January 2024 (“Fall 2023”) Meeting

On January 24, 2024, CWCA President Lizzy Conroy called the meeting to order at a little past 7:00 pm and welcomed around 40 households on the Zoom call to our very late Fall 2023 virtual meeting.

The CWCA Board members include Lizzy Conroy, President; Steve Tabackman, Vice President; Susan Garrahan, Treasurer; Kim Kalhor, Secretary.

Treasurer’s Report CWCA Treasurer Susan Garrahan presented the treasurer’s report for the fiscal year through this month (10/1/23 – 1/24/24)

• Susan gave a quick overview of CWCA – its mission and activities, and that it is a voluntary membership organization. She reminded everyone of the considerable useful information about CWCA in the print directory (services provided, committees, etc). 
• The CWCA Budget to Actual was presented, cash on hand, revenue, and expenses (see attached). In the 22/23 fiscal year, we took in about $6,000 in dues. Since there were no snow events in 22/23, the primary expense for that fiscal year was the one-time private leaf-vacuuming, followed closely by social events. 
• The treasurer discussed a Board recommendation to set up parameters to ensure our cash reserve does not grow too big, with a target to keep it near or below $30,000. The proposal is (1) to not collect dues at the start of a fiscal year if the cash on hand is over $30,000 and (2) to only initiate a dues collection for that fiscal year IF snow removal costs for that season exceed $6,000. We did not vote on this proposal during the meeting. We will take this up again and vote on it at the start of the 24/25 fiscal year (which starts on Oct 1, 2024). 
• CWCA is delayed in initiating the call for dues this year, in part due to the delay of the fall meeting. We will now start that process, keeping dues at the same level as last year: $15 per household. Dues fund the membership directory, social activities, Board activities, Pineapple Patrol and Snow Removal (the largest budget item).

You can pay your dues online via Paypal* or by check:

1.    Online — Log into Paypal and choose the “Send” option. Designate chesterbrookwoods@gmail.com as the recipient’s email address. Please use the friends and family transfer method to avoid a PayPal service charge. Include your name & CWCA street address so we can properly credit your household.

2.    Pay by Check — Send a check payable to “CWCA” to our treasurer, Susan Garrahan (address available in CWCA member directory). Be sure your check includes your CWCA street address so we can credit your household. 

• If you have any specific questions about the finances, email chesterbrookwoods@gmail.com or contact Susan directly at susan.garrahan@gmail.com.

President’s Report   

• Debrief of 2023 events – Oktoberfest was a huge hit and the Board asked for volunteer chairs to step up and help plan the event for 2024. Cabell then said his neighbors Lisa and Isabelle have volunteered to chair the event. Big thank you! Light Up Chesterbrook Woods was a beautiful event and a huge success, thank you to everyone who organized and participated in the event! 

• Block Captains–Thank you to the block captains for getting the directories distributed! If there are any changes to your block, please let the board know by emailing chesterbrookwoods@gmail.com.  

• Upcoming Meetings: We plan to host an in-person Spring Meeting at Chesterbrook Elementary School tentatively on May 7, 2024. Looking further ahead, we plan to hold the Fall CWCA meeting at Chesterbrook Elementary School on Tuesday, Oct 1, 2024.

• Social Committee – The CWCA Board is looking for volunteers to form a social committee. This committee will primarily be responsible for organizing the fall Oktoberfest Block Party and other events the committee would like to hold, such as Food Truck Fun, or a Fourth of July Party, etc. If you are interested in joining, please email chesterbrookwoods@gmail.com  

Committee Reports 

• Security:  Cabell Fooshe provided the security report and shared that we have had very few police reports in Chesterbrook Woods in the past 6 months. Officer Carolyn Beyer of the FCPD reports that burglars are primarily targeting West McLean, one of their ploys is to pose as flower delivery or other delivery persons. They are looking for jewelry, watches, cash, etc. Cabell reminded everyone to make sure all doors and windows are locked, security video helps as a deterrent. He asked everyone to have a 9:00PM security check lockdown routine every night, checking all your doors. Make sure your car is always locked when it’s parked and as a safety precaution try not to park on dangerous curves in the road or blind hills if at all possible. It is good practice to not leave any valuables in the car and also to give burglars the impression that someone is always home with timer lights etc.
  He ended his report by saying to please report anything suspicious to the FCPD and CWCA Security. 

