The Board of Directors of CCMUD 1 held their regular business meeting on August 26. The following is a recap of some of the items they discussed:

Several members of the public shared their concerns about the state of the landscaping and irrigation in the community’s common spaces. They expressed their desire to see a more permanent solution and asked the board to consider swift action to prevent any further damage.

The District’s attorney advised the Board on the process for engagement of professional services that was last updated in 2023. This process details how the President, or an appointed Director at their choosing, can engage and receive proposals from consultants for Board consideration. There is not an open bidding process for hiring professional services.

The District has been designated a “Developing District” again this year based on the overall level of development and funding. The Board voted to publish a proposed tax rate of $0.9284 for next year, which is $0.02 less than last year. The District will hold a formal taxnrate hearing at their September meeting and will adopt the tax rate at that time.

The financial advisor also reviewed the upcoming road bond sale. She presented a tentative figure of $22m. The draft offering will be reviewed in September, and the anticipated sale date will be in November.

The Board heard a report from Lee Engineering, who had previously been engaged to provide recommendations on signage and traffic controls throughout the community. His report noted some inconsistencies in the placement of signs and recommended a formal speed and traffic study to
determine if additional traffic control measures or speed limit reductions are needed. Additionally, the GM will seek out quotes for a traffic study with the intent of lowering the speed limit on Light Farms Way. The Board will hold further discussion regarding safety initiatives once their budget for the upcoming year is finalized in September.

Director Miles shared a request from various residents concerned about the impact that the new apartments and arterial road from Laughlin Lane to Preston will have on traffic within the neighborhood and asked the District’s engineer to reach out to Celina for an update on planned traffic
signal changes.

The Board voted unanimously to terminate their current contract for communications services and engaged a new provider, Infinity Services. The website migration will take place over the next 45 days. This will save the district a minimum of $30,000 in tax money per year.

The PISD purchase and land use agreement was approved by the Board. The formal agreement will be executed in the coming weeks. The Board appointed Directors Miles and Dusza to represent the District in the closing of the sale.

There was extensive discussion about the use of motorized scooters and e-bikes on the District’s trail system. The attorney clarified that the HOA notice around motorized scooters would not apply to many of the trails in Light Farms, as they belong to the MUD. The attorney advised the Board that they do not have the authority to prohibit the use of such vehicles.

The General Manager updated the Board on ongoing projects in the District, including the status of the storage building construction, sidewalk lifting efforts, and crosswalk installation. In July, the board
approved two new crosswalk treatments at Cypress Creek / Meridian and Light Farms Way / Homestead Ct. These are ordered but will not be installed until December due to backlog with the vendors.
In addition, the GM discussed the significant erosion in the District’s drainage channels and options to address and prevent further erosion of the slopes. This led to a longer discussion with the District’s irrigation specialist on the condition of the wells. Irritech advised the Board that the irrigation issues they’re experiencing are caused by the insufficient volume provided by the existing wells. The Landscape Committee will explore options for long-term improvements, and the Board will consider repairs in its 2025 budget.

Gold Landscaping provided an update on the green spaces within the District. The representative noted that much of the plant material and sod is under stress due to the high temperatures and lack of sufficient irrigation. They are hand-watering and using a water truck to help keep the landscaping alive.

The next Board will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024.

Every time you flush, you’re making a choice that impacts your home, your community, and the environment. With today being National Toilet Paper Day (August 26th), it’s crucial to remember that only toilet paper should go down the drain. Flushing anything else, like wipes, can lead to costly plumbing problems, environmental damage, and higher utility bills.

Toilet paper is the only paper product engineered to be compatible with the sewer system. Wipes, including those marked as “flushable”, cause significant issues to plumbing and infrastructure.

A 2019 study examined over 100 different kinds of “flushable” wipes, and found that none of these products broke down enough to safely pass through home plumbing and public sewers, without risking clogs or damage.

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) conservatively estimates that wipes cause about $25 million dollars in damage and maintenance costs each year in Texas alone. These costs can be passed along to the consumer in the form of higher water bills.

