Author: Matthew Pilkington

Reminder – Common Charge Increase

Reminder that, as reflected in the Board Minutes and in the Notice delievered to all Unit Owners, Common Charges will increase by 5% beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Invoices reflecting the new amounts owed have been distributed. Please ensure you pay the correct amount on January 1, and contact EM Holding with any questions.

Board Meeting Minutes – Nov. 28, 2023

Board Members Present: Audrey Weinberger, President (through Jan. 2, 2024); Katharine Flanders Mukherji, VP; Andrew Kurland, Secretary; Matthew Pilkington, Treasurer; Peter Levy; Michael Tedesco; Rose Firestein; Cameron Martin

Also in Attendance:  Valdet Boleviq, Superintendent; Kathleen Malara, EM Holding Corp.

Next meeting: January 30, 2024

Superintendent’s Report:

  • All exterior pipes were drained and winterized for the season.
  • 120 Boerum lobby repainted; Dean Street staircase to follow shortly.
  • Garage refurbishment work has been completed; we are looking for a service to professionally clean the floor now that the painting work has been completed.
  • 134 Boerum lobby renovation complete except for final section of carpeting, which will be installed shortly, and the installation of a bulletin board. 15 Bergen will also be getting a bulletin board.

Financials:

  • The finances were reviewed, and the Condo remains in good financial standing, though the lobby renovation work and other expenses has caused us to be running about 20% ahead of budget.
  • Insurance is being paid in installments, with the next amounts due in January and February 2024; we will again pay in installments for the 2024-2025 insurance year.
  • As noted in the notice circulated to all owners, the Board decided to raise Common Charges 5% effective January 1, 2024.  The new amount will be reflected in the January 2024 billing statements.  Please contact EM Holding with any questions on amounts owed going forward.

New and Ongoing Business:

  • A new sump pump will be installed in the boiler room.
  • The Board selected the RAND engineering firm to complete the garage structure inspection mandated by new law, which will now be scheduled.
  • The roof work at units 1L, 1P, and 1Q had to be rescheduled due to weather, but will take place as soon as schedule and weather permits.
  • We are obtaining quotes for façade repairs (cosmetic) to the exterior of the garage and Dean St. building.
  • The Board discussed cleaning of window wells throughout the buildings.

Announcements:

  • Please make sure the amount you pay for common charges for January 2024 is correct.
  • The Board wishes everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.  Please clean up all holiday decorations and Christmas tree needles from common areas when moving trees.
  • This holiday season, please remember to show Val, our Super, and Patrick, our Porter, your appreciation for all of their hard work this year.

Board Meeting Minutes – Oct 24, 2023

Board Members Present: Audrey Weinberger, President (through Jan. 2, 2024);  Katharine Flanders Mukherji, VP; Andrew Kurland, Secretary; Matthew Pilkington, Treasurer; Peter Levy; Michael Tedesco; Rose Firestein; Terra Chalberg

Also in Attendance:  Valdet Boleviq, Superintendent; Kathleen Malara, EM Holding Corp.

Superintendent’s Report:

  • 134 Boerum painting almost complete.
  • Garage work is in process, with about 30% surface prep complete, and painting started.
  • Verrazano Roofing will honor warranty to address roof leaks by Units 3L and 3F.
  • Chips noticed on Dean St. side facade; we will obtain quotes for repair work.
  • B&D Plumbing completed camera inspection and dye testing on additional drain lines, and we now have a much better idea of the arrangement of certain lines. 
  • The backflow valves in Units 1C and 1M need repair/replacement.

Financials:

  • The finances were reviewed, and the Condo remains in good financial standing.
  • That said, we have had significant expenses related to 134 Boerum lobby renovations, completion of roof replacement, and painting and repairs in the garage.  We are also planning for future large expenditures, including related to additional steps to mitigate periodic drain backups in lower level units.  High inflation is also affecting costs.  In light of the foregoing, a common charge increase is possible at some point in the future, although there has been no determination as to amount of any potential increase or when it might be take place. 

New and Ongoing Business:

  • The Board confirmed that the Condo will be responsible for regular maintenance on backflow valves.  However, the valves must be made accessible by Unit Owners with valves in their Units.
  • The Board authorized the Super to temporarily turn off building water for short periods in the event of extreme rain events, with the goal of preventing drain backups in lower level units.  This would be a very rare occurrence.
  • We are obtaining quotes for a secondary sump pump for the boiler room, to be used as a backup.
  • New LED light fixtures will be installed in the garage.

Announcements:

  • Compost should now be placed in the containers on Sundays, as our collection is now Monday AM.

Board Meeting Minutes:  September 26, 2023

Meeting conducted via videoconference

Board Members Present:  Peter Levy, President; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, Vice President; Andrew Kurland, Secretary; Matthew Pilkington, Treasurer; Rose Firestein; Terra Chalberg; Michael Tedesco; Audrey Weinberger

Also in Attendance:  Valdet Boleviq, Superintendent; Kathleen Malara, EM Holding Corp.

Superintendent’s Report:

  • The capacity of the garage roof drain was increased to better handle water the collects on roof.
  • The Super is staying on top of ensuring all exterior drains are kept debris-free.  Owners who have drains near their units should do their part, too.
  • The roofing contractor is expected to start the roof replacement for the garage later this month.
  • Unit 1Q experienced a leak in a recent rain storm.  The roof over this and the other “townhouse” units need replacing and will be replaced.
  • The Super proposed adding insulation to piping that connects 15 Bergen to 120 Boerum to alleviate any potential freezing concerns.
  • FDNY will perform required fire sprinkler testing on September 27.

Financials:

  • The Condo financials were reviewed, and all is in good order. 

New and Ongoing Business:

  • Peter Levy decided to step down from this serving as President of the Skytrack Board, though will remain a Board member. The Board expressed its gratitude and appreciation for Peter in light of the years of services he provided Skytrack as its Board President.  For now, the Board has agreed that each Board member will rotate through as interim President for a 6-month period unless and until there is a volunteer to be President for a year-long term.  Audrey Weinberger volunteered to be the interim President for the initial 6-month period, commencing now.  Peter will provide details about the role, as well as ensure all of his files are transferred. 
  • The Board’s other Officers volunteered to remain in place (Katharine Flanders Mukherji – VP; Matthew Pilkington – Treasurer; Andrew Kurland – Secretary).
  • The Board discussed the forthcoming improvements to the garage (e.g., patching, painting, etc.)
  • The Board discussed ongoing concerns with respect to water backups in certain lower level units during major rain storms, and next steps to address.  Management is working on identifying a plumber to do camera inspections of additional drain lines.
  • The Board discussed ways to divert additional rain water from roof of 120 Boerum.
  • The Board approved a total replacement of roofs over 1O, 1P, and 1Q, and Management is working on obtaining two additional quotes for this work.  Once this area is done the roofs of the entire Condo complex will have been replaced over the course of the past two years.

Announcements:

  • Reminder, Skytrack Minutes are now electronic only.  Please ensure you are registered on our website (www.skytrackcondo.com).  If you require a hard copy please inform EM Holding.