With summer coming to an end, we wanted to provide an update on what is being worked on.

Given all the positive feedback the board has received in regards to the monuments, we are continuing to look for ways to enhance the entrances. The latest improvement will be spot lights on the middle island.

Over the years we have received communication from concerned homeowners in regards to the algae and water flow problems. We are now treating the water and removed tree trunks from the water. We are gathering information from vendors on how best to improve the water flow and flooding issues.

With the entrances being updated last year, we are shifting our efforts to improve the other common areas. We are looking to stop the soil runoff that is going into the ponds, enhance the look of cul-de-sacs and continue to cutdown and replace trees within the common areas. We are talking to multiple vendors to get ideas and best pricing. Given the size of the project, it will be a well thought out and vented plan that will be implemented over the next few years.

In these difficult times of social distancing, it is important that we celebrate the important moments in life and support our community. One neighbor, Sebastian, is celebrating his FIRST BIRTHDAY on May 4th! At 6:00 the Darien Police and Fire Department will be starting at the park and driving east to wish him a very happy birthday. He lives at the fifth house on the right as you drive towards Cass Ave. We are asking volunteers to join the parade via car or foot (while keeping proper distance) with signs and warm wishes. Let’s make the best of this trying time for one of our neighbors.

We have received a few applicants who are interested in joining select commissions. This is the final call for all those looking to have input into various aspects of our subdivision.

Below are a few commissions the board is looking to form:

• Landscaping – could include season plantings, common area maintenance and lighting and watering new plants
• Wetlands – the wetlands are in need of a lot of work. Anyone with experience in wetlands would be a huge asset
• Community – could include social activities such as block parties, book club, running/walking club
• Subdivision Appearance/Compliance/Enforcement – suggested by homeowners regarding other owners that are not following Rules and Regulations
• Parks/Amenities
• Holiday Entrance Decorations
• Communications
• Welcome Group for new home owners

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these commissions, please contact your property manager Ellen at edonovan@oakanddaleproperties.com.

The 2020 Board of Directors is looking to form commissions to help keep the Association and property up to its highest standards.

Below are a few commissions the board is looking to form:

• Landscaping – could include season plantings, common area maintenance and lighting and watering new plants
• Wetlands – the wetlands are in need of a lot of work. Anyone with experience in wetlands would be a huge asset
• Community – could include social activities such as block parties, book club, running/walking club
• Subdivision Appearance/Compliance/Enforcement – suggested by homeowners regarding other owners that are not following Rules and Regulations
• Parks/Amenities
• Holiday Entrance Decorations
• Communications
• Welcome Group for new home owners

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these commissions, please contact your property manager Ellen at edonovan@oakanddaleproperties.com.

Darien Club HOA Meetings are scheduled for 7:00 at the Darien Police Station on the following days:

• Monday – April 6
• Monday – June 1
• Tuesday – September 8
• Monday – November 2

Please join us to discuss the future of our subdivision. We welcome homeowners who want to get involved by becoming a board member or through various commissions that are being started.

Well the monuments have been completed. In addition to the replacement of the monuments, other improvements to the entrances have been made.

Irrigation on Fairview is new. For many years plantings and landscaping on this entrance have been limited due to lack of irrigation. Well, no more. This year we now have irrigation on that entrance so that we can entertain the idea of having annuals and other flowering shrubs for an enhance entrance.

Updated Landscaping. Since much of the landscaping was really old (some of it original to the subdivision) and damaged much of the landscaping in front of the monuments needed to be replace. While the plantings this year were small the board chose plants that will grow much larger in the near future and will fill in nicely without blocking the sign. The plans do have room for annuals on both entrances to give it that pop of color. I expect next year to look even better then they do currently.

Updated Lighting. The board needed to update the lighting on both Cass and Fairview entrances. The Cass Ave. entrance saw the more drastic change with the addition of a second light. The size of the monuments required an additional light for the additional coverage. The Fairview entrance while still only needing a single fixture, required an adjustment. Both entrances received new light fixtures.

Painted Letters. Once the monuments were in place. We received many comments from homeowners that the lettering was hard to read. We heard you. The letters are now painted and visible from the street.

While the project was not without hiccups and the build took significantly longer to complete then originally anticipated, they are a vast improvement.

Any questions or comments can be emailed to dchoa2014@gmail.com

With all the rain that we have received this year, many homeowners are experiencing puddling or drainage issues in their yard. The Board has received several phone calls and emails during or immediately following heavy rains. Often times after a brief discussion the issue is contained on the property of the homeowner. So, you ask, “What do I do?”

First step, review you plat to understand your property line and the easement adjacent to your property. Yes, we all have them. Second, contact the City of Darien. Often times, there is a grading issue with the home settling or in some cases, as we recently noted, a drainage issue on the easement requiring some infrastructure needing to be replaced.

During the June 18th, board meeting, the City of Darien shared a letter sent to some homeowners providing a resolution for drainage issues documented in the fall of 2018. Due to limited budget of the City, the cost of the resolution needs to be shared by all of the homeowners impacted.

Wow! Another spring is here and again the board is reviewing the wetlands.

Many of the homeowners on the wetlands are aware that the association contracts with Pizzo & Assoc. to maintain the wetlands. Some of you may be aware that the wetlands are not natural wetlands and they serve as a runoff point for other areas in Darien other than our subdivision.

It has recently come to our attention that the drains on the wetlands are being clogged with sticks and other landscape debris such as grass clippings. We are working directly with the City of Darien to clean up and around the drains reduce the risk of flooding not only for our home owners but others as well.

We are asking home owners on the wetlands to please review the surrounding areas on your property for piles of landscape waste that may be sitting near the wetlands and remove it. Check your yard to see if the heavy rains are causing a washout of landscape materials into the wetlands. Any due diligence you can do to help reduce waste run off into the wetland areas would be appreciated.

We are actively engaging with Pizzo & Associates to assist with this clean-up. We do want to caution the home owners on the wetlands that any sort of dumping on the wetlands is strictly prohibited. Fines can be incurred.