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Important Message to Fairways Owners About 2009 Budget September 24th, 2008 The 2009 Budget The good news is that we were able to keep almost all of the expense items in the 2009 budget at the same level as this year. We even reduced budgeted 2009 expenses for a few items. The very bad news is that the budget for fuel oil has to be increased by $60,000 compared with the 2008 original budget. . While no one can accurately predict future fuel oil prices, we are hopeful that the budgeted amount will cover all our heating oil costs for 2009 so we won’t have to impose another fuel oil surcharge later in the year. This $60,000 increase combined with small increases in the budgets for Gas & Electric, Supplies and Water plus the creation of a new Capital Reserve of $10,000 results in a total increase of $72,861 (20.7%) over the original 2008 budget. Taking into account the current fuel oil surcharge of $65,000, however next year’s budget shows only a slight increase (less than 2%) over this year’s anticipated costs. While the addition of a $10,000 Capital Reserve was arbitrary, we feel strongly that fiscal prudence demands that we start building this cushion against future unanticipated capital expenses. Potential buyers, looking at our building’s balance sheet are likely to question the adequacy of the current budget for Capital Repairs. Increase in The Common Charges: Because we are not increasing any of the other income items in the 2009 budget (primarily garage and parking lot fees), the entire expense budget increase of $72,861 will have to be covered by an increase in the common charges effective January 1. This results in an increase of approximately 25% over this year’s original budget, which is predominately due to the increase in fuel oil prices, plus a small addition for the new Capital Reserve . Please note that this is the first increase in common charges since the 10% increase in October of 2006. A table showing the new 2009 common charges for each unit will be distributed shortly. Elevator and Roof Replacement Assessment. In view of the current fuel oil surcharge and the pending substantial increase in the common charges, effective January 1, the Board is reluctant to impose any additional financial burdens on our owners at this time. We will, therefore, postpone any assessments for elevator and roof replacement indefinitely. In the meantime, should an elevator or roof emergency materialize, we anticipate being able to borrow the necessary funds from Capital One Bank, with whom we have previously held discussions. The Board of Managers August 31st, 2008 Gretings Neighbors, If you were at the “end of summer” mixer in the back yard on Sunday, you know what a great success it was–meeting our neighbors, learning what’s going on in the building, lots of good food and drink. Our thanks go out to Joelle, Geri and Theresa for coming up with the idea and then doing all the organizing and hard work to make it happen. Our thanks also to those of you who joined with Joelle, Geri and Theresa in the work to help make it a success. If you missed Sunday’s party, we hope you’ll be able to make the next event. We’re looking for ideas for other ways to get our residents together for shared interests and for community building activities. We welcome any ideas you may have. You can mention them to any Board member or to one of the organizers of Sunday’s mixer. The Board August 12th, 2008 Fuel Oil Surcharge As I’m sure you are aware, the cost of crude oil and, consequently, of fuel oil has almost doubled over the past year. There was no way to anticipate such a huge increase and, even though we added a significant amount to the building’s fuel oil budget for 2008, it was not nearly enough to cover this unprecedented increase. As a result, we find our fuel oil expenditures to date seriously over budget, with the fall and early winter heating season still ahead. This leaves your Board with no alternative but to reluctantly impose a fuel oil surcharge on all owners to cover this deficit which, even with the recent drop in oil prices, we anticipate to be $65,000. This surcharge will be assessed in four monthly installments starting September 1. The amount of the total assessment assigned to each unit will be proportionate to the size of the unit. See the following schedule of monthly assessments assigned to each unit. Increase in 2009 Common Charges While no one can accurately forecast the price of heating oil in 2009, it would be irresponsible for your Board not to provide a meaningful cushion in the 2009 fuel oil budget. This increase plus anticipated lesser increases in other budget categories will necessitate an increase in our monthly common charges, effective January 1. The amount of the increase will be determined in the fall when we are preparing the 2009 budget. By then, we should have a better picture of what the near future holds in terms of costs for the year ahead. While it is painful for your Board to contemplate increasing our common charges, we would like to remind you that our current common charges are among the very lowest for comparable condos in Westchester County. And, with every other condo facing the same price increases as we are, they will also have to increase their common charges in 2009. Elevators & Roof Replacement For some months, your Board has been struggling to come up with a plan to cover the anticipated costs of upgrading our ancient elevators and replacing the roof, which has been showing signs of serious fatigue. As we had announced earlier, it is possible that an elevator breakdown or a roof emergency could occur at any time, so it would be prudent to have a plan in place to assure the availability of sufficient funds to cover these costs. We have recently developed such a plan and had intended to announce the details this month. In view of the unexpected need for a fuel surcharge this fall and the anticipated increase in the common charges starting in January, however, we recognize that this plan would impose too much of an additional financial burden on our owners. As a result, we are now working on an alternative plan, which we hope to announce shortly. We hope you will understand that these cost increases, resulting primarily from the unprecedented rise in fuel oil costs, are not something that the Board has any control over. We work hard to keep your costs as low as possible, consistent with the goal of running a comfortable, safe and financially sound building. Please direct any questions you may have to the Board through Judy Glister, our president. The Board of Managers The Fairways Monthly Fuel Oil Assessments September Through December 2008 Unit Monthly Assessment A Line $279.18 B Line 188.76 C Line 197.38 D Line 225.36 E Line 186.40 G Line 160.78 H Line 156.69 J Line 294.03 K Line 144.00 L Line 143.14 M Line 191.35 O Line 305.65 R Line 189.42 S Line 194.15 1F 259.80 2F 274.94 3F 274.87 4F 274.87
