Articles

By Sherri Hall:

The idea of having a community garden, one in which a group of people care for collectively, is becoming a trend throughout the United States. [Read more…] about Is a Community Garden Right for your Association? What you Need to Know.

Everyone who lives in a condominium or homeowner association knows that board meetings are no picnic. They can be confusing, loud and even get a little heated. However, some people may not know that the board also meets privately in executive session. Although this may seem secretive, it is necessary to keep the board, and board meetings running smoothly and it is necessary for certain legal reasons. [Read more…] about Behind Closed Doors – 
Executive Session Explained

Going green is definitely a topic that community associations are discussing these days. But as with most improvements, there is a cost involved. Weighing the benefits against the learning curve of new technology and the financial burden of taking the leap can be a daunting task. So to explain some of the options that associations have when it comes to going green, Mitch Frumkin, president and founder of Kipcon Engineering headquartered in North Brunswick, New Jersey, with offices in Pennsylvania and New York, answered some questions about what it takes to make the switch. [Read more…] about It’s Getting Easier Being Green

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?

Community associations are constantly addressing concerns about potential crime within their neighborhoods and looking for greater peace of mind. By being on the forefront of technology, the marketplace has provided a viable product which can provide communities with camera devices that capture evidence, so police have the essential information to address crimes. To learn more about such technology, we spoke with Josh Thomas from Flock Safety in Atlanta, Georgia.

[Read more…] about Technology Designed to Help Community Associations Solve Crimes 

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

Summer is way behind us. So goes the way water plays a role in our lives. Instead of longing to get to the beach, lake or pool, us folks in the Northeast have to bundle up and prepare for the icy battle to protect our homes against snow drifts, slippery sidewalks and ice damming.

[Read more…] about Tips for Getting Your Properties Through the Winter

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?