HSTA Newsletter #181

HSTA STAFF UPDATE

Shelia Southern, our new Town Manager, is doing a fantastic job building relationships with our business partners and connecting with residents as they cross paths. She just barely crossed over her first 30 days in role and is in fact, surpassing all the initial 30-day expectations. With her previous years of experience in Property Management her skills to learn quickly, problem solving in the moment and asking for support or guidance, when necessary, has been incredible. Thank you so much to all those that attended the “Open House” to meet Shelia and introduce yourselves. A little over 50 community members enjoyed snacks, live music and an introduction welcoming Shelia, the Hidden Springs way!

Lisa Ahrens continues to be missed, and we are grateful for everything she put in motion to keep the community thriving. We hope she is enjoying some very much deserved down time from many years of being on call for the community! The Town Council offered a few date suggestions for a proper good-bye and Lisa, respectfully declined. We wish her all the best!

Pam Peters served the community for almost 3 years, and we appreciate all her contributions. Due to a focus on efficiency and management of community resources, the office positions have been consolidated. The position of Assistant Town Manager as well as the position of the Town Coordinator have been eliminated. Pam was a valuable member of the team, and we encourage you to greet her when you see her, as she remains a valued part of the neighborhood.

We are pleased to announce that after 42 applications for an Office Administrator, 16 were shortlisted, 11 were phone interviewed and 4 moved on to schedule in person interviews! We were so fortunate to have so many candidates to choose from. With that being said, an ideal candidate has been identified and an offer has been extended. Once the logistics are negotiated, we will make sure to introduce the candidate to the community.

NEW SEASON, NEW HOURS

To better support the community by creating consistency and availability, as of November 1st, the office hours will be Monday-Wednesday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and Fridays by appointment only.

LEAF PICK UP

As the trees in the community mature, leaf clean-up has become quite a weekend chore! Back by popular demand, the Association has partnered with Hopkins Evergreens to offer leaf pick up this fall (weather permitting). Dates and a pick-up schedule will be shared with the community as soon as Hopkins identifies the best time (weather permitting). It is imperative that NO BRANCHES be left amid the leaves ready for pick-up. If branches are discovered in your piles, Hopkins has been given permission to skip your home entirely due to the major expense to fix equipment and major delay it causes their team. Timing for this project is a challenge as the leaves fall the colder it gets and the colder it gets the more likely it is for rain, snow and ice. Hopkins Evergreens will use their skill set to “time the weather.” Their goal is to pick up as many leaves as possible, in conjunction with not missing the window to do it all together. PLEASE SEE BELOW.

SPECIAL THANKS!

Jeff Davis and family hosted an incredible Apple Press event in The Orchard this year. If you missed out, don’t worry you might get a shot next year. Thank you, Davis Family, for putting on such an incredible event that was open to the entire community. We’re so thankful for all you do!

Chuck Vertrees and Eddy Petranek have built a beautiful new stable bridge that will carry many bikes, feet and paws for years to come. Thank you, guys, for all of your volunteer hours and specifically to the all season trail and bridge you built for all!

Siroos Safaii and Ken Quarterman you have kept eyes out on the pool this summer and let the office know if something wasn’t right in case it wasn’t yet on our radar. Thank you so much for going above and beyond, with genuine intent to be helpful! Your messages reaching out to share some information are always so kind. Thank you!

All farm volunteers, another successful season has wrapped up. Thank you to everyone that gave their time to prepare, nurture and harvest the crops this year. With every year new things are learned, adjustments are made, and we improve. We appreciate those that came to the u-pick nights to show your support and share in the fruits of their labor! 

LEAF PICK UP

HOPKINS EVERGREENS VACUUM TRUCK

Continuing this year, the Town Association, in partnership with Hopkins Evergreens will be offering the Fall leaf pick up, Friday November 1^st through Monday November 4^th.

Hopkins is not doing every street, every day. More details will follow including a color-coded map with streets and corresponding pick-up date.  The dates (Nov 1st-4th) were selected to allow for maximum leaf drop and help residents remove as many leaves as possible prior to the winter weather. Once Hopkins has removed the leaves from your street, they will not be returning, please adjust accordingly to their schedule and map provided.

Residents can blow and/or rake their leaves to the street/parkway strip (the grass between sidewalk and street), as close to the curb as possible for pick up by the Hopkins Evergreens vacuum truck. This will not get rid of ALL your leaves but will help a lot of residents tackle this hefty chore!

ONLY pile leaves for the vacuum truck. Branches and larger debris will break the fan in the vacuum. If your piles include anything other than leaves, they will NOT be picked up.

On Street parking directly impacts the crew’s ability to pick up leaves. The crews will skip any section blocked by cars parked on the street. Please, park in your driveway, garage or on an already cleared street to allow​for maximum leaf pick up!

More details are included on the color-coded map, with sections corresponding to leaf vacuum dates. Hopkins is not doing every street every day! Find your street, note the color, note the day your leaves need to be ready to go by 9:00 am!

HARDIN SANITATION FALL LEAF RECYCLING

During the first 4 weeks of November (ONLY), Hardin Sanitation will pick up bagged leaves on regularly scheduled collection days.  Please set out your leaves in Kraft paper bags. Visit https://www.hardinsanitation.com/ada/residential/ for more information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO NOTE

Also please take a little extra time when raking your leaves to clean out the gutter in front of your home as well. Leaves left in the gutter will eventually wash down and clog up the storm drains leading to pooling water and eventually patches of ice on the roadway! Encourage your neighbors to do the same or help them out if they are out of town or disabled.

The community farm is NOT accepting leaves. Leaves picked up by Hopkins will be taken to the Ada County landfill.