LANDSCAPING Stephani Michele Edit page

COMMITTEE HEAD:  STEPHANIE "STALKER" MICHELE
Who is on this committee, what do they do and how does one join?

" Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and you will make of their circumstances the litter you made of your own." Charles Fort

Stefani Michele is telling residents the condo will remove dead planting but will not replace them. Below is an excerpt from 2019 minutes where Cindy Davidowitz had dead trees and bushes removed and replaced by the Condo

Bluebird Hill Ct. 


The Great Debate: Why Do We Pay for Landscaping Services When We Just Get Lawn Mowing?

When residents read the small expense graph in the boards monthly newsletter we see a line item called Landscaping and another line item called Landscaping Extras.  The Residents Club asks: How can there be landscaping extras when we don’t get actual landscaping?

As residents of our community, we've all seen the same familiar sight: a team of landscapers rolling up to our neighborhood in their trucks, armed with mowers, blowers and trimmers, and proceeding to... mow the lawn. It's a routine that's been repeated for years, and yet, many of us are left wondering: what exactly are we paying for?

The answer lies in the difference between landscaping and lawn mowing. While these two terms are often used interchangeably, they're actually two distinct services that cater to different needs and goals.

Lawn Mowing: The Bare Essentials

Lawn mowing is necessary, but it's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to landscaping. When we hire a lawn mowing service, we're essentially paying for a team to come in and cut our grass to a uniform height. It's a necessary step in maintaining the appearance of our neighborhood, but it's not exactly a comprehensive service. 

So why do we need to pay for landscaping services when only get lawn mowing services?

Think about it: lawn mowing doesn't address the aesthetic appeal of our outdoor spaces. It doesn't consider the overall design and flow of our yards, nor does it take into the maintenance of our shrubs and plantings. When was the last time anyone saw someone trim back the bushes on the common areas. When was the last time anyone saw a dead bush removed and replaced with something else. Why do we have bushes of weeds?  Mowing the lawn is a one-size-fits-all approach that focuses solely on the grass.

Landscaping: A Holistic Approach

Landscaping, on the other hand, is a much more nuanced and comprehensive service that our maintenance fees are supposed to cover. It involves designing and maintaining outdoor spaces to enhance their beauty, functionality, and overall value. This includes tasks like pruning trees and shrubs, turning over the soil, maintaining the shrubs on the common areas.

The Benefits of Proper Landscaping

Well-designed landscapes can increase property values by up to 20%. They can also reduce noise pollution for the properties that border Searingtown Rd.  But beyond these practical benefits, proper landscaping can also have a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being. Looking at beautifully maintained plantings vs. half dead bushes and weeds that have become so over grown they actually look like bushes can affect our mental healthy and well being.

Conclusion

The title of the company we hire must reflect the service we receive.  Just like the property manager issue Estates ll is facing.  The titles of our service providers must aline with the service they provide.

Estates ll could save a lot of money by just hiring a lawn mowing service.

So the next time you see those landscapers rolling up to our neighborhood, remember that they're not just there to mow the lawn. They should be here to transform our outdoor spaces into beautiful, functional works of art that enhance our lives in countless ways.  We certainly pay for that service.

It's time for us to rethink what we're paying for and demand more from our board of managers. Let's work together to create a community that's truly worthy of pride – one that celebrates beauty, functionality, and community spirit.

In the end, it's not just about lawn mowing; it's about creating a neighborhood that truly reflects our values and aspirations.

If any information in a news article is incorrect please email the Residents Club and correction will be noted.
The Residents Club strives for accuracy at all times.

Stephanie Michele just told a new resident they can't have sod. The picture of the front yard was taken May 16 and the picture of a truck filled with sod taken May 17, 2023.


    

If any information in a news article is incorrect please email the Residents Club and correction will be noted.
The Residents Club strives for accuracy at all times.

Residents are being fed misinformation by board member Stephanie Michele who is in charge of landscaping. Stephanie, known for her nasty demeanor towards residents, is incorrectly telling residents that dead trees in the common areas will be removed, but not replaced, and if a resident wants another tree planted they would have to pay for it. This is a clear violation of the bylaws.  Original plantings on common area must be maintained and/or replaced by the Condo.

The Residents Club has also discovered that the board's actions are not consistent with their own policies. For example, Cindy Davidowitz (home pictured above), the VP of the board, was able to have trees replaced in her yard, and Rick Saccullo, the president of our condo, has beautiful new trees in his backyard.  The Residents Club would like to hear the board's defense for these inconsistencies.

Furthermore, Stephanie Michele and the board has been perpetuating falsehoods regarding sod. Stephanie told the resident sod is not allowed even if the resident pays for it.  However, it appears that this rule does not apply to board members, as Cindy Davidowitz was able to have sod installed in her yard at the condo's expense. Edited 5.17.24 It now appears some residents are given approval for sod as noted in the pictures above. The residents club has learned the resident who was denied the request for sod is furious over this double standard.

Additionally, the board has been telling residents that if a previous homeowner installed a sprinkler system at their own cost in the common area the new homeowner is responsible for its maintenance. This is not true according to the bylaws. A new homeowner was forced to pay hundreds of dollars to the condo's sprinkler contractor and an electrician. This resident should be reimbursed for these expenses. Stephanie Michele must educate herself on  Estates ll bylaws and stop spreading misinformation.

Page 34 of Bylaws: If homeowner gets permission at their own expense to install a sprinkler system in their irrevocable common area, they can at their own expense.  Subsequent repair and maintenance of the sprinkler shall remain the responsibility of the board of managers.

In keeping with the boards double standard, Ely Zaken, has over the years, completely defaced the common property surrounding his condo with chains, unsightly furniture, plastic figures and most recently has installed lighting on his trellis and on the common ground  adjacent to his property.

It is imperative that we hold our board accountable for their actions and ensure that they uphold the bylaws and treat all residents fairly. We request that the board provide a clear explanation for these inconsistencies and provide a plan to rectify the situation.

If any information in a news article is incorrect please email the Residents Club and correction will be noted.
The Residents Club strives for accuracy at all times.