KWESToakwersoOakwest
OAKWEST ESTATES
SUMMER 2014
General Meeting
Block Party
On June 18, we had our annual meeting. You may
remember that in previous years this meeting was
held at Johnson Middle School on Hix Rd. This
year, we moved the meeting to the Westland
Charhouse on Warren Rd. Minutes from the
meeting, as well as this newsletter, will be posted at
oakwestestates.com in the near future.
Would you like to host the Oakwest Estates Block
Party this year? We’re in need of someone to take
this project on. There is a fund set aside for this
event. If you are interested, please contact us
through
the
website
at
questions@oakwestestates.com
Here are some highlights from the meeting as
well as some other news
Have you noticed that we’ve added solar lights to
the signs at each entrance? Solar was the most costeffective way to light our signs – we hope you like
them!
Website
Our website is getting some much needed updating.
Heather Dimitrievski, a fellow Oakwest Estates
homeowner, has generously donated her time to this
project. Special thanks to Heather for her work on
the shiny new website! Please take a look, at
oakwestestates.com .
Garage Sale
We will be having another subdivision-wide garage
sale this summer. Watch your mailboxes for a flyer
that will provide more information about dates and
times.
Calling all Oakwest Estates business owners
Are you a business owner? Would you like to
advertise your business on our website? Well, now
you can! There will be a tab at oakwestestates.com
where your business card can be displayed. Just
upload a copy of your business card and email it to
Heather.Dimitrievski@Takata.com
Lighted Signs
Committees
Do you have a passion for something that would
enhance our subdivision? Would you like to head
up a Welcoming Committee to welcome new
neighbors to Oakwest Estates? Are you interested in
gardening? Maybe you would like to start a
Beautification Committee? There are funds available
to help with these groups. If you would like more
information,
please
send
an
email
to
questions@oakwestestates.com
Board vacancies
There are several vacant seats on the board. Many of
the board members have been on the board for
several years because we have not had any other
neighbors replace them. If you would like to be a
part of this board, please send an email to
questions@oakwestestates.com . The board meets
about four times a year for approximately two hours
per meeting. We’d love to see some new faces.
Please consider joining us!
1
Oakwest Estates Newsletter—Summer 2014
See Helpful Phone Numbers on Page 4!
Calls, we get calls…
Our canine friends
Street light outages
Street light outages are handled by DTE. If you
notice a street light is out, please call DTE. You will
need the address of the home where the street light
is located.
Sidewalks
Maintenance of sidewalks is the homeowner’s
responsibility. To reduce risks to walkers and
bicyclists, please repair or replace any uneven
sidewalk sections on your property.
- If barking continues for an extended
period of time and becomes disruptive,
contact the Westland Police Department
Please be sure to always clean up after your
dog
when
walking
through
the
neighborhood.
Trees
Stop signs
Please keep the trees on the right of way--the area
between your sidewalk and street-- trimmed well
enough so walkers can easily use sidewalks and
vehicles can pass by without interference.
Several residents have asked what can be done about
drivers that do not stop at the stop signs. This is an
issue handled at the city level. Please contact the
Police Department for further information, either by
phone or at administration@wlpd.net .
If you are unable to trim the trees, contact the City
of Westland Department of Public Services and
request that the city trim the tree. There is no fee for
this service. There is currently, however, a wait list
for trees to be trimmed by the city.
A message from Michigan State University –
Turfgrass Science
Note: The trees on the right of way are owned by the
city. Although the city will not replace these trees if
one is lost to damage or disease there is a list of
permitted replacement trees on the City of Westland
site
http://cityofwestland.com/departments/departmentof-public-service/permitted-trees
Properly fertilized turf grasses can provide an
excellent filter for environmental contaminants, but
excessive, poorly timed or misapplied fertilizers
have the potential for off-site movement resulting in
degraded water resources. Of particular concern are
fertilizer particles that land on impervious surfaces
such as driveways and sidewalks. These materials
could potentially end up in local streams and rivers
because Oakwest—like all subdivisions—is
connected to these resources through the city’s
storm water handling system.
In addition, sweeping excess fertilizer back into the
lawn will reduce the opportunity for walkers and
pets to track fertilizer into their homes.
Potholes
Lawns
The Fire Department is now responsible for enforcement
of City Ordinances in the areas of noxious weeds, nonconforming signs, removal and prevention of blight, and
property maintenance. To report a city ordinance
complaint you can contact the Ordinance Department.
They will send an officer out to discuss what options
are available through the city. Please note that if the
city needs to remove debris or overgrowth there is a
fee, starting at $225, which will be assessed to the
homeowner.
If you notice a pothole, you can report it by
calling the Department of Public Services.
2
Oakwest Estates Newsletter—Summer 2014
See Helpful Phone Numbers on Page 4!
TRASH AND RECYCLING NEWS
Special trash pick-ups
Speaking of recycling
Major appliances and furniture can be disposed of
on your normal trash day. You must schedule the
pick-up 24 hours in advance by calling the
Department of Public Services
Please review this list of items that cannot be
recycled:
Trash Containers
You may have heard that the City of Westland will
soon be providing every homeowner with a 96
gallon trash container, the same size as the recycle
containers we have been using. This container will
replace whatever containers you are currently using
for trash. The city is moving to a more automated
trash pick-up, very similar to the recycle collection one truck equipped with an automated arm to lift
and empty the trash container. The containers will
be dropped off at homes within the next 3-4 weeks.
A smaller 64 gallon container will eventually be
available once the entire city has been supplied with
the 96 gallon containers. So, if you find these
containers are too large the city is asking you to wait
several weeks before calling for the smaller
container.
There will be no other changes to trash collection.
Friday will continue to be our trash pick-up day.
You will continue to accumulate RecyleRewards for
your recycling – you will not accumulate points for
your trash.








Medical waste (needles & syringes)
Wax covered paper cups and milk and juice
cartons
Styrofoam, wood and concrete
Propane tanks
Paint cans (flammable)
Liquids and household cleaners
Garbage, hoses, electrical cords
Chemicals (dry or liquid)
Hazardous Waste Collection in Westland
Mark your calendars! Westland residents may utilize
Wayne County’s Household Hazardous Waste
Collection scheduled on Saturday, August 16, at the
Westland Shopping Center parking lot, located at
35000 Warren Road (lot behind JC Penney’s). The
collection runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. You will be
asked for proof of residency.
Items that will be accepted include household paints,
stains, floor care products, stain removers, solvents,
lawn and garden fertilizers/chemicals, antifreeze,
motor oil, gasoline, automotive batteries, fluorescent
bulbs, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, mercury
thermometers/thermostats. Electronics recycling
including computers/printers, cell phones, fax
machines copiers and TV's. Pharmaceutical waste
(non-controlled substances only) and medical sharps
in puncture-proof containers will also be accepted.
Items not acceptable will be commercial/industrial
waste, radioactive material, explosives, ammunition,
55 gallon drums, shock sensitive materials,
household trash, refrigerators, microwaves or other
appliances, tires, yard waste and concrete. All waste
must be from residential sources only.
3
Oakwest Estates Newsletter—Summer 2014
See Helpful Phone Numbers on Page 4!
Helpful Phone Numbers
Save for Future Reference!!
City of Westland- Department of Public
Services 734.728.1770
City of Westland - Ordinance Department
734.713.3767
Westland Police Department
734.722.9600
Hazardous Waste Collection Information
734.326.3936 x1
DTE Street Light Outages--800.477.4747
4
Oakwest Estates Newsletter—Summer 2014
See Helpful Phone Numbers on Page 4!