12 | SUNRAYS
SEPTEMBER 2013
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
CA NEWS
Bits of Info from Ginny’s Desk
Submitted by Ginny Wagner, Community Standards Supervisor
PAINT SCHEMAS
September is a good time to think about
painting your house, now that theweather is
cooler. Our paint books are located online at
> Site Index > Community
Standards Dept. Once on the homepage for
the Community Standards Office, click on
“Paint Schema” listed on the left-hand side
of the page. This site can help you find your
original colors, if necessary, and can help
when you are choosing new colors.
Of course, you are always welcome to visit
us here in the Community Standards Office
and look through the paint chip books we
have. Note which color your shutters are,
the basic color of your house, and whether
the stucco is darker or lighter than the trim.
That information will help us discern your
original paint colors. Becausewe havemore
than 6,000 homes and only one set of books,
we do not let the books or chips leave the
office; however, we can work with you here
in order to find just the right color.
TREE TRIMMING & REMOVAL
When cleaning out your landscape beds,
feel free to replace plants with similar
plants, add mulch, and change out
sprinkler heads to drips if you choose.
Trimming any tree branches that hang
over your yard, be they neighbor trees
or community trees, is acceptable. You
will, however, need to treat the cuts im-
mediately with tar or paint to keep the
wounds from attracting vermin that can
contribute to disease.
If a tree is no longer viable, it can be
removed without paperwork if it is 19
inches in circumference or less when
measured 12 inches from the ground.
If larger, you can replace it with a tree
fromAppendix E without paperwork. Ev-
erything else will require an application.
When a tree is being removed, remem-
ber to have the stump ground down to
ground level so there is nothing left
above ground. A tree that has become
brittle or diseased and is a hazard can be
removed immediately. Just remember to
take a picture of the tree and, if possible,
have an arborist verify the condition.
Then, submit an application after the
fact with the documentation.
Water Matters
Submitted by Carlton M Mathis, Water Management
Nothing is better for our turf and plants than good old fash-
ioned rainwater, the way nature intended it. Although it has
not been a banner year for rainfall, what we have received
has been quite substantial when it occurred. Apart from
inspecting the rain sensor during or after one of these events,
give some consideration to turning the controller OFF for several days, even
up to a week depending on the amount of precipitation received. For any rain
less than half an inch, the normal operation of the rain sensor should suffice.
Above that amount however, several thousands of gallons of city water can
be preserved. Remember that healthy turf only requires three-quarters of an
inch (3/4”) per week to sustain itself.
Some additional water conserving tips:
• Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and
saves water, time and money.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk.
• Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering,
using a spade or trowel. If it’s still moist two inches below the soil surface,
there’s still enough water.
• Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons
of water per month.
Landscaped
Maintained Homes
Submitted by David Longacre,
Customer Service Technician
Labor Day Holiday
Monday, September 2
All facilities, except CA business offices,
will be open on Labor Day, Monday, Sep-
tember 2. Business will resume normal
hours and operations on Tuesday, Sep-
tember 3.
WOW!mobile to skip
a week
The WOW!mobile (Georgetown Public
Library’s bookmobile), which comes to
Sun City each Tuesday, will be out of
service the first week of September. The
WOW!mobile will return on Tuesday,
September 10.
We are receiving many questions
and requests regarding the trim-
ming of shrubs. TCB’s pruning
schedule works by trimming approx-
imately 30 homes a day during each
mowing visit. With this schedule,
every home should be trimmed once
a month. Irrigation will remain at
three times a week for the remainder
of the summer, following the City of
Georgetown’s mandatory water re-
strictions. All evergreen plants that
have died over the summer will be
put on the fall plant replacement
list, when the weather is more ap-
propriate for planting. We will also
continue to expand the edging where
it is necessary. Any damaged down-
spouts or irrigation lids caused by
the mowing crews will be repaired or
replaced by TCB within a reasonable
amount of time.
QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS
Email David Longacre
Aaron Johnson
NEXT LMH MEETING
Wednesday, September 4
10 a.m., AC, MR 3/4
