jimbrooking
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# Posted: 20 Mar 2008 16:15
Reply
Background: A couple of weeks ago a large vehicle came roaring up the street that my cul-de-sac empties into. The vehicle was (I know now) operated by the NC DoT, and carried sort of a brush hog device that more or less bashes off (not "cuts off") any vegetation it touches, leaving a swath of ugly bare and split ends wherever it bashes off a tree limb. Among the casualties of the onslaught was a very pretty redbud tree, that was just beginning to come into bloom.
I walk by this tree, which stands on the property of a nearby neighbor, twice a day, and never fail to admire its shape, it's spring blossoms, and its foliage.
At the time I didn't know who had done this, although a neighbor told me the homeowners association caused it to be done. I posted the following to the community bulletin board:
Name: Jim Brooking
Email: jim@jimbrooking.net
Date: 03/16/08
Comments
Last week, a brush hog-like device hacked its way up Beechmast, mutilating everything in its path, which apparently extended a dozen feet or more off the road. Included in this destruction was a purplish redbud tree on private property between Greystone and Fox Ridge. The beautiful symmetry of this tree has been irretrievably destroyed, and the tree itself looks like it has been attacked by vandals with dull machetes.
I understand this was done under the orders of the FHA. I suggest that the person responsible for this travesty should be dismissed for incompetence, insensitivity, and a callous disregard for the beauty of the neighborhood. I am outraged to think that the FHA can wreak wanton destruction of our natural and cultivated beauty without so much as a by-your-leave.
Would it have been that difficult to inform the homeowners that their tree was encroaching on the right-of-way (if it was, which I very much doubt!) and needed to be trimmed?
There is much more that I could add, but I will end be saying I am sorely disappointed in the FHA, and feel an apology is owed to everyone who is offended by the new and tattered look of some of our landscaping around here.
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The first reply came from another neighbor:
Name: Guy Baird
Email: gbbib2@yahoo.com
Date: 03/17/08
Comments
It's interesting how perceptions can differ so radically. I am refering to Jim Brooking's description of the recent clearing of the right-of-way on Beechmast. I applaud the work which, in my view, was long overdue.
Much ado is made of the minor damage done to the redbud tree between Graystone and Fox Ridge. The "destruction" consists of lopping off of a few feet of a few branches which hardly affected the "beautiful symmetry" of a notably unsymmetrical tree. Why don't you check what was done on Beechmast, particularly the redbud, and see where you come out?
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And then another from an official of the homeowners association:
Name: Carol-Ann Greenslade
Email: realty@athomewithcarolann.com
Date: 03/17/08
Comments
Here is the situation between the FHA Board and the NCDOT: DOT has a right of way of 15 ft. on both sides of all the state roads in Fearrington Village, which includes almost all the roads except for most of the Camden roads, all of the townhouse internal areas, and those roads not yet accepted into their road system. It is their obligation to keep those ROW's functioning as they should, e.g. allowing clear sight triangles at intersections, around bends and knolls, keeping the ditches free of obstructions, mowing twice a year, and removing branches or trees and shrubs that are overgrown or hanging over the roadway. If a problem of this nature is observed, the Dir. of Grounds & Facilities (that would be me) is charged with reporting same to DOT. We do not ORDER them to do their work, nor do we OVERSEE how the work is done. A resident who has a tree or shrub that encroaches on the ROW is at liberty to prune the overgrowth. I agree that what they do is not pruning, but it the only efficient method by which this work can be done. In the absence of a walking path along most of our road sides, it becomes imperative that motorists have a clear view of the road ahead. No vegetation is worth a injury or a life. Occasionally a dedicated group of residents undertakes pruning/cutting back small areas of overgrowth, but they certainly cannot be expected to do this village-wide.
