Happy New Year! - Burke Centre Conservancy
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“Nature and Community in Harmony”
VOLUME 49, NO. 1 THE BURKE CENTRE CONSERVANCY JANUARY 2022
Happy
New Year!
PERMIT NO. 853
“Burkke Bluejjay”
y”
BURKE, VA
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Photo by Tony Umana Photography
PRSRT STD
AROUND BURKE CENTRE
Sadie (pictured Yard Waste
Save the date in the arms of
her sister) was
diagnosed with
Collection Reminder
cancer at age 3
W
months. ith the staffing challenges in the industry
in Fairfax County, the county temporarily
allowed trash companies to collect leaf/
yard waste with the regular trash collection.
Sunday, February 13, 2022 However, due to the volume of Leaf/Yard Waste in
Burke Centre, Patriot has opted to service leaf/yard
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. waste on its originally service day per our contract -
that means, MONDAYS! Patriot asks that yard waste
be placed in a paper bag since the compost facility
Woods Community Center cannot process plastic.
10100 Wards Grove Circle, Burke VA
Additionally, if a resident puts leaf/yard waste out in a
plastic bag, Patriot will pick it up on the next sched-
H
osted by The Friends of Sadie, inspired
by one little girl’s cancer journey, makes uled service day with the trash.
blood donation relevant and accessible to
local Fairfax, VA communities while raising aware- Questions? Please contact the Conservancy for as-
ness and funds for childhood cancer organizations. sistance at 703.978-2928.
For more info, please visit www.facebook.com/
friendsofsadie. To schedule a life-saving blood
donation appointment for this event or another date, Some Burke
please visit www.inovabloodsaves.org.
Centre Volunteer
The gift of life is the gift of hope.
Opportunities
Get the Burke Centrre Mobile App
T
he Board of Trustees is seeking volunteers
at this time to help resurrect some of its
isit the Apple or Google Play Stores from your phone, tablet or other device(s)
inactive committees. If you have an inter-
to download the Burke Centre community app (search “Burke Centre Conser-
est, please reach out to Jeannie at the Conservan-
vancy”), designed specifically for Conservancy members.
cy office (jeannie@burkecentre.org). Thank you!
Conservancy BUSINESS LIAISON COMMITTEE (BLC):
Office is Manages a monthly meeting for local businesses
open to to get together with Conservancy reps to discuss
visitors. issues and promote other initiatives to help sup-
port our local business community.
Masks
required WELCOME COMMITTEE: Offers a fun op-
inside office. portunity to socialize and meet new neighbors. It
is also a great way for members to learn or refresh
Practice their knowledge of community activities, govern-
social ing & architectural review processes and more.
distancing.
Inclement Weather
Collection Info
www.burkecentre.com
R
oads and/or areas which are deemed unsafe due to snow
Date:
or ice will be suspended for trash/recycling/yard waste
collection. Services will resume on the next regularly
scheduled collection day (if road conditions are deemed safe).
Contact the Conservancy at 703-978-2928 or Patriot directly at
703-257-7100 or visit web site at www.patriotdisposalservices.com
for more information. For urgent Conservancy matters, contact
the Emergency line at 1-866-878-2430.
PAGE 2 THE BURKE CENTRE CONSERVATOR JANUARY 2022
CONSERVANCY BUSINESS
BURKE CENTRE CONSERVANCY
“Nature & Community in Harmony”
6060 Burke Centre Parkway
Why not volunteer with the new Christmas Tree
Burke, VA 22015-3702
Office Phone: (703) 978-2928
year - the ARB needs you! Collection
Office Fax: (703) 978-5160
EMAIL: administraƟon@burkecentre.org
Schedule
WEB SITE: www.burkecentre.com
MOBILE APP: Search “Burke Centre
B urke Centre’s Architectural Review Board (ARB) currently has six
volunteers, all of whom are fellow members of the community.
From www.patriotdisposalservices.com
Conservancy” @Google Play & Apple Stores
Conservancy Office Hours
The ARB is responsible for enforcing the community’s Architectural Standards, Monday-Friday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
C
primarily through the review of applications to modify properties. If you are hristmas tree collection will begin Sat. 9 am-Noon (RecepƟon services only)
interested in joining a great volunteer team, the ARB members would love to for all residents the first Monday
speak with you! of January and will run for the Assessment Mailing Address
first 2 weeks of the month. Trees will be Payment Processing Center
collected on your usual yard waste collec- P.O. BOX 105007
Each ARB member is responsible for reviewing applications and submitting
tion day -- MONDAYS. Atlanta, GA 30348
recommendations. Members also attend two meetings a month, a Tuesday and
Thursday of the same week, when they will vote on the applications. The ARB CONSERVANCY VOLUNTEERS
may also review compliance issues (standards violations) of the Covenants and All trees must be placed on the curb with All Board and commiƩee/organizaƟon mem-
all tinsel/decorations removed and trees bers are volunteers; not paid employees of
Architectural Guidelines.
