Construction of the flood levy was completed late last Fall.  The flood levy has already been put to test this Spring with the recent heavy rains and rising water in early March.  While the water level on the St. Mary's River during the recent flooding incident was not high enough to threaten serious flooding to Woodhurst and Southwood Park (only 50 year flood levels were reached), the incident presented an ideal test.   In the recent event, the City closed the sluice gates that shut off the storm water lines and prevent the river water from coming back up through the street storm sewers.  The pumps that handle the water on the protected side of the levy were deployed.  The flood gates that close the passageways (doors) in the flood wall were closed.  What we found is that the levy held back the water, as planned.  There were no leaks.  The flood protection we now have is huge and will benefit our area and properties (including property values) in a significant and positive way. 

The test did permit the City to discover a few matters which will be reviewed for action, including: 1) the connection for the in-ground pipe that was installed to handle the water pumped from the Fairfax / Old Mil Road area which did not work properly, and 2) there was some build up of water in two areas on the protected side of the levy.  The City is presently looking into both of these matters.  The primary purpose for the levy was to protect the area from the devastating flood waters experienced in our community in 2003 and again in 2005.  There is a possible secondary benefit.  The federal government MAY agree to amend the flood insurance maps to remove the parts of Woodhurst / Southwood Park area that are currently rated as in the 100 year flood zone from designation as a flood zone.  If that were to occur, mortgage lenders would no longer mandate that flood insurance be carried.  There is NO assurance that the federal government will agree to this; however, the City is cautiously optimistic that this can be achieved.  The City has already begun work on the map amendment application process.  The City expects the map amendment process will take a year to run its course.  While we hope that the flood map amendment effort is successful, our area will have the benefit of the flood protection irrespective of the outcome of the flood map.

 

Submitted by Charlie Heiny

 

 

 The Woodhurst Association will again this year sponsor Dirt Day on Saturday,     May 2.    This event has been well received in past years and gives residents the opportunity to pick up black dirt which will be located at several sites throughout Woodhurst. 

 

Help yourself to black dirt at one of these locations.  This is an excellent opportunity to get a head start on preparing your flower beds, reseeding lawns, and starting other spring gardening jobs.  Remember, first come, first served, so come out early.

 

Barricades will be put up around the dirt piles for safety reasons.

 

If rain is forecast for May 2, dirt day will be rescheduled for the following Saturday, so keep an eye on the skies and let’s hope for a sunny weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

Many of us had trees in the park strip in front of our homes destroyed or seriously damaged by the ice storm this past winter.  Tree lined streets increase the beauty of the neighborhood and also the value of our homes.  The City has a program which assists homeowners with the planting of quality trees in the park strip in front of their homes.  The trees planted are of good quality and size – they have a 2-inch in diameter trunk and are 8 to 14 feet tall, depending on the variety.  The full cost of planting such a tree is around $ 200.  The City covers ALL THE COST, except for $35 for which the homeowner is responsible.   The City even waives the fee for low-income households. The process of getting a tree planted in front of your home is begun by you completing an application.  The applications must be submitted before June 1, 2009 for planting this season.  You have involvement with the city arborist in selecting the variety (type) of tree planted in front of your home.  The association encourages you to take advantage of this tree planting program.  It would cost you on your own much, much more than $35 to buy and plant a tree of the size and quality that is available through this program.  The street tree application is available at the Woodhurst web site (www.woodhurst.net) and a copy is available by email request to Ellen Bero at ecbero@verizon.net or 745-3890.    You may also access the link on the City webpage at  http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/images/stories//street_tree_application_2009.pdf

 

If you have questions, you can call the City arborist, Chad Tinkel, at 427-6400.  There is a limit on the amount of money which the City spends on this program each year.  To assure that your application is approved, you should submit your application soon. 

 

 

This year as in all previous years, the Woodhurst neighborhood association filed a request with the City Council for CEDIT funds for various projects.  These have included the paving of Old Mill Road and Roxbury Court.  The Mayor has reduced the amount of funds that the City Council can allocate and street projects are now considered “unlikely projects" since that type of work has become a function of the Street Department. 

 

However, the Mayor has posted a questionnaire on the city webpage asking for suggestions for street paving.  Since our request for 2009 is not likely to be considered favorably, we should take advantage of the Mayor's questionnaire. 

 

We are asking all who think that Roxbury Court should continue to be considered to please type the webpage below into your internet browser.  You will be asked to provide your name, address and phone number.  Please be specific and mention "Roxbury Court from Fairfield to South Wayne Avenue.

 

The website to which your browser should be pointed is:  

 http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/forms/paving_questionnaire.php

 

If you have trouble typing this, send an email to woodhurstassoc@verizon.net and we will help you.

  

Of course if you have a preference in lieu of or in addition to Roxbury Court feel free to specify another location.   Remember that improvements to any Woodhurst streets result in a benefit to all of us.

