message from the president: Good News in Bad Economic Times

We felt it was time to give our owners an interim report on your Board’s progress this year. Much has been accomplished and we hope you will share the pride we feel in sharing these achievements with all of our friends and neighbors.
The vote on the Proprietary Lease was an overwhelming success. After two previous failures to amend the date of the lease, our owners enthusiastically supported the Board’s recommendations. A great deal of thanks goes to Phyllis Goldstein, who spearheaded the campaign, and the extraordinary effort of Bob and Helen Bader, who organized our volunteers. Chuck Robbins also assisted by collecting Building Three’s ballots. Congratulations to all the volunteers in each building.
The roofs over the country club and swimming pool are now completed. This means we have done every roof with the exception of the one over Towers on the Green. That roof will be replaced, when necessary, in about two to five years.
We have, for the time being, increased our golf membership due to our new sponsored member program. As of now we have over 30 new members in the process of being screened and that should add over $120,000 to our revenues. Thanks go out to Jim Short and the entire Country Club Committee.
Additionally, all new residents who are sub-leasing must become general members of the country club. This yearly membership requirement will help us raise additional revenues.
Claire Levitan’s House and Grounds Committee hosted a wonderful “Going Green” program. Several guests and our own Glen Kotowski shared many ways each of us can conserve electricity and utilize environmental friendly household items.
The Board has voted to limit the outdoor holiday lighting to the large birch trees in front of each building and to continue the full lobby decorations for the season. This will save us $40,000 over the two-year contract. While some may not agree, the Board believes the saving sets a good example in this economic environment.
Murray Lewinter brought us Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator Frank Padavan during this election campaign. The Mayor spoke of many of the economic woes that translate to an increase in our taxes. We presently pay over $15 million and the increases will cost us well over a million dollars more.
Check out our website. Phyllis Goldstein and her committee are continuing their efforts to improve the site and make it “pop-up” when people are looking for luxury housing in New York City and the suburbs.
Many thanks to Errol Brett, Herb Cooper and Marvin Rosenberg for their help in our litigation against Continental Communications. As soon as we can share information with you about our case, we will send out a personal letter to each resident.
Mort Gitter and Rob Serikstad are completing their work on next year’s budget. They will be reporting to the entire community on the evening of Wednesday, December 3. We thank the entire Budget Committee and the Board for the many hours they’ve devoted to reviewing each budget line. Please attend the meeting and Mort and Rob will be pleased to answer all of your questions.
We’ve only been a board team for half a year and we hope these accomplishments meet with your approval.
Bob Ricken
President
North Shore Towers Board of Directors