Category: News

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Street Sweeping This Week

Hello Neighbors,

The city of Columbus has advised the following:

Street sweeping in your zone is currently scheduled for the week of 5/6-10. As this time nears, your schedule may be adjusted to reflect any changes due to weather or other factors impacting the citywide Residential Street Sweeping Program schedules. Please recheck your schedule when your expected time frame is near and park your car off-street when sweeping is expected.

With the exception of interstate highways, the City of Columbus’ Division of Infrastructure Management is responsible for sweeping all curbed public roadways within its boundaries on an as needed basis. * Please note, there are some areas within the City of Columbus that are maintained by other agencies as it relates to the street sweeping function.

All published street sweeping schedules are subject to change due to adverse weather conditions, the temporary reassignment of personnel to the performance of other essential services, or equipment maintenance.

Please be sure to keep vehicles off roadways to ensure the best possible sweeping for our community. Thank you.

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Recent Thefts Within VAT

Hello Neighbors,

The Board has been made aware of some recent thefts that occurred in our community and wanted to make sure that homeowners were aware as well as issue some reminders when it comes to securing homes and valuables.

As posted to online Facebook groups we are aware of the following incidents:

    • Hadshire Ct – A backyard was entered and a patio set was stolen
    • Manshire Ct – Front porch patio rockers and table were stolen
    • Marhurst Ct – Front porch patio chairs and table were stolen

All three incidents occurred on April 21st. As far as we are aware there was no video caught of any of these incidents.

Safety is of paramount importance to our community and the Board has reached out to our community liaison officer, Officer Paulus ([email protected]), who is reaching out to local patrols. Per conversation with Officer Paulus he indicated he has not heard anything specific about thefts like this but that given the size of the items in question it was likely more than one person and a large vehicle to remove them. He urged review of any nearby security cameras to see if any large vehicles were captured. If someone should find any vehicles on the night of April 21st that were captured please advise Officer Paulus via email.

As always, homeowners are encouraged to call the police non-emergency number (614 645 4545) to report any suspicious vehicles or persons within our community when it is able to be done safely.

Sadly, crimes of opportunity will always occur so with that in mind we want to reiterate some best practices when it comes to home safety.

  • Be sure to secure any vehicles left outside as well as securing doors and windows at night
    If at all possible park vehicles in garages where they are most secure.
  • Secure any valuables left outdoors
    Make use of locking cables for any items that are too large to move indoors. Ensure all walkthrough gates are locked when possible.
  • Make best use of any security features you currently have on your home
    Be sure to keep exterior lights on or on timers at night. Make sure motion lights are powered and have functioning light bulbs. Increase the sensitivity of any motion detectors or video cameras on your property to ensure that they are capturing as much video as possible when motion is detected. Add locks to any gates to make removing property from your yard more challenging.
  • Use landscaping to your advantage
    If your property has easily visible sightlines to property you feel is valuable (like patio furniture, gas grills, yard decorations, etc) try to obscure the view by using well placed plants, flowers, and shrubs. This is particularly important for any homeowners on corner lots where more of their property is visible.
  • Add the Columbus police non-emergency number to your phone’s contacts
    If you see anything suspicious in the neighborhood contact the non emergency line at 614 645 4545. Be prepared with as much of a description as you can safely provide – vehicle or clothing descriptions, identifying characteristics can be very useful to police. As always, DO NOT APPROACH ANY SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE OR PERSON. Your safety is paramount.
  • Check your property and any camera motion-alerts daily
    A quick review of your exterior property will ensure that you are aware of when anything may have been taken as well as give you an opportunity to ensure your safety measures are always in place and working as intended. Reviewing doorbell or other security camera footage may show any suspicious activity even if your home wasn’t directly affected.
  • Report any crime/theft to Columbus Police
    Obtaining additional patrols in the area of our community will not happen if there are not documented reports with the Columbus police of any issues. Please take the time to file the appropriate reports at the time of any incidents.

