President's Message - January 2006

Norman Salisbury
President

Dear Fellow Owners:

Angle Valve Replacement
I would like to thank you all for the great response we've had to our program for replacing old angle valves underneath our sinks, vanities and toilets. The response has been much better than we had anticipated. Consequently, it may take us much longer to work through all of the condo's to replace them all. We've already tackled some in the lower floors of the South Tower and the results are very good. The equipment we have installed is very heavy duty and will not fail nor deteriorate for a very long time. The response has been so large that it may take us several months to get to your condo or to complete the project. Please be patient. We are working steadily with at least one water shut off per week in various areas of the building in order to spread around the pain of the many water shut offs that will be required. Fortunately, for the most part we will be able to limit the water shut offs to only those risers for the condos we will be working on. (South Tower, low rise, 04 Units for example). Thank you again for the great response. This will be a major improvement to our facilities and the quality of life here at American Towers.

Legionnaires Update
As we've reported to you previously, the situation appears to be under control and at this point, not in need of further immediate action. Our hot storage tank, pumps and supply lines, have consistently over recent months tested free of the bacteria. Our hot water return lines, the water that circulates from the towers back to the mechanical room to be reheated, continues to show small amounts of the bacteria far below the threshold that would require another "cook & flush" operation. We continue to test and monitor our water on a monthly basis and will keep you apprised if this situation changes. In the meantime, as always, frequently flush out any sinks, vanities or fawcetts that are not regularly used or that have been unused for several weeks. Avoid aspirating or breathing hot water or mist or fine sprays of hot water. The way you catch the illness is if the bacteria gets in your lungs some way. And finally, during these seasons of influenza or common colds, resident's who exhibit flu-like symptom should immediately inform your physician to test for Legionnaires. If the illness is Legionnaires, the symptoms will worsen and become very severe unless treated with Antibiotics that are effective against the bacteria.

The Plaza waterproofing project is nearing completion. We are experiencing some inconvenience near the North Tower lobby entrance because of all of the sand. We have been informed that sand will be used instead of ice melt because the concrete is still green and will not be sufficiently cured to withstand the corrosive effects of salt or ice melt. The sand has been getting tracked everywhere making cleanup extremely difficult for our housekeeping staff. It will only be for this year.

American Towers remains on track. We have accomplished much but there is still much much more to do. We have a great community here. American Towers remains "the" premier location to live downtown. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I wish you all a Happy, Prosperous and Healthy New Year.

Sincerely,