Spur Ranch Road Update - 11_26_2012

Dear Neighbors,

Bob Sherwin phoned me this evening with the disappointing news that delivery of a key chemical used in his new road treatment product is now not available from the supplier for two months.  Because the treatment can't be done with freezing daytime temperatures, he is rescheduling the completion of our road until Spring. Groan.

 

As a stopgap measure, however, he plans to smooth out the surface of the road to remove the washboards and surface irregularities, and also to scrape the gravel from the ditches back onto the surface. This, he believes should get us safely through the winter months, until the permanent "fix" can be made. This temporary work will begin tomorrow. His crew will be using a grader and, if necessary, a water truck and extra gravel. He says no special traffic control assistance is required, but cautions everybody to be careful driving past the road machinery.

 

Regards,

Jim

Spur Ranch Road Update

Dear Neighbors,

It's been awhile since I've updated you on the status of our road, but actually quite a lot has been happening. I won't go into details here, but want to give you the highlights:

 

1. The SRRA directors have been in regular contact throughout the summer with Bob Sherwin, the distributor responsible for the RoadPacker section of our road (Rte 285 to the RR tracks). Over the past months, Mr. Sherwin  has reorganized his company into a manufacturing operation, which is called Bionic Soil Solutions (www.BionicSoilSolutions.com). Rather than import the chemicals from Canada, as before, he and his collegues now manufacture a similar product in Albuquerque. His partners include two senior engineers and scientists, with long experience with RoadPacker and similar road stabilizers. According to Mr. Sherwin, they now understand why our road has not been properly water resistant. Accordingly, they have reformulated the product to account properly for the pH of our alkaline soil (the original Canadian formula was for an acidic soil), and also added a key "hydrophobic" chemical to enhance water resistance. Lab tests on the improved product have shown great water resistance, with the chemical composition chosen specifically to match the SRR soil. Mr. Sherwin says we are his company's "highest priority" and has pledged to complete work on our road within the next  two or three weeks (shortly before or after Thanksgiving). His plan is to use a newly acquired road machine which will mill (i.e., grind up) the top 4 inches of the road, stirring in gravel and the newly formulated product into the base. He assures us that new product is fully compatible with any residual RoadPacker chemicals already on the road, and that the nighttime temperatures will not be a problem. Obviously, we are keeping our fingers crossed that all will go well and will inform you when we have specifics. We don't know yet whether there will be necessary traffic controls or closures.

 

2. Some of you may recall seeing last year a yellow public notice on the north side of SRR near Rte 285 saying that the property owners were in tax arrears. We have it on good authority that four lots on the northeast end of SRR (lots 2-5, where lot 1 is the corner lot) have now been acquired by developer Joe Miller, who intends to build four houses on them. We have no other information about Mr. Miller's plans, but obviously we will keep close watch on the developments.

 

3. The west side of SRR (from the RR tracks to Compadres) is showing deterioration, with especially bad washboarding on the segment from the RR tracks to just west of Calle Junipero. That segment has no remaining basecourse, so that regrading is not effective. Fortunately, the rest of the western end of the road still has an adequate  basecourse and is holding up reasonably well.  The SRRA directors discussed the road's condition at a meeting last Wednesday. We don't have the budget to install new basecourse on the entire road, but are looking at doing bits at a time, in the worst spots, as funds become available. In the meantime, _please_  observe the 30 mph speed limit on the road (notice the new speed limit signs), because faster traffic greatly accelerates the road's deterioration.

 

4. At the meeting last week, the SRRA directors approved a dues schedule for next year (2013). The recommended amounts are the same as for 2012, namely $200 for Tierra Colinas residents and residents east of the RR tracks, $275 for residents west of the RR tracks, and $100 for lot owners. We will send out reminder notices after the first of the year.

 

Regards,

Jim

Spur Ranch Road - Breaking Bad Update

Dear Neighbors,

In case you're interested, the "Breaking Bad" TV episode filmed along our road this summer will be shown this Sunday (Aug. 12) at 8 p.m. on AMC.  Breaking Bad is the top-rated dramatic show on television and is in its final (5th) season. It is often compared to The Sopranos for the quality of its writing and acting. This particular episode is one of the costliest of the series, with a reported production cost of $3.4M, and a cast and supporting staff of about 140 people. The road association and homeowner's associations were well-compensated by the production company for the use of their property.

