Spring Trails - November 2021 by Peel, Inc.

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SPRING TRAILS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ISSUE 11

VOL 3

2021 HOA Election Voting Options: Ballots for the 2021 HOA Election were mailed to all homeowners the week of October 18th. If you have not received a ballot please contact Inframark at (281) 870-0585 to request one. 1. Online – Register and vote at https://springtrails.ivotehoa.com/ accountSignup.php. Online voting ends November 16th at 5:00 pm CST. 2. Mail or Email – Complete the ballot mailed to your address and mail it to Spring Trails, c/o Inframark Management Services, 2002 W. Grand Parkway N., Suite 100, Katy, TX 77449 OR email the completed ballot to khara.mathews@inframark.com. 3. In Person – Attend the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Members, November 18th at Cardinal Park and cast your vote in person.

Spring Trails - November 2021

Community Contact Information INFRAMARK (Spring Trails Property Management).................... 281.870.0585 SPRING TRAILS HOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Request Manager through www.springtrails.com CEDRIC CLOUD LEANNE KESSLER ROGER OLSEN JERRY RUESCHHOFF MARK ZIMMERHANZEL ALL EMERGENCIES – 911 NON-EMERGENCY SERVICES Law Enforcement (Sheriff or Constable)...936.760.5800 & press 3 Fire (South Montgomery Fire Department).............. 281.363.3473 EMS (Montgomery County Hospital District).......... 936.523.5000 SCHOOLS Sue Park Broadway Elementary............................. 281.367.4677 Cox Intermediate School....................................... 281.465.3200 York Junior High School....................................... 832.592.8600

November 2nd – MUD 94 Board Meeting November 6th – Community Clean Up (Riley Fuzzel sound wall) November 7th – Daylight Savings Time Ends November 10th – Recycle Pick Up November 12th – Heavy Trash Day November 18th – Annual Meeting of the Members and Election November 24th – Recycle Pick Up November 22-26th – Conroe ISD Holiday December 3rd – Winter Festival December 7th – MUD 94 Board Meeting December 8th – Recycle Pick Up December 10th – Heavy Trash Day December 16th – HOA Board Meeting December 20-31st – Conroe ISD Holiday December 22nd – Recycle Pick Up Find details for these and other upcoming activities on the Spring Trails website Calendar.

Grand Oaks High School...................................... 281.939.0000 Conroe I.S.D. Administration............................... 936.709.7752 MONTGOMERY COUNTY MUD 94 MUD 94/Board of Directors......................... www.mcmud94.com MUD 94 / H2O Innovations (water and sewer)...... 281.355.1312 MUD 94/Republic Services (trash & recycle pickup).713.726.7300 MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Montgomery County............................................ 936.756.0571 Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack................. 936.539.7817 Sheriff Rand Henderson........................................ 936.760.5871 Constable Ryan Gable........................................... 281.364.4211 VISIT THE SPRING TRAILS WEBSITE FOR LINKS TO THESE AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS

Advertising Information PUBLISHER Peel, Inc.............................www.PEELinc.com, 512.263.9181 Advertising.....................................advertising@PEELinc.com

Newsletter Information Please support the advertisers that make Spring Trails newsletter possible. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales office at 512.263.9181 or advertising@ PEELinc.com. The advertising deadline is the 8th of the month prior to the issue. Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

Spring Trails - November 2021

HOA UPDATES A special meeting of the Board of Directors was conducted October 1 for the purpose of approving residential and neighborhood assessment rates for 2022. 2021 Review • Overall 2021 expenses are projected to be slightly less than what was budgeted barring any further unplanned events. • 2021 assessment collections were on target with residential assessment collections at over 95% and neighborhood assessment collections at or near 100%. • In summary, the budget cuts made for 2021 in addition to the minor increase in residential assessments, and the successful and ongoing collections efforts have positioned the Association adequately for the remainder of this year. 2022 Projections • 2022 operational expenses are projected to be slightly higher than 2021 as a result of annual price increases for the major contracts as well as inflation. • The Board acted proactively last year by reducing 2021 discretionary spending and approving a minimal increase for assessments. These additional funds have resulted in a small margin sufficient to absorb minor unplanned expenses while still meeting contractual obligations and reserve contributions. • 2022 fixed expenses for the 3 gated villages are projected to be flat (no increases). Variable expenses (i.e. gate repairs) are expected to be lower due to the new equipment installed in 2020-2021 and a new service partner. 2022 Assessments 2022 assessment rates were approved as follows: Residential (all homeowners) - $720.00 Neighborhood (gated villages): Laurel Brook - $375.00 Sweet Bay Crossing - $300.00 Whispering Oaks $375.00 Annual statements were mailed October 15th. Homeowners can contact Inframark at 281-870-0585 to obtain a copy if needed, to pay assessments, or to request a payment plan.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AT SPRING TRAILS

Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable Ryan Gable presented with a thank you card signed by families of Spring Trails.

