March 1998 Newsletter

PHA  HOMEOWNER

Membership Campaign Underway

     As the March issue of "The Pinery Homeowner" goes to press we are happy to report that 1,022 Pinery households are enrolled in the Pinery Waste Management Trash Program. This has proven to be a very efficient way to provide both PHA membership and weekly trash service. We hope that any Pinery residents not currently enrolled in this low cost program will call the PHA office, 841-8572, for an application form. We would also be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the program. $12.25 per month takes care of both trash service and your $20 annual membership dues. Under the program you automatically receive a quarterly statement for $36.75-easy for you and for us!

     Some of you who are not enrolled in the trash program have already mailed in your 1998 dues. We are very grateful to you! Your commitment to PHA and its role in the Pinery community is sincerely appreciated.

     If you are not enrolled in the trash program and you haven't already sent in your dues, we ask that you do so by clipping the membership application printed below and mailing it in with your dues. The $20 per year that we ask of you does so much to maintain and enhance your community. PHA's goals include preserving our rural lifestyle, protecting trees and open space, promoting community atmosphere and providing amenities and activities. More specifically your homeowners' association landscapes and maintains the main entryway, maintains and improves the neighborhood parks, supports responsible development around The Pinery, provides RV storage space, helps to fund stocking of Bingham Lake and sponsors the Kids Fishing Derby. PHA also maintains community owned greenbelts, publishes "The Pinery Homeowner" every other month, sponsors the Pinery Pedal and FREE Picnic for PHA members, organizes the Large Item Drop Off, Community garage Sale and twice yearly Adopt-A-Road and lake cleanups, administers the Pinery / Waste Management Trash Program, and operates the PHA office that coordinates all of these.

     The dues are lower than any other community that we know of and we work hard to give you your money's worth. Please show your support by mailing or dropping off your membership application and dues as soon as you can!

 Let Your Light Shine!

     It has recently been brought to our attention that a number of the post lights required in front of each Pinery home are not functioning. Please check your light this evening to make sure that yours is not among them. If it isn't working, check the bulb and replace if necessary. 25-40 watt bulbs are sufficient. If there is another problem and you aren't able to fix it, call an electrical contractor for a repair. Keep those lights burning!

Pinery Parkway Traffic Hazard

     Residents have reported cars being driven against traffic on Pinery Parkway. This often occurs during the holidays in the evening. It seems likely that departing guests may forget that the street by which they came into The Pinery is a boulevard. When you extend an invitation, it's always helpful for your guests if you include a street map or good verbal directions to your home, clearly designating Pinery Parkway as a boulevard. We hope that this will help to eliminate the dangerous, white-knuckle encounters that some of you have experienced.

NEWS FROM THE WATER BOARD

     Many of you probably noticed in your previous bimonthly water bills the note explaining that an estimate of the water usage was taken for the time period covered. This was due to the number and severity of storms that we experienced in late 1997. These storms and the ensuing snowfall resulted in the employees of the District not being able to reach the water meters and to take the necessary meter readings. Even the automated system that we recently installed in large portions of the District was affected. In order to assure that this does not occur in the future, employees of the District have been marking the location of the meter pits with various marking systems (usually a white utility location marker). We understand that this is the time of year that estimates are made for sewer flows and we are diligently working to assure that a fair estimate is made for this part of the bill. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Water District to resolve any issues.

   Three positions on the Water District are coming up for consideration in a Special Election the 5th of May, 1998. Currently two current members of the Board, Robert Chapman and Rod Yoakam, are seeking reelection. We encourage anyone interested in participating in the operations and functions of the District to contact Mary Applegate, the Designated Election Official for the Election, to obtain a copy of the paperwork required in order to be considered in the election. The District is only as good as the people who are willing to participate openly and impartially in the operations and policy development that affects each and every one of us every day.

