Fall 2017 PGE POA Newsletter

Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association

Neighborhood News

Fall 2017

Working Together for a GREAT Neighborhood

President’s Message – Guy Karm Thanks to Lauri Mitchell for all of her hard work and efforts in welcoming all of our new neighbors and making them a part of the neighborhood. If I remember correctly, there have been more than thirty home sales in Plum Grove Estates since Lauri has been welcoming the new residents. She has been a busy Board member.

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With the change in the weather I think that it is safe to say that another summer has passed, but it was a great summer in Plum Grove Estates.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dave Knowling for his hard work in the area control department.

Dave took over last year from Rich Olsen, who resigned in anticipation of moving. Dave also ran for Rich’s vacancy on the Board of Directors and was elected. So, Dave will be in that position for another three years.

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We also have a new Chair Person of the Social CommiKee, Sue Knowling. Lynn Meinzer will now be limiting her hard work to the Landscape CommiKee. Thank you, Lynn, for all of your past hard work in the social area and I am sure that you will help Sue transition into her new position.

With respect to landscaping, how about those entranceways and islands! The Preservation and Beautification CommiKee has been working on their three-year plan to make improvements in the neighborhood with a focus on the main gates, the main

islands and the smaller common islands. Thank you all for your continued effort and a job well done.

The holiday season is just around the corner and I can’t wait to see the holiday lighting at the main entranceways. We have added many additional lights at the Algonquin Road and Westwood entrance so that it will be spectacular this year.

Speaking of the holiday season, don’t forget to RSVP if you plan to aKend the Holiday Party this D e c e m b e r . Yo u r R S V P s determine the food order. So, if you RSVP that you will be there and then do not come, there will be extra food for which we are required to pay. If you do not RSVP and then just show up, there will not be enough food.

I would also like to thank Aaron B. Del Mar, the Palatine Township Highway Commissioner, for his informative presentation at Continued on page 2…

Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association ! P.O. Box 2568 ! Palatine, IL 60078-2568 ! www.pgepoa.org

…President’s Message continued.

our October General Meeting regarding the Palatine Township Road District services to our neighborhood.

Finally, we held the annual election for Officers and Directors for 2018 at the October General Meeting and I am happy to report that there will be no changes in Board positions for next year.

As your President, I would like to thank all of the Board members: Gary Dindia, Past President; Dave Freeman, Vice-President; Amy Pritchard, Treasurer; Susan McDonald, Secretary; and, Lynn Meinzer, George Reichl, Steve Sperling, Lauri Mitchell, Dave Knowling and Rich Coha. All of these neighbors spend a tremendous amount of time working for you, without any compensation. It is truly a pleasure to work with all of them and their effort and hard work makes Plum Grove Estates a wonderful place to live.

Purple Loose Strife enemies — but a determined home owner can be their worst nightmare!

In closing, I hope to see all of you at the Holiday Party in December.

- Guy Karm, President PGEPOA

Community News Are bullies lurking in your yard?

Invasive plants are the horticultural equivalent of Godzilla: monsters that force their way into our yards and green spaces at the expense of less aggressive plants that rightfully belong here. What’s more, when plants such as buckthorn and garlic mustard overpower native flora and fauna, they are robbing our birds, bees and butterflies of important sources of food, breeding grounds and shelter.

These invasive species don’t have natural -2 ! -

Buckthorn Learn how to identify these horticultural horrors, and provide ways to kick them out of your yard and straight into your lawn and leaf bags: Chicago Botanic Garden: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/ common_invasive_plants Illinois Department of Natural Resources: https://www.invasive.org/illinois/ SpeciesofConcern.html

Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association ! P.O. Box 2568 ! Palatine, IL 60078-2568 ! www.pgepoa.org

2017 Kick Off to Summer Party (See all the photos on the PGE website.)

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Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association ! P.O. Box 2568 ! Palatine, IL 60078-2568 ! www.pgepoa.org

2017 Kick Off to Summer Party (See all the photos on the PGE webs

Photos by Renee Coha -4 ! -

Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association ! P.O. Box 2568 ! Palatine, IL 60078-2568 ! www.pgepoa.org

Board Member Reports

Jim and Deborah Melton 275 North Elmwood Lane

Membership - Lauri Mitchell

Bruce and Sophia Mueller 312 Longacres Lane

We have added 39 newcomers’ homes to Plum Grove Estates since I became membership director in 2016. It is my responsibility to meet with each new homeowner and review the covenants, explain the benefits of association dues, provide them with a directory and give them a gift from the Board.

