Author: Matthew Pilkington

Annual Meeting – June 20, 2018

Please take note that our Annual Meeting will take place on the evening of June 20, 2018, at the Brooklyn Heights Montessori School (entrance at corner of Bergen and Court).  Formal written notice of the meeting will be distributed to all units and owners.  We encourage one person from each unit to attend the meeting.  Thank you.

Board of Managers Meeting Minutes – April 24, 2018

Board Members Present:  Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Matthew Pilkington, Treas.; Andrew Kurland, Sec.; Hannah Berkin-Harper; Levi McConnell; Cameron Martin; Terra Chalberg.

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

 Superintendent’s Report:

  • Building roof fans inspected.
  • Paint touchups performed.
  • New signs have been posted by recycling cans.

 Financials:

  • The financial report was reviewed and the buildings’ finances are in good standing.
  • Common charges do not need to be raised at this time, but this determination will be re-assessed later this year and as future large expenditures are scheduled (e.g., roof replacement).

 New Business:

  • We still await insurance determination with respect to water damage from sprinkler pipe break. EM Holdings is regularly following up with broker and adjusters.
  • 120 Boerum lobby renovation project is in progress and on schedule; USPS approved requested variance with respect to mailbox size, subflooring and drywall have been installed, package room has been expanded; floor tiles next.
  • Board has completed initial review of RAND engineering report and will work to prioritize projects.
  • Roofing companies will provide bids and plan for roof replacement of 120 Boerum, which likely will need to occur within the next few years.
  • Super will place bio-safe mosquito repellent on roofs where water may collect.

 Important Reminders and Updates:

  • The Annual Meeting will take place in June. Specific date and invitation will be posted and distributed.  Please plan on attending!
  • 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 (note that for some time no one from 134 Boerum has expressed interest in joining 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.

Board of Managers Meeting Minutes: March 27, 2018

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

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

 Superintendent’s Report: 

  • Super has moved into apartment with his family. 
  • Adelphi restoration has completed pointing work on I line of 120 Boerum, and also re-caulked windows to prevent leaks. 
  • Super did walkthrough with exterminator to ensure all areas of buildings are being properly addressed each month; holes were sealed in 15 Bergen; cellar of 18 Dean building addressed. 
  • FDNY performed inspection, and all minor issues addressed (hose in compactor room, chains on sprinkler valves); no violations received. 
  • Skytrack signage re-painted. 
  • Temporary bracing in basement completed to shore up certain joists near 1E. 

 Financials: 

  • The financial report was reviewed and the buildings’ finances are in good standing.
    2018 insurance premiums will be paid in four installments.
    Treasurer to confer with accountant about how to be prepared, financially, for large repairs and maintenance that will be necessary in the future (e.g., replacement of building roofs).   

 New Business: 

  • We still await insurance determination with respect to water damage from sprinkler pipe break.  EM Holdings is regularly following up with broker and adjusters.
    120 Boerum lobby renovation project is in progress and on schedule; negotiations with USPS regarding mailbox size continue.
    RAND engineering provided report as to exterior condition of all buildings; Board will review and work with RAND to prioritize projects over the next number of years.
    Board discussed Keane engineering report with respect to settling issues in Unit 1E; additional investigation and repair estimates will be obtained.
    Soon Super will undertake “spring cleaning” projects throughout all buildings. 

 Important Reminders and Updates: 

  • Reminder that the 120 Boerum lobby is “off limits” during the renovation project.  Please direct any questions to Val. 
  • 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.

Board of Managers Meeting Minutes: February 27, 2018

 Board Members Present:  Peter Levy, Pres.; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Andrew Kurland, Sec.; Hannah Berkin-Harper; Levi McConnell; Cameron Martin.   

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

 Superintendent’s Report: 

  • Renovations are underway to Super’s apartment so new Super can move in with his family. 
  • Super completed significant reorganization and cleanup in the basement, and performed an inventory of supplies/tools and built new shelving/refurbished existing shelving in shop. 
  • Adelphi restoration will begin pointing work on I line of 120 Boerum as soon as weather permits. 
  • Super touched up paint throughout the buildings, and repaired various broken padlocks. 

 Financials: 

  • The financial report was reviewed and the buildings’ finances are in good standing. 
  • The 2017 budget was achieved. 

 New Business: 

  • Continued negotiations with insurance adjusters will take place regarding necessary repairs from sprinkler pipe leak.  We are continuing to wait for building damages insurance to provide report as to coverage. 
  • Instead of waiting for the City, we will plant a (donated) replacement tree in the Bergen Street tree pit. 
  • Plumbers will provide estimate with respect to installation of toilet in basement for use by contractors. 
  • Awaiting estimate for replacement to window and door to 122 Boerum. 

 Important Reminders and Updates: 

  • 120 Boerum lobby will be closed for renovation starting March 5 for an estimated four months.  Please plan on using Dean Street stairs, where mailboxes will be relocated and packages will be delivered.  Direct any questions to the Super, and please take notice of all posted signs and updates on the website regarding the renovation. 

