Letter From Board re: Trash Policy

March 13, 2007
Dear Amberfield HOA Resident:

We have previously posted the trash policy on each mailbox in the community and many residents have failed and/or refused to comply with our policies. As a result, the entire community has suffered with trash being strewn about by crows and/or the wind on collection days.

Loose garbage is not only an eyesore but also attracts rodents and is a public health hazard. Such irresponsible conduct by the residents of this neighborhood will not be tolerated. This letter shall constitute official notice to all homeowners and tenant residents of the trash policy in Amberfield and should be kept with your homeowner or tenant documents.

As set forth in the Amberfield Trash Policy Guidelines, a copy of which is attached, the City of Gaithersburg requires that household garbage be bagged and then placed in a rigid container with a tamper resistant lid. This is the law. Weekly inspections of the community will be conducted on trash collection days to identify those residents who violate the trash placement rules/law.

You are hereby advised that placing garbage on the curb in white kitchen trash bags or disposable grocery store bags is unacceptable and will subject you to fines of $50 per occurrence.

You are additionally advised that placing any household garbage in the common area trash cans is also a violation of Amberfield's trash policy and is subject to a fine of $50 per occurrence.

Some homeowners have reported success using thick (3 ml) black trash bags as a substitute for trashcans. However, we have recently had reports of crows tearing through even reinforced heavy duty trash bags. Ultimately, you are responsible for your garbage. If you choose to use black heavy duty trash bags instead of a proper trash can, you do so at your own peril and will still be held in violation if crows successfully tear the bag and spread your trash. However, until further notice, the use of black heavy duty trash bags will not in and of itself constitute a violation unless they are actually torn open. In contrast, the use of white kitchen trash bags or grocery bags is absolutely prohibited and constitutes an automatic violation.

If residents place bulk trash items out for bulk pickup WHICH ONLY OCCURS ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH and if - for whatever reason- such items are not timely picked up, the resident remains responsible for the removal of the items and must take appropriate action to either store them inside their home until the next bulk pickup day or transport such items themselves to the County disposal facility. Information on the County disposal facility is available on our website - www.amberfieldhoa.com Violations involving bulk trash dumping on common area are subject to a fine of $500 per occurrence in addition to the cost for the removal and disposal of the bulk trash items.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS POLICY CAN BE BROUGHT DIRECTLY TO THE BOARD AT OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS WHICH ARE HELD ON THE THIRD THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 7 PM.

Sincerely,
Amberfield HOA Board of Directors