• Snow Removal: Co-Chair Steve Sunderhauf provided an update. 
  Steve is currently the only Co-Chair of the snow removal committee since Ed McGrady stepped down. Steve and Ed started co-chairing the committee just prior to Snowmaggedon in 2009. That’s a long time! The board thanked Ed McGrady for all his years volunteering in this capacity.
  We may have found a new volunteer to become a Co-Chair, but encourage others to come forward if they would like to assist with this highly valued service. 
  
  The neighborhood had its first snow events in a few years on Jan 15-16 and Jan 19. Snow plowing and sanding for these events took 31 hours and 9 tons of sand.
  Please remember for future snow events:  make every effort to move cars off the street – especially in cul-de-sacs.  Cars on the street mean less pavement can be cleared by the plows.
  For more information about what to expect from the service, see the Snow Removal page. If you need to contact the Snow Co-chair, please email chesterbrookwoods@gmail.com. (Please avoid using the alternate snow email or Twitter account until further notice as they are not currently monitored.) 

• Environmental Committee: Neil Ende reminded us that the Committee has pressed the county to enforce building codes that protect trees on a rebuilt (infill) property – but to little success. However, he did note that some builders are doing a better job of planting trees after building is finished. Neil also reported that the CWCA Environmental Committee was approached to sign a letter drafted by the Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance (FIRA). The letter asks the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to address the critical problem of invasive non-native plant species which are devastating the natural areas of Fairfax County. Neil is forwarding the letter to the CWCA Board for their review. Residents can email cwcaenvironment@gmail.com if they would like to review a copy of the letter. 
  Betty talked about the successful collaboration Chesterbrook Woods had with the McLean Trees Foundation and their new program called Tree Champions. Twenty-eight CWCA households signed up to plant thirty-nine native shade trees under the program. Program leader Steve Lagerfeld is winning an award for this highly successful project that will help replenish the tree canopy we are losing in the neighborhood.  

• Pineapple Patrol:  Bonny Sadler gave the report and asked that everyone please let the patrol know if any neighbors need a welcome bag; the block captains will be reminded to let the patrol know as well. Email bonnycsadler@gmail.com to let her know of anyone just moving in who needs a warm welcome to the neighborhood. 

Announcements  

• Connect McLean Sidewalk Update – Betty Ende provided an update on three projects. Construction on the sidewalk segment on Kirby from Chesterbrook Rd to Mori Street should begin in the spring of 2024 and hopefully will be completed by late 2024.
  For the sidewalk project on Chesterbrook from Maddux to 41st Street, utility relocation is expected to take place fall 2024 – fall 2025. Sidewalk construction is planned for early 2025 with an stimated completion by fall of 2026.
• The Dept of Public Works (DPWES) Little Pimmit Run Tributary at Woodland Terrace Stormwater Project which includes a VDOT pipe replacement is in final design phase and utility relocation is to take place in the fall of 2024 with construction estimated to be completed in the spring of 2026. 

• Leaf Removal from Fairfax Co.  Next fall will be the last season for leaf removal by the county. The final pickup for this season should have taken place on Friday, February 1.

• A reminder:  Yard Waste is NOT picked up between Christmas and the end of February each year. 

• Christmas Tree Removal. If your Christmas tree has not been removed, please contact Fairfax County to schedule a special pickup by calling 703-802-3322 or by filling out this form: https://specialpickup.fairfaxcounty.gov/.       

Meeting adjourned at about 8:20PM.