President's Message - September 2008

Norman Salisbury
President

Dear Fellow Owners and Residents:

As you are aware, your Board has proposed a smoking prohibition which requires your vote to approve. Many of you have inquired as to whether it has passed. As of this writing, it has not passed. A few ballots continue to come in, but it appears to still have a long way to go. During the debate, many of those opposed to the proposed no-smoking amendment wrote and recommended that if there is a problem with drifting tobacco smoke, the Board should enforce existing rules prohibiting nuisance and hazardous activities. Consequently, in our Board meeting of September 4, your Board unanimously voted to pro-actively enforce Section 7.01 of our Declaration which prohibits "noxious or offensive activity", "unreasonable disturbance or annoyance", and activities which "may become unsafe or hazardous". Your Board believes this applies to loud music and parties as well as tobacco smoke which may drift into ones condo from another. We do not believe this prohibits anyone from smoking in his or her own home if it does not affect anyone else.

Your Board is presently initiating action under this provision against owners who have repeatedly been creating a noise and party nuisance and who have also been assessed fines without effect. If you believe you are affected by any of the provisions of Section 7.01 described above, please contact the management office and management will proceed to attempt to remedy the situation by contacting the offending party and if unsuccessful, will proceed with a series of letters and fines. If management is then unsuccessful, the situation will be brought to the Board of Trustees to determine and approve additional stronger action to remedy the nuisance.

Finally, Owners are reminded to strictly follow the rules regarding remodeling and construction. It is vitally important that you and your contractors obtain the correct city building permits, meet with our building engineer and pay the required fees to the management office.

I would like to also remind all owners that high pressure washing machine hoses are required in all Units and are available for purchase in the management office if you do not have them. Always use "low suds" washing detergents and dishwasher detergents because excessive suds can block our sewer lines and cause backups and damaging overflows. Most common "name brand" detergents and dishwashing liquids and tablets meet this criteria. Additionally, even though we all have the convenience of kitchen sink disposals, repeated use causes sewer buildup and possible blockage. Please DO NOT put grease or solid waste down your disposal. Simply drop your solid waste into your trash can where is can easily be disposed of down the trash chutes on each floor.

I wish to express on behalf of your Board our sincere appreciation for your cooperation and support.  Even during contentious debates on sensitive issues such as smoking within one's home, we observed that the discourse was generally quite civil and respectful.

Sincerely,