Fall 2015 September 2015 - Village of Whispering Pines
Transcription
Fall 2015 September 2015 - Village of Whispering Pines
_____________________________________________________________________________ www.whisperingpinesnc.net VOLUME XIX FALL 2015 September 2015 ATTENTION WHISPERING PINES RESIDENTS Notice of Village Hall Meetings Mayor Zschoche has called two special meetings of the Whispering Pines Village Council. The meetings will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. and ... Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of these meetings is to hold open informal discussions regarding various housing options within the Village of Whispering Pines. Everyone had fun at the Outdoor Concert featuring Loaded Dice September 19, 2015 Sue Shuster, Village Manager As most of you have seen as you drive around the Village, there is a lot of residential construction underway. This sets the stage for a significant number of homes to be added to the Village over the next several years. Requirements of the Village Land Development Ordinance have produced plans that require significant open spaces and recreational opportunities for new homeowners and the Village at large. These subdivisions will not only improve the aesthetics of the Village but have a significant impact on the tax base of the Village as well. The Summerfield Phase I subdivision along Hardee Lane has 13 homes nearing completion, two completed and occupied. Phase I will provide 62 quality homes in the Village when built out. The infrastructure construction plans are currently under review for Phase 2 and 3 of the subdivision. Installation of the infrastructure of Phase 2 is expected to commence in the upcoming months. Phase 2 will provide 35 homes. The entire subdivision plans for 130 single family homes. Our beautiful lakes make Whispering Pines a special community in the Sandhills. These lakes offer beautiful home sites, a myriad of recreational opportunities and unquestioned aesthetic enhancements. This summer’s hot temperatures and below normal rainfall amounts have caused some of our lake levels to be less than ideal. In spite of the best efforts of the Public Works Department to make sure all lake levels remain at optimum levels throughout the year, occasionally Mother Nature does not cooperate. While most lakes have recovered from the above conditions, Pine Lake continues to be the “difficult” lake in the Village to maintain at an optimal water level due to the golf course and homeowners irrigating from the lake, evaporation and/or seepage from the dam. The Village Council has taken significant measures in maintaining an adequate or acceptable water level for Pine Lake. The Village staff has continuously operated the Shadow Lake to Pine Lake pump under the policy set forth by the Village Council. A well pump acquired from Carolina Water also operates 8 hours a day to pump water to Pine Lake. The Country Club of Whispering Pines and Pine Lake residents that irrigate from the lake remain under a voluntary reduction in irrigating from the lake. The lake has been maintaining a 7”-10” below the spillway level and if the water level drops to 12” below the spillway, increased irrigation restrictions will be required of the golf course and residents. Our area remains in moderate drought conditions and I encourage every resident of the Village to conserve water not only as they irrigate from Village lakes, but in their household water usage as well. As fall arrives, additional rainfall and moderating temperatures will hopefully alleviate much of the problem. While traveling along Lakeview Drive, you will also see the Heronsbrook subdivision rapidly developing. The developer has 10 homes under construction, 4 completed and occupied. Heronsbrook will be a 64 single family home site development. The third subdivision, Foxcroft Phase III, across from New Day Way, is seeing the beginnings of 5 homes. Phase III will provide 35 home sites. Many of the projects of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015-16 Village budget are underway: • The installation of Village street signs is nearing completion. 