Minutes of the Trustee Meeting

Queensberry Condominium Trust

January 30, 2013

Pursuant to the Article V.  Section 5.9 of the By-Laws of Queensberry Condominium Trust, a monthly meeting of the Trustees was held on Wednesday, January 30, 2013, at 6:30PM at the offices of Boston Choice Properties, 125 Jersey Street, Boston, MA.

Those Present:  Ning Hernandez, Sheryl Kelly and Jeff Schwarz , Trustees

Michel Grappo and David Sherf were not present

Pamela Pendias , Modica Associates 

The meeting was called to order at 6:40 PM.  

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The December financial report was sent out electronically in advance of the meeting.  The balance sheet as of December reflects $5,577 in the operating account and $59,373 in reserves.    Sheryl commented that the association had more money $70,986 in November than the end of December $64,950.   Pam stated that it was due to the operating account having $27,878 as a result of double condo fees, an extra $13,500 that was due the month of October.    In actuality, the association has more money ($16,265) in reserves as compared to $43,106 in November.  

Sheryl had many questions on the financial reports.    Sheryl asked why General Landscaping was paid the sum of $224 in December for fall services.   Pam stated that the service provided was final fall clean up and that she would send the trustees a copy of the landscape contract for review.   However, it should be noted that the line item in the budget for landscaping was $2,400, and the association actually spent $2,008 for a savings of close to $400.    Sheryl inquired about Modica’s  $1,680 invoice  for replacing the heat timer in November.   Pam explained that the heat timer had failed and was replaced with a used one that Modica had on hand.   Sheryl asked for a detailed breakdown on Modica’s invoices showing labor and material.   Sheryl also asked why the bills the association was paying were paid to Modica.   Pam explained that Modica has a full time licensed and insured plumber on their payroll.    Since the plumber is a Modica employee, the invoice comes from Modica, and not an independent plumbing company.    Furthermore, it is beneficial for the association rather than having to be at the mercy of waiting for an independent plumbing company to respond.   In the event of any building emergency, Modica’s plumber is able to provide prompt service.    Sheryl asked about Modica’s invoice responding to a gas leak in November.   Pam reminded the trustees that the building received an emergency call from the gas company of a gas leak on a Sunday.   Modica had to meet the gas company to provide keys to the units that were suspected to be the source of the gas leak.   Had the leak not been found, the building would have had to be evacuated.    Sheryl asked about Modica’s $225 charge for delivering ice-melt.    Pam explained that Modica charges once a year for providing ice-melt at the front and rear entrances of both buildings.    Modica re-fills the ice-melt buckets as often as necessary during the course of the winter.   Sheryl opined that she would like to see actual invoices for the ice-melt.    In addition, Sheryl also asked to see receipts when the building is charged for Janitorial Supplies.   A question arose as to the $175 charge for repairing the ceiling in 107-2.   Pam explained that this unit owner had sent several lengthy e-mails along with engineering reports that the building was not structurally sound and that he had paid twice previously to repair the ceiling in his unit.    Pam checked the unit several times with the mason who re-pointed the building and nothing obvious could be found.  Moisture readings were taken in the unit and the only moisture that was detected was in the

right hand corner of the bay window approximately six inches square.    The moist area was cut out and left open to dry.   Once the area dried out, the hole was patched and repaired.    The area in question was in the vicinity of a steam pipe in the wall and could have retained moisture.    The consensus of the board was that repairs in units due to a common area should be handled consistently and that the association does not usually perform repairs in units.    

Minutes of the Trustee Meeting

1-30-13

Page Two

 

OLD BUSINESS  

Sheryl asked whether the owner of the unit with the air conditioner had been fined for keeping the air conditioner in the window.   Pam explained that the owner of the unit cannot remove the air conditioner since the building has settled not allowing him to remove it.    The trustees asked Pam to verify this with the owner.    Pam stated that she was to have done this however something had come up preventing her from meeting him on the designated day.   Pam will re-schedule with the owner to determine whether or not the air conditioner can be removed. 

There were two different steam leaks in January.   The first was a leaking return line that  ran under the concrete floor between 107 and 111.  This required the floor to be jack hammered in both buildings in order to access the leaking pipe to replace it.   The old pipes are in the courtyard for the trustees to see.   An insurance claim has been filed under the master policy for the building which should minimize costs to the association.   A second steam leak was found inside of 111-20A.    Service Master was called in to remove the old carpet and provide moisture readings in the unit to reassure the tenant who was very concerned about the possibility of residual moisture and mold.   The wall in the bedroom was removed and replaced, the bedroom re-painted.  The carpet in the bedroom was replaced as well. 

The association has not as yet released final payment in the amount of $9,100 for the railing.    There was some discussion as to the height – the railing is lower between the two buildings and higher on the sides.    The consensus of the trustees was to let the height matter drop.   However,   Sheryl stated that she thought the railing was already exhibiting signs of rust.    The trustees will examine the “rust” on the railing after the meeting.   

NEW BUSINESS

Ning had asked about mailboxes and who is responsible for them.    Mailboxes are provided by the condominium association but maintenance of the actual boxes themselves falls on the unit owner.   As an example, Modica does not have keys to the individual mailboxes.   If the lock breaks, or a tenant loses a mailbox key, it is the responsibility of the unit owner to replace the broken lock.    Pam had received a verbal estimate of $246.19 per group of (4) mailboxes and the association needs (12) for an estimate of approximately  $3,000 excluding installation.    The consensus of the trustees was that it was too costly a project to entertain.   

The last order of business was to schedule the date and time of the annual meeting of unit owners.    Board meetings are generally the 3^rd Monday of every month but recently these Mondays have fallen on a holiday, January 21^st, Martin Luther King Day, February 18^th, is Presidents Day.   The following week Sheryl will be away, it was suggested that the meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, February 19^th.    Pam to check her schedule and also check with Michael Grappo for his availability as to an annual meeting date.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:50PM. 

Respectfully submitted by:

Pamela Pendias

Modica Associates

For the Recording Secretary

Queensberry Condominium Trust