Post date: Jun 11, 2012 9:31:13 PM
To: Pondside Unit Owners
From: Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees has made two major decisions with regard to implementing the capital plan and improving the exterior at Pondside.
As you have undoubtedly noticed, the planting stage of the courtyard project has begun. The board decided that planting would be staggered over a two-year period, with $40,000 to be spent, from reserves, on irrigation measures along with the planting this spring.
The top surface of the courtyard pathway will be laid once planting is completed. The river birch planted at the west end of the courtyard in the fall did not weather the winter well and will be replaced, at no additional cost.
New planting has begun on the perimeter at the west end, completing a plan begun in the fall.
With respect to masonry, after input from the capital plan committee the board decided not to borrow additional money at this time from the $1.5 million line of credit we have at Brookline Bank. The association has borrowed and spent $1 million but because of an aggressive plan to pay down the principal, the outstanding debt is now at $600,000. For the remainder of this year, at least, the association will not repay an additional $11,000 monthly on the principal but will use that money instead to pay for one-half of the next phase of the 4-part masonry project. Details of the masonry project have been discussed for the last two years and are on the web site for review. The site can be accessed directly via:https://sites.google.com/site/pondsidecondominium/
The masonry work will focus on Centre Street along with spot repairs to prevent further deterioration, at an estimated cost of $70,000. When this portion of masonry work is completed, new planting will take place on that side of the building.
The underground irrigation system is going to be activated April 18, 2012. There are shutoff valves that are located in some locked storage rooms which we will need to access and we should have keys. Please contact Ronald Brown at 617-782-3400 if you have any questions.
The Condominium has contracted with a new trash hauler as of May 1st. The existing dumpster will remain in place through the upcoming weekend and will be removed at some point on Monday, April 30. The new dumpster will be delivered the following day on the 1st of May. Please make the necessary arrangements to refrain from depositing any trash into the dumpster area during this brief transition period. Normal procedures will resume once the new dumpster is installed. Recycling will remain the same.
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Ronald Brown
R Brown Partners
39 Brighton Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
617-782-3400
617-782-1151 (fax)
ronald@r-brownpartners.com (Please note new e-mail address)