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Halloween is upon us and it’s time to have some fun! Meadowglen is having our annual event on October 24th. Like everything so far in 2020, there will be some changes to our annual event. We will be having a socially distanced, staggered gathering near the clubhouse parking lot . We will start at 4:00 pm for the younger kids (aged 0-5) and then welcome older kids beginning at 5:00 pm.

We will have treat and crafts bags for the age groups 0-5 and 6-18. There will be s’mores, a hallo-weeny roast for dinner, photo backdrop, flashlight tag and a costume contest with prizes. We will have fire pits to help warm us when the sun goes down. We do ask those coming to bring their own seating, face masks, and roasting sticks. We will have some sticks on hand, however, no shared seating will be provided.

Please use the sign-up genius to let us know if you plan on attending so we can more accurately prepare for this event. You can also use the sign-up genius to volunteer to help setup/cleanup and monitor the fire pits. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0545afad22a4fa7-meadowglen2

If you would like to help out with the party, want to share your ideas or join other social committee events – contact Linzi King @ linziking@meadowglen-hoa.com

This has been a tough year to say the least, and I’ve heard from so many that a walk around the Lake was the highlight of your day. There have also been comments about how the lake isn’t what it used to be and that it is lacking not only the trees, but the fish and wildlife that used to be so commonly found. Well, we are lucky here in Meadowglen because we have a young local activist who took things into his own hands to make a difference and improve the community. Earlier this year, Meadowglen teenager Timothy Marette contacted Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) for ideas to clean up the lake and improve the fishing at Pomona Lake (located in the middle of Meadowglen). After a few passionate and “determined�? emails, a CPW aquatics crew completed a fish survey. It turns out that the carp which had taken over the lake had degraded the water quality by rooting in the lake bottom for food and destroyed the habitat that the fish, waterfowl, and amphibians used to enjoy here in Meadowglen. It was determined that if CPW removed the carp from the lake, the water quality and habitat would eventually improve and more catchable fish along with other desirable animals would return. Over the Summer CPW began the carp removal along the shoreline of Pomona Lake. Besides removing well over 60 carp, they also caught and released two 5+ pound bass, and catchable crappie and bluegill. CPW is also due to come back sometime this Fall to finish the survey in the middle of Pomona Lake. Way to go Timothy! Thank you for making the lake better for all anglers, walkers, and Meadowglen residents.

– Brett Schumer

Fall is upon us and it’s time to have some fun. Meadowglen is planning on having our annual Halloween event on October 24th.  Like everything so far in 2020, there will be some changes to our annual event.  We will be having a socially distanced, staggered gathering near the clubhouse parking lot. We will start at 4:00 pm for the younger kids (aged 0-5) and then welcome older kids beginning at 5:00 pm.  A Sign up Genius and more information to follow.

We will have age appropriate treat bags and crafts. There will be hay rides, s’mores, and a costume contest with prizes.  We will have fire pits to help warm us when the sun goes down.
If you would like to help out with the party or other social committee events – contact Linzi King @ linziking@meadowglen-hoa.com

The Bicycle Recycle Program is a partnership between the City and the Golden/Arvada Lake Arbor Optimists. Bikes that are no longer used are collected, refurbished and then distributed to community members who cannot afford to buy one.

The 2020 Bike Recycle event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the City of Arvada Streets Maintenance Facility (6161 Olde Wadsworth Blvd.). For more information, visit arvada.org/bicycle-recycle-program.

In June, the Arvada City Council approved an ordinance and agreements to institute a single-hauler trash system for Arvada (Republic Services).

How will the system affect Meadowglen?

Since we already contract with a single-hauler (Waste Management), we can elect to continue with that hauler (it’s possible we may see prices affected; time will tell).

Another option would be for the HOA to contract with Republic, but many questions still need to be answered, and the Board will provide ample engagement opportunities with Meadowglen residents  in advance of any decisions. We will keep you informed.

