WELCOME TO TOWNSQ, SNOWDEN'S MILL!

The Snowden's Mill community is excited to introduce TownSq—a digital platform designed to help members easily manage their accounts, pay HOA assessments, and stay updated on neighborhood news and activities, all in one convenient place.

How to Get Started with TownSq

1. Connect Your Account: Visit the SMHOA website and select "Log In." You can create an account using either your HOA account number or email address.
2. Download the Mobile App: We highly recommend downloading the TownSq mobile app for easy access on the go.
3. Check Your Email: All homeowners received a welcome email from ComSource, our management company, inviting them to sign up. If you’re having trouble creating an account or didn’t receive this email, please contact Charles Lasky at clasky@comsource.com to request a TownSq invitation email.

Key Benefits of TownSq

• Community announcements from the HOA
• Manage your account effortlessly
• Access payment history and make electronic dues payments (e-Checks: no fee; Credit card payments: $2.95 + 3.5% fee)
• Communicate publicly or privately with your neighbors
• View the community calendar, including events and board meetings
• Submit Property Improvement Requests
• Access HOA documents, notices, and other resources
• Participate in surveys to assist the SMHOA Board with decision-making

Opt-In for Electronic Delivery - How do we save you and your HOA money? Maryland law allows members to “Opt-In” for electronic receipt of legal documents (budget, audit, etc.). Per state ordinance, the default communication preference for these documents is snail mailed letter only; however, you could update your preference and receive these electronically. This is a great way for you and your HOA to save money and you time! No more missing or delayed mail deliveries. The Board is currently working to make this possible. Stay tuned for information on how to “Opt-In” to receiving Association Documents electronically!!

Architectural Applications - Don’t forget to submit a Property Improvement Request (PIR) application before making any changes to the exterior of your home. Just remember that all property improvements must be approved by the Architectural Control Committee. If you are replacing a white window for the same style white window, not approval is needed. Please go to the Snowden's Mill HOA website to access the application and other helpful information regarding the most common projects. Remember it takes about 12 days for evaluation and response. The Architectural Control Committee is comprised of your neighbors who volunteer their time.

Lawn maintenance issues - Some residents don’t cut their grass regularly or take care of their landscaping. Examples include trees/shrubs that have grown too large and weeds in the flower beds. Please keep your landscaping in great condition. It’s an HOA policy.

Also, remember that every house in the HOA came with foundation plants and every house is required to have foundation plants….no exceptions.  Foundation plantings are garden beds placed near a building's foundation to add beauty, soften architectural lines, and increase curb appeal.

You can find the HOA lawn and yard care policy document here. The BOD can’t be everywhere, if you see a lawn or landscaping that is overgrown, please let us know.  We have a great community that cares about the appearance of their homes and our community.

LAWN CARE

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 require 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 ends up in stormwater overflow and eventually into our watersheds and then our drinking water? Remember, Montgomery County ordinances ban 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 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 need less 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 weekly - 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. The county will provide “Yard Waste” stickers that can be placed on containers that will be used to dispose yard waste. As always, please store your yard waste cans out of sight except on your pickup day.

WHAT IS GROWING IN MY YARD?

This is Poison ivy. Poison ivy is a plant that can cause an itchy rash when touched. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac all contain urushiol (yoo-ROO-shee-ol), a sticky, colorless, odorless oil. Urushiol is not poisonous. It's considered an allergen because it causes an allergic reaction in most people who touch it. It grows very well in wet areas or after heavy rains.

The allergic reaction to poison ivy includes a rash with blisters, itching, and sometimes swelling. The rash can look like straight lines if the plant brushed against the skin that way.

After a few days, the oozing blisters become crusty and start to flake off. The rash from poison ivy can start within hours of contact or as much as 5 days later. It may take 2 to 3 weeks to heal.

Please don’t touch it. If you do, please wash your hands or legs that have touched it quickly. Poison ivy can be spread from clothing that has touched poison ivy or possibly from someone who has it, but it is not as easily transferred.