Debra Alfano, Board member, shared this article about the retaining wall that had collapsed over 5 years ago. I'm sure there are some lessons learned that we can take away from this experience.
Thanks for sharing!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Green Issues
Jimmy Clark shared this link on the Facebook page and I just wanted to cross reference it here.
The Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums have a website and a special section about Green Issues.
Thanks for sharing!
The Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums have a website and a special section about Green Issues.
Thanks for sharing!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Interesting reading
I was browsing some articles on the Cooperator today and saw this interesting article on Energy Efficient Lighting.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
green workshop coming up!
As I was researching something else online about coops, I found information about a Green Workshop here:
INTRO TO GREEN FOR NEW YORK COOPS & CONDOS
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
7 PM
Location to be announced
There are many ways that cooperative and condominium boards can turn pressure to “go green” into an opportunity to reduce costs and comply with new codes. This popular workshop, sponsored by CNYC, NYSERDA Energy $mart Communities, and Solar One, will present easy ways to quickly reduce energy costs, and information on incentives available through the NYSERDA Multifamy Performance Program for comprehensive energy efficiency retrofits, and strategies for engaging shareholders and unit owners in the greening process. There is no cost for CNYC members and subscribers to attend this workshop but advanced registration is required. Others are welcome at a fee of $30 payable in advance. To pay at the door, reserve in advance and add a surcharge of $15.
INTRO TO GREEN FOR NEW YORK COOPS & CONDOS
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
7 PM
Location to be announced
There are many ways that cooperative and condominium boards can turn pressure to “go green” into an opportunity to reduce costs and comply with new codes. This popular workshop, sponsored by CNYC, NYSERDA Energy $mart Communities, and Solar One, will present easy ways to quickly reduce energy costs, and information on incentives available through the NYSERDA Multifamy Performance Program for comprehensive energy efficiency retrofits, and strategies for engaging shareholders and unit owners in the greening process. There is no cost for CNYC members and subscribers to attend this workshop but advanced registration is required. Others are welcome at a fee of $30 payable in advance. To pay at the door, reserve in advance and add a surcharge of $15.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Another home show
I saw an announcement today for the 25th Annual Suburban Home and Garden Show on Friday, February 10 through Sunday, February 12 at Rockland Community College in Suffern, NY. The show features hundreds of exhibits and demonstrations on home improvement, decorating, and landscaping. The show is open on Friday, 2/10 from 3pm-9pm, on Saturday 2/11 from 10am-9pm and Sunday, 2/12 from 10am-6pm.
I might be going. Anyone else interested in attending? Most likely, I would attend on Saturday.
For more information, check this website. There is a discount coupon online.
Thank you,
Gina Callender
I might be going. Anyone else interested in attending? Most likely, I would attend on Saturday.
For more information, check this website. There is a discount coupon online.
Thank you,
Gina Callender
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Oil to Gas Conversion
There are many things that we can do to be more green as a dwelling, one of which is converting from burning oil to natural gas. Natural gas is an efficient, safe, and reliable fuel source. It costs less than heating oil, and is one of the cleanest-burning fuels available. Converting to natural gas will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the air quality in your community. Help make a cleaner, greener New York. (from Con Edison's website)
Things that we need in order to persue this:
* Your property’s block and lot number
* Your point-of-entry (POE)
* Existing oil type (2, 4, or 6)
* Your oil consumption from the previous 24 months
* Existing, additional, and total gas load in cubic feet per hour (CFH)
* The type of service you will require (firm, interruptible, or both)
Here's an article that explains it in detail.
Here are some FAQ's.
What do you guys think???
Things that we need in order to persue this:
* Your property’s block and lot number
* Your point-of-entry (POE)
* Existing oil type (2, 4, or 6)
* Your oil consumption from the previous 24 months
* Existing, additional, and total gas load in cubic feet per hour (CFH)
* The type of service you will require (firm, interruptible, or both)
Here's an article that explains it in detail.
Here are some FAQ's.
What do you guys think???
