Thursday, August 1, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
OLD
BUSINESS
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
FINANCIAL
REVIEW
OLD
BUSINESS
Friday, March 9, 2012
Minutes of the Trustee Meeting
Queensberry Condominium Trust
February 21, 2012
Pursuant to the Article V. Section 5.9 of the By-Laws of Queensberry Condominium Trust, a special meeting in lieu of the annual meeting of unit owners was held on Tuesday, February 22, 2012, at 7:00PM at the offices of Boston Choice Properties, 125 Jersey Street, Boston, MA.
Those Present: Ning Hernandez 111-05, Sheryl Kelly 111-19, Jeff Schwarz 111-17 and David Sherf 111-12A, Trustees
Doug McClennan 107-10 & 107-15, Max Compagnon 107-111 (proxy Jeff Schwarz), Helen Chigrinskaya & John Hunter 111-06, & Richard Bettano 111-15, Unit Owners
Pamela Pendias , Modica Associates
18.9297% of the beneficial interest was present either in person or by proxy. Since a quorum was not present no formal business could be conducted. An informational meeting was held for those owners who were present.
Pam called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.
OLD BUSINESS
Owners were furnished with the balance sheet as of December 31, 2011, along with the bank reconciliation and bank statements reflecting $124 in the operating account and $83,181 in the reserve (savings) account. As of December 31, 2011, the association had $40,728 in aging payables. $35,283 of this amount is for capital items (to be paid out of the reserve account) as follows; Eagle Rivet, the roofing company is owed $24,200, Ranco is owed the sum of $8,333 for re-piping the boilers to accommodate burning gas in lieu of oil and $2,750 to line the chimney as required for the gas conversion.
For the most part the budget was accurate and condominium fee revenues are sufficient to meet operating expenses. Line items that were over budget include oil (due to increase in price $3.299 this year as compared to $2.699 locked in last year) snow removal (heavy record breaking snow accumulation last winter) and building insurance.
The roof has now been replaced. The trustees are holding $24,200 and are attempting to negotiate with the Contractor for time delays as well as moisture infiltration in two units in building 111. David Sherf, has been negotiating with the President of Eagle Rivet, Arthur Diaz, who agreed to accept $4,500 less to settle the matter. Since that time, they have had a change of heart and are now unwilling to sign the written agreement that they had verbally assented to. The association will remit final payment $19,700 in hopes that Eagle accepts the check and this will close the matter.
Last year the association renovated the laundry room in building 107 in connection with having to dig up and replace a broken drain line under the floor. The cost of the renovation was partially offset by building insurance. The doors to the roof have been replaced and are now equipped with magnetic closers. The front doors of both buildings were re-finished on the outside and a new gate was installed on the alley side of the building to enhance security. The ceiling on the top floor of building 107 was replaced and top floor ceilings re-painted following the roof replacement. Building 111 has received touch up paint throughout. The same will be done in Building 107 now that the boiler has been replaced and work in the basement and renovations in 4 and 8 have been completed.
Minutes of the Annual Meeting
2-21-12
NEW BUSINESS
Owners were furnished with the year end figures from last year as compared with the budget along with the operating budget for 2012. The budget will for the most part remain unchanged – there will be no increase in condo fees this year.
One of the heating boilers cracked and has since been replaced. A portion of the cost of replacing the boiler was paid for by building insurance which covers these costs.
The conversion from oil to gas has now been completed and both buildings are now being heated solely by gas. The association had to pay to bring in a new gas line, and the gas company provided “new” gas burners at no expense to the building. It is hoped and anticipated that the conversion will result in an overall reduction in heating costs.
The association has hired a new pest control company. The company services the building on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. In addition, they will treat individual units for mice and/or roaches at no added cost as long as the service is done at the same time as the service to the building.
The laundry equipment in both buildings is starting to fail. First the washer in building 107 was leaving puddles on the floor and now the same is also true in building 111. The trustees had been negotiating with Automatic Laundry to extend the contract. The laundry company was willing to pay the association $850 towards tiling the laundry room floor of 107 if the association agreed to a contract extension for another (7) years until 2021 in exchange for new laundry equipment and an increase in price from $1.25 to $1.50. The board decided against extending the contract. Automatic is now contending that they have the right, under the contract, to extend the contract if the equipment begins to fail. David Sherf will have a look at the contract and advise the board.
The next order of business was election of trustees. Bill Gentz, is stepping down from the board as he has moved out of state thus creating a vacancy on the board. The four incumbent trustees are seeking re-election. Since a quorum was not present, the incumbent trustees will appoint a successor to fill the vacancy.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted by:
Pamela Pendias
Modica Associates
For the Recording Secretary
Queensberry Condominium Trust
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Trustee Meeting December 19,2011
Minutes of the Trustee Meeting
Queensberry Condominium Trust
December 19, 2011
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, December 19, 2011, at 6:30PM at the offices of Boston Choice Properties,
Those Present: Ning Hernandez, Sheryl Kelly and Jeff Schwarz
Pamela Pendias , Modica Associates
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 PM.