     On another issue, it is not too soon to examine the upcoming summer irrigation season. Following this article is a proposed rate schedule that we will be seeking comments on at the March 10th 7 p.m. Water Board Meeting at Northeast Elementary School. The new rate schedule is geared to encourage water conservation practices that will benefit all members of the District. During last year, we at times were approaching the maximum pumping capacity of several portions of the current water system. While there are still adequate water resources within the District to be tapped, these are deep water resources and during the peak summer demand times, we pay a premium for the electrical power to bring the water up from these deep water aquifers. Additionally, the water system originally installed by Senior Corp and its various developers was not designed to carry more than the current pumping capacity. As Developments such as the Timbers come on line, we will correct this situation, but at a cost. Until that time in the future, we will need to address "Best Management Practices" to assure that there is adequate water for all members of the District. We are currently drafting a water conservation plan and will be coordinating that with the various Homeowner Associations and large water users. It is our intent to seek maximum District Member input before we implement any plans or rate changes.

     We highly encourage all members of the District to attend our monthly regular meetings, held the second Tuesday of each month, at 7 p.m., at the District Offices of the Water District (located to the West of the South Pinery entrance). If you need directions or have other concerns, please contact us, Bill Morgan or Mary Applegate, at the Water District office, 841-2797.

David Eyre, Director
Civil Engineer, P.E.

DISTRICT STUDIES A GRADUATED 3% FEE INCREASE

     The District's last rate increase was in July 1995, almost three years ago. Since then, we have experienced a modest rate of inflation of approximately 2% a year which has had a cumulative impact of 7% to date.While increased efficiencies have been effective, additional revenue is needed to cover the remaining cost increase for maintaining our water and wastewater systems. We are studying a proposal to apply a graduated rate increase that leaves the rates unchanged for minimal-use residential consumers, with graduated increases based upon consumption for other residential users and all commercial users. The new rate schedule if adopted would generate 3% additional revenue in 1998 and enhance water conservation.

     Different rate increases will be applied to residential, commercial and large irrigators. Customers who use greater amounts of water will experience a larger increase. For example, a residential customer who uses 6,000 gallons or less every two months will not experience any rate increase. The customer who uses 30,000 gallons every two months will experience a $2.40 increase every two months, and the customer who uses 60,000 gallons every two months will see an increase of $5.40 in bimonthly charges. The table at the bottom of the page, "Effect on Water Charges", has examples of the cost increase for different water usage rates.

     Public comment on this proposed increase is invited. A meeting will be held at 7 P.M. on Tuesday, March 10, at Northeast Elementary School, located just north of the RTD Park and Ride off North Pinery Parkway. If you are unable to attend the meeting, written comments can be sent to Board of Directors, Pinery Water & Wastewater District, P.O. Box 166, Parker, CO 80134.

Trees May Need Special Care This Spring

Mountain Pine & ISP Beetles
By Brett lemur & Kevin Marks - Wilhelm-Davey Tree Experts.

It's official: The Beetles are coming! In fact, they are already here.
Forest Service Confirms Beetle Invasion.

The Colorado State Forest Service recognizes the rise in beetle populations and the potential for tree loss. In The Pinery, pine trees have come under attack by two common and dangerous bark beetles. Both the IPS Beetle and the MPB (Mountain Pine Beetle) are in the area.

Beetles Carry Deadly Blue Stain Fungus.

Both the IPS and MPB beetles cause damage by boring under the bark, disturbing the natural processes of the tree. This can be a problem in itself, but the primary, lethal danger is a fungus that the beetles transport. Blue stain fungus will lead to a quick decline by clogging the tree's vascular system. Once in a tree, blue stain fungus is untreatable. It could kill your tree in one season, and is almost certain to kill it within 3 years.

Promoting Tree Health Key to Prevention

IPS and MPB are less likely to attack healthy trees. Trees under stress or in poor health are most susceptible to attack. New transplants, trees near construction sites or roads, malnourished and improperly watered trees are prime targets for the beetles.

Proper Watering, Annual Fertilization and Pruning Keys to Tree Health Over-watering is one of the biggest killers of pine and spruce transplants. Too much water is as harmful as too little. Both situations will result in root die-back and possible tree loss. Mature trees might need supplemental watering in drought conditions during winter months.

