2010 June
2010 June Vol. 8 No. 6
Focus on...Law & Legislation
The New England Condo Expo
They came to learn, to network, and to discover new solutions for managing their
community associations. And they went home with stacks of information and minds
brimming with ideas.
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A Burning Issue
The late 1990s saw a surge of nationwide smoking restrictions put into effect.
State by state, smoking ban legislation was proposed, put to a vote and passed
into law. No public dwelling seemed untouched, including the workplace, shops,
theaters, favorite restaurants and bars.
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New England 2010 Legislative Roundup
With New England condominiums still grappling with the recent economic downturn,
it’s no accident that most new state condo legislation deals with money matters.
From a proposed superlien law in New Hampshire that would put condos first in
line to collect unpaid condo fees, to a Rhode Island bill that makes it easier
for condos to borrow for repairs, helping the condominium’s bottom line is a prevailing theme of new condo legislation. A state-by-state
breakdown of current legislation finds most legislatures sympathetic to the
problems of condominiums.
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Your Condo's Attorney
While it’s generally understood how to employ the first two people – to call the accountant when bills are due and at tax time and the property manager
pretty much all the time – rules for engaging the condo’s lawyer remain somewhat vague. For instance, exactly when should you contact your attorney? What is the best way to contract for legal services? And who should be pointperson for contacting the attorney?
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Feeling the Squeeze
Even while faced with massive deficits, the governors of each of the New England
states have pledged not to raise taxes in their proposed fiscal year 2011
budgets. While this is good news for taxpayers in the short run, no new taxes
in 2011 comes at the price of cuts to city, town and state services and added
pressure on future administrations to raise taxes.
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Pretty as a Picture
First dubbed “Eden” by settlers at the end of the eighteenth century, Bar Harbor, Maine has always sounded like the quintessential place to vacation. Even the original
inhabitants, the Wabanaki Indians, called the area Ah-bays'auk or the “clambake place.” While the style and tone of Bar Harbor has shifted as America matured over the
centuries, one thing has remained constant: people voyage to this corner of Maine to relax, eat clams and bask in some of the most gorgeous scenery in
New England.
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Q&A: Who's Responsible for Dying Hedge?
A common area privacy hedge behind my home has been attacked with a fungus and many plants have died. The hedge was a barrier for both privacy and sound fromthe boulevard that my home borders. I have sent several letters that have been disregarded by the board. Nothing has been done to care or repair the barrier hedge. I feel that it lowers the value of my home. Any suggestions you may have will be greatly helpful. Also, if I engage an attorney, who pays for the legal costs? Who can pressure my association’s board to replace the hedge? Read More
