Minutes of the Trustee Meeting

Queensberry Condominium Trust

March 19, 2012

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 Monday, March 19, 2012, at 6:30PM at the offices of Boston Choice Properties, 125 Jersey Street, Boston, MA.

Those Present: Ning Hernandez, and Jeff Schwarz

Sheryl Kelly via telephone conference

Pamela Pendias , Modica Associates

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

OLD BUSINESS

The first item of business was the status of Eagle Rivet. The association issued final payment to Eagle last month, less $4.500 as negotiated with the President of Eagle Rivet and David Sherf. Eagle Rivet is now seeking payment of the $4,500 the association withheld due to the lengthy duration of the project. The trustees asked Pam to send an e-mail to David Sherf explaining that they wanted to settle the matter as soon as possible asking that David reiterate why he felt that a verbal agreement had merit which now Eagle is reneging on.

Jeff stated that he wanted to meet with David one last time regarding the moisture infiltration in his unit and review the moisture level readings prior to replacing windows. Sheryl stated that she too wanted to proceed with repairs to her unit. Jeff asked if Sheryl had cracks in the walls in her unit and she replied that she did not.

Pam informed the trustees that the door sweep has still not arrived for the front door at 107 Jersey and that it would be installed as soon as it was received. The sweep on the door at 111 has sufficiently worn down and is no longer binding preventing the door from closing.

An electronic version of the monthly financial report for February had been e-mailed to the trustees along with copies of all paid bills. The balance sheet at the end of February reflected $6,559 in the operating account and $45,584 in reserves. Jeff noted the $675 charge for pest control services and reference to (3) buildings. Pam stated that the bill must be in error – and would notify Heritage Pest to issue a credit. Pam reported that at the end of February, 2011, the association incurred costs of $17,900 for oil and gas as compared with this year total costs of $10,500 representing an overall savings of $7,400. Although it has been a mild winter compared with 2011 it still represents significant savings.

The association collected $16,762 from the insurance company under the boiler machinery section when the heating boiler failed. The association is current with all operating costs.

Sheryl stated she would like to purchase a concrete urn for the front of each building for flowers. There was some concern that they may get stolen or knocked over but the trustees agreed to try it provided the cost not exceed $100.

Pam asked the trustees about the railing around the perimeter of the property. It is badly rusted. Pam obtained one bid from Logan Grate last fall in the amount of $5,500. Pam will obtain other bids as well to discuss at the meeting next month.

Laundry equipment – Automatic Coin Laundry has confirmed that the leaking washer in 107 has been replaced. Pam made it clear to Jay Lizotte that the association was not interested in any further extensions to the laundry contract.

Minutes of the Trustee Meeting

3-19-12

Page Two

NEW BUSINESS

The overall condition of the courtyard was discussed. Pam stated that she did not believe there was a simple inexpensive fix. Sheryl suggested adding some gravel or crushed stone. Pam to check for options between now and the next board meeting.

Sheryl noted that the sconce in building 111 going to the second floor is missing a globe and the bulbs do not match. Pam will check and have this taken care of.

Ning asked about the woman who is leaving trash in the hallway of 107. Pam stated that she has contacted the manager of the unit on each occasion and has now levied a total of (4) $100 fines for leaving trash in the hallway. The trustees suggested posting a notice advising that trash should at no time left anywhere in the common area and should be taken out to the dumpster along the alley side of building 10. Any infractions will result in a $100 fine.

Pam asked the trustees what they were doing about a 5^th board member. The consensus was to put it to a vote of all unit owners and furnish a ballot with the names of the three candidates who expressed an interest in serving on the board.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:30PM.

Respectfully submitted by:

Pamela Pendias

Modica Associates

For the Recording Secretary

Queensberry Condominium Trust

August 17, 2010, Meeting

Attending:

Nancy (MA) --Modica Associates

Douglas McClennen (DM) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Bill Gentz (BG) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Ning Hernandez (NH) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Yelena Chigirinskaya (YC) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Distribute to:

David Sherf (DS) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

107 Mail Room for general information

111 Mail Room for general information

Window Replacement
MA made one further phone call to Hadco, asking for a final refund of $250.00. MA has received no response and therefore asked David Sherf to write a letter.

107 Laundry Room Floor
The board discussed possible ways to repair the floor: pouring the slab on grade vs floating slab.

• Floating slab—is lifted on joists above the soil, creating a "gap" between the ground and the floor.
• Slab on grade—is poured down against the soil, thus sealing the so called "gap".

The current floor is a concrete slab on joists with plywood on top.  The proposal (whose?) is for thicker concrete slab with the floor. 

