Greenbrook Condominium Association

March Newsletter

CHANGE IN DATE OF

ANNUAL MEETING

THE ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELD

ON WEDNESDAY,

MARCH 25th AT 7:00 P.M.

 

Please take the time this year to join us for the Greenbrook Condominium Association’s Annual Meeting.  The meeting will be held as usual in the Greenbrook Clubhouse located at 400 Island Street in Stoughton MA, and will start promptly at 7:00 PM.  Your attendance and participation are important, as homeowners in the community, this is your annual chance to voice your ideas and concerns with you fellow homeowners and have them discussed in an open forum with the Board of Managers.   This year we will have two National Window Companies here to talk to you about window and door replacements.  Come early between  6-7 to speak with them personally about prices and styles.

 

We would like to reach a quorum this year and need 51 percent of the homeowners to participate in one of three ways:

1. Join us and attend the meeting.  Its fun and you will get to meet your neighbors and make new friends.

2. If you are unable to attend and want to vote on the issues and participate in the election of officers to the board please fill out the “Absentee Ballot” and return it to the management office on or before March 25th, 2009 by 7:00 PM. 

3. If you cannot attend and would like a neighbor to cast a vote on your behalf, please fill out the “Proxy Ballot” and return it the management office on or before the meeting date.  If you chose this method please make sure the person casting your vote will attend the meeting in person and is indicated clearly on the ballot.  If the person indicated on the proxy ballot does not attend the meeting in person you vote will not be recorded.

In each of these cases it is important that you sign and date the form for it to be valid.  Remember homeowners are the only persons allowed to vote at these meetings.  Renters or other occupants are not eligible.

 

Your Annual Meeting Packet will be sent out the week of March 9th. If you do not receive this packet please call the Management Office immediately and one will be sent out to you.

In your annual meeting packet you will find information on your candidates and also information about how to fill out the forms.

 

Ballot boxes will be conveniently located at all mailbox kiosks to help cast your vote.  We need 51 percent of the homeowners to participate to call a quorum.  This means at least 158 homeowners must vote.  Please remind your friends and neighbors in the community to do their part and vote.

 

PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR VOTE COUNTS

                                               

CAST YOUR BALLOT

 

SPRING  AHEAD……..IT’S DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Just a reminder to turn your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday March 8th.

 

 A Few Daylight Saving Time Quirks

Although many people call it “Daylight Savings Time” with an “s” at the end of “Saving”, the official spelling is “Daylight Saving Time.” In the U.S. the time change occurs on the appropriate day at 2:00 a.m.  This time was chosen to minimize disruptions to most people’s schedules.  If midnight were chosen as the time to set back your clocks in the fall, you would actually be setting the day to yesterday, which could cause confusion.  The time chosen, 2:00 a.m., allows the entire country to make the switch before the majority of business for the next day begins.  During the 1950’s and 1960’s Daylight Saving Time was set individually by each locality in the United States, leading to some confusing situations.  One year, for example there were 23 different time changes in the state of Iowa alone.  Eventually, this confusion led to a standardized schedule for changing the time in the spring and fall. 

 

6D CERTIFICATE PROCESSING FEE

 

Just a reminder to those who are selling their unit.

Effective  as of April 1, 2007  homeowner’s moving out will be charged a $100.00 non-refundable Processing Fee for their 6D Certificates.   A notice in writing must be submitted to the Management Office at least five business days before closing, all fees ( and fines, if any) must be paid in full through the end of the month of closing.  All insurance certificates must be obtained through:

Richard Endlar Insurance,

781-455-6664,  or on their website:  http://www.endlar.com

 

Cigarette Butts  & Trash

 

Now that the snow is melted it has left remnants  of winter debris on the streets.  We have  seen quite an overload of cigarette butts and trash on the lawns, sidewalks and streets.  Please dispose of your cigarette butts and rubbish properly when out walking in the community.  At every mailbox there are trash bins.  This is your community, please help keep it clean. 

