Edition 1.

Volume 2

April 1, 2015

TRHA NNEWSLETTER
Twin Ridge Homeowners Association
A Message from the President:
Spring, finally? Yes, and were
happy bid farewell to what seems
like the longest and coldest winter in
memory (at least mine). Our
neighborhood, however, has
survived and thrived. Witness our
holiday and progressive dinner
parties, the Jiminy Peak ski trip,
backyard hockey rinks, sleigh
riding, families caroling, and kids
shoveling snow. Weve also gone
live with the redesigned TRHA
website (thank you Gen Fagan and
Anita Skor), published this
newsletter, and the upcoming 2015
Social Directory out later this
month. Our work with the town has
yielded results with road paving
scheduled for the neighborhood this
year and, if approved by the
Ridgefield Police Commission, new
child safety traffic signage will be
installed just in time for the summer
play season. Weve had very
positive response to our TRHA
membership drive this year with
over 70% of residents contributing.
Wed also like to announce that a
new senior membership rate will
take effect for 2016, $25. Our
neighborhood association is the tie
that binds. We are grateful to all
who participate and encourage all
families to join. All in all we made
the best of the winter season, so
bring on Spring!

Neighborhood News
NEW TRHA
WEBSITE!
We are very excited to
announce the unveiling of our new
Twin Ridge Website, created by our very own talented
neighbor Gen Fagan!! It can be found at
www.twinridgect.org. Please take a moment to look around
the site, where you will find information on upcoming
events, TRHA Board members, meetings notices, and
budget as well as THRA Member forms and more! We
intend to use this site to post mailings, flyers, newsletters
and other communications regarding TRHA matters and
events. Please note that Gen has created a Call for Kids
page on the website where your kids may, with your
permission, list jobs like yard work, baby/dog sitting, snow
shoveling etc.that they are willing do for neighbors.
Contact Gen at Ofagan@aol.com to post listings or for
more information. Gen is also on the lookout for photos of
neighborhood houses, gardens and other pertinent
neighborhood pictures for the website. Please contact her if
you have any! put o

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Financial News
On the financial front, we
finished 2014 with with a
balanced budget. To achieve
balance cuts were needed and cut
we did. The reason for the
shortfall was reduced member
dues in 2014. In an effort to better
understand lower member
participation, weve included
some new questions on the
Information Sheet accompanying
the 2015 Annual Dues Letter. So
please help us serve you better by
responding and letting us know
your priorities.

NEW TRHA BOARD

President - Paul Halsey
halsey49@gmail.com
Vice President - Jim Coleman
jcoleman@houlihanparnes.com
Treasurer - Denis Loncto
dloncto@comcast.net
Secretary - Jacque Lange
jaxfoo@comcast.net

April 1, 2015

Annual Dues
The 2015 Annual TRHA Dues Letter was mailed
in January. The annual contribution for 2015
remains $50 per household (a new $25 rate for seniors
will begin in 2016). If youve not already done so, please
renew your TRHA Membership for 2015 by returning
your dues letter along with a check and the completed
information sheet. Membership in the TRHA is more
than just a part of property ownership. Membership
entitles families to participate in TRHA social events,
attend and vote at the annual board meeting, and have a
say in how TRHA operates. So please take a moment
from your busy day and respond to Denis Loncto, 55
Rising Ridge Road. As we go to press for this newsletter
57 of our 130 families have renewed their memberships.
Please note that dues are essential to maintaining both the
character of our neighborhood and the upkeep of its
common grounds. Social events, the Twin Ridge
Directory, the website and newsletter convey helpful
information and help maintain the sense of community
for which Twin Ridge is known. The maintenance of
common areas (entrances and corners) and seasonal
decorations are important activities that help maintain the
value and standing of our neighborhood within the
broader Ridgefield community.

Environment - Spencer Moore

moorebean@gmail.com
Communications - Anita Skor
anitaskor1@gmail.com
Social - Brandi Matz
brandi@takecarecenter.net

Board Update
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April 1, 2015

At Februarys annual board meeting we enjoyed the best attendance in years. Now that either
means that people are unhappy and want to let the board know it or were seeing a resurgence
of community involvement and new neighbors all coming together to renew the well known
Twin Ridge sense of community. We think it can be safely said its the later. Long time
residents and new neighbors alike came together in classic New England town hall style to
have their say. A clear priority coming out the the meeting was to better understand what
members want. Hence, the survey questions in the 2015 dues letter. More on the results of
this effort in the next newsletter. George Sumberaz (treasurer) and Annette Bonwetsch (social
chair) have handed over the reins to newly elected board members Denis Loncto (Treasurer)
and Brandi Matz (social chair). To George and Annette we cant say thank you enough for all
youve done. Also newly elected to the board are Jim Coleman, vice-president, and Anita
Skor, communications director. Gen Fagan has volunteered to be our new webmaster

Neighborhood Safety
We urge all drivers to use caution and reasonable speed while driving in Twin Ridge. We
have many families with young children and with warmer weather theyll surely be out in
droves. We are especially focused on cut through traffic along Beechwood, Rising Ridge,
Indian Cave, and Twin Ridge roads. To reach both residents and non-residents alike we are
working with the Ridgefield Police Commission to institute a Drive Like Your Kids Live
Here road signage campaign. Updates and pictures of the signs will be posted on the Twin
Ridge website in May.

