Author: Quail Hollow

A Little Courtesy, Please

Quail Hollow residents,,

Writes one of your neighbors:

Do we know who is riding an ATV up and down Beechwood and Quail Ridge Court?  And very loudly I might add. It is after 10pm and has been going on since 8pm.  I get that most people are excited for a 4 day holiday weekend, however, we work in healthcare and morning comes very early for us.  Thanks.

A little courtesy, please. 

Ken Gough

Property Manager

Easing into Autumn – Need Information

Dear Quail Hollow neighbors,

As we ease into autumn, there are a few things we’re in need of:

  • You’ve probably seen the Hlavatys and Lisa Vezzosi hard at work on the clubhouse.  Thanks, guys!  There are still a few chores to be done – some weeding on the mound and trimming of bushes around the clubhouse.  Please consider spending an hour or 2 working on it, and consider it your volunteer contribution to the neighborhood.  Saves us a ton of money, which otherwise would come from your dues.
  • Now that the pond work is done, we need to get the fountain back in operation.  Does anyone have a jonboat and a couple of hours to spare helping me?
  • We need to have some tree work done.  Too big for me to handle.  Do you have a recommendation for an arborist?
  • If anyone is planning a trip to the dump soon, we have some junk at the clubhouse that needs to go.  Can you help out?

And even though things slow down this time of year, the Board is hard at work planning for next year.  We have elections coming up (if you’d like to serve on the Board, let Lisa Vezzosi know) and the budget to finalize. We’re going to replace the dilapidated fencing at the pool, get some repairs done on the pool, do some more repairs on the exterior of the clubhouse, and get it repainted.  We may replace the flooring in the clubhouse.  And we still don’t know what we’re going to do about the tennis courts.  Your input is always greatly appreciated and given serious consideration.

Now it’s time to enjoy the cool weather and beautiful leaves, and get ready for trick or treaters.  See you around the neighborhood.

Ken Gough

Property Manager

The Pond – the end is in sight

Quail Hollow residents,

You’ll be happy to know that the end is in sight for the pond dredging.  Chris Hollifield reports that he expects to finish in the next few days, weather permitting.

This has been an ordeal for everyone, and a recap is in order:

  • Chris was given the order in late 2019 and began work just as soon as he could in early 2020, with the expectation that he would finish in May.
  • Then came one of the wettest winters and springs in Northeast Tennessee history.  No one could have anticipated it, and Chris was helpless to do anything about it.  His equipment sat idle for a couple of months.
  • When he was finally able to get back to work, he rented an extended-boom digger to speed things up.  The result was a huge pile of smelly muck – the same as every time we’ve dredged the pond.  Before it can be spread out or hauled off, it has to dry out.
  • It was at this point that someone – we don’t know who – complained to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation about the situation.  It’s incomprehensible to me why anyone would do such a thing, because it’s obvious what was going on to anyone who gave it a moment’s thought.  To anyone incapable of understanding it, a conversation with me or any of the Board members would have cleared things up.  Instead…
  • It turned out that Chris hadn’t gotten the necessary dredging permit from TDEC. It was an honest misunderstanding – he thought the POA had gotten it, and the POA understood that he was supposed to do it.
  • TDEC ordered Chris to shut down the project, spread out or haul off the dirt, and seed the area.  He had no choice but to comply, and did so immediately.
  • QHPOA was served with a Notice of Violation, which was cleared up with a sincere apology and by providing a report on and photographs of the cleanup work.  Luckily, there was no fine.  TDEC then gave us the necessary permit.  This whole process unnecessarily delayed the work for over 2 months.
  • No sooner had Chris gone back to work than he got hurt, delaying things several more weeks.
  • And then the rains came again.

So a combination of bad weather, misunderstanding, bad luck and folly turned a 16-week project into 8 months of frustration which should, finally, be ending soon.  Proving that the best-laid plans oftimes go astray, and that good intentions count for nothing. 

Cross your fingers.

Ken Gough

Property Manager

Clubhouse and pool news

Quail Hollow property owners and residents,

  • We knew that the transition to a pool service after Jack Jordan’s retirement would cause some headaches, and it has.  An important reminder – the pool service is not a janitorial service.  We don’t have a janitor.  It’s a community pool, you’re an owner, and you have to clean up after yourself and, unfortunately, others who are forgetful and/or inconsiderate.  That includes putting the umbrellas down, straightening up the chairs and toys, picking up the trash, emptying the trash cans and putting in new liners (there is a box of liners in the women’s restroom), taking care of the restrooms, et cetera.  In the restrooms, wipe down the sinks and countertops after use, replace towels and toilet paper rolls as needed, take out the trash and replace liners, et cetera.  The restrooms are equipped with all the supplies needed.  If you’re unwilling to do the same things at your neighborhood pool, which you own, that you’d happily do at your house, please let the Board know that you are in favor of a dues increase to pay for a janitorial service – but expect the residents who don’t use the pool (who are a majority or close to it) to demand that it be shut down instead.
  • If you’re at the pool or clubhouse Thursday evening, please be kind enough to take the trash cans to the street.  If you’re at the clubhouse or pool Friday, please be kind enough to bring them back.
  • We’ve had several water line problems in recent days.  If you have low water pressure, see water leaking from the ground, or suspect a problem, please call the Elizabethton Water Department at 423-547-6300 at all hours.  Frankly, if you let me know, that’s what I do.  You’ll get quicker service by calling yourself.
  • Ron Winter is interested in organizing a neighborhood surveillance and defense class with the Elizabethton Police.  If you’re interested, please contact Ron at jrwinter42@gmail.com and he’ll take it from there.
  • Since the privacy fence between the pool and parking lot is badly deteriorated and must be replaced soon, the Board is considering replacing all the fencing with a more-aesthetically-pleasing design.  Your input would be appreciated.
  • Since expensive repairs to the exterior of the clubhouse will be needed soon, the Board is considering repainting it as well.  Your input would be appreciated.