should not be placed in plastics bags. the Conservancy. When you contact these fel-
low residents, please remember that they are
All members are invited to learn more and, if you decide to volunteer, the volunteering their own Ɵme to serve the Burke
staff and current ARB members will help you prepare for two months before Collection of Christmas trees may be Centre community. Thank you!
appointment to a two-year term. If you want to learn more, please contact the impacted by the national labor shortage;
ARB Coordinator at arbapplications@burkecentre.org or 703-978-2928. if a tree is placed curbside for collection BOARD OF TRUSTEES
on yard waste collection day and is not COMMONS: MARC FLASTER, President
Successful ReLeaf Project
picked up, please LEAVE IT OUT at the commonstrustee@burkecentre.org
curb and collection will be completed as LANDINGS: DENIS GULAKOWSKI, VP
soon as possible. landingstrustee@burkecentre.org
Get the
OAKS: STEVEN SHAPIRO
C
raig Willett, Open Space Committee (OSC) rep, has
reported that the recent ReLeaf Project was a great oakstrustee@burkecentre.org
Conservator
success. This latest effort brings us to about 600 PONDS: LEE SCHMIDT, Secretary
native trees and shrubs renewed throughout the Burke Centre pondstrustee@burkecentre.org
Newsletter
community. WOODS: BRENDA TRASK
woodstrustee@burkecentre.org
Online:
Mr. Willett picked up 182 trees and shrubs from Releaf last month and distributed AT-LARGE: JUSTIN DAY
all except twelve. The twelve additional plants are replacements for BCC atlargetrustee1@burkecentre.org
community center plants that have died. The OSC plans to host another project AT-LARGE: MARCI LAWSON, Treasurer
for residences and clusters, starting with notifications in February. Please watch atlargetrustee2@burkecentre.org
O
n the Conservancy’s Web Site:
for the free tree notices in the February Conservator, the BC BUZZ and web site https://burkecentreweb.com/item_
at www.burkecentre.com. list.asp?subcat=29&subtitle=The+ APPEALS BOARD
Burke+Centre+Conservator+Online DAVID CHESTERMAN, Chairman
Help Wanted for Burke Centre On the mobile app: Download for free at
COLEEN CHESTERMAN
JULES RADICE
Traffic & Peedestrian Safety the Google Play and Apple Stores – search GREG SMITH
Committee
for “Burke Centre Conservancy”. Once
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD
downloaded, select News Letters from the CARMEN ALVARADO (Chairman/Ponds)
menu to view current and past editions of LAURA KUNKLE (Landings)
the Burke Centre Conservator.
T
he Burke Centre Board of Trustees is forming a new committee JONATHAN POSEY ΈAt-Large)
to advise them on Traffic and Pedestrian Safety issues. The Board MICHAEL SHUMAKER ΈPondsΉ
Liaison to this committee will be Steven Shapiro, the Oaks Trustee. KAREN DELANEY (Landings)
Trustee Shapiro is a retired Traffic Engineer who led the community ANUP GAUTAM (Woods)
opposition to VDOT’s closing of the Fairfax Parkway intersection with Burke
Centre Parkway.
Virtual ARB Applica on Deadlines:
5 PM on 1/3 for JAN mee ngs
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee is seeking volunteer members
throughout Burke Centre. Committee members will participate in: Community 5 PM on 2/1 for FEB mee ngs
arbapplicaƟons@burkecentre.org
• Identifying problems
• Assessing problem severity Center Tours Conservancy Management Staff
PATRICK GLOYD, ExecuƟve Director
• Identifying alternative solutions (patrick@burkecentre.org)
N
ow you can visit all five Burke
• Persuading the Board to improve what it can change
Centre Community Centers (CC’s) Jeannie Winslow, Director of AdministraƟon
• Lobbying local and state agencies for other improvements (jeannie@burkecentre.org)
from the comfort of your own
computer/phone/laptop! Search for “Burke Darryl Payne, Finance Administrator
Please contact Steve at OaksTrustee@BurkeCentre.org if you are interested in Centre Conservancy” on YouTube to view (darryl@burkecentre.org)
being part of this committee. Please put Traffic Committee in the Subject line. James McCormick, F&R Administrator
and subscribe!
(james@burkecentre.org)
JANUARY 2022 THE BURKE CENTRE CONSERVATOR PAGE 3
c. Appointments: Trustee Lawson made a motion,
BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BOT) seconded by Trustee Schmidt, to appoint Mr.
Anup Gautam of 5776 Walnut Wood Lane as an
Architectural Review Board member for the Woods
T he following summarizes actions made during the December 20, 2021 Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting, held
via Zoom teleconference. Thanks to all who participated in this meeting. Please note that this summary is in
DRAFT format, subject to change, and will not be approved until the next meeting. Please contact Jeannie Win-
slow at the Conservancy office, 703-978-2928 | email: jeannie@burkecentre.org
j @ g, if you have any questions.
