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Sherri Hall

Got Flooding? What you Need to Know about Your Community’s Drainage Systems

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Proper drainage is an important part of every community. When drainage systems are not working properly, this can result in flooding which can lead to a number of other problems and can be very costly. According David Chesky, Executive Vice President of the Civil Engineering Division of Falcon Engineering with headquarters in Warren New Jersey, “poor drainage will lead to flooding, and if your retention ponds or detention basins aren’t maintained, it can also lead to flooding.”

In his experience, Chesky said that many instances related to poor drainage are a result of a lack of maintenance on stormwater systems where catch basins and pipes either failed or are filled with debris, preventing them from functioning as they should.

In addition, Chesky said that malfunctioning drainage systems will also cause flooding. “They’re all tied [Read more…] about Got Flooding? What you Need to Know about Your Community’s Drainage Systems

Attorneys, Engineers, Insurance Professionals — Know the Risks of Serving on Your Condo/HOA Board or a Committee

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If you hold a professional license, for example as a lawyer, architect, engineer, or insurance broker, is it a good idea to serve on your condominium or homeowner association board of directors? We spoke with Joel Meskin, Esq., CCAL, of McGowan Program Administrators, to find out what professionals need to know before doing so.

According to Meskin, when he has asked a licensed professional why they would like to sit on the board, their response is often “I need to make sure that my investment in my unit is being protected. Therefore, if I’m on the board and I’m close to those and part of those decisions, I can make sure they’re doing that.”

However, Meskin noted that serving on the board as a licensed professional can pose risks if that professional is using their expertise to make decisions on behalf of the board. [Read more…] about Attorneys, Engineers, Insurance Professionals — Know the Risks of Serving on Your Condo/HOA Board or a Committee

2022 Community Association Insurance Update — Changes on the way…

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As insurance companies are continually making changes to their coverages to stay current, it’s important for association board members and property managers to be aware of what those changes are and how they can impact their communities. 

According to Joel Meskin, Esq. , CCAL, of McGowan Program Administrators, the newest thing to impact the insurance industry has to do with latent infrastructure issues.

He said that although the issues themselves aren’t new, what is new is that such issues were not seriously thought about until now, especially in light of the recent collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Florida. [Read more…] about 2022 Community Association Insurance Update — Changes on the way…

Parking Garages: Warning Signs, Maintenance, and Repairs

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By Sherri Hall

A parking garage can be a great convenience to a community’s residents. In fact, many may become so accustomed to having one, they might not really give it much thought. However, according to Scott Baryiewski of South Shore Construction in Roselle, New Jersey, it’s important for an association to keep parking garages included in their maintenance plans. Left neglected, a slew of problems can occur, some of which may lead to the need for costly repairs and lengthy repair projects. [Read more…] about Parking Garages: Warning Signs, Maintenance, and Repairs

Installing UV Lights in Air Ducts — 
Will it Kill the COVID-19 Virus?

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By Sherri Hall

With information on the COVID-19 virus and how it spreads constantly being revised, many people who live in community settings are concerned and want to be sure their associations are taking the steps necessary to keep residents and staff safe. This is especially true for those living in a high-rise community where air ducts are shared throughout the building. [Read more…] about Installing UV Lights in Air Ducts — 
Will it Kill the COVID-19 Virus?

The Importance of Customer Service in Community Associations

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By Sherri Hall

It’s no secret that customer service is an essential part of any industry.  This, of course, includes the community association industry where customer service is a high priority for property managers and management companies. But who are the customers in this industry?
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Excess Reserves – Is it Possible to Have Too Much? Amenity Closures and Project Delays Due to Coronavirus Could Put Some Associations in This Situation

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By  Sherri Hall

Oftentimes, associations find themselves faced with the task of imposing a special assessment to take care of an emergency item that wasn’t budgeted for in the reserve fund. But what if the reserve fund did have enough to cover the cost of the unexpected repairs because it just so happened to be overfunded? How can an association even find itself in such a position with an excess reserve fund? 

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How, When and Why a Manager Should Recommend a New Vendor

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By Sherri Hall

Here’s a familiar scenario, not new by any means, but none the less an issue managers deal with frequently. The association you’ve been the manager for during past two years has had the same landscaping company since you came on board. The current board members have been in their positions before you became the manager at the community. However,  there are a few new board members who have been complaining about several issues with the landscape maintenance in the community. The longer serving board members have become very friendly with the landscaper – and it has been noticed the landscaping crews take time trimming the shrubs in those board members beds, which is not part of the contract. Meanwhile, the newer board members have also noticed leaves go uncollected in parts of the community,  some brown spots are appearing on common area lawns go untreated, weeds are not attended to in as timely a fashion as they should, all which are part of the current landscaping contract. As a manager, how should this issue be handled? Is recommending putting the landscaping contract out for bid the best solution? Will the longer standing board members hold it against the manager if they recommend leaving a beloved vendor who is not acting within their contract? What is a manager to do? We spoke with Denise Becker, PCAM, Regional Manager with Corner Property Management, to gain some insight on the subject. 

[Read more…] about How, When and Why a Manager Should Recommend a New Vendor