Brunswick Crossing:

Congratulations to the Frederick County Public Library Brunswick Branch on their grand opening!  Certified by the Green Building Council as LEED-certified, the $3.0 million public library opened April 16th at 915 North Maple Avenue in Brunswick.  Information about this new branch can be found on the internet at:     http://www.fcpl.org/information/branches/brunswick/index.php
Beyond books, magazines, music CDs, audio books, and DVDs, the Frederick County Public Libraries maintain research data bases and learning tools at http://fcpl.org/research/master.html . Library cards are free for anyone who lives or works in Maryland.  Bring proof of current Maryland address to obtain a card.

Many people are pursuing livable communities and an environmentally responsible life style. Living in a community built with the environment in mind is a large step towards doing your part to “go green”. In addition to building energy efficient new homes at Brunswick Crossing, Frederick County’s newest master planned community; walk-able amenities include a planned marketplace, 28 miles of paved trails and walkways, and nearly 100 acres of stream valley woodlands and conservation areas.

Did you know that “going green” isn’t just good for the planet’s ecosystem; it’s healthier for you and your family, and may even benefit your finances, too! In honor of Earth Day this April, we have gathered some easy tips for ways that you can make a positive impact:

1. Energy Star Qualified Homes: Did you know that every home in Brunswick Crossing is energy star qualified? Over time, this adds up to thousands of dollars of savings. Check out our previous articles about Energy Star savings in the summer and winter.
2. Switch to an ultra-low-flow showerhead: An ultra-low-flow showerhead uses 1.5 gallons of water or less per minute and can be found these at your local hardware store or online. With a few tools and a little DIY knowhow, you can save $100-$135* per year and save the planet approximately 12,000* gallons of water.
3. Replace light blubs with efficient compact florescent lights (CFLs) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs: The simple act of changing the type of light bulbs you use around your home save you up to $110* per year on your electric bill and approximately 1,000* kilowatt-hours (electricity). Added bonus, CFL and LED light blubs last longer than conventional a light bulb, which means you will be changing them less often.
4. Use solar landscaping lights with motion detectors: These lights automatically detect movement and come on when needed. Better yet, they are powered by the sun therefore requiring no electrical expertise to install. When compared to conventional outdoor lighting you can trim as much as 10%* of your home’s energy use.
5. Turn off the Tap: Turn off the water in the sink or shower while you brush your teeth, scrub or shave, then turn it on again to rinse.
6. Unplugged: Make a sweep through each room before bed and turn off all electrical devices including computers and printers. Unplugging appliances or using power strips will avoid “phantom energy drain”, as most electronics draw a small amount of power even while they are turned off.
7. Set your thermostat at 70 degrees or below in the winter time; your heating costs could rise 4 to 6%* for every degree over 70.
8. Towel service: Forgo the fresh towel – a family that hangs up and reuses their own bath towels several times before washing will save 3,800* gallons of water, 50* therms of natural gas, 410* kilowatt hours of electricity and approximately $105* each year.
9. DIY home cleaners: Natural cleaning solutions are not just old-wives tales – efficient cleaners can be made at home for little or no cost from a few household items such as baking soda, vinegar and essential oils.

*Estimated savings for a typical American Family

Did you know:
The level of public support for roundabouts in three communities more than a year after construction is 70%; up from 36% before construction.

In 1995 there were barely a dozen roundabouts in the United States, according to Roundabouts USA. Now there are more than 2,300. Many states and communities are using roundabouts as safer, more efficient alternatives to intersections with stop signs or signals. A roundabout is a low-speed intersection in which traffic flows continuously around a circular central island. Studies show that roundabouts significantly reduce crashes and crash-related injuries as well as decrease traffic congestion. But they can be confusing. These tips will help you to more easily navigate your next roundabout.

1. Slow down:  Roundabouts ease traffic congestion because drivers are not required to come to complete stops. So when approaching a roundabout, slow down and get your bearings.
2. Yield before entering: Traffic flows counterclockwise in a roundabout. So regardless of where you enter the intersection, traffic should be approaching from your left. Yield the right of way and then enter when there is a safe gap. If there is no approaching traffic, you are not required to stop before entering.
3. Choose your lane: Busier roundabouts may have two or more lanes. As you approach a two-lane roundabout, look for signs or road markings indicating which lane you should be in. To make a left turn or a U-turn, be in the left lane or other lanes marked as left turn lanes. To make a right turn, be in the right lane or other lanes marked as right turn lanes. To go straight, observe the signs and markings and choose the lane that shows a through movement.
4. Keep moving: Once you’re in the roundabout, stop only to avoid collision, and be sure to use your turn signals to let other drivers know when you’re exiting the roundabout. Keep an eye out for pedestrians and bicyclists navigating the intersection.