In addition to new homeowners, we added 34 c hi ldre n unde r t he age of 16 t o our neighborhood! Many newcomers with children mention our highly rated school system as one of their main reasons for purchase in our neighborhood.

The other reason I hear most often is the overall upkeep and beauty of our neighborhood.

We hope to see many newcomer families at our Holiday dinner party on December 3 at the Clubhouse. The social committee has been working diligently to plan this annual event, which is free to all members in good standing with their dues.

Please take the time to warmly welcome the following recent newcomers to Plum Grove Estates if they are your neighbors!

Kaataryna Chmielewski 258 North Brookdale Lane

Peter and Ann Smaga, Annabelle (3), Alexander (19 months) 328 South Circle Drive Robert Stankiewicz 397 Knollwood Court Vasilov Rosen 271 Longacres Lane Tim and Susie Zells, Zander (11) 2311 South Circle Drive

2017-2018 PGEPOA Officers and Directors President Vice President and Architectural Control Secretary Treasurer Area Control Civic Affairs Membership Communications Landscaping Audit Past President

Guy Karm Dave Freeman Susan McDonald Amy Pritchard Dave Knowling Steve Sperling Lauri Mitchell Rich Coha Lynn Meinzer George Reichl Gary Dindia

Social Chariperson

Sue Knowling

Paul and Margaret Dynak 2326 South Circle Drive Andrew Funke, Hunter (9), Brody (7) 256 South Brookdale Lane Alejandro and Kati Gaada 251 Park Drive

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Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association ! P.O. Box 2568 ! Palatine, IL 60078-2568 ! www.pgepoa.org

Architectural Control– Dave Freeman The new home on 343 Elmwood has been in discussion for 7 months. We met with the owner prior to his purchase to cover the covenants. After his purchase he presented preliminary design drawings which were reviewed, and subject to final stamped drawings given approval. He has worked with Township and County during the process and we have stamped drawings on file; if you would like to review please contact David Freeman. It will be a beautiful home and addition to our neighborhood.

315 Park had requested approval for an addition to their home. We met with them and followed the same procedure as with the home on Elmwood; they were approved in the spring and work has commenced nearly its completion.

2035 Crestwood asked for approval for roof and soffit as well as exterior landscape improvements over the $1,000 covenant requirement. Approved

305 Woodland Court requested approval for landscape and driveway improvements over the $1,000 requirement. Approved

312 Longacres requested roof and landscape improvements; these were reviewed. Approved

295 Briarwood and 302 Longacres have a pond in rear of the their property, which posed a potential environmental concern with the County. We worked with homeowners and pond engineers to address this concern and have successfully developed a remediation plan to address the pond and at the same time maintain the health and beauty of the pond.

342 Meadow Court. Approval was requested for paver brick patio and space for a designed fire pit; plans and site were reviewed and project was approved.

Area Control – Dave Knowling All entrance and bridge lights are now repaired and working properly. The post lamps at the We s t B r i a r w o o d e n t ra n c e h a d b e e n malfunctioning and were repaired under warranty by the installer. We had a period where lights were being vandalized over the summer, with a post lamp and entrance light destroyed. Glass was broken on lights at the bridge as well. Most of the vandalism occurred near the Briarwood bridge, but two street lamps were damaged on Rolling Meadows property at the former pool parking lot. The same group that caused our damage was also ringing doorbells on those nights. At the time, the concept of a neighborhood watch was briefly discussed and maybe this could be pursued further in the future. The police were contacted repeatedly, and they reminded us to call 911 if we see anything of concern in our neighborhood.

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Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association ! P.O. Box 2568 ! Palatine, IL 60078-2568 ! www.pgepoa.org

With construction ongoing at 391 Knollwood Court, a box truck was left parked in the driveway.

Work has been held up on the property due to permit issues. After contacting the owner, it was moved off the driveway to the rear of the property.

Our Cook County inspector will now contact the owner about this, though construction equipment is allowed on the property while building permits are valid.

The inspector also said that the wood chip piles at the rear of the property are not in violation of any code.

The unmowed field at 319 Briarwood is a vacant lot owned by someone who does not live in Plum Grove Estates. Palatine Township has been contacted to mow it as they have sometimes done in the past.

