As many of you may be aware, this season’s first positive mosquito sample of West Nile Virus was identified here in Gilbert. The sample was obtained by Maricopa County Environmental Services Department which maintains a year-round surveillance program.

Prevention is the most useful measure. You need to mosquito-proof your home by eliminating any potential mosquito-breeding sites. Remove any small measures of stagnant water including those that collect in potted plants, tires, bird baths and containers or bowls outside. Repair windows and door screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home and make certain pools and ponds are properly maintained and operational.

When outdoors, protect yourself. If possible, wear long sleeves and pants. Avoid being outdoors during dawn and after dusk when mosquitoes are most active and feeding and wear protective clothing and insect repellant when exposure to mosquitoes cannot be avoided.

The WNV is a virus that lives in mosquitoes and birds. However, humans can sometimes be infected with the virus if they are bitten by a mosquito that is carrying the virus. People typically develop symptoms between 3 and 14 days after they are bitten by the infected mosquito. The majority of people (approximately 80%) who become infected with the virus will either have no symptoms at all or very mild illness. About 20% will develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for a few days, though healthy people have become sick for several weeks. Person’s over 50 or those that have a weakened immune system are generally at a higher risk for severe symptoms which occur in 1-3% of the case and include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness. It is Common in areas such as Africa, West Asia and the Middle East. It first appeared in the United States in the summer of 1999, Arizona in 2003 and since then has been found in all 48 contiguous states. Experts believe WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall.

If you become aware of a green pool in Gilbert, or are concerned about a mosquito problem involving either Town parks or a residential area please contact the Maricopa County Vector Control Hotline, # 602-506-6616 or go to the Maricopa County Vector Control’s web site at:http://www.maricopa.gov/EnvSvc/VectorControl/

There is very good information that you can refer citizens to concerning WNV/mosquito control available on the Town website at http://www.gilbertaz.gov/pw/mosquito.cfm.

For more information on WNV you can go to the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

The Town of Gilbert Solid Waste Services Division is transitioning to a 5-day refuse and recycling collection schedule effective April 5, 2010. This will change the pickup days for parts of our neighborhood.

The recycle pickup day is now Tuesday, and the trash pickup day is now Thursday for all of Gilbert Ranch.

The city wants your waste/recycle container to be placed on the street (not the sidewalk) prior to 5AM the morning of pickup. Bulk trash will continue to be picked up the week of the first Monday of each month here in Gilbert Ranch. You can place your bulk trash on your lot near the sidewalk (not on the sidewalk) no earlier then the weekend prior to the pickup week.

Further information can be found at the Gilbert Public Works Page.

Gilbert Ranch now has a Facebook page, you can keep in touch with your neighbors via Facebook here.

In the fourth quarter of 2009, Lepin and Renehan Management, Inc. was acquired by Sentry Management, Inc., a national management company with branches located throughout the United States.

Sentry is well known in the community association management industry as a leader in building long-term client relationships through providing exceptional customer service. This philosophy mirrors that of Lepin and Renehan which makes this acquisition seamless.

As community members, you will see very little change in the day-to-day operations other than the Lepin and Renehan name being replaced with Sentry Management, Inc. The existing staff remains in place and committed to serving our Association. They can be reached at 480-345-0046.


Sentry Managment's Website


Note: To pay your HOA dues onling you still need to use the original L&R payment site located here.

Please clean up after your pets when walking them in the common area, it is a requirement of the CC&R's and common courtesy.

It is also in the Gilbert Municipal code:

Sec. 6-62. Disposal of fecal matter.

Any person owning, possessing, harboring or having the care, charge, control or custody of any dog shall immediately remove and thereafter dispose of any fecal matter deposited by said dog on public or private property, unless the property owner has given prior approval to use said property for this purpose. For the purpose of this section, dog fecal matter shall be immediately removed by placing said matter in a closed or sealed container and thereafter disposing of it by depositing said matter in a trash receptacle, sanitary disposal unit or other closed or sealed container. This section shall not apply to disabled individuals who, due to their disability, are unable to comply.

(Ord. No. 1007, § I, 11-19-96)
Secs. 6-63--6-80. Reserved.