WWW.NORTHDALE.ORG
MARCH • APRIL 2022
NORTHDALE CIVIC ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
Greetings to all Northdale residents and homeowners.
I hope everyone is doing well and in good health. If you just joined our community, the Northdale Civic Association, Inc. (NCA) wants to take this opportunity to welcome you to the community. Northdale is a highly respected, low crime, family-oriented neighborhood that offers residents many amenities. Northdale businesses offer a wide variety of goods and services. In this edition, I want to introduce to you our NCA VP, Mr. James (Jim) Salgado. Jim has been serving our community for many years and has prepared a message for you. “Hello fellow Northdale residents! My name is Jim Salgado, and I am your Vice President of the NCA. My purpose in writing to you is to ask for your help. A few months back the NCA included a letter with the newsletter soliciting volunteers from our community to join our newly forming ‘advisory’ board with the purpose of
helping the NCA to better understand the needs of our community and how we as a collective body can address them. For example, over the last few years, I have read through social media posts, (such as Nextdoor) and periodically I come across posts such as the one that had a picture of the trail where a few boards of the bridge over the pond was missing. While I am glad this was posted to Nextdoor, I was deeply concerned that this had the potential of causing harm to walkers in that area which is unacceptable and learning of the problem on social media vice a call or e-mail. If ever you find some situation that has the potential to cause harm to our neighbors, like the missing boards on the bridge or even broken sprinkler heads in the common areas, PLEASE let me or any board member know ASAP. While we try to be as informed as possible on issues that affect the community, we really need you to be our extra eyes and ears. Another example was posted by a neighbor, of a tree that had fallen on the corner of Caliente Place and Traskwood Court and was the result of TS Elsa having recently passed. Because this neighbor was prompt in reporting the hazard, Mr. Bill Castens, our NCA Treasurer and I put two chainsaws to work cutting branches and clearing the street of the debris. We also enlisted the assistance of Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Office Christine McCombs to help
coordinate the removal of the tree and subsequent cleanup. As a direct result of that partnership, we were able to clear the streets of the tree and all debris by 1 PM same day! Thanks to the community minded person for reporting it! All this brings me to the point of this message; we in Northdale are vulnerable to natural disaster-type situations need a way or program to address these types of situations. To get after this problem, the NCA included with a past 2021 newsletter, a letter to solicit for volunteers in our community to join a ‘steering and advisement’ committee that will be ‘boots on the ground’ contact to the community, to be the touch point that listens to the community on issues that concern them and to advise the NCA on those issues/ needs. In the next few issues of the NCA Newsletter, I will highlight some of the many areas we can plan for situations that present a danger to our community and citizens so please join me over the phone or in person and let’s get the conversation started. Thank you for your time and attention”. Sincerely, ‘Jim’ James L. Salgado Vice President, Northdale Civic Association
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MERIT MANGEMENT (DEED RESTRICTION REPORT) During the month of January, Merit Management sent 147 letters (with a total of 216 individual violations) reminding homeowners to be aware of areas of maintenance that need to be addressed. We understand that getting one of these letters can be upsetting. No one likes to be told to do something, especially not by someone that you don’t even know. Yes, they are dreaded, but the letters are a necessary means of letting a homeowner know they need to address something on their property. We hope that if you ever receive one, you will accept it in the manner it was intended, simply a request for your attention to the issue(s) being addressed. Northdale continues to be one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Tampa Bay area, with prices skyrocketing in the last couple years. We are simply asking for your assistance preserving this beautiful community and the property values. Merit was able to close more open issues than they have in many months during the January inspections. We’re sure it’s because as the weather cools, people don’t mind working outside so much. Your work does not go unnoticed! As of this writing, all walls damaged by accidents have been repaired. The last remaining wall was by Braesgate. Once the wall has been repaired, the concrete must cure before it can be painted. This process takes several weeks. After all the repair has been done, ivy will be planted. The special Tax District is in the process of making sure that the entrances to every subdivision are easily Identified. Where there are no signs, we have started to build up the walls to accommodate a sign which will identify the subdivision. There
are 13 such entrances lacking signs so the process will take some time. By now everyone should have noticed the flags mounted to the light posts. Currently the flags will be rotated every 3-4 months. We have noticed a quantity of sidewalks needing repair. The county is responsible for sidewalk repair and unfortunately doesn’t have the money to do the repairs. The board has three openings coming up in the fall. Anyone interested in serving the Northdale Community should come to our meetings, held on the second Tuesday of every month in the Northdale Community center at 7PM. As friendly reminder, if you still have holiday decorations out, please take them down. While we can appreciate that people want to feel jolly year-round, not everyone likes to see them well into the new year. There’s no better time than the present to refresh the mulch in your plant beds. In addition to reducing evaporation, erosion and weed growth, mulch also insulates the soil. Having approximately 3 inches of mulch in your beds will help moderate soil temperatures, which keeps roots warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Why wait until spring to do this? The leaves are done falling and the days are cool enough for yard work!
