Masons Passage News
Online

Community Clean Up Day
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Mason's Passage Community Clean-Up Day held on April 13th. More than 25 adults and kids came to lend a hand in making our community a better-and cleaner-place to live.

Many bags of empty bottles, plastic bags, old toys, and other trash were collected from the recreation field, pond area and several of the common areas of the community.

Also hauled away were an old oil drum, discarded plywood, construction refuse and even two old TV sets which were pulled from the wooded area near the recreation field.

The effort lasted only a few hours, but it made a real impact on the appearance of the community and also gave neighbors a chance to get to know each other better.

Special thanks to John Enos and Justin Karlinchak who brought many tools which made the work easier. John also got into the spirit by using a canoe to get to the trash floating on the pond.

Thanks also to Tom Hartmann and Kristin Bowl who helped organize the event. Everyone who participated, worked hard and deserves our hearty thanks.

Please help us keep the community clean by not littering and picking up trash whenever you see it.

Lawn Care Tips
As summer approaches, now is the time to be thinking about lawn care. Following are some tips courtesy the Scott's company sure to help you grow a beautiful, thick, green lawn. Start by raking the lawn, removing dead leaves and thatch from the winter and loosening the soil on bare spots.

Watering-As a general rule, most lawns require about one inch of water per week from rain or sprinkling. This can usually be achieved by leaving your sprinkler at each setting for approximately one to one and a half hours, depending on your type of lawn sprinkler. If the lawn needs water badly, any time will do, but whenever possible water early in the day, rather than evenings, as late watering can encourage the spread of fungus disease.

Fertilize-Most lawns need to be fed four to five times during the growing season. For northern lawns, one feeding in spring and another in fall is minimum.

Mowing-The first time you mow your grass this year, lower the blade a notch below your mower's normal setting. This will remove much of the grass' dead top-growth and expose the crowns to sunlight. It helps trigger early greening and will lead to a thicker grass. Avoid scalping at all costs.

Keep mower blade sharp. Mowing with a dull blade tears the ends of grass blades, leaving ragged ends which later turn brown, giving the lawn a dried-out look. Such grass blade damage also encourages the spread of fungus disease.

Mowing once a week is usually sufficient. In spring, when grass is growing more rapidly, mowing twice a week may sometimes be necessary to avoid removing more than 1/3 the length of the grass blades.

Pests- Consider applying grub control - especially if you had grubs last year. White grub damage appears as a thinning and browning of sections of turf. Damage usually shows up in late summer or fall, or in spring (although damage causing the spring symptoms often occurred the previous fall). Grubs live underground and eat grass roots, depriving the plants of water and nutrients.

(Information for this article excerpted from the Scott's company at www.scotts.com)

From the Architectural Control Committee (ACC)
With nice weather, frequently comes home improvement plans such as adding a deck, sunroom, a tool shed, or other permanent structures and modifications.

Please remember that all such changes must be approved by the HOA Architectural Control Committee, which is comprised of your fellow homeowners. The ACC meets the 2nd week of each month. If any home improvements are planned, please work around the committee's schedule when requesting approval.

The Architectural Review Application is currently online at www.oocities.org/masonspassage. More detailed guidelines for requests will soon be posted online. Any questions or requests should be made through Dale Estrada at Armstrong Management at daleestrada@armstrong.net or 703-313-9359 x 3013.

Looking for a Few Good Volunteers
The Communications Committee and newly-formed Parking Committee are looking for volunteers to become members.

Service generally involves two hours or less each month as well as the willingness to share ideas.

Committee members may also be asked to occasionally represent their committee at a monthly board meeting.

If you'd like to help make decisions that affect the community by serving on an HOA committee, please contact Dale Estrada at Armstrong Management at daleestrada@armstrong.net or 703-313-9359 x 3013.

Action by the Board of Directors
Motions approved by the Mason's Passage Board of Directors at its April meeting:

As proposed by the Parking Committee
Motion unanimously approved for a 15 mile per hour speed limit throughout the development.
Motion unanimously approved to assign each of the 24 town-homes without garages two parking spaces per unit. (64 parking spaces are currently available)

As proposed by the Grounds Committee
Motion to pour asphalt or concrete for a basketball court/playground area next to pond tabled for later consideration.
Motion unanimously approved for the creation of an area for trashcans at the end of Seafarer Way.
Motion unanimously approved for water access at the Village Green through Fairfax County for $1,250.00 plus a Not-To-Exceed limit of $300.00 by John Enos for air-rating.
Motion unanimously approved to post signs stating 15 mph speed limit and "private property/no solicitation" at each entrance to Masons Passage (6 signs total) with a Not-To-Exceed limit of $408 to John Fiorenza for these signs.

The Board Reminds You...