Neighborhood. The motion passed with unanimous
consent, 5-0.
d. Proposal for ARB Pilot Inspection Program:
Mr. Gloyd stated that the trustees had asked the
Board of Trustees Meeting 4. RESIDENT INPUT: No input was offered. staff to create a proposal to reinstate scheduled
12/20/2021, 7:30 PM, via Zoom ARB inspections of properties. The memorandum
DRAFT SUMMARY 5. NEW BUSINESS: shows that from the beginning of this year through
a. Woodwalk Condominium Request: Mr. Gloyd November 30th, 2021 there were 342 POAA
reported that Woodwalk, one of the sub condo inspections 1,242 maintenance inspections, and an
1. AGENDA APPROVAL: President Flaster additional 971 vehicle inspections performed. He
associations and also a cluster within Burke Centre,
called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM and made mentioned that through the new proposed system,
has reached out and made a formal request to consider
a motion to approve the agenda as presented. there would be a quarterly review process to look
having the Conservancy take over their day-to-day
The motion was seconded by Vice President at the inspections that have occurred to date to
management. He indicated that this has not ever been
Gulakowski and passed unanimously, 5 yes votes. ensure that at least 20 percent of the community is
done in Burke Centre, and that all other sub associations
are managed professionally by outside companies. The inspected annually.
2. MINUTES APPROVAL: President Flaster
Board has allowed further research into this request to
asked if there were any objections to approving e. Conservator Newsletter Distribution: Mr.
compile all the information they would need to make
the November 2nd, 2021 Working Session minutes Gloyd reminded the Board that Trustee Shapiro
a decision. He has started that process by reaching out
and the November 15th, 2021 BOT meeting. reached out to the WASHINGTON POST in
to Marla Diaz to get a legal read and recommendation.
Hearing none, all minutes were approved by regard to printing and mailing the Conservator.
He will be reporting on this as an information item as
unanimous consent. Since then, Mr. Gloyd has been able to meet
details become available.
with a WP representative and has received an
3. PRESIDENT’S ANNOUNCEMENTS: update with a price proposal for the printing with
b. Woods Trustee Vacancy: President Flaster stated
President Flaster wished everyone, residents different options. However, they are still waiting on
that both interested candidates were invited to the
and staff, a happy Christmas, merry holiday information from their distribution team as to how
meeting to have an opportunity to speak to the Board.
season, and a terrific New Year! President Flaster viable it will be for them to deliver the newsletter
Brenda Trask, a prior Board member, spoke on both her
mentioned that hopefully in the next year we can manually. He anticipates receiving that information
professional background and previous experience as
put the pandemic behind us and celebrate events by the January Working Session.
Woods Trustee. Ms. Trask also mentioned her interest in
as we have done in the past years.
various topics and issues the Board is handling. BOT BRIEFS - continued on page 5...
PAGE 4 THE BURKE CENTRE CONSERVATOR JANUARY 2022
BOT BRIEFS -- continued from page 4...
f. Dissolution of Inactive Committees: Mr. Gloyd
BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BOT)
mentioned a memorandum that was sent to the date will be January 27th, 2022. A copy of this report was sent out to the Board
Board by Ms. Winslow which listed four inactive members which included Facilities & Resources Work
committees: the Strategic Planning Committee, j. Walden Drainage Issue: Mr. Gloyd reported Orders, ARB reports, and a Lake Barton Dredging
the Business Liaison Committee, the Wildlife that he had reached out to Walden to receive a status update. The dredging project is still on schedule to be
Committee, and the Welcome Committee. He update and is awaiting a response. done by the end of December. He stated that the VRE
indicated that in the previous meeting the Board paving project is also moving along well.
decided to seek volunteers specifically for the 6. TREASURER’S REPORT: Mr. Payne,
Business Liaison and Welcome Committees. Finance Administrator, stated that as of 11/30/21, 8. EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Flaster made
President Flaster recommended postponing this item the Conservancy had an operating cash balance of a motion, seconded by Vice President Gulakowski,
until the February meeting to allow the opportunity $1,794,000. There was a net assessments receivable to adjourn into Executive Session at 8:47 PM to
for more residents to come forward. of $133,000. The total assessment income on an conduct a hearing and discuss covenant enforcement
accrual basis was just under $14,121,000.00 which and/or legal issues. The motion passed by unanimous
g. Upcoming BCC Pools Issues: Mr. Gloyd included net fixed assets of $123,000. Through the consent. The regular meeting reconvened at 9:48 PM
received an updated proposal from the pool past 10 months, there was a small net operating loss by unanimous consent.
management company with pricing information that of $909. The total operating equity was $5,043.
will be discussed in Executive Session. He stated that Total assessment income on an accrual basis was Trustee Schmidt made a motion, seconded by Trustee
there was a price increase this year due to various $3,362,000. Community Services income was at Gulakowski, to approve an extension of the Atlantic
reasons including increased costs and inflation. He $96,000 which was $99,000 underbudget. The reason Pools contract for three years with rates as negotiated
also stated that the staff is working on calculating for this was due to three line items: Festival-$60,000 with the Executive Director. The motion passed
the information with potential increased pool rates underbudget; Classes-$38,000 underbudget, and unanimously, 5-0.
to provide at the next Working Session. He then Community Center Rentals-$10,000 underbudget.
