Save-the-Date! Tuesday Nov. 14th Craneridge Town Hall

Your presence and input are vital to our community’s future.

SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, November 14th, 6:00 pm

Join us for an evening of constructive discussion and community camaraderie at UNOVA Coworking space in Springville. Dinner, snacks and drinks will be provided. We look forward to your participation!

Stay tuned for an official invite with registration!

Next Board Meeting: Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 @ 6:45 pm – via ZOOM

Craneridge Association BOD Meeting Agenda

Monday, May 3, 2023  @ 6:45 pm
Via Zoom– This meeting will be held online via Zoom and is open to all community members. This meeting is password protected. To obtain the link and password for the online meeting, please log into the Craneridge Homeowners page: https://craneridge.org/homeowners-2/

AGENDA:

Mission Statement: Enhance our living environment through woodlands stewardship, shared property maintenance, and community building.

Outcomes [or Intended Results] for this meeting: 

By the end of this meeting we will accomplish the following: 

  • Ensure the Board of Directors’ support for key aspects of the Craneridge Town Hall Meeting like scheduling, venue selection, facilitator, refreshments, and potential agenda and activities;
  • Vote on motion to approve temporary deer exclusion for the Woodlands & Habitat Committee reforestation plan on common property; and
  • Determine whether garden fencing (i.e. deer barriers) for private lot owners raises any potential challenges or considerations; and to consider if this topic merits the attention of the Board of Directors. 
Sections and TopicsLeaderTime (minutes) 
CONNECT – Check-in Shannon W. 5
COMMENTS – Member’s Public Comments WelcomeN/AN/A
Meeting Minutes Meeting Approval for September 2023Shannon W. 5  
CONVENE – Quick review of Outcomes, Agenda, and rolesShannon W. 5
CONSENT AGENDA – Officer & Committee Reports
President, Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer/Finance Report
Committees 
Executive Secretary 		Officers, Committee Chairs & Executive Secretary 1 minute each

(~10) 
CONTEXT – Review Follow-up Action Plan Template ItemsShannon W. 5
CONTENT – with “open,” “narrow,” or ”close”
Craneridge Town Hall Meeting Planning & Coordination – Talk about the Craneridge Town Hall Meeting arrangements, ensuring the Board of Directors’ support for key aspects like scheduling, venue selection, facilitator, refreshments, and potential agenda and activities.  (N, C)Shannon & Gwen 5
Motion to Approve a Temporary Deer Exclusion Barrier for the Woodlands & Habitat Committee Reforestation Plan on common property – The Architecture committee reviewed plans and ended in a tie vote. The applicant is now referring the matter to the BOD as specified in the Bylaws/Covenants Section 12.05 (C)Gwen10
Fenced Gardens on Private Lots– to assess whether garden fencing (i.e. deer barriers) raises any potential challenges or considerations, and to decide if additional scrutiny or measures are needed by the Board of Directors. (O)Jeff10
Any other Topics that need to be Discussed N/AN/A
CONTINUE & CONCLUDE  – Summarize, Action Plans, Next MeetingShannon5

NOTES: ONC label meanings
O = Open (Talking about it for the first time & opening the discussion)
N = Narrow (Focusing on Options & narrowing down the discussion)
C = Close (Making a decision and closing the discussion)

Neighborhood Dog Waste Stations – Reminders!

Since the installation of our four neighborhood dog waste stations, our community has been a noticeably more pleasant place for walking and biking. Most dog owners are doing a fantastic job of responsibly picking up after their pooches. The waste stations benefit all residents by helping to encourage this practice.

Keep in mind that the stations are maintained by volunteers. Those involved take turns emptying the cans weekly and disposing of the contents in their own garbage. The bags can get quite heavy, especially in the winter.

Jan Freeman’s team of volunteers thank you in advance for being considerate in your use of the waste stations.

Here are some reminders for ALL residents:

  1. Stations are for DOG WASTE ONLY. While an occasional candy wrapper or Tim Horton’s
    cup are better placed in there than on the ground, these are not designed to
    accommodate trash items.
  2. The stations are strategically located for dog owners to dispose of pet waste while
    walking the neighborhood. Stations are NOT to be used as a receptacle for accumulated
    poop picked up at your own home. Please properly dispose of your collection in your
    own garbage rather than burdening the volunteers with it.
  3. Individual poop pick up bags are provided by the HOA and are intended for “emergency
    use” in situations where you find yourself short of a bag. Dog owners should carry their
    own supply and grab a bag from the station only if they occasionally forget or
    underestimate the need for a bag    . Under no circumstances is it acceptable for dog
    owners to take handfuls of bags at a time from the station to save on purchasing them.

Reforestation Project Launches in October

We’ll need the community’s help and support!

From https://craneridge.org/

In Craneridge, our mission is clear: to enhance our living environment through woodlands stewardship, shared property maintenance, and community building. For nearly 60 years, Craneridge neighbors have shared a sense of appreciation for the natural beauty that defines our unique community. Central to this mission is our commitment to preserving and enhancing our unique woodlands, which are the heart and soul of Craneridge.

