Notes from the President
Rob Lagergren, President
The board is considering moving the location of the annual meeting to the grassy area by the path to the pool. The thought is that this location provides some natural shade and no pavement to reflect the heat. Please send me an email (8waldenlane@gmail.com) with your thoughts.
Final details for the Annual Meeting will be sent to all residents via email.
Directory books are printed every other year, and this is the year! Please respond to Bill Frazier’s emails requesting updated name, second address and contact information. Shortly after the annual meeting, the updated profile data will be sent out for printing. These books are expensive to produce in small quantities but are considered a very useful tool by residents. Please take a minute to review your profile information and get back to Bill as soon as possible. Bill expects to email residents in mid-April.
Cabin Fever? Now that we are dealing with our latest blanket of snow, upwards of 24 inches, don’t forget that there are a variety of books to keep you company at the WV Little Free Library. All that is asked is that if you take a book, please replace it with a book.
Pool Committee
Jeff Gerard, Chair
Our new pool deck chairs have arrived and we already getting prepared for our opening day in late May. We are looking forward to some fun times at the pool this year.
Social Committee
We are pleased to announce that Shirlee Bresnahan and Ann Callahan have agreed to join Glenna Gerard and Cheryl Meunier on the Social Committee. We look forward to all working together to plan our future social gatherings once the weather improves and we welcome back our spring and summer residents. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions please let us know. You may contact us by phone or email:
Glenna Gerard – 336-918-1956 or glennagerard@gmail.com Cheryl Meunier -413- 442-6118
Shirlee Bresnehan – 413-464-1692 or shirlee0109@gmail.com Ann Callahan – 413-441-0057 oe acallashan2248@gmail.com
Environmental Control Committee
Karen Sangiovanni, Chair
Happy Spring to all! Hopefully the weather will be getting warmer soon and all the icy snow banks will melt and pops of color from our landscapes will brighten our beautiful village.
The Environmental Control Committee (EC) has had a few requests for approval during the winter such as planning ahead to remove old wall air conditioners and replacing windows and decks. All of these projects will begin when the weather permits. As a reminder the approved requests are valid for one year from the date the request is approved.
I would like to report that the new Request for Approval form required for all building and landscaping projects has been an improvement to the Environmental Control Committee (EC) by streamlining the process and eliminating numerous emails. Should you need a Request for Approval form please contact the Environmental Control Committee (EC) at walden.village.ec@gmail.com and one will be provided to you.
Remember a request for approval needs to be approved in writing by the EC prior to starting any project.
Driveway Face Lift
Rob Lagergren President
If you would like to give your driveway and/or front walk a face lift without the high cost, mess and inconvenience of a total replacement, take a look at a technique called poly jacking or slab lifting. This is a clean and efficient alternative that will level out concrete sections that have
settled or heaved up over the years causing trip hazards, the redirection of water runoff and that annoying bump into the garage, while increasing your property value.
Peter has contacted Leading Concrete Solutions out of Troy, NY, that is willing to provide individual quotes to homeowners who may be interested in this service. Robert Willbrant, the owner of the company, has already done a walk-a-round with Peter and me. We were told that the more who participate, the lower the costs.
For more information, check out their website, www.Leadingconcretesolutions.com. You can also google or YouTube slab lifting to see how it is done. Basically, small holes are drilled into the slabs and a foam is injected under the slab until it levels out.
Barbara and I are planning to have our front walk and a driveway slab leveled out. Please contact Peter (413-329-0721) or me (8waldenlane@gmail.com) by March 31st if you are interested in a quote and to get on this summer’s Leading Concrete Solutions project schedule.
Notary Public Available
Editor
Occasionally, we have need of a notary public for an important document. Lori Talis has offered her services to the Village residents. She is an authorized notary through 2025 and may renew her license. If you have a need, you can contact Lori at 413-464-0385 or by email at loritalis1221@yahoo.com.
New Resident
Welcome to Lorraine Deyo who is the new owner of 3 Walden Lane.
“I lived in Cairo, NY for over 40 years. I moved to the Berkshires to be closer to my sister and her family. With family and friends in NY and FL, I will be visiting with them often.
I am retired from NYSDOT. In 2018, I lost my beloved husband, after 43 years of marriage. After enjoying the Adirondack lakes for many years, I am excited to explore the natural beauty of the Berkshires. My dog, Cooper, and I are looking forward to meeting many new neighbors and friends.”
Telephone: Land: 413-344-0263
Cell: 518-291-0263
Email: tnideyo@gmail.com
The following is a reprint of a 2012 newsletter. As we have several new Villagers, I thought some might find it interesting.
A Brief History of Walden Village:
Once upon a time is the way many fairy tales open. Walden Village is not a fairy tale, but I thought it would be interesting to research some of the history of our little enclave. I
did research at the local history room at the library, at City Hall, and also consulted with people who have lived here a long time and with some neighbors. Laura and Rick Brady live on the corner of North Street and Walden Lane. Rich and I were colleagues at Pittsfield High. I asked him for any memories that he had of the beginning of Walden Lane.
Rich related that the land was a dairy farm whose last owner was Helen Homich. Her family had owned the land for many years. Rich told me that he can still smell the farm odor of manure as he walked the fields after a rain. Mrs. Homichʼs farmhouse stood where Units 1A/1B now stand. As part of the agreement with Mr. Wall, the developer, she lived in # 3.
According to city records, Mr. Wall received approval for the subdivision on Feb. 25, 1986. There was a total of 32 acres, with 64 lots defined with construction to be completed in four stages. The construction of the original units was completed on September 28, 1989. The development was originally called “Aletheia Land and Nicole Court”; I was not able to find how and when the name was changed to Walden Village. Perhaps one of our readers will have the information and share it with us. Mr. Wall sold the property when he couldnʼt get the project underway. K.D. Land Corporation took over the project, with Joseph Kroboth being a major player.
One of the last units to be constructed was the property now known as 1A and 1B. Barbara Caplin was President at the time. She had moved into the Village in 1996 from Canaan, NY. Barbara told me that the covenants for the village allowed for only one unit on the lot. The controversy over this site stemmed from a desire by the builder to erect two units (like the other units and more financially desirable from the builderʼs viewpoint). At City Hall, I found letters from several homeowners objecting to aspects of this development. The village would have to change the by-laws with written consent by 3/5ths of the owners. I found copies of the signatures at City Hall. Achieving this goal was difficult and long, but eventually was done and we see 1A and 1B where the original farmhouse stood. The city signed off on the agreement for two units on December 31, 2003.
According to Lou Apat (who had wonderful blueprint drawings of the area), Units 44 and 46 had to have special permits, as the structures would be too close to the wetlands. All units originally did not have backsplashes in the kitchen. The lack of a backsplash would be grounds for rejection by the FHA. The builder bought sheets of Formica to match the counters and installed it in back of the cabinets. Originally, all units had electric ranges. If a buyer wanted a gas range, it would have to be of equal or lower value. There was also an issue with the lack of rails around decks (a safety issue) and other construction issues.
I would welcome any further details about individual units. I found listings at the local history room through 1992, when the city stopped printing city directories. If
you know details, please email them to me and I will include them in a future printing.
Soon, our winter friends will start to return! We welcome you back. The pool will open and activities will increase. Welcome, Spring and Summer.
Bill Frazier. Editor