There's No Place Like Heritage Village
A unique, 55+ active adult community, Heritage Village is located in Connecticut's beautiful town of Southbury, surrounded by natural ponds, rivers, and trails. Residents enjoy a wide variety of clubs, activities, tennis courts, and beautiful private swimming pools. An 18-hole golf course that winds its way through Heritage Village is available for membership. A 9-hole course and par 3 course are adjacent to the village. Heritage Village is a hub of activity conveniently situated between the excitement of Manhattan and all the best of Boston. We are home to a diverse group of active, friendly residents who will tell you “Heritage Village is a great place to visit and an even better place to call home."
Heritage Village Master Association/Heritage Village Foundation Non-Discrimination Policy - Click here to download policy
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Welcome to our new Chief Operating Officer
I am pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has offered the position of Heritage Village’s Chief Operating Officer to Dan Drew, who will start on Monday, January 24. In a presentation made on January13 by Tony Del Negro, the chair of our Human Resources Committee, and Bo Bradstreet, from the search firm of Bohan & Bradstreet, a full description of the process leading to the selection and offer to Dan Drew was shared.
More than one hundred candidates were considered for this position. After each candidate’s skills were weighed and due diligence was applied, the list was narrowed down to a final three. Eventually one candidate was recommended for this position. Interestingly, the Search Committee (made up of volunteers who spent more than 250 combined hours in their work) were unanimous in their selection of the same candidate, and the Trustees wholeheartedly concurred: Dan Drew.
Dan has a rich and broad experience in his professional life. To mention a few (well, more than a few), his past work includes areas of operations; Human Resources; finance; facilities; budgets; grant writing; and he also served as a journalist for the CT Post newspaper.
Of major importance are the years he spent as mayor of Middletown, CT. During his terms, the city saw considerable growth, the resurgence of its downtown, and an increase in the number and success of local businesses. Dan was even able to cut taxes on two occasions without affecting the services the city offers.
On a personal note, when I asked Dan what motivates him, he shared that seeing the results of his and his staff’s work in benefitting people’s lives was what he most appreciated.
In the attached video, you will find comments made by Dan to the Trustees on January 13, which will give you a good introduction to the man himself.
Please join me in welcoming him to the Village.
— Gerry Leventhal, HVMA/HVF President & CEO
The Fitness Center is now open
Please comply with rules set forth by the Executive Committee.
Hours: 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. Resident Key Card/Fob is required for entry.
Rules: Residents only. Teal wristbands must be worn. Masks covering nose and mouth are required. Machines must be wiped down with provided wipes before and after each use.
Questions? Contact the Activities Department at 203-264-9644, ext. 221
The Key Fob/Key Card System Will Be In Effect Beginning Thursday, January 13
Meeting House: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fitness Center: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Activities Building: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
How to Get Your Key Fob or Key Card
Walk-ins will be processed at the Activities Building, weekdays 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Call Activities at 203-264-9644, ext. 221 to confirm someone will be there to process. To schedule a weekend or evening appointment call Dispatch at 203-264-9644.
Key cards are free, key fobs cost $5. It's one or the other, not both. When you arrive, your photo will be taken, and you will need to make your $5 payment if you are getting a key fob. You must present proof of residency such as a valid driver’s license, passport, or a utility bill verifying that the unit is your permanent address.
COVID Precautions — Updated January 12, 2022
The following policies will be evaluated weekly.
- The Fireside and Lodge buildings are closed. These areas exhibited excessive non-compliance with the mask mandate.
- Room Limits: The occupancy limit of rooms in the Foundation Buildings is one-half of the posted limits designated by the Fire Marshal, not to exceed 20 in any room. Sarah Cooke Hall occupancy limit has been reduced to 20 persons. Clubs and groups meeting in all rooms are expected to abide by the limits. When possible, it is suggested groups meet via Zoom to limit contact during this transitional period as we learn more about the Omicron variant. We are continually evaluating the situation with COVID and acting accordingly.
- Mask Policy: At a special Zoom meeting of the Board of Trustees on December 1, the BOD mandated that all Residents and Staff, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, are required to wear face masks in all Foundation Buildings. Masks must be worn properly, with nose and mouth covered. Masks are not required outside.
- No food is to be served at functions, since you have to remove your mask to eat.
- Employees are required to wear masks when entering a residence.
- Guests: No guests permitted.
Foundation Buildings Hours
Fireside Building: closed
Meeting House: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lodge: closed
Fitness Center: 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Activities Building: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Ethan Allen Library: Mon. – Sat. 10 to 12 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., Sun. 2 to 4 pm
New Mask Enforcement Policy Announced December 27
All Committee/Governance meetings will be held via Zoom until Wednesday, January 19, at which point the guidance will be reviewed and adjustments to these policies will be made as necessary.
