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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

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