discussed potential updates to the Pool Pass system Trustee Lawson made a motion, seconded by Trustee
as proposed by staff. This included increased security Pool income came in at $5,600 over budget. The Gulakowski, to enforce monetary assessments for $10
recommendations. projected amount was $393,000 and the actual was a day, up to 90 days, for properties identified as #’s
$398,000. Other revenue was $38,000 year-to-date 3,4, and 5 from Tab E of the December 2021 Board
Trustee Shapiro made a motion, seconded by Trustee under budget with the line items contributing being packet. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
Gulakowski, to authorize the staff to renew the delinquency interest charges not being assessed
Electronic Pool Pass System with Moko App for throughout the year. Year-to-date revenue was 9. ADJOURNMENT: President Flaster made a
the 2022 Swim Season and to contract for system $3,854,724 which was $138,000 under budget. motion to adjourn at 9:50 PM. The motion was
upgrades not to exceed $870 as described in the Operating expenses for personnel & administrative seconded by Trustee Gulakowski and passed
December 9, 2021 memorandum from Jeannie was $1,547,000, under budget by $81,000. Collection unanimously, 5 yes votes.
Winslow. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0. expenses were at $57,379 which was under budget NEXT MEETING JANUARY 18, 2022
by $13,733. Community services expenses
h. Draft Electronic Meeting Resolution: Trustee were at $45,000 which was $121,000 under
Schmidt made a motion, seconded by Trustee budget. Under Facilities & Resources year-
Gulakowski, to approve Administrative Resolution to-date, there was a positive variance of
No. 1-2021, Virtual Meeting and Electronic Voting $40,000 mainly due to special tree maintenance
Procedure, as presented in the draft prepared by being a $35,000 positive variance, but that
legal counsel. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0. could change by the end of the year. Other
(NOTE: The approved policy is printed elsewhere in expenses included $159,000 over budget due to
this issue.) uncollectable assessments of $91,000.
i. Community Events Update: Ms. Winslow YTD actual expenses were $4,201,000 which
mentioned the upcoming Cluster Orientation stating was $147,000 under budget positive variance.
that due to this event being held virtually for the first
time as well as a need to update the content, the new 7. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
JANUARY 2022 THE BURKE CENTRE CONSERVATOR PAGE 5BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BOT)
time and the energy, volunteering to lead or join our
committees.
Woods Trustee position. I am pleased to report that
THE COMMONS problems that we’ve had with the Postal Service in
distributing the newsletter timely. We’re looking into
Brenda Trask has been appointed to the Woods trustee
position, with Brandon Whiteman’s move away from
either sending the newsletter out first-class (instead Burke Centre. Ms. Trask is a former trustee, and we
MARC FLASTER of bulk mail) or through another distributor. If we go look forward to working with her again.
Board President & Commons with a private company, we may have that organiza-
Trustee tion print the newsletter instead of delivering it. I’m ARB matters. The Conservancy and the BOT are
concerned though about having the Conservator dis- looking at improving our ARB inspection process and
tributed at doorsteps or the curb and have it sit there have developed a plan to establish a program to ensure
H
appy New Year to all Burke Centre residents!
for days if residents are away (as we’ve seen with that every home within the Burke Centre Conservancy
It’s been a tumultuous few weeks since the
other community newspapers in the past that have receives at least one property inspection within a
pandemic’s new variant has arrived, and
hopefully all of you are staying healthy and enjoying
languished outside). five-year program. Roughly, 20% of homes would be
to the extent possible this holiday season. reviewed each year, through a combination of mainte-
In the meantime, I’d like to reiterate that the Conser- nance, POAA and cluster street inspections. I’ve also
vancy posts the monthly Conservator on our web site suggested as a pilot authorizing a homeowner who
Some quick updates on where we stand now on Burke
about the 5th day of the month, so please feel to check plans to move out of Burke Centre and sell their home
Centre issues:
the site. The Conservancy newsletter staff now posts to request an advance inspection prior to the POAA
events for the current month and the following months review so that any deficiencies can be corrected
Electronic Meetings. The Board of Trustees (BOT)
on the back page, and I believe this will be helpful to sooner rather than later.
passed at the December meeting the electronic meet-
residents over the long term.
ing resolution that paves the way for us to continue
the virtual meeting approach that we have been utiliz- 2021 Review. I’d say that the central theme for Burke
Dissolution of Active Committees. We have four Centre this year was our attempting to cope with
ing over the past 21 months. We have made the best
committees on the books that have been inactive for the pandemic and provide services to our residents
use of Zoom to conduct our meetings on a consistent
quite some time and it may no longer make sense to as needed. In many ways, we were successful, with
basis, and hopefully at some point in the future, we
keep them cataloged. But before we de-activate these, the pools opening up and meeting our revenue and
can add real-time meetings to the mix. I would like in
I’ve asked the Conservancy staff to make another enrollment expectations; community centers return-
2022 to bring back the summer BOT meeting/BBQ
shout-out for resident volunteers. I believe that there’s ing to use and churning rental income; the office also
that we enjoyed in 2018 and 2019, as well as the late
a critical need for continuing, at least, the Business Li- opening to residents and staff returning from a full-
year volunteer party, if the pandemic situation allows
aison and Welcome Committees, but if we can’t elicit telework position. As I mentioned earlier, the virtual
us to do so.
community interest and support, we may need to drop meetings seemed to work as best as they could. Some
these from the roster. Please consider, if you have the
Conservator Distribution. I don’t need to re-hash the COMMONS - continued on next page...
