Community News
Summer, 2022
Upcoming Meeting Dates

2022 SMHOA Board Meetings
3rd Tues. each month @ 7:00-8:30 PM.
Click here for calendar and invitation links.

All homeowners are welcome to attend meetings. Please join us.
The monthly HOA BOD meetings are being conducted by virtual meeting.
NEW DEVELOPMENT AT THE CORNER OF EAST RANDOLPH AND OLD COLUMBIA PIKE

You have likely received notification from the HOA of plans to build a grocery store and about 250 townhomes/apartments directly across East Randolph Road from Forcey Church/School. One entrance for the new development will be at the Serpentine Wy/E. Randolph Road.  The SMHOA is pleased to inform you that due to the incredible public pushback against the project the developers have put this project on hold and promise to continue to work with the surrounding neighborhoods to find a more acceptable project. We will keep you informed.
FAIRLAND AND BRIGGS CHANEY MASTER PLAN

The county is starting to reevaluate the Fairland master plan. The last master plan for our area was developed in 1997. Our master plan provides guidelines and recommendations for land use, zoning, and development. For Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, these plans are initiated through the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). Planning efforts are initiated through respective planning departments and planning boards for each County. The Fairland master plan will determine if our community will look like downtown Silver Spring or what we currently have transportation needs and businesses. Many want to make our community look like downtown Silver Spring and there are an equal number who like our community as is. There will be a series of public hearings where you can be heard. You can read all about the Fairland master plan, and the development of the next mast plan and find out how you can participate in the process by clicking here.  
LAWN MAINTENANCE ISSUES

There has been a large number of homeowners who don’t cut their grass regularly. The HOA lawncare policy document and the county ordinances both have strict grass maintenance and height guidelines. The BOD can’t be everywhere, if you see a lawn that is overgrown please let us know.  We have a great community that cares about the appearance of their homes and our community.
TRASH CANS

The Board continues to receive complaints of homeowners leaving their trash cans out after their pickup day and/or leaving out items that weren’t picked up at the curb. Please do not put trash out earlier than the day before your scheduled pick-up. If the county doesn’t remove something that you have left out for collection, it is your responsibility to remove it from the curb. Leaves and grass cuttings must be in a dedicated lawn waste container or paper bags.  Garbage cans MUST be stored out of view from the street except on pickup day.
DOG POOP

There have been many complaints regarding people not cleaning up after their dogs. Montgomery County has laws requiring owners to pick up their dog’s waste. Anyone who violates any Animal Control Law “shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine up to $100.00. Not cleaning up after your dog is not only inconsiderate of your neighbors but is also a health concern. A responsible dog owner will clean up after their dog.
GARBAGE DUMPING

Not a pretty sight. The community is fed up with people dumping on HOA common lands. If you are caught dumping lawn waste, trees, or construction materials of any kind on HOA property the HOA will initiate a fine that includes the cost of cleaning up the mess.  In one instance a contractor was dumping construction waste on HOA property. Remember, dumping on parklands is also prohibited. Our community is too beautiful for a few uncaring people to ruin it by dumping garbage on our common areas. Your HOA recently cleaned up a dump that included a complete rear deck, carpeting, drywall, tile, a whole house of engineered wood flooring, and broken lawn care equipment all on your HOA common property.  All combined about 3.5 tons of construction trash.  If you see anyone dumping, please contact the police or the HOA. It ends up costing us all.  
The Communications Committee is always looking for newsletter content. Send your ideas/input to Charles Lasky.
MANAGEMENT AGENT

Last year Community Associations, Inc. (CAI) merged with Comsource, Inc. CAI had been our HOA’s managing agent for almost 20 years. Our community has been well served by their management. The HOA learned a few months ago that Comsource was purchased by Associa, Inc., a large nationwide HOA management company. The Comsource and CAI staff that you have gotten to know, will now be with Associa, Inc. Charles Lasky will continue to be our manager. Associa is a larger company and we are hopeful that the move will be advantageous to our HOA. More information on this change will be forthcoming.

Email addresses: 

Snowdens Mill HOA Board of Directors: smhoa.bod@comsource.com

Snowdens Mill HOA Covenant Enforcement Committee:

Snowdens Mill HOA Managing Agent-(Charles Laskey): clasky@comsource.com
CREATING AN ECO-FRIENDLY GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE

There have been many gardening trends from trying to eliminate all bugs in the garden to full-blown organic gardening. Eco-friendly gardening is a sensible approach to encouraging sustainable gardening practices that encourages healthy plant growth with minimal insecticides and fewer chemical fertilizers. 