 

 

Broadview Florist and Greenhouses, 5409 Winchester Road, has once again this year, extended a 10% discount to Woodhurst residents on purchases of annuals.  The discount will cover annuals purchased from late April to Memorial Day.  To receive the discount, just identify yourself as a Woodhurst resident.  Please remember the discount applies to purchases of annuals only and must be made by May 25.

 

Broadview has extended this discount to Woodhurst residents for several years now.  Many thanks to the folks at Broadview Florist and Greenhouses for again offering us this savings opportunity.

 

 

The Woodhurst Association will sponsor its annual garage sale on Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13.  Sale hours will be 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Ads will be placed in both Fort Wayne newspapers publicizing the sale.  In addition, signs advertising the garage sale will be placed at various entrances to Woodhurst.

 

Mark your calendars and plan to participate in this annual event.

 

Last year the response was very enthusiastic and we are looking forward to another great garage sale weekend with lots of bargains.

 

 

 

 

At its December Board meeting the Board elected the following officers for 2009:

 

President – Bob Johnson

 

Vice President – Mike Franke

 

Secretary Treasurer – Ellen Bero

 

A Good Neighbor Committee headed by Woodhurst Board members Nancy Boylan and Helen Taylor is putting together a list of common-sense rules which if followed by all Woodhurst residents will help make our properties more attractive.

 

Woodhurst Board member Duane Johnson, and his wife, Rachel, have graciously volunteered once again to take care of the landscaping around the Woodhurst sign at Fairfield and Fairfax.

 

Plans are continuing to erect a second Woodhurst sign at the corner of Fairfield and Pettit.  The Association has requested matching funds from the City for the cost of the sign.  Right now we are in the process of getting the necessary permits for the sign since it will be erected on city property.  The design of the sign will be similar to the existing sign at Fairfield and Fairfax.

 

Liens will soon be placed on the properties in Woodhurst for which the 2009 Woodhurst Community Association dues remain unpaid.  Invoices were sent last Fall, with reminder invoices were sent in January, and March.

 

Board members attend four quarterly Board meetings each year plus the annual dinner held in October.  Board meetings are held the first Mondays in March, June, and December and the second Monday in September.  Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and last about 90 minutes.  All meetings are held at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting Room at 5310 Old Mill Road.  Residents are always welcome and encouraged to attend our quarterly Board meetings at the times and location mentioned above.  If there is a specific topic you would like addressed please submit the topic in advance to either Ellen Bero at 745-3890 or Bob Johnson at 744-3866.  Topics must be listed on the agenda prepared prior to the meeting in order to be considered. 

 

Our next quarterly Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 1.

 

 

 

The Tenth Annual Garden Party will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5310 Old Mill Road.  Admission is $32.00 for the full day. 

 

A musical program with internationally acclaimed musician Yoko Reikano Kimura performing Japanese music will be held on Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $12 (student rate, with ID presented is $5).

 

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation Garage Sale is Saturday, June 27 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

Starting Thursday, October 1 at 7 p.m. and running through November 5,  a series on Hinduism will be offered.  The series is free and open to all.

 

On Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m., the Bach Collegium will be performing – tickets are $12 (or students, with ID, $5).

 

Further information on any of these events is available at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s website, www.uufortwayne@verizon.net.

 

 

 

Which is Woodhurst?  A community is a group of people with a common interest but a neighborhood is a group of nearby people who live or work together.

 

Have you ever noticed that when we experience heavy rains and the streets become flooded that Fairfax Avenue seldom is?  That’s because the people that live along or near that street have always come out to clear the trash and debris that clog the storm drains.  Even before the rain stops, you may see them raking and removing leaves, sticks, etc.  Late at night, often after midnight they sometimes come out and ‘open’ the street and intersections so that traffic may go through and to prevent water from washing up into their yards. 

We believe that this proves that we live in a “neighborhood of people living and working together”.  So let’s spread the effort.  When you see the storm drains clogged, let’s clear them out… whether it’s leaves, twigs, snow or ice.  After all, “Woodhurst Is a Preferred Neighborhood.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though the Woodhurst Community Association does not actively participate in the annual Great American Cleanup, individual families might want to choose this day to work in their own yards, the neighborhood in general,  or perhaps to assist others.  It has long been a Fort Wayne tradition to designate one day in the Spring as a “clean up” day.

 

Other neighborhoods elect to use this day to clean alleys and common areas, parks and other public areas.  Watch for news in the newspaper, TV and radio describing:

 

May 16, 2009 as the "Fort Wayne Great American Cleanup" day....

 

 

Woodhurst residents are reminded of the following notes.

 

Street lights which are burned out or not functioning properly can be reported by phone to 311.  The report must include the pole number, street address, and a brief description of the problem (e.g. burned out bulb, light going on and off intermittently, etc.).

 

It has come to the attention of the Woodhurst Association Board that many pet owners are not cleaning up after their pets while walking through our beautiful neighborhood.  It is common courtesy to pick up after your pet as no one appreciates the unsightly droppings.  Many residents in our neighborhood work hard to keep up their property and this action undermines those efforts.  The easiest way to clean up after your pet is to carry a small bag with you when you take your pet for a walk.  A newspaper liner bag fits nicely into your pocket until it is needed.  Please respect your neighbors and clean up after your pets.  Thank you!

