Frank E Follari
80 Ridgewood Rd Apt # 118
Township of Washington New Jersey 07676
Dear Neighbors and Fellow Unit Owners,
I hope this letter finds you well. My wife, Rosemary, and I have been residents of the Washington Grand for the past five years, though we spend most of the year at another location out of state. Despite this, we remain committed to our community and want to contribute to the improvements that we believe are needed. Along with other concerned residents, we aim to enhance communication between the owners and the board.
To provide some background, I have over twenty years of experience living in and serving on the board of another condominium association with over 200 owners. During my tenure, I held various positions, including Secretary for two years, Vice President for three years, and President for five years. I continue to work with that board on the insurance committee. Although regulations differ from state to state, effective communication remains a fundamental necessity—something we seriously currently lack at the Washington Grand.
To address this, we have established a website for all owners to access essential information and share concerns. The website will be interactive and provide downloadable resources, including, but not limited to:
– The Radburn Regulations, which took effect in May 2020. It is important for all owners to familiarize themselves with these regulations to understand the changes in our community. You can view this document by clicking here
– All necessary forms from the Department of Community Affairs, the state agency responsible for protecting our owners’ rights. You can view this document by clicking here
– Our community’s governing documents (DOCS) for those who may have misplaced them. We are also requesting a written update on any changes made to these documents and the dates of such changes. You can view this document by clicking here
– The Structural Integrity Report (SIR), which became effective in January of this year in New Jersey, making it the second state to adopt such regulations. I am actively seeking webinars to better understand how this will impact our community. This document can be viewed by clicking here
Website: www.WashingtonGrandOwners.com
With the recent change in management, I would like to raise a few questions and concerns:
1. Roof Replacement: When we moved here five years ago, I inquired about the condition of the roof, as it appeared to need replacement. I was assured that the roof was on the agenda and that sufficient reserve funds were available for this purpose. However, five years have passed, and the roof remains unreplaced. Given the rising costs, this delay has likely resulted in a significant increase in expenses. How much do we currently have in reserves, and are we actively seeking pricing? I fear this is an accident waiting to happen, and insurance companies may soon require a new roof as a condition for renewal.
2. Maintenance: It has been five months since Arthur, our maintenance supervisor, left. His departure has left numerous issues unaddressed. Why has it taken so long to find a replacement, and why is the current replacement part-time? I suspect this is by design. Using part-time staff to replace a full-time maintenance person familiar with the building, its residents, and on-site emergencies seems counterproductive. Is this being done to save money, and if so, at whose expense?
3. Owner Involvement: In the past, decisions seem to have been made in a secretive manner, with information shared only on a need-to-know basis. Given the wealth of talent within our community, why don’t we have committees to work alongside the board?
For example:
– A Finance Committee to assist in creating a transparent budget.
– A Building and Grounds Committee, headed by someone with construction experience, to manage the ongoing expenses as our community ages (e.g., the roof).
– An Entertainment and Social Activities Committee to plan events and coordinate the use of our under-utilized facilities, such as the library and game rooms.
– A Welcoming Committee to help new owners understand community resources and regulations. We could provide a printed guide, requiring new owners to acknowledge their understanding, which may need board approval per our governing documents.
4. Financial Reporting: We request a monthly written financial report that includes bank balances, expenses for the previous month, year-to-date expenses compared to the budget, and details on reserve amounts and their intended purposes.
I hope this letter serves as a constructive step toward improving our community. Thank you for your attention to these matters.
Sincerely,
Frank E Follari