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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The 2020 Proposed HVMA/HVF Bylaws are now available
If you have any questions or comments about the proposed documents please submit them to your Condo President who will give them to the Executive Office.
If you would like a hard copy of the documents please contact Jenn at the Executive Office by either calling 203-264-9644 ext. 321 or emailing her at jfenn@hvmaster.com. Please include your name, condo number, and contact information in your message. Copies will be left in the pick up box on the Meeting House patio.You will be contacted when your copies are ready to be picked up.
FFC Meeting - November 9th at 10:00 am
To join the FFC Meeting on November 9th at 10:00 am please use the following:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7318802609?pwd=eG5uT3FlYXZ4b3FxU0xkK05EZjFrZz09
Meeting ID: 731 880 2609
Passcode: 719719
To join by phone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799 or 1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 731 880 2609
If asked for a passcode please enter 719719
Newcomers Orientation
The Orientation Committee welcomed approximately 45 new residents to Heritage Village on Saturday, September 26, in a socially distanced and outside presentation under the Meeting House’s awning.
Committee members explained the structure of the Village, defining condos, clusters, and units, and they shared how the Village is divided into different areas, such as Krueger or Winship. They also described Village governance, detailing the role of Trustees. The new volunteer coordinator added that volunteers serve in all capacities here in the Village.
New residents heard that attending condo meetings was the most effective way to keep abreast of information in the Village, as those meetings include news from the Trustees meetings, as well as general information.
The new Villagers learned to call 911 for all emergencies, how to file maintenance requests and variances, how to use the residents page on the website for current information, and the different ways information is communicated throughout the Village, including what publications are available. This truly informative program taught all the A-Z things to know about the Village.
President Gerry Leventhal added his own warm welcome to the Village, giving praise to all those Villagers responsible for the great work on lowering the maintenance costs in the latest budget.
Many thanks to the Orientation Committee for their work. This committee is chaired by Sara D’Uva, and its members include Carol Van Tassel, Karen Lampiasi, Betty Nipoti, and Marcia Brooker. The committee is catching up on its backlog, caused by the pandemic, and has recently addressed about 100 new residents after a long silence due to the lockdown.
Message about the upcoming national election
It was been brought to our attention that an anonymous letter was sent to the Southbury Registrar of Voters alleging cluster captains are collecting absentee ballots for the upcoming national general election.
Without any identifying information and after checking with officers at different levels of The Village we have not substantiated any such action. We are sending out this notice as a just in case as anybody who would do this is in violation of state election laws.
Flu Shot Reminder - Stay Healthy!
It's not too late to get your flu shot. The Pomperaug District Department of Health offers flu-shot appointments on Mondays till January 4 from 3 to 5:30 pm; and on Thursdays till November 19 from 3 to 5:30 pm. Click here to make an appointment, or call PPDH at 203-264-9616, ext. 0
PPDH's office is in Playhouse Corner, 77 Main Street North, Suite 205, Southbury. This clinic location provides access for those with mobility issues.
Landscaping at the Library
The Landscape Committee continues its efforts to spruce up Heritage Village this autumn. Just in time for the reopening of the Ethan Allen Library, the committee, along with the Library Committee, worked to bring fall colors to the library pathway. Villagers will enjoy the new fall plantings as they walk by, or take a break and sit, relax, and gaze at the pond.
In the spring the committees expect to expand their efforts to beautify the library grounds.
Road and Parking Lot Closures for Asphalt Paving — Updated Oct. 1
- Closed from Monday, Oct. 5 through Tuesday, Oct. 20: Upper Activities parking lot and the Tennis Courts
- Closed from Friday, Oct. 9 through Saturday, Oct. 17: the Lower Activities parking lot
- Closed from Wednesday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 25: River Garden road and parking lot
Please note that these dates are dependent on the weather behaving!
Finally, some good news!
Heritage Village’s own library, the Ethan Allen, will reopen on a limited basis beginning Monday, October 5. As of now, the library will be open only on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 am to 1 pm.
Please be aware that when you visit, you’ll need to follow new guidelines for public health reasons:
1) Masks must be worn at all times.
2) Only two patrons will be allowed in at a time.
3) Enter through the handicapped door on the far left and exit through the front door onto the porch.
4) Only two items (books, DVDs, or puzzles) may be borrowed per visit.
To make your visit quicker and safer, you may call the library when it is open at 203-264-6122 to request one specific book. That book will be put aside for you. If the book is not available, you will receive a return call from the library.
Book returns should be put into the box on the porch. All past late fees are forgiven. Puzzle returns should be given to the volunteer at the entrance.
The HV Library welcomes donations for the annual book sale. There will be bins on the porch for donations of jigsaw puzzles, DVDs, audio books and CDs.