WINTER SOCIAL EVENTS 2014/15

Holiday Party
There was much holiday cheer and many winter festivities to report about in Twin
Ridge this year. The season was kicked off on December 5
with the Annual TRHA Holiday Party which took place at
the beautifully decorated home of Brandi and Erik Matz.
Despite the terrible weather, we had a wonderful turnout and
it was it was a lovely evening with delicious food, warming
spirits and great company. Thank You Erik, Brandi and all who participated.

Caroling

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Later that weekend, on December 7, a group of caroling neighbors was organized by

Annette Bonwetsch. They traversed the neighborhood spreading holiday cheer for all to
hear before returning home for some much deserved hot coco and cookies in front of a
fire, courtesy of the Thompson family. Thanks very much to the Bonwetsch and
Thomson families.

TRHA Ski Trip

OnFebruary 6th-8th forty six Twin Ridge
residents and their friends took to the slopes
at Jiminy Peak Resort in Hancock, MA for
the 7th annual TRHA Ski Trip. A truly
amazing time was had by all thanks to the
tireless efforts of Anil and Pia Britto, who
arranged for all accommodations and lift
tickets, and who hosted the arrival cocktail
party AND the annual potluck dinner in
their room. A very big thank you also to the Halsey family for managing the Spirits, to
Annette Bonwetsch for coordinating games and entertainment (especially the limbo
box, wouldnt have believed it if I hadnt seen it with my own eyes..) and to all who
participated. Anil is taking reservations and suggestions for dates for next years ski
trip.

Progressive Dinner
Winter looks to be officially over and the social committee has been busy planning lots
of fun events for the upcoming year. Most recently, 40 couples participated in the
Annual Progressive Dinner which was tons of fun for all. We would like to thank
everyone who came out and especially the families that opened their homes and hosted:
Annette & Robert Bonwetsch, Denis & MaryEllen Loncto, Mark & Gina Harris,
Katherine & Ben Morehead, Florence & Mike Doud, and Brandi & Erik Matz. It
was a night filled with delicious food and lots of laughs. Thank you again for making it
such a success. My hats off to

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my predecessor Annette Bonswetsch as she steps down as Social Chair. Annette took
on this role over 5 years ago. Truly amazing. It is a big job and I certainly have big
shoes to fill. Thank you Annette from all.
Tentative dates for upcoming events are listed at the end of this section. We are looking for
hosts for the highlighted events. Please let us know if you would be interested in hosting. The
dates are tentatively scheduled should you want to host a specific event but the date doesnt
work for you. Let us know at trhasocial@gmail.com
End of School Celebration
June 18
Block Party
June 14
Back to School Ice Cream
Aug 25
Clam Bake or BBQ
Sept 12
Pumpkin Decorating
Oct 24
Halloween
Oct 31
Holiday Party
Dec 12
Santa Visits Twin Ridge
Dec 19?
Progressive Dinner
Mar 12
Wine Tasting
TBD

Egg Hunt

March 26

Gardners Corner
Spring has sprung here in Twin Ridge - FINALLY! Everyone please enjoy the cheerful
daffodils that will be peeking out very soon. Thanks again to Florence Dowd for organizing
the planting of so many daffodils in honor of the Ridgefield
Garden Club's 100th Anniversary. We will all enjoy these flowers for many years to
come. The corners will get their annual spring cleaning soon with fresh mulch and pruning
provided by Ridgefield Lawn. I am looking to add some new plantings at various corners so
be on the look out for new color and texture. Neighborhood incentive to go GREEN! As most
of you know, I take care of the hanging baskets on Main Street and I have a new program in
the works to install Rain Barrel Collection containers at my two watering locations in town.
This is a great way to conserve water! We are working with Aquarion Water Company that
manages Ridgefield Town Water and are using rain barrels that are promoted on their
site. Check out this link:
http://www.aquarionwater.com/CT/2015-rain-barrel-promotion -- the deadline to sign up for
these rain barrels is May29th and can be picked up June 13th. Please let me know if you
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decided to implement these rain barrel containers in your own yards (I will be) to water your
lawn and gardens -- we can get some good PR for the neighborhood! Email me at
moorebean@gmail.com.
Happy digging!
Spencer

Real Estate
After a winter that lasted too long, and was far too snowy and cold...Spring has arrived and
along with it, the long awaited "Spring Market." The rumors of multiple agents waiting in
driveways with buyer clients to see a property are true, providing properties are well priced,
and unlike other active periods, in impeccable condition
By the numbers, Quarter 1 (vs. Year Ago) closed as follows: *
Homes sold: + 6.67% (48 units vs 45)
New Listings: + 5% (168 units vs 160)
Median Sold Price: - 7.72% (627.5K vs $680k)
Average Sold Price: $713K vx. 660K
*source: William Pitt Sotheby's
While numbers reflect the entire town of Ridgefield, Twin Ridge as a subset, continues
to show well with all our recent transactions and new listings exceeding both the median and
average sold numbers. We expect this to continue through the Spring as the weather gets even
better and lending rates remain low.
Of note...we have recently seen new listings enter the market with aggressive pricing to
draw attention and accelerate showings. If a home is in great condition (fresh paint,
uncluttered rooms, updated fixtures and no deferred maintenance) we are seeing multiple
offers, with the likelihood of sales prices exceeding listing price.
If you are interested in learning more about Q1 and further perspective on Q2, please email me at SHahn@wpsir.com or call me at 203-470-7685. I am happy to meet with you and
share more market info, or talk about maximizing the value of your home in our incredible
neighborhood.
Sally Hahn
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