Author: Skytrack

Meeting conducted via videoconference

Board Members Present:  Peter Levy, President; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Andrew Kurland, Sec.; Matthew Pilkington, Treas.; Michael Tedesco; Hannah Berkin-Harper; Terra Chalberg; Malik Ashiru

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

Superintendent and Management’s Report:

• In preparation for winter the Super winterized exterior water and sprinkler pipes, sealed staircase exhaust fan, and made other necessary preparations.
• The Super painted walls in Dean Street staircase, replaced and re-attached moldings, hallway doors, and completed other touchups.
• The next phase of roof replacement is being scheduled.
• Rat activity in the vicinity of the buildings continues to be an issue, but is being addressed, and improvements are evident; we are continuing to fight the war against rodents, relying on extra work from Val and increased frequency of visits from professional exterminators, and we are cooperating with and providing reports to the City.

Financials:

• The financials were reviewed and all is in good order.  Common Charge collections are strong.
• We fully expect to finish 2021 on budget, and well on track to cover cost of necessary maintenance and building improvement projects continuing on in 2022.
• The Board discussed insurance coverage issues.

New and Ongoing Business:

• The Committee that was formed to investigate solutions to water backup is awaiting an estimate from one more potential engineer candidate before their selection is made.  A report was provided regarding installing check-valves in the lower units which do not yet have but could benefit from them; they will be installed.

Notices and Reminders:

• NYC is restarting weekly compost collection on December 11.  Our pickup day will be Saturday, so the brown collection bins will be available for your compost waste in the Buildings on Friday afternoons.
• Please remember to ask Val for plastic bags to transport Christmas trees in and out of the buildings, and clean up any needles that may fall in Common Areas.

In this Holiday Season, please remember to show your generosity to Val and Patrick to thank them for their hard work this year.

Meeting conducted via videoconference

Board Members Present:  Peter Levy, President; Katharine Flanders Mukherji, V.P.; Andrew Kurland, Sec.; Matthew Pilkington, Treas.; Michael Tedesco; Cameron Martin; Malik Ashiru; Hannah Berkin-Harper

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

Superintendent’s Report:

• The Super provided a detailed report about the flooding and leaks many experienced during Hurricane Ida, and steps that have been taken, including dehumidification and professional cleaning.  The Super, Board, and Management are continuing to work with affected units.
• The heating system was drained and multiple units have had work performed on their units’ valves and radiators.
• The building exterminator modified amounts and types of poison and continues to take steps to fight the rodent problem that is now most prevalent on Dean Street and Boerum Pl.  We have also contacted neighboring buildings – many who have problems with leaving trash out – to “clean up their acts.”
• There have been fewer reports of mice inside the building; some who have continued to note problems have identified additional means of access within their units, and have found much improvement when the holes are plugged.  Please contact Management for assistance with accomplishing this.  We are staying vigilant to keep all common areas addressed.

Financials:

• Everything is in good order with the financials.  There is presently a surplus of funds but significant expenses are expected for the remainder of the year, including related to the next phase of the roof project, the NYC water bill, and fees and services related to flood mitigation work.
• Reminder that you may sign up for automated ACH withdrawals of Common Charges; details are available on the website or from EM Holding.  Further, owners can voluntarily opt out of receiving monthly Common Charge statements by contacting EM Holding and making that request.

New Business:

• The City is re-starting compost collection, and we expect the new collection bins will be delivered to the buildings in the near future.
• The Board is coordinating the first e-waste collection event; information will be posted on website.
• The committee that was formed after the recent flooding issues made a report as to the steps that have been taken and will be taken.  Presently, we have received four recommendations for engineers, and they will be interviewed. We also agreed that back-flow valves will be installed or repaired on certain units which will benefit from them, so that all apartments with basement levels are protected.
• The lobby renovation project continues, and we are awaiting bids from contractors.  Material samples have been gathered and are being approved by the design committees and residents of 122 Boerum, 134 Boerum, and 15 Bergen.

Reminder: Please ensure the building doors are not left propped open for any period of time.  Propping open doors is not only a security issue, it is an easy way for rodents to enter the building.