2 • The development of a park on Whisper Grove Court. • Clearing land for the development of Princess Gate Park. • The construction phase of Thunder Bridge replacement is estimated to commence in January with a projected completion in April, 2016. • The renovations/additions to the Police and Fire Rescue Buildings are anticipated to commence in January 2016, with completion by the end of FY 2015-16. Whispering Pines as a residential, retirement and recreational community. To this purpose, those activities and land uses that are not compatible, such as intensive industrial uses, extensive commercial districts, and architecturally incompatible structures and glaring signs shall be prohibited. The preservation of the environmental and aesthetic character of Whispering Pines will be controlled by land use regulations made with reasonable consideration given to, among other things, the character of the various areas of the Village and its environs and the unique suitability of these areas for particular uses, conservation and enhancement of property values, and encouraging the use of land in a manner which is most appropriate in view of this Statement of Intent. Please see inside this newsletter the many happenings in the Village throughout the remainder of the year. We have several community events as well as community services for all Village residents. To recognize and thank our Village volunteers for their time and efforts to make the Village a better place to live for all, we will be holding a Volunteer Appreciation Reception at Thagard Pavilion on Friday, October 9th from 4-6pm. I invite everyone to get out and enjoy the beautiful fall season, attend our events and be a part of this great community! The LDO cannot prohibit development..... it can only provide regulations relating to land development and uses. Some have asked why the Council allowed the property along Hardee Lane to be developed..... the fact is... the property owner has rights to develop the property.... the LDO can only define the parameters. The developers of that property agreed to a Residential Single Family Conditional Zoning, thus enabling the Village to establish conditions more in keeping with the LDO intent statement. For example, a treed buffer along Hardee Lane, significant and well placed open space, provision for a walking trail around the development perimeter, a minimum of 7 trees on each property site, etc. The alternative would have been development under Residential Agricultural Zoning possibly resulting in several uses and buildings not in keeping with our Village atmosphere. Village Employees We would like to welcome Daniel Tucker to the Public Works Department. Daniel began his employment with the Village on June 1st. We also welcome Michael Ellis to the Fire Rescue Department. Michael began his employment with the Village on June 29th. From the Village Council Development Ordinance (LDO) - The LDO as a "living document" has seen many additions and deletions over the years... some due to changing regulations and/or changing conditions in the Village; thus, this Council decided it was appropriate to review the LDO in its entirety. As a result, over nearly a year, we, again with Village staff, attorney and engineer, updated, added, deleted several areas. Examples are (1) the section relating to the vesting period and expiration of a preliminary plat was in violation of current regulation and has now been updated (Section 3.3.5.6), (2) we disallowed any lot to be platted on wetland areas (3) the Council voted unanimously to remove the section relating to a Planned Residential Development (PRD) (Section 5.11) as it had the potential to lower building standards and thus change the character and ambiance of the Village; such as, allowing changes to lot sizes, setback lines, minimum building size, etc. The first proposed PRD project carried with it a collection of 6-16 apartment multistory buildings and open parking lots. Land The task of developing the LDO was started in 2008 and completed in 2010. A consulting firm was hired at a cost of $ 75-80 thousand. The then Council felt portions of what they received were boiler plate and not acceptable to maintaining the values and character of Whispering Pines. They then proceeded with considerable effort and input from staff, residents, developers, attorneys, and others to revise and rewrite several sections of the consultant's work. The first edition LDO was approved in 2010 and noted as a "living document" requiring ongoing review and update. The overall intent of the LDO is well defined in Section 1.2 of the document and is as follows: There is still much to do such as better defining open space requirements and credit; thus, the review process is ongoing. Questions may be addressed to any Council member and/or to the Village Manager. The Village of Whispering Pines is a residential community with many recreational opportunities. It shall be the primary goal of this Ordinance to preserve the quiet, tranquil and unusually attractive Village atmosphere. In all decisions affecting land use, it shall be Village policy to encourage adherence to this goal by encouraging the further development of the Village of For access to the complete LDO, please go to the Whispering Pines website, …………………………….. www.whisperingpinesnc.net/ldo2015/html 3 Halloween Safety Tips Whispering Pines Police Department Chief Domonic Campbell Speeding Homeowners should keep their pets indoors. All candy should be examined by an adult first. Put reflective tape on costumes and bags to be visible. Pay extra attention when driving on Halloween. You should pull safely off the road to let children out. Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating. Our department continues to receive complaints from residents regarding speeding on the interior streets of the Village in our 25 mph zones. We are aware that a portion of the speeding vehicles are nonresidents. Through our enforcement actions we have learned a larger portion of speeding comes from the residents themselves. The police department would rather be doing other proactive services to protect residents and their property instead of sitting on the side of the road in your neighborhood writing you citations for speeding. Please be considerate of your neighbors by obeying the speed limit and driving safely going forward into the future. Always walk and don't run from house to house. Let children know that vandalism is never acceptable. Look both ways before crossing the street. Wear Reflective Clothing When Walking in the Dark Only trick or treat at homes that have a light on. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. The days are getting shorter and it is getting dark earlier. Please remember to make sure you are visible when walking in the dark. Residents have been observed walking, biking, walking dogs, etc., in the roadway when it is dark. Due to curvy roads and the lack of street lights it is very difficult for motorists to see people walking. Please wear bright/reflective clothing - preferably a reflective vest. Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Need to wear well-fitting masks, costumes, & shoes. Whispering Pines Police Department Services Safety Precautions During the Holidays Call police immediately if you see suspicious activity. Use the police department residence check while away. Keep doors and windows locked. Store valuable items in secret locations instead of in plain sight or easy access locations. Keep garage doors down day and night. The police department offers a free security check survey. 4 Residence Checks – Your home will be checked daily while you are away. Packages will be picked up and held at the police department until you return. To request this service please complete a residence check form and drop it off at the police department. Senior Citizen Call In Program – Senior citizens may sign up for this service. Participants call in to the police department every day by 9:00 am. If a call has not been received, the police department will try calling the participant. If still unable to contact the participant, an officer will go to their residence to check on their well-being. Contact Lisa Weaver at 949-9961 if interested in this program. Child ID Program – This program will provide each child with a CD that contains important identifying information such as a digital photo, a digital video clip, digital fingerprints, and a form containing all identifying information. The police department does not keep any information – the parents keep the CD containing all of the information. In the case of a missing child, you can provide the CD to the reporting law enforcement agency. This program can also be utilized by senior citizens as well. This service is by appointment only. Please contact the police department at 949-9961 to set up an appointment. Child Seat Inspections – This service is provided by certified technicians. The technicians can assist with the installation of a child seat or inspect your installed child seat to see if it is installed properly. This service is provided upon request. Home Security Inspections – This service is provided upon request. An inspection will be made of your property and suggestions will be made to improve security. Fingerprinting – The police department provides this service only to residents of Whispering Pines. There is no cost for fingerprinting. Gun Locks – Free gun locks are available to anyone. Just stop by the police department to pick up your free gun lock. Pill Drop Box - There is a metal drop box in the lobby of the police department to assist residents with disposing of any prescription pills that are no longer needed. Empty contents of pill bottles into a zip-lock bag and bring the sealed bag to the police department and place it in the drop box. Liquids and syringes are not accepted. Residents can drop off their prescription pills Monday – Friday between 8AM – 4:30PM. "Dredge Group" Jack Armstrong 949-3790 Mickey Terzigni 949-3539. At the present time they work on Tuesday and Saturday mornings from 9:00 to noon. From March to October they work in the lakes; weather permitting. The rest of the year they perform routine maintenance and improvements to the equipment at the Village Public Works facility. With more volunteers the machines could be working five days a week, speeding up the removal process. No experience is necessary, the machines are easy to use. If