So that Unit 1A can repair water shutoff valves, the Condo water will be turned off at approximately 10 AM this Thursday, Dec. 8. The shut-off will be as brief as possible and is expected to last approximately an hour, though water will be restored no later than 1 PM. Please contact EM Holdings with any concerns.
Author: Matthew Pilkington
Skytrack Vent Cleaning
We have contracted with the contractor Chutemaster Environmental to clean and maintain the building vent ducts, which remove stale air from our apartments’ kitchens and bathrooms. Access to each apartment will be required, per the below schedule.
15 Bergen and 134 Boerum – Monday 12/5: On Monday 12/5, Val and the contractor will access each apartment in 15 Bergen and 134 Boerum to seal up vents in kitchens/bathrooms so duct cleaning can occur, and then access apartments again at the end of the day to unseal the vents.
120 Boerum – Tuesday 12/6 and Fri 12/9: On Tuesday 12/6, Val and the contractor will access each apartment in 120 Boerum to seal up vents in kitchens/bathrooms. Cleaning will occur Tuesday through Friday, and Val and the contractor will access the units again on Friday 12/9 to unseal the vents.
Please contact EM Holding or the Super with any questions.
E-Waste Collection Event
Skytrack is conducting another e-waste collection event. Please leave unwanted e-waste items (types listed below) in the collection boxes that Val has placed in the lobbies of 134 Boerum and 15 Bergen, next to where recycling is deposited, and in the recycling area at the 1st floor of 120 Boerum (upstairs residents must go down to first floor at 120). The collection boxes are out currently and will be available through Friday, December 9, 2022
For larger items that will not fit in the collection boxes, please reach out to Val in advance, and he will assist in getting them to the proper spot for collection by the City.
Acceptable items:
- TVs
- VCRs, DVRs, and DVD players
- Cable and satellite boxes
- Video game consoles
- Computers: including small servers; monitors; laptops and their peripherals (such as keyboards, hard drives, mice, etc.)
- Printers/scanners
- Fax machines
- Small electronics: including tablets; mobile phones; MP3 players
NOTE: Appliances, batteries, and light bulbs are NOT accepted.
More Sewer Work
Skytrack residents, please be advised that we noticed signs on Boerum Pl by Pacific street that suggest more sewer work is going to take place tonight. We do not have further details but wanted to let everyone know that work similar to what took place earlier this week may be happening again.
Board Meeting Minutes – Oct 25 2022
Meeting conducted via videoconference
Board Members Present: Peter Levy, President; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Matthew Pilkington, Treasurer; Michael Tedesco; Terra Chalberg; Cameron Martin; Hannah Berkin-Harper; Rose Firestein
Also in Attendance: Valdet Boleviq, Superintendent; Kathleen Malara, EM Holding Corp.
Superintendent’s Report:
- There has been an ongoing roof leak in 1O. Fortunately, that roof is still under warranty and will be repaired as soon as the roofer is available.
- The heat pump is still awaiting a part enabling auto-switching based on outside temperature. At this time Val is managing it manually.
- The mice are still a problem. Owners are encouraged to continue plugging holes, trapping mice, and using a professional exterminator If they need assistance. The basement mouse problem is much improved. The rat problem on Dean Street seems resolved after much effort on Val’s part. There are still some sightings on Boerum Place.
- There was a yellow jacket nest in the wall shared by 15 and 17 Bergen. Extermination efforts were not entirely successful, but the colder weather should soon resolve this.
Financials:
- The Condo is in good financial condition.
New and Ongoing Business:
- After winning competitive bidding, Adelphi walked through 122, 15, and the 120 L line to see what the scope of work will be for repairing leaking outer walls, both pointing and other waterproofing.
- The company that is going to be cleaning the building ventilation ducts is being scheduled. Owners will need to be present or have Val accompany the cleaner when he seals all of the vent registers within units before the contractor begins the cleaning process.
- There is one remaining roof deck requiring a few replacement boards, ideally matching the color of the rest. We are working on sourcing the boards.
- Renovations in the three smaller buildings have begun with the ordering of tiles and other materials. 122 Boerum will be first, once the materials arrive. Then 15 Bergen, and last 134 Boerum. Access through lobbies will be arranged and sufficient notice given to residents.
- The sewer backup committee, now comprised of Hannah, Andrew, and Michael, met with the water engineer for an update. A proposed pump system which would cost at least $250,000 was deemed beyond our budget at this time. It was agreed that there needs to be a one-way valve cleaning plan and documentation and schematics drawn of the existing arrangement so additional mitigation measures can be taken. The roof also should be studied for any further possibilities to divert/capture water for reuse in gardening. The penthouse run-off seems especially conducive for this, and this will be explored.
Skytrack Mask Requirement Lifted
Due to the decreased COVID infection rate and the latest CDC and NYS policies, the Board has decided to lift the mask mandate for Common Areas at Skytrack. Masks are now optional in the hallways, foyers, stairwells and on the roof. The Board of course may decide in the future to reinstate the mask requirement should conditions and/or official guidance concerning the COVID pandemic warrant such a decision. Thank you all for your previous compliance and concern
Emergency Water Shut Off
Due to a leak in apartment 2G, the building water needs to be shut off immediately so that a valve can be repaired. The shut off is expected to last only 20-30 minutes. We apologize for the inconvenience.
