2010 May
2010 May Vol. 8 No. 5
Focus on...Community Building
Enriching Brew
Use Salem, Massachusetts, in a word-association assessment, and you’d undoubtedly get a word referencing the infamous Witch Trials of 1692. Less
famous but even more formative is the rich maritime history that contributed to
the buildings and waterfront on which Salem is perched. Residents are sometimes
divided over what the true character of Salem really is, or should be. What is
the source of its identity? How does it thrive financially? What should be its
public face? How seriously should the city take itself? But maybe it is the
questions and the contrasts which give this city its distinct individuality.
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Ready, Set, Renovate
Worn-out or damaged common areas in community associations can hurt overall
property values and send the wrong message. Of course, a newly-refurbished grand entrance and beautiful common areas that
give owners bragging rights are universally popular.
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It Takes a Village
There’s both a batch of homemade beer and a vat of homemade sauerkraut aging in the boiler room of Nubanusit Neighborhood & Farm in Peterborough, New Hampshire – and it’s not even close to Oktoberfest. The maple trees were tapped months ago, and sap
boiled down to thick syrup for the villagers, according to Richard Pendleton, a
resident and co-founder of the cohousing community, part of a growing movement
in most of New England.
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Secrets of Successful Committees
Being on a committee is no easy task. In fact, it can be downright frustrating.
A three-month commitment can stretch into six months; meetings can go on
forever; committee members may drift off topic; and precious, limited time can
be hijacked by strong personalities.
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Hanging Tough
For community associations facing a world of economic uncertainty, the old
notion of “strength in numbers” has never felt more relevant. Because when it comes to tough problems, the
associations that are able to work together and sacrifice together are the ones
that usually end up stronger in the end.
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Season Openers
It’s a simple equation: Warm days plus more hours of sunshine equals an influx of
residents to the community’s outdoor amenities. Suddenly, swarms of children appear at the playground,
out-of-practice tennis players are getting in the swing on the tennis courts,
and owners are asking when the pool’s going to open.
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May 12 is the Day!
Free seminars, networking opportunitiesand a chance to get all your condo questions answered – the 2010 New England Condo Expo brings it all together, in one day, under one
roof.
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Q&A: Is This Board Member/Broker Involved in Conflict of Interest?
I’m a board member of my condo in Massachusetts. We have one member of the board who is a real estate broker. Our condo owns a very small piece of land that is adjacent to another building near ours. The owner of the nearby building wants to rent this piece of land from our condo, and will pay a commission to this broker and monthly rent to the condo. Some members of the board think that we definitely have a conflict of interest between client, customer and a broker, while others think that it’s unethical for a board member to conduct such business. We have to make a decision and we don't know what’s the right thing to do. Read More
