Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The Board of Directors met from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, February 19. After approving the minutes of the previous meeting we planned the dates for our meetings that will be open to our owners. Please put the following dates on your personal calendar:
-April 16 – “Open Board Meeting”
-May 27 – “Meet the Candidates Night”
-June 17 – “Annual Shareholders Meeting” and last opportunity to vote
The Board will also meet for our regular monthly meetings at 5 p.m. on March 19, April 15, and May 20.
There was an update provided on the progress of the negotiations with Continental Communications Incorporated and our roof antennas. We’re hoping the issue will be finalized some time in March. We will provide all the details to our community immediately after the settlement.
The Board received a detailed report from Phyllis Goldstein. She met with the brokers serving NST and forwarded the suggestions they believed would increase sales in the presently depressed market. At the brokers’ suggestion, the Board of Directors will make a detailed review of our pet policy.
Rob Serikstad and Mort Gitter made us aware of a huge increase (11 percent) in our Real Property Tax Assessment. This follows a 10 percent increase in each of the past two years. We’ve begun a formal protest and also have involved our elected officials to help reduce what we consider to be an excessive tax assessment.
Building One’s sliding lobby doors have been installed this week. After evaluating their serviceability, we will install new sliding doors in Buildings Two and Three. The Capital Improvement Committee and the House and Grounds Committee will then make recommendations to the Board about the replacement of the remainder of our lobby doors.
Five letters from residents were read and will be responded to immediately. Management is working very hard to solve the problem of a few residents whose television reception has been affected by the pending change over to digital.
Mort Gitter and Rob Serikstad gave a financial report and, with the exception of our concerns about the property assessment, we are in excellent financial condition.
The Board approved three apartment sales and two subleases for this month.
Herb Cooper reported on the following capital improvement projects:
? Approved the architect for the West Gate paving project
? The committee is reviewing engineer drawings for ramp two
? The committee continues to review alternative energy possibilities including solar panels and wind turbines
The Country Club Committee has begun a face lifting of the gym and hopefully the project will be completed prior to the return of our snowbirds. Subcommittees are working on the pool rules and updating the VIP Room and food offerings.
Claire Levitan reported that the House and Grounds Committee will be purchasing or repairing the furniture in the movie waiting room as soon as the new carpeting is installed. Also, the Camera Club will be displaying their work in the Building Three Coleridge Lounge. She also hosted a discussion on the park and sitting areas in front of our large parking lot. Prior to undertaking an expensive project it was decided to explore how the repaving will affect leaks in the garage. Waterproofing may have to precede any cement and garden improvement work.
Marvin Rosenberg reported that the Publicity and Marketing Committee urges all residents to click on to The Queens Courier web page in March to see our new primary banner above The Queens Courier heading. This new computer link will hook-up with North Shore Towers’ web site and articles of interest to The Queens Courier readers and Towers residents will be featured.
Glen Kotowski received approval for a water treatment contract, engineering for the West Gate repaving and for the replacement of 16 golf carts.
We encourage those of you who are interested in serving your neighbors and our cooperative to consider running for our Board of Directors. There will be four openings on the Board and the dates for filing will be announced in a few weeks.
Sincerely,
Robert Ricken, President
NST Board of Directors