PAGE 6 THE BURKE CENTRE CONSERVATOR JANUARY 2022THE LANDINGS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BOT)
last-minute scrambling to fix a problem or a financial
COMMONS -- continued from page 6...
DENIS GULAKOWSKI
Board Vice President & Landings concession to the buyer.
Trustee
Periodic cluster inspections are identified for specific of our stellar community functions, such as the an-
standards, as requested by the cluster, or determined nual Festival and the parties mentioned above had to
G
reetings neighbors!
I hope everyone had a happy New Year’s by the Architectural Review Board (ARB). These once again be postponed. But we improvised, and I
Day and has recovered from the excitement inspections can be scheduled as part of a master plan think the success of the outdoor Boy Scout Day and
of the holiday season. As we begin 2022, I’d like to that enables the staff to inspect all properties over a the October wine garden event augers well for the
recap what happened during the last month, as the predetermined period of time that is manageable. This future and I hope we can continue these as regular
Board of Trustees (BOT) and Conservancy staff ended also ensures the corrections are not necessarily left to occurrences.
a very busy and demanding year. But before I do that the last minute. The staff will be fine tuning the plan
however, ... based on recommendations of the board members. With our biannual elections, several of our trustees
Further details on the items and the schedule will be left the board, and it speaks well of Burke Centre
During our last board meeting, we were privileged published during the year, once the plan is approved. that their replacements have readily stepped up to
and grateful to accept Brenda Trask’s offer of assum- the plate and are doing a fine job in representing the
ing the role of Woods Trustee. She, along with Regina The board also approved the continuation of the community.
Tripoli of New England Woods, volunteered to occupy modified electronic pool pass process for the
the vacant seat left by Brandon Whiteman’s departure upcoming pool season. The modifications were Thanks to the fine work of the Conservancy man-
from Burke Centre. Both volunteers brought much to in response to suggestions from pool members. It agement, staff and our volunteer Budget and Finance
the table, and the board had its work cut out to make has proven to be an efficient and effective method committee, their scrupulous review of Conservancy
the selection. Brenda will serve until the end of the employing modern technology to manage pool finances and expenditures led us to keep the general
term in March of 2023. Our sincerest thanks to both. membership within the Conservancy. It has paid for assessment at the 2021 rate for another year.
itself in reducing administrative costs and staff time,
Additionally, the BOT discussed the staff plan for the and once one becomes accustomed to it, it’s fairly Let’s hope by the end of 2022, we will have gained
reinstatement of ARB cluster inspections. The previ- easy to use. As a note, one of the modifications was firm control of the pandemic, normalized operations
ous board modified the cluster inspection process, in to better structure the announcements of pool closures to the extent possible, and have a successful year
part due to Covid 19 considerations, and suspended and re-openings going to each member. ahead for Burke Centre and our residents.
penalties, which might have caused a financial hard-
ship to homeowners. As a result of changes that took Another issue which has been under discussion and Best regards, Marc
place during 2021, during which we experienced a practiced to varying degrees, also initially in response
certain amount of recovery from the Covid trauma, to the Covid restrictions, was the process for electron-
ic meetings. The general subject was offered to the www.facebook.com/
and after much deliberation and discussion, the board
community as part of the online survey to determine BC.Conservancy
determined it was in the best interest of the Conser-
vancy to resume an inspection program that would residents’ wishes with respect to having meetings Please note that the Conservancy’s FB page is not
ensure the maintenance of Burke Centre’s premier done via a virtual method, as opposed to in-person. monitored on a regular basis.
homeowners’ association status, while not overbur- While the Covid response methodology was
dening the owners. intended as a temporary measure, the board
wanted to know if the community preferred it as
Looking at the big picture, and understanding the ra- an ongoing alternative. After receiving commu-
tionale behind the purpose of architectural standards, nity input and discussing the application of the
it is fairly obvious that an organized method of help- methodology, the board approved Administra-
ing homeowners maintain their property is necessary. tive Resolution No. 1-2021, Virtual Meeting and
There are 5,862 homes in Burke Centre and there are Electronic Voting Procedure, which is consistent
68 Modification Standards in Section E. of the Archi- with HOA meeting requirements as identified in
tectural Standards. It is important to keep in mind that the Virginia POAA, and which you may find on
those 68 standards represent the community’s prefer- the Conservancy web site.
ences regarding members’ properties. The five year
review (known as a quinquennial review, interestingly And before a close, I want to introduce a new
enough) of the standards provides the community a feature - a monthly trivia question for you trivia
regular opportunity to change, add or delete a stan- buffs; the letter of the answer is shown in the
dard. Since the last review was conducted in 2020 and last line of this column.
approved in 2021, those 68 represent the community’s
current preference. Who was the original owner of the land on
which Burke Center now rests?
