is to provide “EXIT ONLY”, and will provide a measure of safety in the event of an emergency.  It will not provide entrance.
Please note: The Punch-in Key code will be the same as that of the main gate.

If you are a new owner/resident of Limestone Hills, you may obtain the code by contacting  BC Communities at 234-7710 – Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 p.m.

Limestone Hills tennis courts located in "NorthPointe"
(Cluster C)- by  Paul Kline

Among the numerous advantages of living in our community, is the availability and privileged use of our recreational facilities including playgrounds, soccer field, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts.

Your annual assessment helps pay for the upkeep and maintenance of these facilities. They are private property provided solely for the use of Limestone Hills homeowners.  It has come to the Board’s attention that our tennis courts at “North Pointe” are being used frequently by those other than residents of our community. This has resulted in concern being expressed by our residents who have experienced difficulty in enjoying the use of the courts.

A sign was placed by the entrance to the courts, which states that use is reserved for “Limestone Hills residents only”. However, the condition has persisted and at times disagreements about user privileges resulted.  The LHMC has decided to install a private entry system to the courts. An entry access code will be issued to owners only by simply contacting BC Communities, Inc. at 302.234.7710.

This code is private and we trust that it will not be shared.

New Castle County begins an "Instant Ticketing Program" for property owners in violation of property maintenance standards

Those whose property is in violation of property maintenance standards may find themselves receiving a ticket, much the same way that one receives a traffic ticket for speeding.  The cost of a ticket is $50, although failure to correct the violation could cause the penalty to increase. Tickets may be paid on line or by mail.

The following information is from a news release issued by New Castle County dated July 1st, 2008:
New Castle, DE – After receiving approval from County Council, New Castle County will begin its instant ticketing program on Tuesday, July 1, 2008.

This initiative, through which civil penalties may be assessed by the County for select property maintenance infractions, is being pursued to more efficiently attain code compliance on properties owned and/or managed by difficult property owners, and to help offset the costs of code enforcement.

Under this new program, after a complaint is received by the Office of Code Enforcement, a courtesy letter and accompanying brochure will be mailed to the owner of the property about which a complaint was received and any tenants, if applicable.  The purposes of the courtesy letter and brochure are to explain the ticketing process, place property owners on notice of the infractions that may be subject to instant ticketing and outline the appeals process.  The property owner will then have 10 days from the date of the letter to resolve all violations identified through the information contained in the one page brochure before a code enforcement officer performs an official inspection. If any violations are observed during that first inspection, a $50.00 fine will be assessed to the property owner for each violation. The “ticket” must then be paid within 30 days to avoid the doubling to $100 per violation.

“Last year, the 13 member Code Enforcement unit issued more than 22,000 violations for code infractions that will be included in the ticketing program, with some taking many months to resolve through the court system,” said County Executive Chris Coons. “We believe this program will be more effective in addressing and correcting violations that residents experience in their communities,” he added.

The most common violations include weeds/grass in excess of 8 inches, vehicles parked on the grass, inoperable or unregistered vehicles, shrubs and trees blocking sidewalks, oversized vehicles, accumulation of trash, rubbish and debris, accessory structures in disrepair, outside storage of household furniture and swimming pools/hot tubs not in good repair or in an unsanitary state.

Another Reminder: CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR PETS!
Not cleaning up after your pets is a NCC Code Violation.
According to NCC Code: "Animal Feces should not be allowed to accumulate.  Droppings should be cleaned up daily.  Enforced through the Police, pet owners are responsible for cleaning up feces deposited by their pets on others' properties within 1 hour."
Property Maintenance Violations are outlined at this NCC webpage
Complaints may be filed with the County by calling Customer Relations & Assistance, at 302-395-5555, or via the internet
For more information, click to visit NCC Department of Land Use web site

Notice a Pothole?

Any street concern (street signs, curbs, drains, potholes, etc.) all can be reported on the DelDOT Transportation Management Center website or call DelDOT Transportation Management Center (24 hours a day) at 302-659-4600.

Please do not dump yard waste onto the community private open space

A friendly reminder that while keeping your yard pristine is always a good thing, the community would like to remind all those residences abutting private open space that dumping yard waste, or any other waste, onto private open space is strictly prohibited.

NorthPointe - Street Parking - FYI

From the office of BC Communities, Inc.:
The streets are owned by the State of Delaware, not Limestone Hills. Anyone can park anywhere absent a restriction by the State (too close to a corner or blocking access to or from a driveway). In these cases, NCC Police (573-2800) can be called.
Additionally, NCC Code Enforcement can be called if someone is parking on the grass (NCC Code violation 395-5555). Please be aware if a mailbox is blocked by a parked vehicle, the postal delivery person is not obligated to leave the mail.
Keep in mind the need for emergency vehicles to get through on narrow streets.
Please use the overflow parking lots in the area.

Mark your calendar!
Limestone Hills
Annual Halloween Parade

Date and Time: Saturday, October 30th at 3:00 p.m.
Where: The park at Middleton Dr. and Saratoga (Cluster A)

There will be  three categories: Funniest, Scariest, and Most Creative
Winners will receive a gift certificate!

About Solar Panels

In response to a letter received from a resident requesting a change in the deed restrictions to allow solar panels on homes, the Board decided to request input from residents.

If there is enough interest in the possibility, information on solar options will be presented at the Annual Meeting in June. A 2/3 majority of all residents is needed to approve a change in deed restrictions.

For more information on community activities,
contact our Community’s Association Manager.

Updated 9-10