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.

Flowers

This weekend a few trustees combined their resourses and got together to plant a few flowers in front of our buildings.

July 20, 2010, Meeting

Attending:

Nancy (MA) --Modica Associates

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

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

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

Distribute to:

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

Window Replacement

Refund request resulted in Hadco (the window contractor) refusing to refund the final $500. (Hadco have refunded $350 to date.) Corinne had made the request again with a cc' to Modica's attorney. This did not yield a positive result. The board would like to ask David Sherf to send a letter to Hadco, asking to split the remaining $500 and return $250 to the association.

107 Laundry Room Floor

Same.

Bad Smell in 107

David Modica has been working hard to get this solved. Due to the recent weather, there has been no available manpower to do anything in recent weeks. David has been assured that as soon as possible, there will be another camera test which will investigate a different area.

Still waiting for the report from BW&S.

Doug thinks that there maybe cracks in the foundation or cracks in the sewage pipe. Doug proposes to cut away part of the ceiling in the laundry room where he thinks the pipe is, investigate if there are any cracks, and seal them with cement. Doing that might stop the smell. Doug thinks that the smell is trapped between the 1st floor and the basement ceiling. MA to discuss this solution with David Modica, confirm where the pipe is, and see if this can be done.

MA will repeat the request for the report from BW&S.

Bill has not detected the smell since BW&S has been on site.

JM Mechanical: David Modica has indicated that he does not believe we can get either of the two invoices reduced because the smoke tests were ordered, and the manpower utilized.

Landscaping

Modica had the tree branch cut. Doug thinks that the branch was not cut cleaning. MA to request to recut it cleanly.

David Modica spoke to Rick Malkasian regarding the overage on the landscaping budget. (The bill came for $1150, after the board asked Malkasian to work with $1000). He has agreed to honor the $1000 budget amount and will write off the overage. The board members will consider getting together and planting some annuals using their own resources.

Terrazzo Sidearms Need Repairs

Chiccarelli and Pires has been to the property and a price is forthcoming.

Water Damage/Leaks Due to the March 15 Storm

Letters were sent to unit owners of 107-18 and 107-19 (units with skylights that had leaks). Unit 107-18 has refused, and 107-19 has been sent 2 letters. MA will contact the 107-18 unit owner to find out the reasoning for his refusal. The board request that a deadline of 8/15 would be set to receive an answer.

Richard Roofing speced the work and created a proposal for the skylights work. The units can bring their own contractors in, as long as the board approves the work.

Roof Replacement

Richard Roofing has developed the scope for the roof replacement and it has been distributed to two other contractors, Eagle and Cappucio, for bidding. MA to send the scope out to the board.

Repolishing Wood on the Front Doors

Same.

Renegotiate Insurance Deductible

Paula Modica reports that the insurance company has visited and revalued all of the properties. There will be no earthquake or flood coverage but the good news is that increases will be negligible and we were able to negotiate replacement costs. The deductible will remain at $15,000. The board plans to talk to the agent during the next meeting.

Financials

Two units (111-16 and 111-20A) are behind in paying their maintenance fees. MA will let the board know how much each unit owes in late fees. The board will make a one time offer to the unit owners--the board will wave the late fees if all the maintenance fees are paid up by September 1st, 2010. MA to notify the two unit owners of the offer.

Miscellaneous

• Power Outage: The electric company had no reports of any outages on the dates in question (on 6/13 and 6/14) and advised calling when the outage occurs so that a source can be determined.
• Modica repaired the gate on Queensberry Street side.
• MA will check out the cord/antenna coming out of a 107 basement unit.
• The board reviewed the "Modica Cleaning Specifications for QCT" document, and discussed options of cutting down on janitorial services in order to cut down on costs. The board concluded that maintaining the cleanliness of the common areas is important enough to continue with the current levels of janitorial services. In turn MA will discuss the work with the janitor and will do a walk through the building with the janitor in order to improve quality.

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

Roof Replacement

(07/20/2010) Richard Roofing has developed the scope for the roof replacement and it has been distributed to two other contractors, Eagle and Cappucio, for bidding. MA to send the scope out to the board.

(08/17/2010) 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).

June 15, 2010, Meeting

Attending:

Nancy (MA) --Modica Associates

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

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

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

Distribute to:

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

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

107 Mail Room for general information

111 Mail Room for general information

Window Replacement

No money from HADCO. Is it time to request David (DS) to write a letter to Hadco?

107 Laundry Room Floor
Same.

Bad Smell in 107

BW&S was at the building yesterday and today with a full crew and a police detail. BW&S was able to pump down far enough to access our lines. BW&S performed a dye test and the dye came back into the BW&S lines; therefore, they were able to determine that the water is flowing from the buildings to the BW&S lines.

