Hello, Team LMOA!

Can you believe how fast the summer is going? Next week, it is already time for the July Board meeting! The Board will meet at 7 PM on Thursday, July 25 in the Fairway Clubhouse. The packet will be posted on lmoa.org today (login and go to the GOVERNANCE tab and select BOARD MEETING DETAILS). Sign up to speak by emailing [email protected].

Please continue reading for LMOA's latest official news update:

Board Orientation: The Board will take part in a whole-day training on Tuesday, July 23. LMOA Staff coordinates this annual training which is designed to prepare new LMOA Directors and remind current Directors of the guidelines and expectations for their roles. It also highlights staff roles and responsibilities and summarizes key tools and documents as well as an overview of all updated HOA laws. The morning session is closed to the Membership but Committee Chairs and LMOA Members are welcome to join the training starting at 11 AM at the Ashlawn Clubhouse. 

Algae at Tufton Pond: Our lake health partners, Solitude, treated Tufton Pond for blue-green algae (aka cyanobacteria) on July 17. We would like to remind the community that swimming (humans and pets) is never permissible at Tufton Pond even when there is no blue-green algae outbreak. These cyanobacteria outbreaks commonly occur during the summer months during hot calm weather with low rainfall. People and pets can become sick from swallowing or having skin contact with water that has toxic algae. Though not all cyanobacteria are toxic, it is best to avoid contact. Symptoms in most people are mild and may include vomiting or diarrhea.

Lafayette Racquet Courts: Work at the Lafayette Racquet Courts is complete, and they have reopened for play! Thank you for your patience while the courts were closed for repair. 

Job Openings: We would like to welcome our Facilities & Operations Team’s newest member, Operations Technician Ronnie Oakley. The department still has an opening for another full-time Operations Technician. Please apply via CAREERS at lmoa.org. Additionally, our Public Safety Team has an opening for a part-time Security Officer for the 11 PM - 7 AM shift. Please apply via Allied Security’s website HERE. Can’t wait to hear from you!

Do Not Feed Wildlife: Perhaps you have noticed the recent increase in missing/damaged plants that have been eaten by deer but also in bear and coyote sightings. We would like to remind the community that we do share Lake Monticello with a broad variety of wild animals. Please give them space and do not encourage them to come close to your home by feeding them or overfilling your trash totes. As tempting as it may be, it is illegal to feed deer year-round in Fluvanna County. See https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/deer/faq/#feeding-deer for more information. Feeding wildlife may seem harmless, but it causes a whole host of unhealthy issues, including the spread of disease among the animals. Please take this law seriously.

Legacy Wall: If you have been to the Ashlawn Clubhouse lately, you will have noticed the “legacy wall” upstairs. LMOA’s Executive Assistant, Karis Rivera, was inspired to create the wall of historical photos and documents when searching through the archives for her job. “I ran into several old and wonderful advertisements, maps, documents, and photos. I felt it was a shame our history was not displayed somewhere,” she says. “Diving deep into LMOA’s past helped me feel more connected to Lake Monticello, and I wanted to share that experience with our residents. I started with the Ashlawn Clubhouse, but I plan to create displays in each of our buildings over time. The whole process has given me a thorough understanding of our legal index, governing documents, and community which has made me better at my job.” We invite everyone to stop by and have a look. Bring your cellphone to access the captions via a QR code.

Lost and Found: Staff has collected lots of lost and found items that can be retrieved at the Main Desk (downstairs at 41 Ashlawn Blvd.). We will keep these items until September 1 and then will donate them. If you are missing a jacket, water bottle, etc., please come and have a look. We may have your missing item!

Compliance Committee Meeting Postponed: This meeting has been postponed from July 24 to July 31. The committee will meet as usual in the Operations Building (across from the Main Gate) from 7:30 - 9 PM. 

GFL Holiday Schedule: The remaining holidays for 2024 that will delay trash by one day are (Thursday will be serviced on Friday and Friday to be serviced on Saturday):

• Labor Day (week of September 2)

• Thanksgiving Day (week of November 28)

• Christmas Day (week of December 25)

• New Year’s Day (week of January 1)

Please remember when you take out your trash that your totes should be at the road’s edge but not on the road surface. Also, the lid of the tote should be able to close. Reduce your yard debris etc. into pieces that fit in the tote or save them for another week.

Have a great weekend!

Tom Schauder
LMOA General Manager