MAY 2022
ALERTS:
9:30AM May 31st
Trash has been picked up and Onyx is pricing a cleanup crew for us. There was an excessive amount of spilled sewage and loose trash that needs to be cleaned up to maintain our quality of life.
8:10AM May 30th
Kenyatta from Republic Services called this morning to see if our trash was picked up (they don’t know if they’ve picked up or trash?)
There will be no working trucks today but I insisted they get the trash picked up tomorrow and again on Friday, eventually getting us back to our scheduled Thursday pickup.
Thank you to all neighbors that called Republic this last week.
Hopefully, we’ll start to see bids from other companies this week for consideration.
2:29PM May 29th
Not that this makes the situation better but it clearly demonstrates the disconnect from our trash contractor and the clients. This screenshot is what you find on Republic Services website and if I wasn’t so close to tears, I would laugh.
All I can say, is that The Board is working on seeking bids from other companies, staying in touch with our council woman’s office, reaching out to the City Commission of Sanitation, and seeking reparations/refund for the month of May.
-Natasha
7:28AM May 29th
There are no updates available.
7:40PM May 27th
All local news channels have been contacted regarding our trash.
Trash is scheduled for pick up today, this was day 11.
Onyx is rolling out the payment portal and is quickly attending to any confusion regarding the final monthly payment of the Special Assessment. We ask for your patience and understanding during these last few days of management transition.
Login to pay June HOA dues and Special Assessment (if paying monthly)
https://onyxmgt.managebuilding.com/Resident/portal/login
Final note: Mercury will remain in retrograde until June 3rd (for those who follow the cosmos, astrology and astronomy) -Natasha
1:42 PM THUSDAY 5/26/2022
Republic supervisor has escalated our case. Today is day 10 without trash pick up and Republic is attempting to push it to 11 days. I wish I had better news other than I have continued to express our dissatisfaction.
In the meantime, I’ll be making calls for a contingency plan.
The blog post comment section is open for your feedback. This will be collected and presented to Republic Services.
AS A HOMEOWNER OF THE COBBLESTONES, I ENCOURAGED YOU TO CALL REPUBLIC SERVICES AT:
(610) 265-6337
AND FILE A GRIEVANCE.
WHEN PROMPTED: CHOOSE “2” FOR COMMERCIAL, AND THEN “4” TO SPEAK TO A REP. YOU WILL BE ASKED YOUR NAME AND ONLY NEED THE ADDRESS AND ZIP CODE TO FILE THE COMPLAINT.
5:04 PM TUESDAY 5/24/2022
And Republic lied again…
4:42 PM MONDAY 5/23/2022
Latest update from Republic: Due to an overwhelming number of employee call outs Cobblestones’ trash will be picked up tomorrow, Tuesday 5/24/2022.
Normal delivery should be anticipated for Thursday 5/26, so what little trash you might have should go out Wednesday Night.
3:18 PM MONDAY 5/23/2022
This event has escalated to contact with the national branch and they were surprised to learn that this has continued for another week. “Unforeseen Circumstances” is not an acceptable excuse coming down from corporate. Well, maybe on the first day, but as it extends into two weeks, it’s a circumstance that NOT unforeseen.
Candace from the corporate office told me to expect a call from a local supervisor within the hour but that was at 8:38 AM. She just followed up to see if I was contacted and was disappointed to find out that I wasn’t and that our trash remains. That’s the extent of the information we have at this time.
So why don’t we just get a new trash company? Read more in the blog
3:40 PM FRIDAY 5/20/2022
I just spoke with a representative and was told we are scheduled for today but if not we will be picked up on Saturday. I’m waiting for a call back. If you feel comfortable rolling your cans back, feel free to do so but unfortunately it is a guessing game. Again, I wish I could give you more concrete information. I apologize.
-Natasha
7:15 AM FRIDAY 5/20/2022
The problem persists.
Due to these “unexpected circumstances” it is now imperative for the Board to remind ALL homeowners and renters of our bylaws, rules and regulations, that all trash MUST be placed a can with a lid that closes. If you are finding that your household is generating more trash than one can, you must have a second can.
We can no longer allow trash bags to sit out while pickups are delayed.
It’s recommended that boxes be flattened or disassembled and bound together with string or tape.
Let’s keep The Cobblestone’s as beautiful and as “wildlife-free” as possible.
10:08 AM THURSDAY 5/19/2022
REPUBLIC SERVICES: DUE TO UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCES,
YOUR SOLID WASTE SERVICE AT 7601 CRITTENDEN ST WILL BE DELAYED BY ONE DAY.
