As a board, we are bound by the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions for the Woods of Brushy Creek. But there is so much to do, how do we set our priorities? We asked ourselves the same thing recently, and here is what we decided.
First, we will be guided in our decisions by our goal to preserve and perhaps improve property values for all of us. Our homes are more than our castles. For many of us, our home is also our single largest investment. You will see the board's focus on this in the next few months in the investments we will be making for the neighborhood by providing new pool furniture and landscaping.
Second, we want our neighborhood to be a safe, friendly neighborhood. This is important to all because we want our families to be safe. Living among friends not only makes our lives more pleasant but also increases our safety because friends look out for each other. You will see your board working toward this goal in our support of the Neighborhood Watch Association and the National Night Out on August 5.
Third, we will focus on developments that might affect our neighborhood such as nearby construction, schools, and zoning. Nancy Buckner, our treasurer and chair of our development committee, has already been quite involved in the assisted living residences to be constructed between 620 and Racine.
These are what I call our guiding principles. If you think about it, each of these supports the other two and none would be sufficient alone. So if you ever wonder "What were they thinking?" related to a decision we make, this is your best clue. If you have any ideas on things to be done, please contact me or one of the board members.
- Sandra Sykes, President
Beginning this summer, the Woods of Brushy Creek HOA will recognize homeowners who actively and creatively maintain their homes and yards, and help make our neighborhood more attractive. A gift certificate and a sign that can be proudly displayed will be awarded to the winners of the Woods of Brushy Creek "Home of the Season". The HOA board, and the chair of the landscaping committee, Mike Putrino, will choose the Home of the Season. Board and committee members cannot participate in the contest.
Nominations for this season's award may be made by calling the HOA at 388-5377 any time before July 27th. The winner will be announced at the HOA board meeting at 7 pm on August 3 in the MUD Community Room.
The Woods of Brushy Creek Development Committee has ongoing discussions with the subdivision's developer, David Bodenman, about the future of our subdivision.
One topic of discussion has been the proposed use of the five acre plot at the intersection of Racine and Cornerwood. Current plans call for a 69 unit assisted living facility to be placed on that site. The facility's developer is currently awaiting delivery of civil engineering plans before applying for a permit from the Brushy Creek MUD. They plan to be under construction by the end of June, with an estimated construction time of six months.
There are approximately 110 lots remaining in the Woods of Brushy Creek. Wilshire Homes, recently purchased by Fortress Group, is in the final stages of home construction with 20 lots remaining. Highland Homes plans to build on 90 lots.
If you have noticed fewer trash cans left out in public view, you are observing the efforts of the new HOA board and the willingness of neighbors to help.
During the past few months, many Woods homeowners received reminders on their doorsteps about putting trash cans out of sight. Some of you received notices in error (oops! our humble apologies). As a result of the notices, there has been a visible improvement to our neighborhood. To all who have responded positively, the board gives its appreciation and thanks.
We still have some visible trash cans, however. Let's limit our trash can visibility to trash pick-up days; please hide your trash cans from public view.
Our neighborhood pool is a great place to meet friends, cool off on a hot afternoon, or teach your toddler how to swim. But our pool is not a hang out or a substitute for babysitting.
Vince Rapp, our volunteer pool manager, reports that the pools, toilets, and gate have been vandalized this year. We have had children with no adult supervision at the pool, and some youths exhibiting rude behavior to others at the pool. In some cases, pool keys have been recalled.
For everyone's enjoyment and safety, unacceptable actions and behaviors will not be tolerated. Children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Pool monitors have been established to periodically check the pool, and the pool's alarm system has been reworked to improve its effectiveness. The alarm is active between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. every day. Clean up of the landscaping will begin soon to enhance the property and provide better visibility to the police.
What can you do? If you observe questionable behavior at or near the pool, please try to get a key number and a description of those involved. Then call our pool hotline at 246-1925 and leave the information. Your interest and cooperation will help preserve the pool as a neighborhood asset.
The new elementary school is progressing towards a Fall 1997 opening. The name of the elementary school, which sits at the corner of Neenah and Great Oaks, is Great Oaks Elementary. The school is expected to open sometime after the start of the school year, so a transition plan is being put into place. The children will start at Brushy Creek Elementary, with the teachers that they will have at Great Oaks (that is, the teachers move with the students). Most grades will be in the portables at Brushy Creek, with the exception that all kindergarten students will be in the main building at Brushy Creek before the move. After the move to Great Oaks, the portables at Brushy Creek will be vacant.