Pictured (left to right): Deputy Don Ethredge, Jerry Rueschhoff (HOA board director), Constable Ryan Gable, Roger Olsen and Leanne Kessler (HOA board directors), Sgt. Ken Washington and Deputy Gabe Vasquez. 4

Spring Trails - November 2021

By Cheryl Conley

The most amazing event happens every year at this time. It’s the migration of monarch butterflies. There are two populations of monarchs in the United States. One is the Eastern North American population that migrates to Mexico. The other is the Western North American population that overwinters in California along the Pacific coast near Santa Cruz and San Diego. Migration takes eight to ten weeks and depending on the starting point, some butterflies travel over 3,000 miles. Can you imagine this delicate insect traveling through high winds, rain, hail and heavily traveled roads to reach its destination? The Eastern North American population of monarch butterflies are of special interest to those of us in Texas. The monarchs fly south using several flyaways. When they reach central Texas, they merge into a single flyaway until they reach their overwintering grounds in the Oyamel forests in Central Mexico. The forests provide an almost ideal microclimate with temperatures ranging from 32 degrees to 59 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, in order to stay warm, the butterflies cluster together. It’s not uncommon to have thousands of butterflies in one tree. So how do they know where to go? Scientists believe they use the position of the sun as well as an internal magnetic compass that directs them south towards the equator. As they near their final destination they are able to smell and pickup on social cues to guide them. So what happens when they reach Mexico? They hibernate until February and March. After hibernation, they find a mate, quickly get down to business and then start heading back up north. They stop many times along the way to lay eggs in milkweed plants. After enduring a long migration south, hibernation, traveling north in the spring and laying eggs along the way, this generation of monarchs dies. These butterflies are considered the fourth generation of monarchs per year. The first generation happens between March and April when the eggs from the last generation hatch into caterpillars and then become butterflies. They start their journey north to find food. Their lifespan is 2 to 6 weeks. The second generation is born in May and June and they travel north as well. Their lifespan is 2 to 6 weeks. The third generation is born from July to August and they journey north to their final destination. They lay eggs along the way and those hatched eggs become the final generation of the year. Lifespan is 2 to 6 weeks. The fourth generation is born from September to October. This is the only generation that doesn’t die in 2 to 6 weeks. This is the group that migrates south. This generation always returns to the same trees as the fourth generation before them. No one really understands how they do this. Monarchs are indeed amazing but in recent years, fewer and fewer butterflies have been returning from their migration to Mexico. This is due to habitat loss and extreme weather conditions. Here are some things you can do to help save the Monarchs. • Plant native milkweed. Local nurseries usually stock these plants. • Other plants to purchase are the butterfly bush, cosmos flower, lantana, lilac and zinnia. • Create a Monarch way-station. For more information, check out this link: https://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/ Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

SPRING TRAILS Included in the Association’s trash collection program is what is commonly known as Heavy Trash day. Heavy trash day is the second Friday of every month. On these days residents are encouraged to leave large or bulky items at the curb for pick up. But heavy trash day has limitations. See below for a list of acceptable and unacceptable items. Acceptable *2 appliances or bulky items and 25 bags/bundles of yard waste per month* Appliances Refrigerators (must have Freon drained and be tagged accordingly by a certified technician) Water heaters (must be drained) Live Christmas trees Furniture Grills (must be emptied of ash or briquettes and propane tanks must be removed) Packing peanuts (must be bagged) Yard Waste • Bush or tree trimmings cut in lengths not to exceed 4 feet, no greater than 2 inches in diameter, securely tied in bundles, not to exceed 35 lbs) • Grass clippings, and leaves must be bagged Unacceptable Dead animals Chemical containers over 5 (five) gallons Fluorescent light bulbs Batteries Chemicals/Flammables (gasoline, arsenic, herbicides/insecticides, pool chemicals, anti-freeze, steering fluid, etc.) Home Construction materials (sheetrock/drywall, insulation, wood, fencing, nails, windows, doors, shingles, carpet, tile, varnish, etc.) Ammunition or Explosives Nuclear/radioactive waste Tires Landscaping or Masonry Stone/Concrete Tree trunks Basketball goals Montgomery County offers a variety of waste disposal options. Contact the Residential Recycling Facility at 281-367-7283 to learn more. Contact Republic Service at 713-726-7300 if you have

New to Spring Trails? Welcome! You’ve probably already figured out how unique Spring Trails is. Stay up-to-date on community news by registering with the Spring Trails website at www.springtrails.com. There you can review the Community’s governing documents, preview and RSVP to upcoming community events, contact property management and the Board of Directors, request amenity access, sign up for text and email announcements, read about community initiatives, and much more. Welcome to Spring Trails, The Forest of Possibilities. Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that often goes undetected, often striking victims while they sleep. This "invisible killer" is produced by burning fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, portable generators or furnaces. When the gas builds up in enclosed spaces, people or animals who breathe it can be poisoned. Ventilation does not guarantee safety. Fall and Winter can be a prime time for carbon monoxide poisoning as people turn on their heating systems and warm their cars in garages. So as the weather turns cooler, it is important to take extra precautions. The National Safety Council offers these helpful tips to prevent serious injury: • Install a battery-operated or battery backup carbon monoxide detector in the hallway near each separate sleeping area in your home. Check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall and replace the detector every five years. • Have your furnace, water heater and any other gas burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician. • Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors. • Have your chimney checked and cleaned every year, and make sure your fireplace damper is open before lighting a fire and well after the fire is extinguished. • Never use a gas oven for heating your home. • Never use a generator inside your home or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door or vent. • Never run a car in a garage that is attached to a house, even with the garage door open. Always open the door to a detached garage to let in fresh air when you run a car inside. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning vary depending on the level of carbon monoxide and duration of exposure. Mild symptoms sometimes are mistaken for flu: • Headache • Fatigue • Shortness of breath • Nausea • Dizziness More severe symptoms may present as: • Mental confusion • Vomiting • Loss of muscular coordination • Loss of consciousness • Death If you experience symptoms or suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, immediately go outside and call 9-1-1. Do not re-enter the premises until emergency responders have inspected the home. Spring Trails - November 2021

How Does Your Garden Grow? Returns December 2021

Spring Trails - November 2021

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Spring Trails - November 2021