tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-103263412024-03-14T03:27:43.889-06:00Mapleton Home AssociationThe MHA (Mapleton Home Association)is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization comprised of mobile home residents living in Boulder, Colorado. The MHA works to ensure a sustainable and affordable future for its residents. The MHA is part of Thistle Community Housing's Community Land Trust (CLT). Residents, not some distant corporation or disinterested party, oversee park operations.MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-79216408992016968152008-10-15T18:56:00.004-06:002008-10-15T19:07:00.353-06:00Harvest Party photos!Juliette and Enzo setting up for the party. . . <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEx_Is_UMP6PBhxwl2czpI7amwHlQdZt19-0TxG8SxeFPjfsN5d0W8tZt5eQB2wwG7XfSfYG2fjy7xZcE-oqkvQn-_xHUukVSJaOWv5k6NVPlrMN10UL4Ubayx9TvO3DMmhXXP/s1600-h/set-up.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257550177509250178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEx_Is_UMP6PBhxwl2czpI7amwHlQdZt19-0TxG8SxeFPjfsN5d0W8tZt5eQB2wwG7XfSfYG2fjy7xZcE-oqkvQn-_xHUukVSJaOWv5k6NVPlrMN10UL4Ubayx9TvO3DMmhXXP/s400/set-up.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The cake . . .<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nMLfGN_ay7R-LoisAehLJLGzDzGA95LeaEIRa0gOFUdSkzAYbj9KbRSI_9h3Rf1W9K8oXJ9enDgIj1jAELYrasEO4qcO0Ysmnxn7BUAkv-9bwJEbtb4z-AUBe0C6ggHOzC8q/s1600-h/cake.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257550176264539474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nMLfGN_ay7R-LoisAehLJLGzDzGA95LeaEIRa0gOFUdSkzAYbj9KbRSI_9h3Rf1W9K8oXJ9enDgIj1jAELYrasEO4qcO0Ysmnxn7BUAkv-9bwJEbtb4z-AUBe0C6ggHOzC8q/s400/cake.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Residents come together for a photo. . .<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwBqM8z1_GZM99xbwZmwGFx7oUYrLNtawZ6YpoI0cN_SICmuRv1i89r2s205svYNTdtS9v8v3ozi5uSUR6cB9ijrPYWk1PJWQiJx4tdwiwFPVwJtGfSKUXzTDWmm1EFZcPtuX/s1600-h/group.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257550178861433618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwBqM8z1_GZM99xbwZmwGFx7oUYrLNtawZ6YpoI0cN_SICmuRv1i89r2s205svYNTdtS9v8v3ozi5uSUR6cB9ijrPYWk1PJWQiJx4tdwiwFPVwJtGfSKUXzTDWmm1EFZcPtuX/s400/group.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6JUT83dzZPlk7gKt4OZtjnnRnzAMs2B0-h1Hm4bSmTu8-mOezd-ansConn7yWBn_G1OkNIjmfiE2ayYiA3mESn1SQiR5jeOoYAyuoS653PTfpggkulM7A3gI_aSBSbG3Nk20/s1600-h/sitting.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257549816134703938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6JUT83dzZPlk7gKt4OZtjnnRnzAMs2B0-h1Hm4bSmTu8-mOezd-ansConn7yWBn_G1OkNIjmfiE2ayYiA3mESn1SQiR5jeOoYAyuoS653PTfpggkulM7A3gI_aSBSbG3Nk20/s400/sitting.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjysBWl_QzYT7YSIx0j7A1OHNP8GFT5AVSLuc_G5wEmYyuYukC3tnMxr52itIKrqkcYYqAKhybub0TggrqN0nuv1vepr0Uv7mDXQOwDFYmuOXfl0Jb_VbrkjLrZcmd1a8qn2vE/s1600-h/serioustalk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257549813587787282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjysBWl_QzYT7YSIx0j7A1OHNP8GFT5AVSLuc_G5wEmYyuYukC3tnMxr52itIKrqkcYYqAKhybub0TggrqN0nuv1vepr0Uv7mDXQOwDFYmuOXfl0Jb_VbrkjLrZcmd1a8qn2vE/s400/serioustalk.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Serena sings a song . . .<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyYoKctoWyPcvwEMgUzXgN191LWzn1EKOyBau25UB-xbHdxRYZcIz73jBJIAPqTWe3b2UC-muUbBCz1pZQZXxe-IIEo-Ns9TEKG05VHSHNG8Bmgmsb1ZbtuvRQmeBq292lGep/s1600-h/serena.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257549820481150402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyYoKctoWyPcvwEMgUzXgN191LWzn1EKOyBau25UB-xbHdxRYZcIz73jBJIAPqTWe3b2UC-muUbBCz1pZQZXxe-IIEo-Ns9TEKG05VHSHNG8Bmgmsb1ZbtuvRQmeBq292lGep/s400/serena.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Enzo refuses to let the bird in his mouth. . .<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwhtwSIy6qQtNzuj1OUuwdF5nDcgwjP66XWrjTcVbpD0BaVZUWnspXBOD3xeIP2tdyRyfyvnMydCrC6q3ChmmjTQyVX6_pOR5aSWmeRp65_oUg8PlB7PxQUEx2ale5GRS0eWc/s1600-h/entho.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257549823646970850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwhtwSIy6qQtNzuj1OUuwdF5nDcgwjP66XWrjTcVbpD0BaVZUWnspXBOD3xeIP2tdyRyfyvnMydCrC6q3ChmmjTQyVX6_pOR5aSWmeRp65_oUg8PlB7PxQUEx2ale5GRS0eWc/s400/entho.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Site Committee Chair Erin planned this party with her<br />committee.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidupkad0W31qIPFBfwfYeObkQXg5DbtTmu9gu_BOEbvgvF78172FG6dJhK43uD1uFVsed9HxgI2tzJOuG6Sy1W_Lye7D1MXUrLIr8afqVPxgHShQefesGUdv-Bz5wcyuya7-Lg/s1600-h/board.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257549822474485170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidupkad0W31qIPFBfwfYeObkQXg5DbtTmu9gu_BOEbvgvF78172FG6dJhK43uD1uFVsed9HxgI2tzJOuG6Sy1W_Lye7D1MXUrLIr8afqVPxgHShQefesGUdv-Bz5wcyuya7-Lg/s400/board.jpg" border="0" /></a>Lillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05910474644692891973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-48902826733904935392008-09-01T15:37:00.003-06:002008-09-01T15:41:57.888-06:00Up Comming Mapleton EventsQuarterly Community Meeting at the Unity Church (Folsom and Valmont).<br /><br />Sunday September 6th at 6PM.<br /><br />This is a forum for all Mapleton residents to come together and learn about what the MHA has been up to and to discuss anything of concern.<br /><br />____________________________________________________________________<br /><br />Community Harvest Party!<br /><br />Saturday September 27th at 4PM at the Wash House.<br /><br />Music, food, family, community, and more!Lillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05910474644692891973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-90270318791959165402008-07-10T23:07:00.001-06:002008-07-10T23:10:12.768-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.haikutimes.com/ht_143.html"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Sl_Qj2o2XhHLijKNucb8dQbL8qqnMgW08yw3KlBeVX56cGL5Gku2GiFIToyxGpqy7bsGbgQbMvJo3g7NGFwCa0C6RRMkOzXD30ceH8N4aN_vkHLJKGeE1gYtEbaGu2ILAVnANA/s320/email_june_double_issue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221618866935939106" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.haikutimes.com/ht_143.html">Haikutimes issue #143</a> has been issued and focuses primarily on the Mapleton Mobile Home Park. Haiku by: Krista Morien, Robert Power, Patrick Lynn, Jonathan Machen and David Harper. Click on the link or the picture to see the issue -MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-31838152613625556222008-07-09T19:53:00.003-06:002008-07-09T19:58:47.566-06:00Tube to Work Day!??I get an email now and then from Boulder's Best Organics <a href="http://www.bouldersbestorganics.com/about_us.html">http://www.bouldersbestorganics.com/about_us.html</a> <br />and this was at the tail end of the email titled "Only in Boulder"<br /><br />It really made me laugh!! I've thought about visiting neighbors via the water behind my house!