The City intends to implement the system in July of 2021.

Where can you find out more information?

Visit arvada.org/waste-hauling to learn more about the organized waste hauling program or contact board member Cindy Javelet at 303-456-1023.

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for a great and cautious pool season! Besides some hiccups with the signup and people trying to cancel, the whole season went smoothly. We did mention that if possible we would keep the pool open longer than labor day. This depended on the cleaners going home early on stormy days. As you can probably remember, we didn’t get our typical late summer thunderstorms this year. Additionally, to keep the pool open just 1 more week would cost us $4740 in pool maintenance and cleaning/check-in. The Board has been adamant about not incurring any additional costs this year due to COVID, so we will not be extending the season.

So, with that in mind, Monday September 7 will be the last day the pool is open. APM will start shutting down the pool on Sept 8.

On the Sunday after Labor Day, Sept 13, we would like to invite the pups in the neighborhood to come for a dip between 8 and 11:30 am. Karl Ohlsen has volunteered to run the event this year (Thanks Karl!). We will provide coffee, donuts, and OJ for those who are interested. Make sure to wear your mask and social distance (for your safety and the pups). If you have any questions, please direct them to Karl (ohlsenk@hotmail.com) or Ari (arifeldman@meadowglen-hoa.com).

COVID-19 really has complicated our world. Through the summer we have opted to keep the clubhouse closed for a number of reasons. First, the Stay-at-Home Order forced us to close the clubhouse. Then the Safer-at-Home ordered allowed small gatherings up to 10 people. And currently during the “Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors” we can allow up to 25% of the capacity of the facility, or 13 people. But an event with that small of a gathering can happen in someone’s home pretty comfortably.

At every Board meeting through the summer the Board has discussed re-opening the clubhouse for rental. In some sense, it’s a great amenity that we could be missing out on. On the flip side, just the capacity limits alone don’t really justify opening up the clubhouse. Overall, the Board feels that there would have to be so many stipulations (capacity, cleaning, monitoring) on having an event at the clubhouse that it just makes sense to keep it closed for now. As the situation develops we will be sure to communicate when regular reservations can resume, and we will continue to address it at each Board meeting.

Thank you for your understanding!

Hey Everyone!

We’re rounding the bend on the summer and everything is still going great! I have heard of a few people having issues with the reservation system so I put together this FAQ on how to make reservations, add guests, and properly cancel a reservation. Everyone should check it out because you may think you were cancelling appropriately before, but likely weren’t (hint: you have to cancel each member in your party separately).

In other news, at the August Board meeting we discussed allowing guests on the weekends. I looked at the usage log on the weekend and found that while the numbers are pretty consistent through the summer, we are still not entirely at capacity on the weekends which could allow for some flexibility. We are definitely hitting or nearing capacity of reservations during the 2-4 and 4-6 PM blocks on Saturdays and Sundays, but not during the other blocks during the day. With that in mind, effective 8/22 you may bring up to 4 guests during the 10 am, 12 pm, and 6 pm slots on the weekend. Again, your guests are your responsibility. Make sure they follow our normal and COVID rules or you may lose pool privileges.

As always, if you have an issue with the reservation system, or questions about the pool, just let me know.

Lastly, just a reminder to stay vigilant, wear your mask, be courteous, and be safe!

Cheers,
Ari
303-900-2746

Meadowglen truly is a pool community and I feel really fortunate that we were able to make it happen this summer among all of the craziness in the world. It has been a joy seeing many of you around the pool over the last month and catching up. Overall, the operation of the pool has been going… swimmingly. The cleaners and check-in staff are providing our required cleaning and reminding people of the COVID rules on entry. I also do not know of a single issue that has arisen not having the lifeguards on site either. Thank you all for taking on some personal responsibility while at the pool and honoring the rules that keep us all safe. I do want to provide some updates and send a reminder of some rules.

