Author: Steve

Fall 2001 (year 1)
See https://themillattarbranch.com/historical-information for much older pictures

Hello, residential and commercial owners as well as renters at The Mill! We hope everyone is having a good summer. Below please find news, updates, and reminders about our community.

1. New neighbors!

Please welcome our newest neighbors:

• Rob Baldwin and Remona Teague
• Edson Bridges and Tracy Bridges
• Dia St-Pierre Young  and Garret Young
• Nanne Holmes

2. Updated COA Directory and Website

Thank you to Patrick Turner for keeping our COA directory up to date. Please let him know if it needs an update. Board members are identified there too.

Patick also maintains our COA website, https://themillattarbranch.com/ . It provides contact information, “who to call” information, a “Mill Vocabulary”, our governing documents, and more. 

3. Shannen Varin, our single point of contact for COA needs

Owners should contact our property manager Shannen Varin (shannen@capstonetriad.com) of Capstone Realty Consultants for any COA needs, including property issues and payment questions. Shannen’s services are part of our contract with Capstone. 

However, owners can keep the board in the loop by emailing coa@themillattarbranch.com, which reaches the current COA officers.

4. Budget Update

The COA remains on target with our financials so far this year. Most outstanding dues have now been received.

Within a few years, we will probably begin talking about financing the replacement of the B1 and B3 roofs. Eventually we will need to replace the elevator in B3. These expensive projects would be discussed with the community well ahead of time, of course.

5. Recent & Upcoming Projects

• Trees have been trimmed and a few removed around B2, in order to reduce the tree debris that ends up on the roof. Some new flora will probably get planted this fall.
• We are exploring regular gutter maintenance for B2 and perhaps also the garages. The B2 gutter routinely gets clogged with tree debris, which results in water penetration into the units on the west end of the building. Thank you to Joe Burkett for helping clear some downspouts last month.
• Thank you to Holly Willis for working on the big pots in the B1/B2 breezeway. After consulting with the board, she planted ivy in the empty pots to match the other pots. (In the 25-year history of those pots, only ivy has proven sustainable.)
• We are investigating a new entry system for the shared doors in B2 and B3. The current system is past its expected lifespan and is too old to get replacement parts. Any new system will provide enhanced functionality, including wireless access. We will communicate the plan as this project develops.
• By this fall, we hope signage will be replaced and upgraded throughout the property.
• We also hope that the metal railings get sanded and repainted.

6. Recycling Reminders

The city has a guide to what can be recycled: https://www.cityofws.org/637/What-Can-I-Recycle 

Note that plastic bags are not accepted – they clog the sorting machines. But bags can be dropped off at many grocery stores. 

Occasionally our recycling is not picked up, for no fault of our own. When that happens, we can tell Shannen, and she will complain to the city.

7. Owner Responsibilities for Overseeing Contractors and Agents

From 

https://themillattarbranch.com/owner-responsibilities-for-overseeing-contractors-and-agents:

It is the responsibility of the Unit Owner to ensure their contractors and agents comply with all applicable rules and regulations during the project’s duration.

• All work must comply with applicable building codes.
• Hours of work are 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, holidays excluded. Noise-generating activities are permitted only between the hours of 9:00am to 4:00pm.
• To the extent reasonably practical, the Unit Owner will direct contractors to minimize any noise, vibrations, odors, particulates and dust infiltration or other intrusion which would disturb building occupants.
• Building security must be maintained at all times. No open door will be left unattended. The Unit Owner must direct workers not to admit anyone to the building unless that person is attached to the Unit Owner’s project. If, in the judgment of the Board, building security is not being maintained, the Board may order the work stopped until security is assured.
• Contracts must ensure that no water penetration occurs due to their work. Owners should confirm that the roof openings, windows, etc. are shut properly.
• All contractors and workers must comply with the provisions for parking, storage and use of Common Areas contained in the Declaration and Bylaws.
• All contractors must safeguard Common Elements from damage caused by alterations. This may include, but not be limited to, using drop cloths to protect hallway and foyer carpeting and/or vinyl tile as well as parking lot asphalt and sidewalks. The Unit Owner is liable for all costs associated with reversing damage caused by her/his contractors and agents during the course of the alterations. This may include, but not be limited to, replacing dented access doors; painting marred walls, trim, access doors, stairs; cleaning or replacing stained carpet or vinyl tile.
• Contractors must responsibly dispose of their debris off-site. Debris may not be disposed of in the community dumpster or recycling bins. No construction liquids are to be discharged on plantings in the community. Should workers not follow these rules, the COA will undertake the cleanup at the expense of the Unit Owner.

If you need the Mill’s water shut-off for non-emergency plumbing repair, we need to notify Shannen Varin 1-2 business days prior to the shut off so that she can notify residents, if at all possible.

Thank you for reading all the way to the bottom!

Hello, owners and neighbors! Here are some updates from your board. (See below for the list of officers for 2025.)

A reminder that Shannen Varin of Capstone Realty Consultants is our property manager. All homeowner correspondence should come to her via email (shannen@capstonetriad.com) or a phone call (336-494-6080). The board has been impressed by Shannen and we look forward to working with her this year.

Capstone maintains a portal for the Mill. There you can add work orders, pay dues, and view meeting minutes and other documents (“Community Information: → “Documents.”) Let Shannen know if you have any access issues.

Loss in our neighborhood:

As many of you know, we lost a friend and neighbor this month, Kimberly Hege Long in unit 312. Del, your neighbors have you and your family in our thoughts. Kimberly’s obituary.

Some current and upcoming projects:

Shannen is trying to get Duke Power to fix the security light in the lower Wachovia Street parking lot. Duke is really struggling with this, sigh.

We are working on replacing the entry panels/systems for Buildings 2 and 3. Those panels are so old that they could no longer be repaired, according to several vendors. Any new system will provide more options and flexibility. Thank you to Patrick Turner for researching some options and getting price quotes for the board to consider.

Landscaping improvements will happen this year. Limbs will be trimmed and some overgrown or dying trees will be removed, in order to protect the structural integrity of the roof, help reduce gutter clogging, and improve the look of our property. Some new trees will be planted. Details to come of course. Steve Cramer emailed B2 neighbors about this project last fall (the south side of B2 has the highest concentration of trees, and trees with branches now rubbing against the rubber roof seal).

And worn-out signage will be replaced through the Mill property.

Your 2025 board & roles:

Mitch Taylor (318): President
Christine Storch (115): Vice-President
Eric Stone (210): At Large

Rick Miller (223): Treasurer
Steve Cramer (211): Secretary

Our COA directory, kindly maintained by Patrick (thank you!)

Thank you, neighbors. –Steve