Tarpon Springs RiverWatch

I am bringing back the "NewsLetter" section as this saves a whole heck of a lot of money :-)

This is an OLD newsletter - but it contains good information in it.

To the homeowners at RiverWatch,                                                                                       

                This letter is going out to all homeowners in the RiverWatch Homeowners Association to inform you of the deteriorating conditions of many of the lawns throughout the community. This letter does not pertain to all lawn conditions, but will contain information to help you maintain the condition of a healthy lawn as well as informing those in violation of the Association bylaws with regard to the appearance of their property (individual violation notices to follow).

       Upon recent inspections that have been conducted through RiverWatch it has been observed that the conditions of at least 50 lawns are deteriorating and in direct violation of Association maintenance bylaws. Much of this is due to the dry conditions that we have been experiencing as well as non maintenance by the homeowner. I have owned a landscaping company as well as running the garden department at The Home Depot for 8 years, and I have solid knowledge on lawn maintenance in Florida.

                Some of the conditions, such as expanding blond spots in the lawn as well as dead bare spots with just the remains of a runner system associated with St. Augustine grass are due to fungus and pests, as well as, lack of water. At this time of lawn growth during a dry period it is imperative to keep an eye on the lawn on a daily basis. Fungus can wipe out a lawn in a week without treatment and spread to your neighbor’s yard.

Watering should be done early morning for no less than 45 minutes a zone so the lawn has the time during sunlight hours to absorb as much as possible to carry it over thru a short dry time. It should also be done 2 or 3 times a week if possible. I understand some restrictions make this hard, but an off cycle hand watering will help. Fertilizer should be a suitable for the summer months like a 17-3-11 or for greener lawns 26-2-11. Yards with deteriorating conditions NEED to be treated now to prohibit further problems and to comply with the maintenance bylaws of the Association.

As all RiverWatch homeowners should know it is their full responsibility to maintain the appearance of their home, not only for their benefit, but for the benefit of the whole community. It is also one of the Rules and Regulations that must be upheld. The Board of Directors as well as management will take the necessary steps to insure that the neighborhood property values remain at the upper end of the spectrum, where they should be.  The continuing violations will result in attorney costs as well as possible fines which will be much more costly to the homeowner in the long run than the routing maintenance of the property. Management and the Board do not want this to be the solution. We urge you to maintain your property. If you have any questions please call.

                                                                                                                                                Thank You,

                                                                                                                                                Tony Toscano

                                                                                                                                                Property Manager

Other Issues:

Boat Dock Parking is for residents of RiverWatch and their guests.  Because of issues with residents not able to launch their boats, due to no parking and questions on rather or not a vehicle belonged in the RiverWatch boat dock parking lot.

So, we have stickers.  So far only eight stickers have been given out.  But the sign will be installed soon.

The "combination" will be your sticker number and unit number ... this will be the number you would put on your dashboard if the vehicle/trailer with the boat is not always the same (shoot in some instances, the boat changes :-)  The lock and key are still the same.  Eventually we will re-key ... but that will be a whole 'nuther can of worms

The correct Sticker Number - Unit Number will be known to the "owner" of that sticker, and the keepers of the "list".  The "owner" of the sticker is responsible for ANY vehicle parked with that combination (so do NOT give it to anyone YOU are NOT with).  The vehicles parked there will (hopefully) be checked by several "keepers of the list".  Any vehicle parked, without "proper parking permit" will be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.

Violators will have parking privileges revoked, which means if a vehicle is park with revoked parking privileges, the vehicle will be towed. 

Dogs must be walked on a lead / leash when off the owners property, which includes along the river, around the park, by the pond … etc.  If you want to let Red rover around, there are some GREAT dog parks in Tarpon Springs.

Stop Signs and the Speed Limit  30 miles per hour in a residential community is TOO fast.  We have residents who regularly speed and blow through the few stop signs we have. 

You will be reported.  You will be reported again and again and again and again and again.  Eventually Tarpon Springs will do something about