OLD BUSINESS
An electronic version of the monthly financial report for November had been e-mailed to the trustees along with a “draft” budget for fiscal year 2012 that was up-dated with figures from the end of the month. The balance sheet at the end of November reflected $9. in the operating account and $83,174 in reserves. Assessment revenues have been deposited into the reserve account and disbursed as necessary. October was the last month of the $130,000 assessment. To date, $126,682 has been collected. The Three owners in arrears have been contacted and are paying monthly.
The first item of business was the status of the roof replacement project. The contractor is seeking payment for the balance due of $24,200. Last month the trustees agreed to release $30,000. The roof is now complete, and warranties have been received. Sheryl expressed her dissatisfaction with the interior finish of the skylights and believes the interior finish should be wood. Furthermore there is a possibility that the moisture infiltration in units 17 and 19 in Building 111 occurred during the course of the roof replacement project and the trustees would like to see some compensation for this as well as liquidated damages due to the untimely finish of the project.
Pam will follow up with David Sherf to determine whether he has had an opportunity to speak with the contractor and informing them of the overall dissatisfaction with the project. The painting contractor has now completed the touch up painting in the common areas in building 111 and ceiling outside 111-19 and the carpets have been cleaned.
Sheryl had some questions with respect to some of the expenses incurred last month. Pam stated that going forward, the trustees could be furnished with copies of all paid bills for the month. Pam to e-mail the trustees a copy of the electrical invoice for replacing two light fixtures, postage log, and invoice for janitorial supplies for the board to review. Pam stated that janitorial supplies typically include trash bags and light bulbs. Sheryl also requested a job description of the services the cleaner performs during each visit.
Brookline Lock installed the door sweeps on the exterior front doors. The trustees were not overly enthusiastic with the work. The door at 111 now binds and the sweep is in adequate at 107. Pam will speak to the contactor about what more can be done. Both doors have now been equipped with full length roton hinges to ensure they are closing properly.
Pam will follow up with the gas conversion that was targeted to be complete by the end of the year. The chimney has been lined and we are currently waiting for the gas burners that were ordered through the gas company at no charge to the building.
Minutes of the Trustee Meeting
12-19-11
Page Two
Although trustees signed an access agreement with RCN, no one in the building seems to know that there is an alternate cable provider. Pam attempt to reach William Maroney again and remind him of the need to distribute pamphlets to building residents informing them that there is an alternative cable provider.
NEW BUSINESS
The next item on the agenda was to review the “draft” operating budget for fiscal year 2012 that Pam had furnished the board to review. The operating budget does not call for any increase in condo fees. Year to-date the association has spent $13,640 for gas – although $17,000 was the line item for gas in the budget. Sheryl expressed some doubt as to whether the association would realize any significant cost savings as a result of the conversion. Currently the building uses gas to heat hot water and the (10) units in the basement. Converting to gas will result in an additional (37) units being heated by gas. Pam stated that she would review this with David Modica and report back to the trustees tomorrow. However there obviously were cost savings involved or the association would not have proceeded with the conversion. Pam stated that she hopes that all capital items the association had assessed for would be completed and paid between now and the end of the year. The Trustees deferred approving the budget as presented for further review.
Pam to follow up with Automatic Laundry regarding the washing machine leaking in the laundry room of building 107.
The board agreed to change pest control companies. The trustees voted to go with Heritage for Pest Control Services since they will treat (4) units at no additional cost. Pam will establish a fixed day and time each month and circulate a notice to all building residents advising them of this. Anyone having a problem will notify Pam at Modica and have their unit scheduled to be treated at the same time as the monthly visit
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted by:
Pamela Pendias
Modica Associates
For the Recording Secretary
Queensberry Condominium Trust
Monday, March 14, 2011
Notes from the Annual Owners' Meeting on February 15, 2011
Ning Hernandez (NH) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
Yelena Chigirinskaya (YC) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
Bill Gentz (BG) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
- Cash flow at the end of 2010
- Associations' reserve was grown to $23,00
- Revenue (e.g. condo fee income)
- Mandated that 10% of the annual budget is set aside in the reserve
- Expenses
- Manager fees - small but acceptable increase
- Utilities are the big expenses
- Question: What are we paying for oil?
- $2.699/gallon (capped). MA can provide a spreadsheet with the history of oil consumption and payment for the buildings
- Board is investigating converting to gas as a cost saving measure
- Question about efficiency of converting to gas?gas com
- Repaires
- Over budget because of the sewer leak outside
- Leaks in the common areas due to skylights and roof problems
- Building insurance
- Question: What does it cover?
- Catastrophic loss.
- $15,000 deductible total for both buildings
- Owners express concern that the insurance premium is too high for the deductible
- Assessment to replace the roof
- Question: Who establishes the operating budget?
- The board
- Some owners express concern about not being presented with bids and contracts reviewed and/or signed by the board
- Question: What is the timeline for replacing the ceiling in the common area?
- Will be replaced along with the roof, probably after the roof is replaced.
- Question: What will happen to the funds remaining from the roof replacement assessment?
- They will go to the reserves and other repairs.
