Winter News 2023
Dear OLCA Neighbors,
More Coyote Sightings
The Board has recently been informed of more coyote sightings.
We suspect that the coyote sightings that began last year coincide with the placing of our trash and recycle bins outside of our garages the evening before scheduled pickups.
The Board has also become aware of instances in which food waste was not properly wrapped prior to being placed in trash bins.
The combination of these circumstances allows food odors to widely spread throughout our community, thereby attracting unwelcomed animals around and within our homes.
As a remedy, the Board is asking everyone to follow these steps:
- Trash Bins
- Remove the remaining food from boxes, wrappers and packets and double wrap it in plastic prior to placing it into the bin.
- Thoroughly rinse the boxes, wrappers and packets prior to placing them into the bin.
- Recycle Bins
- Thoroughly rinse recyclable metal, glass and plastic food containers and re-fasten the lids prior to placing them into the bin.
- Trash and Recycle Bin Lids
- Be sure the lids are securely placed on your bins while they’re inside and outside of your garage.
- After Scheduled Pickups
- When John’s Disposal Service has collected the trash and recyclables from your bins, bring them into your garage as soon as possible.
John’s Disposal starts the pick-ups in our community very early in the morning, which is why they suggested that we put out our bins the night before; however, if you can delay putting them out until 6AM the day of pickup, please do so as that action, too, may discourage the unwelcome attention of the wildlife in our community.
Walking After Dark? Keep Yourself Safe
If you’re walking Westlake or Woodbridge Drives after dark, even if it’s only to check your mail, give yourself the ability to alert motorists of your presence by considering 1) wearing a reflective vest, 2) wearing reflective arm bands and/or 3) carrying a flashlight. A combination of these measures is the best way to keep yourself safe.
Local stores, such as Walmart, Menards, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware and bicycle shops offer a variety of reflective clothing and flashing lights.
We’re also asking everyone obey the 25MPH speed limit on Westlake and 20MPH Woodbridge Drives and to observe ALL stop signs in our community.
Ice on Driveways/Sidewalks/Rain Gutters
Although we’ve had a mild winter so far this year, snow melt from roof and gutters can create icy conditions on driveways and sidewalks. This is not unusual in our climate-changing environment – we get a day or two of above-freezing temperatures and snow and/or ice melts. Then, the temperatures drop below freezing and driveways and sidewalks can become icy again.
This does not happen on all driveways and sidewalks. It seems to depend on whether or not the building faces the sun (when it DOES come out), and the slope of the driveway/sidewalk.
The best recommendation we can make is to buy a bag of salt to keep near your front door or garage door and sprinkle it liberally if/when that happens at your condominium; however, it is important to use the right kind of salt on the sidewalks.
Villani uses a standard salt mix on our driveways so owners wanting to salt a part of their driveway – especially if their garage door faces north – can use a standard salt mix there.
However, on the sidewalks, Villani uses a non-caustic ice melt like Calcium Chloride or or an ice melt similar to ACE Hardware’s “Safe Step 6300.” Unfortunately, this type of ice melt costs almost twice as much as regular salt but is the appropriate salt to use on our sidewalks, as a number of them were replaced last year at a significant cost so we should do what we can to maximize their serviceable life and use the least caustic ice melt available on the sidewalks.
Another option could be to adjust our snow/ice removal contract with Villani when it comes time to renew it. Right now we have a “1-inch trigger” for them to address snow and ice. It could be lowered to a “half-inch trigger.” However, we would have to pay significantly more for this level of service.
Thank you for your cooperation.
OLCA Board of Directors