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISq7OjJ2A48vlaf_MJUoKD-shak532TYQmGHw4ZvvoND_GCKtpRRGgTPi-EVGMlNwuq1URQ2ipGuH9u_tVqv3mpcw5vWlpKnwsYcGHb9zPBl0YO8ZBncvBypRMThnt_4CNuFP/s1600-h/tubes.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221198129572377602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISq7OjJ2A48vlaf_MJUoKD-shak532TYQmGHw4ZvvoND_GCKtpRRGgTPi-EVGMlNwuq1URQ2ipGuH9u_tVqv3mpcw5vWlpKnwsYcGHb9zPBl0YO8ZBncvBypRMThnt_4CNuFP/s400/tubes.jpg" border="0" /></a>"Tube To Work Day<br /><br />Time for work... Got my keys and phone... Got my tube and helmet... Wait, what?!<br /><br />Putting the alternate in alternate transportation, Jeff Kagan and Andy Gruel one-upped this year's Bike to Work Month. The Boulder Creek, averaging a chilly 45 degrees all summer, is often packed with fun-loving tubers. But these guys had it all to themselves as they floated to work early one June day, merrily, merrily, merrily."Lillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05910474644692891973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-42654473643215432152008-07-02T21:37:00.001-06:002008-07-02T21:37:07.809-06:00Robert Power, surfing the internet in Mapleton<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/1280023335/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1387/1280023335_7d185d6bf7_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/1280023335/">Robert Power, Mapleton Mobile Home Park</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a></span></div>Robert moved into Mapleton Mobile home park a few years ago and has since become a lively member of the community, involved not only in the management of the non-profit homeowner's association, but in inspiring his fellow residents to grow gardens, taking a cue from master gardener-in-residence Gene Langlois. <br /><br />Robert has also been instrumental in getting minutes from the home association meetings posted. The latest minutes can be found at http://www.colorado-housing.net/thistle/mha/minutes_2008_march_24.html<br clear="all" />MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-22152602349331866562008-06-24T12:24:00.002-06:002008-06-24T12:28:16.495-06:00Mapleton Residents out for a stroll<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC7mEOS1oREdezeeI4oEaHmBJTTbdQnGZARW4-UH02wpDxLdKKO2nzRpm85tYDCnhMTSd7UJ3RjJ-aK9kwHDEWe0Unq2Q5DiJKc6SpWybEjrZ8-Pu1-O1VHRJMdXhm87Hs16r/s1600-h/deer.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215515849550034434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC7mEOS1oREdezeeI4oEaHmBJTTbdQnGZARW4-UH02wpDxLdKKO2nzRpm85tYDCnhMTSd7UJ3RjJ-aK9kwHDEWe0Unq2Q5DiJKc6SpWybEjrZ8-Pu1-O1VHRJMdXhm87Hs16r/s400/deer.jpg" border="0" /></a> A couple of cuties were born recently. </div><div align="center">This morning in the empty lot next to me I found them hopping like bunnies!<br /></div>Lillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05910474644692891973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-6853424419346144162008-06-12T10:20:00.001-06:002008-06-12T10:23:00.459-06:00From Jyoti, a concerned Mapleton Resident:<br /><br />"I'm worried about the new electric lines that were just installed in our park, and who might have okayed Xcel to also run continuous wifi in with the electricity, so that the whole park will be one big micro wave...it causes brain tumors...France has taken it back out of it's cities and libraries...I'm not talking about DSL and broadband for computers...this is wired into each home now, here in the park...Germany will not let it into it's nation...this concept of wiring everyone's homes...<br />The people in the US are into the money this will make...<br />I just called Xcel and talked to someone about my address...and how I didn't authorize this...and was my address in this new Smart City Grid that Boulder sold out for...to be the test city in the nation...At Xcel they are so thrilled and excited about this...and sure enough, there's my address and the whole park...this new wiring wired us into living in a micro wave as soon as it's hooked up..."Lillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05910474644692891973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-57712094082272573172008-06-10T10:27:00.003-06:002008-06-10T10:42:25.369-06:00Improvement Requests are easy to do!Are you thinking about improving your home or lot soon? Please read the excerpt below from our main website. Note: improvement requests are being reviewed and approved or denied within a few weeks time.<br /><br />Here are some simple things to keep in mind about making improvements to your home and lot space. This information is also included in our Rules and Regulations. Although we individually own our homes, we live in a collective space. Any improvements or additions to our mobile homes or lot spaces must meet the guidelines established by our resident-operated management committee. To be more precise, examples of permanent changes are:<br />Upgrades of home<br />Removal of home<br />Adding new homes<br />Permits for sheds and outbuildings<br />Fences<br />Large plantings<br />Patio/porch enclosures<br />Driveways<br />Parking pads<br /><br />If you have a project that includes any of the above, the first step is getting an Improvement Request Form from - you can download and print the form from our website or call Hast Management Company, (303) 444-7575, who will provide you with a hard copy.<br /><br />Submit this form to Julie, our resident manager located at lot #181, and include with it a copy of your building permit from the City of Boulder (if one is necessary) and a detailed site drawing of what you would like to do. While it will streamline the process to submit all documents at once, remember that even if the City of Boulder grants a building permit, your project might be denied by the management committee.<br /><br />Why is that?<br />The management committee has the final say on projects because, according to the constraints of the Site Plan established by Thistle Community Housing for our park, no more than 50% of the remaining space on your lot may be built on. You can find out what space is left for you to build on by requesting a picture of your individual lot from Thistle. (Jim Harrington can provide this information: 303-443-0007, ext. 117) The management committee will also be looking to see if your project impedes your neighbor's access, emergency or otherwise, to his or her home, or if it encroaches on any other easements, such as the Community Ditch. We all need to be able to have access to our homes, even on our neighbor's side, so the general rule of thumb is that a parallel space needs to be clear extending alongside your house and your neighbor's lot space, at a width of four feet. Some homes have emergency exits on the side of their neighbor's lawn, and access to this may not be blocked.Lillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05910474644692891973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-74730524867980682422008-05-16T13:26:00.001-06:002008-05-16T13:28:47.635-06:00Spring Cleaning!We're cleaning up! The MHA has approved the removal of your junk from the curb at no additional charge to you. Bring your unwanted junk to the curb in front of your home on Saturday May 31st and Saturday June 7th by 9AM and 1-800-GOT-JUNK? will be by to help you load it into the truck and dispose of the items at no charge to you personally. This will make cleaning up your yard a breeze; you won't need to haul it all the way to a dumpster - just get it to the curb. If you can't get it to the curb on your own try asking a neighbor for help. This is the ideal way to comply with the Mapleton Rules and Regulations and to get your yard ready for the awesome summer that's quickly approaching!Lillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05910474644692891973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-49569911093332706222008-05-09T14:16:00.004-06:002008-05-16T13:26:28.895-06:00Yard Clean-Up and RECYCLING!