Housing residents set to receive landscaping

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Residents of Hanscom Family Housing will soon have one less item on their "to-do" list. Beginning April 1, the housing company will provide landscaping services through Lenox Brothers Inc.

"These changes were based on resident responses to our CEL surveys," said Kelley Casey, Hanscom Family Housing community director. "We heard your concerns and are working hard to improve the curb appeal of our community."

Landscaping services will include:
· Weekly mowing of all non-fenced lawn areas during the months of April through the end of the growing season.
· All shrub, flower, design and mulch beds deeply edged during the spring cleanup and, if required, at least once during the season. Beds will be brought to and maintained with a neat and clean appearance with a crisp line at all times.
· All military members deployed 90 days or more will have their fenced in yards mowed once orders are provided to the leasing office.
· Edging performed on all walkways, driveways and curbing during each mowing visit.
· Weed control for all plant beds performed as needed.
· Hedges and shrubs trimmed and pruned monthly to maintain desired character and design, and to prevent growth over curbs, patios and driveways.
· Leaves, branches, sticks and other debris removed from all grass areas, lawn areas, mulch beds, walkways, driveways, parking areas and playgrounds as required throughout the season.

Although improved landscaping services will be provided, residents still have a part to play in lawn maintenance, according to Casey. The lawn's front, back, side and driveway median must be kept free of portable or loose personal items such as grills, patio furniture, toys, hoses, garbage cans or any other household items. Residents may also still have to do some trimming around personal lawn decorations.

Residents with fenced yards will still be responsible for mowing and trimming within the fence. Residents failing to mow fenced yards will be issued a violation and reported weekly to the Housing Management Office and base command.

"There is an exception to this rule," Casey said. "If your spouse is deployed, we will just need a copy of their orders and the fenced yard will be mowed until the spouse returns. Also, Lenox Brothers will not mow if there is a dog in the yard. There will be a schedule put out and the resident will need to make arrangements for their pet on their particular mowing day."

Picking up after pets is also a critical requirement for residents to enjoy the landscaping benefit. Hanscom Family Housing management notes that lawns will not be mowed if there are any pet feces or debris in the yard. Lawns not mowed for these reasons will be noted by the vendor and a list will be provided to management and the housing management office on a weekly basis. Mowing will then become the resident's responsibility.

"We also ask that our residents only place lawn and patio furniture on patios," said Casey. "All other pieces of furniture on the non-fenced lawns should be moved now."

For questions or additional information about Hanscom Family Housing, visit www.hanscomfamilyhousing.com or call 781-861-5062.