From Wikipedia: Breaking Bad is an American television drama series created and produced by Vince Gilligan. Set and produced in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Breaking Bad is the story of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a struggling high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with advanced lung cancer at the beginning of the series. He turns to a life of crime, producing and selling methamphetamine with a former student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), with the aim of securing his family's financial future before he dies.^[1]

The series is broadcast in the United States and Canada on the cable channel AMC, and is a production of Sony Pictures Television. It premiered on January 20, 2008, and has completed its fourth season. On August 14, 2011, AMC announced that Breaking Bad had been renewed for a fifth and final season consisting of 16 episodes.^[2] The fifth season will be split into two parts, each consisting of 8 episodes, which premiered on July 15, 2012.^[3]

Breaking Bad has received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its writing, cinematography, and the acting ability of its cast.^[4][5] The series has won six Emmy Awards—including three consecutive wins for Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Cranston, one win for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Paul, and three nominations for Outstanding Drama Series. Cranston has also been nominated twice for a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama and he was nominated three times for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series.

Regards,

Jim Garland
President, Spur Ranch Road Association

 

Spur Ranch Road Update 07_24_2012

Dear Neighbors,

The weed spraying of the Russian thistle (tumbleweed) along the road has now been completed. RT is a hard plant to kill, so we’re crossing our fingers to see how successful the spraying will be. We should know in a few days. Many thanks to SRRA director Susie Schoenfeld and her hubby Bill for lending us their ATV and spraying equipment, as well as many hours of their labor. Also, SRRA director Al Webster and my wife Carole pitched in to help spray.

 

A culvert across SRR to improve road drainage will be installed in the next few days a few hundred yards East of the Rosa Linda turnoff. We asked a retired road engineer in Eldorado for a second opinion in locating the culvert to maximize its effectiveness, but the road grade is very slight in that area, so there’s some uncertainty about the exact location of the lowest part of the road. If we miss it by a couple of hundred feet, we believe we can compensate by altering the side ditches slightly to focus the water flow.  Interestingly, the culvert is intended to alleviate road washout about a quarter mile to the East, near Calle Junipero. The idea is that water that would normally flood across the road will be carried by side ditches down the road to the culvert.

 

It should only take a couple of hours to install the culvert, but we have a short bypass detour for traffic using the road during this time.

 

Regards,

Jim

Spur Ranch Road - Road Spraying Delay

Dear Neighbors,

One of our volunteers sprained his back, so we’re delaying our assault on the Russian thistle for a few days, probably until Friday, pending favorable weather.

Regards,

Jim

Spur Ranch Road Update 07_16_2012

Dear Neighbor,

The disturbed soil resulting from the construction along our road during the past months has resulted in an invasion of Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), known to most of us as tumbleweed. Russian thistle is a highly invasive noxious weed, first introduced into the United States in 1873 by Russian immigrants as a contaminant in flax seed. After its introduction, it spread by contaminated agricultural seeds, threshing crews, livestock railroad cars and, of course, by its unique method of windblown seed dissemination. Today, Russian thistle is estimated to infect 100 million acres in the Southwestern U.S. Unless controlled, it quickly chokes out all native plants.

 

Starting tomorrow (Tuesday), weather permitting, SRRA will be spraying Russian thistle along Spur Ranch Road in an effort to control its dissemination onto residents’ properties. The chemical used to be used is diquat dibromide and prometon. Studies from Ohio State University, North Dakota State University and the California Department of Agriculture, all of which have tested this product, indicate that it effectively controls of Russian thistle for up to a year. The spraying will be done by hand, targeting individual weed plants, in order to minimize any environmental impact on the surrounding area, and the sprayed region will be only along the road right-of-way. If you own property adjacent to the road and do not wish your segment of the road to be sprayed, then please email me or call me immediately at 466-8833.

 

Thanks very much.

Jim

 

Spur Ranch Road Update-4 July 2012

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday, we completed the maintenance on the 1.5 mile segment of Spur Ranch Road between the RR tracks and Avenida de los Compadres. That part of the road was graded, watered, and compacted (at double the cost of grading), so we hope the treatment will last appreciably longer than has been our experience with grading alone. (The recent rain helped us considerably.) The segment East of Calle Junipero has noticeably less gravel on it than the rest of the road, so that portion of the road probably will develop washboarding more quickly than the rest of the road. But for now, the entire road is in very good shape and eminently drivable.

 

Additionally, we have a new SRRA board member, Susan Schoenfeld (who lives in Rosa Linda). Susie has graciously agreed to complete the term of our SRRA Secretary, Kerry Armour, who had to step down from board because of the crush of other commitments. Kerry has been a tireless worker on all our behalf, and her efforts have been greatly appreciated.

 

Finally, if you have not already done so, let me urge you to please pay your SRRA dues. We are a volunteer organization and depend on the good will of the community to keep our road in good condition. Payments can be made to our Treasurer, Bob Holzer (4 Camino San Lucas), to me (102 Spur Ranch Road), or to any of the board members (Al Webster, Ron Billingsley, and Susie Schoenfeld).

 

Many thanks and happy 4th!