2022 Annual Meeting Minutes
June 7, 2022
Meeting conducted via videoconference
Board Members Present: Peter Levy, Pres.; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Andrew Kurland, Sec.; Matthew Pilkington, Treasurer; Hannah Berkin-Harper; Terra Chalberg; Cameron Martin; Malik Ashiru; Michael Tedesco
Also in Attendance: Valdet Boleviq, Superintendent; Kathleen Malara, EM Holding Corp.; Mark Levitch, CPA
Preliminary Matters:
- The meeting commenced at 8:09 PM after a quorum was achieved.
- In total 79.15% of the ownership was in attendance or appeared by proxy.
- Notice of the Annual Meeting was presented, and reading of last year’s meeting minutes was waived on a duly made motion.
- All Board Members introduced themselves.
Financials:
- The Annual Financial Statement was circulated and presented by our accountant, Mark Levitch. The Condo financials are in good order.
- For tax purposes, we expensed major capital expenditures. In light of depreciation, we had a small loss for the year 2021, which is good from a tax perspective
- All “profit” will be used for necessary maintenance, including the ongoing roof repair project, which was the largest expenditure for last year.
Management/Superintendent’s Report:
- Major projects include:
- 120 Boerum roof repair project; we have completed all but the final phase of the project. Certain decking will need to be replaced and materials are being sourced.
- Electronic waste collections began this year, and will continue.
- The City re-starting compost collection.
- The boiler was drained last summer and multiple owners completed work on their radiators and valves.
- Painting occurred in building Common Areas.
- The main gas valve was replaced, and a gas piping inspection was completed.
- A frozen drain pipe caused damage to certain Units, which was addressed.
- The Super has been working diligently to address presence of vermin on Boerum Pl. and Dean Street, and has made much progress. We are also working with the City and neighboring buildings to this end.
- The Condo engaged an engineering firm to investigate and report on sewer backup issues, and their work will continue with supervising contractors to implement improvements as we work to prevent backup issues from recurring in the future.
President’s Report:
- The Board and the Condo thank Val and Rose for their gardening efforts.
- We again have filed a protest with respect to property tax increases.
- We will be hiring a company to clean building ventilation ducts.
- The heating system will be drained again so that owners can make any necessary repairs to their radiators and valves. Contact EM Holding or the Super by July 15th to coordinate.
- The Board has decided to continue to require face masks in interior Common Areas, as posted on signs throughout the Buildings. The feedback received in the survey was informative.
- Adding EV charging capability to the garage is still being investigated and the committee to pursue options is led by Skytrack resident Miranda Magagnini, who presented at the meeting.
Board Elections:
- Three board seats were up this year, Katharine Flanders Mukherji (existing Vice President), Cameron Martin, and Malik Ashiru.
- Malik has decided not to run again. The Board thanked Malik for his service.
- The Board encouraged all Owners to run leading up to the meeting and at the meeting.
- Rose Firestein chose to run, along with Katharine and Cameron.
- A vote was held and Rose, Katharine, and Cameron were unanimously approved and elected to the Board for three year terms, to expire in June 2025.
New Business:
- Board member Hannah Berkin-Harper presented plans and budget proposal for renovations to lobbies and Common Areas of 122 Boerum, 134 Boerum, and 15 Bergen. The Board thanks Hannah for all of her extensive efforts in this regard.
- A vote was held on the proposed budget of $125,000 for these improvements, and the proposed budget was approved with a unanimous vote.
Reminders:
- City law and Condo insurance require all units to properly secure window-mounted air conditioner units. Please contact EM Holding or the Super with questions regarding this.
- Reminder that all Common Areas and hallways must be kept clear of all items.
Adjournment:
- With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:54 PM following a duly made motion.
E-Waste Collection Event
Dear Skytrack Community,
We are pleased to announce the next Skytrack e-waste collection event. Please leave unwanted e-waste items (types listed below) in the collection boxes that Val has placed in the lobbies of 134 Boerum and 15 Bergen, next to where recycling is deposited, and in the recycling area at the 1st floor of 120 Boerum (upstairs residents must go down to first floor at 120). The collection boxes are out currently and will be available through Friday, July 1st.
For larger items that will not fit in the collection boxes, please reach out to Val in advance, and he will assist in getting them to the proper spot for collection by the City.
Acceptable items:
- TVs
- VCRs, DVRs, and DVD players
- Cable and satellite boxes
- Video game consoles
- Computers: including small servers; monitors; laptops and their peripherals (such as keyboards, hard drives, mice, etc.)
- Printers/scanners
- Fax machines
- Small electronics: including tablets; mobile phones; MP3 players
NOTE: Appliances, batteries, and light bulbs are NOT accepted.
Final Reminder – Annual Meeting Tonight
The 2022 Annual Meeting will take place via Zoom this evening at 8:00 PM. Advanced registration is required. Please: Click here to register for the 2022 Annual Meeting
After you register, you will receive an email containing instructions to join the meeting by video or telephone. The meeting will commence at 8 PM, and the video/teleconference line will open at 7:45 PM.
If you might not be able to attend, please designate a proxy to appear on your behalf, by filling out the Annual Meeting Proxy Form by clicking here.
Three Board positions will be up for election, and all owners are encouraged to run. Please let EM Holdings know if you are interested in joining the Board.