There will be construction noise starting tomorrow.
On the morning of Wednesday, October 12th, renovation work begins on the Toccis’ Kitchen (Unit 323). The worst of the noise is expected during the first day of demolition.
Apologies in advance!
Author: Barbara
Fall 2022 Newsletter
Our Fall 2022 Newsletter is now available.
Winter 2022 Edition
Annual Meeting
The Mill at Tar Branch Condominium Association held its Annual Meeting via Zoom on Saturday, January 23, 2022 at 10am. After verifying the presence of a quorum in person and by proxy, the Association conducted business.
President’s Report for 2021
Due to the age and historic nature of our community, frequently there are unexpected repair and maintenance expenses. Outgoing Board President Robert Bowman provided an overview of 2021’s unbudgeted capital projects:
- Foundation repair at two units in Building 1
- Door/lintel repair at one unit in Building 1
- Window replacement for one unit in Building 1
- Radon testing system for one unit in Building 2
- New flooring and ceiling repair in the common hallway of the commercial space in Building 3
Our largest budgeted expense, by far, is the replacement of all the roofs in our community. In 2020, we replaced one-third of the B1 roof and the full roof on B2, with plans to assess the remaining roofs in approximately 2025. If that future assessment determines the remaining roofs (two-thirds of B1, all of B3, each garage structure, and Unit 155) all need immediate replacement, then it is unlikely we will have sufficient funds for the entire roof replacement. If, however, the future assessment shows that only some roofs need immediate replacement, while other roofs can wait for another assessment in five (5) years, then it is likely we will have sufficient funds for the roofing expense.
The timing issue for when the balance of our roofs require replacing could significantly impact our ability to pay for those new roofs. Our Board will continue to be aware of this possible budgetary issue and plan towards that.
We are also addressing several minor roof leaks in buildings 1 and 2. According to Colin de Jong, our roofing contractor, flat roofs are notorious for such small leaks, especially with very wet weather conditions. A number of these leaks have been stanched, and Colin will inspect and repair the others once the weather allows.
2022 Board of Directors
Board Members serve three one-year terms, and guide the well-being of our community. They meet in person regularly throughout the year, and are available ad hoc to residents for clarity on governing, protocol, and assistance on all issues related to life at The Mill. Residents should not hesitate to contact any member with questions, concerns, and positive feedback.
Alison Turner, President
Unit 328
alison@alisonturner.com
336.972.3868
Sherry Moss, Vice President
Unit 114
mosss@wfu.edu
336.406.4844
Rebecca Bender, Treasurer
Unit 212
rebecca.j.bender@icloud.com
336.978.4134
Barbara Fehribach, Secretary
Unit 326
fehribach@aol.com
336.339.6575
Lloyd Dillon, At Large
Unit 325
lloyd.dillon@bhhscarolinas.com
336.575.4751
Pine Needles
Owners have expressed concerns that landscaping pine needles blown by weather beyond the planting beds are a slip hazard after rains. Not to mention messy. With this in mind, the Landscaping Committee continues the transition from the needles to living ground cover such as liriope and pachysandra throughout the community. Point of information: As of this coming November, North Carolina will follow the example of our neighbors to the south by outlawing pine needles for landscaping due to their flammability.
Crepe Myrtles Be Gone
After much handwringing and arborist consultations, the Board approved Building 1 owners’ request to remove four towering crepe myrtles located along the north side that structure. The trees had become a nuisance by dropping copious amounts of tree debris on the patios — exacerbated by a summer aphid infestation — and breaching the concrete of the walkway with their shallow, lateral-growing roots. B1 owners are working together to research appropriate replacements, and will share the cost for the new plantings.
Thieves
Cars in the Lower Wachovia Lot have had gasoline syphoned from their tanks, and catalytic converters stolen. These recent thefts have happened during daylight. If you see something, say something. Further, remember to keep your vehicles locked when parked in surface spaces or on the street. Leave nothing inside your car to provoke a crime of opportunity. The Board is investigating what action to take. In the meantime, the Winston-Salem Police Department is aware of the thefts, and have been invited to park in our lots for officer breaks and writing up reports to show an onsite presence.
Coming and Goings
Welcome to new owners Kenneth Gack and Holly Rickett (Unit 214) and Wilson Pace (Unit 218). Lisa Menefee and Andy Comer (Unit 155) have decamped to the country to provide temporary housing to Lisa’s brother and sister-in-law from Charlottesville VA — Charlie Menefee and Lois Perry — and their Labrador Macchi.
Best wishes to longtime owners Josh and Nadja Moe, their daughter Riley, and dog Kona who have listed their Unit 312 for sale.
Come On, Friends!
Mind your pets. We know inclement weather makes walking our furry friends more challenging. Per city ordinance, dogs must be under control and leashed when not on their owner’s property. Keep an eye on your pets and where they do their business. Clean up and dispose of their mess immediately. Respect the tidiness of our community, and your neighbors.
Crepe Myrtle Trees
A number of Owners have expressed concerns about the increasing nuisance of the four Crepe Myrtle trees planted along the north side of Building 1.
Over the years, these Crepes have become overgrown, particularly for the 4-foot-wide area between the enclosed patios’ concrete slabs and the common sidewalk. Their roots have encroached under the slabs and sidewalks resulting in what will soon become a costly repair project. Crepe Myrtle roots do not sink taproots deep into the ground. In fact, the entire Crepe Myrtle root system is shallow and fibrous, spreading out horizontally up to three times as far as the canopy is wide. The trees and their root systems are much too expansive for the limited spaces along the walkway.
The Crepes shed husks, flowers, leaves, and bark for three quarters of the year. This debris clogs the gutters and causes damage to the roofs of the garage units. If not trimmed at least annually, the limbs hang over Building 1 and the garages, enabling pests to access the roofs. The debris also congests the walkway drains resulting in standing water after most rains. This past summer, aphids invaded the trees, generating a black tar-like substance that dripped onto the plantings below, the sidewalk, and patios creating a sticky mess.
After much research, the Board first considered “Crepe Murdering”. This practice was decided against because severe pruning or topping of Crepe Myrtles (down to 10 feet) removes strong, viable limbs and encourages the growth of weak and flimsy shoots that often are not strong enough to support the blooms come spring and summer. The cuts made at pruning can allow disease and rot to enter the tree which can eventually result in its untimely demise. Plus, adopting a yearly program of denuding would not address the spreading root issues, and would substantially increase annual landscaping expense.
Although the beautiful Crepe canopy enhances the common walkway, the current and predicted nuisance and damage concerns remain. The Board has unanimously (although reluctantly) decided the trees must be removed. Our contract landscaper, Legacy Landscapes & Tree Service, will be taking down the Crepes in early November.
Building 1 Unit Owners will collaborate to choose a variety of trees with smaller root systems, less debris, and lower maintenance that will ultimately soften the spaces once shaded by the Crepe Myrtles. Further, the Owners have generously agreed to cover the acquisition and planting costs.