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcgcpbb1W-NjHovWSRUcSWRyj2s8a7-gjTfpVVUHLmsj_-ZiHBbRkeUx2gbMp559afpbwSkdfixOINMY2Q3lEgxoBO0ZeZ21zpEMqXZgWIeC29eEztLYLy_fXJ_IosTtobXg4/s1600-h/cardboard.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198479109190544338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcgcpbb1W-NjHovWSRUcSWRyj2s8a7-gjTfpVVUHLmsj_-ZiHBbRkeUx2gbMp559afpbwSkdfixOINMY2Q3lEgxoBO0ZeZ21zpEMqXZgWIeC29eEztLYLy_fXJ_IosTtobXg4/s400/cardboard.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Did you know there is a big blue dumpster on the north side of our park that is just for recycling? Our park manager Julie asks that we utilize this free disposal! Don't clog up the smaller brown paper bins with bulky cardboard and mass amounts of recylcables please!</div><br /><div></div>Lillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05910474644692891973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-72183135959851553102008-05-09T14:01:00.004-06:002008-05-09T14:14:36.653-06:00Meet the new MHA BoardOn April 27th at the Quarterly Meeting residents voted in a new MHA board. All positions were available except for President.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eMgqR9yIvvJuEywixymwHxTKa95ISk_7dZPOD1x8GbVcW_VtMXCAGzsNdJYlxyt2GyClkqfs32vIyGk9qS4qqWpic-A24cQDYLOxF7XreTCezTP-C6TvPqwLGZw_mBqCKLjU/s1600-h/board.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198472374681824194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eMgqR9yIvvJuEywixymwHxTKa95ISk_7dZPOD1x8GbVcW_VtMXCAGzsNdJYlxyt2GyClkqfs32vIyGk9qS4qqWpic-A24cQDYLOxF7XreTCezTP-C6TvPqwLGZw_mBqCKLjU/s400/board.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Introducing from left to right: Nick Tamm (Treasurer), Krista Morien (Secretary), Robert Powers (Management Committee Chair), Paul Keaton (President), Lilly Wallace (Vice President), Erin Rice (Site Committee Chair).<br /><div></div><br />Both the Management Committee and Site Committee have seats available; if you are interested in joining please see the corresponding Chair person!<br /><div></div>Lillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05910474644692891973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-19184150502015054322008-04-23T15:07:00.002-06:002008-04-23T15:08:52.983-06:00Ohhh...I love living in this park...<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/2425375785/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/2425375785_f4a4df1d47_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style=" margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/2425375785/">Richard enjoying the sun</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a> </span></div>MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-61603456682009936972008-03-20T12:46:00.004-06:002008-04-28T10:06:45.037-06:00There are fresh green shoots popping out of my yard!Long time no blog! Spring is on the way and folks are stepping out of their homes and reuniting with neighbors.<br /><br />There’s a lot of change in the air: the seasons are changing, the infrastructure is progressing, and the MHA board has several positions opening up in April. If you are interested in being a part of the board or on the MHA Management Committee contact anyone currently on the board for more details! Elections will be held at the end of April.<br /><br />The Trailer Wrap is finished and ready to be purchased. If you know anyone who may be interested in the fabulous designer home have them contact Thistle.<br /><br />Are you wondering what to do with your “fresh slate” yard after the infrastructure is complete? Well, MMHP has formed a Garden Club! We currently meet once a month to discuss our yards and gardens, the possibility of having community gardens this year, and other things that community oriented people talk about. We buy materials in bulk and help one another with preparing our gardens for the coming year. We also have a wonderful tradition of feeding one another with a pre-meeting potluck. Man there’s some good cooks in our neighborhood! To find out when and where the next meeting is being held contact Robert at mha@powerlisteningcenter.com<br /><br />The MMHP is also forming a Welcome Wagon to welcome and introduce new residents to the park. The Mobil-izer will contain more details about how you can be a part of the welcoming process.<br /><br />Stay tuned for updates and look for the new MMHP calendar that will be up and running soon!<br /><br />If you want to post on the blog please contact Lilly at mhavp.lilly@gmail.comLillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05910474644692891973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-17105686625569878942007-09-27T15:45:00.001-06:002007-09-27T15:45:45.299-06:00TrailerWrap Open House, 09-21-07<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/1449231962/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1243/1449231962_013d4853cc_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/1449231962/">TrailerWrap Open House, 09-21-07</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a> </span></div>Note: The following is an article titled: Trailer trash becomes upscale pad<br />By Tom McGhee, Denver Post Staff Writer<br />Article Launched: 09/22/2007 11:32:34 AM MDT<br /><br />CU faculty and design students have converted a beat-up trailer that was headed for the dump into living quarters that would turn a LoDo loft owner's head.<br /><br />A line of windows beneath the raised roof, paneling and floor boards give the interior a bright and cheery look. The design is open and loft-like with recessed lighting and a large exterior room is reminiscent of a screened porch.<br /><br />"During the day you don't have to turn the lights on at all," said Peter Schneider, professor of architecture and associate dean of academic affairs at UC's College of Architecture and Planning in Boulder.<br /><br />"It shows what you can do with the humble trailer, particularly when they get downgraded and need work."