Friday, January 13, 2012
HOME SHOW tomorrow
Terry Nagai wanted me to share with you that she is going to the Home Show at Pace University starting at 1pm. Here is the information in case anyone is interested.
By the way, the Journal News has a FREE Admission coupon.
Have a great weekend!
By the way, the Journal News has a FREE Admission coupon.
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Welcome newcomers!
Welcome to the blog! Please spread the word so we can get a bigger presence here and people can follow these major issues. I don't know about you...I LOVE Facebook, but sometimes it's difficult to backtrack and find something that you posted previously. One of the things I love about a blog is the ability to tag your posts, so when you're looking for something later, it's easier to access.
Anyway, as we learn more, we will keep everyone posted. In the meanwhile, I will try and post some relevant articles that may be helpful to keep in mind as we undertake this contruction project.
Anyway, as we learn more, we will keep everyone posted. In the meanwhile, I will try and post some relevant articles that may be helpful to keep in mind as we undertake this contruction project.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
The owner's perspective for managing a construction project
Today I came across a great article that outlines what owners need to be aware of when undergoing a construction project.
Some excerpts that struck me were:
“Waste, excessive cost and delays can result from poor coordination and communication among specialists. It is particularly in the interest of owners to insure that such problems do not occur. And it behooves all participants in the process to heed the interests of owners because, in the end, it is the owners who provide the resources and call the shots.”
“To carry this protective attitude to the extreme, the specifications prepared by an A/E firm for the general contractor often protects the interest of the A/E firm at the expense of the interests of the owner and the contractor.”
This is what we need to pay attention to:
“In order to reduce the cost of construction, some owners introduce value engineering, which seeks to reduce the cost of construction by soliciting a second design that might cost less than the original design produced by the A/E firm. In practice, the second design is submitted by the contractor after receiving a construction contract at a stipulated sum, and the saving in cost resulting from the redesign is shared by the contractor and the owner. The contractor is able to absorb the cost of redesign from the profit in construction or to reduce the construction cost as a result of the re-design. If the owner had been willing to pay a higher fee to the A/E firm or to better direct the design process, the A/E firm might have produced an improved design which would cost less in the first place. Regardless of the merit of value engineering, this practice has undermined the role of the A/E firm as the prime professional acting on behalf of the owner to supervise the contractor.”
What are your thoughts, comments or ideas?
Some excerpts that struck me were:
“Waste, excessive cost and delays can result from poor coordination and communication among specialists. It is particularly in the interest of owners to insure that such problems do not occur. And it behooves all participants in the process to heed the interests of owners because, in the end, it is the owners who provide the resources and call the shots.”
“To carry this protective attitude to the extreme, the specifications prepared by an A/E firm for the general contractor often protects the interest of the A/E firm at the expense of the interests of the owner and the contractor.”
This is what we need to pay attention to:
“In order to reduce the cost of construction, some owners introduce value engineering, which seeks to reduce the cost of construction by soliciting a second design that might cost less than the original design produced by the A/E firm. In practice, the second design is submitted by the contractor after receiving a construction contract at a stipulated sum, and the saving in cost resulting from the redesign is shared by the contractor and the owner. The contractor is able to absorb the cost of redesign from the profit in construction or to reduce the construction cost as a result of the re-design. If the owner had been willing to pay a higher fee to the A/E firm or to better direct the design process, the A/E firm might have produced an improved design which would cost less in the first place. Regardless of the merit of value engineering, this practice has undermined the role of the A/E firm as the prime professional acting on behalf of the owner to supervise the contractor.”
What are your thoughts, comments or ideas?
Monday, January 9, 2012
Welcome to our blog!
Hudson Court Owners Green Committe has created this blog in order to keep everyone: You - the Shareholders, the Board, and the Management Agent on one page. This is continuing the goal of transparency and open communication and I hope you will come back and visit often.
There are a few things in the works right now and as soon as we have more information, we will post it here.
Please keep checking back for updates!
Thanks,
The Green Committee
There are a few things in the works right now and as soon as we have more information, we will post it here.
Please keep checking back for updates!
Thanks,
The Green Committee
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