The City began work yesterday on their drainage systems in Dawson Ranch scheduled for fire mitigation improvement.
After viewing the first phase of the work (Greenhorn to Fox Run), we were deeply concerned to observe that the crew was not cleaning up and removing the dead brush/trees from the site, but rather piling them into additional large slash piles. It was an unwelcome confirmation of a mixed message from the City regarding their intentions around dead brush and slash (see prior bulletins we have posted).
Today, the Board visited the City Forester, Bryce Hamilton, and learned that the decision to leave the dead brush and slash piles behind was a firm decision on behalf of the City. Upon further inquiry, we learned that the removal of the slash piles was never included in the City’s Project Grant. Any further action on this matter would have to wait for a future time.
The decision to leave the slash behind in our drainage areas is unacceptable to the HOA Board, and we made that position clearly known in our meeting today. With your help and support, we are resolved to convince the City of the old but wise adage: “If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right”—especially when the ambiance and property values of Dawson Ranch are directly at stake.
Minimally, we want a firm and specific commitment from the City as to when and how the slash piles will be removed in a timely manner.
AN IMPORTANT REMINDER:
If you have received the orange flyer that was either hand delivered or mailed by the HOA Board of Directors to those residents whose properties border on the city drainage areas in Dawson, please be certain that you have marked your property boundaries with orange flagging tape. Flag any trees that you wish to save close to your property line not already marked by the City with blue spray paint. Use any color tape but blue or orange, please.
Trees that have blue spray paint are trees that the City intends to save. The paint is hard to spot, and is generally on the base of the tree, on one side only. If you need assistance, please contact us promptly through this website, or by calling us at 275-2485, and we will provide you with volunteers from the HOA to assist you.
If this project is done properly, it could be of significant value to fire mitigation in Dawson, and the beauty of the drainage areas. If it is left incomplete, the disappointing results will speak for themselves.
Please continue to monitor this website for updates. We wish our entire Dawson community a special Happy Thanksgiving!
Your HOA Board of Directors—Roxanne Bradshaw, Al Cordova, Stacy Jones, Gail Palmgren, Rebecca Waters, Gary Weirton