In Cook County, trailers of any kind may only be parked on residential lots on a temporary basis. We would prefer not to call the police for enforcement of this Cook County code, so we appreciate your cooperation.

Civic Affairs – Steve Sperling Open Burning in PGE: Part of autumn that many in the Midwest have come to reminisce about is the smell of burning leaves broadcasting through the countryside.

However, burning leaves and other landscape materials may be regulated through local municipalities, as written by the Illinois Environmental Protection agency “It depends on the local laws and ordinances as units of local governments have the authority to impose limitations on burning landscape waste including limiting the hours when such burning may occur, types of material allowed, as well as a total ban of open burning (e.g., leaf-burning ban). There is no state law or regulatory ban on leaf burning, however, local laws and ordinances g o v e r n .” P l e a s e s e e t h e i r w e b s i t e a t epa.illinois.gov/topics/forms/air-permits/openburning/index for further information.

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In the UNINCORPORATED AREAS within Palatine Township please follow the following Cook County chart to verify allowance, It can be found at https://www.cookcountyil.gov/file/739/ download?token=Tk1ly3Pe Burning in unincorporated Cook County is not allowed without a permit.

IT IS ONLY ALLOW UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1) The burn is on the premises on which such waste was generated, and 2) When atmospheric conditions will readily dissipate contaminates, and 3) If such burning does not create a visibility hazard on roadways, railroad tracks, or airfields, and 4) Open burning is not allowed in a municipality that has an ordinance that prohibits it, and is not allowed in unincorporated areas within 1,000 feet of a prohibiting municipality.

PERMIT: CCDEC requires an open burning permit for the burning of all types of landscape waste except leaves.

Send all applications to: Cook County Department of Environmental Control 69 W. Washington, Suite 1900 Chicago, IL 60602

Landscape – Lynn Meinzer The growing season of 2017 is ending. A few weeks of planting and cleanup left and then the dormant season begins – regular as clockwork!

The Plum Grove Estates (PGE)’s common areas: three exterior entrances and three interior entrances; the islands of roads and courts; plus certain grassy areas, are maintained by the landscape company the PGE Property Owners Association hires. M&B Landscaping of Palatine, our new landscaper this year, has kept the PGE common property in great shape and planted colorful begonias in May and mums in October.

PGE has been looking good!

Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association ! P.O. Box 2568 ! Palatine, IL 60078-2568 ! www.pgepoa.org

In addition, the efforts of the PGE Preservation & Beautification Committee (PBC), have worked to present an improved Briarwood/Meadow/ Knollwood island this year with new plants and sod, and rock elements. This is the first beautified PGE island. Others are being planned for next year and beyond.

neighbors, who in turn will find volunteering to be very rewarding!

Additionally, the efforts of the landscaper and the PBC are assisted often by the Palatine Township Road District under the supervision of Roland Sachs and township personnel. Plum Grove Estates is fortunate to have these groups working to maintain the landscape of PGE for the homeowners and the neighborhood. I have, and continue to enjoy working with all of these groups too!

Knowling

Enjoy Winter – Look forward to Spring!

Social Committee Report

Best regards, Lynn Meinzer

Social Committee Update from Susan

2017 Holiday Party Please join us at the Plum Grove Club on Sunday, Dec. 3, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., for our annual Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association Holiday Party and Fundraiser.

Drinks and dinner will be served.

This party is by reservation only as there is limited seating.

– Lynn

Meinzer, out-going Chairperson Sixteen Parties – Eight Kick-Off and Eight Holiday – and they were good times, getting from the planning - to the shopping - to the happening! Many to thank for making them enjoyable and special for Plum Grove Estates neighbors, and I would like to recognize them!

Thanks to Debbie Denten for her creative themes and invitations; to forever memorable Maria Pappas (who has moved) for her high energy; to Susan McDonald, who helped anywhere and ‘super shopped’; to Sue Dindia, accurate recorder of RSVPs; and to Mary Crook the funds handler! Currently, thanks to Lauri Mitchell for fun activities, Amy Pritchard for keeping our bills paid and Terri Manfreda for delightful decorations! Appreciation to all who ‘did something’ before, during or after the parties – good memories!

Please RSVP by November 21 to Sue Dindia (847-397-3640 or sdindia@comcast.net) with the first and last names of all family members attending, and names and ages of children 12 and under.