 

SINGING THE DOGGIE BLUES

 

“You didn’t clean up after me and now there is a mess around for people to step in.  Please pick up after me and keep me on a leash. If you follow the rules, everyone will think I’m the best pet in town!”

 

FAMILY, FUN

 

 

 

 

Luck of the Irish

 

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner.  It is the day when everyone can be Irish!  How much do you know about the Fair Isle?  Test your Irish knowledge with this trivia quiz.

1. True or False:  The Shamrock is the official emblem of Ireland.

2. What U.S. state is  approximately the same size as Ireland?

3. What percent of the population of Ireland has red hair?

4. What does the phrase “Erin Go Bragh” mean?

5.     What percentage of Americans are of Irish descent?

6.      What is the most common last name in Ireland?

7.      When you kiss the Blarney Stone, you are given a gift what is this gift?

 

Answers on the calendar page

 

 

RECIPE CORNER

 

Citrus Chicken Salad

 

Chicken:                                                                                    Salad:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves                                    8 cups mixed salad greens

Salt and pepper to taste                                                            1  large grapefruit, peeled and sectioned

1/2 cup olive oil, divided                                                            1  avocado, peeled and quartered

1 1/4 cup orange juice, divided                                                1/3 cup toasted & shelled pistachio nuts

1/4 cup citrus seasoned soy sauce                                                1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar roasted garlic

1/4 cup light soy sauce plus 1 tsp. lemon juice                        1/4 teaspoon dry mustard powder

 

Season chicken with salt and pepper.  Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a heavy skillet until very hot.  Quickly sear chicken on both sides. Pour 1 cup of the orange juice, and soy sauce over chicken and continue cooking over high heat until juice is evaporated and chicken is glazed.  Turn chicken once or twice during cooking.  While chicken cooks, prepare dressing by mixing together remaining orange juice and olive oil, seasoned rice vinegar, and dry mustard. Arrange salad greens and grapefruit sections on four serving plates.  Top with chicken that has been sliced, and avocado that has been sliced into fan shape.  Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with pistachio nuts.  Store any remaining dressing in refrigerator for future use.  Makes a lovely main dish salad  Serve on four individual plates, may be accompanied by warm crusty Italian or French bread.

 

Enjoy!!

 

 

 

Greenbrook Board of Managers

 

Denis Pombriant—President

Martin Milgram -V. President

Paul Amenta—Treasurer

Walter Atwood—Secretary

Richard Heifetz

Bill Bushey

Larisa Ferdman

 

 

Monthly Events/Holidays

 

Annual Meeting        

           WEDNESDAY

· MARCH 25, 2009

   –  7:00 p.m. @ the Clubhouse

 

Greenbrook Board Meeting

Monday, March 30th

            7:00 P.M.  Clubhouse

 

 

March 8th– Daylight Saving Begins

March 17th—St. Patrick’s Day

March 20th—Spring Begins

                –  

 

Tow Company Number

 

Island Street Towing

            781-344-0006

 

Rubbish Pickup

 

MONDAY & THURSDAY

 

Greenbrook Management

Office

Hours:

Office:   781-341-3100

Fax:   781-341-1379

Emergency No.  617-847-3875

Monday– Friday

8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

 

Blog & email address:

 

greenbrookoffice@aol.com

 

http://www.greenbrook.wordpress.com

 

 

 

THE GREENBROOK GRAPEVINE February 2009

 

Dear Fellow Homeowners,

Please accept my thanks and that of the board for your cooperation with the attic insulation project.  Despite the weather, we were able to complete the project on time and on budget.  Your cooperation made this possible.   This makes us eligible for a sizeable rebate from the gas company which will help pay for the work.