<br /><br />The project, christened "TrailerWrap,"<br />was an attempt to increase the energy efficiency and livability of the mobile home. Icynene, a high-rated spray foam insulation and state-of-the-art double paned windows were used to keep heat in and cold out.<br /><br />Recyled blue jeans were also used as insulation.<br /><br />The project is a collaboration between Thistle Community Housing, the cooperative Mapleton Home Park Owner's Association, CU's College of Architecture and Planning and the Children, Youth and Environments Center for Research and Design.<br /><br />Thistle Community Housing contributed $20,000 toward the project, and UC another $24,000.<br /><br />The Mapleton Home Park, a cooperative set up to help provide affordable housing in Boulder, will sell the trailer, said Schneider. The proceeds will go to Thistle and UC to reimburse them for the money they put into the project.<br /><br />Mapleton will then charge whoever moves in to rent the land on which it sits.<br /><br />The asking price, about $50,000, is higher than that paid for other homes in the park, most of which are old, said Jonathan Machen, former Mapleton board member. He sold his recently for about $14,500.<br /><br />"But there are homes across the street for a couple of hundred thousand dollars and this is built like a home," Machen said.<br /><br />Staff writer Tom McGhee can be reached at 303-954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com.<br clear="all" />MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-80803853711813026372007-02-22T13:38:00.001-07:002007-02-22T13:54:24.538-07:00Progress on utilities upgrades temporarily halts, MUD overwhelms<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/390653998/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/390653998_f323fd709f_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" > <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/390653998/">Oversized new utility poles at Mapleton</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a>. </span></div>Photo: a home in Mapleton Hollow with one of the new "monster" utility pannels installed.<br /><br />MUD has been on everyone's mind since the infrastructure upgrades began in Mapleton Hollow this fall. To be sure, the promise of once-again paved streets and problem-free water, electrical, telephone and cable services gives everyone in the park something to look forward to, but at the present moment, there's no denying it: the road conditions, made waterlogged by the recent snows, suck. One gripe residents have as well, (not withstanding their relief and gratitude to have basic services) are the size of the utility meters: not two feet high, as was promised, but over five feet; large enough to require decoration and to become "objects of derision".<br /><br />A meeting was recently held at Thistle Community housing on February 17 to address the state of the upgrades as well as residents' mud concerns.<br /><br />Present at the meeting were Jim Harrington of Thistle, Special Projects manager; Chris Doyle, infrastructure project coordinator, and many members of the MHA. At least 30 people crowded Thistle's meeting room to listen to Chris and Jim outline the next phase of infrastructure, and especially what Thistle was going to do to help make conditions better for park residents.<br /><br />As many people in the park are aware, infrastructure work suddenly stopped in the middle of February due to funding issues, right-of-way issues with the Farmers' ditch, as well as impossibly cold conditions making trenching difficult.<br /><br />Chris Doyle outlined that before work began on any other section of the park, the current phases 1 and 2, roads with their southernmost entrances on Mapleton and Folsom, would have to be fully completed, including paved. Part of the problem is that the frost is so deep it is impossible to dig water and sewer lines in a cost-effective manner. Chris added that Individual gas and utilities hookups to homes 1-35B would continue during the frosty season.<br /><br />The decision to halt the infrastructure work came after a review of the project's finances revealed ballooning costs due to the complications of digging in frozen ground, as well as the cost of extra copper piping (water lines installed around existing trees) for at least 19 homes. Another issue that needed to be resolved was the proper crafting of legal agreements between Thistle Community Housing and the ditch company (Name??) who owns water rights for the Farmers' Ditch that runs through the park. Some of the park's water mains are routed directly under the ditch.<br /><br />The issue foremost on residents' minds, however, was the inconvenience caused by the mud, as well as having safe access from their homes to their cars and the city streets. One resident, who has problems walking, reported not being able to leave her house for fear of getting trapped in the deep mud. Others have found their cars stuck, boots sucked off, and still more city residents have been complaining that the mud migrates out to the pavement on Mapleton and Folsom, causing problems. Light poles have been installed in the muddy streets, though there were some outages; and low water pressure to some residents' homes has been an issue.<br /><br />Chris took suggestions about how to make the mud live-able, as well as proposing that an immediate gravel sidewalk be placed on the west side of the roadway in phases one and two. He also said he would order the replacement of the pedestrian bridge linking the central part of the park with the muddy sections, giving residents an alternate way to walk out of the mess.<br /><br />The idea of placing temporary and non-permanent barriers at the street entrances announcing "local traffic only" was proposed as a way of reducing mud. Fewer cars traveling over the mud would mitigate the "churning" effect of mud and snow, Chris stated. He did not know if spreading straw over the mud would change anything, as the mud has been swallowing up everything in sight, returning to a soggy, gooey mass with foot-high tire trenches after every snowfall.<br /><br /><br />The MHA and Thistle are in conversation with the City of Boulder, the State Division of Housing and the Mapleton Home Association to meet the funding shortfall that plagues the project gap.<br /><br />On February 15, Aaron Miripol, director of Thistle Community Housing, Jim Harrington, Chris Doyle and Kurt Bischoff of the MHA did a walk-through of the park with John Pollak, head of the City of Boulder's division of housing. They discussed the importance of the Mapleton Infrastructure. It was agreed that both the South side and North sides of the park needed to be completed in a timely manner and that all parties should go forward with getting costing and additional Grants for Federal, State and COB to finish both sides of the park. (Currently, there had been plans to complete the north side of the park in several years' time, when enough money had been saved).MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-49510056216922342142007-01-05T22:59:00.001-07:002007-01-05T22:59:49.666-07:00Mapleton Mobile Home Park pounded in snow again<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/346872223/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/346872223_f93f1c779b_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/346872223/">Snow again</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a>. </span></div>Paige Wild cleans off her car in Mapleton after snows pounded the park for the third storm in a row. If it's any consolation, the snow covers up the mud that has been left by the utility infrastructure upgrades.