Winter 2023 Updates 

Please remember to properly shut off and drain your exterior taps if your unit has working taps. Maintenance and upkeep are the responsibilities of individual unit owners.

To help reduce the risk of water damage to your unit or your neighbour's, please check your outside taps with the following tips:

• Locate the main shut-off valve for the exterior taps. In many three-level units, it is typically found in the lower-level washroom area. Check for an access hatch in the wall or ceiling. In two-level units, it is typically located near the hot water tank.

• Once you've found the shut-off, go outside, remove and drain any hoses or attachments. Now, open the taps all the way and leave the water running. Go back inside and turn off the previously located shut-off.

• Finally, it is advised to leave the taps in the open position for the winter. If, for any reason, your main shut-off fails and leaks a small amount of water, it will be able to drain off and lessen the likelihood of freezing in the plumbing lines.

Gather up summer yard toys, decorations, and outdoor furniture, and store them securely for the winter. This will help prevent damage to your items, either from blowing around or being buried in the snow. It also helps keep the community tidy over the long, cold winter months.

It's that dreaded time of year again when we need to discuss snow and all the not-so-fun things that come with it.

• Please note that our parking lot snow-clearing contract is with Changing Seasons. If you have any concerns or issues with snow in the parking lot, please April Smith as soon as possible.

• Unit owners are required to clear the snow from their front shared walkway; this is a major safety concern if not cleared correctly.

• HRM is responsible for clearing snow from the public city sidewalk. If you live on Ridgevalley and have a city walkway, this is not part of the area required to be cleared by unit owners. Public walkways owned by HCCC#10 have no winter maintenance. 

It is important to remember some key points regarding snow removal in our parking lots:

During a storm, we will maintain emergency access in and out to the street. This area is the center area only of the parking lots. This does not include clearing individual parking spots during this time.

24 hours after a storm is when the clean-up begins. This is when you should try to have your vehicle out of the parking lot to ensure the plow operator can be the most effective. 

Reminder: All maintenance work, changes, or upgrades to your unit, whether inside or outside, require prior written approval. Please submit your request to me at the above-noted contact.

HCCC#10 has a contract with Danny Boyd Pest Control. If you have pest control concerns, either inside or outside, please contact me as soon as possible so I can arrange a visit.

Reminder: All garbage and recycling need to be properly stored. There are many reasons for this, from general appearance to cutting down on food for rodents and other pests.

Reminder: The weekly HRM garbage collection day in Cowie Hill is Friday. Pickup alternates between Garbage/recycling and organics/compost/recycling. If you have any questions about garbage, please contact 311.

The city of Halifax is growing around us at rapid speeds. You may or may not have recently seen a large blue billboard advertising the proposed planned development for the parking lot area of the existing apartment complex on Ridgevalley, Ridgeway Tower Apartments.

We have one resident of HCCC#10 who is very dedicated to protecting the overall welfare of Cowie Hill. Kathy Richards has lived in HCCC#10 for over 40 years and has spent hours researching the planned development. She is working hard at this, but she is only one voice and one lady. Please take a minute to review her information and see if there is something you can do to help out.

So, please, if you are opposed to the idea of hundreds of more people and vehicles in your neighbourhood, then now is your time to get involved.

Kathy also has been following along with the development plans for the current apartment and parking lot area of 41 Cowie Hill Rd. This new development is going to seriously impact the flow of people and vehicle traffic in the area.

Again, if interested in helping out in any way (from front lines to behind-the-scenes researcher), please forward an email to kathyrichardstoo@gmail.com.

Addition information has been included below:

• Add civic address numbers to the back of your unit to help identify it in an emergency.
  
  

• Install LED bulbs in your front and back door lights. Leave the exterior light on to help illuminate the long, dark days of winter.
  
  

• Reminder: If you feed the birds, you are also feeding other pests. If you must feed the birds, please do not leave the bird seed outside at all times. It's best if you can take it in after the birds have eaten.

Condo fees can be paid with post-dated cheques from May 1 to April 1 or by filling out the PAD agreement and returning it to April Smith.