New England seasons bring their own to-do lists. Here's what Ledgemere residents should keep in mind through the year.
Winter
Snow and plowing
- The association's contractor plows Ledgemere's private drives and parking areas. Town roads are plowed by the Town.
- Sidewalks are owned by the Town of Ashland, and the Town is responsible for plowing them. The association's contractor does not plow sidewalks, and the Town may or may not get to them after a storm. If a sidewalk hasn't been cleared, call the Ashland DPW at 508-881-0120 to report it.
- Move cars out of visitor and overflow spaces for plowing without being asked. Cars that block plowing may be tagged, fined or towed.
- The Town parking ban runs November 1 through March 31: no parking on town roads from 1 AM to 6 AM, or at any time during a snowstorm.
- Clear snow from your own deck and stairs. You may shovel deck snow onto the ground below.
- Make sure management has your current phone number and vehicle details (the census form on the Resident Portal) so they can reach you during a storm.
Ice dams and icicles
What is an ice dam? Heat escaping from a poorly insulated attic melts snow on the roof. The meltwater runs down to the colder roof edge and refreezes at the eaves, forming a dam. More water then backs up under the shingles and can leak into your home.
Watch for: temperatures below freezing, heavy snow on the roof, and lots of icicles hanging from the eaves and gutters.
- Please don't try to break off icicles yourself. It can damage the new roof shingles. If you're concerned, open a ticket on the portal.
- Check your attic insulation. Call Mass Save for a home energy assessment. Better insulation helps prevent ice dams and lowers heating bills. This is at the owner's expense, and we recommend it for everyone's benefit.
Holiday decorations
Decks and windows may be decorated starting the day after Thanksgiving. Everything must come down by January 31, or a $25 fine applies.
Spring and summer
- Planting season: you may plant flowers without approval in the lawn straight out from your own unit's walls, up to 25 feet. Check with management before adding shrubs, and get Board approval for raised beds. See Landscaping & Gardens.
- Planning exterior work, such as new windows, doors, air conditioning or a deck gate? Submit an Architectural Modification request before you schedule a contractor.
- Outdoor fire safety: charcoal grills, fire pits of any fuel type, tiki torches and other open flames are prohibited anywhere in the community. Don't leave lawn furniture or grills on the common lawns for long periods.
- Quiet hours (11 PM–8 AM) apply on decks and patios too.
Fall
- Clear leaves from your deck.
- Have your fireplace chimney cleaned before the heating season. Owners are responsible for this.
- Chimney inspection every 2 years: owners with fireplaces must have the chimney inspected at least every two years, as the association's insurance requires, and submit the inspection report to management through the Resident Portal. Fall is a good time to schedule it.
- Store firewood at least 3 feet from the buildings.
Year-round home maintenance
Preventive maintenance protects everyone. Several recent water-damage insurance claims at Ledgemere can affect the association's master insurance policy renewal, and that affects everyone's fees. Please schedule routine plumbing checks of your water heater, toilets, faucets and supply lines. This is at the owner's expense.
- Know where your main water shut-off is.
- Leave the heat on (at least 55°F) if you travel in winter, so pipes don't freeze.
- Report leaks, damage or common-area problems promptly through a service request, or call 24/7 at 617-221-1000 if it's urgent.