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Old Farm Estates Committees

 

Old Farm Estates has established committees to focus on key areas of responsibility within the neighborhood. The chairperson of most committees is often an elected Trustee who volunteers to chair the committee. If a resident is interested in volunteering to lead or serve on a committee, they should contact the committee chairperson or their district's HOA Trustee. Volunteers are needed and are always welcome.

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Architectural Review Committee

Trustee Committee Chairs: Sam Craig & Steve Oslica

The purpose of the ARC is to ensure that the exteriors of OFE properties remain up to Saint Louis County Codes and Ordinances, the OFE Indenture of Restrictions, and follow the of approved trustee guidelines for residential properties (solar panels, fences, trailers). This committee:

• Reviews all architectural review applications

• Conducts on-site residential visits 

• Makes a recommendation to the Board of Trustees on whether applications should be approved.

 

For reference, visit the Saint Louis County Property Maintenance website for code and ordinance information or to report a problem property. 

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Communications Committee

Trustee Committee Chairs: Greta Walton

The Board of Trustees is committed to providing various channels of communication for homeowners and the Board to share both general and time-sensitive information. This committee ensures residents are provided with easy access to stay in the know!​

• Facebook Group: Our subdivision invites residents to join our private Facebook group where we share neighborhood news, safety updates, and engage as a strong community.

• Gazette Newsletter: A semi-annual newsletter with updates on subdivision events, committee updates, and relevant neighborhood information. If you have a knack for writing and an interest in creating communications for our numerous committees, we welcome your participation.

• Subdivision Meetings:

  • General Meetings:​ Open to all residents, this is a bi-annual, large meeting that provides general community updates. Notes are shared within our Old Farm Estates' Resident Information page. 

  • Monthly Trustee Meetings: The Trustees hold regular monthly meeting on the second Tuesday of the month at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. These meeting are open to all residents. The agenda is focused on specific topics.​​​​​​

• Guide Book/Directory: An annual publication with subdivision information and a resident directory consisting of those who wish to be listed. Notes are shared within our Old Farm Estates' Resident Information page. 

• Website: Visit often to stay connected and engaged, find information and resources, sync your personal digital calendar with our OFE calendar, or search who to contact if you have a question.

• COMING SOON: NEW - OFE HOA Digital Communications - click below to OPT-IN now!

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Community Engagement Committee

Trustee Committee Chair: Deb Colonius

We take pride in fostering a sense of community spirit through planned activities for all residents, from the young to the retired. We welcome all who want to increase community engagement as we focus on developing and overseeing activities that appeal to a variety of neighbors of all ages. In addition to regular planning, many of these events require volunteers to help with set-up, signage, obtaining food, drinks, and prizes, or putting up decorations. For information about planned activities, consult the OFE calendar, event signage, or the private OFE Facebook group.

• Annual Traditions: Egg Hunt, End-Of-School Pool Bash, 4th of July Parade, Flick & Float Nights, Trivia Night & Silent Auction, Fall Fest, Garage Sales

• Occasional Events: Plant Swaps, Bake Sales, Adult Sip & Swims, Home Décor Contests

• Welcome Committee: Welcome new residents and provide information about the subdivision.

• Committee Partnership: Fundraising efforts in partnership with the Pool & Swim Team Committees: Occasional bake sale fundraisers and collaborative events (e.g., 4th of July party, trivia night).

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Finance Committee

Trustee Committee Chair: Chris Rife

Our Finance Committee is focused on developing the annual budget and calendar for Board approval, building the strategic plan based on relevant data including our 2023 reserve study, and ensuring the Indenture-required annual financial review is completed.​

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Common Ground Committee

Trustee Committee Chair: Ric Benckendorf

This committee’s role is to maintain our common ground spaces and places, keeping our neighborhood in beautiful condition. Sub-committees include:

• Bluebird House Monitoring: Conduct weekly nesting inspections, ensure safety from predators and pests, track successful nests.

• Cul-de-sac Management: Maximize the beauty and utility of each cul-de-sac by surveying all locations, gathering neighborhood feedback, then determining enhancement options for landscaping and potential seating. 

• Entrance Hill: Our goal is to develop an attractive hillside with trees, shrubs, and many native plants that provide beautiful colors throughout the growing seasons. This requires weekly inspections and spot spraying of
  invasive plants, overseeding of native wild flowers, and planting native trees and plants when purchased/donated.

• Entrance Monument: Our entrance monuments require yearly spring mulching and planting, creating an attractive, welcoming appearance with minimal maintenance the rest of the year. Weekly check-ins are also needed to remove weeds or vines that may pop up, as well as verify that our solar powered lights are functioning.

• Field & Playground Management: This subcommittee focuses on current field and playground management, as well as prioritizing long-term planning for new design and installation of future improvements. Sub-committee members are needed to assist with requesting bids.

• Forest Management: Those interested in ensuring the health of our forests and maintaining the beauty of our 66 acres of common ground are welcome. We focus on removing invasive species and vines, making periodic brush piles for habitat, and also surveying the forests for where beneficial/desirable trees are needed.

• Trail Management: We have several trails and this sub-committee ensures they are maintained so that bikes and pedestrians have good surfaces without ruts and washed out areas. This sub-committee also creates and mulches new trails in wooded areas. Duties include surveying the trails at least monthly and after any major storms.

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Neighborhood Preservation Committee

Trustee Committee Chairs: Open

• Streets & Sidewalks: Volunteers are needed to report street potholes, buckled sidewalks, or street lamps in need of repair. Ideal for those who regularly walk or run in the neighborhood. If you identify a street lamp out, please note the location on the official street light map.

• Neighborhood Watch: Saint Louis County Police actively encourages the establishment of Neighborhood Watch associations. Citizens interested in starting or finding a program should contact their local precinct or neighborhood station and ask for a Neighborhood Policing Officer to assist. Supported by the Saint Louis Central County Precinct, 

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Pool Committee

Trustee Committee Chairs: Deb Colonius

For many, the pool is a cherished amenity of OFE, drawing residents together with its inviting waters. Even for those who don’t swim, it’s a warm-weather place to relax and read or gather for communal spirit.

Understanding the significance of the pool and surrounding grounds, we prioritize its upkeep, ensuring it remains a pristine and safe environment for all to enjoy. By maintaining the pool, we aim to preserve its role as a vibrant centerpiece of our community, reflecting our commitment to enhance the quality of life for residents. As the pool season approaches and then again as it winds down, there are various tasks:

• Pool Maintenance: Operate the pool in coordination with Pro Pools Inc; prepare the pool for opening in the spring and shut down in the fall; support the swim team; maintain and improve the pool-related assets; pool communications.

• Spring: General grounds cleanup inside the pool gate; clean and weed flower and rock beds; clean and set out tables, chairs, and umbrellas; power wash concrete; weed concrete cracks and apply new caulk where needed; paint (bathroom/dressing and guard shack/concession areas); plant flower pots; and more.

• Fall: Empty flowerpots; return chairs to storage; assess condition of pool area furnishings; and more.

• Committee Partnership: Fundraising efforts in partnership with the Engagement & Swim Team Committees: Occasional bake sale fundraisers and collaborative events (e.g., 4th of July party, trivia night).

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​Swim Team Committee

Committee Chairs: Kim Griffin, Jessica Kassing, Kari Schepker-Mueller, Greta Walton

The Old Farm Estates Swim Team is open to both OFE pool members and non-residents, ages 5 - 18, who can swim at least one length of the pool. Non-residents need to purchase an Old Farm Swim Club Membership to participate. To learn more, visit the Swim Team page.

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