Attending: Steve Bruner, Steve Dembitzer, Michael Hansen, Peter Levy, Katharine Mukherji, Cynthia Steele, Peter Burgess, and Jose Perez (for the discussion of maintenance issues)Maintenance
Jose gave an update on maintenance issues:
In general, Jose said “March was a good, quiet month.” A concern about hot water with the boiler was resolved quickly. Jose made minor adjustments in some roof fans, to improve functionality of ventilation.
Keyspan and the Fire Department came and checked out a reported concern about the smell of gas in Apartment 3 and found that there was no gas leak.
Next month, the garbage bin unit for 134 Boerum Place will be built and placed next to the other wooden storage unit adjacent to the garage. This will replace the current bins in the basement where the descent by steep stairs was deemed a potential safety hazard by the Board. The unit will be as discreet as possible, while still functional, and built with a sloped lid so that it cannot be used as seating.
FinancesWe reviewed the financial reports; we are in good standing. We made a decision to pay the full water bill of $11,000, which is much larger than usual since the City did not bill us for a long time.
The line of credit for $250,000 is in place at North Shore Bank.
New Business
1) We discussed the issue of noise. Some conclusions were:
- We are pursuing discussions with NYSC about its delivery trucks that park outside 120 and leave the motors idling (and sometimes play music). We will also talk with the two schools on Bergen about having the bus drivers turn off their motors if they will be standing for some time.
- The condominium’s rules about noise include covering the majority of floor space with carpeting, not having (loud) work done in units before 9 am or after 5 pm or at any time on Sundays, and refraining from playing loud music or television after 11 pm.
- Because the hallways and doorways transmit noise, residents are requested to close doors quietly, not shout, and to avoid talking on their cell phones in common areas (such as the 120 lobby).
- As a general guideline, we discussed the importance of residents being respectful and considerate to avoid excessive noise especially ‘after hours’, to give neighbors a ‘heads up’ if a party or other unusually loud event is going to happen, as well as of being tolerant, since the walls and floors are not soundproof and neighbors will make some noise in their day-to-day activities.
2) Repairs
We are getting a bid on covering the Dean Street stairs and fixing the 120 upstairs roof deck. The latter is a safety issue and will take precedence over other work. Once we see what we can afford, at the next meeting, we will order the priorities of painting and carpeting the second and third floors of 120, covering the back stairs and anything else that has arisen in the meantime.
3) Gardening
We are looking into commercial services to water and tend the plants, and plan to make a decision before the spring season. Matthew Pilkington, who has taken a lead role on plant maintenance in past years, will assess their services and costs with two other board members.
The next annual meeting is Wednesday, May 9 at the Montessori School.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. The next board meeting is scheduled for April 25th, 2007.