Volunteer Want Ad – Updated December 21, 2021
Heritage Village Master Association and Heritage Village Foundation need volunteers for several positions.
- The Concert Society needs board members and helpers to sell tickets, hand out programs, and set up and clean up after receptions. Need to attend one hour-long meeting each month.
- FOCUS TV needs new talent to work behind the scenes or in front of the camera. Do you have an idea for a show? Contact us. We are in Room J near the Fitness Center. Come visit!
- Winship Barn is in need of a volunteer with experience in sign-making graphics who is familiar with producing vinyl lettering using an in-house cutter plotter.
- Winship Barn is in need of a volunteer to use SketchUp graphics to create and produce 3D visual presentations using the Village’s SketchUp Pro software.
- The Activities Committee needs volunteers to assist with specific events, such as collecting tickets, setting up, and cleaning up, etc.
- Condo 4 needs Cluster Captains for Cluster 1 (Units 125–129), Cluster 3 (Units 134–137), and Cluster 5 (Units 142–144).
- Condo 10 needs two board members and Cluster Captains for Cluster 9 (Units 353A–357B) and Cluster 10 (Units 358A–361B).
- Condo 11 needs a Cluster Captain for 11B (Units 426–429).
- Condo 15 urgently needs new board members (currently they have only 3 out of 9).
- Condo 19 urgently needs new board members to support the condo.
Interested? Contact Terry Calnan at volunteer@hvmaster.com or call 772-828-0370.
Tribury Reads Together
Tribury Reads Together is sponsoring the second community-wide book read, and the Village is encouraged to participate! The mission of Tribury Reads Together is to bring the communities of Middlebury, Southbury, and Woodbury together through reading and discussing books that enrich our understanding of the world. Click here for details.
Water Quality Report from Connecticut Water Company
To read the report go to the Resources tab, select Useful Information, then click on "Water Quality Report from Connecticut Water Co., October 2021" in the alphabetical list.
One of the Top 55+ Communities in the USA!
Heritage Village ranks high—number 11—in a recent study of the best 55+ communities in the United States. Coventry Direct, the insurance company, analyzed more than 2,600 such communities, numerically ranking them based on both amenities and community details. HV received a perfect score for amenities, 50 out of 50—one of only six communities to do so!
In the amenities section, Coventry investigated access to Exercise and Wellness, Entertainment, and Outdoor Activities. Heritage Village blasted past most competitors, especially in Entertainment and Outdoor Activities.
In the community details section, Coventry reviewed such details as the prices and affordability of homes, age limits, and security. Once again, the Village showed its stuff, powering its way into the top communities of this study.
Out of the top 25 communities for 55+ on this list, Heritage Village is the ONLY one in the northeast and practically the only one not in the Sunbelt. For those who enjoy changing seasons, Heritage Village is number one.
Recycling is now picked up weekly. The schedule is as follows:
Monday: Condo 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11
Tuesday: Condo 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 24
Thursday: Condo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 15
Friday: Condo 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23
The Bears are Still Around
There have been several sightings of black bears here in the Village. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has posted recommendations to help keep bears away and what to do should you come upon one. For more information click here to visit the DEEP website.
Do You Need Help Paying Your Connecticut Water Bill?
COVID-19 extended payment plans are available for any customer with past due balances, without requiring a determination of financial need. The "H2O – Help 2 Our Customers" program provides financial assistance and/or payment plans to support customers who may be experiencing financial challenges. Click here to learn more.
The Town of Southbury has Experienced an Uptick in Confirmed Rabid Wildlife
Animal Control asks owners to make certain that all pets, indoor and outdoor, are up to date with their rabies vaccinations, and reminds owners to supervise their pets and be cautious about leaving them unattended outdoors. While walking outside or hiking, it is recommended you have a second person accompany you and to carry an air horn.
Some common symptoms of rabies can be unprovoked aggression, difficulty walking, and excess salivation. If you or your pet have had contact with wildlife, call Southbury Animal Control and follow up with a healthcare provider and/or veterinarian.
For further questions, or to report wildlife contact with a human or pet, please call Southbury Animal Control at 203-262-0613.
Living with Pets
We want to remind you to keep your pets indoors, unless you have them on a leash. Along with the beautiful wooded landscape that Heritage Village has to offer, there is also the risk of pets getting lost and the risk from natural wildlife. We also want to make sure that any resident who is not an animal lover is not bothered by any of our pets. One last reminder: Please remember to pick up after your pets and throw the bags away appropriately. Please do your part to keep your dearly loved pets safe and our beautiful village clean.