Jim

West End Grading

Neighbors,

You may have noticed that grading, watering and rolling has begun on Spur Ranch Road from the tracks west. Half of the distance will be graded today and the remainder will be graded and the entire length watered and rolled tomorrow. It is anticipated that the entire project will be completed by the end of the work day on Tuesday, 3 July.   Please be aware that the grader and trucks are working on the road and drive accordingly; there is room for a single car to pass or meet the grader during the project. Drive carefully.

Please be aware that there may be rocks graded up onto the road bed and drive slowly and avoid the rocks.  There will be no large rocks on the roadbed at the completion of the project.

Following the completion of this project 30 mph signs will be erected.  If speeds can be significantly  reduced on that section of the road it is anticipated that  the recurrent wash boarding will be significantly reduced. It will take all of us to work toward that goal.

Al Webster

SRRA Board member

Spur Ranch Road Dues Collection Notice

Dear Neighbors,

I’m afraid it’s time for your road association to collect the 2012 annual dues for maintenance and improvements of our road. As you know, the Spur Ranch Road Association is a voluntary organization, but I hope you will all do your neighborly duty and contribute to the road upkeep. It’s the only fair thing to do.

Please recall that at our annual meeting, the community approved a dues schedule for the year, as follows:

Tierra Colinas homes and other homes east of the RR tracks: $200

Homes west of the RR tracks: $275

All lots: $100 (each lot)

Residents of Tierra Colinas and Rancho San Lucas have already contributed a portion of their road dues through their annual HOA assessment. If you own property in either subdivision and are current in your HOA assessment, then the additional amount owed now to the Spur Ranch Road Association is:

Tierra Colinas homeowners: $70

Tierra Colinas lot owners: $35

Rancho San Lucas homeowners:$150

Rancho San Lucas lot owners: $75

Payment can be either by check, or PayPal (or cash, if you insist). Please make checks payable to Spur Ranch Road Association, and mail them to our SRRA treasurer:

Bob Holzer

4 Camino San Lucas

Lamy, NM 87540

For PayPal, send payment to bob@bobholzer.com

Road Update: As soon as possible, we will schedule work on the portion of the road west of the RR tracks. We plan to grade, water, and compact the road, in hopes of reducing the buildup of washboard ripples. In the past, that portion of the road has only been graded, but experience shows that the improvement lasts only a few weeks at best. We also plan to install a culvert across the road just west of Calle Junipero, to facilitate water drainage and to keep the road from washing out when the monsoons arrive.

There are a few areas east of the RR tracks where the RoadPacker crew did not adequately clear out the drainage runouts and restore adequately some residents’ impacted property. We’ve been in touch with distributor Bob Sherwin, who has agreed to effect these repairs. On balance, however, the new road surface appears to be holding up very well. Of course, the crucial test will come when the rains arrive.

Let me remind you that SRRA maintains a blog site, where you can post comments, make suggestions, read the latest announcements, learn interesting information (e.g., about the proposed Tierra Bello development), and so forth. You can access this blog site at http://spurranchroad.blogspot.com/ If you forget this address, then search for the association on Google and it’ll take you to the appropriate link.

Many thanks,

Jim Garland, SRRA President

102 Spur Ranch Road

505-466-8833

SRRA Board Meeting 31-May-2012

Very quick meeting to discuss the dues collection process and make a decision on grading west end of road.

Jim to send neighborhood announcement reminding about dues. Al Webster to remind Silver Saddle. Kerry Armour to remind RSL. Jim to also remind TCHOA as Ron Billingsley was not in attendance at meeting.

Due to a lack of rain Jim proposed and Al seconded that we vote to do a complete grading, wetting and rolling of the road west of the tracks. Expected expenditure ~$3800. Unanimously carried. Kerry to contact local contractor recommended by Mary Anne Stickler.

Update on bank balance: $11,858.30 31-May-2012 presented by Bob Holzer

TIERRA BELLO PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER 31, 6-4-2012

SRRA is reposting, by permission,  the newsletter managed by Michael Montgomery to track the events of Joe Miller's Tierra Bello project.

1: What is the current status of this application? 

 2: When could we view the public file? 

 3: What steps has the County taken to date regarding the depredation of certain archaeological features destroyed or threatened by Joe Miller's latest "development " activities, in any of his properties?  This demands examination. 

I include a specific geographic description, in two formats.  In both formats, at the very least, Joe Miller's land holdings identified as "Cow Springs Land & Cattle Company LLC and Cimarron New Mexico Limited," are noted in pink.  There may be more holdings to be identified later.  I remind ALL that Santa Fe County has remaining substantial legal exposure regarding this issue, despite mediation.  This deserves escalation. 

Additionally, the Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District (EAWSD) is implicated in the transfer of water rights, as well as the re-classification of certain areas as "state-optional" water delivery to "state-required" water delivery status.  This demands escalation. 

