Hello, neighbors.

Stonewater Subdivision has a new website: https://StonewaterHerky.org

It is a work in progress, but the new site will improve look and functionality for residents. Also, it is less expensive to maintain than the previous site.

Budgetary situation

As of the end of April, more than 90 members of the Stonewater Homeowners Association were delinquent in their annual dues. Some were overdue by two years.  This has created a problem in maintaining common property, including streets.

Why? The overdue amount is more than $30,000. Therefore, there will be no street repairs scheduled. The overdue amount is the budgeted figure for each of the past three years of street work. 

Stonewater streets are private. To be dedicated to the City of Herculaneum, minimum standards are required in an inspection by public works officials. If streets do not meet those standards, the city will refuse to take over work including snow removal and ice treatment.

Trustees foresee no change in maintenance requirements for common areas. These include lawn work on areas within traffic circles, along streets and roads and around the retention pond along Rolling Stone. This work is contracted per Stonewater covenants to Southpoint Landscaping for the rest of 2024. Southpoint’s contract includes winter weather work. https://www.southpointlandscaping.com/

Dues are $350 a year per lot, beginning each calendar year. There is a grace period through March. After that time, according to Stonewater covenants:

Management has been forced to use this mechanism before, albeit reluctantly. Given the extent of overdue payments at this time, legal remedies will be pursued effective immediately.

If you have questions about dues, contact Renee Ernst at Ernst Management Services, 314-221-4380. Arrangements for payments are made through Ernst Management, in full or over a reasonable time period. One payment option includes your permission to have dues paid through a bank account.

If you are overdue, contact Ernst Management as soon as possible.

Fountain trouble
Residents passing the retention pond on Rolling Stone have noticed the aeration fountain is not working. An initial check showed a problem more significant than needing a breaker reset on the electrical box.

Service provider SOLitute Lake Management inspected the system and found the power cable running from the box to the fountain failed, and the fountain pump motor also failed. Both objects will be replaced under warrantee, possibly next week.

While waiting for replacement, a suggestion: A fish hook can get lodged in the cable below the pump and cause a shortage. Please advise young anglers not to cast near the pump. The cable runs down to pond bottom, then along the bottom of the pond to the power box.

Fish can control insect larvae in the pond, and bluegill and sunfish are especially effective. Residents are welcome to fish in Stonewater’s two bodies of water and encouraged to use catch and release tactics. You are free to stock the waters, with bluegill, bass and catfish recommended. However, do not dump carp or aquarium fish in any body of water.

Bugs

As noted by Stonewater residents on Facebook pages, mosquito season has arrived. Service providers are taking steps to prevent the proliferation of dangerous and noisome pests. That includes the retention pond, where monthly treatment is applied.

Herculaneum will begin weekly mosquito spraying on May 30. Expect the truck to go through Thursday evenings for the duration of summer. 

Residents are asked to examine their lots for possible sources of standing water used for mosquito breeding. You are your own biggest pest control agent.

For tips and information on mosquito and vector control, visit this EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol

Reminder: Stonewater HOA is not responsible for the retention pond off Stonewater, Rolling Stone and Waters Edge Way. This is on private property accessed through Dogwood Lane. Stonewater residents are advised not to trespass.

Neither is the lake on the other side of Stonewater open for residents use. It belongs to Liberty Country Club, even though it backs up to residences on Waters Edge Drive. Like Dogwood Lane, Liberty Country Club is not in Herculaneum. 

Please be respectful of private property rights. 

Last word

Congratulations to all 2024 graduates and best of luck in your future. 

School is out and children are roaming Stonewater streets. We urge all residents to observe the 20 mph speed limit, increase caution on all streets and especially intersections and roundabouts. Impress upon children their responsibility. Chief among them is to look both ways before entering intersections. 

And with the multitude of portable audio devices and phones growing and increasing used of headphone, there is danger of young users not being aware of their circumstances. We suggest safety tips and instruction information provided by SafeKids.org: https://www.safekids.org/walkingsafelytips

Summer is trauma season, according to specialists at Shriners Hospitals. Orthopedic injuries result from accidents involving bikes, skateboards, scooters, rollerblades and other equipment, and can happen on driveways and sidewalks.   

As summer approaches, pools and playgrounds become an attractions for kids of all ages. Herculaneum has an option: Bay of Naples Splash Zone at Kade’s Playground, located in Herculaneum City Park, 776 Joachim Ave. Splash Zone opens about Memorial Day weekend. Info: Contact City Hall, 636-475-4447. 

Avoid swimming in the retention pond on Rolling Stone and the lake located along the Joachim River. The pond is under monthly treatment for aquatic growth control and chemicals used, while not harmful, could be irritating. God only knows what is in the lake, since it is recharged by water from the Joachim. Recent flooding likely pushed contaminants from farm waste runoff, agricultural and residential chemicals and automotive pollutants from roadways.

Herculaneum officials are in the process of upgrading the city website, CityofHerculaneum.gov. Many pages are far outdated or contain old information. Those sites include pages and .PDF files used in permitting of desk, fence, pool, electrical and other residential improvements. City building official Dave Partney says for now residents should use forms available at https://cityofherculaneum.gov/Permits.html 

However, these forms likely include an incorrect email contact. Instead of using the listed address, call City Hall, 646-475-4447, for the correct information.

HOA permits are required in the Stonewater residential improvement permit process. For details: https://stonewaterherky.org/wpcontent/uploads/2024/05/approval_letter_instructions-2024.pdf