<br clear="all" />MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-1167583874924887852006-12-31T09:50:00.000-07:002006-12-31T09:51:17.406-07:00Mobile home taxes rise as values fall<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/339279954/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/339279954_a2e3446d41_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/339279954/">Serena's Mailbox, Mapleton Mobile Home Park</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a>. </span></div>Climbing assessments hit less-affluent home owners<br />By Ryan Morgan <br />Tuesday, December 26, 2006<br /><br />Property tax bills for Boulder County's mobile home owners have been going up, but some officials wonder if it makes sense to tax some of the community's lowest-income residents at all.<br /><br />Boulder County Treasurer Bob Hullinghorst said the results of a recent tax lien sale say it all.<br /><br />The county offered to sell 100 liens on mobile homes whose buyers hadn't paid their tax bills. Buyers are allowed to take possession of the mobile homes if the lien isn't paid within a year.<br /><br />But Hullinghorst said he found only 19 buyers for those liens, most of which were well under $100.<br /><br />"That's mostly because they believe that the other 81 weren't even worth it," he said. "It wouldn't even be worth taking title to the trailer, because it's such a piece of junk."<br /><br />Hullinghorst said it doesn't make sense that mobile home owners' assessments are on the rise when their properties obviously aren't rising in value. And that's especially true considering people who live in mobile homes aren't the county's most affluent residents, he said.<br /><br />Fifty-five percent of the 3,700 mobile home owners in Boulder County saw their assessments rise in 2005. For those homeowners, the average hike in their tax bill was 60 percent, and dozens saw their bills double or even triple.<br /><br />The remaining 45 percent saw their assessments stay the same or decline. The assessments that declined went down by an average of 23 percent.<br /><br />Boulder County Assessor Cindy Domenico said the county re-evaluates property every two years. In 2004, her office carefully examined market values for mobile homes in specific locations in the county, she said.<br /><br />"Our prior values, which we actually have been carrying for a while, were out of sync with the market," Domenico said. "What we did was correct those values on a countywide basis to more accurately reflect what the market was telling us."<br /><br />Domenico said her office sent mailings to residents to warn them their values might be changing, and sent those materials out in both English and Spanish.<br /><br />She said they had complaints from 150 residents. With the exception of five cases, she said, "those were reviewed and adjusted to their satisfaction." The remaining cases went to the county's Board of Adjustment.<br /><br />"We're human and we do make mistakes. We try to do our best to remedy that when we discover it," she said. "There are sometimes issues with properties we can't agree on."<br /><br />Adams County Treasurer John Lefebvre said counties spend more time and money than it's worth to try to collect tax bills for mobile home owners, some of which are $20 a year and less.<br /><br />"It's an interesting and delicate situation. These folks, because they are very poor, can ill afford even a small tax," he said. "There are a number of them that are below fifty bucks. The sheriff will go slap the lien up on the mobile home, but he'll charge us $35 to go do that. It's another $20 to advertise it, and we're at $55 bucks right there. It's the county who's out of pocket."<br /><br />He's trying to find a sponsor for state legislation that would change the way mobile homes are assessed. Instead of treating them like real estate, the new policy would treat them like cars that depreciate in value. Once mobile homes were worth less than $2,500, they wouldn't be taxed.<br /><br />He said it doesn't make sense to spend valuable time and money to extract such small sums from people who are least able to pay it.<br /><br />"You get these people who are fairly poor, a lot of them are on fixed incomes, and this was going to be their opportunity to have a fairly low-cost way to live, and we're coming in and making somewhat arbitrary decisions about what those mobile homes are worth," he said.<br /><br />Contact Camera Staff Writer Ryan Morgan at (303) 473-1333 or morganr@dailycamera.com<br clear="all" />MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-1166628670253491532006-12-20T08:30:00.000-07:002006-12-20T08:31:10.480-07:00Construction, Learning Curve; Plumbers<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/312566900/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/104/312566900_a43307d623_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/312566900/">Mapleton Mobile Home Park Utility Upgrades, Nov 06</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a>. </span></div>By Don McKee: <br />Today, Wednesday, 20 Dec 2006, at 7 am, the snow and the plumbers arrived at Mapleton Hollow. Each stage of the construction will bring occasional personal inconveniences to each resident. Everyone is to be commended for their cooperation and positive attitudes to date.<br /> <br />As of this moment (08:30 am, 20 Dec 2006), the plumbers are working under unit-01.<br /> <br />The plumbers (Rob is the crew-chief) will do just as Terry and the Twin Peaks excavation crew did, and begin their learning process at the southerly end of Mapleton Hollow... with numero uno. The prime-contractor (Wyatt) and the Twin Peaks crew are assisting, as necessary. All concerned will do their best to seal access portals on every home each evening, to keep the wandering critters out. Homeowners must be acutely aware that pets are at risk during this process. Extra precautions are advised.<br /> <br />REMINDER; There will be periods of a few hours when the water and sewer MUST NOT BE USED. Each resident will be personally notified, and is asked to be prepared. During these brief periods, no toilets may be flushed, no bathing, no laundry, etc.<br /> <br />As they proceed northward, the plumber's progress will accelerate as they learn more-and-more about working under trailer-homes. Because of the low head-room under some of the homes, this job will NOT be easy. The plumbers will do whatever is necessary, working in cold winter weather, to protect the domestic water pipes from freezing during the installation process. They will also install and connect electrical "heat-tape" and insulation on each exposed water pipe before moving on to the next trailer.