However, as we all know, our aging woodlands face unprecedented challenges. Invasive species, disease, deer, and other threats are taking a toll on their health and vitality.

That’s why, after months of careful planning and dedication from the Woodlands & Habitat Committee, we are excited to unveil an ambitious reforestation project. While we’ve made significant progress in recent years by removing invasive plants and planting pollinator gardens, this year marks a significant milestone as we shift our focus to our beloved trees.

Project details
We’ll be planting a variety of 125 disease-resistant native trees and shrubs in an area of about 1,000 sq./ft., behind the Meadow Woodlands Path, which is directly behind Crane Road 15 and 16, and adjacent to 138 Deer Run. We’ve met with these neighbors, and they are fully in support of the project.

The trees will be planted more closely together (5 feet apart) replicating what happens in a forest. This established reforestation process generates much faster growth. Thousands of these forests have been planted around the globe in communities just like Craneridge. To protect the young trees from our overly robust deer population we will use temporary deer exclusion material, which will remain in place until the plants are big enough to withstand deer browsing. Sadly, deer are the #1 reason our woods are not naturally regenerating.

Invitation to support our mission…
and lend a hand
We ask each one of you to join us in this exciting endeavor. Together, we will breathe new life into our woodlands, strengthen our sense of community, and fulfill our Craneridge mission. It’s time to watch our reforestation project sprout and flourish. There are three options to join us. Sign-up here.

  1. General area clean-up of downed branches and debris, and area raking. (early Oct.)
  2. Planting weekend! Great for families. The area will be staked, holes dug, and potted trees ready to plant. (Sat./Sun. Oct. 28-29).
  3. Monitoring the plantings, the deer protection, as well as reporting deer damage to the Woodlands & Habitat Committee. (starting in November for at least a year or two)

Our first step
We know we have years of tree planting ahead of us. This project is just our first step. In spring of 2024, we’ll relaunch a tree planting education program for our neighbors so that your planted trees have a good chance at success!

Questions? Concerns? Ideas?
Contact Gwen Alegre, Sam Lewandowski, or Jen Parsons.

Next Board Meeting: Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 @ 6:00 pm – Pool Shelter

Craneridge Association BOD Meeting Agenda

Monday, September 11, 2023  @ 6:00 pm – Pool Shelter

Mission Statement: Enhance our living environment through woodlands stewardship, shared property maintenance, and community building.

Outcomes [or Intended Results] for this meeting: 

By the end of this meeting we will accomplish the following: 

  • Review and discuss the committee reports, ensuring transparency and accountability in the organization’s operations
  • Address and make decisions on any outstanding issues, concerns, or challenges brought forth in officer and committee reports, and formulate action plans where necessary.
Sections and TopicsLeaderTime (minutes) 
CONNECT – Check-in Shannon W. 5
COMMENTS – Member’s Public Comments WelcomeN/AN/A
Meeting Minutes Meeting Approval for August 2023Shannon W. 5  
CONVENE – Quick review of Outcomes, Agenda, and rolesShannon W. 5
CONSENT AGENDA – Officer & Committee ReportsPresident, Vice President, Secretary, & Treasurer/Finance ReportCommittees Executive Secretary Officers, Committee Chairs & Executive Secretary 1 minute each

(~10) 
CONTEXT – Review Follow-up Action Plan Template ItemsShannon W. 5
CONTENT – with “open,” “narrow,” or ”close”
No new or open topics that need discussion this month.N/AN/A
Any other Topics that need to be Discussed N/AN/A
CONTINUE & CONCLUDE  – Summarize, Action Plans, Next MeetingShannon5

Basketball Court & Mail Center Sealant + Phragmites Removal on Hardwood this week!!!

Notice to all Neighbors… This week we have three major events taking place:

  1. The Basketball Court will be sealed this Friday, September 1st. The Sealant will take around 24 hours to properly cure, so please DO NOT USE the basketball court on Friday (9/1) or Saturday (9/2). Please let your children know to stay off the court while it’s drying.
  2. The Mail Center drive will also be sealed this Friday, Sept. 1st. Again, the Sealant will take around 24 hours to properly cure, so please DO NOT USE the Drive at the Mail Center on Friday (9/1) or Saturday (9/2). Please plan for parking your car on the road while you pick up your mail while it drys on Friday and Saturday.
  3. .Phragmites Removal set for this Thursday (8-31). The Craneridge Woodland & Habitat Committee have been granted volunteer help from the WNY PRISM crew. This team of invasive species experts will be removing the non-native phragmites along Crump Brook off Hardwood approaching Tarn Trail. Left unchecked, this already-spreading reed grass will outcompete and outrun native plants, sedges, and grasses that are valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife. The PRISM crew will also be working with Jeff Randall and Alan Miamo to remove any remaining multi-floral rose near the mailcenter. Learn more: https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/…/plants/common-reed