First, the Jefferson County Public Health department issued Order 20-008 on 7/24 which requires people to wear masks or face coverings indoors and outdoors when unable to maintain 6 ft social distancing. This is especially important to remember when entering the pool facility through our common gate, when traversing the pool deck, and when inside the bathrooms. Thank you for your compliance.

Second, after analyzing the pool usage since we started allowing guests on 7/11, the Board feels comfortable increasing the guest policy to allow up to 4 guests per home per reservation block during the week. The high demand blocks of time on the weekend (12-2, 2-4 PM) have been at capacity, so we’d prefer to restrict the weekends to just homeowner access for now. During the week however, if you’d like to bring 2 guests per homeowner (our normal guest policy), up to a maximum of 4 guests, that is permitted starting Monday 7/27. You must accompany your guests as they are your responsibility. Any violation of this guest policy may result in losing pool access.

Third, with COVID cases at near peak levels in Colorado we must stay vigilant to keep our community safe. Make sure to wash your hands before and after coming to the pool. While the chlorine will kill everything in the pool, you are still human and touch many things while traveling to and from the pool. We must also prepare for any changes to local policies. Should the Governor take actions that affect our community and pool operations, the Board will follow State guidelines and communicate the plan to you.

Lastly, a reminder of some rules that will keep us all safe and the pool operating smoothly:

• The disinfectant spray bottles are there for you to spray down the furniture you used. We have plenty of disinfectant, so don’t be shy. If your bottle is running low the cleaners will refill it.
• Start packing up with 10 minutes to spare. When you take extra time to leave it prevents the next group of people to enter on time, cutting their time short.
• Don’t book back-to-back blocks in advance. Yes, this is possible in the reservation system, but don’t be selfish. The reason this is possible is to allow you to book the next block if you are there for your time and would like to stay longer. If there is capacity in the next block, feel free to stay longer, but you must reserve the slot and check-in with the staff to let them know. Booking multiple blocks in advance may prevent others from accessing the pool at all. We have limited capacity and people have varying schedules, so lets be civil.
• Cancel your reservation if you can’t make it. Others may want to be there at the time you have booked, especially for a high demand blocks. Please be considerate.
• Throw away all of your trash/recycling on the way out. To limit movement on the pool deck, keep your trash with your stuff and dump everything on your way out.
• Do not share pool toys or food with others. As neighborly as you’d like to be, the CDC discourages sharing anything with anyone outside of your group.

Breaking any of our normal rules, or our COVID rules, exposes you and our HOA to unnecessary risk. The Board stuck their necks out to make our pool season happen, so please respect the rules that are in place to keep people safe and protect our common resources so members of our community can use it as safely as possible.

As always, your feedback is appreciated and carefully considered. Feel free to email me at arifeldman@meadowglen-hoa.com.

Cheers,

Ari Feldman
President
Meadowglen HOA

You are likely aware that Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive, high-destructive, non-native insect that threatens the health/lives of ash trees, has been officially detected in Arvada. If left untreated, the bug will kill ash trees within three to four years. The BOD is taking a proactive approach to the inevitable effect EAB will have on Meadowglen HOA ash trees by

1. Taking an inventory of ash trees on HOA property.
2. Establishing the health/viability of each ash tree to determine if it should be chemically treated or removed and replace.
3. Getting bids from tree specialists to treat chemically or remove and replace the ash trees.

Former board president Jason Zack has generously volunteered to spearhead that approach. In addition to getting bids from tree specialists, Jason will be advocating for neighborhood discounts to be offered for residents who wish to have their ash trees treated or removed. Thank you, Jason for volunteering your time to this really important task ahead of us.

If you are interested in being on the list to have your ash tree assessed, treated or removed at a discounted rate, please fill out the form by visiting our EAB Treatment Interest Form.

For information regarding identifying an ash tree, determining its health and deciding on treatment options, visit csfs.colostate.edu/eab or  colorado.gov/emerald-ash-borer.