<br /> <br />Thanks to Jim Harrington (TCH), each resident will be kept informed regarding when the new pipes are to be connected to the new underground utility lines. How nice it is that the residents are cooperative and compassionate as these nice workers do their various jobs. For instance, providing temporary access to electrical power is a courtesy that the workers certainly appreciate.<br /> <br />The electricians and others will follow, in turn. Each and every worker deserves the utmost in cooperation.<br /> <br />For those who reside near the area where the pedestrian bridge is normally installed to cross the Farmer's Irrigation Ditch, the new sewer pipe will be encased in concrete on Thursday, 21 Dec 2006. weather permitting. A few days later, the excavated area will be filled-in a continuing dig-and-fill process, as each piece of the new utility-web is installed.<br /> <br />Personal safety is paramount; please stay away from the excavated areas.<br /> <br />Many thanks to Jim Harrington of Thistle (TCH) for the ongoing, very useful communications.<br clear="all" />MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-1166593525297605222006-12-19T22:45:00.000-07:002006-12-19T22:45:25.580-07:00Utility work generates mud and speed complaints<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/327859446/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/136/327859446_4e86c52d16_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/327859446/">Jim Harrington overseeing utility upgrades</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a>. </span></div>(note: this entry composed by Mr. Don McKee)<br /><br />PIcture: Jim Harrington on site at Mapleton during utility upgrades. <br /><br />Rocky Milano, the City of Boulder Inspector for the Mapleton Hollow infrastructure construction job, received many complaints from City of Boulder residents regarding the messy-slippery mud accumulating on the Mapleton Avenue blacktop. In particular, bicyclists passing by on Mapleton Avenue felt that they were unnecessarily endangered.<br /> <br />Mr. Milano instructed the Twin Peaks crew to use manual-labor (hand-shovels) to first clean the city roadway, and then install a "mud-removal-trap" to clean the larger clumps from the tires of all vehicles leaving the construction area. Milano specifically directed the crew to lightly (8" deep) excavate a small area in the main-entry driveway near Mapleton Avenue and replace the dirt with 2-inch diameter loose rocks. This is a recommended mitigation approach in such cases.<br /> <br />This "mud-removal-trap" reduced the "tracking" of mud onto the city streets as the clumps were rubbed-off the tires by the frictional contact with the loose rocks. Those residents with small-tired vehicles will find this to be a nuisance, and may "get stuck" if vehicle momentum is insufficient. <br /> <br />By its very nature, it is dangerous to drive a private motor-vehicle or bicycle into a construction area. Trailer-park residents cannot expect to have ready-easy access to their homes by personal motor-vehicles every evening, and cannot expect to drive into the construction zone (dangerous, restricted area) during the work-day.<br /> <br />Cooperative and gracious attitudes will be helpful to everyone. In this regard, Mr. James Harrington has kindly posted two voluntary 5 MPH speed-limit signs to reduce the risk of personal-injury accidents, and to reduce the messy dust-dirt that is stirred up when vehicles move through at the old posted speed limit. When considerate residents who are passing-through divert and go out of their way to use other driveways to avoid the construction area, everyone is benefitted.<br clear="all" />MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-1162961092175105872006-11-07T21:37:00.000-07:002006-11-07T21:44:52.230-07:00Infrastructure work goes into high gear<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/292031054/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/119/292031054_a71bc8ef18_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/292031054/">Infrastructure at Mapleton Mobile home park- week of Nov 6</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a>. </span></div>This photo: an evening shot of workers in the fading hours of visible light, rushing to get the day's trenches covered so drivers may come back in. Work has been progressing steadily and water and sewer lines have been installed from the low point of the park to the first juncture in the SE corner of the park. Parking issues seem minimal at this time.<br clear="all" />MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-1162360021269216352006-10-31T22:39:00.000-07:002006-10-31T22:48:27.903-07:00MHA infrastructure continues<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/285403837/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/99/285403837_8d7a142d84_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/285403837/">MHA infrastructure begins</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a>. </span></div>The asphalt started disappearing on a sunny day in mid-October, 2006, marking the start of major infrastructure renovations in Mapleton Hollow. Phase One includes dismantling roads and installing new electrical and plumbing connections in the SE area of the park. <br /><br />Jim Harrington, Special projects coordinator for Thistle Community Housing, writes this about the next phase of infrastructure improvements:<br /><br />Work in the Mapleton Mobile home Park will begin again Wednesday morning November 1st at 8 am. People in phase 1 construction should feel free to park their cars in front of their homes until Wednesday morning. Thanks for all your help.<br clear="all" />MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-1161285809616197442006-10-19T13:16:00.000-06:002006-10-19T13:23:29.653-06:00Infrastructure work begins!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/266176650/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/115/266176650_0808ce6274_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/266176650/">Old Electrical pedistal, Mapleton Hollow</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a>. </span></div>Good news. Infrastructure work begins Monday October 23 at 7am.