September 7, 2025

Opening

The meeting, held in the lower common area, was called to order by Melissa Stark at 3:35 p.m.

Members Attending: Melissa Stark (Common Areas Coordinator), Bob Cosgriff, Richard Dudley, Larry Rogers; HFCA President, Steve Kubrak, also attended.

Agenda Items

Melissa gave a general overview of changes in the common areas. She stated that a lot has been done in the seven years since she became the common areas coordinator, but that some items in her five- and ten-year plan have not yet been achieved. Basically, requirements for her time have increased greatly for a variety of reasons so she is looking for help in CAC members in picking up some of the load.

She distributed a handout about proposed new signage for Hickory Farms, which will include signs at the entrances to the common areas, the north path and the Farm House easement to Glenmere Road. However, the signage was not the main focus of the meeting so details were not discussed.

She solicited input and opinions on the current mowing and lawn care companies. The general consensus was that Green Zone Mowing is giving us a price that cannot be matched and their service meets expectations although they could perhaps do a better job at weeding. The group recommended that we renew the contract with them.

Tru-Green does thrice-yearly weed control and fertilization for us (March/April, August, October/November) plus targeted weed spraying in the “Tree of Life” area in the lower common and the main island in the upper common (to include the wildflower meadow). Comments on this company included: 1) perhaps they should be instructed not to spray close to backyards where there are vegetable gardens; 2) ensure that they notify us of dates that they will be spraying so that we can be sure to get the word out promptly to the community; 3) ensure that they always put out signs indicated that spraying has occurred so that neighbors can avoid going into the area.

Following the discussion, the consensus was that we should continue with Tru-Green in 2026.

There was a brief discussion about rain gardens in the lower commons, but no decisions were made.

Tree issues was the next item. Two areas were discussed: the northern path and the “Tree of Heaven” area by the ‘hidden path’ in the lower commons. The clearing of that area a couple of years ago missed four large Tree of Heaven trees on the east side of the path in the larger tree island. These are attracting large numbers of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly for which this is the host tree. These will have to be removed and the remaining trunk/roots either pulled out or treated with the appropriate herbicide.

Re: Rabbit Run—Bob reported that the project has slowed down due to contractual issues and turnover/staffing issues with the County. The soil testing originally scheduled for June/July still has not happened. Bob will check with the project manager to get an update. He will also put together a slide or two for the Annual Meeting in October.

Melissa highlighted a proposed project to put invasives out of the boxwood group and generally spruce up that area, then do some planting of appropriate native flower/grasses under the cedar trees next to the boxwoods. The main (restored) island in the upper needs constant attention. She hopes to remove some of the taller plants in the adjacent wildflower meadow and replace them with lower-lying native species. The growth in there is too thick. Jarrett will be bush-hogging this area in October, which will get it ready for any plantings in 2026.

Melissa brought up the issue on the northern path with runoff from the City of Fairfax across our path and affecting Pete and Rose Scala’s house. Bob suggested that the best way to get things going on this would be to contact Sally Kidalov at Supervisor Walkinshaw’s office who could contact the proper department in the City and coordinate a meeting. Also on the subject of the Northern Path, she would like to do some additional planting in appropriate areas and also get the boundary line resurveyed (with some additional markers). This survey might also extend to the entrances and any easements (e.g., to Glenmere), and possibly the entire RPA. Bob mentioned that we will have access to the County’s survey information which they will obtain in order to gain easements with property owners on Burke Station Road whose property runs into the RPA. This would save us a considerable amount of money that we could apply to other priorities.

Melissa then asked who would like to volunteer to take over some of her responsibilities. Rich Dudley said he could work with Green Zone and TruGreen on contracts (to include any additional conditions we would like to add, such as the spraying issue mentioned above.

Larry Rogers said he would be able to work on the tree issues. Steve said that he could assist.

Melissa asked Bob remain in charge of the bluebird trail and martin colony and let her know how many new predator baffles and poles are needed and also see if any of the current boxes need to be replaced. He said he would do that when he and Judy do the winterizing of the boxes. She would also like to put some sort of circular, metal ‘collar’ around the bluebird box poles and the martin colony to keep the lawnmowers away from them.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

Recorder: Bob Cosgriff