There is no 100% effective solution to address crime but we certainly hope that homeowners take some time to review their properties and the ways they can minimize their risk of property loss.

Finally, with the Spring weather starting to improve soon and graduation around the corner it is also anticipated that yearly activities like “Senior Tag” (played by graduating high school seniors) will be occurring soon. This game can have dangerous consequences especially if a community is on edge from other recent crime. For more information see this article: WBNS 10TV – Police urge teens to find healthier outlet instead of senior tag. Please take some time to talk to your graduating seniors about the timing of this game in light of recent concerns.

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Community Park Updates

Hello Neighbors,

As mentioned at the annual community meeting, our community park has reached the point where an equipment change and resurfacing would need to take place.

Equipment at the park was adjusted a few years ago to extend the life of the equipment. However, at this point replacement parts are either not recommended or not available for our equipment. In addition to this, our playground surface has reached its natural end of life, with several cracks within the surface spreading from annual freeze/thaw cycles.

In speaking with several suppliers of playground equipment and surfacing it was universally acknowledged that for the best results of both equipment and surface life going forward, the two changes should be made simultaneously.

The Board is kindly requesting that all registered homeowners take a brief survey about our community park. We’d like your thoughts on the playground’s current use, design, and what you would like to see for the future. This feedback will be used to guide the quoting process. The link to the survey is noted at the end of this post.

This survey is ONLY open to homeowners within the VAT community. Homeowners are asked to enter their REGISTERED email addresses (where you receive email notifications from the community). These registered email addresses will be used to confirm membership within VAT.

Please keep in mind, the community park is designated green space per our community planning. Removing the park/playground will not change the space’s designation and would come at considerable cost as well. It is the Board’s hope that with the community’s guidance for the park, we will be able to present 2-3 options for the future park that homeowners will be able to weigh in on before a final selection is made. Exact timing is still to be determined.

We hope all homeowners take this opportunity to provide feedback to the Board for consideration. Homeowners are always welcome to send any additional feedback to the board directly – [email protected]. Please use the subject: Community Park Updates.

Click here for the survey: Community Park Feedback
The survey will open in a new window and should take less than 5 minutes to complete.

Thank you for your time and we look forward to seeing your feedback.

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2024 Annual Meeting Reminder

A reminder that the VAT annual meeting has been scheduled. All homeowners are encouraged to attend.

Details for this meeting were included in the annual assessment packet and can be found below as well.

Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Southwest Area Library at Westland – 4740 W Broad St

The primary purpose of this meeting is the election of Board members.

Join the Board – Be a new member on the Board! A full HOA board consists of seven members with seats split into even and odd years. Due to seat terms, four members have just completed their two year term and those positions will be open for new members. One member of the odd year group will be moving, which results in a total of five available board positions. This means we can have up to five new faces on the board in 2024 – and one of them could be yours! 

Serving on the board is a great way to learn about our community and get to know your neighbors. All knowledge is welcome but in particular, experience with finance, accounting, or maintenance would be very helpful in serving our neighborhood. Want to learn more about the time commitment and responsibilities before volunteering? Send an email with your contact information to Board@thornappleassociation.org for more information.

We look forward to seeing everyone.

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Winter Weather & Snow Removal

Hi neighbors,

Our first accumulating snow of 2024 is in the forecast so while the kids are dreaming of snow days, sled rides, and snowmen…for the rest of us it is time for a refresher about VAT snow removal.

Snow removal – City and private trucks will once again be out cleaning our roadways when snow is projected. To keep our neighborhood as safe as we can we need your help. We encourage everyone to observe the following guidelines at all times but most especially when snowfall of 3″ or greater is expected in our area.

