Col. Kevin
Kennedy |
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RESPONSE
Thank you for your question, as you are well aware earlier this summer our grounds maintenance contractor fell behind on mowing due to the rain and rapid grass growth. Since then, the grounds maintenance team has worked hard to catch up and we are now in the required standards. We are getting ready to transfer to privatized housing - which will change some of the roles and responsibilities for grounds maintenance in and around housing.
The Ellsworth Grounds Maintenance contractor is responsible for mowing common areas and vacant housing units until 1 Aug when Balfour, Beatty Communities (BBC), our privatized housing partner, will assume control.
Until 1 Aug, the existing contractor is required to mow vacant homes within one week of notification and a 30-foot buffer from where the housing residents' responsibility ends, which is 4 feet beyond the back fence. When BBC assumes control of these sections, they will mow all areas around housing to a height not to exceed 3 inches, with the exception of the interior of the fenced yards, which will remain the occupants'
responsibility. They are also responsible for edging and landscaping all
areas beyond the fenced areas.
The expanse between the Aspen Inn and Rushmore Housing as well as the empty sector from Rushmore Housing to the east and south to the fence line are considered undeveloped areas and are not maintained under the existing contract. After 1 Aug, the portion of these areas adjacent to housing will transfer to BBC and they are required to maintain them to the community standard. While there is not a specific height requirement for these sections, they will be mowed to present a positive community image.
With respect to the snake threat, now that our grounds contractor has caught up with the mowing and our transition to BBC responsibility for other areas should significantly reduce high grass areas near housing. However, if you see a snake call the 28th Civilian Engineer Squadron Pest Management office at 385-2521 or 28th CES Customer Service at 385-2580. Also, please stay away from the snake but keep an eye on the location so Pest Management personnel can easily find them when they arrive - capturing an occasional snake keeps their day interesting.
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