Speeding follow up with COT

I did a follow up with the City of Tigard re the continuing speeding problem in the neighborhood.  I greatly appreciate the support of Christie at the COT for her sharing of information and support.  The latest is this:

  1.  there is no specification for speed humps with the COT.  They contract out the installation and the contractor builds to their spec.  The COT then inspects the final work for approval.
  2. The COT is working on a better solution to “calm” traffic than humps.  They don’t work, as the continuing issue in our neighborhood attests.
  3. In survey after survey, people don’t like them (they don’t like speed limits, not using cell phones while driving, etc.) and are greater in number than those who do.  Thus, COT isn’t installing them anymore (our personal inconvenience overrides the safety issue).
  4. Emergency vehicle people (ambulances, fire trucks) don’t like them even with the spacing for their vehicle wheelbase in them.  The spaces force them out into the center of the road and when other vehicles don’t pull over or vehicles parked in the street impinge, they can’t get through at the speeds they need to.
  5. Drivers speed with speed humps in place.  They speed up to the hump, slow down to go over it, and then immediately speed up again (studies show they go faster after the hump than before!).
  6. COT will  schedule us in for the cart display that shows speeds.  This is put in place on a priority basis to COT will look at our speed study and schedule us in as is appropriate.  This cart just shows speed; it doesn’t show a count like the original study did.

The take away from all this is that we still have a speeding problem in Washington Square Estates despite the speed humps, that problem will only be resolved by each of us as neighbors.  We need to ask and answer this question of ourselves:  do I care more about me and my need to speed or is the welfare of the neighborhood (people and property) my priority?  What’s your answer and action?

Respectfully,

Terry Crawford

Vice-chair, WSEHOA Inc. and neighbor

 

A Rainy Dark Night in January

Could you imagine an Annual Meeting in the afternoon, on a weekend day in January?

Share your thoughts on day vs night, weekday vs weekend, and other ideas.

In order to conduct the mandatory business of the HOA, we are required to meet together in Jan, within 30 days of the end of the year to vote for an annual budget, elect board members for the following year, and make suggestions for projects, and comment on issues and concerns.

South Entrance Work- Arborist Crew & Volunteers

Several trees are being removed tomorrow morning – so there may be delays at the south entrance/exit. Work is scheduled to begin at 8:00

The trees are down. The work was done by Urban Forestry Pro, they applied for the permit from the City of Tigard and cleaned up the area as stated in the contract for a price of $1200 + permit fees. Reasonable compared to other bids.

Have you noticed several of our landscape committee members have been hard at work removing berry bushes back to our lot line and generally cleaning up. Thanks to Tari Querin, Mary Ellen Johnston, and Carol Ross at planning.

Just a note from a Concerned WSE HOA member!!

Your association received a letter dated July 2, 2019 from the City of Tigard  RE: Code Compliance Record Number: NCC2019-00120.   The complaint was regarding the WSE HOA owned common property on the east side (where the sign is located) of Ventura at the North Entrance.  The complaint stated that there were:

Trees and Bushes(Dead, Decaying, Hazard)

Noxious vegetation (Fire Hazard)

And Insects and Rodents

Specifically, it has been reported that there is insect infestation and fire hazard associated with the overgrown, dead and dying, vegetative debris and insect infestation on your property along Ventura Ct in Tigard, Or.

Please remove the overgrowth, dead or dying vegetative debris and insect infestation on your property.

The letter continues to discuss that these violations have not yet been verified.  It then states that each violation can have a penalty of $250 per day.  Then it states that you can confirm that no violation exists or you can correct it voluntarily within 20 days.

WELL, because I have lived here since 1990 and enjoyed the neighborhood and the friends I have here, I am upset that someone would go to the City of Tigard and NOT let the WSE HOA know of their concern.

The WSE HOA Board is a Volunteer Board who donates their time to help keep the area going strong.  When I became aware of this letter, I went to the area and removed the rubbish: a clear plastic pastry box, one coffee cup, one 12 inch piece of 1/2 rubber hose, one clear plastic bag and one plastic shopping bag.  I did not find any insects except for the normal spiders and a squirrel ran along the fence on the back side of the property.  I also did some pruning of the bushes and removed some dead limbs.  I have pictures of the area before and after.

I DO NOT understand the motive behind such a complaint because the HOA has usually responded to residents concerns quickly and efficiently.  We pay very little in dues, $8.00 month, and the money needs to be used wisely.  PLEASE CONTACT THE BOARD WITH CONCERNS.  This complaint required a lot of time and effort by volunteers. It also required additional expense to the yard maintenance group.

I AM NOT A BOARD MEMBER,  just a concerned homeowner.  I have pictures of the area, a copy of the letter if you want to view them.  Thank You for letting me explain my concern,    Dianne Kostur   cdkostur@aol.com