    1. Park vehicles in garages or driveways
      Fewer vehicles impeding plows and salt trucks will ensure better snow removal. When possible keep vehicles off roadways until after plows come through. This is especially important for residents in our courts and cul-de-sacs where extra vehicles can create impassable lanes for these large trucks.
    2. Remove any debris from storm drains
      Water runoff and snow melt that cannot drain will refreeze along roadways and crosswalks creating more hazards for residents. When conditions allow, please check storm drains on your property to ensure they are clear and allowing runoff to freely access drains.
    3. Slow down and add time to your commute
      Several bus stops in our community are near tight intersections where children may be waiting for busses. Please take your time navigating slick or snow covered streets especially in the morning hours.

We understand that not everyone will be able to do all of these items, but the more members of the community that participate, the safer our streets will be.

Stay safe everyone!

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Dues, Volunteering, and Annual Meeting

Happy New Year VAT neighbors!

A few reminders and announcements as 2024 gets underway for everyone:

Dues – In 2022 our annual assessment (i.e. dues) deadline changed to January 31st to give homeowners a bit more time for payment after the busy holiday season as well as cleanly align neighborhood income and expenses in the same calendar year.

If you would like to pay online using a debit or credit card (MC/V): You will need to email our property manager (information below) for a link to pay – some additional fees will apply as well. Payment cannot be made via the community website.

If paying via check, money order, or bank check payment can be made to: The Thornapple Association Inc

Total: $315

Mailing Address: 
The Thornapple Association
c/o VB Business Service
1209 Hill Rd N., #150
Pickerington, OH 43147

Payment due date: January 31st, 2024

Annual dues are subject to the Village at Thornapple Homeowners’ Association collection policy. Please note if you have a past-due balance on your account, you must include the entire balance due to be considered current on your annual assessment. Payments received will be applied to the oldest assessments on the property.

Further questions? Please email our property manager, Vida Burns, at [email protected] or call her at 614 402 5039.

Volunteers needed in 2024 – What makes our community great? You! In 2024 we would love to see more members of our community take an active role in its governance, care and social events. We have 275 homes in our community allowing everyone the opportunity to volunteer and serve on the board or assist with social or caretaking events. Since 2020 less than 5% of homeowners have volunteered in some capacity within our community. Over 20% of homeowners in VAT moved here since 2018 and we want you to get involved. So, how can you participate?

Join the Board – Be a new member on the Board! A full HOA board consists of seven members with seats split into even and odd years. Due to seat terms, four members have just completed their two year term and those positions will be open for new members. One member of the odd year group will be moving, which results in a total of five available board positions. This means we can have up to five new faces on the board in 2024 – and one of them could be yours! 

Serving on the board is a great way to learn about our community and get to know your neighbors. All knowledge is welcome but in particular, experience with finance, accounting, or maintenance would be very helpful in serving our neighborhood. Want to learn more about the time commitment and responsibilities before volunteering? Send an email with your contact information to Board@thornappleassociation.org for more information.

Board seats are voted upon at the annual meeting so anyone with interest is encouraged to attend the meeting to submit their application or learn more. 

Other ways to volunteer – Within VAT we often have several odd jobs that extra hands could help complete. Examples include: cleaning graffiti from park equipment, changing light bulbs, removing trash from the park and community fence, or helping prepare or clean-up social events like the Easter egg hunt or National Night Out. Volunteering to assist with these items helps keep our dues down and foster a better community for everyone. Worried about the time commitment? Don’t be! Most volunteer needs are less than an hour. Plus, the more volunteers we have, the faster the work gets done.

Annual Meeting – Finally, as a reminder our annual association meeting is scheduled for Sunday February 4th at 2PM. The meeting will be at the Southwest Public Library at Westland (4740 W. Broad St). We look forward to seeing you there.

Wishing everyone a safe and warm week and all the best in 2024!

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Tree Updates – Fall 2023

Happy Friday!

It appears the city of Columbus forestry team has done another review and marked additional street trees within our community for review or removal.

A reminder on street trees: These trees fall under City of Columbus ordinance and are subject to specific city code. In our conversations with the Forestry section, they explained that trees marked with a blue dot indicates that the City is keeping that tree under review for possible future removal. Trees marked with a blue “X” are scheduled for removal. Exact timing is unknown. Please keep this in mind as you walk around the community as their may also be coinciding sidewalk repairs as determined by the city.