Brunswick Crossing extends a warm and long awaited welcome to the Brunswick Volunteer Fire Company. On Sunday, April 3, 2011 about 100 guests including Representative Bartlett, Frederick County Commissioners, City of Brunswick Mayor and Council, Pleasants Development, Morgan-Keller, Brunswick Crossing residents, Brunswick Citizens and other city, county and state officials gathered to celebrate the ground breaking of the new Brunswick Fire Station.

The fire company was awarded a FEMA grant totaling 2,431,161.00 which partially funds the cost of the building a new station. An additional 1,000,000 in funding has been secured through a memorandum of agreement between the Fire Company and Frederick Board of County Commissioners. In addition to the new station, a social hall will also be constructed with proceeds from a bank loan. The social hall allows the fire company to host fund-raising efforts to pay back the county and bank loans.

Land for the fire department was gifted to the company by Brunswick Crossing LLC. In addition to the land, Brunswick Crossing completed site development work for the new station including grading , water and sewer extensions, street frontage improvements and storm water management facilities. Brunswick native, Jonathan Allgaier, principal of Fusion, designed the fire station building to complement Brunswick Crossing’s elegant architectural style. The fire company has chosen local company Morgan-Keller to manage the building of the fire station.

We are excited to welcome the “fighting fifth” to the Brunswick Crossing community and look forward to seeing this beautiful new building spring to life!

An “association” has one meaning and many different names; however, “Homeowner’s Association”, or HOA for short, is widely used within a covenant controlled neighborhood. But, what exactly does that mean? A HOA offers three distinct features: common ownership among members, members abide by declarations and covenants, and members pay assessments.

Where did the idea of HOA come from? When developers began building community associations, it was agreed that having the common property ownership shared among the homeowners was a good idea. But, who takes care of the common property? Local government is not responsible for privately owned land and when the last home in the community is settled, the developer would have completed the project. This leaves the homeowners in the community responsible for maintenance and upkeep of amenities and open spaces, as they all own a share. The concept of a Homeowner Association was born.

The HOA is governed by a Board of Directors. This board might be developer or resident controlled who often times hire a professional management company to help run the day to day operations. Legal documents such as Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Declaration – Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions govern the HOA’s operation and provide rules for using the association property.

The common ownership of a Homeowner’s Association might be comprised of a pool, tennis courts, club house, walking paths, etc., known as amenities. These amenities also include common areas such as open spaces, parks, sidewalks, street trees, lighting and landscaping. All households within the association own the common areas and amenities.  This allows a homeowner access to luxury items such as a pool, gym, club house, etc. A condominium association may include elevators, door person and gym as amenities.

Living in a community association has many advantages. The community may feature attractive combinations of well-designed homes and landscaped open spaces. Open spaces, pools, and other amenities – often too expensive for individuals to own – are made available to members through common ownership. You can enjoy these amenities without having direct responsibility for maintenance. This means that weekends are spent enjoying the community, not cleaning the pool, repairing tennis court nets or in some cases, cutting the grass. The community association, by its Board of Directors and managing agent, operate and maintain the common areas and shared facilities. All owners pay a share of expenses to operate and maintain amenities and common areas through assessments and, as association members, have a voice in the association’s decisions. Who wouldn’t want to be in a home and community that prides itself on proper upkeep to increase values?

A Covenant Controlled community, like Brunswick Crossing, is responsible for helping to protect values and continuity within a neighborhood. Developers of master planned communities design developments with hundreds to thousands of homes in mind. This stated, modifications to existing home design requires approval prior to construction; thus, allowing for a more aesthetically pleasing look throughout the entire community. It is the role of the HOA to review applications for changes to exteriors of existing homes and property to maintain the design integrity of the community.

In addition to the HOA’s responsibility of protecting homeowner investment through maintaining and enhancing the community, the association is responsible for collection of assessments, managing contracts, maintaining common areas and amenities; enforcing rules, regulations and architectural standards; sponsoring, initiating and promoting recreational and social programs; facilitating communication among members; and contributing to the general quality of life for the residents.