 

It will take at least one winter’s worth of data to see how much we are saving in gas with the new insulation.  We have to calculate total gas used and the degree-days to compare this heating season with previous years.  That’s something we are doing and I hope we can give you some concrete information at the annual meeting in March.  That said, the gas use so far this winter is encouraging.

 

I hope you will plan now to attend the annual meeting.   There are several projects that we would like to put before you but we can’t vote  without a quorum.  More information will be available about the annual meeting shortly.  Meanwhile please put it on your calendar, Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.   If you can’t attend, please submit a proxy, which will count as your attendance and enable us to reach a quorum.

 Denis Pombriant

 

JANUARY’S SNOW FALL

 

WOW!!!!!  Is a perfect word to describe these storms.  UNBELIEVABLE , INCREDIBLE,  TERRIFIC are a few perfect words to describe the job that the maintenance crew has done so far.

 

We have already been buried by snow this year and it’s only the end of January.  Our maintenance staff work very long hours to clear snow as quickly as possible.  It is an enormous job with few workers to plow, shovel, remove snow, salt and sand.  We continue to ask for your patience and understanding.  It is a good idea to keep some ice melt or sand handy for small areas of ice that could build up on your walkway until our staff can get to your area.  Ice melt is available at the office during business hours 8:30-4:30 please bring a bucket and fill it up.  If you have to be out driving we ask that you please obey the speed limit of 15mph and  if you are driving through the community  during or after  the snow fall we ask that you PLEASE DO NOT  travel close behind the trucks as they do make frequent stops .  Also a reminder avoid parking out in the streets during a snow storm to allow for proper plowing. 

 

                                                            Thank you….

 

 

WANTED:  CANDIDATES TO RUN FOR

THE GREENBROOK BOARD OF MANAGERS

 

We would like to invite anyone interested in having input into the management of your community to please consider running for election to the Board of Managers. There are this year 7 seats available.  Year after year the same members are gracious enough to stay on because the rest of the homeowners are not interested in becoming involved.  It only requires a few hours a month to see that everything runs smoothly and ensures that Greenbrook remains a happy, well maintained place to live.   If you are interested in running for Board membership we will provide to you a candidate profile. Call the management office at 781-341-3100. 

 

We also hope that concern and interest in our community will prompt homeowners to attend the Annual Meeting in March, or at least send or fax in their absentee ballots.  We need 157 votes to conduct a meeting and to elect 7 new candidates.  So please send in your ballot.

 

Deadline for Board of Managers application:    FEBRUARY 16, 2009

 

Just a reminder on Parking

Please remember the parking rules and regulations when parking in the community.  We all know that parking is a big problem, especially during the winter months.   Do not park on the street overnight, do not park where there are signs that say “No PARKING” or the FIRE LANES at anytime. You will be subject to tow without warning. 

 

GARAGE DOORS  –  When leaving your garage, please double check to make sure that your door has gone down and is completely closed before driving away.  This could prevent a liability if your pipes freeze and also a great deal of heat is lost.  If you are having any problems with your garage door please notify the office and we will send the maintenance staff over. 

If you are using your garage as a storage area we ask that you  please do not leave personal items on the floor as some garage units during  bad weather  can receive water.  Also lock up all valuables in your garages, Greenbrook is not responsible for stolen items.

 

EMERGENCY ON-CALL SERVICE — Greenbrook Maintenance Staff is on call 24/7 for emergencies.   Emergencies at Greenbrook are determined by the on-call staff person, who will then return your call, if it is an emergency.  What constitutes an emergency.  Fire in your home.  Naturally you should call the Fire Department and Police first then call the emergency number.  Burst or Frozen pipes.  Please shut your water off immediately, call a plumber and then call the Management Office. If you are not sure where your water shut offs are call the office at any time.   What is not an emergency:   The heat is out in your unit.  Since you or your landlord own the condominium any problems with your heat you should call a heating company.  If you smell gas call the Fire Department immediately then call the office to report it. If you lose power in your home, check your fuse/breaker panel in the home first then check to see if your neighbors are without power too before your call National Grid.  Any other non emergency, leave a message with the service and the management office will return your call on the next business day. Problems with vandalism or trespassing, please notify the Stoughton Police. 