Annual fertilization will help keep trees healthy. Just as well-nourished people are less likely to get sick, well-fed trees are less likely to have problems. Fertilization can be done anytime the soil isn't frozen. If done by the homeowner, the directions on the packaging should be carefully followed. Homeowners who are not comfortable doing their own fertilizations could call professionals.

Pruning, another key part of a tree health program, might also require a professional. Whether done by the homeowner or professionals, pruning should only be done during the dormant season when beetles are not active.

Beetle populations can grow rapidly in felled trees or firewood (pine and spruce), so dead and dying trees must be removed or destroyed promptly.

Massive Beetle Populations Attack Even Healthy Trees

Even healthy trees are susceptible to attack when beetle populations reach very high numbers, as is now the case. In these situations, the best defense for your pine and spruce trees is an annual preventative insecticide spray application. Otherwise, your trees could be lost to the blue stain fungus the beetles carry, because once in the tree, blue stain fungus is untreatable.

Preventative Spraying Best Before May & June.

IPS beetles begin to fly and attack trees in mid-spring. Preventative applications of insecticide should be done no later than May. MPB begin to fly and attack trees in June or July. Preventative applications against them should be done no later than June. Spraying usually takes about 30 minutes for an average property. People and pets should be kept indoors or away for about 30 minutes after spraying is completed. Carbaryl and Astro Both Effective Both of these insecticides are effective against IPS and MPB. Carbaryl has been in use for over 10 years, and is the old standard. When mixed in regular concentrations it makes a foam-like spray, and lasts about 12 months. The more modern Astro, though more expensive for the tree company to use, is becoming the product of choice. It is less of a threat to wildlife, pets and children, and some tests have indicated it has a longer residual effect - up to 14 months against IPS and MPB. Both are effective.

Choose Your Tree Company Carefully

Ask lots of questions, and be sure to get answers. Do they have a Certified Arborist on staff? Will they give you a written estimate? What product do they use, and when do they time the application?

Next to your home itself, your trees are the most valuable asset on your property. Protect them. Choose the most reputable and knowledgeable tree company you can find. If you're not comfortable with the first arborist you talk with, call another. Let's keep the pines in The Pinery!

Tips From The Old Pinery Gardener - By Bill Hames

     Water conservation is becoming an ever more important consideration in the Western U.S. In 1981, an environmental planner in the Denver Water Dept. coined the word "Xeriscape" meaning dry, requiring little or no additional water. Following are the main principles of basic water-wise gardens.

1. Plan -- Design your garden prior to the planting sequence. Identify different water use areas in your garden and allocate water where it is needed and where it will contribute to the beauty of your garden.

2. The appropriate plant -- Do not mix plants with high/low watering needs. For hot, dry south or west facing areas- "Xeriscape" planting is the way to success.

3. Soil preparation--At planting time add organic matter, a good general fertilizer, and a water holding material such as Broadleaf P4, this water holding material will absorb hundreds of time its weight in water, and stays active for 3-4 years. It only takes 1 tablespoon of Broadleaf P4 and 1 tablespoon of fertilizer per 12" x 12" hole. Once plants have been planted and roots have developed, watering can be cut by 1/3 - 1/2. My basic rule for hole size is 12" x 12" for perennial plants. Before placing a pot-grown perennial into the ground, prepare the plant roots for planting. After carefully removing the plant from the pot, using a sharp knife, make 4 vertical cuts from top to bottom, one on each side of the root ball, and several cuts across the base, cutting through the plant roots about 1/4" on all cuts. With your fingertips, LIGHTLY rough out the roots on all cuts, so the soil ball has a fuzzy surface. Don't get carried away with this process. This process will enhance root growth into the surrounding soil.

4. Mulches--Cover the soil surface with durable mulch. Mulches hold moisture and also prevent erosion.

5. Water efficiently or PAY THE BILL--DO NOT OVER WATER. There are several companies that produce a drip irrigation system that is relatively cheap. These systems connect to a water hose or can be attached to your sprinkler system with a pressure-reducing valve (these drip systems are low pressure).