Happy reading, happy watching, happy puzzling!
Improving Grounds in the Village
The Landscape Committee, working with Doug Welton, our Operations Manager/Grounds, and Greg Lukos, our Director of Operations/Grounds Maintenance, has completed phase one of its plan to improve grounds throughout Heritage Village.
This initial phase focused on three entryways into the Village: One Lane Bridge, Hillhouse Road, and the main entrance to the Meeting House.
Many new plants and shrubs were planted, including hydrangeas, roses, catmint plants, and zebra grass.
The second phase will be done in the spring and consists of new plantings at the Meeting House, Lodge, Fireside Lounge, and the Activities Building.
Don’t the plantings look wonderful? Autumnal and welcoming.
Thank you to everyone who worked on making this a reality, both on the Landscape Committee and Village staff:
Ron D'Uva, Chairman
Judy Basile, Secretary
Doug Welton, HV staff
Greg Lukos, HV staff
Andrew Smith
Catherine Olivieri
Conrade Hade
Diane Bolduc, Pond Chairman
Diane and Carl Myhill
Joe Bailey
John Cronin
Judy Wilhems
Linwood Gee
Monica Pullano
Bob Holley
Tim Smith
Vicky Luckower
Walter Johnson
Ron Altman
Meeting House Restroom
As of Aug. 26 the Meeting House first floor restroom is open and available for resident use daily 7am to 7pm. The rest of the building and its rooms remain closed. The restroom will be cleaned/sanitized by staff 3 times daily. Wipes will be available for users to wipe down ‘touched surfaces’ as needed. Beginning Oct. 31 the building will close at 5pm.
Work on Pool 1 is Complete and it Looks Great!
We look forward to next summer when we can enjoy: a larger pool deck, a picnic area, lane markings for lap swimmers, and the new landscape design. Thanks to everyone who worked on the project.
Waiver Information
If you are planning to use the Heritage Village pickleball, tennis, or platform tennis courts this fall, please don’t forget we need a signed waiver/release form on hand before you make your first reservation 48-hours before your visit.
You may download the waiver from the link below, then print, sign, and scan it back to lmegura@hvmaster.com. Or, if you prefer, you may pick up a form at the HV Management Office, 719 East Hill Rd., from the outside pick-up box and, after signing it, return it to the outside drop-off box or fax it to 203-264-1786.
Your signed form will be kept on hand and will cover the use of all HV facilities, including the pool, pickleball, tennis, and platform tennis courts, the minibus, and any coming programs or trips.
Tennis, Anyone?
On Monday, June 8, 2020, the tennis, platform tennis, and pickleball courts reopened. As of July 6, doubles tennis play and Round Robin pickleball are permitted. New guidelines have been developed for each racquet sport to allow for social distancing and to protect both your health as well as the health of your neighbors. Play hours are 8am to 8pm.
Before you start serving, both players will need to call the Activities Registrar at 203-264-9644 (option 1 or extension 221) on weekdays between 8:15 am and 3:45 pm to learn about signing our new release form, being screened for COVID-19, and to make your reservations. Reservations can be made no more than two business days ahead.
2020 Schedule for Sidewalk and Driveway Replacement
June 25, 2020 Statement from HVMA/HVF President Gerry Leventhal
It wasn’t but a few hours ago that I had the pleasure to experience “The Motorcade” that winded its way through The Village. Being honored to be part of this parade my wife Kathy and I counted over 200 residents who made it out to thank the many people who have made our lives safer and easier during this troubling and challenging time. The workgroup that volunteered both the idea and the planning for this event spent hours in preparing and executing their plan. I felt privileged to hear their planning and most recently their concern about the weather and whether any residents would “show up.” Their idea was simple, yet took hours upon hours in planning to pay tribute to The First Responders; The Volunteers; the Grocery Shoppers that shopped for hundreds of our residents; The Southbury Ladies providing support for many of our residents; and Volunteers that without recognition spent hours upon hours in making masks and others that helped distribute them.
So, I want to thank Ed Edelson, Barbara Mechler, Nancy Trew Sugden and Sarah D’Uva for their idea and more importantly for taking the risk of putting their ideas into Action.
So, hoping we will never have to do this kind of event again, under these circumstances, I certainly would welcome this group and others to contribute to creative ways we can celebrate and build on what I experienced today which was US BEING A COMMUNITY not isolated individuals.
I am also aware that some residents did not get to witness this event because the motorcade went faster than the calculations. As Sarah D’Uva so eloquently states, and speaking for all of the Volunteers and First Responders we celebrated, they expressed how they were touched by your responses. Most of all I appreciate the risk people take when volunteering to take on new projects and want again to express my appreciation to those four and the rest of you willing to do so in the future.