 

WINTER TRASH COLLECTION

 

Please note that during the winter months, if we are to have a substantial snow storm, on a scheduled pick up day, we ask that you please do not put trash out in the snow.  This interferes with the plowing and the trash bags just get buried.  We ask that you wait until the next trash day to put it out . Trash must be placed in sturdy, securely tied, plastic not paper bags.  Thank you for your cooperation in an effort to keep the community tidy.

 

 

 

Monthly Events/Holidays

 

Valentine’s Day

– Saturday,  Feb. 14th

Presidents Day

 – Monday, Feb 16th  /Office closed

School Vacation Week

February 16th –20th

Greenbrook Board Meeting

· Monday, February 23rd

            7:00 P.M.  Clubhouse

 

Tow Company Number

 

Island Street Automotive

            781-344-0006

 

RUBBISH PICKUP

**THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE FOR THE HOLIDAY.  WE WILL BE ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE.  PICK UP WILL BE ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16th and THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19th**

 

 

January 2009 Newsletter

FINAL MONTH FOR THE INSULATION PROJECT & SCHEDULING

 

After 3 months we are winding down to the end of the insulation project and almost 100% completed.   As of January 1st we have 262 units completed and another 37 scheduled. If you have not scheduled your unit it is mandatory that you do so before  our deadline on  the 31st of January. ALL UNITS MUST BE COMPLETED BY THIS DATE.  If your unit needs to be rescheduled due to the recent snow storms, please call the office immediately and we will reschedule. If we are due to have a snow storm on the day of your scheduled appointment,  please call the office the day before and we will let you know if  you will need to reschedule.   We have openings after the 17th up until the 31st.   The insulation process has averaged out to take about 2 1/2—3 hours per unit.  Some of the larger units have taken over 3 hours.  In preparation for this project we ask that you move any objects, clothing, etc., to one section of your attic and cover your items.  This will allow the insulation company to move easier around in the attic space.    If your only access to the attic is through a closet, please have the closet cleaned out before your scheduled appointment.   The insulation is being blown in throw a hose that will come through the closest window to your access to the attic.  Please clear a path from the window to the attic access.

Scheduling Process:  Every week schedule forms have been sent out to 3 or 4 buildings depending on the number of units.  If you have lost your form or are not available for that week that was scheduled for your building, call the Management Office and we will work out another date and time in January . Leslie will make every effort to work around your schedule.   Saturday appointments are available.

On the monthly calendar  is the list of buildings that are in the process of scheduling.   If your address/building is listed and you have not received a schedule form, please call the office and we will send a form out to you immediately.

 

 

If it is forecasted to snow the day of your scheduled appointment,  we ask that you Please call the office the day before and we will have information on whether or not they will be insulating and if we will have to reschedule your appointment.    THANK YOU. [Type a quote from the document or the summary of an interesting point. You can position the text box anywhere in the document. Use the Text Box Tools tab to change the formatting of the pull quote text box.]

 

 

 WINTER TRASH COLLECTION

 

Please note that during the winter months, if we have a substantial snowstorm, DO NOT put trash out in the snow.  This would interfere with plowing and the trash would get buried. We ask that you wait until the next trash day to put out your trash.  We also ask that you please use sturdy, tightly tied bags.  Thank you for your cooperation. in an effort to keep the community tidy.

 

DECORATIONS

 

We appreciate how our residents get into the holiday spirit with door ornaments and lights but we just need to remind you that the time limit for any holiday decorations is two weeks before and 2 weeks after the

holiday. Please have all decorations removed by January 14th. 

 

Thank you….