 See you ‘round the neighborhood,

Ken Gough

Property Manager

Newsletter – the pool, etc.

Quail Hollow residents,

  • The pool heater is finally working.  It was necessary to essentially rebuild the entire control system, one expensive piece at a time. 
  • Hinges for the pool gate will be here late Friday, and I’ll try to install them that evening.
  • I had to run off 3 boys from the pool Wednesday evening.  They jumped the fence.  Reminder, the pool is for residents and their accompanied guests only.  All others are trespassing.  If you see someone at the pool who shouldn’t be there, call me.
  • You may have heard that work on the pond had to stop after a complaint was made to TDEC.  You’ll be happy to know that an agreement has been reached that will allow the dredging to be completed.  We’ll continue with the project just the way it was being done, only it’s costing us an additional $500, and completion will be delayed by several weeks.
  • It’s been a very busy spring at the clubhouse.  We had our annual spring cleanup/fixup (in spite of Covid-19), the heat pump was replaced, the plumbing completely rebuilt, the insulation in the crawlspace replaced, and the gutters replaced and extended.  We still have some work to do, but the worst is over.  The building is aging, but with what we’ve done and will do, and with regular maintenance, we should be in good shape for years to come.
  • And be sure to thank Lisa Vezzosi, Meredith Trott and Don Hlavaty for the flowers at the neighborhood entrance.  They look great!

Ken Gough

Property Manager

Spring Cleanup Day – new format

April 14, 2020

Quail Hollow residents,

The Board of Directors decided this evening that it must cancel the upcoming Spring Cleanup Day due to the ongoing COVID 19 concerns.  However, the cleanup must still be done.  So we’re asking that you set aside a few hours this week to work on your own or with family members.  Below is a list of the chores that need doing.  250 bags of mulch will arrive this Friday, and we’ll spread it and fertilizer as soon as the other work is done.

Please let me know when you plan to work and what you plan to do.

Thanks very much,

Ken Gough

Property Manager

Spring Cleanup Chore List

Front Entrance Area Needs

  • Weeding – completed
  • Spread mulch
  • Additional flowers/shrubs  – Lisa & Meredith
  • Pressure wash entrance sign, primarily columns
  • Preen and fertilizer – Ken

Front of Clubhouse

  • Weeding
  • Shrubs need trimming
  • Spread mulch
  • Preen and fertilizer – Ken
  • Drain to left of parking lot – clean out drain pipe opening

Mound area behind pool

  • Weeding
  • Shrubs need trimming
  • Plant add’l shrubs – Ken
  • Spread mulch
  • Preen and fertilizer – Ken

Area in front of parking lot

  • Rake up pinecones
  • Remove weeds/poison ivy on fir trees

Area along road from front entrance to Clubhouse

  • Pick up branches
  • Rake up leaves

Tennis Courts

  • Rake up leaves
  • Remove weeds
  • Spray weed killer

Vehicle Storage Policy

March 15, 2020

Article 7.K. of the Restrictions of the Quail Hollow Property Owner’s Association provides that:

No boat, motor home, travel trailer, recreational vehicle or other vehicle/vehicle component except an automobile may be stored overnight on any lot unless the same be within a garage or carport.

Recognizing that there may be situations in which this restriction is unduly and unnecessarily burdensome, Article 7K shall be enforced as follows:

  • “Automobile” means any commonly-used vehicle such as a car, minivan, motorcycle, or pickup truck intended primarily for personal or family use, but excludes vehicles such as (but not limited to) pickups with externally-mounted equipment (other than for hauling recreational items such as canoes, bikes, etc., and camper tops), trucks larger than a pickup, large-capacity vans or buses (for example, church vans), panel trucks, limousines, vehicles with extensive advertising or company markings, etc.
  • Prior to the event, or immediately upon realizing that it will be necessary to store a prohibited vehicle overnight, the property owner/resident shall inform the Property Manager by email, phone or text message, stating the reason and the date by which the vehicle shall be removed.
  • If the Property Manager in consultation with the Board determines that there is good reason for allowing an exception, he will give permission.
  • The Property Manager may grant an exception for up to 3days.
  • The property owner/resident may request permission from the Board of Directors for a longer period; provided, however, that the Board shall have sole discretion in the matter.
  • If the vehicle is not removed when required, the property owner/resident shall be assessed a penalty of $25/day until it is removed, subject to modification by the Board.

