Dear West Springfield Neighbor / Friend,
Community Cleanup – Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) – has confirmed us for Saturday, 13 June 2020 for our village cleanup and that allows us to also confirm the community yard sale on 30 May and the rain date for the yard sale on 6 June. The cleanup is where CAWSV members can get rid of old grills, disassembled sheds, appliances, lawn mowers and other items that are too large for curbside collection without additional and costly payment to trash companies.
Low Mortgage Rates Helps Boost Affordability - Sharon Kline (Ontario), Loan Officer with Allied First Bank SB submitted the following report that should interest many or you.
According to the latest release of Black Knight, Inc.’s Mortgage Monitor Report, low 30-year interest rates have helped make housing the most affordable it’s been since early 2018. It now requires 20.6% of median monthly income to purchase the same home as it did just over a year ago, the smallest such payment-to-income ratio in two years. Put another way, buying power for the average-priced home has increased by 16% in just over a year’s time.
As Black Knight Data & Analytics President Ben Graboske explained, low interest rates throughout the back half of 2019 contributed to sharply accelerating home price growth — but also to improving affordability. “Despite the average home price increasing by nearly $13,000 from just over a year ago, the monthly mortgage payment required to buy that same home has actually dropped by 10% over that same span due to falling interest rates,” said Graboske.
For more information, contact Sharon at skline@alliedfirst.com.
Republic AND American Trash – I reported this earlier using our FaceBook Group, but by now - you should have also received a notice from Republic or from American Trash. In it, Republic announced reduction from twice per week collection of household trash to once per week, effective 2 March. No change, they said to recycle and yard debris collection days of the week or frequency, but household trash schedule will change to Thursday-only pickups. This is supposed to reduce our bill, but they provided no specifics on how much. I do not have any information about American, yet.
If you have more household trash than will fit in one toter - you can rent a second toter container for $4.00 per month without the standard $50.00 drop off fee. Maybe the reduction in their rates will cover that $4.00, but not holding my breath.
I reported this to district and to county and while talking to county Solid Waste division – learned that American reported to county that they would also reduce their service to once per week. County staff did not report any change to Bates Trash Service that a few in the village use.
They did direct Republic to contact me. They found that very moment I took a break from phone watch to call and leave a message. I have tried several times to get back to them, but to no avail. I don’t think they want to talk to me…
Rather than paying extra for another toter, coordinate to cooperate with a neighbor to use their not-so-full toter for your extra trash and afford them the same if you can accommodate their extra trash.
Free Air Conditioner Cover – Kirby Myers (SVD) - recently (end of October) purchased this cover for my air conditioner to keep leaves and dirt out during the winter months. Then I replaced my air conditioner and the cover no longer fits. So, free to first who wants it. Recommend you measure your A/C unit because sizes vary. Email Kirby at kirbytmyers@yahoo.com if interested.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SS9STN8/
Directory Delivery – And now all members of our CAWSV should have received your copy of the 2020 Community Directory. If you were missed, let me know (john.t.cooley@verizon.net). If you would like a copy of the directory, let me know. Thanks again to those who gave some of their personal time to deliver the directory.
Free Insulin Pens - Chris Bunyea (Barnack) has some insulin pens that he wants to give to someone who may need them. There are 4 Lantus and 10 Humalog pens. They don't expire until 2021/22 and have been kept refrigerated. Chris also has some pen needles to be used with the pens. Contact Chris at cbunyea@gmail.com or by phone at 703/201-2556.
Stuff the Bus - Help Stock Food Pantry Shelves - after the New Year "giving fatigue" has set in and most pantries' supplies run low. To help, Fairfax County runs the "Stuff the Bus" program, a food pantry giving campaign that partners with nonprofits, grocery stores and MV Transportation to restock depleted shelves. Stuff the Bus runs from Martin Luther King weekend through Presidents' Day at fourteen local Giant and Shoppers Food and Pharmacy stores where volunteers from local nonprofit food pantries collect donated food from local shoppers. The food is then placed in an MV Transportation FASTRAN bus, and when it's full, the bus delivers the food to the food pantry.
Please join Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity at the West Springfield Giant on Saturday, 15 February. The bus will be there from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. 100% of donations go directly to the nonprofit to feed Fairfax families. Please stop by to donate or donate online. For a full list of dates, times, and locations, click here.
Yard Sale – from Jeanne Jones (Vancouver) - Saturday, 22 February from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church 6509 Sydenstricker Road, Burke, VA 22015. Tables to rent are $15.00 each and set up is Friday, 21 February, 3:00 to 6:00 PM. If you are interested in renting a table or two, please send an email to youth@standrews.net.
Dangerous Driving – Judging from your response, I am only one of many who witness too many distracted drivers on village streets. Most respondents agree that texting while driving, speeding and a wanton disregard for our children crossing streets on their way to /from school happens much too often. Identified the problem, but let’s move on to solving this.
Take care; stay warm.
John Cooley, CAWSV