Author: Matthew Pilkington

Board Meeting Minutes – Jan 31, 2023

Board Members Present: Peter Levy, Michael Tedesco, Katharine Flanders Mukherji, Hannah Berkin-Harper, Cameron Martin, Rose Firestein, Matthew Pilkington, Terra Chalberg

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

Superintendent’s Report:

  • New heating circulation pumps are now fully functioning and running.
  • Adelphi has completed all façade work and all good so far.
  • Tree guards were installed on two tree pits.
  • Garbage Bins are sealed up – no signs of activity from rodents.  3-4 flower pots on Bergen & Boerum show evidence of activity.  Val will continue to treat them.  Hannah suggested that the soil in the pots be replaced with soil that a different soil that will absorb water better Rose will contact Hannah once the rodent issue has been resolved and replace the soil at that time.
  • No mice evident in common areas though some apt units have evidence of mice; extermination efforts continue.
  • Some roof fans not working, Val will fully investigate them and get a count of the ones not working, fans will be repaired or replaced if necessary.
  • Roof vents for 15 Bergen & 134 Boerum still need to be cleaned
  • Still searching for deck board for 3I deck.  3I was advised to look at 3L deck for possible color.

Financials:

  • The Treasurer reviewed the year end financials and still have over $100K in reserve fund.  Expenses for 2022 were up due to capital improvements needed and increases in insurance rates.  Outstanding upcoming expenses include Lobby renovations at 122, 134 Boerum Place and 15 Bergen and continue investigation on the back up issues in basement units.  Matthew & Kathleen will work on a budget for 2023 which will include a change on the profit and loss lines on the budget.
  • Board will again protest real estate tax increases this year — there is a huge increase on all Units.

New and Ongoing Business:

  • Lobby renovation – Hannah reported that the contactor is looking to possibly start the renovations on Tuesday February 7, 2023.  The work will begin in 122 Boerum place (expected 2 weeks to complete) then 15 Bergen (2/21/23 & expected 4-5 weeks) then 134 Boerum (3/28/23 & expected 6-7 weeks). Notifications will be sent to the buildings once all has been finalized.
  • Board continued discussions on potential installation of EV charging equipment in garage based on proposal that Miranda Magagnini provided.
  • Rose is going to talk to the board Attorney, Mike Marino, regarding the possible installation and will report back to board.
  • Board discussed the water/flood back up issues into the basement units and agreed that all currently installed back flow preventors should be investigated by the Engineer to advise if the current valves are properly installed.  Request that Engineer also provide/update the plumbing plans/layout as needed while doing this investigation as currently it appears that none are valid. 

Board Meeting Minutes – Nov 29 2022

Meeting conducted via videoconference

Board Members Present:  Peter Levy, President; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Andrew Kurland, Secretary; Matthew Pilkington, Treasurer; Michael Tedesco; Terra Chalberg; Cameron Martin, Rose Firestein

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

Superintendent’s Report:

  • New heating pumps are working well but final setup to allow automatic adjustments based on outdoor temperature are not yet complete, so for now the Super has to manually control the system in the event it gets too warm outside (which rarely occurs this time of year); we will continue to hold back a significant portion of invoice for the pumps until the installation is finalized.
  • Adelphi has completed the majority of the repointing and weatherproofing work.  So far the wall between 122 Boerum and the garage, a back wall at 122 Boerum, and a wall at 15 Bergen have been completed.  Completion of the final portion of the project requires access from 25 Bergen, which is being coordinated.  Additionally, scaffolding is required for L-line work, which is being constructed.  A Unit’s AC unit that is blocking the path of the scaffolding will need to be removed.
  • NYC is working on installing new trees in our tree pits by 134 Boerum and 15 Bergen. 
  • Three emergency exit signs at 134 Boerum were not working, and were replaced by the Super.
  • Outdoor hose bibs were drained and winterized for the season.
  • Chutemaster will work on cleaning the ventilation ducts in the buildings the week of December 6.

Financials:

  • We had a number of large expenditures in October, though all were budgeted for and the Condo remains in good financial condition.
  • Certain owners who have arrears in Common Charges are making progress on paying down past due amounts (with penalties being charged, as per our Rules)

New and Ongoing Business:

  • The Board discussed obtaining quotes for new fencing around the tree pits which have been updated by the City.
  • The lobby renovation projects are moving along; we have started to receive materials for the projects, including tiles.  Construction work will likely begin in January.
  • We will explore if it is feasible to enable text message notifications from our website to Owners who sign up.
  • The Board continued the discussion of back-flow valves which have been installed over time to prevent sewer backups, and have confirmed that under the Bylaws and Condo Declaration, they constitute General Common Elements, as they are part of the sewer/drainage pipes of the Condo and are necessary to the maintenance and safety of the Buildings.

Announcements:

  • Our next e-waste collection event is ongoing; details are on our website.

Water Shut Off Thursday

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.

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