 

 

The 2009 Annual Meeting is just around the corner.  This year there are SEVEN(7) positions available.  This is your chance as a homeowner to have a voice in the management of your community.  We urge all interested homeowners to apply.  Just call the management office and we will send out a profile sheet, all you need to do is fill it out and return it to the office.  Deadline is February 15th, 2009. Please come to the January 26th meeting to see the Board in action, and ask any questions you may have on condominium management

 

ATTENTION ALL NEW HOMEOWNERS AND OLD HOMEOWNERS

JUST A LITTLE REMINDER OF THE SNOW REMOVAL PROCEDURE

 

 As you are all aware snow removal in Greenbrook is not an easy task.  Every storm posses a different set of problems and varied responses.  In addition to the apparent lack of space to relocate the snow, we are faced with New England’s ever changing weather and temperatures which can drastically effect the speed and efficiency of the snow removal. 10 inches of a light, fluffy, snow on a cold night followed by a moderate sunny day is far easier to contend with than a 3 inch heavy, wet, slushy snow followed by a frigid morning after.  We also ask you to stay clear of snow plows and snow removal equipment. Do not travel closely behind the trucks as they make frequent stops.  Also, please do not park on the streets when a storm is predicted or while it is snowing to allow for proper plowing.  If you hear or see the plows and it is at all possible, please go out and move your car so your space can be plowed.

 

To help you, the homeowner, better understand why we do what we do, here is our basic game plan for any snow event:

 

1. Open up the main roads to provide access for Homeowners and emergency vehicles.

2. Clear alleyway, cul de sacs and large parking areas accessible by our two large plows.

3. Begin clearing individual parking spaces in front of garages with the plow mounted Bobcat.

4. Clear walkways leading into individual units.

5. Clear main sidewalks.

6. Clear mailboxes and bus stop locations.

 

PLEASE keep in mind that we usually have melting and thawing occurring during the day which refreezes at night making for a slick exit in the morning as you head out to school or work.  Although every attempt is being made to get to these areas, it is impossible to be at every one of these locations as they melt and refreeze, so please use caution. 

 

ICE MELT IS AVAILABLE TO GREENBROOK HOMEOWNERS’ AT THE OFFICE DURING BUSINESS HOURS. 

 

 

THE GREENBROOK BOARD OF MANAGERS MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY JANUARY 26, 2009 AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE 

CLUBHOUSE

 

Phone numbers

Greenbrook Management Office: 781-341-3100

                                             Fax: 781-341-1379

                           Emergency No.: 617-847-3875

Stoughton Police Department: 781-344-2424

Stoughton Fire Department:    781-344-3131

Stoughton Non-Emergency Number:   781-344-3132

Fisher Financial Services:  617-738-4940   Condo Fee Questions

Richard Endlar Insurance: 617-738-4940   (Holds Master Policy for Condo)

Tow Company is Island Street Towing, phone number :  781-344-0006   

FiOS Service Update

FAQ

1  Why are you doing this?

This blog is an experiment. 

With the cost of paper and postage always going out we decided a couple of years ago to stop mailing the newsletter — Greenbrook Grapevine.  Instead we now distribute it at the mail box areas where people can pick one up.  But there are problems associated with that kind of distribution.  We can run out, someone could take all of the copies, the newsletter could get damaged by weather or any of a number of other problems. 

We decided to try a blog because, in addition to eliminating these issues, a blog can be updated anytime and you can check the blog for new information whenever you like.  Better than that, a blog is absolutely free except for the time and effort it takes to write the postings.  Finally, as you will see over time, the blog retains older material so if you want to refer back to something, it’s easy to do.

2. Will the Greenbrook Grapevine continue to be published?

Even if the blog proves to be popular we will most likely continue to publish a newsletter to ensure that homeowners who do not have access to computers are not disadvantaged.  If the group is reasonably sized we might go back to printing and mailing a smaller number of newsletters.  It’s hard to say right now but we want to add not subtract from the Greenbrook experience.