October 2019
THE HOWARD BI-ANNUAL NEWSLETTER
October 2019
As summer comes to an end it’s that time of year to prepare for the change of temperature and what winter may bring. The Howard has had a very busy 2019 with the completion of the lobby and entrance renovations, the completion of the fencing, sidewalks and parking alleyway of the 99-32 building. After many seasons of construction and Local Law 11 we finally were free of scaffolding and able to bring our landscaping crew on board. We have a landscaper who will be taking care of our grounds all-year round. This year was our first year with blooms all over the grounds and next April we will be ready to take full advantage of spring and summer.
Now that the lobbies have been finished we want to remind everyone to adhere to moving policies in and out of the building as well as large delivery items in elevators. Also, a gentle reminder to be more mindful of banging into walls, mirrors and corners of the lobbies with shopping carts, baby-strollers wheelchairs and scooters so we can preserve the newly renovated lobbies and finishes.
This summer all of you should have gotten the revised house rules, pet policies, contact sheet and emergency info form. If you did not receive it please let Keifer Rowley our new assistant property manager know and she will make sure you get a copy. If you have not returned your emergency info form to the maintenance office please do so by the end of the year. The board and FirstService Residential are constantly trying to improve service for our shareholders and residents. We have been learning a lot from our shareholders who have stop by with concerns, questions and problems. Part of that is finding the right team members and staff for the Howard. We have gone through FSR staff changes as we searched for the right person/s for the job. We finally have full time property manager coverage in the maintenance office. We welcome our new Assistant Property Manager Keifer Rowley and our Property Manager Shayna Frederick. Their contact information and hours are as follows:
The Assistant Property Manager, Keifer Rowley can be reached at:
718-943-9292(direct) Onsite Office Hours: Monday 9.00AM – 5.00PM
718-997-7557 (site office) Wednesday 10.30AM – 6.30PM
keifer.rowley@fsresidential.com
The Senior Property Manager, Shayna Frederick can be reached at:
718-943-9283 (direct) Onsite Office Hours: Wednesday 10.30AM – 6.30PM
shayna.frederick@fsresidential.com Friday 8.00AM – 4.00PM
ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
The annual Shareholders meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 in the evening. Signs will be posted to remind shareholders to attend and notice of meeting and ballots will be arriving by mail shortly. If you cannot attend please make your best effort to at least vote. Voting is an important tool to have your voice heard by the board of directors. It gives the board a mandate for decisions that they need to make throughout the year as they represent you the shareholder. PLEASE VOTE. If you cannot attend you have the option to mail your ballot or you can drop off your ballot to the maintenance office to Keifer or send it with your proxy with another shareholder that will be attending.
GENERAL REMINDERS
Air Conditioners: As a reminder, per NYC Mandate all air conditioners must be installed with an AC Bracket. You can reach out to the superintendent directly in regards to the proper size(s) needed and any questions related to installation. For those that remove their AC units seasonally and do not have an AC bracket currently installed, we advise that the bracket be installed prior to reinstallation of your AC unit.
Heating Season: As heating season is upon us, please notify the superintendent or assistant property manager of any radiator leaks.
Parking Availability: There are currently no parking spaces available for rent, if you are interested in renting a space contact the maintenance office each month. Parking spots open up at the end of each month so check around the 29th, and 30th of each month.
Also, we will be implementing late fees for everyone who rents parking spots. This is necessary because we’ve had an increase of late payments. This should encourage renters to pay their fee on time. Parking arrears will make you subject to be booted.
Garbage Areas: While there has been some improvement in how shareholders/tenants are bringing down their trash we still have some individuals that are not following the rules we have set. Since we have covered this in our last newsletter and in our House Rules we cannot excuse these individuals. We will begin to identify these violators and begin to access fines on to their maintenance.
YOU MUST BREAKDOWN ALL BOXES THAT YOU BRING TO THE GROUND FLOOR TRASH AREA.
DO NOT LEAVE BOXES AND TRASH ON THE FLOOR.
We are going to try a new system for recyclable glass, plastic and metal bottles and cans in the 99-32 building only, since that building has a smaller trash area. Blue recycling receptacles will be located on each floor in the trash chute closets. Please only place recyclable items in these blue receptacles. Make sure that bottles, containers and cans have been rinsed out as require by the recycling law. Leaving liquids and food on these items will attract roaches and mice so please follow these recycling rules. All other building should continue to bring down their recyclables to ground floor trash area within their buildings.
Laundry Room Carts: We continue to get complaints that laundry room carts are being removed by people moving their laundry, groceries and other items up to their apartments. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE LAUNDRY CARTS FROM THE LAUNDRY ROOM FOR ANY REASON.
HEATING SEASON
Buildings must provide heat during the “Hearting Season” which is October 1st through May 31st under the following conditions.
Day: Between the hours of 6:00 am and 10:00 pm, if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees. The inside temperature is required to be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Night: Between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, the inside temperature is required to be at least 62 degrees Fahrenheit.
HOWARD PETS & OWNERS
As per the house rules all pets need to be registered with the maintenance office. Please register your pet ASAP. The most important part of registration is so that in case of emergency we make sure your pet is safe. We are a pet friendly community and consider our pet family members so their safety and being able to account for them in emergency situation is important.
We are also reminding our dog owners to please clean up after your dogs. This past year the sidewalks have been filthy with dog feces and it has been frustrating to keep our sidewalks clean. If we have to do more power cleaning because owners are not picking up after their dogs we end up wasting more water to clean the sidewalks. Sometimes we forget that water is not free. We pay for water so picking up after your dog saves money.
NEW SMOKE/CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
The law requires that all units have one or more approved and working smoke/carbon monoxide detectors per floor. In the past we have given them out for free but we are upgrading to detectors that last 10 years and have internal batteries that do not need to be replaced every year. Shareholders of each unit are responsible for the maintenance and repairs of these detectors. PLEASE CHECK YOUR CURRENT DETECTORS. If you find that your detector is not working you are in violation of the law and are not protected in case of a fire. Notify Tony in the maintenance office. There will be a chargeback of $45.00 to install and/or replace old devices in your unit. YOU MUST COMPLY WITH THE LAW. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. All units will require 1 detector with the exception of unit G, L, V and Z which will require 2. Detectors will be billed to your unit maintenance the month following an installation.
HALLOWEEN AT THE HOWARD (Thursday, October 31st)
Yes, it’s that time of the year when the Howard Witch comes out for Hallows Eve. Halloween is a special time for children. It is a night of fun dressing up in costumes and visiting neighbor’s to score yummy goodies. As we have done in the past we will make door tags available for those of you that want to participate in the fun. If you are open to having children ring your bell for Halloween please hang the door tag on the front of your door or on the doorknob. Door tags will be located by the mailboxes or in the maintenance office for 10 days before Halloween.
The Howard witch Elsibeth will make an appearance and will be giving out goodies and available for photographs from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the front lawn of the 99-32 building. The secret password is “BOO”.
A happy and safe Halloween to all.
A Happy Thanksgiving to All