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
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
.jpg)
November 20, 2020 HVMA/HVF President Gerry Leventhal Update on Covid-19
As you may already know there has been a significant increase in the number of Covid-19 cases both in the town of Southbury and in Heritage Village. We received news today that two staff members have tested positive for Covid-19 and there has been increased exposure within the Village.
For the next two weeks we will be only doing work on units on an emergency basis. We will also be sending all office staff home with pay for two weeks with certain necessary staff coming into the office once a week. Vehicle sharing, common gatherings for lunch breaks and the like will also be eliminated for those staff members who are to remain on site. There will be additional supervision provided to ensure that all safety measures followed.
Our main goal is to keep all of the Village’s residents and staff healthy and safe during this time.
Covid-19 Zoom Update from November 19, 2020
In case you missed the video update on zoom this past Thursday, the video is available for you to watch.
New Volunteer Coordinator and Communications Chair
I am pleased to make the following two announcements of volunteers who are stepping up to take on important roles at the Village.
Theresa Calnan has been appointed to the position of Volunteer Coordinator. Theresa has lived in the Village six years and has been active on our FFC committee and currently serves as the Trustee for Condo 5. Theresa, known as Terry, has been an avid supporter of the Village’s best interests and her willingness to take on more responsibility is an indication of her commitment.
Terry has hit the ground running by redoing and updating the Volunteer forms, making sure that residents interested in getting more involved are personally guided through the process, and making sure that the follow up occurs that encourages more resident participation. Thank you, Terry.
This leads to the second announcement which is a result of both Terry’s efforts along with Sarah D’Uva and her Orientation workgroup.
I am also pleased to announce that Judith Karp is appointed to the position of Chair of Communications Committee. Judy has been a resident in the Village for six months and her professional experience has been in Business and Education technology both in the public and private sectors. Judi possesses an MBA and a Master’s Degree in Education. She has also served as a Director of Technology. Judi had conversations with various members of the committee. Both she and they are very excited about bringing the many components of this committee together and the potential this provides.
Judi writes, “In summation, my sense of community, as well as my organizational skills and love of learning and planning for the future will allow me to lead the wonderful team of the Communication Committee that have already been working very hard. I look forward to this challenge and please feel free to contact me for any reason. judithhgkarp@gmail.com”
I am pleased and grateful that while living in the Village for 8 years I have had the opportunity to work with many long-time residents. I am also pleased in our recruitment of newer residents who have shown interest in becoming more involved in the workings of the Village.
Gerry Leventhal, HVMA/HVF President & CEO
Giving Tree 2020
In the interest of the health and safety of our residents, the Women's Club Giving Tree drop off has been canceled. But donations are still greatly needed. For information on how you can contribute to the Southbury Food Bank, Thank a Soldier, Senior Center Holiday Cheer, and Southbury Needy Fund click here.
November 19 Planet Fitness Update — 25 more membership slots have been added!
Heritage Villagers: We have some news on our gym. The HV Fitness Center, as well as the entire Activities Building, remain closed at this time. In order to accommodate Villagers who miss working out at the Fitness Center, the October 27 Board Meeting approved a fund of $5,000 for individual six-month memberships to Planet Fitness on a first come, first served basis.
If you are over 65 years of age, please FIRST check with your insurance company to see if you are eligible for the Silver Sneakers program, which offers free memberships to Planet Fitness. This will avoid taking a spot from residents whose insurance does not cover Silver Sneakers.
Villagers may apply for this program by clicking on the "Online Reservations" blue band on this page. You will need to prove residency. Once you sign up using Sign Up Genius, the Activities Department will contact you about the status of your request and give you further directions.
November 13 Message from HVMA/HVF President Gerry Leventhal
Foundation Buildings and Facilities Closed
Southbury has moved into the Red Zone level of Covid-19 cases with over 300 residents who have tested positive. For this reason, we will be moving forward following the state guidelines.
After holding emergency meetings with the HVMA/HVF Officers and Executive Committee it has been decided that as of noon tomorrow, Saturday, November 14, all Foundation buildings will be closed until further notice.
Tennis and pickleball courts will also be closed.
The HV minibus will continue to run on a limited basis for essential services.
There will be no meetings held in person. All meetings will be held via Zoom or teleconference. To schedule a meeting for a Condo or Committee contact Jenn Fenn in the Executive Office at jfenn@hvmaster.com
With the holidays coming up we are asking residents to rethink their holiday plans. As we have seen with past holidays this year, Covid-19 cases go up after these family gatherings.
We also ask that you keep an eye on your neighbors. If you have any concerns, please be sure to call Security for a well-being check. This is a time when we need to be taking care of each other.
While we understand the inconvenience these closings may cause, our first priority is the safety of our residents and staff.
Revised HVMA and HVF Bylaws
Sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who shared their feedback about the proposed Bylaws.
What happens next? Work continues on the process of reviewing and responding to questions/comments through the end of November. A summary of questions and comments, with responses, will be posted on the website by December 1. This information will also be shared directly with Condo Presidents and the Trustees/Directors. Click here to download the revised timeline.
The Trustees/Directors will vote to approve the proposed Bylaws on January 26, 2021. This is an important vote!
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, Terry Calnan, 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 Sarah 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
.jpg)
.jpg)
