Author: Matthew Pilkington

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.

Heating System Update

We know it is cold, and that it is extremely frustrating.  Building management, Jose, plumbers, our boiler service company, and the Board are all working on the problem.  We still believe that the entire heating system will need to be emptied and refilled (still being discussed by plumbers) but in order to do that safely and so that pipes don’t burst we need to wait until it is well above freezing.  We are anticipating warmer temperatures at the end of the week.

If you have individual bleed valves on the radiators in your apartment please contact Jose to have them bled in the mean time, which could help.

Thank you all for your ongoing patience.  As residents ourselves (and volunteer representatives for Skytrack), we share your frustrations.  We will continue to communicate updates as we receive them.

Heating System Update

Dear all:  Though the boiler itself continues to operate normally, we believe the cold temperatures in many of our units may relate to an issue with when the circulating water was drained and re-filled this fall, so that renovations could be performed on one of the units.  The plumber visited yesterday, and some units are a bit warmer now, thankfully.  However, we remain unsatisfied, and the plumber is coming back to try to further improve things.

It is possible that the only way to fully resolve the issues we’re experiencing is to drain and properly re-fill the system again, but we obviously will not be doing this until it is warmer outside.  As of now, we have at least SOME heat (and hot water is fine), so of course we do not want to make things worse.

If the temperature in your unit is particularly cold, please contact Jose through the website.  He will see if there is anything that he can do to adjust your radiators, and will measure the air and radiator temperatures in your unit so problem areas can be tracked and reported to the plumbers.

Thank you for your patience as we all work to get through this together.

Update: Broken Sprinkler Pipe

The broken pipe in the sprinkler system at 120 Boerum Pl. has been fixed, the system has been turned back on, and it is no longer leaking.  However, residual water in the stairs, walls, and hallways likely will continue to drip.  A professional cleaning/drying crew will be on site this evening.  We will keep everyone posted with additional information as we have it.  Thank you for your understanding and patience.