Michael F. Montgomery           

SRRA Board Meeting 9-May-2012

Met to discuss upcoming TV filming, annual dues and collection road condition.

Breaking Bad TV show will be filming along the tracks and is offering $3000 to road association. Same boilerplate agreement was offered to all other parties. 
Al Webster moved and Kerry Armour seconded to. accept offer. unanimously carried.
Aditional agreement to consider the $3k a windfall and not have it reduce the overall dues.

Board members will be reminding residents to pay agreed upon 2012 dues. Silver Saddle to be asked by AL Webster. RSL by Kerry Armour. Jim Garlans will contact TCHOA and send out a general announcement.

If Monsoon appears to damage road and replicate slippery winter conditions, the board has unanimously voted to adopt escalation steps written by Al Webster as follows:

Immediately contact a reputable and certified road building contractor to get an estimate for gravel and grading
Following our next rain (and there will be one):

·         Telephone Bob Sherwin of Road Packer SW immediately when the problem is noted.

        ·         If there is no positive and immediate response to our dilemma:

·         Have a grader/grader operator in readiness to take the slop off the road following the next precipitation event followed immediately by:

·         Notifying both Michael McDermott and the chap in Australia (separately and individually so they don’t know we’re talking to both) of the problem.

        ·         If no positive and immediate response,  notify our attorney that:

·         Bob has failed to fulfill his contract and we demand both cost and damages (including the cost of the core and the analysis, the cost for man hours expended to assist him in his failed effort to make the road right, etc.) to the tune of whatever the estimate is to fix the road as per the earlier estimate and the damages

·         Advise the attorney to convey to Bob that SRRA intends to notify the appropriate departments     within the State of New Mexico,  Santa Fe County and the City of Silver City. 

·         If no positive and immediate response then proceed to court with the sample as evidence.
Additional Road Work:

Area west of track with existing basecourse, should be graded and re-barditched. Jim moves to authorize this expenditure, Kerry seconded. All were in favor. Expected expenditure ~$1000

Analysis of water movement indicates that installing a culvert near Calle Junipero does make sense, so should we go ahead. Jim moved that we do the work, Ron seconded, all were in favor. Expected expenditure ~$1500 Hope to do work some time in June/July rain dependent.

 

Update on Joe Miller's Tierra Bello development...

TCHA is resubmitting all their complaints from the previous TB submission. Secret arbitration was had with Miller and County to avoid a suit over this development and new documentation must be submitted on Miller's new proposal. Bill Davis submitted a concern that Miller's previous road construction exacerbated SRR flooding.  Keeping Miller's development off SRR is a preeminent concern. Documentation to be forthcoming from TCHA and Jim.

"Breaking Bad" Notification Letter

Tomorrow, Justin Williams, Key Assistant Location Manager, will be in the area distributing a notification letter from the “Breaking Bad” TV Production Company to all residents, to make certain everybody is notified of the filming dates, times and activities.

SRRA Board Meeting Announcement

Wednesday 09-May. 7PM At SRRA President Jim Garland's home at the corner of SRR and Camino de la Paz. Agenda will primarily be to discuss the upcoming filming of the TV show Breaking Bad at the railroad crossing and Joe Miller's new proposal for the Tierra Bello development.

Spur Ranch Road Update-Thurs_04_19_2012

Dear Neighbor,

The brief rain this afternoon dumped 0.17 inches of water on our road. Immediately after the rain stopped, SRRA director Al Webster and I made “skid tests” along the length of the road (jamming on brakes suddenly to see if the surface was slippery) and generally to check out the impact of the water on traction and drivability. This was the first precipitation we’ve had since the new gravel was distributed across the road and compressed down into the surface, a couple of weeks ago.

Basically, the road seemed to hold up well, except for a few slightly slippery spots at the crest of the hill where the surface looked somewhat bare, with minimal surface gravel. Even those spots were drivable, however, and we observed traffic moving normally.

We could easily see tire tread marks where we drove, but we saw the same thing on the new basecourse road on Silver Saddle, which we checked out for comparison. We also repeated the skid tests on the basecourse part of SRR west of the RR tracks and it seemed about the same as the Roadpacker part

We won't really know for certain how the road holds up until we get a sustained rain.  I'd say things look promising at this point, but no definite conclusions yet. I think it's desirable for residents to drive on the road when it's wet, because that pushes the gravel down into the surface. Just be careful near areas which have very little gravel.

Regards,

Jim

 

 

 

 

Spur Ranch Road Update: Sunday 04_08_2012

Dear Neighbors,

           As you have surely noticed, most of the new gravel delivered in the past few days is now spread across the surface of our road, rather than being mixed down inside the road base, where it belongs. On Monday, therefore, the surface of the road will be doused with water and a special hydraulic roller will press the gravel down into the base material.  (The familiar steel roller won’t work for this application, because the sticky road base sticks to the roller, pulling up clumps of the road.) This procedure will likely take a day or two.  If you want to see what the end result should look like, check out the short test segment of road adjacent to the turnoff into Rancho San Lucas.