Eco-friendly gardening strives to:
 
1. Eliminate wasting water

Not all plants need the same amount of water. Turfgrasses that we use for our lawns take far more water than most trees and shrubs. Chemicals we use such as weed killers, insecticides, and cleansers that are not used properly wash into our watersheds. How much pollution do you think an area the size of the DMV uses that end up in stormwater overflow and eventually into our watersheds and then our drinking water? Remember Montgomery county ordinances bans the use of most synthetic pesticides, including “weed & feed” and pre-emergent products, used for lawn care. Only organic pesticides and herbicides can be used in the County. Violations could result in a fine.

2. Propping up failing plants with chemicals

All plants have the needs required to thrive. Some plants need more sun than others and some need more shade. Some need more iron and others more phosphate. Plants planted where they will perform well needless or don’t need chemicals to thrive. If you are constantly having to treat a plant to get it to grow, it may be planted in the wrong place. 

3. Our county offers lawn waste recycling regularly

Please don’t dump lawn waste or anything else on our common land. We see many people using paper lawn waste bags to dispose of their lawn waste. A more economical and eco-friendly way to is to purchase a reusable plastic trash can for lawn waste. They will last for many years, save you money and reduce the resources used to make paper bags. The county will pick up yard waste each week on your trash day. As always, please store your yard waste cans out of sight except on your pickup day.
SUMMER FOOD

This was contributed by one of our own

Smoked Trout Salad….very easy and good

  • 1 pound dried elbow macaroni
  • 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 ounces smoked trout fillets, skin removed and flesh flaked (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 cup small-diced celery 
  • 1 medium Granny Smith apple, small dice (optional)
  • 1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh dill
  • 1 bunch of fresh chives, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)

1. Cook macaroni and set aside.

2. Place the mayonnaise, yogurt, vinegar, mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a large bowl and stir to combine. Add the trout, celery, apple if using, dill, and chives, and gently stir to combine; set aside.

3. Add the cool macaroni to the bowl of dressing and gently stir to evenly coat. Taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Thank you all for the great feedback on the new recipe section.  If you have a recipe that you would like to share with your neighbors, please send it to us. We live in a very diverse great neighborhood and would love to share recipes from different cultures. All recipes are from our SMHOA family.
QUESTIONS TO THE SMHOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Who is responsible for the trees around my home?

It all depends on where the tree is located? If the tree is on HOA property the HOA is responsible for the maintenance of the tree. If the tree is on a homeowner's property it is the responsibility of the homeowner. The HOA uses satellite mapping technology maintained by the county to determine where property lines are. In rare instances, the HOA will bring in an expert to decide.  

What is a foundation plant?

Every house in our development was first sold with foundation plants in the front of the house. Foundation plants are shrub-type plants that are strategically placed at the front of a home to accentuate the appearance of a home. Throughout the years some owners have removed these plants and some have left nothing there or replaced them with something inappropriate. The HOA has eased standards some, but we still require appropriate foundation plants. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of a foundation plant, please contact us. 

What is a Builder Ornamental Light(BOL)?

Every house in our development was first sold with exterior lighting that is functional as well to enhance the appearance of our homes? Some homeowners have removed these lights to install motion security lights that do not enhance the appearance of the home. It is against HOA policy to remove the BOLs. The HOA is not trying to make your home or the community less safe. If you would like to install a motion-sensing light that is not decorative, the HOA may allow you to install one as long as it is not in place of a builder ornamental light. If your BOLs have seen better days and need to be replaced, you can replace them with suitable lights. All lights have to match. If you wish to alter your BOLs or install a separate security light, please submit a property improvement request to the BOD. The form can be found on the HOA website.
Board of Directors:

  • Tracy Shahan, President
  • Earl Gamache, VP
  • Neil Pedersen, Treasurer
  • Becky Meadows, Secretary
  • David Golden
  • Mitiku Kelkay
  • Renu Simon
  • Maqsood Tariq
  • Nikki Miltcetich
  • Ryan Woodlee
Snowdens Mill HOA is managed by:

ComSource
3414 Morningwood Drive
Olney, Maryland 20832

Contact:
301-924-7355 x153
Useful Telephone Numbers:

For medical and other emergencies, call 911. Following are other useful numbers:

  • County Info/services 240-777-0311
  • PEPCO (Outages) 877-737-2662
  • Miss Utility 800-257-7777
  • Missed Trash/Recycling 240-777-0311
  • Animal Control 240-773-5960
  • Poison Control 800-222-1222
  • Police Non-Emergency 301-279-8000
  • Street Light Outage 240-777-0311
  • Street Tree Damage 240-777-7623