12/29/17
Dear Northbrook Residents,
It seems that we are well into our snow season with two snowfalls in December. I am writing to our community because the Board of Managers continues to have a steady stream of complaints about our snow removal.
I need to remind the community that approximately one year ago the Board of Managers, as well as those that had participated in our open meetings, decided that it was too much for a volunteer staff to manage an onsite maintenance crew. As well, during snow season, costs for snow removal were difficult to contain. In several circumstances we paid as much for one storm as we do now for a whole month of snow removal by our new contractor.
In the course of our discussions, we entertained turning Northbrook over to a management firm, however the Board of Managers was worried that a management firm would give us the least possible amount of work, have the potential for embezzlement, and nobody to turn to in emergency situations. We also thought that the condo fees had the potential to skyrocket. As a reminder, the Northbrook condo fees have not changed for the past 6-7 years.
Since I have lived in Northbrook, I have seen many improvements that definitely would not have happened with a management company. We have repaved Pamela, Hope and Cynthia with new sidewalks for the whole neighborhood, and granite curbing as well. All of our houses have been repainted. Architectural concrete retaining walls have been installed in many areas and overhangs have been built on many units. All of these improvements have improved the appearance of our neighborhood, and have increased our property value. Only once was I assessed for any of that work (the overhang).
In conclusion, I wish that our unhappy residents would understand that snow inconveniences all of us. It’s never perfect. I know because I plow for the State of Massachusetts. Hopefully we can all find a level of understanding about the issue and not get so reactive about a snow event.
In the future, I hope that those who are not happy with the way the community is managed come to our open meetings. We are vey democratic about the process. We welcome all and would love to hear your ideas.
Yours truly,
Chris Lamkins
Vice President
Northbrook Condo Association