Board of Managers Meeting Minutes – January 23, 2018

Board Members Present:  Peter Levy, Pres.; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Matthew Pilkington, Treas.; Andrew Kurland, Sec.; Hannah Berkin-Harper; Terra Chalberg; Levi McConnell; Cameron Martin.
Also in Attendance:  Jose Perez, Superintendent; Valdet Boleviq, incoming Superintendent

 Superintendent’s Report:

  • Multiple meetings with Insurance Adjusters have taken place over the last few weeks in connection with our insurance claims for damage to the buildings and units caused by the broken sprinkler pipe. Once insurance issues are settled, damaged floor tiles, subfloor, and drywall will be replaced in 120 Boerum 1st floor and basement hallways, basement hall will be painted, damaged light fixtures will be replaced, and staircase walls will be repaired/painted.
  • Roof drain pipe leak and minor water damage to two units repaired at 134 Boerum Pl.
  • Faulty temperature sensor in heating system identified and replaced; heat issues resolved.
  • Super and porter spent hours removing a carpet stuck in the trash chute at 120 Boerum. DO NOT THROW SUCH LARGE ITEMS IN CHUTE.  Board is investigating this issue further. Bulk items should be disposed of properly; contact super with questions.

Financials:

  • Financial report reviewed after meeting; all finances are in good standing.

 New Business:

  • From a great pool of candidates, the Board has selected a new Superintendent, Valdet Boleviq. He officially starts on February 1, 2018.  Renovations will take place in Super’s apartment before he and his family move in.
  • Exterior of demi-lune window frame at 122 Boerum Pl. will be repaired.
  • 120 Boerum lobby committee dealing with mandatory USPS approval of mailboxes, issue must be resolved before renovation can commence.
  • Keane engineering firm will investigate subfloor issues in 1E and Super’s apartment.
  • Pointing work has not commenced on west wall of building (by 16 Dean) due to weather, but will take place in early spring.

 Important Reminders and Updates:

  • Please join the Board at Cody’s (154 Court Street) on Tuesday 1/30 from 6 to 8 pm as we thank Jose and congratulate him on his retirement.
  • Make sure to follow all rules re trash disposal. We received a fine at 134 Boerum Pl. for improper disposal of garbage, and, as stated above, bulk items cannot be placed in chute.  Styrofoam should be broken up and placed in bags.

 

Board of Managers Meeting Minutes:  January 3, 2018

 Board Members Present:  Peter Levy, Pres.; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Andrew Kurland, Sec.; Hannah Berkin-Harper; Michael Tedesco; Terra Chalberg; Cameron Martin; Also in Attendance:  Jose Perez, Superintendent

 Superintendent’s Report:

  • Sprinkler pipe at top of 120 Boerum stairs froze and burst, causing water damage to hallways of 120 Boerum as well as to apartments closest to staircase; building management working with cleanup company CPR Restoration and building insurance to address damage.
  • Vulnerable sprinkler pipes will be insulated to alleviate future issues.
  • Heating issue continues to be investigated; it may be a plumbing problem. A broken valve control arm was replaced at boiler.  We are diligently working on resolving the problem.
  • Inspection of buildings’ roofs and façades was completed by engineering firm, who will issue report in the next few weeks.
  • Adelphi restoration has not yet begun pointing work on I line due to weather, but will ASAP.

 Financials:

  • In consultation with our accountant, we have passed a resolution to dedicate funds to a new Reserve Account. The funds will cover emergencies and for future capital improvements.

 New Business:

  • The Board discussed new superintendent applicants, and a final decision will be made shortly.
  • No Smoking signs will be created and posted in buildings to reflect our bylaws which were amended in the spring to prohibit smoking at Skytrack.
  • The Design Committee provided an update as to the 120 Boerum lobby renovation project, which will commence soon.

 Important Reminders and Updates:

  • On Behalf of the entire Skytrack community, the Board of Managers again sends its condolences to the family of Elia Malara, who passed away in December. Elia’s wife, Kathleen, continues to operate their business E.M. Holdings, and they will continue to serve as our management company at this time.  So far, she has been doing a great job.
  • Recent incidents involving water damage to units compels the strong suggestion that all residents carry sufficient homeowners/renters insurance to cover any damage to your units and property as well as to the units and property of others for which you may be liable in event the unexpected occurs.  There are many instances where the Skytrack master insurance policy will not suffice.  Please review Rule 24 and Bylaws Article VI Sections 3 and 10.

Heating System Repair

We believe we have finally solved the problem that was causing grossly inadequate heating up until late last night, when additional repairs took place.  A malfunctioning temperature sensor was identified, resulting an insufficient amount of hot water circulating through the buildings.  As of approximately 10 PM, the right quantity of water at the right temperature (which is calculated constantly by a computerized control system) has been correctly circulating through the system.

As the system continues to stabilize, we would like feedback from residents about what temperatures they are finding in their apartments.  So far Board members have reported a range of temperatures today from 71 degrees to 80, depending on direction of exposure and direct sunlight. This is a very significant improvement, and is not just as a result of the warmer temperatures outside.

We would also like you to know that the Board, the management company, and Jose have been working feverishly (scores of hours, hundreds of emails) with plumbers, the boiler company, and other experts to achieve what we hope is this final fix to the system-wide problem we have been experiencing these past weeks.  Note that residual issues you experience likely relate to unit-specific problems (such as broken valves), some of which may only be able to be addressed when it is safe to drain the water from the system.  We of course will continue to work with you to address any such problems.  Thank you.