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What are your thoughts on board members at times touching/fiddling with co-op wiring and boiler rooms? I found out a few do that (not sure why when we have plenty of vendors that can do that and that’s not why they’re on the board) but to me should something go wrong and they don’t use a licensed/insurance vendor and/or to me overstep on the Super’s role the co-op would be liable.
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Marty - I fully agree with every point you made, and thought of one more that may be the most insidious of all - whoever is doing the fiddling is trying to illegally tap off the electrical and boiler lines to obtain the service for free. Like giving a neighbor your streaming passwords so they can use the service without paying.
I seem to remember a building blowing up in Manhattan or the Bronx because the super was trying to tap into the gas line for whatever reason. Take as many photos as you can of the area in question to document the work being done and any damage the work causes.
Thank you both for your thoughts.
Even if they’re licensed when they worked they’re not on the board for that and we have plenty of money for a contractor or Super to handle any and/or repairs. That’s why we pay a lot of maintenance. I don’t pay all that maintenance for Mickey Mouse work besides that it’s beyond dangerous should something go wrong.
And yes you’re correct about the building in NYC and those involved were charged.
Pooh - Steven's point of illegally tapping for electricity and gas is an excellent one.
A question for you...Are gas and electric included in your maintenance? If not, then Steven's theory becomes much more plausible.
If gas and electric ARE included in the maintenance, then the motives for doing this become much more murky. Why would they be doing this?
No gas and electric is not included.
I will find out why this is being done.
Pooh - Please keep us posted on this very important issue. Thanks.
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This is so wrong on so many levels. Of course, the co-op would be liable and exposed to all kinds of legal trouble if something bad were to happen as a result on unlicensed and unqualified Board members fiddling with potentially dangerous equipment.
The obvious question for you to ask it why are they doing this?
The answer is always "follow the money." Is the Board trying to save money by turning down the heat? Why would the Board be fiddling with the wiring? Is there something wrong with the wiring?
Or are they doing something with the wiring to save money or perhaps the wiring is not up to code and the Board's trying to avoid issues with that problem. If so, get an electrician in there to find out.
You should be asking the Board directly about this situation if you have absolute proof that what you'e claiming is true. If it's true, then you should contact building management and the co-op's attorney to put them on notice how dangerous this situation is for all shareholders.
Good luck and keep us posted.
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