Annual dues are $50.00. Please make your check payable to the Northdale Civic AssociaƟon. Interested in joining the Northdale OWLS? Find a registraƟon form at WWW.NORTHDALE.ORG. The $15 annual OWLS’ dues are included with your NCA membership. Mail Payment to: Northdale Civic AssociaƟon, 3853 Northdale Blvd. Box 374, Tampa, FL 33624 Or, you may pay using your credit or debit card online at: WWW. NORTHDALE.ORG Thank you for your support!
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WHAT IS THE NCA? The Northdale Civic Association is a volunteer organization whose mission is to make Northdale a better place to live and increase property values by enforcing the deed restrictions to which each homeowner is legally subject. The NCA is also the organized voice of Northdale, and represents residents when issues affecting Northdale are raised by Hillsborough County, the State of Florida and other governing bodies. The NCA issues this Newsletter and organizes the following events and programs: Welcome Wagon, Easter Egg Hunt, Community Garage Sales, Family Fun Festival, Northdale Pumpkin Run, Holiday Decorating Contest, Meet the Candidates, and the Northdale OWLS (Older, Wiser, Lively, Seniors). Board meetings are open to the public and held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month except December. HOW TO JOIN THE NCA Forms are available in each edition of the Northdale Newsletter. There are forms online at www.northdale.org. HOW TO JOIN THE BOARD ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP IS ONLY $50.00. All members are eligible to run for NCA Board positions in elections held each January. Elections for those positions are made by the sitting board at the monthly board meetings. The dates of those meetings are posted in the Community Calendar. NCA BOARD OFFICERS President: Nelson Marcano - Golf Club Estates II - 813-732-9998 Vice President: James Salgado - Fairway Villas, Brentwood Park & Country Mill - 813-610-2115 Secretary: Alicia Moreno – Bay Levitt - 813-963-1412 Treasurer: Bill Castens – The Woodlands - 813-833-0102 NCA BOARD DIRECTORS Gerald Johnson - Golf Club Estates I - 813-787-3103 Robert Demeo – Golf Club Estates III - 813-546-0873 Martha Hughes – Fox Hollow - 813-477-0924 Nelson Marcano – Claywell - 813-732-9998 Nelson Marcano – The Hammocks - 813-732-9998 Raymond Powell – Silverhill - 813-404-6082 Hector Hernandez Jr. - Gables I - 516-643-7385 Robert Demeo - Gables II - 813-546-0873 Amar Dembla - Gables III - 813-265-3225 DEED RESTRICTION VIOLATIONS The Deed Restriction documents for each of the “villages” that make up Northdale are available on the community website www.northdale.org. Select “Deed Restrictions” from the left side of the Main Page and click on the picture of the entrance to your “village” (e.g. Bay Levitt, Gables I, etc.) The deed restriction file will be displayed and can be printed off for your records. The NCA has contracted with Merit Management Association-Perfected (“Merit”) to conduct periodic neighborhood inspections and act on their findings of deed restriction violations. In addition, residents may request an investigation of a possible violation themselves from the Northdale website, www.northdale.org. From the left side of the Main Page, click on “Deed Restrictions”, page down and Select “Complaint Form” and fill it out with all pertinent information. A photo can be attached with the form to help document the problem. Select “Submit” to transmit the form directly to Merit at NCA@MeritFL.com. Deed Restriction Complaints must be in writing. When a deed restriction violation is found, Merit will send a letter to the homeowner(s) with a request to correct the problem(s). Merit will then complete a second inspection. Merit will send a second letter if the homeowner has not corrected the violation(s). Merit will then complete a third inspection. If the violation(s) remains after the third letter, legal action will be pursued. The resident will be notified of this step in the fourth letter. If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent a homeowner from correcting the violation(s), it is recommended they document the reason by writing to Merit at NCA@MeritFL.com. The NCA will not get involved in conflicts between neighbors, animal complaints or landscaping issues due to drought. NORTHDALE.ORG
Meeting Location Note: Northdale Civic Association & Northdale Special District meetings are held in Building B - game room Northdale Park & Rec Center 15550 Spring Pine Drive Tampa, FL 33624 March 1, 2022 April 5, 2022 OWLS Meeting 10:00 a.m. March 8, 2022 April 11, 2022 NSD meeting 7:00 p.m. March 15, 2022 April 18, 2022 NCA meeting 7:00 p.m.