The board needs the following questions answered before deciding on the "slab on grade" floor:

• Are there any pipes between the current "floating slab" floor and the dirt?
• Is there a significant price difference between the 2 types?
• If plumbing work needs to be done (pipes burried to allow for the "slab on grade" floor, what would the extra costs be?

Fire code violation was discovered when the laundry room wall was opened. No insulation (no 2nd layer of sheet rock) between the laundry room and an abutting unit.  David Modica is aware of this problem, and this minor issue will be fixed with other work in the laundry.

MA to request 2 specs from Wolf Rock Development and ask about pros and cons. The board will review the specs.

[Later edit:  In an email David Modica reminded the board that we have reviewed bids for this work and questions the need to rebid the work.  Notes about previous bids can be found here -- the latest bid information was noted in the March 16th Meeting Notes.]

Bad Smell in 107
The BWS contractors have found the problem.  The pipe in the street is not only sagging, but also collapsing.
This is now a major problem that with effect the entire block. The city will now have to rip up the entire street from Queensberry to Perterbourgh in order to fix the problem.  The time line for this work is not known, but the smell can intensify at times until the problem is repaired.  David Modica continues to work with BWS to try to get some idea of what it is involved for going forward.

DM met with David Modica in the laundry room and looked into the cut in the slab.  Failed pipe (in the street) was leaking and filling up the space under the slab.  The town should fix the pipe.

Landscaping

Tree was cleaned up where the branch was cut.  The faucet (by the 107 entrance) is leaking.  A rhododendron bush has died (on the Jersey Street side of the building).  MA to inform Malkasian about the dead  rhododentron bush. 

[Later edit: The dead bush has been removed.] 

Terrazzo Sidearms Need Repairs

Chiccarelli and Pires has estimated repairs of the sidearms at $1,600.00 with the additional costs of permits.  The board has reviewed the bid and approved it.  MA to schedule the work sometime before November. 

Water Damage/Leaks Due to the March 15 Storm

• Unit owners of 20-19 and 20-19 have agreed to replace the skylights. MA forwarded them a couple of proposals and put them in touch with each other.
• Cresent Painting will be happy to repair and repaint the ceiling on the top level of 107 for $550.00 (includes replacing the ceiling) We need to wait till the skylights are repaired before scheduling that job.

Roof Replacement
MA has received two roofing bids. Richard Roofing was the least costly by far, at $69,000.00. Two more bids are coming (from Eagle and Cappucio).  We are using Maurice Richard’s scope/spec.
DM proposes that the board considers using white rubber roofing.  It is supposed to be good at reflecting heat.  MA to request prices for this version as well.  The board asks that the spec is revised to include the repairs/replacement of the damaged roof decking--there should be an allowance for fixing the decking (the amount to be discussed with David Modica).

Repolishing Wood on the Front Doors
MA recieved bids for sanding and refinishing the front entrance doors.  Corinne pulled out bids from last year, and both companies would honor the prices.  (Vogt & Company - $7600 total, and Crescent Painitng—3^rd bid. $3500 total.)  The board eliminated Summer Painting.  DM will talk to Vogt & Company(the high end bid), and MA will talk to Crescent.

Renegotiate Insurance Deductible
Earthquake insurance will be included in the master policy.  No flood insurance, because we are not in the flood zone.  Item Complete.

Financials

Overdue unit owners have agreed to pay the balances before September 1.  MA to send reminders and let the board know when the payments arrive.

Miscellaneous

• The gate on Queensberry Street side was repaired again but whether or not it is a permanent fix remains to be seen.
• MA have sent a letter to unit 21B asking to remove the wires from the window. No answer has yet been received.  MA suggests a legal letter sent via certified mail.  The board requests MA to send another letter to 21B and give them a deadline to remove the wires.  After the deadline, the unit owner will be subject to fines. 
• Wires in a 107 1^st floor unit.  MA to send a letter.
• The board requests that no hard copies of the financials and bills be made.  The board will review them electronically. 
• MA to find out if there is a new requirement (from state? from insurance companies?) about oil tanks. 
• The iron fence on the Queensberry Street side is severely rusted.

These minutes are written to Yelena’s best recollection. Please notify her of any discrepancies immediately.

April 20, 2010, Meeting

Attending:

Corinne Getchell (MA) --Modica Associates

Yelena Chigirinskaya (YC) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Douglas McClennen (DM) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Bill Gentz (BG) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Ning Hernandez (NH) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Distribute to:

David Sherf (DS) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

107 Mail Room for general information111 Mail Room for general information

Window Replacement
MA sent the letter and gave Hadco 30 days to reply. If there is no response, the next step would be for David to send a letter to Hadco.