 

I’ve given up trying to predict completion times for the roadwork, but will keep you apprised if the work schedule threatens to move into Wednesday.

Regards,

Jim  

Spur Ranch Road Update - 7:00a.m. Friday 4_06_2012

Dear Neighbors,

I know this will come as a shock, but the construction crew didn’t make its completion deadline yesterday and needs to continue working on the road today. On the plus side, the work seems to be going well, with the western half of the road nicely graded and shaped. If you drive the road today, you’ll likely encounter a grader, water truck, and roller, so be careful. Better yet, I recommend you forego that pleasure and instead take Avenida de las Compadres.

Regards,

Jim

Spur Ranch Road Update 9:30 pm - 04_04_2012

Dear Neighbors,

As you’ve probably noticed, Spur Ranch Road is easily drivable again. The road rework should be completed tomorrow, and with a bit of luck this ordeal will be behind us. Here’s what’s been happening:

Throughout the day, many dump trucks delivered gravel (about 800 tons of it) and distributed it along the road. The new grader showed up about 10 a.m. and spent the day mixing the new gravel in with the top few inches of road material (the slippery surface mush plus another inch or so of the hard sub-base). At the end of the day, the grader scooped up this mixture and piled it in a long “wind row” along the side of the road.  This left nearly two lanes of the road with a smooth dry base open for traffic during the night.

Tomorrow (Thursday), the grader will distribute the mixture back over the road surface, to a depth of several inches, and shape and crown the road. A water truck will be used to bring the mix up to the correct water concentration, and then a ten-ton roller will compact the surface. This procedure will probably take most of the day, but when it is completed the road will be finished and immediately usable. The engineers believe this compacted mix will be water resistant, with good wet-weather traction. In short, they believe it will be the permanent solution we have been patiently waiting for.

                 We are not planning on having flaggers at the ends of the road tomorrow, so drivers will have to exercise common sense to avoid construction vehicles and oncoming traffic. If possible, we encourage you to use Avenida de las Compadres. We checked the condition of Compadres this afternoon and it is bumpy but dry and quite drivable, even with 2WD vehicles. That said, I wouldn’t drive your Maserati or other low-clearance car along it.

                So basically, we need to hang in there for one more day, and then life should be back to normal.

Regards,

Jim

SRRA Annual Open Meeting 31-MAR-2012

Meeting Called to Order by SRRA President Jim Garland 

Voting Members in attendance: Sharon Pederson, officer from TCHOAm, representing 35 vote and EJ Jennings for RSLHOA, representing 29 votes. Additional 21 persons were in attendance. 

Bob presented our budget...we have $1713.40 still in the bank. Mostly due to not having to plow this year.

Al presented Road Situation and history of process and all that has happened. Confidently presented that the material is indeed curing.

Jim announced proposal to change bylaws giving lot owner a 1/2 vote and 1/2 monetary responsibility. One attendee felt that lot owners are still benefiting so they should probably still have a full vote and $ responsibility

2012 Budget Proposal: 

Jim Garland presented voluntary budget
Budget reflects best guess expenses expected and kitty for future.
Dues formula based entirely on need for funds with weight based on lot v. home and east/west of tracks.
Presented breakdown of lots homes and HOA sizes
Discussed line items line by line gave rationale for each.
Discussed 60% participation and its effect on assessment this year and next

Budget Proposal:

The SRRA directors have assessed the condition of the road and are proposing the following maintenance and improvement steps for 2012:

1. Install a culvert west of Calle Juniper where the road washed out last year

2. Grade three times between the RR tracks and Avenida de los Compadres

3. Grade one time the dirt road extension from Compadres to the stables

4. Plow twice for snow removal (entire road)

Our estimated budget for these steps, which include funds for liability insurance, miscellaneous and contingency expenses, and a $4000 contribution to a reserve fund (to rebuild the road in a decade) is $11,800. In order to raise the revenue, we propose the following base 2012 assessments for homeowners and lot owners:




1. Homes & businesses east of the RR tracks (including Tierra Colinas): $200/ea

2. Homes & businesses west of the RR tracks (except those in Tierra Colinas): $275/ea

3. Lot owners (all): $100/ea
Carole Garland motioned to vote Anne Bitter seconded

Tallies:

TCHOA Yes 37 votes

RSL HOA Yes 29 votes
Silver Saddle Yes 4 votes

Rosa Linda Yes 4 votes
Carole and Jim plus 2 SRR resident proxies Yes 3 votes

Unanimous acceptance of budget. Meeting adjourned and BBQ supplied by Road Packer SouthWest President, Bob Sherwin was then enjoyed by all.

