HALLOWEEN Dollie the Trolley is coming! Please see the attached flyer for all the details of the Halloween event being held on Saturday October 31.

FALL PICNIC The 44 adults and 9 children who attended the BHV Fall Picnic on Sunday September 13, 2015 enjoyed blue skies and pleasant fall temperatures along with lively conversation, delicious food, birthday cake, bubbles and croquet. Many thanks to the Recreation Committee and the BHV Staff for their efforts in setting up/cooking/cleaning up.

WHAT’S FIRST, THIRD AND FIFTH? BHV trash collection happens on the first, third and fifth Mondays of each month. While a special event may require an extra stop, the maintenance crew appreciates resident efforts to remember this regular trash collection schedule so other work duties can stay on schedule as well.

WHAT’S EVERY FOUR YEARS? Besides the presidential elections, septic tank maintenance for BHV residences is due every four years, or more frequently if needed (for septic, not presidents). Contact Jan Esch at the Village Hall when tank pumping appointments are set so a BHV staff member can come at the same time to fill out necessary paperwork. This regular maintenance, as required by BHV Ordinance 21, is very important in protecting the good environmental health of the Huron River watershed and BHV water resources.

WHAT ELSE IS THERE? While the answer to that is endless, here are some items on the BHV list:

–Continue to use the blue Household Hazardous Waste recycling bins to leave acceptable items for pick up on regular trash days (first, third and fifth Mondays of the month).

–For large item recycling, Washtenaw County is holding a Clean Up Day on Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 9AM – 2PM at EMU Rynearson Stadium parking lot. For more information contact Jan or go to www.ewashtenaw.org.

–Return the Barton Hills Maintenance Corporation shareholder ballot (budget vote) before 5PM Tuesday October 6, 2015.

–Remember to check out the BHV Project Review Process for any new construction, alteration of existing structures and landscape projects. This includes things like generators/AC, fences/landscape walls over 18”, exterior lights, play structures and accessory buildings. If in doubt, contact Jan who can verify if a project requires BHV approval before work begins.

–Take a look at the BHV Master Plan which is now five years old and was just reviewed by the BHV Planning Commission. While the Commissioners considered planning trends in Ann Arbor Township and other neighboring communities, they concluded that no changes were needed in the BHV Plan. The Master Plan sets forth the overall goals, policies and strategies that will enable the wellbeing of BHV in the future. The Master Plan is available from Jan at the Village Hall and online at www.vil-bartonhills.org.

–Check out other documents on the BHV website, such as Board agendas/minutes, ordinances (including zoning/project information), past Barton Bulletins, annual water quality reports and the Wellhead Protection Plan. These documents are also available in paper format from Jan at the Village Hall.

–Watch for information concerning update of the BHV Resident Directory. Jan will be verifying entries before publishing the Directory, which is only distributed to BHV residents to help them contact each other. The Directory is available in paper booklet and electronic format.

–Remember that the BHV staff will vacuum up leaves for homeowners who rake their own. Lawn service providers are expected to haul away whatever debris they gather. Please do not bag leaves for pick up, and separate out sticks and brush that clog up the leaf vacuum. Consider mulching (mulched leaves provide nutrients for lawns) and removing leaves from catch basins to keep decaying leaves (that rob fish of vital oxygen) out of the waterways.

IS THAT ALL? Yes, for now. Thanks for reading all the way to the end!