Author: Matthew Pilkington

Heating System Will Be Refilled Soon

Please be advised that the heating system needs to be refilled to prepare for the heating season, and once it is, it will no longer be possible to perform any modifications to radiators/heating pipes within your Units.  Any remaining Owners who desire to complete such work in their Units must do so this week.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Reminder – Heating System is Drained Temporarily

This is a reminder that the heating system has been drained for the past 3 weeks to allow all owners to have necessary repairs/modifications performed on the components of the heating system in their units.  A date for re-filling of the system has not yet been set, but will need to be scheduled soon.  Accordingly, if you would like to have any work performed, please schedule this with the Super/Management as soon as possible.  You must coordinate all such work with the Super/Management, as there will still be some water in the system in various locations, and precautions must be taken to ensure there are no leaks.

Once the heating system is re-filled, it will not be drained again (as doing so is both costly and wasteful).  Thank you for your understanding.

120 Boerum Lobby Update

The remodeled lobby is now accessible to 1st floor residents.  This includes the trash chute, so please start using that once again.

The “main” stairs are still not open, and likely will not be until next week.  Additionally, mail will continue to be delivered to the old boxes at the Dean St. entrance until the lobby is fully opened.  Thank you again for your patience and understanding.

 

 

Board of Managers Meeting Minutes: July 10th, 2018

Board Members Present: Peter Levy, Pres.; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Matthew Pilkington, Treas.; Lori Littlejohn, Hannah Berkin-Harper; Levi McConnell

Also in Attendance: Kathleen Malara, Managing Agent; Valdet Boleviq, Superintendent.

The meeting convened at 7:30 pm and was adjourned at 9:55 pm.

Superintendent’s Report:

  • At 120 Boerum, the 1st and 2nd floor walls near the recycling bins have been repainted, with the 3rd floor to be completed soon as well.
  • Carpet tiles were replaced in 15 Bergen, and many damaged carpet tiles from sprinkler pipe leak at 120 Boerum need to be replaced. The Board is looking for more replacement carpet tiles to add to reserve.
  • New ceiling tiles will be obtained for future necessary replacements throughout buildings.
  • The Board is continuing investigation of a potential clog in a water line at 134 Boerum.
  • Bids are being reviewed for work to be completed on the fire escape at 134 Boerum.
  • A crack in the rear wall masonry of 15 Bergen Street is being investigated, and the management company will obtain estimates for repair, based on the findings.
  • A leak at 15 Bergen related to drainage at neighboring building has been investigated. Val is continuing to work with the affected residents and the adjacent building owner to resolve the issue.
  • New, convex safety mirrors have been installed on either side of the garage entry.
  • The garage’s overhead door had been serviced, and some loose items in the garage were removed.
  • Owners affected by the sprinkler line leak at 120 Boerum will be notified concerning a settlement with our insurance company.
  • Issues with sinking floor in unit 1E, related to a weakened joist underneath, continue to be investigated. The insurance company is involved.
  • The window at 122 Boerum was inspected and an estimate for its repair is forthcoming.

New Business:

  • LOBBY UPDATE: The Board is very pleased with the progress and quality of the work on the 120 Boerum lobby rehabilitation, and happy to report that almost all work will be completed shortly (approx. 10-15 days).
  • The Board is reviewing a bid to upgrade the Skytrack website, to make it more secure and useful for residents and owners.
  • The boiler will undergo maintenance and a number of minor repairs and upgrades, which will require it to be drained. Residents will be notified in advance so that residents can make requested modifications to components of heating system they own, such as baseboard radiators.

Financials:

The financial statement was reviewed. Everything appears to be in good standing.

The next Condo Board meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 25th, 2018 at 7:30pm.

REMINDER: Brown Bins are for food waste recycling. New bags are in, so please leave food scraps, soiled paper products, plant waste, etc. in the small brown bin, which is put out for collection on Sundays at 3pm.

 

Heating System Drain – Contact Management if Necessary

The water in the building heating system will be drained once this summer so that necessary general boiler maintenance can take place.  If you desire to make any modifications to heating apparatuses in your Unit (e.g., the installation or replacement of a control valve), please inform Val or building Management promptly, so that such work can be coordinated with the draining of the system that is being scheduled.  Thank you.

Annual Condominium Meeting Minutes: June 20, 2018, 8:00 PM

Board Members Present:  Peter Levy, President; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Matthew Pilkington, Treas.; Andrew Kurland, Sec., Hannah Berkin-Harper, Terra Chalberg, Levi McConnell Michael Tedesco.

Also in Attendance:  Valdet Boleviq, Superintendent; Kathleen Malara, EM Holdings; Mark Levitch, Accountant

Initial Matters:

  • A quorum was present: 70.25% of Condo ownership represented by person or by proxy.
  • The proof of the notice of the Annual Meeting was presented.
  • The reading of last year’s meeting minutes was waived.

Financials:

  • Accountant Mark Levitch presented the building financial statement.
  • The building finances are in good order, but a reasonable common charge increase is likely in near term to account for upcoming maintenance projects.

Management/Board Report:

  • Kathleen Malara introduced herself and summarized significant events of past year, including: new super, renovations to super apartment, sprinkler pipe break and repairs, lobby renovation, brick repointing.
  • Additional items this year included: Dean St. entrance refurbishment, replaced tree guards, RAND engineering report, José’s retirement package, interviewing Super candidates, FDNY violation re propane tanks, Façade work of 122 Boerum, building-wide smoking ban, refurbishment and repainting of roof track and all exterior metalwork.
  • Matthew Pilkington was acknowledged for his upkeep of plantings surrounding the buildings.
  • The Board is again working with our attorney to challenge property tax assessments.
  • The 120 Boerum lobby renovation project is on schedule and almost complete. The Board and design committee will work with other buildings for similar improvements.