Also, please bring your favorite dessert to share with friends and neighbors.

As for the fundraiser, we will accept checks made payable to the Palatine Township Needy Family Fund.

Time for a new Organizing Chairperson – time for more parties! Many thanks to Sue Knowling, PGE’s NEW Social Committee Chairperson for offering to head up the parties and general meeting hospitality. She, too, will be grateful for the time and talent of Plum Grove Estates -8 ! -

Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association ! P.O. Box 2568 ! Palatine, IL 60078-2568 ! www.pgepoa.org

Beautification Committee Report Lauri Mitchell, Committee Chair In our second year of existence as a committee, the Preservation and Beautification Committee has worked to fulfill our mission, which is to update and preserve the overall public and neighborhood impression and appearance of Plum Grove Estates.

We focused on “beautification” this year. Last year, we were extremely involved with the “preservation“ part of our mission. Accordingly, many hours and team energy involved updating

(Meadow Lane and Crestwood). We are grateful for Terri Manfreda’s artistic and creative talent and energy for the beautiful autumn decoration that adorn each pillar for the first time in many years. We hope you’ve noticed and enjoyed this seasonal enhancement.

We asked Palatine Township if it would donate and plant a tree on each island. And, they did it for us!! We now have two Chantilly Pear trees on each island and look forward to them maturing. Also, please notice the new plantings and beautiful sod that have been installed. Our team researched the correct plantings, designed them, and as a team, planted these two islands this fall. Also, our committee planted 50 pink tulips for additional neighborhood beauty. Moving into our third year, our focus is to continue to re-plant and improve selected islands. If you have any improvement suggestions, please contact me (I’m in your directory).

Fight Traffic Noise

Beautification Committee: Sue Knowling, Terri Manfredi, Lynn Meinzer (top), Lauri Mitchell, Dave Knowling, (bottom). Not pictured: Nancy Groch & Rich Coha.

our electrical wiring and bringing it up to code as well as cleaning and tuckpointing our pillars.

We researched, received your feedback, and selected new pillar lights, which we truly believe improved our neighborhood entrances and bridge.

In 2018 our new focus is on beautifying the internal islands. This year our first project was to utilize the landscape designers and master gardeners on our committee to design and develop a plan for two islands on Briarwood -9 ! -

The Plum Grove Homeowners Board is seeking interested neighbors to work on a committee to research sound walls along Frontage and Algonquin roads. The board feels that with the increase potential of development along the old Motorola property and the consistent traffic sound from Rt 53, we as a community need to understand how best to address these concerns.

If interested please contact Board Member David Freeman at 847-9745-1951 or email at dave.freeman@cbexchange.com. We are hoping to get 5 to 7 volunteers.

Thank you.

Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association ! P.O. Box 2568 ! Palatine, IL 60078-2568 ! www.pgepoa.org

use of more beet juice to replace salt.

He discussed the townships with whom he collaborates, which to date hasn’t included Schaumburg. There was some discussion regarding the hornets’ nest and the overhead lights and bridge lights.

If anyone has additional questions they can reach Aaron at ADelmar@palatinetownship.com.

Aaron Del Mar, Commissioner of the Palatine Township Highway Department, speaks at the October General Meeting.

Board Attendees

Guy Karm, Dave Freeman, Rich Coha, Amy Pritchard, Dave Knowling, Lauri Mitchell, George Reichl and Lynn Meinzer.

Absent Board Members – Gary Dindia, Steve Sperling

Resident Attendees

PGE POA General Meeting Minutes (pending approval) Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Call to Order

– The general meeting of the

Plum Grove Homeowners Association was called to order by President Guy Karm at 7:33 PM on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at the Plum Grove Park Banquet Room.

Overview of Palatine Township Road Services by Aaron Del Mar, Highway Commissioner – An overview of the Palatine Township Road Services was presented by Aaron Del Mar, Highway Commissioner. Aaron provided history of his public service as a longtime resident of Palatine Township. He explained that all roads are ranked by their need of service regarding culvert repair. He explained that he is talking to the PGE residents who live in the flood zones.

