Edgar Dworsky is the treasurer of a small Somerville, Massachusetts condo complex that was built back in 1987. He loves where he lives except for one, quite large, problem. Water leaks have plagued the complex since it was built. Durin…
The most common method of maintaining a landscape has typically been: “mow, apply a generous and regular supply of man-made fertilizers and pesticides to prevent weeds, water and repeat.” But just because it’s the most widespread doesn’t…
It’s an unfortunate fact of condominium life: Board members’ responsibilities and their personal agendas intermingle more often than they should. After all, it’s part of human nature to want the best for us or our loved ones. Fa…
Americans today are working harder and spending more time on the job these days. And when they finally arrive home at night, they tend to turn on their computers, iPods or televisions as their primary source of entertainment. In fact, …
Unfortunately, what was fun for us at the time was also pretty dangerous. Children often fell off the teeter-totters, slides and monkey bars onto rock-hard asphalt or concrete surfaces, jacket strings got entangled on slides and merry-go…
There’s the dirt and exhaust from passing cars, motorcycles and trucks, other dirt and grime carried by the wind and the rain—not to mention graffiti, stains from rusted building elements, deposits from birds, and the dreaded mold and m…
The old adage is that it takes a village to raise a child. Think about that—it takes many people, working together, to do what’s right for just one child. It’s about teamwork. The same philosophy can be applied to running a successfu…
If Suzy passes all the required background checks, she can be hired for the job, but just remember that Suzy has an obligation to report any other wrongdoings in the building. “The employee should be taught to always report cr…
Almost every condo owner, from time to time, has thought about running for the board. Most quickly discount the notion, but a fair number throw their hats into the ring, and some of these even get elected. But what does it mean to be ele…
“Be it ever so humble,” the song goes, “there’s no place like home.” There really is no place like home, but what if the air you were breathing in your “home sweet home” was actually making you and your family very sick? We all…