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This might be an unusual post. I am President of a Co-op in the Inwood area built in the 1950's. Each unit has 45 amps coming up from the basement (we are sub-metered) in three buildings (111 units total). It will cost us a fortune to have ConEd bring more power in from the street.
In my opinion, the real obstacle are the 15 amp fuses or circuit breakers in the units that, as one may imagine, blow rather frequently, especially with new appliances (even energy*star ones). This fixed circuitry seems like an artificial boundary to a modern, active lifestyle. I am not trying to get around the protection that fuses and circuit breakers offer – just the limitations of fixed circuitry.
Does anyone know of any ‘smart home distribution systems’ (my terminology) that would allow all of the outlets in the unit access to the power system (full 45 amps) without any pesky circuit breakers in the way. That way, if we wanted to run a dishwasher and microwave at the same time, we could.
Would anyone have any thoughts?
Our issue is as follows: The sponsor is also our managing agent of a co-op in Riverdale. I am the last sale for the sponsor 2007. Upon joining the board the residential shareholders have really stepped up their game and are making changes, improvements, and driving forward a building that was at the sole mercy of the sponsor with 60% of outstanding shares (building went co-op84) with more patching and less infrastructure work.
This month we informed the sponsor of our plans to hire and engineer for a physical survey, conduct a NYSERDA audit, and implement a storage room, and garage upgrade.
We were making real progress changes like saving money in the reserve fund, making infrastructure improvements vs. patching etc – real change is hard to find.
Today - The agent has informed us we can no longer receive any cash report, rent rolls, or even advise who didn’t pay their prior month’s maintenance or any financial reporting until the third Friday of each month – this will slow us down and reduce our planning position – we like to reconcile internal books vs. the agent and ensure our cash flow can meet our set targets, money has been deposited into reserve, and bills paid correctly. – Yes they comingle our funds with other buildings.
Is this normal? Please tell me your managing agent and how long it takes to receive the monthly financial reporting?
We have come so far, and need a good comparison to escalate the issue.
Thank You all for any comments.
After the shareholders vote to amend the by-laws, do the changed by-laws have to be filed with the state attorney general's office?
Are there any significant expenses involved with changing by-laws - e.g. attorney fees, filing fees?
How many coops out there use cumulative voting for your board elections? I was advised by an attorney today that it may have been originally implemented to prevent the sponsor from controlling elections. However, now that the sponsor only has about a third of the shares, it may no longer be in the coop's interest to use cumulative voting. Any advice on this?
This was handed out to all residents.. it is a good example.
Date: 29 July 2009
Bedbug Emergency
As you may have heard, we have a number of apartments with bedbugs. Please read this carefully so
you know what is going on. We need everyone’s help if we are going to eradicate this problem.
History
From 2006 through 2008 there were three incidents in the building, all professionally treated. We had
two incidents earlier in the year, and now have over fifteen apartments reporting bedbugs, most in the
last few weeks. The bedbugs appear to have spread vertically and horizontally.
What Are Bedbugs?
Bedbugs are small brown insects that typically bite during the night, leaving small itchy red welts.
They do not pass disease, and there is no danger from the bites, although they are annoying. A few
people are insensitive to the bites, and may not notice them at all. Here are pictures of a bedbug, and
the bites.
Bedbugs can be hard to treat, because they travel from apartment to apartment in the walls., and by
latching on to people’s clothing.
What Are We Doing About It?
We have hired specialists to come in and test for the presence of bedbugs, and treat those apartments
that have them. We are closely watching how this spreads through the building. We may ask to inspect
some non-infested apartments if it looks like they are at risk. If you want to know the latest on the
bedbug problem in the building, call Aramis or any Board member – their contact information is at the
end of this letter.
What Should You Do if You Think You Have Bedbugs? Cal; the super.
He will schedule an inspection of your apartment, and treatment if it needs it. Do not delay – bedbugs
multiply rapidly, so any delay makes the problem worse for you and your neighbors.
How is the Inspection Done?
The inspection company brings in a dog that sniffs for the bedbugs. This takes just a few minutes. If
you are allergic to, or afraid of dogs, let Aramis know, and he will work out a way to get your
inspection done.
How is the Treatment Done?
The treatment companies use either steam or freezing, plus a variety of powders and sprays to kill
bedbugs in the walls. They seal your mattresses and boxsprings in tight covers that you leave on for at
least a year. The chemicals dissipate completely a couple hours after the treatment, so there is nothing
left in your apartment that can harm you, your children, your pets, or your plants. There is a follow-up
treatment two weeks afterward.
You must wash all your clothing – yes all of it – in hot water and a hot dryer, or send it out for dry
cleaning.
As treatment covers your entire apartment, it helps a lot if you can de-clutter the apartment
beforehand. The Super will send you detailed instructions when he schedules your apartment for
treatment.
What Does It Cost?
Nothing. The co-op pays for all inspections and treatments.
How Do You Treat the Bites?
Normally, the bites itch for about a week, and gradually go away. Cortisone cream can reduce the
itching. Some people report a mild allergic reaction, with puffiness or swelling of the skin around the
bites, and anti-allergy medicines, such as Benadryl, can help with this. Of course, check with your
doctor first, especially if you are thinking about medicines for your children.
Can You Treat Your Apartment Yourself?
There are products on the market that claim to be effective, but we urge you to report any bedbugs to
the Super and let the building do the inspection and treatment. Bedbugs travel from apartment to
apartment. If you use a treatment that is not effective, you may end up making your problem worse,
and the building’s problem worse as well.
What Else Do You Need to Know?
If you suspect bedbugs in your apartment, take care not to spread the problem to your neighbors.
Here’s how:
• If you need to remove any furniture or clothing from your apartment, call the Super and he
and our staff will help you do it.
• Do not put any furniture or clothing out in the hallway.
• Anything you remove from your apartment, such as trash, old clothing, papers, etc., must
be in tightly sealed bags.
• Call the super who will supply you with heavy-duty clear plastic bags to encase anything
you need to remove from your apartment.
• Also use the bags to encase any clothing you cannot wash before your apartment is treated,
and use fresh clean bags to encase clothing you have washed.
• Do not reuse the bags for anything! Once you have used the bags, let the Super know, and the
building staff will remove the bags from your apartment.
• If you are returning from a trip, check your luggage for hitchikers.
Interested about hearing about your installation.
Has anyone recently replaced their sidewalk? If you had a positiver experience, can you please identify the company and your address.
Has anyone installed LED bulbs in their building. If so, please share your experience.
Has anyone recently renovated their laundry room. What type of machines did you use and what company did the work? Not interested in any negative comments about laundry Co.'s
our building has a storage area and the house rules say the coop is not responsible for items. HOWEVER, recently, they put a lock on the door accessing this area. I believe that the fact the coop now has placed a lock there - that this may change who is responsible for any vandelism /damages to the items despite the house rules.
anyone?
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Why don't you get Con Edison to upgrade your electrical supply? It is going to cost you even more down the road! You should start putting funds on the side for this capital project. Sooner or later you are going to have to bite the bullet on this!
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