Meeting the standards is especially important if one is
contemplating selling his or her property. The Virginia A. Silas Burke C. Francis Coffer
Property Owners Association Act (POAA) requires B. Henry Ward D. Thomas Fairfax
an inspection be conducted prior to the conduct of a E. None of these
sale. In the current seller’s market, homes are chang-
ing hands in a matter of days. Therefore it is incum- In closing, let me just say, make sure “you start
bent upon the selling owner to evaluate the property the year off fine” as directed by Neil Sedaka in
and ensure that it meets the homeowners’ associa- his 1960 hit Calendar Girl; the trivia answer is
tion (HOA) standards. Failure to do so may result in the 4th letter of the alphabet.
JANUARY 2022 THE BURKE CENTRE CONSERVATOR PAGE 7BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BOT)
Homeowners like you. It is charged with preserv-
ing the exterior appearance of Burke Centre and
the value of its properties. This is accomplished by
asking owners to submit applications for all exterior
THE OAKS
The first home I owned in Virginia was in the Town modifications within Burke Centre to ensure compli-
of Vienna. It’s a nice old Town with a lot of tradition. ance with the Architectural Standards adopted by the
Two blocks away from my house someone was raising BOT. The Conservancy also has a small paid staff of
chickens in their front yard and my wife and I often inspectors to identify modifications that violate the
STEVEN SHAPIRO joked about being glad we hadn’t bought the house next
Oaks Trustee Architectural Standards. If a violation is identified,
door to him. As far as I know no one in Burke Centre the property owner is expected to correct it ASAP.
is raising chickens in their front yard. The ARB rules There’s an appeal process if a resident feels their
prohibit it, and (after several warning letters) the Con-
A
t a recent Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting, request was reasonable, did not violate the Standards
Brandon Whiteman, a BOT member who servancy would institute legal action against an owner and should have been approved. Financial charges
recently resigned, cited a series of problems that didn’t respond and get rid of them. can be imposed by the Board of Trustees if repeated
he experienced with the ARB rules when selling his ARB requests to correct the violation are ignored.
home. It is unfortunate that he ended his Burke Centre By prohibiting chickens, and requiring that people
experience on a sour note, especially since it was not abide by the Architectural Standards to keep their prop- If you haven’t filed an ARB Application recently, I
his fault. Brandon got caught in an ARB technicality erty looking good, the ARB IS PROTECTING YOUR recommend you: 1) Go to the Burke Centre web site;
which requires that his new buyer remedy a violation PROPERTY VALUES! It’s easy to forget this or take 2) Click on the first “Quick Link” on the left side of
of the Architectural Standards that was very old, but it for granted, but it shouldn’t be. Several of the Clus- the page to get the Application Form, and 3) Click on
that was not identified when Brandon bought his home ters in the Oaks have a property where the owner just the third “Quick Link” to get to the current Archi-
many years ago. doesn’t care about the exterior appearance. tectural Standards. Section E contains the details for
major exterior features.
If you have lived in Burke Centre for a few years, you The landscaping has run wild, the backyard, (visible
may have run afoul of the ARB rules at one time or from a trail behind the house) has a ramshackle shed The 2021 revisions to the Architectural Standards up-
another. You may have even had an item come up for and rusted, broken or discarded equipment. Besides dated the text for several items. For example, the sec-
discussion at an ARB meeting, argued with the rules, being an eyesore, when one of the neighbors is trying tion on Trees (E.62) now allows trees to be removed
and disagreed with the outcome. (I know I have.) to sell their home, that neighbor will often mow the without prior approval if they are within fifteen (15)
It’s easy for people to feel that the ARB is their overgrown lawn so that buyers aren’t scared away. It’s feet of the foundation of the house. (Other restric-
adversary if they believe that they have been unfairly a major problem that can affect the entire cluster when tions still apply, so read the full text of this section if
singled out by an ARB inspection, or had an applica- the offender is storing junk vehicles in plain sight or is you’re planning to take one down.)
tion rejected by the ARB. This isn’t the case, the ARB using his front yard as a materials and equipment stor-
is just trying to make sure that you, and everyone else, age area for months on end. If you are making plans to move out of Burke
abide by Burke Centre’s Architectural Standards.
The Architectural Review Board (ARB) is made up of OAKS - continued on next page...
PAGE 8 THE BURKE CENTRE CONSERVATOR JANUARY 2022THE PONDS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BOT)
LEE SCHMIDT accommodate this situation.
Upcoming Conservancy
Holiday Closings
Ponds Trustee
OAKS -- continued from page 8... • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 1/17/2022
A
s we enter a New Year, I hope and trust that the • President’s Day 2/21/2022
recent holidays went well for you and that you Centre, I recommend you ask the Conservancy for
are well and healthy for the coming year - 2022!