In honor of National Toilet Paper Day, do yourself and your plumbing a favor by only flushing toilet paper. Together, we can reduce costs, prevent clogs, and keep our water systems flowing smoothly.

Attention Light Farms Residents,

ATT subcontractors (Silas-White / Infinity) have moved boring operations into Maydelle and Hawthorne. CCMUD1 recently issued a stop work order as the contractors failed to provide ample notice to CCMUD1 regarding the transition into the new areas.

Now that CCMUD1 has received the notification, work will be allowed to resume in these areas starting on Wednesday, August 7th.

Please see below for the list of streets that are affected and were provided by Silas-White on behalf of ATT.

• Light Farms Way
• Sanders Dr.
• Brighton Blvd.
• Heatherton Dr.
• Ellicott Dr.
• Bridgewater Blvd.
• Maclin Dr.
• Maydelle Dr.
• Briscoe Dr.
• Alleyton Dr.
• Harrisburg Dr.
• Baird Way
• Estelline Dr.

For complaints or issues related to the ATT project, please report them to:

myutilitiesllc@gmail.com and mfreeman@silas-white.com or call 682-252-5599

August is National Water Quality Month, making it an ideal time to revisit your household water practices and how they can be affecting your water quality.

Imagine life without easy access to clean water: no pools, clean lakes, or rivers for recreation, no long showers, no drinking water from the tap, and no running water at home. Our lives would be completely different, and not for the better.

National Water Quality Month reminds us of the importance of water sources for humans and ecosystems and highlights how human practices can harm these vital resources.

What causes poor water quality?

• Dumping toxic chemicals
• Agricultural runoff
• Leakage of untreated waste
• Products and chemicals used at home
• Bleach
• Ammonia
• Pesticides / Fertilizers
• Automotive fluids

While your Municipal district closely monitors its water infrastructure to ensure that residents are receiving high quality water, there are also quite a few things you can do at home to maintain your water quality.

What can your household do to improve and maintain your water quality?

Opt for eco-friendly cleaning products, that do not contain any of the harmful chemicals listed above

Follow proper disposal practices

Reduce fertilization

Attend public hearings on water quality standards

After a big storm, clean the debris from your storm drains and curbs to prevent it from entering our waterways

Participate in programs that monitor local rivers, lakes, and other water sources.

Dispose of medications properly (not down the sink or toilet)

Learn more here

Happy 4th of July from your MUD Board! As we celebrate our nation’s independence, we want to remind our community to enjoy the festivities responsibly. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe this independence day:

• Boating / Swimming Safety:
  • Always wear a life jacket when swimming in a lake or pond, regardless of skill level or comfort.
  • Always supervise children when they are near or in the water.
  • Ensure everyone knows how to swim and never swim alone.
  • Be aware of local water conditions and follow posted safety guidelines.
  • Never drink before or while driving a boat or any other recreational vehicles (golf carts, jet ski, e-scooter, etc.).
  • Keep a first aid kit nearby the pool or on the boat.
• BBQ Safety:
  • Keep grills at least 10 feet away from your house and any flammable materials.
  • >Never leave the grill unattended while in use.
  • Use long-handled tools to avoid burns.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water nearby.
• Fireworks Safety:
  • Never allow young children to handle fireworks
  • Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby to extinguish any potential fires.
  • Light fireworks one at a time and maintain a safe distance.
  • Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
  • Instead of sparklers for your children, consider these alternatives:
    • Glow sticks, confetti cannon or poppers, colorful streamers, silly string
  • Look uphttps://www.myhighplains.com/texas-burn-bans/ firework restrictions / burn bans in your area before planning on any fireworks 
  • For a list of common firework violations, https://www.hcfmo.net/portals/15/Documents/Commonfireworkviolations.pdfcheck here
• Drinking Safety:
  • If you plan to drink alcohol, do so responsibly.
  • Never operate fireworks or a grill while under the influence of alcohol.
  • Plan ahead: Arrange for a designated driver or use a ride-sharing service if you need to travel and have been drinking. Remember, drinking while driving is not only illegal, but is extremely dangerous for both yourself and others.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Independence Day!