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And then an email to me from yet another board member:
Subject: Regarding the DOT Right of Way
From: Jeff Booker <chowbebe@earthlink.net>
CC: realty@athomewithcarolann.com, gbbib2@yahoo.com
Carol-Ann,
Thanks for clarifying that FHA was not responsible for the poor job done by the contractor for the state DOT.
I do agree with Jim they did quite a hatchet job in certain areas and don't seem to use much care or discretion when they come to something that is obviously decorative and not neglect. Perhaps a reminder can be placed in the newsletter to make homeowners aware of the DOT right of way and encourage them to maintain their property so they can avoid the state doing the "landscaping" for them?
Best regards,
Jeff Booker
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Well, this response (unlike Ms. Greenslade's) gave me the idea that perhaps the process leading to the DoT's savaging the landscape might be improved. So I wrote:
Subject: Regarding the DOT Right of Way
To: Jeff Booker <chowbebe@earthlink.net>
CC: realty@athomewithcarolann.com, gbbib2@yahoo.com
Folks,
I propose a truce under the flag of "Maybe we could do better next time".
Rather than calling in the DOT cavalry and their Sherman March to the Sea machines, perhaps we could engage some of the landscape companies who work in Fearrington, and who might claim expertise in pruning trees and shrubs. These firms could be apprised of the right-of-way requirements and invited to inspect our endangered streets to evaluate compliance with the right of way requirements.
Upon finding a property with an encroaching tree or shrub, such as the redbud I (and others) mourn, they could approach the homeowner and advise her or him of the encroachment. The homeowner could either contract with the landscaper to prune the encroaching plant, or take their chances with the DOT.
Although spending money is always problematic, you might even consider paying a landscape company to maintain right-of-way clearances. This would give you some control over the methods and end-result. A "free" service like DOT's butchery certainly offers no value to the community.
This approach could lead to fewer visits by the cretins who work for or under contract to the DOT, improved relations with your putative constituents, and improved appearance along Fearrington roadways. The latter result is, of course, consistent with any homeowners association's primary charter to preserve and enhance property values in Fearrington.
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The aforementioned, Ms Greenslade responded to this suggestion with the following broadside:
Subject: Regarding the DOT Right of Way
To: Jim Brooking <jim@jimbrooking.net>
CC: realty@athomewithcarolann.com, gbbib2@yahoo.com, Gillian Cell <gtcell@wm.edu>
Gentlemen,
We usually do "do better." This trimming job was of such scale that we have neither the funds nor the manpower to undertake it with FHA monies or volunteer effort. When the matter becomes a safety issue, time is of the essence. To that end, DOT was our most expeditious resort. I have great respect for trees. They are what make these older parts of Fearrington have the character of a rural village. They are our natural air conditioning. I even threw myself in the path of a tree-removal project in NJ, our former home. I do not take this lightly.
It was my hope that in reading my BB posting that homeowners would take note, and that we would not have to have another such incident. The initial responsibility, per our covenants, is for individual homeowners to provide for the upkeep of their own properties all the way to the edge of the road. We do the mowing, which if left to DOT, would only done twice a year. We can, on a limited basis, have our landscape contractor trim back, but this is an additional expense which is not factored into our conservative budget. Usually, if someone has a problematic tree, they call me, and if I can deal with it in-house, it is taken care of by whatever remedy the owner and I agree. We do our best,
Carol-Ann
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There was one other email on the topic (from the aforementioned neighbor) but it was only to chide be for overreacting (again).
I have documented this interchange for the edification of anyone who lives in Fearrington Village who might have the idea that the homeowners association is other than perfect, or that anything they do could be improved upon.
As a former homeowners association president, I can tell you that this attitude is simple arrogance, with no basis in reality.
I can also tell you that in my 2+ years here, every instance of anyone trying to change anything the association board has done or is doing has been met with anger, hostility and more arrogance. And they wonder why there is less community support here than ever!
I was 11 years old when I decided I knew everything. I was about 15 when I figured out that I didn't know everything. Some people never get to that second stage of self-knowledge.
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