January 28, 2022
Brenda Holden President 731 Plainwood Dr. 713.875.2895
I would like to provide an update and summary of information related to our Memorial Thicket neighborhood. For more detailed information please refer to our "Memorial Thicket Information Guide & Residents Directory" or the Memorial Thicket website at www.memorialthicket.org. If you should have any questions or comments that I haven't addressed, please contact me at 713.875.2895 or the appropriate officer. Best Regards.
Memorial Thicket Officers for 2022 Thank you to those who are volunteering to serve our neighborhood!
President Brenda Holden 713.875.2895 VP - Operations Dr. Lyn Buza 713-684-0850 VP - Security Teresa "Reese" Brio 210.667.3870
Treasurer Greg Sergesketter 713.234.0604
Secretary Meghan Lee 281-250-552 ACC Chair Tom Skerl 832-276-2348 ACC Member Shaz Butte 832-816-7617
2022 Residents' Directory
We are working to update our residents' directory for 2022. If you are new to the neighborhood, or your information has changed please stop by the guardhouse and complete a homeowner information sheet. All residents should complete this form so we have the most current contact information. We use this information for the directory, and the guards use it to contact you in the case of an emergency. If you have any questions regarding the directory, please contact the Secretary, Meghan Lee, at 281-250-5524.
Annual Assessment
The 2022 annual assessment of $1,900 was due January 1, 2022 with a grace period until January 31, 2022. If the payment for your lot(s) is not received (received, not mailed) by the end of the month, a $25 administration fee will be added for each month in which your payment is not received. Your payment may be given to the guard on duty or mailed to our MTHA address at 702 Plainwood Dr., Houston, TX 77079. If you have questions regarding the payment, please contact the Treasurer, Greg Sergesketter, at the number listed above.
Operations
Landscaping & Trash The Operation board member for the neighborhood covers maintenance and landscaping for all common areas as well as trash collection and recycling. The costs related to these functions are paid for through your annual assessment. Our current contract with Texas Pride calls for "backdoor" trash collection on Tuesday and Friday of each week. Yard waste and bulky items should be placed at the curbside no earlier than the evening before trash collection days. Trash cans should be out of view on non-collection days. Recycling materials are being collected once a week on Tuesday and these items are to be clearly marked for recycling and visible from the street. You may obtain a recycling sticker/banner from the guards at the front of the neighborhood. Questions regarding landscaping or trash/recycling should be directed to Dr. Lyn Buza at artteach123@sbcglobal.net, or at the number above. Architectural Control Article VI of our DCCRs outlines the duties of the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) and the guidelines for approving exterior construction or remodeling, including; fences, mailboxes, lamp posts, driveways, landscaping, drainage, and pools. These provisions are too detailed to be reviewed here, but homeowners should consult and become familiar with them prior to undertaking any modification of their residences or properties. Changes or additions to properties have an impact on Memorial Thicket’s℠ appearance and ultimately on homeowners' property values. The DCCR can be found under 'documents' on the Memorial Thicket website. If you are contemplating changes to your property, please contact the ACC Chairperson, Tom Skerl at 281-531-6450, tom@skerl.com, or ACC member Shaz Butte at shazbutte@gmail.com prior to starting any work.
Tuesday Morning Along the Bayou Behind Memorial Thicket
Security
Alarm Systems Memorial Thicket has a contract with a private security firm, Smith Thompson (713.492.1064), to provide monitoring services for homeowners' security systems. Our deed restrictions (DCCRs) require each home has a monitored functioning security system in place that notifies the guards when triggered. Your system not only protects you but also protects your neighbors. Our contract with Smith Thompson includes payment of the monthly monitoring fee for those homeowners signed up with them. This cost is covered by your annual assessment. Installation and maintenance of the system are the responsibility of the homeowner and should be discussed with Smith Thompson. Of course, each homeowner is permitted to select a security firm other than Smith Thompson, however, in that case, all costs and monitoring fees are the responsibility of the homeowner. Please remember to check your alarm system regularly to make sure it is working properly. If you are unsure whether your system adequately protects you, your family, and your property, have your security company do an assessment. When you do go out of town, please complete an out-of-town notice with the guards. For added security, you may also request the guards walk your home’s perimeter while you are away. Car Decals As part of our overall security efforts for the neighborhood, we ask that you obtain and display a Memorial Thicket decal in the lower-left corner of the windshield of all autos that are normally "garaged" in Memorial Thicket. You may obtain decals from the guards. Street Safety and Speeding Our biggest complaint in the neighborhood is speeding. We all are in a hurry sometimes, but for the sake of each and every resident, please try to monitor your speed within the neighborhood. Since we do not have sidewalks, we have a lot of walkers, children, and pets on our streets and it is easy to get distracted. We do not want an accident. We ask all homeowners, renters, guests, and contractors to drive at 20 mph through the neighborhood. Parking For the safety of your vehicle, it is recommended that cars not park on the street. Also, be aware that the City of Houston prohibits the parking of any vehicle on the street for longer than 24 hours. Yard Lamps The streets within Memorial Thicket are City of Houston public streets. Many years ago when our neighborhood was formed the developers determined that individual homeowners would provide individual yard lamps for illumination rather than have city street lights installed. This was then written into our DCCRs. For the safety and security of all residents, each homeowner is required to have a functioning yard light within the parameters set forth by the ACC. The guards will put a notice in your mailbox if your lamp post is not working. We ask you to respond to their notices within seven days. The more illumination in our neighborhood the safer it will be. We ask each homeowner to keep their yard lamp working, and use the brightest bulbs to contribute to the safety of our neighborhood. Contact Please remain diligent. If you see suspicious activity, please contact the guards at 713-501-5406. If you should have any questions regarding our neighborhood security, please contact the Vice President of Security, Reese Brito, at the number listed above.