Superintendent’s Report:

  • Val introduced himself as the new Super, and explained his goal is to work to improve all of the buildings at Skytrack.
  • Already completed significant clean-ups and reorganization in building basements, has touched up paint, and continues to identify and implement new projects in all buildings.

Board Elections:

  • Due to resignations/early departures, 5 of 9 Board seats up for election this year (3 each year is preferable and called for in the Bylaws). To recalibrate, the two candidates with the most votes this year will be elected to serve 3-year terms, and the remaining 3 serve 2-year terms.
  • 7 candidates ran: current members Peter Levy, Michael Tedesco, Andrew Kurland, Matthew Pilkington & Terra Chalberg, and potential new members Lori Littlejohn & Malik Ashiru.
  • Voting took place, and Mark Levitch and Kathleen Malara counted ballots during the meeting.
  • Matthew Pilkington and Andrew Kurland were elected to 3-year terms, and Terra Chalberg, Peter Levy, and Lori Littlejohn were elected to 2-year terms.
  • We thank outgoing Board member Michael Tedesco for his years of service on the Board.

New Business:

  • The report prepared by RAND engineering for future exterior and structural maintenance was described. Projects will be prioritized in order of importance (safety concerns to be addressed first).  The first projects will be refurbishment/repainting of the 134 Boerum fire escape and inspection and repair of masonry at 15 Bergen.
  • Residents of 134 Boerum expressed frustration at perceived lack of attention from Management and the Board. The Board stressed that communication is crucial, and made clear that problems can only be addressed if they are known about.  It was agreed that part of the issue was likely the prior Superintendent.
  • Residents of 134 Boerum expressed concern with old drain lines in walls. They were advised to set a time to discuss with the Super, as an initial matter, so this can be investigated further.
  • An owner requested parabolic mirrors be installed by garage for pedestrian safety.
  • An owner at 15 Bergen reported water ingress in brick wall during rains. This will be investigated and addressed.
  • The garage door was reported as noisy, and will be inspected and addressed.
  • The Skytrack website will be upgraded so it is more functional and easier to use.

Important Reminders:

  • Please ensure you have a valid email address that you check regularly set up on the Skytrack website, so you receive timely communications from Management and the Board, and can communicate with Management and the Board most efficiently.

Final Reminder – Annual Meeting Tomorrow

Reminder that the Annual Meeting will take place Wednesday, June 20th at 8:00 PM at the Brooklyn Heights Montessori School (entrance on Bergen Street, at corner of Court).  Sign-in will begin at 7:40 PM.  Among other things, we will vote on the Board, as multiple members’ terms expire this year.

Written notices with proxy forms have been distributed.  Please ensure to fill out the proxy form and give to a trusted neighbor so that ownership of each Unit is represented even if you are unable to attend the meeting.  If you end up being able to attend, your proxy will be returned to you.

Reminder – Annual Meeting is June 20th

Reminder that the Annual Meeting will take place next Wednesday, June 20th at 8:00 PM at the Brooklyn Heights Montessori School (entrance on Bergen Street, at corner of Court).  Sign-in will begin at 7:40 PM.  Among other things, we will vote on the Board, as multiple members’ terms expire this year.

Written notices with proxy forms have been distributed.  Please ensure to fill out the proxy form and give to a trusted neighbor so that ownership of each Unit is represented even if you are unable to attend the meeting.  If you end up being able to attend, your proxy will be returned to you.

Board of Managers Meeting Minutes: May 23, 2018

Board Members Present:  Peter Levy, President; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Matthew Pilkington, Treas.; Michael Tedesco.

Also in Attendance:  Valdet Boleviq, Superintendent; Kathleen Malara, EM Holdings

 Superintendent’s Report:

  • Super performed large clean-up of roof, removing many bags of trash from beneath common decks and around drains.
  • Super continues to work to clear puddles on roofs after rains, where pooling is common.
  • Roof door of 134 Boerum was repainted and frame was repaired.

Financials:

  • The buildings finances were reviewed, and everything is in good order.
  • At the Annual Meeting next month, the accountant will report on financing ongoing and future repair and improvement projects.

 New Business:

  • Repair work from the broken pipe water damage will begin in the basement level of 120 Boerum. One-way check valves on waste lines in hallway where repairs will occur will be inspected and cleaned at this time, as well.
  • EM Holdings obtained from RAND engineering a prioritization of future building repair projects. Initially, bids will be solicited for painting and repair to 134 Boerum fire escape and 15 Bergen masonry waterproofing and repair.  These maintenance projects will hopefully take place within the next 2-3 months.

 Important Reminders and Updates:

  • Units with 1-way check valves on waste lines should remember to have them checked and cleaned regularly.
  • The Annual Meeting will take place on June 20th at 8:00 PM at the Brooklyn Heights Montessori School, with sign-in to begin at 7:40 PM. Separate notice will be distributed and reminder will be posted on website.  Please ensure to fill out a proxy (which will be distributed) so that ownership of each Unit is represented even if you are unable to attend the meeting.
  • Multiple Board Members’ terms will expire this year, and elections will be held at the Annual Meeting. We encourage anyone who is interested in joining the Board to let the Board or EM Holdings know so that ballots, if necessary, can be made in advance of the meeting.  Ideally, every building will have at least one person serving on the Board.

Please ensure you have a valid email address that you check regularly set up on the Skytrack website, so you receive timely communications from the Board.