Q1 2023 HOA ASSESSMENTS WERE DUE 1/1/2023 AND DELINQUENT IF NOT RECEIVED BY 1/10/23
The News in Hidden Springs #165
January 9, 2023
Please remember to adjust any scheduled online auto payments to the new amount per quarter ($502) for the HOA and Sewer Assessments to avoid a late fee and interest. Assessments are due quarterly, 1/1, 4/1, 7/1 and 10/1.
2023 TOWN COUNCIL & MEETING SCHEDULE
Reposting and my apologies to the candidates as there were a couple of typos in the previous election result posts. Results of the election are as follows:
Travis Knutson – 28
Ryan Luke – 125
Dixie Milliken – 115
Nicolle Sansotta – 36
Brad Shafer – 127
Garry Stanislaw – 130
Stephanie Wright – 128
Write-ins – 0
Hidden Springs Town Association, Town Council Meetings are held once a month and open for residents to attend. Meetings start at 7:00pm and will be held on ZOOM until the Town Office restoration is complete. Hidden Springs Sewer Company business will be addressed first and open to both Hidden Springs and Cartwright Ranch. Hidden Springs Town Association business will be addressed second followed by an executive session (if needed). Meetings for the year are currently scheduled for 1/17, 2/21, 3/21, 4/18, 5/23, 6/20, 7/18, 8/22, 9/19, 10/17, 11/9 and 12/5. The Annual Meeting is 12/12. Please check www.hiddensprings.com to confirm meeting dates as they are subject to change to due to volunteer personal and professional commitments.
The Hidden Springs Town Association and Hidden Springs Sewer Company Annual Reports are now available on the community website. The reports include financials, project updates and what’s ahead in 2023. The information provided by the Association to its members is not to be considered public information, and may not be copied or further disseminated in any manner, including online via any website or social media platform. Questions regarding content may be directed to the Town Council (towncouncil@hiddensprings.com) or to the Town Manager (hsta@hiddensprings.com).
TOWN DESIGN REVIEW IMPROVEMENTS & REVIEW DATES
Reminder, ALL proposed exterior improvements (new or changes to existing) to home and landscaping must be reviewed and approved by the Town Design Review Board per the governing documents, Residential Design Guidelines, Section 5.0 and Master Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions 6.1 and 10.47. This is not a new process or procedure and has been a requirement since the governing documents were drafted in 1997.
The Town Design Review Board meets monthly with the next meetings scheduled for 1/24, 2/21 and 3/14. Review dates, checklist and submittal forms can be found on the website and/or emailed upon request.
TOWN DESIGN REVIEW BOARD OPENING
There is currently an opening on the Town Design Review Board for a Landscape Architect. If interested, please contact the Town Manager (hsta@hiddensprings.com).
WILDLIFE IN THE FOOTHILLS
There are natural predators in the foothills, hawks, large owls, badgers, coyotes, cougars and bears. A reminder from Idaho Fish & Game, regarding coyotes. They will begin mating soon and will give birth in late March into late April. Between mid-March to late June, coyote parents become much more territorial while pups are still vulnerable and dependent on them. If you see a coyote during this time frame, the den could be nearby. Exercise a little more caution.
If a coyote shows hostility, like standing its ground with aggressive vocalizations if you try to scare it off at close range, following humans at close range, or charging at humans and/or domestic dogs, please contact IDF&G (208-465 8465). Other helpful tips regarding predators,
- Don’t feed wildlife, including deer, raccoons or other small animals.
- Feed your pets indoors if possible. Pet food left outdoors may attract wildlife.
- Manage garbage to avoid attracting wildlife. Don’t leave garbage out at night, use cans with tight fitting lids.
- Avoid landscaping provides hiding places.
- Close off spaces beneath decks, porches, or sheds that can be used by prey species.
- Keep outdoor animals in a secure pen that includes a wire roof.
- Keep small pets indoors, especially from dusk to dawn.
- Supervise children when they are outdoors.
We can all help protect our native wildlife by paying attention to our pets. Dogs and/or cats are NOT allowed in either of the wetlands or along the Dry Creek trails from March 1st to June 1st. This necessary restriction helps protect the nesting birds and smaller animals that call these areas home. Wildlife is a wonderful amenity to the community and will only remain as long as we put forth the effort to keep them protected.
YEW PLANTS TOXIC TO WILDLIFE, PETS AND HUMANS
In 2017, in light of findings by Idaho Fish and Game and the toxicity risks to elk and deer in the Boise Foothills, the Town Design Review Board determined yew evergreen plants of any variety are no longer included in the approved plant materials list for the Village Plant Palette. Yews were only on the Village Plant Palette and were never approved for Valley or Foothills lots. Idaho Fish and Game is urging homeowners who live in the Boise foothills to remove the plants from their property and take them to a landfill for disposal, as these plants are highly toxic to wildlife, pets, and humans.
WINTER TRAIL USE
Wet weather conditions often mean muddy trails! We encourage residents to make responsible decisions when hiking and biking community trails. It is very easy to find yourself on trails that you shouldn’t be on during the winter. If you are leaving tracks, walking off-trail to avoid mud or finding a lot of “trail” stuck to your shoes, boots or tires, it is too muddy. Please, turn around to save trails from damage, erosion and countless volunteer hours in repair. Current trail conditions are available daily at www.ridgetorivers.org.
SEASONAL WILDLIFE TRAIL CLOSURE
Reminder, Landslide Loop Wildlife Management Seasonal Closure is in effect from 12/1/2022-3/31/2023. Signs are posted and coincide with Avimor for consistency in the region. Thank you for respecting the trail closures. These closures are agreed upon by all the trail and land managers in our area including: HSTA, Avimor, BLM, Ada Co. IDF&G and R2R and will really help wintering wildlife in our area. Honoring the closures will also help our efforts for future trail corridors through important wildlife areas.
Working on your behalf, The Hidden Springs Town Association Town Council and Staff