Hello Team LMOA!

We wish everyone a joyful time with their loved ones on Thanksgiving Day! Our administrative offices will be CLOSED on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no GM Corner next week, but be on the lookout for the Plan Your Month Monday email on the 25th. Many fun activities are going on in December, and Monday’s email will help you plan for the Lake’s festivities. Thank you for reading this week’s official news update from LMOA:
 
November Board Meeting: At the meeting on November 21, 2024, the LMOA Board of Directors made the following approvals:

• The 2025 Budget, which included reserving up to $100k for RocDun Hospitality, should the lessee need verifiable support to continue operating. 

• The external auditor contract renewal

• The installation of three replacement fire hydrants 

• Outsourcing dredging operations 

• A one-time donation of $50K to the Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire and Rescue in honor of its 50th Anniversary, instead of its regular annual donation of $35k

• An employee holiday bonus 

If you missed the meeting, please log into lmoa.org. There you can find the packet and recording by selecting Board Meeting Details under the GOVERNANCE tab (scroll down to the details for the November 21, 2024, meeting).  

Trash Delay: Green For Life (GFL) wants to remind everyone that services will be delayed one day next week due to the Thanksgiving closure. Thursday services will be held on Friday, November 29, and Friday services will be conducted on Saturday, November 30. 

Register Thanksgiving Guests: Please make sure you have let the Main Gate know who will be visiting you for the Thanksgiving holiday by November 25. This will help alleviate congestion at the gates. To register guests, please call the Main Gate at 589-3215 or email [email protected]. You can also add guests under your member account at LMOA.org.  Thank you!

Easement and Right-of-Way Reminder: Please remember that LMOA owns property in front of most homes, the size of which varies by plat but generally is about 10-15 feet from the road’s edge. LMOA staff maintain this area, which may involve mowing grass, trimming trees and shrubs, working on fire hydrants, etc. We always require our staff to be respectful to residents and ask that residents also treat our staff with respect. If you have any concerns while our team is working, please reach out to 434-589-3563. Additionally, every LMOA lot includes a deeded 10-foot utility easement at the front and sides, along with a 15-foot utility easement at the rear. According to state law, utility companies can place necessary equipment in this space. 

Everbridge: LMOA is excited to announce our upcoming use of Everbridge for community text alerts by year’s end. Everbridge is a cloud-based platform employed by various government agencies to send out messages, including emergencies, advisories, announcements, reminders, and community updates. This will enable LMOA to communicate with residents during emergencies through text messages. Additionally, Lake Monticello residents can opt to receive texts about news and events. While this service will not be available for a few weeks, we encourage you to update your LMOA profile with your cell phone number if you wish to participate. As you update your profile, please also update your email address before we issue billing statements in January. Thank you!

Aqua Virginia Refund: Aqua Virginia implemented a rate increase in early 2024 ahead of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) hearing. The SCC approved a lower rate increase for Aqua Virginia than the company had requested, and Aqua Virginia is required to refund the difference to customers. According to Aqua Virginia’s Communication Specialist, Heather Keefer, Lake Monticello residents have not yet seen a refund on their monthly bill. “Our finance team is processing this credit,” she wrote. “Accounts should be credited by the first week in December, which is within the guidelines of the SCC order.” 

Bear Program: Did you know we share our community with black bears? The Wildlife Committee provided Lakers with facts about living with these magnificent creatures during an event earlier this year, which can be watched HERE. They will provide another bear program on November 23. This educational event will be held at the Ashlawn Clubhouse (41 Ashlawn Blvd.) and begins at 1 PM. Attend live or watch later on YouTube to learn about the LMOA Wildlife Committee's sponsorship of orphaned bears. The Wildlife Center of Virginia saves injured and orphaned bears, preparing them for rehabilitation before releasing them back into the wild.

Coffee & Donuts: If you're sad that Freedom Drip has decided to pursue other ventures, Bunker Bistro is coming to the rescue! From December 3 to December 20, Jacie and Sam will pilot a “pop up and pop in” breakfast and coffee option featuring coffee, donuts, cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, and other signature breakfast favorites. Stop by the foyer of Bunker Bistro from 8 - 10 AM, Tuesday to Friday. This is a three-week test run, and additional information will be provided after the pilot program is complete.

Run for the Board: It’s time to start thinking about whether you want to run for the LMOA Board of Directors or propose a policy change. Starting January 31, 2025, Candidate and Member Proposal Petition Packets will be available. New this year, Members will now be able to collect signatures electronically! Paper copies of the packets will still be available for pickup at the Ashlawn Clubhouse. For more info on electronic petition packets, running for the Board, or Member Proposals, click here or contact Executive Assistant Karis Rivera at [email protected]. LMOA thrives due to the selfless services of our volunteers. YOU make the most difference in your community when you volunteer at LMOA. 

Buy Fluvanna First: Every dollar spent locally helps our community grow stronger! To celebrate and support our local economy, Fluvanna County is excited to launch the “Buy Fluvanna First” campaign. Kicking off this initiative is the Holiday Passport, a fun and interactive way to discover Fluvanna’s businesses during the festive season. Beginning next week, shoppers can grab a Holiday Passport at any participating business, each one offering a unique shopping experience! As you visit these spots, present your passport to collect a “stamp” for each stop. Once it’s filled up, you can drop it off at any participating location or mail it to the Fluvanna County Economic Development Office by January 5, 2025. Every completed passport will have a chance to win prizes generously donated by local businesses, and there’s even a grand prize from Lake Monticello Golf Club! The drawing will happen on January 7, 2025. 
       
Where to Get a Passport: 

• Passports are available at Authentic Latin American Soul Food, The Barista Baker, Bunker Bistro, Chevy Chase, CK Jewelers, Crossing Brook Farm, Cuppa Joe, Cunningham Creek Winery & Brewery, Devoted Hair Salon, Fruit Hill Orchard, Happy Tails, Fork Union Pharmacy, Hardware Hills Winery, Jefferson Pharmacy, La Esperanza, Legacy Cutz, Lake Monticello Golf Club, Local Eats, Melissa Butler, Inc, Papa Jims, RDL Pool Supplies, Sacred Acres Alpaca Farm, Scarlett’s Flowers, Studio 55, Sweet Art Emporium, Tropic Tan, and Wahoo BBQ!

• Some great events supplying passports are the Arts Fest in Downtown Palmyra from 10 AM - 4 PM on December 14 and the Fork Union Tree Lighting Celebration on November 30. You won’t want to miss this fabulous event at at 4312 James Madison Highway! Join your County neighbors from 4-8 PM as Fork Union comes alive with holiday cheer. Gather for a delightful evening filled with caroling, carriage rides, a special kids’ corner, dancing, delicious food trucks, and warm, free hot chocolate. And yes, of course, Santa will be joining us too! Take a moment to explore vendor tables for unique gifts and pick out the perfect cut Christmas tree while you enjoy the excitement in anticipation of the grand finale—watch as we light up the tree! This year, a talented local artist is crafting the star for the tree topper, and it will be auctioned off to the highest bidder! Proceeds from the auction will support wonderful future events in our beloved Fork Union community.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tom Schauder
LMOA General Manager