- Upcoming projects:
- roof
- 107 laundry room
- pipe issues in the basement
- front doors
Friday, October 8, 2010
September 21, 2010, Meeting
Bill Gentz (BG) --Trustee, Queensberry Condominium Trust
107 Mail Room for general information
111 Mail Room for general information
Window Replacement
David Sherf will write the letter to Hadco. The board will wait for a month once DS sends the letter. After that we could send it to collections if deemed to be effective. If collections is successful, we would receive 66% of the $250.00.
107 Laundry Room Floor
David has been talking to Doug about the finding behind the walls of the laundry room.
- MA to let us know when the contract with the laundry provider renews
- MA to email the specs to the board, and then rebid with inclusion of the firewall.
- MA also to check status the bid from March 16.
Same
Landscaping
Item Complete.
Terrazzo Sidearms Need Repairs
MA to schedule the work with Chiccarelli & Pires ($1600). They will probably be available mid October.
Water Damage/Leaks Due to the March 15 Storm
Both units 107-18 and 107-19 had previously agreed to the skylight replacement, but the work has not been done yet. (107-19 is under agreement to sell, and there is a contingency in the P&S to replace the skylight.) The two units are doing the work together. MA expects that the work will be complete within the next couple of weeks. MA to let the board when skylight work is being scheduled. (DM would like to meet with the contractor before the work is started.)
MA scheduled Cresent Paint to come and repair the ceiling in the 107 common area on the top floor for 9/23/2010, because renters have been complaining about the hole in the ceiling. The board still wants to wait to fix the ceiling until work on the skylights is complete. MA to reschedule the work with Crescent Paint.
Roof Replacement
MA provided the board with the proposals for the installation of the white replacement roofing materials.
- US Roofing - $75,075 (the lowest)
- Maurice Richard - $78,000
Carlisle (makes the roofing material) has the best manufacturing warranty in the business. DM to check what the Carlisle specifications are (as the proposal states that the roofing will be installed per Carlisle specs).
The board discussed the pros and cons of white PVC roofing, particularly in a dense urban environment.
- The white roof reflects more light, and does not absorb as much heat as the traditional roofing
- Good in the summer
- Maybe not so good in the winter
- In an urban environment, the white roof would get dirty faster. (Once it is dirty, it is no longer as efficient as it is designed to be.
- The white roofing is most successful in the South and South West.
- The white roofing is most often used in an industrial setting, not for one building.
- Maurice Richard: you can paint a black roof white for the same effect. The downside is that you will have to repaint it.
- PVC is carcinogenic. If the white roof is installed, there will be no possibility of a roof deck.
We currently have a contractor spec, not an engineering spec. DM suggested that it would be helpful to have an engineering spec for the roof, to make sure that everything is done correctly, and nothing is missed. An engineering spec should cost no more than $4000. An engineering spec can be re-used indefinitely. With the engineering spec, we would need to re-bid the roof work. The board decided to consider getting the engineering spec for the roof. MA to obtain several bids for the engineering spec.
There is space under the roof deck. It is air space (ventilation). DM would like to know if we can increase roof insulation by using some of that space. MA to find out if an engineer can help us with the insulation--determine how to better insulate the roof.
The board would like to complete the work on the roof before next winter.
Repolishing Wood on the Front Doors
MA obtained 3 proposals for refinishing of the front entry doors.
- Cresent Painting - $3500
- Vogt & Company - $7600
- Brian J. Hernon - $4700
The 107 front entrance door does not close well and is jamming. Can it be fixed by putting in a continuous hinge. DM thinks that the problem with the door is the uneven floor. Also there is no sealing strip (weather strip) on the door. One possible fix might be to cut the door ~quarter of the inch and put a sweep under the door. Can a carpenter solve this problem? MA to ask Crescent to look at the door. DM will meet with them.
Financials
Unit owner of 111-20A paid maintanence through August, 2010. We waived the 2010 late fees as agreed.
Budget for 2011
Considerations when putting together the budget for next year:
- Assessment for the roof
- Consider making assessment bigger than the roof costs to replenish the reserve
Miscellaneous
- Queensberry Street gate is scheduled to be permanently repaired by Ninos Iron Works next week, and the work should cost ~$50
- Vagrants on the door steps: MA had issued a notice to the residents to encouraging them to contact the BPD Precinct Four whenever there is a problem with vagrants disturbing the peace outside of the building.
- Occasionally school kids smoke pot on the door steps. What can we do to discourage them?
- Unit 107-21B: The residents have no knowledge of the cable wires. So David Modica will remove the wires right away.
- Unit 107-2: MA to send a letter to the owners asking them to remove the wires by 10/31. Otherwise, the wires will be removed at the owners' expense.
- Oil tanks: we are grandfathered in.
- Iron fence on Queensberry Street side: the board decided to wait till spring to do the repairs.
- The faucet outside by 107 entrance is leaking and still needs to be fixed.
These minutes are written to Yelena’s best recollection. Please notify her of any discrepancies immediately.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
August 17, 2010, Meeting
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 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?
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.
Landscaping
- 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.
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—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.
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.
- 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 1st 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.