Wishing you the best in all ways during 2022!
a “Courtesy Inspection” to identify issues that may
become known when you sell your home. The Vir- R egularly scheduled trash/recycling collection
will be in effect during these holidays.
ginia Property Owners Association Act requires that
ARB staff field visits: There are four major reasons for sellers make potential buyers aware of many things,
the staff to visit Burke Centre Conservancy (BCC) own- including our Architectural Standards. A Courtesy
ers’ property: (1) the property is about to be sold, thus Inspection will inform you of any violations of these
requiring issuance of a POAA disclosure; (2) an owner’s Architectural Standards and give you an opportunity
request for alteration of some element of their property; to correct them before the house is on the market.
(3) to confirm correction of reported violations of the
BCC (ARB) Standards; or (4) for systematic examina-
The ARB is not your enemy, it’s protecting the value
tion of a cluster for any violation of the Standards. This
of your property.
latter program (for review of each property every seven
years) was paused in 2019. BCC staff is developing a new
Do the right thing, submit an ARB Application
way of making visits to BCC owners’ property to ensure
when you think it might be required. Speak
upkeep of value.
up when your neighbors are disrespecting you
through actions that affect your property values.
The proposed intention is to view each property at least
once in five years. That would require visiting about 1170 Care about your community. If you have a new
different properties each year. When ARB personnel visit neighbor that has asked a few questions about the
a property for any of the above reasons, they would look process help them with their ARB application.
around at adjacent properties noting any Standards viola-
tions and reporting them to that owner. As the activity Consider volunteering to be the ARB reviewer
record for 2021 was reviewed, it was noted that about 963 for your Cluster if you have been through the
visits to different BCC owners’ property were made by ARB process several times or by joining the
ARB staff in 2021. The delta of 207 for 2021 would, of Architectural Review Board yourself!
course, be different in other years because of the vari-
ability of the number of maintenance inspections and Happy New Year, Everyone!
POAA documents required in any year. That is why the
proposal includes quarterly reviews of progress towards
the annual inspection requirement. The quarterly reviews
will also balance future field visits among neighborhoods Lake Barton
and cluster streets. Cluster streets is a new data element
for accumulating data to show balanced application of the
program. A cluster street is envisioned as a group of prop-
Dredging Update
C
erties on a particular cluster’s street; these would need to ounty contractors began work dewatering the
be pre-defined. lake in October 2020. There was a change in the
original contract for total dredge material to be
FYI, a POAA disclosure is required by the Property Own- removed. The total quantity of material was increased
ers Association Act, and includes a listing of Standards’ from the base bid of 12,580 CY to approximately 19,140
violations which have not been properly corrected (ref: CY due to increases in sediment deposition following
Standards Part O). I am in favor of some form of periodic the original design survey. This change also resulted in
examination of BCC properties; so, I hope to hear some an extension of the contractor’s overall schedule from a
comments from you which will improve this proposal’s projected substantial completion in late October to early
methodology and application. December.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS): With rising According to the county’s contact on this project, “The
interest in purchase of electric vehicles for climate-saving contractor is buttoning up the work in the lake this
and economy reasons, there is a parallel interest in having week [end of December 2021]. As-built survey is be-
a nearby EV charging station. The level of both Federal ing planned for next week and substantial completion
and Fairfax County interest in providing publicly acces- inspection is scheduled for the end of the month. Site
sible EVCS has increased recently; thus, Burke Centre restoration activities (staging area I access restoration
Conservancy (BCC) should develop a Policy and a Stan- and fence removal) and any punch list work are antici-
dard for EVCS. This is of prime concern to those clusters pated to occur beyond the substantial completion date.
where their homes have neither a driveway nor a garage! Shoreline plantings will also be completed this spring.”
BCC staff is providing at our January meeting, a briefing Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it appears as
on the legal/covenants restrictions and other consider- though we may see water back in the lake by early in the
ations of this subject so we can determine how we can new year.”
JANUARY 2022 THE BURKE CENTRE CONSERVATOR PAGE 9 Streets where other types of inspections have
BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BOT) been lacking in the review period;
Streets in need of attention based on
BURKE CENTRE
Regarding enhancements to the pool pass system, observation and/or amount of time since last
during the last pool season, the Conservancy issued inspection; and
AT-LARGE
electronic pool passes for the first time. As you Ensuring that a minimum of one to two
may recall, the electronic passes are maintained streets from each of the five neighborhoods is
on a closed web-based system where the pool pass inspected annually
MARCI LAWSON holder must only provide the pass holder’s name
Board Treasurer & Trustee At-Large to the pool clerk (who verifies the name against The BOT has been discussing re-starting some form
a photo) to access to the pool. During last pool of inspection program for a number of reasons. One
season, the Conservancy became aware that there reason is to maintain the property values of all Con-
G
reetings, neighbors! Happy New Year! I hope servancy members. Like most homeowner’s associa-
was a security issue that should be addressed. One
each of you is well and that you enjoyed the tions, one goal of Burke Centre is to maintain owners’
of the new enhancements will add a family PIN
December holidays. property values through the enforcement of architec-
that will help prevent a non-pool member from
improperly using a pool member’s pass. tural standards. Another reason is to ensure that own-
I would like to relay some information from the ers are aware of architectural (ARB) violations long
December 2021 Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting. before he (or she) sells a home. As you may know, the
Regarding re-starting the ARB inspection program,
At that meeting, the BOT took action on three pre-sale ARB inspections are legally required to be
the BOT considered a pilot program which would
notable items: (1) appointing a new Woods trustee; very thorough. After a pre-sale inspection, the owner
allow Conservancy staff to commence ARB
(2) approving enhancements to the electronic pool must either correct any violations or ensure that the
inspections on a limited trial basis. The previous
pass system; and (3) discussing re-starting the ARB buyer agrees to be legally responsible for any unre-
cluster-wide inspection program was paused in
inspection program. solved violations. Regardless of the party (seller or
2020 due to community complaints to the BOT as
well as the state of emergency caused by the global buyer) who corrects the violations, they can be costly.