The principal of Great Oaks is Matt Matthys. Matt was the principal of Old Town Elementary. Teachers for the school will come from various schools in the district, as well as from Brushy Creek Elementary. The school colors and mascot will be selected by the students after school begins. Steve Thurber, a Woods of Brushy Creek resident who set up the WBC HOA's web site, is in the process of setting up a Great Oaks web site, in conjunction with the librarian from Old Town, Mary Jo Humphreys, and Principal Matthys. The site should be set up by mid-summer, and will contain more information about the new school. The site will be linked into the RRISD web site. Look for links to it from our HOA web site at http://members.aol.com/wbchoa/schools.htm.
As always, volunteers are needed. If you would like to help with the creation of the web site, send an e-mail note to SMThurber@aol.com or call Steve. If you would like to volunteer for other aspects of the school, please call the school secretary, Dottie Hall.
Several cars have been "keyed" recently in our neighborhood. Home owners should park vehicles in their garages if possible, or keep vehicles off the streets, to prevent damage. Unfortunately, it is suspected that a group of youths from our own neighborhood are responsible for the vandalism. If you have any information on who may be involved, call Melanie Hassett, or the Sheriff's department. We want to end these senseless crimes.
Home owners in the Woods of Brushy Creek are invited to attend the first monthly Community Development Meeting of the Round Rock Community Network at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 15, at the St. Williams Parish Activity Center.
The Round Rock Community Network is an existing organization with members from HOA and PTA Boards, Round Rock ISD, Round Rock Police, City Council, Parks and Recreation Department, YMCA, churches, and more. Current members work together to address community problems such as a growing gang population in the area. The Network says it is not a political forum or vigilante group, but people working together to build a caring "small town" community.
You may have noticed that improvements to our neighborhood park have been put on hold. The work to be completed includes: reinstalling the balance beam, straightening the playcurbs, distributing more pea gravel, moving one of the park entrances, and putting back the surrounding park fence.
Because the Brushy Creek MUD staff is repairing water pipes, all park projects are low priority. As the MUD staff approaches the end of the pipe repairs, please call MUD General Manager Mike Taylor at the MUD office, 255-7871, and encourage the completion of our park. The more voices heard, the more likely our park will get the attention it needs.
The Brushy Creek MUD plans to distribute a Request for Proposals for garbage, recycling, and composting services for the entire district.
The MUD staff expects this proposal should provide better service and convenience to residents. Plans call for garbage service to be included in the monthly water and wastewater bill. It is anticipated that the district-wide service will be provided for the same or less cost than individuals currently pay.
The future green belt hiking trail got a great start with the April 19 clean up. Tree limbs, bricks and trash were removed. With future work, we will have a beautiful trail in our neighborhood. Many thanks to all who volunteered for the project.
Join your neighbors for a Fourth of July Parade at Cat Hollow Park. Decorate trikes, bikes, pets or yourself. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated "floats" and costumes. Parade line-up begins at 10 a.m., and the parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at the park. See you there!
The new HEB store on 620 and O'Connor is here. The store management is interested in hiring employees from our area. Approximately 250 people will be employed at the store, with part-time and full-time positions available. Benefits and on-the-job training is provided. Anyone interested in working at the neighborhood store can apply from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the HEB employment office, Airport and Lamar, (512) 302-0705.
In June 1993, approximately 7,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline leaked into Brushy Creek MUD water wells from the 7-Eleven property on Sam Bass Road. The wells had been the MUD's primary drinking water source. Since the discovery, Brushy Creek MUD residents have received water from the City of Round Rock at the expense of Southland, 7-Eleven's parent company.
After the clean-up and monitoring of the wells for several years, the MUD and Southland have reached a final compensation agreement. Now the MUD must decide to reactivate the wells or continue to use Round Rock water at a higher price. The MUD board needs to know your opinions and concerns. A Public Hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. on July 10 in the MUD Community Room, 901 Great Oaks Dr. Representatives will answer questions at the meeting. For more information about the Public Hearing, call the MUD office at 255-7871.
Advertisements are now being accepted for publication along with this newsletter to help offset the costs of production and distribution. Businesses wishing to reach the hundreds of homeowners in the WBC can contact Fred Harder of Harder Properties at 418-8474 (fax 418-9442).
Advertisement copy must be complete and ready for publication. The advertisement pricing structure is:
Advertisement pages will be produced as inserts accompanying the newsletter.