Spur Ranch Road - 7:00 a.m. Update 04_04_2012

Good morning,

Spur Ranch Road at 7:00 a.m. has improved over yesterday. It is still slippery, but if  you hold your speed to 15 mph, stay away from the sides, and are very cautious passing road machinery, you shouldn’t have any trouble. Volunteer flaggers are on duty at each end of the road and will give drivers updated information as it becomes available.

 

No word yet, on Avenida de las Compadres, so it’s probably best avoided at this point.

Jim

Spur Ranch Road - Evening Update 04_03_2012

Dear Neighbor,

As of 8:00 p.m., there is a light snow falling, but SRR is passable (but slippery) for westbound traffic. Eastbound traffic is more problematic, mostly because the road is uphill part of the way. Nevertheless, many 2WD cars have gone both directions along the road throughout the day. My advice is to stay off the road if at all possible during the dark hours. By morning, the road condition will have improved, provided we don’t get much more rain tonight. Incidentally, we have received 0.65 in of rain (or melted snow) in the past 24 hours.

The SRRA Board met for an hour with Bob Sherwin this evening. Mr. Sherwin reported that he has now discussed our situation with a senior technical and engineering advisor who is an expert on the RoadPacker process. Although the details of a solution are still being worked out, the recommended approach now is to mix an aggregate material (e.g., basecourse, gravel, etc.) with the top several inches of the slurry that has formed on the road. The aggregate will provide both strength and traction to the road surface, analogous to the way that gravel and sand provide strength in concrete. With luck this treatment may turn out to be a permanent solution.

Tomorrow morning at about 7:00 a.m., a road crew will begin implementing this procedure, which will take most of the day to complete (if all goes according to schedule). Volunteers will be stationed through the morning hours at Rte. 285 and the RR tracks to advise drivers of the road condition.

By late this afternoon, Avenida de las Compadres had deteriorated significantly and was in worse condition than Spur Ranch Road. We’ll check that road out in the morning to see if it has dried out enough to sustain traffic, but until you hear otherwise it is best avoided.

I’m really sorry for all the inconvenience this entire experience has caused our community. There have been a number of missteps and proposed solutions that haven’t worked, and none of us could be blamed for losing patience.  On the positive side, however, the distributor seems determined to see this experiment through to a successful conclusion, and for that, at least, we should all be appreciative.

Regards,

Jim

Spur Ranch Road - Noon Update 04_03_2012

Dear Neighbor,

Spur Ranch Road is still quite slippery, with volunteers stationed at the RR tracks encouraging eastbound drivers to use Avenida de las Compadres. Reports are that Compadres is driveable, with caution. Westbound traffic coming from Rte 285 along SRR is having an easier time and is being cautioned but not turned away.

A road grader arrived earlier this morning to clear away the slush on the road surface, but shortly after arriving blew its engine and had to be hauled away. A replacement grader is on its way, but will not arrive until about 2:30pm.  With any luck, none of which we’ve had so far today, the road should be driveable by the end of the work day.

A temporary measure being considered is to mix gravel/basecourse in with the slushy road surface to improve traction. This is a slightly different approach from that done a month ago, in which basecourse was distributed over the dry road. Clearly, this original approach did not work for very long because traffic just pulverized the basecourse, which then blew away.

I’ll keep everybody posted, as more information becomes available. As mentioned previously, the SRRA Board is meeting tonight at 7pm.

Jim

Spur Ranch Road Update -9:45am 04_03_2012

Dear Neighbor,

Spur Ranch Road continued to deteriorate during the night and as of 9:45am is extremely slippery. Some traffic is moving slowly, but drivers are sliding and having difficulty. As of now, nobody has reported being hopelessly stuck off the side of the road, but there have been some close calls.

 

The surface deterioration now seems to be roughly an inch. The loss of traction occurs because the clay-rich surface material clogs tire treads, causing tires to lose nearly all their traction. Obviously the assurance we received from the RoadPacker group that the surface would cure after a period of above-freezing temperatures has not been realized.

 

I have been in contact with Bob Sherwin this morning. The grader has arrived moments ago and will start clearing the slush, so the road should be passable within an hour or so. I’ll send an update later this morning.

 

The SRRA directors are meeting this evening to discuss a course of action. Obviously, we have to find both an immediate solution, as well as a long-term solution for this problem before the monsoon season arrives.

Jim

Re: Spur Ranch Road Update - 10:00pm 04-02-2012

To All:  8:00 AM Tuesday!

Do Not drive on Spur Ranch Road if at all possible, it is all but impassable.  I barely

 made it in my 3/4 ton Pickup at 5 MPH in 4 wheel low.  The road is dangerous in the present condition.  Tire tracks of people before me reveal several were spinning out.  When are we going to get results instead of excuses  from the Contractor?????