you can spare a few hours a week your help would be very much appreciated. Whispers: Whispers is a social, service, and philanthropic organization for all women of the Village. Whispers meets the second Wednesday of each month, September through May generally at the Country Club of Whispering Pines at 11:30am. Garden Club: The Whispering Pines Garden Club encourages interest in all phases of home gardening, promotes better horticultural practices, supports civic beauty, and educates and assists residents on gardening questions relevant to the Whispering Pines area. The Club raises money to support the beautification and maintenance of gardens throughout the village by annual dues ($5 per family), an annual plant sale, and contributions. Monthly meetings are conducted on the first Tuesday of the month (September through May) at 7:30 PM at the Community Building on Ray’s Bridge Road. All residents are welcome to attend. Report It - The Whispering Pines Police Department encourages all residents to use this free online system that will help keep track of valuable --- and invaluable -- personal property. ReportIt is a free, secure online service (www.reportit.leadsonline.com) allowing residents to record serial numbers and upload images for phones, electronics, and other valuables. Should those items ever be stolen, having this information will go a long way in accurately and quickly identifying your property. Computer Club: The Computer Club meets the second Monday of every month from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Village Hall, lower level. Everyone is invited. Call Art Reetz at 949-3733 for more information. Thrift Shop: Volunteers operate the Whispering Pines Thrift Shop located at the corner of Vass Carthage Road and Niagara Carthage Road. It accepts items from residents, sells them to the public and donates the proceeds to local charitable organizations. Donations are accepted Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Business (shopping) hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For information, call the Thrift Shop at 949-2800. Activities Committee: The Village of Whispering Pines sponsors five social events a year for the residents of the Village. The events are The Easter Egg Hunt, 4th of July Celebration which includes a parade through the Village followed by an ice cream social at Thagard Park, an Outdoor Concert, the Halloween Party every year for our trick-or-treaters at the Community building on Rays Bridge Rd., and the Holiday Tree Lighting the first weekend in December at the Police/Fire Rescue complex where Santa also makes a visit with gifts for the little ones. We hope to see you all at these events. We always need help with these activities and encourage young and seasoned volunteers to get involved. For information call 949-3141 x11 ………………………………………….. The lakes in the Village of Whispering Pines were man made over 50 years ago. Over the years normal sedimentation and runoff from construction sites have created sandbars in the lakes which prevent access for boats and promotes the growth of many types of weeds. Several years ago a group of volunteers, most of whom are on the Lakes and Watershed Board, built a small dredging machine and began to remove the unwanted material. They have removed a sandbar from Little River, created a boat channel in Thagard Lake, removed debris from a washout in Pine Lake and improve the depth of water at the southern end of Spring Valley Lake. They have also built a mechanical rake, which picks up and removes all the pine straw, pine cones and leaves which fall into the lakes. ………………………………… Welcome Representative: If you would be willing to visit new residents and deliver a Welcome Packet, please call Judy Woodward, Welcome Committee Chairman, at 910-9492094 5 Visit http://www.whisperingpinesnc.net/special_notices.html for the latest information about what is happening in the Village. Whispering Pines Code Enforcement Linda Christopher Trash Can Clutter………………………………………….. It has become apparent that many residents of Whispering Pines are not aware or just do not care that the Code of Ordinances regulates the storage of trash cans when not placed out for pickup. Chapter E, Article III, Section 3 of the Whispering Pines Code of Ordinances states ‘When not placed outside for collection of waste, trash cans shall be placed inside or screened from view from the street or stored at or near the rear side or rear entrance of the residence, providing the entrance selected does not abut a street.’ There also seems to be some confusion regarding the placement of cans for pickup. The only day a trash can is allowed to be placed at the end of the driveway (or curbside) is Wednesday for yard debris pickup. Trash cans containing household garbage or recycling are NOT ALLOWED to be placed curbside. This ordinance was adopted as a means of protecting the aesthetic charm and the property values within the Village of Whispering Pines. I will be sending out Notice of Violations for improperly stored and / or placed trash cans during the month of October. I am asking that all residents review the ordinance, the storage location of their trash cans and the placement of trash cans for st pickup prior to October 1 . If you have any questions or would like clarification on your trash can storage location, please contact me at Village Hall 949-3141 x10. Couple of things to remember: Household Trash: All garbage, trash and other items deposited in garbage cans must be bagged and the top tied. On all pickup days garbage cans must be placed out for pickup by 7:00 a.m. the day of pickup or after 3:00pm the day before scheduled pickup and must be removed from view the day of pickup. Yard Waste: Yard waste and cuttings are collected every Wednesday throughout the Village. Yard waste containers must be placed curbside. Plastic bags are not permitted for the containment of yard waste. Recycling: All acceptable items shall be placed loose, not bagged, co-mingled in a container not exceeding 32 gallons in size. Shredded paper must be contained in a paper bag. Moving cartons and boxes must be broken down and bundled. Containers should be placed at the garage / near the house for pickup so that they are visible from the street. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm PINECREST HIGH SCHOOL, Parking lot off of Volt Gilmore Lane MOORE COUNTY RESIDENTS ONLY commercial and electronic waste WILL NOT be accepted. However, you may dispose of E-Waste at Moore County Collection Centers. EXAMPLES OF ITEMS TO BE COLLECTED ARE: Paint and paint thinners, furniture strippers & finishing products, solvents & degreasers, wood preservatives, polishes, aerosols, fluorescent light tubes, compact fluorescent bulbs, NiCad batteries, alkaline batteries, lithium batteries, propane cylinders, swimming pool chemicals, used motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, hydraulic transmission & brake fluid. Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides WILL BE accepted but MUST be in its original containers for identification purposes. This is a free event for Moore County Residents and is sponsored by: Moore County Cooperative Extension Service, Keep Moore County Beautiful, County of Moore, Village of Pinehurst, 6 Village of Whispering Pines, N.C. Dept. of Agriculture, the Town of Aberdeen, the Town of Southern Pines and the NCDA & CS Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program. Change Your Clock – Change Your (Smoke Detector) Battery Campaign Twice a year, the fire service uses the adjustment for Daylight Savings Time to promote the need to change your battery in your smoke alarm. According to the United States Fire Administration, every year, approximately 2,600 Americans die in residential fires. Approximately half of these deaths (52%) occur between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., when occupants are typically sleeping. A working smoke alarm is your best defense against fires. Whispering Pines Fire Rescue Department Chief Rich Lambdin Open House In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, we will host an Open House on Saturday, October 10, 2015, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be free hot dogs, sodas, water, cookies, popcorn, live fire & rescue evolutions & demonstrations, fire prevention & educational materials, Smokey the Bear, Sparky Funhouse, and much more. (Flyer attached) Based on the success and positive feedback we received from our efforts last year, we will be conducting another “Change Your Clock – Change Your Battery Campaign” on Saturday, October 31, between 1pm and 4pm. This endeavor will involve us going door-to-door in an effort to make contact with residents to encourage and assist them with changing their smoke alarm batteries and educate them on the importance of a working smoke alarm. Recruitment Our Fire Rescue Department is a “combination” department, in that we rely upon full-time, part-time, and pay-per-call (volunteers) personnel to provide fire, rescue, and emergency medical services. We are always looking for additional personnel to assist us with providing quality emergency services to our community. The ideal candidate will be physically able to perform firefighting duties and/or provide emergency medical care and live within our Fire District. More importantly, the candidate must have time to attend two (2) drills (Tuesday evenings) a month and attend formal training classes which are provided free of charge by the Sandhills Community College. The formal training classes are typically held evenings during the week and occasionally the weekends. In addition to the rewards of serving your community, other benefits include uniforms, paid