Page 9 - New England Condominium December 2020

NEWENGLANDCONDO.COM NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM -DECEMBER 2020 9 185 Devonshire Street, Suite 401, Boston, MA 02110 Quality Representation at Reasonable Rates. (617) 988-0633 Contact Attorney Frank Flynn: FRANK@FLYNNLAW-NE.COM Flynn_E4C.qxp:Layout 1 12/8/14 2:30 PM Page 1 DAL CPA David A. Levy, CPA, P.C. Certified Public Accountants Areas of expertise in Condominiums ■ Cooperatives ■ Timeshares ALL COMMON INTEREST DEVELOPMENTS Call our office for a complimentary review of your financial needs 617-566-3645 or 866-842-0108 20 Freeman Place, Needham, MA 02492 DavidALevy_E4C_NEC_Sept15:Layout 1 10/7/2015 3:54 PM Page 1 SERVICING THE EAST COAST FOR OVER 30 YEARS Member AICPA, CAI-NE www.DALCPAPC.net dlevy@dalcpapc.net the Aventura Marketing Council’s Chair- person of the Condo and Homeowners Board Members Association and board president at The Point condo association where she lives, tells us that multifamily which manages properties throughout the communities should plan carefully in an- ticipation of holiday visitors as well as in- coming ‘snowbirds’ (residents who spend kick off the last quarter of the year in ef- warmer seasons up north and return to fort to lift spirits, maintain a sense of nor- their southern homes in the winter). Will malcy, and create community.” In addi- communal spaces be open for holiday tion to festooning their homes and yards celebrations and family get-togethers? with the regular holiday fare, residents Will health conditions of individuals be are adding lights and displays with mes- assessed before being allowed access to sages like ‘Together Apart’ and similar certain spaces or events? If pools and sentiments. With the idea of “ending this health clubs and other leisure ameni- ties are open, will their procedures for and communities are sharing their dis- use change as more residents return for plays on social media with hashtags like the winter and/or host friends and fam- ily with expectations of using them? Each building or community must take its own public-facing decorations in and around population, risk factors, policies, and res- ident feedback into consideration when with contests or photo-sharing within addressing these questions. No matter what rules an association lobbies and entrances can bring joy to or cooperative board puts in place, says the world—even if your world is cur- Marks, the earlier it informs residents rently restricted to your building or your of them, the better. People need to make neighborhood. Bring out the lights, trees, plans and communicate with their guests, colors, and sparkly things that remind us too. No one should be surprised by a new of holidays past and stir up anticipation visitor policy or a new tennis court regu- lation, especially in the middle of the hol- idays. “It is a really challenging balanc- ing act,” says Marks of both the condo’s ness and noise restrictions.) and the city’s attempts to institute safety precautions while allowing residents to come together and enjoy their properties. ways of getting together from the safety “We’re doing what we can to lighten spir- its and give people diversions.” Activities with Lowest Risk If you are following the advice of the es. With the Netflix Party extension for CDC and most other medical authorities, Google Chrome, for example, groups of you will likely opt to keep your holiday individuals with miles or walls between activities as close to home as possible, them can simultaneously watch anything rather than traveling, which poses coro- navirus risk for both oneself and the pop- ulation at large. In fact, staying at home, rience in a socially distanced way. (Note with a limited number of household that Netflix Party only works on desk- members or perhaps a fastidious ‘pod’ of top and laptop computers for now, and close associates, is the safest way to spend Chrome must be installed.) the holidays while the virus still poses a gests that users enhance this experience worldwide health threat. The CDC has provided recommenda- tions for holiday activities that pose the sound and a larger picture. What better lowest risk to individuals in terms of way to enjoy “It’s a Wonderful Life”—and coronavirus contagion, and they can be to be reminded that it is, in spite of these enjoyed by any household, whether an challenging times. apartment, condo, co-op, townhome, or single-family residence: • Have a small dinner with only people service that might appeal to a particular who live in your household • Prepare traditional family recipes of such in-person activities. Some exam- for loved ones and neighbors, especially ples are: those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and deliver them in a way arena.com/join): Free board games that doesn’t involve contact with others • Have a virtual dinner and share reci- pes with friends and family • Shop online rather than in person, or shop locally on days other than Black Friday • Watch sports events, parades, and movies from home Deck the Halls Spectrum Association Management, southwest, mentions that communities in the area have started decorating early “to year on a celebratory note,” households #CoronaKindness and #ChristmasLights. Co-ops, condos, and HOAs that allow residences can promote such activities their communities. Holiday displays in of future merriment. (Just be mindful of anything that can pose a fire hazard, im- pede emergency egress, or exceed bright- Home for the Holidays Multi-Housing News points to virtual and comfort of home that are made possi- ble by access to high-speed internet, new software, and availability of smart devic- that streams on Netflix while using the chat menu to have a fun, communal expe- MHN sug- by plugging a laptop into their TV with an HDMI cable, thereby getting better Another suggestion from Multi-Hous- ing News is to promote an online game community’s residents and take the place • Board Game Arena (en.boardgame- • Tabletop Simulator (www.tabletop- continued on page 10 PREPPING... continued from page 1