Page 3 - New England Condominium November 2019

NEWENGLANDCONDO.COM NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM -NOVEMBER 2019 3 A Property Management Company You Can Trust At J. Butler Property Management, LLC., we measure our success in terms of client satisfaction and take a long-term view of every relationship. www.jbutlerpropertymgmt.com 978.694.9004 James R. Butler IV Executive Manager • Family owned and managed Massachusetts based property management company • Blends management expertise with open communication between the board, unit owners and managing agent, making for a healthier property • Superior cost cutting strategies and vendor pricing • Community website, work order system, online payments • An in-house maintenance team that is able to reduce costs and offer an unparalleled level of service Yale Robbins Publisher Henry Robbins Executive Vice President Joanna DiPaola Associate Publisher Hannah Fons Senior Editor Darcey Gerstein Associate Editor Pat Gale Associate Editor Shirly Korchak Art Director Anne Anastasi Production Manager Victor Marcos Traffi c Coordinator Alan J. Sidransky Staff Writer Alyce Hill Director of Sales TABLE OF CONTENTS Elevator Refurbishment No matter how well-constructed and carefully maintained, no mechanical system lasts forever – and that goes for elevator cabs and equipment just as much as it applies to roofs or boilers. At some point, your building’s vertical transportation comes to the end of its useful life, and the inconvenience of refurbishment and replace- ment becomes a reality for residents. If you live on a lower oor – say the rst, second, or even the third story – the inconvenience may not be too severe. If you live in a building with multiple elevators, it’s unlikely that more than one will be taken out of service for upgrading at a time. PAGE 1 Maintaining Air Quality Anytime you have hundreds, or even thousands of people living in close quarters – in a multifamily co-op or condo building, say – certain challenges will inevitably arise. One of the bigger ones is how to maintain the ow of fresh, hygienic air into the building, and provide for the out-venting of stale air, fumes, and odors. Poor air quality is at best a nuisance, and at worst a bona de health hazard – so it’s crucial for trustees and manag- ers to stay on top of regular maintenance, take complaints about odors, fumes, and stale air seriously, and do what’s necessary to address them when they come wa ing up. PAGE 1 Fireplace Safety and Maintenance Some lucky apartment owners can come home from work on a cold winter’s night and warm their feet by a roaring re while drinking a hot toddy. A working replace is a coveted amenity for many, adding a dash of vintage charm to prewar apartments, or a touch of luxury in sleek newer buildings. But hot toddies aside, main- taining a replace in your apartment is no small task. From regular cleaning to proper venting, taking care of a working replace is a serious responsibility – and crucial for the safety of both people and property. PAGE 1 Multifamily Holiday Celebrations It’s that time of the year again – the Halloween candy is long gone, anksgiving turkeys are being ordered, and Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Years are all approaching, complete with sparkly lights and orna- ments, as well as a parade of parties and other festivities. Multifamily buildings – including condos, HOAs, and co-ops – are home to people of many backgrounds, faiths and cultural traditions, so it can sometimes be a little tricky to gure out the best way to observe major holidays. PAGE 19 Industry Pulse/Calendar PAGE 4 Q&A PAGE 5 Vendor Directory PAGE 12 Marketplace PAGE 22 Copyright 2019 by New England Condominium Magazine LLC, dba Community Association Publishing.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. New England Condominium is published monthly in New York, New York by New England Condominium Magazine LLC, dba Community Association Publishing, 205 Lexington Ave., 12th Floor, New York, NY 10016. 508-753-4630. ISSN 1550-946X. Periodical postage paid at New York, New York and additional mailing offi ces. Subscriptions are available free by request to condominium and homeowner associations. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to New England Condominium Magazine, 205 Lexington Avenue, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10016. FREE Subscriptions for Board Members, Trustees, Property Managers and Real Estate Decision Makers. To Subscribe, please visit us at: newenglandcondo.com/subscribe newenglandcondo.com THE CONDO, HOA & CO-OP RESOURCE CONDOMINIUM NEW ENGLAND