Mail-In Ballot Problem

Make sure the “Official Absentee Ballot Envelope” included with the ballot has your name and address on it. Do not use it if it is incorrect! Many ballots in our neighborhood have the wrong inner envelopes. This was announced on local newscasts. You may give the envelope to the proper person, if this is convenient. Call the Election Board to get your proper ballot. 1-800-868-3692
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/brooklyn-absentee-voters-report-receiving-return-envelopes-addressed-to-other-voters/2640551/

https://gothamist.com/news/brooklyn-voters-receive-absentee-ballot-envelopes-wrong-voter-names-and-addresses

Water Back On

The broken pipe was repaired and the water has been turned back on.

Among other steps we will take to avoid this situation in the future, we will be working to ensure that the Super has working keys to all units, as required by Condo Rule No. 17. All owners should expect to be contacted by the Super and/or Management regarding this.

Water Shut off Update – 12:45 PM

We are having difficulty accessing the apartment on the 3rd floor of 120 Boerum which we believe contains the source of the leak. The occupants are out of town and recently changed their lock without providing a key to the Super as required, so we have to force entry into the apartment. We will be gaining access shortly, at which time we hopefully will be able to address the leak in short order so that water to the Condo can be restored.

Additionally, a professional clean up crew is here cleaning and drying the affected carpeting in common areas.

Electronic-Waste Drop-Off Event

From the Lower East Side Ecology Center
-Waste Drop-offs Updates

We are so excited to announce a partnership with Electronics Recycling International (ERI) which allows us to restart our e-waste collection program by offering weekend pop-up events.

Our first collection event is coming up next Saturday:

Saturday, September 19, 2020 – 11am-1pm
St Anselm Church, 356 82nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11209


There are few options right now for people to responsibly dispose of unwanted electronics, and we were happy to be able to step back into this space after having to permanently close down our Gowanus E-waste Warehouse. Please take a look at acceptable items, since that list has changed. We will announce more events shortly, please check our calendar.

We would also like to acknowledge the support from City Council Members and Con Edison to make this program possible once again.
https://www.lesecologycenter.org

Notice re Tropical Storm Isaias

As you may be aware, lower levels of the Skytrack Condo have experienced sewer backups in the past during periods of extremely heavy precipitation. In light of the forecasted tropical storm expected to affect NYC on Tuesday August 4, 2020, please be considerate of your neighbors and avoid using any large quantities of water (e.g., washing clothes, showering or taking a bath, etc.) during any periods of torrential rain. We of course hope no backups occur, but in the event any do, affected units should promptly call 311 to report the issue so the City can address any issues with the sewer main that services our building. Thank you.

Updates on E-waste

From the

Updates on E-waste
Unfortunately, our E-waste program did not get any city funding restored.  We are still exploring options how to resume this important city wide program. In the meantime, you can read our blog post about alternative resources for recycling E-waste.
 https://www.lesecologycenter.org/how-to-cut-e-waste-and-remain-sustainable/?utm_source=Lower+East+Side+Ecology+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=4e4a5d6271-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_10_24_05_10_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_eb9350fdda-4e4a5d6271-198236254

The Lower East Side Ecology Center ran the E-Waste recycling center in Gowanus.

Covid-19 House Rules

With the New York State phase three reopening in place, Skytrack is providing a set of rules connected to COVID related safety measures:

  • Residents, visitors and workers must wear a face mask and practice “social distancing” in all of the interior public spaces and on the roof tracks.
  • Congregating in common areas is strongly discouraged.
  • Gatherings of more than ten people on common roof decks is not permitted.  Masks must be worn where a six foot distance from non-household members may not be consistently achieved.
  • Please limit visitors to the building as much as possible.
  • Movers and construction crews are expected to wear masks in all common areas.
  • Whenever possible, please wash or sanitize hands before and after touching handrails and building and hall door knobs, or use gloves.
  • Sales: “Open Houses” are not permitted
    • Showing of any unit must be scheduled with the Super at least 24 hours in advance
    • Any showing may not include more than four people, including the showing agent
  • These rules will be re-evaluated every 30 days

Annual Meeting – June 16, 2020

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

Also in Attendance:  Valdet Boleviq, Superintendent; Kathleen Malara, EM Holdings; Mark Levitch, independent CPA

  • Due to the COVID pandemic, the meeting took place via Zoom video/tele conference. 
  • The meeting commenced at 8:05 PM, once a quorum of Unit owners was achieved.  We had record attendance this year, with 78.05% of the ownership present by videoconference or proxy.
  • Notice of Meeting was presented, and reading of the minutes of last year’s annual meeting was waived by majority vote.

Reports of Board/Officers/Management

Mark Levitch, independent CPA

  • Mark Levitch presented the 2019 financial statement, which was distributed electronically and is available on the Condo’s website.  The Condo’s cash position increased in 2019, primarily due to the increase in common charges that took place last year.  This has placed the Condo in a strong financial position and prepared well to tackle necessary maintenance projects, as well as capital improvements.
  • Certain funds have been placed in a capital reserve account to reduce tax liability.
  • There were no questions raised concerning the 2019 financials or Mark Levitch’s report.
  • The budget for 2020 will be posted on the website and circulated with the meeting minutes.

Kathleen Malara, EM Holdings

  • Building in good repair in general.  Major projects included extensive structural work on a unit’s terrace, the initial phase of the roof replacement at 120 Boerum, and various repairs to the heating system.
  • There were no questions for EM Holdings.
  • Val was also present to answer questions, and inform residents that he continues to oversee extra regular cleaning and sanitizing of high traffic areas in light of the Covid pandemic.

Peter Levy, President of Board

  • We once again successfully petitioned to have our real estate taxes lowered.
  • On behalf of all residents, the Board thanks Val Boleviq and Matthew Pilkington for their landscaping work.

Board Election

  • Three Board terms expired this year.  Two Board members – Peter Levy and Terra Chalberg – chose to run again.  Board member Lori Littlejohn chose not to.
  • No one volunteered to run for the Board before the meeting.  At the meeting, only one person volunteered – Hannah Berkin-Harper.
  • The Board encouraged owners in 15 Bergen and 134 Boerum to run, so that they can have comfort that their interests and concerns are met.  However, no owners from those buildings expressed any desire to run, except for Terra Chalberg.
  • Though the election was uncontested, we conducted a vote per our Bylaws.  The vote was held by electronic ballot on Zoom, and phone attendees’ votes were recorded after the meeting.  The results were tabulated, and Peter Levy, Terra Chalberg, and Hannah Berkin-Harper were elected to 3-year terms.

New Business

  • A resident expressed concern about the planned renovations to the space that formerly housed the hot tub so that the space could be used as a meeting space for Board meetings, since it is often difficult to find a location for the meetings to occur.  The resident believed that resources should be spent on improvements to the lobby of 134 Boerum.
  • This led to a productive discussion amongst the Board and meeting attendees about transparency and priorities for building work.  The Board committed to increasing transparency into why decisions are made.
  • The Board also made clear that all owner and resident concerns are taken seriously, and to the extent anyone desires to express any opinion, concern, or request, the best way to do so is via the Skytrack website, or by contacting our management company EM Holding Corp.
  • With no other questions or comments raised, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:10 PM.