BENT TREE VILLAS WEST CONDO ASSOCIATION “A 55 AND OLDER COMMUNITY” OFFICE 736-0455 FAX 736-5304 BTVW Newsletter www.btvwest.com June 2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING TUESDAY, 6/21/16 @ 7:00 P.M. Bent Tree Villas West Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Office Phone - 736-0455 Newsletter Editor: Camille Andreiuci Do you have newsworthy items that you would like to see in the NEWSLETTER? If so, write them up and bring them into the office. The Newsletter deadline is the 20th of the month. Anything received after that date will NOT be published until the following month. Hello Neighbors, The heavy rains over the past couple of weeks brings to mind our community’s drainage issues. The landscape profile of our community is based on the topography of grass waterways and graded roads leading to catch basins on Apple Tree Circle, which then sends the water through culverts to the ca- nal – our reservoir for rainfall runoff. This results in the rear of many condos having “lakeshore property” after heavy rainfalls. Add to this the loss of grade resulting in sunken reservoirs along the rear walls because of years of edging and the issue becomes more acute. The large expanse of roofs dumps a huge water load on the nar- row strip of soil between the condos. Despite the sandy soil, natural soil absorption cannot handle the excessive water and if the designed drainage system is not working, ponding results. Of course, the water must go somewhere, so over time it seeps into the soil where it is harboured by vegetation can- opy and under the concrete slabs. This is the major issue. Moisture under the concrete slab of the condo units attracts roots and they, along with the moisture, can cause damage to and deterioration of the concrete slabs resulting in costly structural repairs to the Association and Unit Owners. Ex- ample: the recent cutting of roots around mature trees to mitigate root damage. The long term solu- tion lies in re-establishing grades along condo walls to move the water away from the buildings and unencumbered grass waterways to convey the water from the rear of the condos to the roadways and catch basins. We can undertake a medium term work plan with modest annual costs to mitigate this issue now or face costly structural repairs and related costs later. And this will require the foresight and work planning of not only this Board but of future Boards to ensure necessary follow up. This issue is a prime example of an ounce of prevention now will be preventing a pound of cure lat- er. Of course, the advent of heavy rainfalls is also a harbinger that summer is upon us. To our many members who may be travelling, a safe and enjoyable journey. To our other members who stay at Bent Tree year-round, do enjoy the hot, green environment outside and the cool, pleasant environ- ment inside. To all, on behalf of the Board, do have a pleasant and enjoyable summer. Wayne Gorman, Team Leader, Management Team
Transcript
BENT TREE VILLAS WEST CONDO ASSOCIATION
“A 55 AND OLDER COMMUNITY”
OFFICE 736-0455 FAX 736-5304
BTVW Newsletter
www.btvwest.com
June 2016
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
TUESDAY, 6/21/16 @ 7:00 P.M.
Bent Tree Villas West Office Hours:
Monday thru Friday
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Office Phone - 736-0455
Newsletter Editor: Camille Andreiuci
Do you have newsworthy items that you
would like to see in the NEWSLETTER? If
so, write them up and bring them into the
office. The Newsletter deadline is the
20th of the month. Anything received after
that date will NOT be published until the
following month.
Hello Neighbors,
The heavy rains over the past couple of weeks brings to mind our community’s drainage issues. The
landscape profile of our community is based on the topography of grass waterways and graded roads
leading to catch basins on Apple Tree Circle, which then sends the water through culverts to the ca-
nal – our reservoir for rainfall runoff.
This results in the rear of many condos having “lakeshore property” after heavy rainfalls. Add to
this the loss of grade resulting in sunken reservoirs along the rear walls because of years of edging
and the issue becomes more acute. The large expanse of roofs dumps a huge water load on the nar-
row strip of soil between the condos. Despite the sandy soil, natural soil absorption cannot handle the
excessive water and if the designed drainage system is not working, ponding results. Of course, the
water must go somewhere, so over time it seeps into the soil where it is harboured by vegetation can-
opy and under the concrete slabs. This is the major issue. Moisture under the concrete slab of the
condo units attracts roots and they, along with the moisture, can cause damage to and deterioration
of the concrete slabs resulting in costly structural repairs to the Association and Unit Owners. Ex-
ample: the recent cutting of roots around mature trees to mitigate root damage. The long term solu-
tion lies in re-establishing grades along condo walls to move the water away from the buildings and
unencumbered grass waterways to convey the water from the rear of the condos to the roadways
and catch basins. We can undertake a medium term work plan with modest annual costs to mitigate
this issue now or face costly structural repairs and related costs later. And this will require the
foresight and work planning of not only this Board but of future Boards to ensure necessary follow
up. This issue is a prime example of an ounce of prevention now will be preventing a pound of cure lat-
er.
Of course, the advent of heavy rainfalls is also a harbinger that summer is upon us. To our many
members who may be travelling, a safe and enjoyable journey. To our other members who stay at
Bent Tree year-round, do enjoy the hot, green environment outside and the cool, pleasant environ-
ment inside. To all, on behalf of the Board, do have a pleasant and enjoyable summer.
This being our first BTVW Newsletter published online, I’m excited and yet a little nervous. I hope you enjoy the new format which is truly a work in progress. This new version will save us the money it once cost to print 294 copies, and it takes the burden off our volunteer carriers from delivering to all residents. Heartfelt thanks to Al Amendola, Annie Brown, Bob Clarke, Barbara Kaplan, Rose Ryan, Freddy Surace and all those from the past (too numerous to men-tion all) for their time and effort over the years! Of course, as mentioned in our May News-letter, those of you who do not have access to a computer are welcome to come into the office and pick up a hard copy. Don’t forget to check Channel 63 for info regarding activities and important announcements. Well, most of our neighbors have returned to their homes up North. That makes it relatively quiet here at BTVW. Our activities for Community Club and the Entertainment Committee will be suspended until September or October but we encourage those of you who live here year-round to take advantage of our BINGO night which will continue through the Summer on Wednesday nights (weather permitting!). We had a couple of intense storms during the month of May which cut back our attendance to the point where it was best to cancel our May 13th games. Hopefully that doesn’t happen too often during the year. While I’m sure it was disap-pointing to our die-hard players, better to be safe than sorry. The Clubhouse, of course, is open for cards and Mahjong, and Coloring for Grownups is still in session on Tuesday afternoons from 2-4 pm. However, the Knitters headcount has also dropped off due to regulars leaving for the summer. I’m sure that activity will start up again when they return in the Fall. “Poolside Cocktails” will continue on Friday evenings from 5-7 pm as long as interest is shown, but that function is not supported by any clubs so those who would like to continue this activity should just show up with a snack or finger food to share and don’t forget to use plastic only and BYOB! BTVW Women’s Club Our annual Spring Luncheon held at the Delray Country Club on May 13th was a big success. Those attending enjoyed a delicious meal and were given a souvenir of the event. Pat Pohevitz and Angela Hall did a good job. Our regular meetings will begin again on September 14th. We are also trying to have some fun events this Summer. Photos of the 2016 Board of Directors We finally got our entire Board of Directors photos up on our website thanks to Victoria’s pa-tience with those of us who were never “ready” when she pulled out the camera! But thank goodness it’s done and I won’t have to avoid her any more! Sorry I gave you such a hard time, Victoria, but now can I have four 8 X 10 copies to send to my kids? Just kidding!
From Richard Preble, ARC Chairperson: Any changes or repairs to the outside of your building
including front/garage door/window replacement, lanai enclosure changes, hurricane shutters or
patio installations must be pre-approved by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) PRIOR TO WORK BEGINNING! Forms are available in the office.