Residents are always welcome and your input is truly appreciated. Please remember to wear a face mask and adhere to social distancing.
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Monthly Meetings on 1st Tues 10 AM @ Northdale Park Our Mission is to create a growing network of co-ed seniors, to provide social activities, local events, travel, entertainment and educational seminars in common interest groups as ways to safely enjoy our lives. “March Madness”... OWLS love to Hoot! Mar 1, Tues – Corned Beef & Cabbage Lunch & St. Patrick’s Day music & such! Mar 7 thru 9 – Fun in Amelia Island, St. Augustine & Jacksonville. Mar 16, Wed – Lunch Bunch at Wright’s Gourmet House (Separate Checks). Mar 19, Sat – 63rd Annual Winter park Sidewalk Art Festival. Mar 21, Mon-- Bunco & Lunch at Brunchies, 14366 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. Mar 25, Fri – S.O.A.R. Event to Little Manatee River State Park. Mar 29, Tues – Tampa Bay Lightning hockey vs. Carolina Hurricanes – GO BOLTS! Apr 5, Tues – Fritzy Bros. One Man Circus... always good for LAUGHS! Apr 7, Thurs – Gott Glass (you create) at Phoenix Studio. Apr 13, Wed – Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing & DELICIOUS BUFFET! Apr 14, Thurs – Tampa Bay Lightning hockey vs. Anaheim Ducks – GO BOLTS! Apr 16, Sat – Easter Egg Hunt at Northdale Park – Bring wee-ones or just come watch! Apr 18, Mon – Bunco & Lunch at Brunchies, 14366 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. Apr 20, Wed -- Lunch Bunch at Mandola’s Italian Kitchen (Separate Checks). Apr 21, Thurs – Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Canine Training & Demo. Apr 23, Sat – Northdale Family Fun Festival - Free Food, Games, Entertainment & more! Apr 28, Thurs - Rays baseball (we hope) vs. Seattle - Ferg’s dining post-game. GO RAYS! For other scheduled events and more, See Owls website at: www.NorthdaleOWLS.com Weekly Activities include Bill’s Blooming Orchid Buddies, Bridge, Hand & Foot Cards, Line Dancing, Mexican Train Dominos, Mah Jongg, Pickleball, Walking, Yoga for Seniors, Singing, Spanish Class, Tai Chi, Table Tennis, Tone & Stretch and Meals on Wheels! Got Questions? Talk to any member of the OWLS, Or contact Raheem Douglas at (813) 450-6502, Or contact Bill Castens at (813) 833-0102. NORTHDALE.ORG
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NORTHDALE SPECIAL DISTRICT Letter From Merit Association Management: As President of the Northdale Special District, I have contemplated writing this letter for a long time because my frustration level is high. I have been reading on Nextdoor about what the Special District does or does not do for Northdale. President John F. Kennedy said in his Inaugural speech, “Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country.” How about a twist on this quote, “Ask not what Northdale can do for you, ask what you can do for Northdale.” It is extremely frustrating seeing property in disrepair, lawns needing mowing, junk starting to pile up in yards, trash containers left out, and probably the biggest violation-PARKING ON LAWNS! Why do any of you need Merit Management or members of the Special District or NCA to remind you to keep your property looking the best it can be? If your property is in poor condition because you do not take care of it, YOU are costing yourself and your neighbors money! We are sending out over 200 letters a month to ask someone to take care of mold or some other violation. Yes, it’s your home and you believe that you can do what you choose with your home/property. Yes, fixes are a nuisance, time consuming and even take a little money. And yes, everyone has rights, including living in a neat and attractive neighborhood. Your rights should not interfere with those of your neighbors. Remember you chose to live in Northdale. The deed restrictions and rules were here long before many of us moved here. They were created to keep Northdale attractive and maintain property values. What gives anyone the right to ignore them? Every home in Northdale receives the newsletter-most probably don’t read it-but the information is available to everyone. If you rent your home, you still have a responsibility to maintain the property. I get calls all the time, “Why did I get a letter (from Merit)? What about my neighbor”? Neighbors! Take pride in your own home and the community! We are all in this together. We are at a crossroads: Do we let Northdale become like some of the rundown neighborhoods around us that have no restrictions at all? Or do we, as a community, try to keep Northdale a place of pride? Please everyone, spend some time on your property. Take care of the little things before they become big things. Work with the Civic Association and Special District. Stop trying to find fault with everything these groups try to do. People on these boards are your neighbors and volunteers, not your enemies. In closing, my wife and I have lived in Northdale for 9 years and we love it here. In 9 more years, hopefully, we will still be here and able to enjoy an attractive and nicely maintained neighborhood. Respectfully, Tom Murray, President Northdale Special District NORTHDALE.ORG
