March 29 Weekly Update
by Karen Smith, Caribbean Village HOA Vice President
Gates
A little over a week ago, our gate service vendor performed "routine maintenance " on the Venice Avenue gate. In doing so, the technician somehow disabled the component that senses if a car is still within the gate which resulted in the gate closing on and striking cars on two occasions. Because of this we’re holding the entry gates open until the vendor can get back here to remedy this issue. Unfortunately, before they arrived, Comcast came and replaced the modem without first talking to us. There are existing conditions they need to know about before they do that type of work. As a result, they broke the Tap-2-Open link that controls the gates.
The Tap-2-Open engineer will be coming on site to reconfigure their controller to the new modem within the next week.
After that, we can get the gate service vendor back out here to fix the sensor so that no more car-strikes happen.
All this was taking place the same time as the broken sewer main, and the repair of the three breaks to the irrigation pipes that those contractors caused.
It's been quite a week!
Sewer Main Break
The hole from the sewer main break on Billfish Street has been filled and the contaminated pile of soil has been removed. On Wednesday morning, new concrete was poured for the sidewalk. The only thing left to finish up the project is new sod. After that, the area will look as good as new. Thanks to Jim for all his efforts to get this resolved quickly!
Landscaping
With the exception of the common areas, I believe all homes have been mulched. The common areas are being evaluated on how they can be modified and beautified. Mint Condition takes over as our landscaper on Tuesday, April 1 (no fooling!) While on the property laying our mulch, they took the initiative to stand up/stake the poor little tree on Billfish Street that has been uprooted since one of the hurricanes in the fall.
New Trash Cans
Be aware that Thursday, April 3 is the first day that you MUST use your new trash bin; the new service provider will not collect your trash in your old garbage containers. You can repurpose your old trash bin for yard waste or dispose of it at the Central County Landfill (400 Knights Trail Road, Nokomis) or at an upcoming community event (call 941-861-6403 for event dates and locations). For more information, check out the Information Kit in the link below:
And please remember that per our Rules and Regulations your trash cans must not be able to be seen from the sidewalk and you need to bring your cans in from the street within 12 hours after trash collection.
Shredding Poll
Earlier this week Jim sent out a poll to gauge interest in having an onsite shredding event here at CV. Fifty nine responses were received with 85% saying that they are not interested in participating in this type of event.
Around CV
Toby and I saw some lovely sidewalk art as we walked around CV this week!
One Final Note
First, I want to thank everyone who has reached out to convey how much they value the work being done by the HOA Board. I know I can speak for Jim, Joan, Ramona, and David when I say we all greatly appreciate your kind words! Some days, they are what motivates us to carry on. I know some of you are quite frustrated by the problems we’ve encountered with the gates, the landscaping, etc. Remember that we also live here and are equally frustrated. Please understand that the five of us are volunteers with four of us still working full time. We are doing the best that we can and have the best interests of the community at heart. We always want to hear your feedback and concerns; I just ask that you please raise them in a way that is helpful and productive as opposed to critical of the efforts we are all putting out. Things take time. Please be patient. We are working hard to make CV an even better, more beautiful place to live.