Alyssa Gautieri

By Alyssa Gautieri

Now that winter is behind us, many people may notice their roads have some extra bumps when driving or riding a bike through the roads in their communities. A pothole, which is a depression in road surface, in a parking lot or on side street can often lead to driving and biking accidents, and result in injuries within a community association. Potholes also tend to lower the curb appeal of a community association, so even the sight of a pothole is likely to cause angst and irritation among community members. [Read more…] about What Do We Do With These Potholes?
 Handling Potholes within Community Associations

Whether it is regarding finances discussed in a board meeting, an unethical board member or the specifics behind a majority vote, a board member does not have a legal or fiduciary responsibility to speak out or express their opinion on matters pertaining to the association, according to David Byrne, an attorney with Ansell, Grimm & Aaron, PC in Princeton, New Jersey, and Chairperson of the firm’s Community Association Law Group.

[Read more…] about Do Board Members Have a Fiduciary 
Responsibility to Express Their Opinion?

With many community associations being built within wooded areas, or on the sites of former farms, it seems that the presence of wildlife is more common within these communities. Some residents and managers see deer as a nuisance when they gobble up expensive landscaping, and foxes may instill a level of fear in those who unexpectedly come in close proximity to them, such as when taking out the trash or going to their mailbox.

[Read more…] about Bats, Deer, Foxes, and More: Managing Wildlife Issues Within Communities

Whether it’s due to a failure to work within their designated role, a pattern of inappropriate behavior, or a tendency of micromanaging, board members may overstep the boundaries that are expected of them. In the case where a board member’s malpractices interfere with the job of a manager, what authority does the manager have? Which actions may he or she take?

[Read more…] about Drawing the Line on Becoming a Micromanaged Manager

Whether it’s for a planned project or an unexpected repair, it has become increasingly popular for associations to borrow money to pay for capital repairs within a community. Associations fund their reserve accounts on an annual basis for future repairs based on reserve reports conducted by engineers. Reality, though, has a way of intruding into perfect scenarios, and many association boards and managers find themselves scrambling to find palatable funding options for capital projects and emergencies that arise from leaking pipes or extreme weather related events.

[Read more…] about Acquiring a Loan for Your Community Association

Whether it’s showing favoritism to a homeowner, being forceful in an unnecessary situation, or causing a disruption during a meeting, board members may create potentially inappropriate or unethical situations within a community association. In a situation where a board member is causing friction within a community, does the manager have an obligation to take action?

[Read more…] about What is a Manager’s Role in Creating a Healthy Environment Within an Association?