By order of the Quail Hollow Property Owners Association Board of Directors

Jennifer Blankenship, Chairman  

Mark Garland, Secretary                                         

Newsletter February 2020

Quail Hollow neighbors and property owners,

A quick update on the neighborhood:

  • The officers for 2020 are President Lisa Vezzosi, Secretary Jennifer Blankenship, and Treasurer Roger Day.  The Board members are Rod Whitehead, Mark Garland, Meredith Trott, and Brent Morrow.
  • Clubhouse lighting – we’ve replaced most of the lighting with LED bulbs, which should reduce our electric bill.  But still, when you use the clubhouse, please be sure to turn out all the lights!
  • Clubhouse HVAC – we installed a programmable thermostat.  Adjust the temperature with the UP and DOWN buttons only – don’t use the RUN, HOLD and SET buttons!  When you leave, please be sure to adjust it back to where you found it, but, in case you forget, after a few hours the temperature will automatically return to its pre-set value.
  • Clubhouse security lights – we’ve installed powerful new low-profile motion-sensitive security lights.  The small size should discourage bird’s nests.  If that doesn’t work we’ll install housings which will make it impossible for them to nest.
  • Clubhouse repairs – An inspector will go over the building this Friday and should have a report for us next week on needed repairs.  We anticipate that we’ll need major work on the plumbing and gutters, and it’s possible that there will be expensive repairs on the foundation.  Stay tuned.
  • The pond – Chris Holyfield has started work on the dredging, but the rain isn’t helping.  It will take at least 3 months to finish, probably more, depending on the weather.  We’ll just have to be patient, and pray for a return to normal (or even slightly below normal) rainfall.
  • Potholes – most everyone is aware of the potholes in front of Kenny Gouge’s house on Quail Hollow Drive.  There isn’t much we can do until the weather improves, but Don Hlavaty and I are going to attempt a temporary patch if we can get a few dry days.  In the meantime, please drive even more carefully than usual.  We’ll fix them as soon as we can.
  • The pool – Our pool serviceman of many, many years, Jack Jordan, has retired.  We’re looking for a replacement and would appreciate your suggestions and recommendations.
  • No Soliciting – You’ll notice a “No Soliciting Without Prior Approval” sign going up in a few days.  The Board asked me to assure you that this is NOT aimed at local school, church or youth groups, but at the scam artists who occasionally show up in the neighborhood.  If someone suspicious comes to your door, demand to know if they have Board approval, and if you’re not satisfied with the answer, call 911 (not me – there isn’t a thing I can do).  Local groups should just consider themselves pre-approved, (the EHS Band had better come by next fall and sell me oranges and grapefruit!)
  • 2020 garbage pickup – the city’s annual schedule is available on the Important Documents page
  • FYI, please make your dues checks payable to QHPOA or Quail Hollow Property Owners Association.

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Ken Gough
Property Manager

President’s Report January 21, 2020

Quail Hollow Property Owners Association
January 21, 2020

A report on 2019 and a look ahead to 2020

2019 was a busy year!

• In January, we began investigating the possibility of the City of Elizabethton taking over the roads and found out that we would need to get four core samples from our roads. The samples were taken in April at a cost of $1,800. We are waiting for the city to notify us what their decision is.
• We purchased new couches for the clubhouse. Thank you, Lisa Vezzosi and Mary Ellen Hlavaty for doing the shopping!
• Our annual clubhouse cleanup day was held in April. The shrubbery was trimmed and around 250 bags of mulch was spread. Thank you to all that participated.
• In May, board member Bob Looney passed away and the board added Lisa Vezzosi and Roger Day to the board.
• In June, a “sinkhole” in the cul-de-sac of Beechwood Drive was discovered that was caused when an underground electrical line was installed. We are currently pursuing reimbursement for the repairs that totaled $5,789 from the city and the subcontractor that did the repair.
• In July, at the height of pool season, the Water Department shut off the clubhouse water due to a severe leak. It was repaired for $2,475. Thank you to Kenneth Gouge for finding a plumber on short notice.
• A neighborhood 4th of July parade was held. Thank you to those that organized this event.
• The clubhouse roof was replaced in August at a cost of $11,975.
• Don and Mary Ellen Hlavaty, Lisa Vezzosi and Ken Gough cleaned out the storage room of the clubhouse in September.
• A “No Vaping” sign was added to the pool area.
• Many of the exterior clubhouse lights are now LED. Hopefully this will reduce our electric bills.
• Jack Jordan, the gentleman that maintained the pool, turned in his resignation in December. He is retiring.
• Chris Hollifield has been hired to dredge the pond. The estimated cost is $22,543.
We remain in good financial shape with over $108,000 in savings. However, several significant decisions will be made in 2020.
• We are going to hire a building inspector to assess the condition of the clubhouse and determine the needed repairs.
• A pool maintenance person or company will need to be hired.
• After we determine the cost of the clubhouse repairs, the condition of the tennis courts will need to be addressed.

Your input and suggestions are appreciated and will be given careful consideration.
On behalf of the QHPOA Board I wish everyone a happy new y ear.

Jennifer Blankenship