Note:
There has been no notification from Republic Services that our schedule changed so trash is to be picked up Thursday Trash should go out tonight, Wednesday May 18th
ALERT: TRASH
UPDATE:
8:17 AM 5/16/22
Republic called and said Cobblestones is scheduled for pickup today.
It’s been noted that trucks have been seen picking up in Chestnut Hill Village.
Blossom Row remains unserviced.
6:35 PM, 5/13/22
REPUBLIC was called at 4:30 and I was assured, again, that our trash would be picked up by 5:30pm today (Friday)
I was told to call back if the trash was not picked up and I did but was met with a recorded message about the offices closing for the weekend.
I can assure you, The Cobblestones has a zero balance owed to Republic Services and this delay/disruption in services has nothing to do with our transition to new management.
I will post updates as soon as any information is received.
Thank you for your understanding,
Natasha
May 12th. 2:59 PM: After a brief call with Republic Services, it has been reported:
Due to an unforeseen issue, trucks in our area are delayed by one day. Trash pick-up for the Cobblestones will be no later than 5:30PM on May 13th, 2022.
This was the extent of Republic’s explanation and the Board has no further information at this time. The Board apologizes for any inconvenience.
A Petition is Coming…
On Monday May 9th, it was announced that Philadelphia City Council has approved the BRT property tax assessments for 2023. As your President, it’s my duty to make sure the Board of Revision of Taxes accurately assesses our homes specifically and not in vague comparison by zip code.
The Cobblestones pay to illuminate itself and pay to have its waste removed, not to mention we seem to be the resting spot for area litter and debris as it makes its way into the woods across Cresheim. It is important that these things are considered when assessing our properties.
Simply put, we are not getting the full city perks that property tax pays for. We are not comparable to row homes in Ivy Hill or Mount Airy or even a block away on Ardleigh, therefore we must stand up for what’s right and be heard, loud and clear.
Our property value has remained constant for 10 year now and the property tax assessment must reflect that.
In the coming months, you will be asked to add your signature as a homeowner of The Cobblestones and protest this new tax hike. The Board is doing everything to keep another HOA assessment at bay and this new property tax for 2023 is unacceptable.
Neighbors of Cobblestones At Chestnut Hill,
As we move closer to our transitioning date with Onyx Management (June 1st, 2022), The Board would like to remind you that your May 2022 HOA fee and Special Assessment payment are still required and should be paid through Philly Living Management Group, either by check or by logging into PLMG’s payment portal.
MAY 2022 will be the last payment handled by PLMG before the portal and account is closed in Mid-May.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Natasha Hulme at admin@chestnuthillcobblestones.com
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
EFFECTIVE MAY 15th
The Executive Board is pleased to announce the completion of another improvement/maintenance project…
As most of you know, in the Summer of 2020, after approximately 4 fender-benders at the corner of Cresheim and Crittenden, a devastating accident occurred, sending a car barrelling into the corner of G-row. Since then, there’s been only one accident but the big one was enough.
This damaging accident also increased The Cobblestones Annual insurance premiums and we are still waiting for our deductible to be repaid, as the case now is in subrogation. The Board is fighting the increase and was informed that once the deductible is returned, our premiums can be revisited and reconsidered.
The Cobblestones sign moved from its former spot in the middle of the complex on Cresheim and the accompanying landscaping and boulders will act as a barrier to protect the property. Our insurance company will be informed of this improvement and we are confident it will have a positive effect on lowering our premiums.
In the photo above, you can also see 3 carpenter bee/yellow jacket/wasp traps along the path. We are attempting to control this issue conservatively to get us through the season with a plan to address, community-wide, before next spring.
If you are experiencing issues with carpenter bees around your home, or if you discover the formation of a wasps nest, please contact PLMG, or email Natasha at admin@chestnuthillcobblestones.com as soon as possible, so it can be destroyed.
LANDSCAPING IS
PLANNED FOR EVERY MONDAY
You are reminded to remove any and all personal belongings from the common area around your home that The Association is responsible for. This includes the property outside of your living room door and in most cases, the lawns in front of your fence and dining room window. If you have been planting and maintaining this area, you may continue to do so. Sharp’s will not interfere with your personal landscaping.
Please remember: our rules and regulations strictly prohibit vegetables or other edibles plants anywhere within The Cobblestones Community. These plants will be removed at the owner’s expense and fines levied will be used for vermin extermination and prevention.
