A New Beginning
Greetings, Neighbor!
Today is a big day in the evolution of the site! Riverbend – The New Meeting Place for Our Community- is changing once again. The new WordPress-based environment is designed for a greater level of interactivity and community participation, while preserving all of the old content.
Why WordPress?
The old custom PHP-based site has served us well – the site gets hits every single day (thanks!) - but the Web has come a long, long way. Everyone has come to expect a level of interactivity that just wasn’t present. I’ve been experimenting with alternatives, time permitting, for a while now. I wanted a standards-based, database-driven environment, something with legs, for maintenance and safety. I wanted to retain the content-centric slant. I wanted to allow for Residents to contribute what they want, when they want, with their contributions going live immediately.
WordPress emerged as a clear winner. I hope you agree!
What next?
You might find this to be useful as you re-orient yourself. The site supports a few different Roles with varying capabilities. Riverbend residents will want to obtain login credentials so that they can contribute. (The letters mentioned in Roles are scheduled to mail out in early March.) There are a few things to keep in mind when writing, but I don’t think you’ll find them to be restrictive at all. These articles, by the way, are conveniently linked at the top of the window.
Huh? What?
This site has existed continuously since June 2000, operated independently as a public service to the Riverbend Community. I’m not part of the Board of Trustees. I’m not employed by EPM. I’m simply a homeowner. And it’s my pleasure to be able to do this for you.
I haven’t mailed any postcards for quite a while. But look for a letter in your mailbox in early March when I’ll be writing to announce the renovated site.
If you’re a relatively new resident just learning about the us, Welcome! If you’ve been around for a while but haven’t checked in lately, have a look at the new digs. Again, I think you’ll like what you see.
Notice of Temporary Parking Restriction
Dear Riverbend Homeowners:
Please be advised that catch basin reconstruction work will begin on February 15, 2008 weather permitting (the temperature needs to be 40° plus for this work to be done).
During this work, which will take approximately three (3) weeks NO VEHICLES may park on the even side of the community in the parking spaces at the base of the court during the day. These areas have catch basins (storm drains) that will be under repair. We must have clear access to these areas until all the work is completed (approximately one month).
Unfortunately, the Association will be forced to tow any vehicle to Riverbend Drive that is parked in the court “dead end” near the mailboxes on the EVEN numbered side of the community. All related towing costs will be assessed to the vehicle owner’s association account. The Association will not be held responsible for any liability or damage to vehicles.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Very truly yours,
Board of Trustees
Riverbend Townhouse Owners Association
February Newsletter Posted
It’s almost as though the Board saw my ‘February News‘ posting (shown below) and threw together a February Newsletter in response. A one-pager of admonishments, it hardly rates the label, but there it is.
I’ll freely admit that the site’s not been much better lately. I make no excuses for that, it is what it is. OTOH it’s not like this is an official publication or anything.
February News
I can’t remember that last time our board has been so silent for such a long period of time!
Here it is February, and the last items there were to report occurred back in November. I guess that no news is good news. Well, except for the homowners affected by the recent water problems. There are now two fresh patches in one of the most recently repaved courts.
Speaking of stuff lacking, can you recall a New Jersey winter that’s been this free of snow? I can’t. This just has to be some kind of a record. I’m not complaining. But what does it mean? Is it a statistical fluke or something more?
There’s a relatively new word, coined by Glenn Albrecht about 5 years ago: solastalgia. According to Glenn, “solastalgia describes the pain experienced when the place a person lives is under assault and destruction, a loss of a sense of belonging to a particular place and a sense of desolation about its disappearance.” It’s sort of like being homesick without leaving home, when the place changes out from under you. Do you miss the snow?
Site Changes Under Consideration
The Web has changed a great deal since I brought this site online back in June 2000! I’m thinking of making some changes, hopefully for the better.
One possible way to go is to a blog-based format. WordPress, my favorite blogware, adheres to standards, accepts comments, allows management by a community of regular contributors and editors, and allows you to either read normally or through syndication (RSS) feeds.