contributions to a retirement system, free training and certification. Even though this campaign is specific to when we change our clocks, you may contact the Fire Rescue Department at 949-2400 anytime to request assistance with your smoke detector. Training Congratulations to the following Whispering Pines Fire Rescue personnel who have completed training and been certified by the state in a variety of disciplines. We also offer a Junior Fire Rescue Program, which is open to individuals that live within the Fire District that are 16-17 years of age. Junior personnel must have the written permission from their parents, be physically able to perform the duties of a firefighter or emergency medical technician, and maintain a C average in school if they have not graduated. This program is designed to allow Junior personnel to gain insight and interest in becoming a long-term contributing member of our Department, and potentially lead to a career in the emergency services field. Anyone interested in becoming a part of our Department should contact Fire Rescue Chief Rich Lambdin at the station weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 7 Phillip Allen: Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) David Hodge: Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) Andrew Drummond: Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) Ashvin Patel: Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) Mike Ellis: Emergency Medical Technician – Basic (EMT-B) Ryan Steele: Technical Rescuer – Vehicle Machinery Rescue (VMR) Stephanie Dziok: Technical Rescuer – Vehicle Machinery Rescue (VMR) Rudy Allgood: Technical Rescuer – Vehicle Machinery Rescue (VMR) Nick Campbell: Firefighter I & II Mike Ellis: Firefighter I & II Linda Christopher: Driver Operator – Pumps Mike Boyle: Driver Operator – Pumps 8 Date: Friday, October 30, 2015 Time: 6pm to 7:30pm Place: Community Building 1320 Rays Bridge Rd Holiday Tree Lighting Sunday, December 6, 5pm - 7pm Whispering Pines Police Station Look for Santa and his parade travelling through the Village between 1pm and 5pm Wear your costume and join us for Games and Prizes. There will be hot dogs, cold drinks and popcorn for everyone to enjoy. Note: NO PETS PLEASE This is a Village sponsored event. Please drop any candy you would like to donate off at Village Hall and it will be handed out to the children at the party. 11th ANNUAL TOYS FOR TOTS BOAT RIDE ON SPRING VALLEY LAKE Tuesday, December 8th, 5:30pm to 8:00pm Come join Santa for the tree lighting, cookies and hot chocolate at the Police Station. 14 Hardee Lane. Wednesday, December 9th, 5:30pm to 8:00pm Rain date Thursday, December 10th Admission: New unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Delicious baked goods will be available for purchase with the proceeds being donated to the Wounded Warrior Program. Reservations can be made for the Toys for Tots Boat Rides on Spring Valley Lake beginning November 23rd by calling Sheila and Ernie Dumlao at 910-949-2496. Want to donate a toy for Toys for Tots. Drop off a new, unwrapped toy from November nd 2 to December th 11 at Village Hall. 10 Pine Ridge Dr. 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday Due to the popularity, this will be an event for Village Residents only. Bakers Needed: Last year over $1500 was donated to the Wounded Warrior Program from the sale of baked goods during the Toys for Tots Boat Rides. Your help is needed to make this year’s event even bigger. Donations of homemade cookies, cakes, breads, pies, candy, fudge, jelly and jams would be greatly appreciated. Call Marcia Russell at 910-688-7168 for more information. Raffle Coordinator: Candace Taylor to donate, volunteer or information 910-688-7474. 9 Whispering Pines Public Works, 949-3117 Bob Kissinger, Public Works Director Whispering Pines Police Dept., 949-9961 Domonic Campbell, Police Chief Whispering Pines Fire Rescue Dept. 949-2400 Rich Lambdin, Fire Rescue Chief Sue Shuster, Village Manager / Finance Director Linda Christopher, Village Clerk / Code Enforcement Estelle Makie, Administrative Assistant Whispering Pines Village Hall, 949-3141 VILLAGE NEWSLETTER Whispering Pines 2015 Holiday Trash Schedule THANKSGIVING DAY: Thursday, November 26th – Recycling will be picked up on Wednesday, November 25th NO yard debris pick-up this week CHRISTMAS DAY: NO change to pick-up schedules NEW YEAR’S DAY: NO change to pick-up schedules Village hall will be closed on: Veterans Day – Wednesday, November 11, 2015 Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27, 2015 Christmas – Thursday, December 24 and Friday December 25, 2015 New Year – Friday, January 1, 2016 Village Hall Holiday Schedule 2015 Village of Whispering Pines 10 Pine Ridge Drive Whispering Pines, NC 28327 Bulk Rate U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 80 Carthage, N.C. 28327 10