Bad Smell in 107
The smell has returned in 107 (see email from 4/15). The smoke test will be performed to determine where the sewage smell comes from and how bad the damage might be. Smoke test is currently scheduled for Thursday if the city sewage lines are cleared by then on the corner of Queensberry and Jersey Streets.

107 Laundry Room Floor
On hold until the smoke test is done.

Landscaping
The board met with Rick Malkasian (of Rick Malkasian Gardens—the company that has been doing our landscaping so far) to discuss improving the plantings around the building. The board decided to ask Malkasian to work with $1000 (total, labor inclusive) to add plantings and improve the landscaping with the following specific requests: 1) no arbovitaes, 2) add approximately $100 worth of annuals in locations Malkasian sees fit. The board would like this landscaping work to begin right away.

The board also discussed the linden tree (city tree) near 111 Jersey entrance with MA and Malkasian. (Some of the tree branches are growing into the fire escape of 111, and thus may be a fire hazard.) MA will find out the price for cutting down the branch closest to the building. MA will also find out the price for spraying the Jersey side linden tree and another linden tree (also a city tree) on Queensberry side of the building. MA will also find out if we need city permission to cut down branch and/or spray these city trees.

Terrazzo Sidearms Need Repairs
Chicarelli will not do the work. MA will talk to B&M Restoration about cost for applying partial fix.

Water Damage/Leaks Due to the March 15 Storm
Contractors fixed the problem with the damaged door of 107-19 (put in the new beam), and found no structural damage. DM did not like the quality of these contractors’ work. (They were Wolf Rock Construction).

Roof repairs (excluding skylights) to take place tomorrow. (A skylight is the owner’s responsibility. Skylight in 107-18 failed a long time ago and was sealed incorrectly. This improper seal now increased the effects of the leak. (Both skylights in 107-18 and in 107-19 are old. The skylight in 107-19 has been patched, but its seal was done correctly as opposed to the one in 107-18.)

MA to notify unit owners that skylights need to be replaced, and give them 60 days to do it. 107-18 and 107-19 both need higher curbs and/or better curbs. MA to ask them to present specs for the work before the work is done to protect the common areas. The board will review the specs promptly (within 3 business days) not to hold up the work.

The board questioned why the improper seal was not discovered earlier and proposed to add inspection of all skylights to our yearly roof inspection. MA stated that the skylights are already being inspected as part of the roof inspection.

The 107 door to the roof has wood with sealant on it, and the sealant is failing. The door needs to be resealed. Currently, resealing the door is not included in the quote from the roofer for fixing up the leaks in the roof. MA will ask roofers to fix the door as well (and hopes that it will be at no additional charge).

The ceiling in the common area will stay open until another big rain storm to make sure that the roof patches are holding up. MA to ask unit occupants in the nearby units to keep an eye out for any new leaks.

MA to start asking for estimates to replace the roof.

Repolishing Wood on the Fronnt Doors
On hold.

Renegotiate Insurance Deductible
Our insurance policy will be renewed in August. Can we renegotiate the deductible down to $5K for the common areas. The board thinks that while the deductible of $15,000 is appropriate for individual units, it is hard to manage for the common areas.

Move In Fees
In the efforts of raising income for the association, the board decided to increase the move-in fee for all owners. Starting on June 1st, the move-in fee will be $150 as opposed to $50 (currently).

Miscellaneous

• The board will consider being approved for a line of credit so that when we are ready to do the work, we can proceed even if we do not have enough cash in the reserves.
• MA has sent the letter to the 111-11 owners about the AC unit being installed too early in the year.
• MA to check if there is any money from the city available for dealing with the building settling due to the ground water issues, (when MA calls the city about permission to treat and trim the city trees around the property).

These minutes are written to Yelena’s best recollection. Please notify her of any discrepancies immediately.

March 16 Meeting

Attending:

Corinne Getchell (MA) --Modica Associates

Yelena Chigirinskaya (YC) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Douglas McClennen (DM) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
Bill Gentz (BG) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Ning Hernandez (NH) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Distribute to:

David Sherf (DS) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
107 Mail Room for general information
111 Mail Room for general information

Second Means of Egress
Item complete.

Window Replacement
The unit (111-2) has the correct panning. MA to send another letter to Hadco to demand the rest of our money. What can we do to prevent this situation from happening in the future? --In the future we will only reimburse owners for window panning once the work is complete and the panning is to spec.