He explained that FEMA may be able to purchase these homes to become permanent flood plains. During the Q&A, he explained there is no roadside post replacement budget, the snow removal monitoring process and the - ! 10 -

Kenneth Flobeck, Kevin McDonald, George Manthey, Gina Stefanelli, Paul and Margaret Dynak, Dona Mullen, Terri Manfreda, Terri Manno, Randy Mitchell, Jill and Eric Berk, Sue Knowling, Tom Clark and Linda Harrison, Madeleine Madsen, Nancy Lazzaroni, Mary Jo Long, Beth Prezembel, Pam Adelizzi, Jim Melton, Bruce Mueller, Bill Huley, Irene Vinyard, Adam & Bridgette Gimpert, Dawn Amos, Howard and Pauline Pohl.

New Neighbor Introduction – Lauri Mitchell, Membership Director, introduced and welcomed Paul and Margaret Dynak, 2326 South Circle, Alejandro & Kati Gaada, 251 Park, Jim (& Deborah) Melton, 275 N. Elmwood Lane, Bruce Mueller (& Sophia), 312 Longacres, and Gina Stefanelli, 342 Meadow. Each gave a small talk about why they chose our neighborhood.

Lauri also mentioned that since the beginning of 2016, thirty-nine new homeowners have moved into PGE. Guy Karm thanked Lauri for all of her hard work in contacting and welcoming each new family.

Approval of Minutes – A motion was

made by Bill Huley, seconded by Gina Stefanelli and unanimously approved.

Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association ! P.O. Box 2568 ! Palatine, IL 60078-2568 ! www.pgepoa.org

Treasurer’s Report – The Treasurer’s Report was read by Amy Pritchard.

She mentioned that dues payment is slowing down but payments are collected when homes exchange hands. She reported that expenses are staying within budget. A motion was made by Gina Stefanelli, seconded by Kevin McDonald and unanimously approved to be moved into records.

Preservation and Beautification Committee – Lauri Mitchell provided a brief history of the work of the PAB committee which included the tuck-pointing of our pillars and the electrical improvements made to the entrances.

She wanted to honor and recognize all the committee members and volunteers who made this happen. Work is now moving to repair and improve the islands.

Architectural Control – Dave Freeman

reported on the seven homes that requested home improvement approvals, which included roofs, landscaping, new home design, and pond repair.

Area Control - Dave Knowling was

introduced as the new Director of Area Control since Rich Olson’s resignation earlier in the year.

He reviewed the series of vandalism events that took place in early summer with the lanterns on the entrance pillars. All the lanterns have been repaired and the vandalism has stopped. He conjectured that it was mostly the work of kids out from school. Also, the police and a few neighbors committed to additional monitoring.

The trees at Knollwood Ct. have been finally removed and a trailer that was in the front has now been located to the back of the property.

It has been difficult to contact the owner as he is not living there and doesn’t work at the location on a regular basis. There was some discussion regarding the unmowed lot at 319 Briarwood. Work is being done to locate the owner since Palatine will no longer mow this lot.

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Civic Affairs – There was no report.

Landscaping - Lynn Meinzer reported that M&B Landscaping will start clean-up in early November. She also mentioned that the Holiday Lights will be put up and lit before Thanksgiving. (See Newsletter for full report.)

Social Committee - Lynn Meinzer reported that Sue Knowling has agreed to be the new Social Committee head and she thanked a number of people who have helped her in the past years as Social Committee Director. (See Newsletter for full report.)

Communications/Newsletter - Rich Coha had no report for October.

Old Business - There was some incidental conversation regarding the swimming pool removal and Rolling Meadows Park District’s plans to build a pavilion, fire pit, new landscaping and updated bathrooms in replacement.

The plans supposedly are to improve the tennis courts in 2019.

New Business Election of Board Officers There was a unanimous vote to maintain the board officers and directors who were up for reelection, which included the President - Guy Karm, Vice President – Dave Freeman, Treasurer - Amy Pritchard, Secretary – Susan McDonald, Civic Affairs – Steve Sperling, and Audit – George Reichl.

- Susan McDonald, Secretary

In Memoriam Condolences are extended to the Don Lewan family of Brookdale Lane. Shirley, Don’s wife of 60 years, passed away on September 26.

Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association ! P.O. Box 2568 ! Palatine, IL 60078-2568 ! www.pgepoa.org

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Plum Grove Estates Property Owners Association ! P.O. Box 2568 ! Palatine, IL 60078-2568 ! www.pgepoa.org

PGEPOA Holiday Party

12/3

PGEPOA Board Meeting 1

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