Attention Light Farms Residents in Indigo,

The Collin County MUD No.1 would like to inform you of Phase 2 of the fiber installation work set to begin on or about, Monday, July 1st, 2024 by Silas-White and Infinity Utilities LLC.   

The subcontractors have advised the District that door hangers to the affected homes were distributed on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

The following ROW areas along the streets listed below will be affected:

• Hartline Hills
• Noontide Ln.
• Fireside Trail
• Clearlight Rd.
• Gristmill Ln.
• Cottonwood Dr.
• Grassland Rd.
• Wildrye Ridge
• Light Farms Way

Please note that crews will be onsite during weekdays from 7am – 6pm and work will be confined to front yards only. Any and all damages (district/resident/business) should be reported immediately to the General Manager for the District, Greg Wilkerson, at mailto:gwilkerson@ccmud1.orggwilkerson@ccmud1.org  If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, you are encouraged to contact Infinity Utilities LLC directly at 682-252-5599.

Sincerely, Collin County MUD 1

Attention Light Farms residents,

We would like to inform you of fiber installation work set to begin in our community on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 by Silas-White and Infinity Utilities LLC. The project is scheduled to last for approximately six weeks, and during this time, the following streets will be affected:

• Fieldview Ct
• Old Orchard Ct
• Grove Dr
• Post Oak Way
• Wagon Wheel Way
• Juniper Ct
• Millstone Way
• Daybreak Dr

Please note that crews will be onsite during weekdays from 7am – 6pm and work will be confined to front yards only. Any and all damages (district/resident/business) should be reported immediately to Greg Wilkerson at gwilkerson@ccmud1.org

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, you are encouraged to contact Mitch Freeman with Silas White directly at (469) 915-2491, Infinity Utilities LLC at 682-252-5599, or you may reach out to the District General Manager, Greg Wilkerson, as previously mentioned.

We appreciate your understanding during this infrastructure project.

Sincerely,

Collin County MUD 1

Dear Light Farms Residents,

As you may know, Collin County Municipal District No.1 (CCMUD1), implemented an annual tree replacement and landscaping enhancement program this budget year. The goal of this program is to replace as many trees and shrubs as possible on a recurring and annual basis to mitigate the losses experienced over the last few years. The severe winter weather events, followed by summer droughts, coupled with well and irrigation related issues, have resulted in the loss of many trees and shrubs throughout the neighborhood. The amount of funds allocated towards this program this year was $200,000.00. To date, GOLD Landscaping has replaced 52 new trees. Round two of the program will include planting of another 50-60 trees in the coming weeks.

The next major project for the district will be an erosion mitigation program to address the many acres of erosion happening in the greenbelts and areas around the ponds and tributaries. This upcoming project is expected to have a significant financial impact to the budget and will require a multidisciplinary team of engineers, landscape architects, and other consultants to evaluate, design, and implement solutions. On-site assessments of the most troublesome areas along Bridgewater, Ellington, Hudson, Vermillion, and Wimberley have already begun. Depending on the total cost associated with this project, it may require the District to begin the mitigation work in phases, based on priority, and addressing the most problematic areas first. The CCMUD1 directors appreciate your patience as they and their consultants work through these ongoing projects. Your board of directors pledge to keep residents informed, not only as to the costs involved but the progress that is being made along the way.

Light Farms residents,

At the last scheduled board meeting for Collin County MUD 1 on Wednesday April 24, 2024, the Board of Directors approved a contract with Lee Engineering to evaluate the traffic control devices and markings within Light Farms. The evaluation will focus on intersection controls and pedestrian crossings to ensure compliance with the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD provides guidance to local governments regarding signs and markings within public Right-of-way locations.

Please continue to monitor the District’s website and Facebook platforms for additional community updates