Blog Friends – Help Your Neighbor

Please help us make sure important communication via the blog gets to every homeowner/resident in the neighborhood.

If you are reading this blog then you are one of the many homeowners/residents that have signed up for our blog posts. The FKHOA board thanks you for that. These blog posts are our main communication tool for the homeowners and residents.

While the percentage of homeowners/residents who have signed up for blog posts is growing every year, not everyone in the neighborhood has done so. Some of our information in the blog is simply nice to know, but some is very important (i.e. water notices).  These important messages are why we came up with this “Blog Friends” idea.

We are asking any homeowner/resident that does not have a way to get electronic blog notices to speak with their neighbors. Chances are someone near them is getting the updates and would be happy to share important information. Details about this “Blog  Friends” idea was included in the last newsletter, which was included with the April billing.

It is our hope that people already receiving blog posts, like yourself, will also speak with their neighbors about updates. Important messages don’t happen very often. When they do, helping others know what they are is part of being neighborly. 

Thank You
Your FKHOA Board

2020 Water Quality Report is now Available on our Website

The 2020 Water Quality Report describing the source and quality of your drinking water is now available on our website.  Here is a direct link:

2020 Water Quality Report

A paper copy of this report is available upon request. Please contact a board member or send us an email with your name and the address if you would like a paper copy of the report sent to you. You can email us and/or find our contact information here.

Water Quality information will be sent electronically to all homeowners with an email address on file. The fall newsletter will also have a summary article about this water report. A paper copy of this newsletter will be sent to all homeowners of Franklin Knolls.

The Water Quality Report is required by the State of Michigan and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  It is based on testing of our water system by AquaTest Laboratories, Inc. Water samples are taken monthly and tested to check the quality of our water on a regular basis. We also have a mechanical inspection done regularly to help keep our water system operational and the backup systems ready when needed.

We recently performed our spring flush out of the water system and have two more flushings planned for this summer and fall. Home lines need to be flushed out as well. Without flushing, home water lines can become restricted which can lead to a costly repair for the homeowner.  A quick and easy water flow measurement test at your home can help determine the amount of sediment buildup in the service line to your home.  Information on this and other tips are available here on our website.

We hope you find the report beneficial and reassuring that the water provided to your home meets or exceeds government standards. Let us know if you have any questions. There are also government agency phone numbers in the report.

Thx

Water System Flushing Saturday, May 15th (9am – 1pm)

 

Water System Flushing Saturday, May 15th

Water System Flushing Saturday, May 15th

Periodically, the FKHOA Board will flush the mineral deposits from the fire hydrant lines.  This work is typically done by board member volunteers on a Saturday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. and continues for 3-4 hrs.

• Signs will be posted near the entrances to the sub about a week in advance.
• During the time frame of the flushing you should shut off the water to your house.   You should not use your water during this time
• After the flushing is complete, you should run the hoses outside your house to clear any residual deposits.

Any questions pertaining to our drinking water, our water system, or the above recommendations please see our Contact Us page.

More info on what to do to care for the lines to your home can be found on our website on the “Services” menu.   Here is a direct link.

Franklin Knolls Litter Walk Clean-Up – April 24th 10am

Come out on Saturday, April 24th and take part in the Litter Walk Clean-Up.  This is part of the Farmington Hills city wide event. We are organizing our own team for Franklin Knolls and we need your help.

We will meet at the pumphouse at 10am to form teams.  The city is providing trash bags, other supplies and a limited number of T-Shirts.  Bring your mask, some gloves, good walking shoes, etc and help do a little spring cleaning for the neighborhood.

Previous Litter Walk Clean-Up events were a tremendous success for Farmington Hills!  The clean-up effort is a great way to celebrate Earth Day and to assist in maintaining the environment of Farmington Hills.   Thinking globally and acting locally!

Hope to see you there!

Yard Waste Pickup to Begin on April 12th

We thought we would share this news from the city.  You can also sign up to get these notices sent to you directly via email too.  Details on that below:

Curbside Yard Waste Begins on April 12th  

Yard Waste Pickup Resumes During the Week of April 12 Yard waste collection will resume in the City of Farmington Hills starting on Monday, April 12, 2021. As of that date, all yard waste placed at the curbside in acceptable containers will be collected by the yard waste truck on your regular garbage day.  Yard waste pickup will end during the week of December 13, 2021. Acceptable yard waste includes leaves, grass, shrub clippings, twigs, and plant materials. There are three options available for yard waste disposal: Place yard waste in a trash can (35-gallon size limit) with a yard waste sticker on both sides. Yard waste stickers are available free from City Hall or the DPW. Put yard waste in brown paper yard waste bags. Please do not overstuff bags. Use a mulching mower and recycle leaves and grass clippings back into the lawn. Small limbs (six inches in diameter or less) and brush must be tied in bundles that do not exceed four feet in length or weigh more than 60 pounds per bundle. Unbundled brush and large limbs will not be picked up. Brush or twigs placed in cans or bags should not stick out above the top of the container. Also, large quantities of dirt or sod are not accepted for pickup. Any Christmas trees saved for composting must be cut and bundled according to yard waste pickup guidelines.  For more information, call the DPW at 248-871-2850 or visit www.fhgov.com.