Regarding the new Woods trustee, because the previous Re-starting inspections could help to alleviate surprise
pandemic. This pilot program is being considered
Woods trustee, Brandon Whiteman, recently resigned issues and costs prior to selling your house.
in response to community requests and BOT
and moved out of Burke Centre, there was a vacancy.
interest in possibly re-starting a revised version of
The Conservancy solicited applications for the position; That’s all I have to report for this month. If you would
the regular inspection program. The pilot inspection
then the BOT voted to appoint Brenda Trask as the new like to provide comments on the contents of this
program would not ordinarily include cluster-wide
Woods trustee. Brenda will serve the remainder of the article or on any other Burke Centre topic, please feel
inspections (unless the cluster voted to approve it).
current BOT term (until March of 2023). Welcome, free to email me at atlargetrustee2@burkecentre.org.
Rather, the inspections would focus on:
Brenda!
Board Working Session Draft Summary
12/7/2021, 7:30 PM, via Zoom (*Approval of this draft pending next Board meeting.)
Gloyd recommended to have staff reach out to
I.
CALL TO ORDER: President Flaster Kevin Morse spoke on behalf of Woodwalk Condominium
called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Association, stating that the financial side the management the interested residents to have them attend the
The agenda was approved with unanimous would stay with their current management company, FirstService December 20th BOT meeting. From there the
Board consent. President Flaster made a motion, Board can make a decision on the appointment
Residential (FSR), for services such as billing, collection of
seconded by Vice President Gulakowski, to excuse upon further discussion in Executive Session.
assessments, and producing delinquent reports. Mr. Morse
Trustee Lawson. The motion passed unanimously. stated that FirstService residential has been failing to provide
V. TENNIS COURT TASK FORCE
onsite management and they feel for the long-term it would
II. RESIDENT INPUT: No input was offered. (TCTF) UPDATE: Trustee Shapiro
be beneficial to the community to have property management
mentioned that the TCTF is making very
staff available by the Conservancy, right down the road for
III. WOODWALK CONDOMINIUM good progress and has since divided into sub-
emergencies and to get a response for professional help. Mr.
REQUEST: Mr. Gloyd stated that Woodwalk committees. Trustee Shapiro stated that they
Morse stated that he had previously given Mr. Gloyd numbers
Condominium has approached the Conservancy are pursuing rewriting the tennis rules and
over the past 10.5 months that show approximately 183 resident
with an idea to have the Conservancy assume investigating electronic systems for reserving
calls to FSR, 10 emails, and 32 work orders. Michael Walsh then
management of the condominium, at least courts. He also reported that the group has
spoke on behalf of Woodwalk stating that he believes it would
partially. They are interested in keeping the lost a few members, particularly from the
be very beneficial to have someone managing the property from
financial management internal. In order to flush pickleball side, and he is looking to replace
a closer proximity and that is familiar with the construction and
out all of the issues associated with the possibility those members to keep the group balanced.
layout.
of assuming one of our sub associations as a Trustee Shapiro mentioned that one of the
management client there has to be quite a bit of potential members is Gary Hill from the
After a brief discussion, the Board authorized by unanimous
research. He stated that he had started, but in order pickleball association. After a brief discussion,
consent Mr. Gloyd to do additional research and to then report
Trustee Shapiro made a motion, seconded by
to pursue it further it would require more devoted back to the Board with his findings and recommendations.
time and potential Conservancy resources such Trustee Schmidt, to appoint Gary Hill to the
as legal counsel to get the information needed for Tennis Court Task Force.
IV. WOOD TRUSTEE VACANCY: Mr. Gloyd stated that,
trustees to make a decision. He indicated that he as the Board is aware, there is a current vacancy for the Woods
has had a couple meetings with representatives VI. CONSERVATOR NEWSLETTER
Trustee position. He indicated that a notice was put out to the
from Woodwalk and is currently looking for DISTRIBUTION: Mr. Gloyd reminded the
community for residents to submit a letter of interest as well as
direction from the Board to allow him to continue Board that Trustee Shapiro had reached out
a brief biography. To date there have been two letters of interest
his research and expend the resources necessary to to THE WASHINGTON POST in regard
received, and they have been forwarded to the Board. The
get the information needed for a decision. interested residents are Brenda Trask and Regina Tripoli. Mr. WORK SESSION -- continued on next page
PAGE 10 THE BURKE CENTRE CONSERVATOR JANUARY 2022You can also read
