2005 Sep
2005 Sep Vol. 25, No. 9
Focus on...Energy Conservation
A Look at Elizabeth, New Jersey
To many, Elizabeth, New Jersey is a pleasant, quiet town of about 130,000 between the Passaic and Raritan Rivers, just across the Arthur Kill from Staten Island, home to hundreds of commuter families and the ever-popular IKEA home furnishings store. But Elizabeth is much more than that. From its start as the first permanent British settlement in New Jersey, the town has been steeped in rich history—and as a result of the community's commitment to preserving that history, Elizabeth has inherited beautiful architecture, cultural events, and a sense of itself that few suburban cities can boast. Read More
Listening to Residents Helps Everyone
When it comes to questions of home and hearth, even the best of friends may argue. So it should come as no shock when co-op and condo associations, boards and residents fall into disagreements. It's what's done to settle or hopefully prevent these disagreements that can make all the difference in the world. Read More
The Upside of Energy-Efficient Lighting
Ask anyone to draw a picture of a light bulb, and odds are the sketches are all going to look quite similar—a circular incandescent bulb with the threaded end and tungsten filament that most lamps have always used. You know the ones: when someone gets an idea, it's the bulb that's supposed to appear over their head. But if you want a really good idea, try replacing those old-school bulbs with newer fluorescent ones—you'll not only save money, you'll be helping out the environment by using far less energy as well. Read More
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
In our highly disposable society, how people and communities deal with their trash is of vital importance to both individuals and their communities as a whole. The tri-state area produces a staggering amount of garbage every day, and recycling is one method of lessening the environmental impact of that garbage, as well as lowering costs and improving public health and sanitation. Many co-op and condo boards outline their recycling plans within the governing documents, though to get residents to actively recycle, more proactive steps often need to be taken. Read More
Eco-Friendly Pest Control
Jena Ball couldn't sleep—the noise was deafening and keeping her awake night after night. The racket wasn't coming from the next door neighbors, but instead was emanating from inside her condo wall. "It was bizarre," says Ball. Read More
Winterizing HOA Building Systems
Winterizing a condo or co-op is important every year, but with energy prices soaring, it's going to be especially important to keep your buildings protected from the elements—and your equipment running at its best—as the cold months approach in 2005. The nearly $3 a gallon we're paying at the gas pump is going to translate into higher energy costs this winter. Read More
A Look at Access Management
Sixteen years ago, Wayde Scheffer was a vice-president with United National Bank in Califon, New Jersey. He was also president of his condo association board, and he wasn't particularly impressed with the parade of management companies that he had been charged with interviewing. "This is how we do things" seemed to be the party line among company representatives at the time, Scheffer recalls—a take-it-or-leave it approach that he felt didn't offer much hope for personalized service. At some point in the selection process, a fellow board member turned to Scheffer with a momentous suggestion: "Geez, Wayde—you should do this!" And so he did. Read More