107 Laundry Room Floor
We had bids from multiple places: Vogt & Company (wood floor), and Capuccio Construction (bid for mud floor after we provided the spec, recommended by Dave Modica).

Capuccio Construction bid included adding a layer of concrete onto the foundation, tile on top of that (as opposed to laying tile on an elevated floor), as well as removing the wall behind the washing machine, and replacing it with a water resistant green dry wall. When the wall is removed, Dave Modica and the plumber will inspect the plumbing and electrical hook ups behind that wall.

MA to request a reference for Capuccio before the next meeting.

Consider moving the vent such that the hot air does not blow on the Emerald Arborvitae.

Deformation Monitoring Points (DMPs)
The board wants to have all the DMPs checked this year (both the new and the old ones), and afterwards the board wants to have all the DMPs checked every two years. Item complete.

Torn carpet in basement
A patch was added. Item complete.

Landscaping
Malkasian provided a bid for mulching ($800) and for maintance ($1320), which is in our budget. Beyond maintenance, no landscape improvements can be made right now because the association has no money. The board will meet with the landscaper in April to decide what new plantings to make so that the landscaping work can start once the funds become available.

Terrazzo Sidearms Need Repairs
MA needs to find companies that do casting within 6 months. DM suggests to make a simple repair for now just so that there is no big gash. Might get a year out of the patch. In 2001 it was about $20,000 to do both buildings side arms. For the patch, it will be impossible to get the same aggregate. MA to get a price from a mason for the patch.

Water Damage/Leaks Due to the March 15 Storm
Multiple units have water damage from leaks from 3/15/2010 Noreaster. Units involved are 107-5, 107-10, 107-15, 107-18. Another unit in 107 has damage around the door (unit 107-?). The side of the door this unit is sheared, so there is possible serious structural damage. The contractors were working on it on 3/16/2010 already. They should take out a part of the wall above the unit door to see if there is more structural damage. MA will do the walk through with a mason and the roofer to assess the damage and to determine the cost to fix, and to see if the cost to fix will be over $15,000.

Repolishing Wood on the Front Doors
Polishing the front doors (note that this is not the same as restoring the lobby) has been put on hold due to low cash flow. Modica has previously received several bids for this work. One high end bid was for ~$3600 per door; another bid from Summer Painting was ~$850 per door.

Miscellaneous:

• A work order for the lentil sitting in courtyard was issued to be moved to the boiler room. Please let MA know if the lentil is still in the courtyard.
  Lentil is still in the courtyard.
• 111-11 has a AC unit that is in too early. MA to send a letter to the owner.
• MA to check if there is any money from the city available for dealing with the building settling due to the ground water issues.

Agenda for April:

• Brainstorm the capitol repairs. Wish list for the capitol repairs to be done by June.
• Brainstorm ways to raise income for the association (e.g. increasing fine fees, etc.)

These minutes are written to Yelena’s best recollection. Please notify her of any discrepancies immediately.

Status Update Since September

Distribute to:

Corinne Getchell (MA) --Modica Associates
Yelena Chigirinskaya (YC) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
Douglas McClennen (DM) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust Bill Gentz (BG) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
Ning Hernandez (NH) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

David Sherf (DS) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
107 Mail Room for general information
111 Mail Room for general information

Second Means of Egress
Same.

Window Replacement
Hadco paid $375 of $825 deposit they took for panning, $150 per each window, 3 in total, and that was cost to Hadco. So the refunded was $375. MA does not think that we are going to get anymore money from them. What does the association want to do?

107 Laundry Room Floor
The board and MA exchanged many emails about what the specs for the work should include, and what a reasonable price for the work might be relative to what a contractor is proposing. The latest info to be discussed during the next trustees' meeting.

Deformation Monitoring Points (DMPs)
MA checked with Dave Modica and he suggested checking every two years with the existing DMPs and every year for the new ones. However if new construction is going to continue on Boylston, the board may want the existing DMPs to be checked sooner.

2008 Financials
The financials on the masonry project costs were mailed out to the owners in January. Item complete.

Torn carpet in basement
Same.

Landscaping
Moving the vent would be tied in with fixing up the 107 Laundry room. At that point, it would be investigated if vent can be moved or positioned such that it still vents properly but avoids blowing on the Emerald Arborvitae.


111 Laundry Sink Tap Is Leaking
Item complete.



Terrazzo Sidearms Need Repairs
The work cannot be performed during colder temperatures. MA did have Chicarelli look at them. Chicarelli needs spec #’s of casting finish. MA not sure if DePaoli will respond as Assoc. did not pay in full for work as Board was not satisfied with the work. MA to contact DePaoli to see if will provide any info.