From: Jim Garland <4cx250b@muohio.edu>
To: srra1.chollacactus@blogger.com
Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 9:57 PM
Subject: Spur Ranch Road Update - 10:00pm 04-02-2012

Dear Neighbor,

Bob Sherwin evaluated the road condition tonight and reported back to me that the road surface is mostly hard, except for the very top layer (about 1/8 in thick)  of the westernmost segment (between the RR tracks and Silver Saddle). His evidence is that the road is not showing tire tracks, as it did a month ago after it rained. 

 

Tomorrow morning, he is having a grader scoop up loose gravel from the ditches along this segment of road in order to redistribute it on the surface to ensure traction. The grader will probably arrive in the 8-9 am period, so please be very careful if you drive the road before then. Thanks.

Regards,

Jim

Spur Ranch Road Update - 10:00pm 04-02-2012

Dear Neighbor,

Bob Sherwin evaluated the road condition tonight and reported back to me that the road surface is mostly hard, except for the very top layer (about 1/8 in thick)  of the westernmost segment (between the RR tracks and Silver Saddle). His evidence is that the road is not showing tire tracks, as it did a month ago after it rained. 

 

Tomorrow morning, he is having a grader scoop up loose gravel from the ditches along this segment of road in order to redistribute it on the surface to ensure traction. The grader will probably arrive in the 8-9 am period, so please be very careful if you drive the road before then. Thanks.

Regards,

Jim

Spur Ranch Road Update - 8 p.m. 04/02/2012

Dear Neighbors,

I just checked our road’s condition, to see how the surface has held up with this afternoon’s and evening’s snow. Unfortunately, the news is not good. Although the section of the road between Rt 285 and Silver Saddle is generally in reasonable shape (however, with a few slippery spots), the segment west of Silver Saddle is still very slippery. The gravel installed last month has been ground down by traffic and does not appear to be stabilizing the surface.

 

Fortunately, that part of the road is level and straight, but drivers must nevertheless go very slowly and exercise great caution. I have notified Bob Sherwin of my finding and will let you know when I hear back from him. Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.

Jim

SRRA Annual Meeting & Potluck Reminder

Dear Neighbor,

The Spur Ranch Road Association annual meeting and potluck get-together is today (Saturday), starting at 2pm. Hope you can come for one or both (the formal meeting should last about an hour).  My address is 102 Spur Ranch Road. Park anywhere along the driveway, in the turnaround, or behind the house.

Regards,

Jim

Spur Ranch Road & Tierra Colinas

 

Hi Fred.

I have never read Mr. Garland's e-mails for they are addressed to Irania.

I have never liked to engage in e-mail discussions either. I believe is more productive to speak in person.

I will be e-mailing you only on this occasion... I promise!

 

I believe Spur Ranch Road's "hard like a rock" project is NEVER going to work.

David Bernal and I have taken a few trips and have studied, and discussed, the situation carefully from the  beginning of the project. He also agrees with the above assessment.

 

This is what we feel has happened this last few days (aside from all other previous mud-after-the-rain occurrences):

The gravel placed on the surface a few weeks ago was compacted by vehicle traffic into the NON-BONDING clay/dirt to a depth of about 2"+ -. In the past few days, a construction worker, using a Bob Cat with roller - and trying to gather some of the gravel - HAS LIFTED CHUNKS of packed gravel from the surface. These action has created craters in many, many areas.  I am sure you have seen them. 

 

1.- What do we believe this means?

The liquid "chemicals" never did bond clay and dirt as it was promised!

2.- When are we really going to find out?:

Whenever we get a 4" snow storm or one good heavy rain!

3.- How do we figure that?:

This past week end, wherever there was no gravel... there was a lot of MUD!

(I've cleaned mud off my garage floor 4 times already since the "second" clay try. This muck does not stick on the road but has been pretty hard on my back when cleaning the floors)

 

Today, I saw the same man with the Bob Cat @ about 11 AM picking up gravel from the ditch and spreading it on the non-graveled area closer to the track. It is evident that the contractor is trying to generate traction, even though it is obvious that the gravel patches were removed when the surface was brushed.

This weekend Irania and I saw tire tracks that appear to have been created by cars that had slipped on the muddy surface.  There was also mud on the railroad tracks and Hwy 285 asphalt leading off Spur Ranch Road.

 

There is going to be a TCHA meeting @ 5:30 PM, on the 19th of the month.

Irania and I, and a few TC residents I have spoken to are planning to attend - God willing!

