2011 December
2011 December Vol. 9, No.12
Focus on...Safety & Security
True Crime
While the vast majority of cities across the country report declining crime
statistics, the fact remains that crime still does happen sometimes—even in the quietest, most affluent communities. Prevention is the best form of
crime reduction, and part of the prevention process is knowing how crimes occur
in the first place. Knowing the circumstances and outcome of a fellow
association's experience can help a board/management team be on the lookout for
similar situations in their own community.
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Staying Secure
Recent crime statistics in the Garden State shows a slight decrease in criminal
offenses and lower property loss than what was reported in 2009, according to
the latest statistics in the New Jersey State Police 2009 Uniform Crime report.
Read More
Information is Everything
Your co-op or condo unit houses more than your material possessions. The
management office also typically contains detailed information about you—including your social security number, credit card number, emergency
information, phone number and many other important documents relevant to your
security.
Read More
Conducting Employee Background Checks
Typically the sources of terror in horror movies come from ghouls and zombies.
Victims in these films find themselves trapped in an abandoned warehouse or
haunted mansion with no chance of escape or survival. Moviegoers feel
appropriately freaked out as they leave the theater and head back to the safety
and security of their condo or quiet suburban HOA.
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Wiring Your Co-op or Condo
It’s been a long time since cable modems were the gold standard in Internet
connectivity—or at least it seems like it’s been a long time. Telecommunications as a field has been developing at a
dizzying pace, and multifamily buildings—both new developments and existing properties—face the challenge of providing residents with fast, reliable, Wi-Fi and other
telecom-related services.
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The Forecast for 2012
While economy continues its slow recession rebound, unemployment rates remain
steady at more than nine percent. Across the nation, various real estate
markets have taken it on the chin, with some markets such as Detroit and Las
Vegas knocked down to the canvas. However, New Jersey, like its Big Apple
neighbor, seems to be bobbing and weaving, ducking the worst of the economic
punches.
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Year End Housekeeping
Organizing and keeping a co-op or condo’s books and other records is, on the surface, not that different than keeping a
budget for one’s home.
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Safety First
Safety. Security. These two little words can have a lot of different connotations for those living within, or providing management and other professional services to, a community association. From an engineer’s perspective, thoughts relating to this topic would naturally center on the physical environment and its relationship to the well-being of the individuals residing within a community. A safe physical environment is in itself a far-reaching category encompassing items ranging from proper maintenance of site elements, such as sidewalks and other walking surfaces, to engaging contractors who utilize best safety practices on construction sites. Read More
Q&A: In Arrears
The board of our condo issued a ruling that any unit owner who is behind in payment of common charges cannot vote at the annual meeting. Our bylaws only say that each owner is entitled to one vote. No mention is made about denying the vote. Doesn't this ruling require a change in the bylaws? This would require a 2/3 vote from the unit owners. The board also now charges delinquent accounts nine percent per month or 108 percent on an annual basis. Is this legal? Read More