<br /><br />Roads and Sidewalks in front of homes 1 through 7 and homes 11 through 21 will be removed. All cars will need to be moved from streets in front of homes 1 thru 7 and homes 11 thru 21 to other locations. Cars not moved by 7am October 23 will need to be towed. <br /><br />If you have any questions about the infrastructure, please call Jim Harrington Special Projects Coordinator at Thistle Community Housing, 303.443.0007 ext 117. <br /><br />In case of emergency, call Cell phone:<br />303.641.6152<br clear="all" />MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-1160494004444584632006-10-10T09:20:00.000-06:002006-10-10T09:26:44.503-06:00Repairing upper road in Mapleton<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/266086489/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/93/266086489_94bb017f1e_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/266086489/">Repairing upper road in Mapleton</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a>. </span></div>Mobile Maintenance was hired to repair the road in Mapleton that parallels, and is adjacent to, Folsom Avenue. The asphalt in this area repeatedly buckles and folds due to the heavy trash trucks who pick up bins in this area. We'll see how long this reconstruction lasts.<br clear="all" />MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-1159981366444261032006-10-04T10:56:00.000-06:002006-10-04T11:02:46.493-06:00Jim Harrington addresses Mapleton meeting on infrastructure<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/260759317/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/88/260759317_e7c627e008_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/260759317/">Jim Harrington addresses Mapleton meeting on infrastructure</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a>. </span></div>Jim Harrington addresses residents from the Mapleton Mobile Home park on Sunday, October 1, to discuss the upcoming infrastructure improvements. Wyatt Construction was on hand to outline plans for electrical lines to be run down the side of each house, keeping water and sewer in the front. <br /><br />It was noted that the contractors have spent over a year working with the city of Boulder, discussing the technical specifications of the work, the issue of the trees and to what extent the trees can be saved while keeping to city code. Another group that has some clout in how the work turns out is the ditch company.<br /><br />Several residents, noting the expense of removing trees, mentioning previous agreements about combining lines to save trees, wondered again why the lines could not be combined in the center of each home, saving money and protecting trees. Many homes that were 30+ years old have such primitive electrical boxes that it would not require more than a type of extension cord to reach the box from the front of the home, instead of digging a trench down the side of the house. <br /><br />The contractors also plan to use the existing gas lines, raising concerns from the chair of the management committee, who noted that there currently are below-ground leaks, indicating that the system is at a point of critical failure. <br /><br />Hose bibs were not part of the plans for the new water lines, giving some residents concern that watering their lawns and gardens would be an issue.<br /><br />Each segment of the construction for a particular area of the park is likely to take about 5 weeks, during which time residents can expect to see the asphalt torn up outside their homes, with an impact on parking. <br /><br />The chair of the management committee asked if there were any plans in place to mitigate rodents entering homes during the time that the skirting was removed from the homes. There was no plan.<br /><br />In response to criticism of the current plan, one of the contractors mentioned that they would be working on a case-by-case basis for each of the homes, and agreed to re-consider the plan of action for either combining the water and electrical trenches or saving more trees.<br /><br />Several residents in the north side of the park wondered when the electrical and gas would be installed for their homes. There is not enough money now to complete that work, which is expected to run at $350,000 or $400,000.<br /><br />Jim Harrington of Thistle is the residents liaison for all problems concerning the construction. If residents have a complaint or notice something that needs to be done he can be contacted 24/7 at 303-641-6152<br clear="all" />MacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326341.post-1159382904058229282006-09-27T12:42:00.000-06:002006-09-27T12:52:33.436-06:00September 2006 Mapleton Mobile-izer, the quarterly newsletter of the MHA<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/253912534/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/110/253912534_598cdc9f40_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" > <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/macelf/253912534/">Marking the trees for removal</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/macelf/">elfhaiku</a>. </span></div>Drexel Barrell engineers hold a schematic, in color, of vegetation that presents a problem to the upcoming infrastructure. Read below for the letter of explanation about the blue and red tree markings. Also included: the most recent Mobile-izer, Volume 11.3, September 2006, edited by Colette Roy.<br /><br /><br />Volume 11.3<br /><br />September 2006<br /><br /><br />Newsletter of the Mapleton Home Association [MHA]<br /><br />There will be two community meetings focused on providing blue project updates and an opportunity to ask questions about the upcoming Infrastructure. They both will be held at Unity Church at the corner of Folsom and Valmont:<br /><br />Sunday October Ist 4-6pm<br />Monday October 9th 7-9pm<br /><br />If you have any questions about the infrastructure, please call Jim Harrington, special projects coordinator at Thistle, 303.443.0007 ext. 117. For specific tree questions, please call Matthew Weisbrod, Land surveyor, 303.442.4338<br /><br /><br />INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE: Trees and shrubs at risk:<br /><br />Included with this special edition of the Mobile-izer is a letter from the engineering company, Drexe], Brarrell &Co. whom is employed by Thistle and MHA to help design and execute the upcoming Infrastructure work plan. The letter focuses on one of the first steps in readying our property for the future work of upgrading all our utility services. That being, the need to remove certain trees around the park for reasons of safety, digging for existing sewer lines, installing new ones, utilizing backhoes to reach areas which will need to be dug up, etc. Drexel explains in the letter that they will soon be walking the property determining which trees and shrubs are at risk of being cut down. If and when a tree is marked for risk, the final determination will be made by the engineering and construction companies after consulting with the Arborist. The arborist will help determine the survivability of the tree due to the root structure being damaged by digging and such. Currently, it looks like there will be approximately 40 trees that will be taken down, but that number could go up or down depending on many circumstances. More will be understood once the work finally begins and the construction company has a better sense of the work at hand.<br /><br />Please take a moment to read through the letter and see how they will be marking the trees at risk.