Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Heat Advisory 

By: Robert Gorden

Who's ready for some heat? The next couple days are going to be the warmest of the year so far with the temperatures reaching the mid 90's. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated. If you are going to be out in the sun for in the sun for an extended period of time, be sure to wear sun block, or you might find yourself burnt to a crisp! We also suggest you check in on family, friends, and the elderly who do not have air conditioning or spend much of their time alone. Try to keep an eye out for others in need.

With warmer temperatures throughout the week and weekend, hopefully everyone will get to enjoy the nice weather!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Electrical Cars: Owners Rights and the Condominium Board's Responsibility

By: Robert Gorden

Chevrolet Electric Car while charging front view
Electrical Car Charging on the Street
In today’s world, it would be smart to start paying more attention to electrical cars. Not only are electrical cars more environmentally friendly, but with the price of oil on the rise, you can expect more people to start buying them to save money. 

There are many issues a Board of a condominium will have to discuss when thinking of implementing electrical car charging stations. Is the Association required to install electrical charging stations? Who should have to pay for them? If the board does allow the charging stations, where should they be located?

It turns out that Boards are not legally required to implement electrical car charging stations at their condominium. There is no law stating these stations are mandatory, but by not having one,  the condominium’s reputation may be hurt.  If charging stations are approved, the Unit Owners who need the electrical stations are the ones who should be required to pay the installation fees. It does not seem right to make Unit Owners who are not using these stations also pay the fees.  One suggestion for condominiums would be to have a separate meter where the electric car owners pay a separate electric bill for the charging stations.

Where to place these car-charging stations can also be tricky. If the Owners each have their own garages, then there is an easy solution. On the other hand, if there is a common garage or a parking lot it can be a little more difficult.  There may be friction among owners if the Board gives preferential treatment to one group over the other.

If parking spaces are not assigned, it may be best to put the charging station in one of the less “desirable” spots to appease both parties. The Owners who have electrical cars can continue using the stations and the Owners who do not have electrical cars should not feel like anyone received  special treatment. It is very important to accommodate all Owners in a condominium. With electrical cars on the rise, over the next few years this is an issue that more and more condominium Boards will be faced with. Each situation and building will be different, but these are some tips to make the transition as seamless as possible. 

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Projectbread.org's Walk for Hunger

With the help of over 41,000 walkers and 2,000 volunteers, Project Bread was able to raise 3.6 million dollars at the 44th annual Walk for Hunger event on May 6th in the Boston Common.  Included in the event were members from Premier Property Solutions, LLC who  participated to support such a great cause. The money Project Bread raised will continue to fund over 450 programs they offer which helps so many people throughout the city and state of Massachusetts who can't afford food. With the hard times going on in our world today, it was great to see so many people come out and walk to support the Walk for Hunger. The money raised will help the 700,000 people in Massachusetts who are struggling to put food on the table.
We wanted to thank the employees of Premier Property Solutions, LLC who participated as well as thousands of other walkers and volunteers for their dedication and support of Projectbread.org's Walk for Hunger. It was great to participate in this event so close to many of the condominiums Premier Property Solutions, LLC manages.