If I could come up with an easy, yet non-intrusive method for verifying actual homeowners, individual accounts could be provided for those with an interest in content creation. If there were any, that is. But I’m betting there would be – this site, small as it is, gets hits every single day. (Thank you!)
There are many other content management alternatives, of course. Got any feedback or suggestions? Send ‘em my way, please, I’m anxious to hear from you.
A change like this, I believe, could go a long way toward fostering a greater sense of community spirit. What better way to kick off the spring and summer!
February 2008 Newsletter
The Riverbend At Hidden Lake Homeowner’s Association Newsletter appears to contain no copyright or other restrictions which would prevent the reproduction of its content on this site as a community service.
This is the February 2008 edition.
Web note – It is not an error that there is only one article appearing here. This newsletter is indeed only a single page!
Community Reminders
DID YOU KNOW THAT ………..
- Each homeowner is responsible for the general maintenance to their home, including the exterior siding, roofing, windows, fencing, gutters, decks, backyards, stairs to front doors, concrete apron outside your garage doors etc.
- Garbage is to be kept in garbage cans that are kept inside your garage and are put out for pick-up after 7:00 pm the night before the scheduled pick-up. Garbage may not be kept anywhere outside your home.
- Your yard and deck area are to be kept clean and neat at all times. That means that no storage in those areas is permitted.
- The interior of your home is your responsibility.
- The Association conducts regular inspections and notifies owners when their homes fall short of the required standard of maintenance.
- The Association is responsible for maintaining the roads (except Riverbend Drive, which belongs to the Township of North Brunswick), the walkways, mailboxes, signage, irrigation and lawn and landscaped common property areas.
- The utility lines for each home are each owner’s responsibility. You are responsible for your water line on the outside of your home from and including the [sic] shot off valve going into your home.
- Pets are not to be left outside unattended. Because of the close proximity of our homes, barking animals create an annoyance to your neighbors. All animals are to be leashed on the association’s property – without exception. Pets are to be cleaned up after. Our lawn areas are full of dog poop that is left behind by some our neighbors who are irresponsible dog owners.
- Now is the time to make appointments for painting to be done in the Spring/Summer. Similarly for window, roof and siding repairs/replacements. PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT ANY REPLACEMENTS TO THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOME IN THIS COMMUNITY MUST BE APPROVED IN WRITING BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES BEFORE THEY ARE STARTED. Township permits are also required for most replacements. Check with the Town before the work is done to avoid the possibility of heavy fines from the Township. We strongly recommend that you use only licensed and insured contractors.
| Board of Trustees: | |
| Ron Senchesak, | President |
| Harrison Lewis, | Vice President |
| Ken Bierstein, | Secretary |
| Celestine Grimes, | Treasurer |
| Toni D’Angelo, | Member |
February 2008 Newsletter Contents
Recycling
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| 6 March 2008 | ||
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| 20 March 2008 | ||
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| 3 April 2008 | ||
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| 29 May 2008 | ||
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| 12 June 2008 | ||
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| 26 June 2008 | ||
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| 10 July 2008 | ||
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| 24 July 2008 | ||
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| 13 November 2008 | ||
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| 29 November 2008 | ||
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| 11 December 2008 | ||
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There is a recycling pickup today.
The pickups of plastic, glass, newspapers, and cardboard usually occur between 8 AM and 10 AM on alternating Thursdays. See the North Brunswick Township site for the full schedule. Riverbend is in Zone 3.
Please note that the recycling pickups near the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays have been adjusted to accommodate the holidays. The reminders here have been updated to reflect the changes.
As of October 2007, North Brunswick’s recycling materials were picked up by Central Jersey Waste and Recycling, Inc. of Trenton, NJ. You can reach them at 609-656-4200.
Learn more about Middlesex County’s Solid Waste Management programs, including the schedule for Household Hazardous Waste Days.
Please be a responsible citizen and recycle!
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