If allowed by the Board, I am going to try to express my displeasure for the proposed - voluntary for now - project by SRRC to collect $$$ and periodically fix SR Road all the way to Avenida Compadres. Most TC residents have no use for that stretch of road and I feel that $$$ collected by TCHA should be used to repair OUR INSIDE STREETS. Residents of the area covered by SR Road to Compadres have used the road for many years without bothering to help with it's maintenance. I am a witness for I have been a resident for 10 years.

As you well know, TCHA always covered those expenses.

 

Sorry for the lengthy e-mail. I would much rather speak on the telephone.

You may wish to attend the meeting on the 19th.

 

Best to you and your family.

Good Day!

Roberto

 

 

In a message dated 3/12/2012 5:23:07 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, fredwrichardson@gmail.com writes:

Jim,

 

When is this road actually going to cure? The story has changed from two weeks to two months and now another two months. Also how are we to vote on a budget when we do not even know if we have a road that is correct?

 

Fred

 

 

From: Jim Garland [mailto:4cx250b@muohio.edu]
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2012 9:03 PM
To: srra1.lamynm@blogger.com
Subject: Spur Ranch Road Update - 03_11_2012

 

Dear Neighbors,

 

I'm sure you've been puzzled by some of the road work the past two weeks (basecourse being scooped off the road surface into the ditch, then placed back on the road, lots of dust, and an odd delamination of parts of the road surface caused by the road grader), and you probably also were alarmed by the slippery conditions this morning on part of the road near the RR tracks, following yesterday's slight snow.

 

My fellow SRRA director, Al Webster, and I had a lengthy conversation today with RoadPacker distributor Bob Sherwin to clarify what's been happening and what the course of action will be. According to Mr. Sherwin, the problem is that the temporary basecourse was removed too soon, before the road had a chance to dry out and cure adequately. The road base itself is extremely hard and durable; however, rain or snow creates a thin (1/4"-1/2") veneer of slimy mush on the uncured surface, and it is this which has caused the slipperiness we have all experienced.

 

Furthermore, during the past weeks, the pressure of road traffic against the extremely hard RoadPacker base has caused some of the basecourse gravel to pulverize. With the addition of moisture, this pulverized basecourse tuned into a cement-like goop on the road surface that was broken up by the grader, creating the unusual delaminations.

 

During the next two days, the contractor will smooth out the entire road (again!) and spread basecourse back onto the road surface (from Rte 285 to the RR tracks), in order to prevent unsafe slippery conditions during the next couple of months. This will be a very thin coating, in order to minimize the slight washboarding that occurred with the thicker basecourse. By late April or May, the water resistance of the road surface will be reevaluated, in order to determine if the basecourse can be removed for good. I'll keep you posted if there are new developments.

 

Finally, let me remind you that the second annual SRRA community meeting will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, March 31 at my house (102 Spur Ranch Road). Members will be asked to vote on the budget distributed earlier, and after the meeting there will be a potluck BBQ, to which everybody is invited. Hope you can make it!

 

Regards,

Jim

 

Spur Ranch Road Update - 03_11_2012

Dear Neighbors,

 

I’m sure you’ve been puzzled by some of the road work the past two weeks (basecourse being scooped off the road surface into the ditch, then placed back on the road, lots of dust, and an odd delamination of parts of the road surface caused by the road grader), and you probably also were alarmed by the slippery conditions this morning on part of the road near the RR tracks, following yesterday’s slight snow.

 

My fellow SRRA director, Al Webster, and I had a lengthy conversation today with RoadPacker distributor Bob Sherwin to clarify what’s been happening and what the course of action will be. According to Mr. Sherwin, the problem is that the temporary basecourse was removed too soon, before the road had a chance to dry out and cure adequately. The road base itself is extremely hard and durable; however, rain or snow creates a thin (1/4”-1/2”) veneer of slimy mush on the uncured surface, and it is this which has caused the slipperiness we have all experienced.

 

Furthermore, during the past weeks, the pressure of road traffic against the extremely hard RoadPacker base has caused some of the basecourse gravel to pulverize. With the addition of moisture, this pulverized basecourse tuned into a cement-like goop on the road surface that was broken up by the grader, creating the unusual delaminations.

 

During the next two days, the contractor will smooth out the entire road (again!) and spread basecourse back onto the road surface (from Rte 285 to the RR tracks), in order to prevent unsafe slippery conditions during the next couple of months. This will be a very thin coating, in order to minimize the slight washboarding that occurred with the thicker basecourse. By late April or May, the water resistance of the road surface will be reevaluated, in order to determine if the basecourse can be removed for good. I’ll keep you posted if there are new developments.

 

Finally, let me remind you that the second annual SRRA community meeting will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, March 31 at my house (102 Spur Ranch Road). Members will be asked to vote on the budget distributed earlier, and after the meeting there will be a potluck BBQ, to which everybody is invited. Hope you can make it!

 

Regards,

Jim