Statement from Sarah D’Uva
First of all, we would like to thank everyone who came out for the motorcade thank you to first responders for all of their time. The route was planned and timed, but unfortunately sometimes even the most well planned things have flaws. It was wonderful, and even if you didn't get to see it live Ed is working very hard getting it together to see on TV. Please do not speak negatively -- a lot of work, time, energy, and even tears brought this event together. Heritage Village is a wonderful place and we thank everyone for the privilege of helping you, calling you, and shopping for you!
June 11, 2020 Statement from HVMA/HVF President Gerry Leventhal
I attended a Protest rally and march on Friday June 5th in Southbury. With a reported 300 attendees I felt compelled to both listen to the speakers and continue my thinking about my attitude and opinion related to the civil unrest we are experiencing. As children of the 60s and growing up in New Haven during the riots I remember the anger and action following the assassination of Martin Luther King. When recently asked what I thought the difference between that civil unrest then and what we are currently experiencing and after much thought I see the current movement as more purposeful not just raw emotion.
I also heard a Southbury elected official talk about the racism and bigotry that exists in Southbury. My initial response was surprise and then concern. Why surprise, maybe it’s my naïveté but it reminded me this area and our Village is mostly comprised of us white people and as such does that imply that people of different color are looked at differently or suspiciously?
Since most of my career was working with teenagers that I would define as products of socio economic pressures in inner cities and since one of my daughters is Puerto Rican I hold myself accountable for the values and prejudices we may have picked up along the way.
Why am I making this report? Unfortunately, it has come to my attention that on a few occasions we have had to address comments made or other insinuations that are race and bias related. So, I say these things because I believe if we don’t address these issues than it can be said we are complicit in these matters. I know and believe that most if not all us stand for fairness, mutual respect, support diversity and treating each of us and our neighbors and staff respectfully. This is not a matter of political party affiliation or what culture you represent but a matter of civility and acknowledging regardless of heritage, color, race, religion or sexual orientation that we are all equal. I thank you for listening to these comments and look forward to further introspection and discussion on this difficult issue in these difficult times.
Audio recordings from the Board of Trustees/Directors Teleconference Meetings are now available
The audio recordings from the Board of Directors/Trustees are now available to listen to by going to the HV Meetings and Events Videos Page, they are listed under Board of Trustees Meetings.
There Has Been a Lot of Activity at the Activities Building!
In addition to all the work being done on the building, Pool 1 is being renovated and will have a new fence similar to the fence at the dam.
The beginning of Solar Power in Heritage Village
The Heritage Village Meeting House
The structure we call the Meeting House dates back to 1740. It was built, most historians agree, by Obediah Wheeler who operated a mill in the Southford section of town. In 2002, the late Robert Klein, a Villager and architect, did extensive research about the changes to the Meeting House over time. He explained that the building is a complex of four structures erected at different periods in history.
Two-and-One-Half-Story Farmhouse The first building was a five-bay colonial with a massive central chimney. Although altered inside and out, the basic shape remains. The first floor had two rooms, the current Gun Room and a library. A steep staircase led to the second-floor rooms, which have since been drastically changed.
Two-and-One-Half-Story Ell Probably built in the late 19th century, the original ell was quite different from the one that exists today. The side porch was one story high, covered by a low roof. Later renovations are attributed to Victor Borge, circa the late 1950s.
Three-Story North Wing It is assumed that this addition, which increased the size of the original ell, was part of the Borge renovation. The 2nd floor was modified by HV to create offices and meeting space. On the 3rd floor there is a large bedroom with a Palladian window, designed for Borge’s oldest son.
Music Room The fourth and last addition was built by Borge about 1960. Designed by the world-renowned architect I.M. Pei, this modern structure has proven to be a constant topic of discussion regarding its compatibility with such a colonial edifice.
Be Bear Aware
- Bears are omnivorous and their diets vary seasonally – mostly plant material, but also small mammals, carrion, and garbage. Bears are agile and quick, and they are excellent climbers. Around homes, bears may scavenge for food in garbage containers and bird feeders and for pet and livestock food left outside. It is important that residents properly dispose of garbage in the covered cans provided in the clusters. It is recommended that you remove bird feeder as they attract a variety of wildlife.
- Call 911 if you’re in immediate danger; otherwise, please call DEEP (Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection) at 860-424-3011 to report a bear sighting.
Please keep your pets indoors
We want to remind residents to keep their 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 the natural wildlife. Please do your part to keep your dearly loved “fur babies” safe.
CT Water regarding the installation of water meters
The Heritage Village maintenance department does not install water meters. Installation of a water meter requires a structural variance and a building permit from the Town of Southbury. If you are interested in having a water meter installed, contact Heritage Village Water Company at 203-264-8100 for information.
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