1N 252.70 2N 267.77 3N 267.77 4N 267.77
1T 213.74 2T 213.74 3T 213.74 4T 206.41 LL1 178.65 LL2 —- LL3 238.93 LL4 293.38 July 29th, 2008 The Fairways Board of Managers requests that you join us in welcoming Judy Glister as our new President. Judy has been a valued Board member for the past year. Her nomination for this position was suggested by Ann Murray, who will continue as a Board member, and approved by the Board. Judy will continue Ann’s policy of open communications with all Fairways residents. She can be reached at: glist69@hotmail.com. Bill Bortree July 29th, 2008 Having heard from several people regarding the dangerous traffic situation on Wynnewood Road in front of The Fairways, I met this morning with John Pierpont, Village Manager for Pelham Manor, to discuss this problem. I explained all our concerns to him such as: 1) How dangerous it is to make a turn from Wynnewood onto Boston Post Road due to the vision obstructions from the cars parked on BPR and the curve in BPR at the light; 2) The rate of speed with which cars pass our building, making it dangerous for people entering or exiting their own cars parked outside our building; 3) Traffic passing on the left of a car attempting to make a left into the garage. Mr. Pierpont had several helpful suggestions that he made. He advised me as follows: 1) He will have the police dept. put an electric sign that posts your speed as you approach on Wynnewood. His office will use this device to collect data regarding the traffic patterns and the rates of speed with which cars are passing; 2) He will examine the possibility of painting a cross-walk at the top of Wynnewood. A cross-walk is a deterrent to drivers because most drivers automatically slow down when they approach a crosswalk in case someone is in it; 3) He will see if the Town can install a camera on Wynnewood which will have a screen at the police dept. The police dept. can monitor and review the traffic on this screen and see what the traffic behavior is outside our building. 4) He made a note regarding the cars parked on BPR and perhaps they can install a “No Parking Here to Corner” sign. The Board will continue to assess this situation and keep you advised of any and all progress that is made regarding the above. Judy Glister July 28th, 2008 Dear Fairways Friends, Are you ready to meet your wonderful neighbors? Then save the date of August 24th for an End of Summer Mixer right here in our own backyard. It’s going to be a potluck of appetizers and desserts, with, of course, drinks…… soft and not so soft. We need everyone’s help to make this a fun evening for all. Here is a list of ideas/categories you may want to volunteer for:
Please let us know: 1) if you think you can attend 2) what you’d like to bring/do. Thank you. More details to follow. Stay tuned! Joelle, Theresa and Geri. RSVP via email at: joelleberger@gmail.com RSVP via phone at: 914-643-6185 - Geri’s cell July 18th, 2008 Greetings, Over the past several weeks we have been informed of the theft of a child’s bicycle from the Bike Room and of one or more packages that were left in the lobby of the A Pod. As of today, we have not received enough specific information about the package thefts–dates and probable times–to be able to direct the Security Company to review their videos that might show the thefts on camera. If you have any information about the package thefts or about the bicycle theft, or any other information that you feel might be helpful, please contact me. In the meantime, we have had the security cameras checked and found them to be in working order. Over the years, we have prided ourselves on being a building where our residents can feel safe and secure from bodily harm and from the theft of their property. The Board will take any and all steps necessary to maintain this kind of security but, in order to do this, we need your cooperation in terms of reporting any suspicious activity or other information that you feel can help us. Judy Glister, President July 10th, 2008 To: All Fairways’ Residents If you haven’t noticed the middle entrance has been looking slightly lopsided for the past 4 or 5 weeks. One of the beautiful blue spruce trees that once outline our middle entrance has met a bit of bad luck and expired peacefully. After much consideration and consultation with an arborist and landscaper, the board has come to the following conclusions. This is a good time to clear out and replace much of the old and dead bushes that remain. However keeping well within the budget guideline allotted, we will be doing the work ourselves with Santos providing most of the help. First to give balance to the entrance the remaining blue spruce will need to be taken down. It is too tall and to replace another blue spruce of the same size is too costly. Smaller trees will be put in place. Secondly the remaining lower hedges that surround the trees will be cleared and replaced with flowering bushes of azaleas or rhododendrons. These hedges are very old, with many dead underlying areas. And finally the 2 very large yellow bushes that have nearly enveloped the middle door will be removed and replace with 3 to 4 ft. boxwoods or something in that family exposing the beautiful stone that is now hidden. A big advantage to the smaller foliage is that we can decorate with more lights at Christmas which will give us a different look this year as well as a more festive motif. We will begin clearing the week of July 21 and begin planting the week of August 4. We are certain this will enhance the beauty of our building especially as things begin to grow and fill in as well as giving us a new fresh look. May 29th, 2008 A sign-in sheet for reserving the tables and grill in our backyard has been posted on the bulletin board near the laundry room. If you’d like to reserve a particular date for using the backyard, please sign the sheet next to your chosen date. If you do use the backyard, please follow the courtesy guidelines shown on the sign-in sheet and posted on the website. Bill Bortree May 11th, 2008 Generally at this time of year the Board reminds all residents of The Fairways of certain nuisances and housekeeping issues that need to be addressed. The Board does this to maintain The Fairway’s high quality of living standards. Therefore, it would be gratefully appreciated if we all would be aware of the following and do anything we can to correct any problems.
October 20th, 2007 Fairways Website Classified Ad Page - Preliminary Advertisement Rules & Procedures Rules for Acceptance The classified ad page on the Fairways website is now operational and ready to accept your ads. Recognizing that there must be some criteria for the kinds of ads that are acceptable, the Board has established the following rules, which are subject to revision as we gain more experience with this area:
Procedures
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