Miscellaneous:

• A work order for the lentil sitting in courtyard was issued to be moved to the boiler room. Please let MA know if the lentil is still in the courtyard.
• 107 Outdoor glass has been replaced. Item complete.
• Front doors polishing is put on hold due to low cash flow.

These minutes are written to Yelena’s best recollection. Please notify her of any discrepancies immediately.

September 15 Meeting

Attending:

Corinne Getchell (MA) --Modica Associates

Yelena Chigirinskaya (YC) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Douglas McClennen (DM) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
Bill Gentz (BG) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

Distribute to:

Kristen Lipstreuer (KL) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust

David Sherf (DS) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
107 Mail Room for general information
111 Mail Room for general information

Second Means of Egress
Logan Grates has been given the go ahead and is in the process of making the grates. They will be in touch with MA when the grates are ready for installation.

Window Replacement
MA sent another letter to Hadco Window and Door on 9/3, but has not had a reply.

107 Laundry Room Floor
Vogt & Company (the carpentor/vendor whose proposal the association is considering) warns that roll-out/linoleum type floor is pourous, and if there are leaks, the floor maybe severely damaged or destroyed. The carpenter discussed the issue with Dave Modica, and both recommend installing tiled floor. DM estimates that the price difference between tile and linoleum may be over $1000, and the linoleum floor should last for several years. MA to get an estimate on both tile floor and linoleum floor to see what the actual cost may be and what the actual difference in price is. Plumbing is to be inspected when the floor is removed. DM requests that the material to be used for the subfloor is specified in the proposal.

Deformation Monitoring Points (DMPs)
Work has been completed. MA has the report, and the board has reviewed it. MA to ask David Modica to determine when the next time should be for checking the DMPs--two years, or possibly 6 months/1 year for the new DMPs.

2008 Financials
DM would like the cash flow report, sent out to the owners, to show clearly why the association experienced the net loss even though the income from the temporary fee increase collected more money than required for the masonry repairs. DM will email the changes to MA, and MA will mail the information to the owners.


Jim, BG and Corinne will work together to correct the 2009 cash flow report, but will not hold up the mailing to the owners for that.

Torn carpet in basement
Same.

Landscaping
The proposal has been submitted to MA for the board to review. Currently, one Emerald Arborvitae plant in front of the 107 laundry vent is not healthy, probably due to vent, so replacing it, as the proposal suggests, will not resolve the issue. MA to ask the landscaper how that problem can be resolved.


The cost of the materials and labor proposed is $2000. Due to lack of finances to do this work right now, MA to ask the landscaper if the work can be postponed till next spring.

111 Laundry Sink Tap Is Leaking
The threads on the tap are stripped, so the facet handles have to be replaced. Dave Modica estimates the cost to be $200-$250.

Terrazzo Sidearms Need Repairs
107 sidearms are crumbling and falling apart. 111 sidearms also have problems, but are not in as bad shape as 107.

Miscellaneous:

• Extra lentil sitting in the courtyard. MA to ask Chicorelli about it. It should probably not be left there, and should at least be moved down to the boiler room for safe storage.
• Outer door glass been broken in 107. The glass needs to be replaced.
• Front doors needs polish

These minutes are written to Yelena’s best recollection. Please notify her of any discrepancies immediately.

Entrance Lobbies

Suggestion to restore the front lobbies: replace the aluminum doors with wooden ones similar to the ones that were there originally; remove the wooden side panels.

Refinishing of Exterior Entry Doors

(11/29/01) BB requested a bid for sanding and refinishing the doors in place to compare to bid (remove and refinish off-site, $2,700)...

(3/19/02) Work on hold until front entry porticos are cleaned.

(8/27/02) Door refinishing to be completed in October (weather related timeline). MA to
schedule.

(10/22/02) MA to schedule work for this month.

(11/19/02) Window of weather opportunity has been missed. MA to schedule work for early
spring.

(03/16/2010) Polishing the front doors (note that this is not the same as restoring the lobby) has been put on hold due to low cash flow. Modica has previously received several bids for this work. One high end bid was for ~$3600 per door; another bid from Summer Painting was ~$850 per door.

(04/20/2010) On hold.

(08/17/2010) MA recieved bids for sanding and refinishing the front entrance doors. Corinne pulled out bids from last year, and both companies would honor the prices. (Vogt & Company - $7600 total, and Crescent Painitng—3rd bid. $3500 total.) The board eliminated Summer Painting. DM will talk to Vogt & Company(the high end bid), and MA will talk to Crescent.