BW&S performed a camera test and saw no breaks in the lines. However, there may be a sag in one of our lines, so more investigation is needed. BW&S will gives us their full report.

Questions for Dave Modica

• When will the BW&S report become available, and would it be possible to get the report by the end of the week?
• Why did JMechanical charge the association twice?--$1840 and $1780

Landscaping
The plants for $1000 have been planted. Modica cut the branch on 111 Jersey Linden Tree. Stil waiting for updates on the Aphid treatment.

Later edit: After the meeting the board walked around the buildings and looked at the landscaping in front of the buildings. The board did not see any annuals planted. From April 20, 2010, meeting notes: "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."

Terrazzo Sidearms Need Repairs
Same. The sidearms still need repairs.

Water Damage/Leaks Due to the March 15 Storm
Waiting for status on the sky lights owners for fixing them. Status on the ceiling patches. MA to start getting roof bids for full replacement.

Repolishing Wood on the Fronnt Doors
Same. MA to bid sanding and polishing the front doors of 107 and 111.

Renegotiate Insurance Deductible
Same

Preparation to Renew the Laundry Contract
Besides looking into getting new type of machines, the board also would like to consider contracting a different vendor. Currently, our contract is with Automatic Laundry Services (ALS).

Miscellaneous

• Questions for Modica:
  • What was happening with the power outages during the night? (on 6/13 and 6/14)
  • What services are included in the Janitorial Work? Can the janitor the weeds/common area outside?
• The gate on Queensberry side does not close. The door also may need oiling.
• A basement unit in 107 on the back courtyard side has a cord coming out of the unit. Is this an antenna? The board is concerned that whatever it is, it is not legal.
• Line of credit

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

May 18, 2010, Meeting

Attending:

Corinne Getchell (MA) --Modica Associates

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

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

Distribute to:

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

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

107 Mail Room for general information

111 Mail Room for general information

Window Replacement
Modica has not heard back from HADCO yet.

107 Laundry Room Floor
Same.

Bad Smell in 107
The city attempted smoke test. However something is still blocking the drain. Board was given the phone number of Mike Ross, City council, to call and inquire about if BWSC can move on testing their own drain lines. Dave M indicated that the problem was likely to be on the BWSC lines. So the board will hold on hiring drain company to camera 107’s main drain line until BW&S can camera their sewer lines on the street. BW&S is to let Dave Modica know when they have camera their lines on the street. Dave Modica will continue to call BW&S to learn when their lines have been camera. The association has already paid $1,840 for plumbers to be there with no smoke coming into 107/111, so we want to be sure city does their end well this time.

Landscaping
Modica will cut down loose branch of the linden tree in front of 111 swinging in the garden, not the actual limb but the branch. Board will wait on hiring Arborway Tree to cut the limb for $330 to see if City will actually cut as Modica has been calling Parks Dept. to report a safety issue and City might be coming out to actually cut limb due to pressure Modica has been placing on City. Board voted to wait on city to cut the limb before paying Arborway to do it, pending whatever the cut-off date for treating for Aphids is. Modica to confirm with arborist what cut-off date is to treat for Aphids. Arborway’s price to cut limb is $330 and treat for Aphids is $210.

Terrazzo Sidearms Need Repairs
Modica may apply a patch until new long term solution is found.

Water Damage/Leaks Due to the March 15 Storm
Patches and lap sealant added per Doug's request. No leaks have been noticed since lap sealent applied. The ceiling will be kept open until next big storm. Also, possibility of new roof was brought up to make sure that the building is protected against this type of damage going forward.

Repolishing Wood on the Fronnt Doors
Same.

Renegotiate Insurance Deductible
Modica will continue to collect bids at the $5,000 and $15,000 deductible levels.

Move In Fees
Item complete.

Preparation to Renew the Laundry Contract
The board would like to investigate getting the "over-under" type machines to increase the number of machines in each laundry room.

Miscellaneous

• Line of credit is still on hold pending dire need. At this point there is no immediate need for a line of credit.
• Letter to 111-11 owners RE A/C: item complete
• MA checking on building settling reimbursement from city: no payments available to condo associations, item complete.

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

Preparation to Renew the Laundry Contract

(05/18/2010) The board would like to investigate getting the "over-under" type machines to increase the number of machines in each laundry room.

(06/15/2010) Besides looking into getting new type of machines, the board also would like to consider contracting a different vendor. Currently, our contract is with Automatic Laundry Services (ALS).