Reminders
 
Community Dues:
 
THOA Dues: Homeowners are required to pay annual dues.  These dues cover landscaping, an accountant, community insurance, administrative costs, an operating reserve for emergencies, taxes, Montgomery County HOA fees, Social Events, and the management company.

The THOA dues are invoiced in December and are due in late January.

Penbrooke Dues: Click here for the list of properties with optional membership. Properties not included on this list must pay Penbrooke Community Association Dues.
   
     
  
County Recycling Requirements [usually on Friday mornings]:

In addition to placing the blue bins containing cans, bottles, and other recyclables, and the blue containers filled with paper and cardboard to your curb, you can also:
 
Call 311 to schedule a special collection for electronics and batteries. Do not dispose of batteries in your regular trash or recycling.
 
Bag it...
Please place leaves, grass, brush, and other yard trimmings in large paper yard trim bags (available at most grocery stores, home improvement stores, and garden centers). The bag must weigh 45 pounds or less.  Please do not use paper grocery or shopping bags to collect yard trim.
Or bundle it...
You can also bundle brushes with twine. Bundles should not exceed 30 inches in diameter. Each branch should be no longer than 4 feet long and 4 inches in diameter. Total weight per bundle must be 45 pounds or less.
 
US Postal Service Mailbox Policy:
 
The U. S. Postal Service is asking THOA homeowners to inspect and repair their mailboxes.
Repairing neighborhood mailboxes improves our community's appearance and makes mail delivery and pickup safer for USPS carriers and customers.  It also helps ensure delivered mail stays in the mailbox, as broken or doorless mailboxes are more likely to cause damage or loss in bad weather.

The Postal Service conducts regular inspections because mailboxes wear out over time.  Some of the maintenance activities that may need to be performed include:

• Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door
• Repainting a mailbox that may have rusted or started peeling
• Remounting a mailbox post if loosened
• Replacing or adding house numbers
• Replacing the entire mailbox if circumstances warrant

Mailbox location is also important.  Generally, a mailbox should be within reach for a carrier without leaving the truck. That means positioning it about 41” to 45” off the ground and back about 6” to 8” from the curb.

Additionally, please keep obstructions away from your mailbox at all times. Your carrier may not deliver your mail if a car, shrub, snowdrift, or unfriendly dog is in the way.  For more information, click here.
 
Pet Etiquette:
 
The board has received a few complaints in recent months about homeowners failing to clean up after their pets.  Let's face it, it's not only the law, but also a sign of a considerate pet owner and neighbor!
If residents repeatedly see homeowners failing to pick up after their pets, they can report it to the Montgomery County Department of Animal Control at (301) 279-1823.
 
Pet owners are also reminded to walk their pets AWAY from neighbors' homes, playgrounds, and high-traffic areas. Maryland law requires all pets to be on a leash at all times.
We love our pets, but we also love our community and want to keep it clean. We ask that all residents be responsible and considerate to help keep the community clean!
 
Architectural Variance Requests:
 
As our homes age, maintenance and remodeling projects arise.  The THOA board reminds our neighbors that if replacement materials are the same style and color, you may proceed with those changes.  For example, this applies to siding, front door, trim, garage doors, gutters, and roofs.  The Board welcomes notification from the homeowner for any of these changes.
If you plan to remodel the exterior, expand or modify the structure, or change the style or color, you must complete and submit a THOA Architectural Variance Request form to the Board of Directors for approval.
 
 
Noise Levels in our Community:

The THOA board has received questions about the community's noise policy.  For more information, please review the Montgomery County Noise Ordinance.  To summarize, loud noises such as lawnmowers and weed eaters are not permitted between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays and between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. on weekends and holidays.  The THOA board respectfully requests that you limit loud noise even further, if possible, out of courtesy to your neighbors.
 
Complaints about Helicopters:
 
The THOA board has received community complaints about helicopters hovering low over the community for extended periods in the evenings.  If you have any complaints, please use this form.