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NORTHDALE SPECIAL DISTRICT WHAT is the NSD? The Northdale Special District is a Hillsborough County dependent tax district. The Northdale Special District was originally set-up under a State ordinance, but in 1992 was adopted under County ordinance #92-35. The County collects the taxes for the District and provides the ordinance or regulations that give authority to the District. Funds are derived from the County non-ad valorem tax of $130 per residential unit. Residents in single family homes, along with apartments and condominiums are assessed $130. Also, all properties within Northdale boundaries including businesses
Northdale Special District Board of Trustees Tom Murray President Earl Albright Vice President Anthony Rodriguez Treasurer
and other non-profit groups are taxed based on an equitable per residential unit basis. The Northdale Special District is responsible for maintaining the common areas throughout Northdale. These areas include the main entrances coming into Northdale, landscaping in common areas alongside roadways and medians, neighborhood entrances, the outer surface of the block walls and along the roadside. The Northdale Special District also maintains selected lakes and wetland areas along the main roadways in Northdale. The Northdale Special District is governed by a Board of nine trustees who are elected by the public or appointed by the Board. Board members must be registered voters and reside in Northdale. The trustees receive no compensation for their work. The board has hired an administrator, Merit Management, to complete many of the day-to-day details of the Northdale Special District, including deed restrictions. The administrator is a sub-contracted (paid) position. The Northdale Special District, unlike the County, does NOT maintain roads, street lighting, street signs, installation of speed humps or animal safety concerns. These issues should be directed to Hillsborough County. The main purpose of the Northdale Special District is to keep Northdale a neat and attractive community. Although separate from the Northdale Civic Association, the Northdale Special District is partnering with the NCA in the enforcement of Deed Restrictions. Together, the Northdale Special District and the NCA will continue working towards their goal of making Northdale a great place to live.
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Don Hachey Secretary Bill Castens Ronny Garcia Ray Klaus Bill Loring Anthony Romano Contact Information 813-381-5435 Northdale Special District 3433 Lithia Pinecrest Rd #301 Valrico, FL 33596 rick@meritfl.com Northdale Special District meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. Building B - game room Northdale Park & Rec Center 15550 Spring Pine Drive Tampa, FL 33624 Next meetings are: March 8, 2022 April 11, 2022 9
“WEEKLY RECREATION PROGRAMS for OWLS” Sponsored by: Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation Department in partnership with the Northdale Owls Contact with any questions: Raheem “Coach” Douglas at 813-450-6502 or Douglasr@HCFLGov.net BBOB’S (Bill’s Blooming Orchid Buddies) Games:
4th Tues
Contact: Bill Castens
(813) 833-0102
Bridge
Thurs
Contact: Shirley Beller (813) 961-5495
Hand & Foot
Tues
Contact: Kay Farland
Hand & Foot
Fri
Contact: Rose Oursler (813) 909-8082
Mah Jongg
Mondays
Contact: Hilda Hodges (813) 416-3317
Mah Jongg
Wednesdays
Contact: Marie Alley
(813) 889-7972
(813) 962-0063
Line Dance – Beginner
Mondays
10:30am-12 Noon
Free!
Line Dance – Improver
Thursdays
10:30am-12 Noon
Free!
Line Dance – Intermediate
Wednesday
10:30am-12 Noon
Free!
Mondays
8:30am-9:30am
$10/month
Varies
Ask staff for schedule
$10/month
Wednesdays
Contact Ed Rodriguez
(813) 810-9733
Pickleball Lessons – Beginning Players Pickleball Play Sing Along With Owls
Walking Club
Mon-Fri
8:00am-12:00pm
Free!
YOGA for Seniors
Fridays
10:00am-11:00am
Free!
Our Mission … is to create a growing network of co-ed seniors, to provide social activities, local events, travel, entertainment, and educational seminars in common interest groups as ways to safely enjoy our lives.
Our Refund Policy… is to reimburse you for prepaid events if you give prior notification, and if we can resell ticket to another participant, usually day of event.
Checkout the website at www.NorthdaleOWLS.org, or visit Northdale Park for details on how to join…
Still Got Questions? Talk to any member of the OWLS,or contact Bill Castens at (813) 833-0102 Like Northdale OWLS on Facebook
Your reservation is made upon RECEIPT of your payment… Please itemize each event. Make checks payable and mail to: Northdale OWLS, 3853 Northdale Blvd., # 374, Tampa, FL 33624 Or DROP Payment in one of the “Lock Boxes” in all 3 Buildings at Northdale Park.
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