 

As a reminder our "Woodhurst neighborhood" web page is

http://mysite.verizon.net/woodhurstassoc.

Please visit our website for relevant information and photos.

 

 

Just a reminder that City code states that your trash carts are to be brought back from the street curb by the end of the day of trash pickup.  We continue to have a few residents who leave their trash carts and/or recycling bins out well into the weekend.   This is unsightly and is discourteous to your neighbors.  If you are not home to bring in your cart, then consider asking a neighbor to bring your empty cart/recycling bins back for you. 

 

Here are some other helpful hints for setting out your trash.

 

• The trash cart is the property of the City of Fort Wayne and cannot be taken to other locations.  The cart must stay at the home if you move.
• On trash day make sure the cart is placed within 5 feet of the roadway with the arrows on the cart lid pointing toward the street.  The wheels should be away from the street.
• Break down cardboard and place in your brown recycling bin.
• Do not overload the trash cart.  Loose trash on top of the cart often ends up on the ground as it falls down the side of the truck.
• If possible bag trash inside the cart as this will help prevent loose trash from blowing around as the carts are emptied.
• Additional trash carts are available for a $2 per month per cart rental charge.  Please call the City 311 call center to order them.
• Bulk items such as furniture, washers, dryers, etc. need to be called in 24 hours in advance of your collection day.

 

 

 

The Allen County Solid Waste Management District has announced seven locations where residents can dispose of fluorescent light bulbs for free.  Two of these locations are near the Woodhurst area and are:

• Connolly's Do-It-Best, 5221 S. Calhoun St.
• Umber's Do-It-Best, 2413 Lower Huntington Road

 

 

While we’re busy planting the petunias and trimming the topiary, we may not be thinking about how lawn and garden care can affect our rivers and streams.  What we do in our yards can have huge impacts locally and many miles downstream.

 

While fertilizers, pesticides, and other lawn care chemicals may be good for the lawn or gardens, these chemicals may negatively affect water quality – especially if they are overused.  Rain can wash the chemicals used on our land into streets and storm sewers.  Most stormwater eventually enters our streams, rivers, and other bodies of water without any treatment at all.   The chemicals that are intended and used to do good things may cause many problems for wildlife living in and around the polluted water and can be a health hazard to anyone swimming in the water. 

 

By practicing responsible lawn care, you can make a huge difference in our water quality and help protect our environment.   You can:

 

-          Test your soil – Test your soil before applying chemicals to find out what nutrients your lawn or garden is lacking. This will help you figure out exactly what kind of chemical you may need and how much to use to improve your soil.   Private labs and the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District conduct soil testing.

 

-          Use Biosolids and Compost – Use biosolids and compost to improve your soil naturally. They are better for water quality and are very inexpensive.  It’s easy to make your own compost in the backyard and the City of Fort Wayne makes biosolids available free of charge at the Lake Avenue Biosolids and Yardwaste Recycling Facility.

 

-          Choose Native Plants – Because they are adapted to local climate conditions and can survive wet to dry conditions, native plants adapt and grow better than non-native species.   Thus, native plants require less water, fertilizers, and pesticides.  Also, many native plants are perennials, so they return from year to year without having to replant.

 

-          Conserve Water – By using less water, you can cut down on the amount of chemical runoff going into storm drains and other bodies of water. Water deeply but avoid over-watering.   Early morning and evening are the best times to water.

 

This article was provided by Fort Wayne City Utilities.

 

 

With summer vacations approaching, we remind Woodhurst residents to call the S.T.S. Security office to let them know dates when you will be on vacation or away from home.  The security patrol officer on duty will make perimeter checks daily on your home.  Also, should a problem arise while your home is unoccupied, S.T.S. can get in touch with you much more quickly.

 

Please remember that residents who wish to have S.T.S. perform vacation checks on their homes must provide an emergency telephone number and contact name of a responsible person in the event a problem should arise with their properties while on vacation.  Without that information neither S.T.S. nor anyone else can take responsibility to resolve security concerns. If you will be away from your home, please contact the S.T.S. office at 471-8880 to arrange for vacation home checks.

 

Please help your neighbors and yourselves by keeping a close eye out for any suspicious activities, including any unusual parked vehicles with occupants sitting inside.

 

Should you see suspicious activities happening around your home or your neighbors’ homes call 911.

 

As a reminder the Woodhurst dedicated cell phone number to reach the security patrol officer on duty is 710-4866.

 

 

The City has completed its cleanup of the Great Ice Storm of last December.  If anyone has problems with dangerous trees that are in the city park strip, they should call 311 and report them.  Trees that are on private property are the responsibility of the homeowner.

 

If anyone has difficulty in getting the City to attend to the trees on City property, please inform Bob Johnson (phone 744-3866) and he will follow-up.

 

Contributors to this issue include Ellen Bero, Mike Franke,  Charlie Heiny, and Bob Johnson