   

You can get announcements like this sent to you via email if you subscribe to the eNews list. 

Click on the link below to check out the lists you can subscribe to.    

eNews / List Serv

The city offers many email lists.  Sign up for any of these and the information is sent right to your email box when something new comes out.   Easy to sign up and easy to cancel if you change your mind.

We also have the direct link on our website under Other Contacts/Links.

Spring Newsletter and April Billing

Coming to your mailbox very soon!

The Franklin Knolls Spring 2021 Newsletter and April billing

Spring 2021 Newsletter

The 4 page newsletter has a Main page as well as a page dedicated for Water System, Neighborhood and HOA news. The newsletter is also available on our website on the “Neighborhood” drop down menu. Here is a direct Link

Here are some key items you will find in this newsletter

HOA Payments

Please make payments within 30 days of the invoice date.

Payments can be dropped off at our mailbox near the pump house at 32000 Shrewsbury. You will find a drop slot just inside of the mailbox door.

Payments can also be mailed to:
Franklin Knolls HOA
32000 Shrewsbury
Farmington Hills, MI 48334

To help us with payments received please include:

–   Your Lot Number with your payment.

–   Return the Top Part of your statement

–   Please Fully Fill out your Checks including writing out the payment amount in words.  We had a few checks refused by our bank due to checks not being completely filled out.  

Annual Meeting Minutes

Our November 2020 annual meeting information, including the minutes, is published on our website.    Just look for the “Neighborhood” drop down menu and look for “Annual Meeting”.  Here is a direct link

Our Annual Meeting took place on November 19th, 2020 via Zoom online video conferencing software.  Again we thank everyone for their support but a special thank you to everyone that logged on to attend the meeting.  It is always great to see our neighbors come to this once a year meeting and show their support.

A paper copy of the minutes is available upon request.  Just send us an email or drop us a note with your address and we will be happy to send you a paper copy of the minutes.

We hope to see you at next year’s Annual Meeting in November.  We also welcome comments/questions anytime during the year.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

We wanted to share this information from the city with our neighborhood.  This came from one of the many email services the city of Farmington Hills has to offer.  

Currently the COVID-19 vaccine is available through local health departments and local health systems. Residents are encouraged to check their health providers’ online medical chart or portal as all local health systems are going to start making appointments for their patients once they vaccinate their medical personnel.

• Beaumont Health
• St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
• Ascension Providence
• McLaren Oakland

Vaccine information can be found at:

• Oakland County: https://oaklandcountyvaccine.com/
• MDHHS: Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine
• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html

More information about COVID-19 can be found on the Health Division’s website at www.oakgov.com/covid. For up-to-date public health information, follow @publichealthOC on Facebook and Twitter. 

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You can get city related information like this sent to you via email if you subscribe to the eNews list.  Easy to sign up and easy to cancel if you change your mind.

Click on the link below to check out the lists you can subscribe to.    

eNews / List Serv

We also have the direct link on our website under Other Contacts/Links.

City Undertakes Community Needs Survey – City Email Subscription Offers

The city of Farmington Hills has a lot of offer.  The list of programs and services goes on and on.   Here is one that we thought might be of interest to our residents.  

City Undertakes Community Needs Survey
The Community Development Office of the City of Farmington Hills is undertaking a Community Needs Survey. The survey is intended to identify a list of priorities for eligible Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activities. The information collected from this effort will fulfill requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Your input is critical, and the survey results will help determine CDBG funding priorities for the next five years (2021–2026). The survey will be available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LN6M9ZR until January 30, 2021.

Any questions should be directed to Charmaine Kettler-Schmult, City of Farmington Hills Community Development Coordinator, at ckettler@fhgov.com or 248-871-2543.

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You can get city related information like this sent to you via email if you subscribe to the eNews list.  Easy to sign up and easy to cancel if you change your mind.

Click on the link below to check out the lists you can subscribe to.    

eNews / List Serv

We also have the direct link on our website under Other Contacts/Links.

Compostables and Yard Waste Pickup Ends December 7th

Just a reminder that the last day for yard waste pickup this year is December 7, 2020.  

Here are some details from the city website about Compostables and Yard Waste.

Farmington Hills Compostables and Yard Waste website 

Yard waste pickup will end this year in Farmington Hills on your regularly scheduled pickup day during the week of December 7 – 11, 2020.

Starting December 14, yard waste cannot be picked up in accordance with the City’s refuse contract and Michigan laws governing yard waste disposal.  Any accumulated yard waste should be stored until spring pickup resumes in April 2021.

Acceptable yard waste includes leaves, grass, shrub clippings, twigs, and plant materials.  There are three options available for yard waste disposal:

1. Place yard waste in a trash can (35-gallon size limit) with a yard waste sticker on both sides.  Yard waste stickers are available free from City Hall or the DPW. 
2. Put yard waste in brown paper yard waste bags.  Please do not overstuff bags.
3. Use a mulching mower and recycle leaves and grass clippings back into the lawn.

Small limbs (six inches in diameter or less) and brush must be tied in bundles that do not exceed four feet in length or weigh more than 60 pounds per bundle.  Unbundled brush and large limbs will not be picked up.  Brush or twigs placed in cans or bags should not stick out above the top of the container.  Also, large quantities of dirt or sod are not accepted for pickup.