<br />They will also be creating additional markings on sidewalks (only on the South side of the park at this point in time) indicating where they will need complete access to the front panel of your mobile home. This area thus needs to be cleared of all flora, a art shrubs, etc, so the front skirting can be removed easily.<br />It will be helpful for us all to start the acceptance process that our landscape will be changing to allow for the upgrades to occur.<br /><br />DREXEL BARRELL LETTER<br />Drexel, Barrell and CO. 14 September 2006<br />Re: Trees-at-Risk Marking Activities Mapleton Mobile Home Park Utility Improvements Project Boulder, Colorado<br /><br />Dear Resident:<br /><br />On behalf of our client, Thistle. Community Housing, we will have staff on site to mark trees-at-risk due to the Utility Improvements Project for the Mapleton Mobile Home Park.<br /><br />Drexel, Barrell & Co. has had the pleasure of being a part of the design team involved in the Utility Improvement - Project. Drexel, Barrell & Co. has provided surveying and engineering services to the project and will continue to provide support through the construction process.<br /><br />The project will consist of upgrading the Park's" water, sanitary sewer, electric, and natural gas utilities. In order to provide a safe park environment, an effective utility system, and to comply with City code regulations some existing trees will need to be removed. Significant efforts were made, by design modifications and code variance requests with the City, to save as many trees as possible. Additionally, the contractor will work du(ing construction to save as many trees as possible. In order to assist the residents of the park in understanding the scope of the affected trees, Thistle Community Housing has requested that we physically mark the trees-at-risk.<br /><br />DuCing the next few weeks Drexel, Barrell & Co. personnel will be on site to mark these trees. Trees-at-risk due to the water and sewer improvements, as well as the electric and gas improvements, will be marked with a red or blue dot on the street side of the tree. Additional red and blue flagging will also be used to mark trees-at-risk. The red marker indicates that the tree will most likely have to be removed. The blue marking will indicate that there is a possibility that the tree will have to removed. The current marking activity schedule is:<br /><br /><br />Week of 18th Mail Notification Letter<br />Week of 25fh Mark trees on site<br /><br />There is a possibility that when marking some trees may not get marked or mis-marked. These marking are for the residents of Mapleton Mobile Home Park to get an idea of the trees-at-risk. The contractor will not be using the marked trees as the trees to be removed. The contractor will have and use an official list when removing trees.<br /><br />Please feel free to speak with any of our staff while they are on site. However, please note that Thistle Community Housing or Drexel, Barrell & Co. office staff will better be able to answer any detailed questions you may have regarding the project. Please feel free to contact the following individuals with any questions regarding this project:<br /><br />Jim Harrington Thistle Community Housing 303-443-0007 x.1 17<br /><br />Matt Weisbrod Drexel, Barrel] & Co. 303-442-4338<br />Thank you for your continued support of this project and we look forward to continuing our support of this neighborhood.<br /><br />Respectfully,<br />Drexel, Barrel & Co.<br /><br />Mark A. Anderson, P.E. Project Manager<br /><br /><br /><br />INFRASTRUCTURE SEQUENCING<br />The sequence of the infrastructure is as such, it will begin at the Mapleton Entrance at lot #1 which is the lowest point in the park and has the oldest sewer lines. They will then work their way up through that row. Due to gravity we want to start at the lowest point. The rest of the South Side (South of Goose Creek) will follow as this is the older part of the Park and is experiencing the most amount of sewage backup. It appears that the last row to be worked on is the North East row.<br /><br />Currently, the estimated amount of time for the whole project is undetermined, yet again, as the work begins, there will be a better sense of how long the work will take and when we can expect completion. We will have two resident meetings before Infrastructure work begins. If you have questions, please come and ask them.<br /><br /><br /><br />A LONG TERM RESIDENT'S OPINION ON THE UPCOMING INFRASTRUCTURE<br /><br />More than fifty years ago, the Nuttalls had a vision for Mapleton Mobile Home Park. Through hard work they made it happen. They put in the infrastructure roads, water, sewer, and electric - themselves. Fifty years later, that infrastructure is showing the effects of age. Water pressure is low; the sewer system is hopelessly in need of replacement; electrical is outdated and not even near modem day code for homes; and the roads are pot holed and buckling. Finally, after months of negotiating and working for permits: infrastructure is coming. The plan is to start from the bottom of the system at the Mapleton entrance to the top of the system on the North side, rebuilding water, sewer, electrical and the roads as we go. imagine, good water pressure, 100 amp service to your home; a sewer system that doesn't need rotor rooting every month as well as flat, clean roads that drain properly. Even though we're starting at the South end and working North, many improvements on the South end will help the North - specifically sewer and water. The North part of the park is 12 years younger than the South. With improved sewer in the South, the sewer lines in the North, which are connected to the South will then run better. Also, new water lines in the South will increase water pressure in the North because of the way the water lines are looped together. This is a great day for Mapleton Park. A new improved infrastructure will allow home owners to bring in new homes. -Mark Reeder<br /><br />"A new improved infrastructure will allow home owners to bring in new homes" - Mark Reeder<br /><br /><br /><br />BLOCK PARTY A SUCCESS!<br />Thanks You Serena and Juliette!! Your efforts to create a fun, engaging, and inclusive block party is very appreciated by all of us. The festivities, the music, and the hula-hooping was a great way to celebrate MMHP and all it's residents.<br />Thanks everyone who helped make this event possible with the donation of time, food, objects and incredible talent! Thanks again Serena and Juliette.<br /><br /><br /><br />The Mapleton Home Association<br />Executive Board<br /><br />Paul Keaton President.<br />303-939-8140<br /><br />Steve Gaines Vice President.<br />303-449-1094<br /><br />Keith Ainsworth Treasurer.<br />303 440-7721<br /><br />Debbie Feustel Mgmt Chair<br />303-247-0658<br /><br />Management Ccommittee<br /><br />Alex Wilson<br />303-447-8508<br /><br />Gene Langlois<br />303-444-4988<br /><br />Mamud Kabir<br />303-443-8029<br /><br />Site Committee<br /><br />Kurt Bischoff<br /><br />Attorneys Dennis R.Frohlich<br />Susan PerkinsMacElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883739489492409793noreply@blogger.com0