Should a tree on your property be marked for removal and you would like a replacement you will need to contact the city of Columbus 311 (614 645 3111 or Columbus 311) to arrange.

Finally, if you have a tree in need of pruning due to low branches over sidewalks or a tree that is creating a hazard that needs to be removed, please contact the City of Columbus 311 (614 645 3111 or Columbus 311) to report – phone hours are M-F 8:00AM – 5:00PM. This is especially important with Trick or Treat coming up in a few weeks where more community members will be walking our sidewalks at night and the tree branches will be more difficult to see. 

 

For more information about street trees please visit: https://www.columbus.gov/street-tree-faqs/

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Back to School and other reminders

Hello Neighbors,

We hope everyone is doing well and that neighborhood families are getting back into the routine a new school year brings. Several reminders as the school year resumes and activities increase this coming fall:

School is getting underway!

 

  • Busy Bus Stops
    Please keep an eye out for the kids during the morning and afternoon school bus hours. Add a few minutes to your morning commute to help keep our neighborhood safe.

 

  • Street Side Parked Cars
    If you park street side please be sure to leave the busses plenty of room to turn.  Stay close to curbs and away from intersections when possible.

Park Reminders

 

  • Anyone under the age of 14 should have a parent or guardian with them at all times while at the park.
    This is to ensure all park rules are being followed and property treated appropriately and safely.

 

  • The park is private property and should be treated with respect.
    Climbing on the equipment should be limited to its intended use and climbing on the top of the shelter or park equipment is strictly prohibited. All park rules should be followed at all times.

 

  • There is no lost and found box at the neighborhood park.
    Keep an eye on your belongings and ensure all personal items are taken when leaving.

 

  • Please “bring it in, bring it out”.
    The trash can at the park should capture the odd need while folks enjoy the park. This trash can is emptied by your neighbors (in their personal trash cans) so please be courteous when throwing away items. Empty beverage cups and please take pet waste bags to your own container.

Neighborhood Safety

Please be sure to keep an eye out in all courts and cul-de-sacs for small children who may be playing. Homeowners have expressed concerns that small children are very difficult to see while playing and especially so with cars parked along roadways.

Parents please remind your kiddos that while they might be able to see the cars, the cars can’t always see them – please stick to the sidewalks and yards as much as possible.

Thank you to everyone in our community who help keep us safe!

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2023 Community Garage Sale – Mark Your Calendar!

Everyone must have spring cleaning on their minds as we have had several inquiries for when our community garage sale is going to be happening. It’s great to see so many households eager to participate!

The dates for 2023 are going to be June 9th and 10th.

We hope to see some great community involvement and hope folks use this as an opportunity to get out and speak with neighbors and new faces within the community.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars.

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Spring Reminders

Despite the chill this week spring is finally here. A few reminders as the season progresses:

  • Watch out! – The nicer weather means more folks out walking, running and riding. Please keep speeds down and make sure to take corners with caution.
  • Use your safety equipment – Nighttime riders and walkers especially – please make sure the reflectors or lighting on your bikes or clothing is readily visible to drivers. Children under 18 are REQUIRED to wear a helmet in the City of Columbus. Visit this link for more rules of the road. Also, don’t forget to lock doors and windows at the end of the day and keep garage doors closed when not actively using. The simplest methods can avoid injury and prevent theft.
  • Keep driveways and sidewalks clear – Not only from vehicles or objects on the ground, like bikes or grass clippings, check for overgrown landscaping, creeping beds, and low hanging branches from trees as well.
  • Review the handbook prior to taking on exterior projects and file your Request for Review (RR) forms early – The spring and summer months bring on many outdoor projects that are subject to Architectural Review (ARC). Make sure to allow time for ARC to receive and process your application before scheduling vendor work.

Looking forward to warmer days ahead – have a great week!

©2025 Thornapple Association, Inc.