Spring Board Open meeting of NST
STORY BY
STEPHEN VRATTOS
Photo by Dawn Steinberg Wednesday night, April
4, Towers Cinema was
crowded with returning
Snowbirds joining their fulltime
resident neighbors for the first
Open Board Meeting of 2018.
It’s been 4 months, since the last
gathering of residents for the coop’s
financial meeting in early
December. But attendance then
was a fraction of this evening’s,
with many of the NST faithful
having already fled months earlier
for the cozier climate of Florida
and other points south. No surprise,
then, the heavy turnout, as
many residents were eager to get
the latest on their beloved homes
and community. And the co-op’s
Board of Directors did not disappoint,
reminding all that they do
not hibernate during the frigid
winter months.
Cultural Events Chair Fred
Chernow reported continued strong
support for his twice-monthly 92
Street Y presentations and thanked
Country Club Manager Mary Anne
Langone for furthering the NST’s
relationship with the august organization,
which has resulted in
programs coming to the co-op mere
weeks after their live recordings in
Manhattan.
Switching to his Screening Chair
hat, Chernow alerted residents of a
Bloomsburg News report the week
prior, which stated that co-op sales
had fallen 25% compared to the
same time in 2017. But the mischievous
mensch wasn’t fooling
anyone. His green tie belay any ill
real estate news from other parts of
the city. And NST continues to defy
its peers with a nearly 6% increase
in per-share price compared to the
same period last year. In fact, since
2011, owners have had the pleasant
experience of a 56% growth in their
investment.
The good news continued with
Treasurer Steve Redlich, who
gave his customary audio-visual
presentation, albeit curtailed from
the exhaustive report he presented
in December, which focused on
NST financials. The 2017 actual
operating revenue deviated from
the budget by a respectable threetenths
of 1 percent, even with the
necessary increase in outdoor pool
renovation costs resulting from the
replacement of the pergola and
foundation. Redlich deft handling
of the co-ops finances has allowed
his continued ability to move one
million in surplus toward the 2020
principal payments on the mortgage,
a savvy move, especially since
there seems to be no surcease in
the continuing battle to amend the
taxation laws regarding co-ops.
NST Legal Consul, Errol Brett,
took a moment to explain that the
insurance for the co-op which is
listed in NST’s yearly expenditures
should not be confused with individual
homeowners’ insurance.
The former covers the co-op as a
whole, but not each tenant’s apartments,
any damages, which may
occur from the fault of the owner.
Nor does it pertain to visits from
caretakers, outside contractors,
friends or family members, which
may result in damages. Any costs
from either are the responsibility
of the individual apartment owners
and Brett urged everyone to
consult with their carrier about
ensuring they are covered properly
for such.
Gap (Gym/Aerobics/Pool) Chair,
Phyllis Goldstein addressed the
problems with the pair of new
Cybex treadmills in the gym. After
the replacement of the circuit boards
for each failed to solve the difficulties,
the company determined
Directors convene
the problem may be the result of a
power surge. It is hoped cleaning
the lines of each machine will prove
successful. Goldstein also brought
to the attention of the assembled
another new piece of equipment,
the Bravo Advanced All-In-One
Functional Trainer, which she fears
is being woefully underutilized,
reminding everyone of the monthly
equipment training sessions taught
by Cari Heiman, which are among
the Country Club Calendar listings
in the North Shore Towers Courier
or at the club’s reception desk.
A consultation group has been
employed to examine the gym, its
machines and space usage, to determine
if the area can be designed
more efficiently and how best to
replace equipment in the future.
Booster air conditioning units
and individual thermostats have
been added to the fitness rooms,
which were lacking proper ventilation.
Replacement of the indoor
pool lockers and purchasing
artwork to spruce up the walls
are being examined, as well as
upgrading the chair cushion to a
more absorbent design.
The new outdoor pool pergola
fronting the Arcade has been modified
in answer to concerns over its
obstructing the view of the pool.
Any further amendments will be
tabled until after the fast-approaching
season, so the popular summer
amenity can open as scheduled over
Memorial Day weekend.
Board President Mario
Carmiciano, who also chairs the
Country Club Committee, treated
residents to a preliminary design
of the golf course renovations, first
mentioned during the December
Financial Meeting, which will
provide dedicated parking to golf
members and a new short-game
course. The target area flanks the
outdoor pool and will address the
current problems with single-lane
and golf cart traffic, and include
a circular, one-way drive to/from
parking lot.
A temporary pickleball court will
be set up in part of the basketball
court, following request for such
by residents. The game could be
described as a cross between paddleball
and tennis. Its success could
lead to a more permanent pickleball
court. A proposed bocce ball
court east of the tennis courts is also
under consideration.
Under the leadership of Chair
Dr. Stanley Goldsmith, the PAC
(Political Action Committee) strives
to foment change in current inequitable
tax assessments of co-ops
and condos, which continue to
plague North Shore Towers with
exorbitant taxation. Senator Tony
Avella is currently pushing a bill,
which would address the issue, but
it has stalled. Goldsmith hopes to
schedule a Sunday brunch with
Avella at NST, but both he and the
Senator’s office have yet to find a
convenient date to do so.
Consul Brett returned to the
podium to alert residents of tax
abatements of which they may be
unaware. These concern only those
owners who list NST as their primary
residence and are members of
the clergy, a military veteran or disabled
and over 65-years-old. Most
important, the age restriction for
the senior homeowners’ exemption
has been raised to any elder person
whose income is under $58,000, up
nearly $20,000 from its previous cap
of $37,000.
A Q/A session followed the
Board Directors’ reports, addressing
such subjects as the outdoor
pool pergola, performance by
security and maintenance during
recent fire scare, improper observance
of pet policy and disgruntlement
over Local Law 11 redesign
of balconies.
Board President and Country Club Committee Chair Mario
Carmiciano reveals proposed plan for new Golf Member parking and
short game course
6 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ May 2018