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Residents gather for first Open Board Meeting of 2016 POSITIVE START North Shore Towers Courier n May 2016 7 By Stephen Vrattos Photos by Dawn Steinberg North Shore Towers residents filled Towers on the Green Thursday night, April 7, for the semi-annual open board meeting. Joining the presiding Board President, Mort Gitter, at either side of the podium, were Board Members Steve Redlich, Mario Carmiciano, Fred Chernow, Felice Hannah, Phyllis Goldstein, Howard Teitelbaum, General Manager Glen Kotowski, and co-op sponsor Jim Short. Board Member Bob Ricken was unable to attend due to an upper respiratory infection. NST legal counsel Errol Brett was also in the room, but was fighting a cold, so chose to stay clear of the podium, though he was called upon on several occasions to provide legal updates on certain issues. According to President Gitter, the financial condition of North Shore Towers is excellent, a theme that was reiterated throughout the evening. Major capital improvement projects were under way and shareholders have been kept abreast of everything via a dozen or so letters slipped under their doors. Gitter noted a major concern of undo negativity, based on hearsay and provoked by a small group of individuals with their own agendas, over the internet, and pointed out that such actions only serve to unduly harm the reputation of NST, which could in turn adversely affect property sales and values. He welcomed any and all constructive comments and suggestions and promised that the Board would always follow through on such. One other issue Gitter addressed was the Towers Restaurant and its failing grade received by the NYC Board of Health. The proprietors have been duly “called on the carpet,” and subsequently have addressed every issue raised, much to the satisfaction of the NST Board. Unfortunately, numerous calls to the NYC Board of Health to get a re-inspection have seemingly fallen on deaf ears with no indication of when such an action will occur. To assuage the concerns of the residents, the Board hired an independent inspector to review the restaurant, which was given a thumbs-up. A short presentation by each Board Member ensued, including one from absentee Bob Ricken, whose report—penned prior to the meeting—was graciously delivered by Fred Chernow when Ricken’s turn arose. Treasurer Steve Redlich reported a 14.5% increase in NST’s assessed value by New York City. The mild winter translated to a nice savings in natural gas expenditures and upgrades in the accounting system continue unimpeded. First Vice President and Capital Improvements Chair Mario Carmiciano reiterated the safety of the Towers Restaurant. “My wife and I eat there and I suggest you eat there,” he advised. The renovation designs for Towers on the Green have been approved, but have been kept in abeyance due to the impending re-inspection of the restaurant. The long-awaited outdoor pool renovations would begin next fall, with an expected completion before the 2017 season. The anticipated switch from fluorescent to LED lighting in the garage was being finalized, and the Board was being proactive in hiring a traffic consultant to see what could be improved with the parking, speed bumps, handicapped spots, stop signs and other driving features of the grounds. Cultural Affairs Committee Chair Fred Chernow noted that NST sales have risen 2.5% in the first three months of 2016, despite a 2% decline in the stock market, and reminded the residents that this bump was on top of the 8.5% increase last year. Chernow noted that the rising popularity of the 92nd Street Y program, which he hosts, has elicited an afternoon showing, and that the 4th Annual SFF@NST (Short Film Festival at North Shore Towers) will be held on September 13 and 29. Political Action Committee Chair Felice Hannah followed. She noted the numerous politicos she’s hosted over the past few months, whether for “Meet and Greet” tours of the Arcade; round table discussions or presentations, as well as the recent successful forum of District 3 candidates—sponsored by Schneps Communications, publishers of Queens Courier and North Shore Towers Courier among others—she helped moderate. She promised more such welcome visits from government officials; future workshops on such diverse issues as cybercrime and fire safety; and a follow-up debate with the respective Democratic and Republican nominations for the District 3 seat in June before the general election. Committee Chair of GAP (Gym/ Aerobics/Pool), Phyllis Goldstein spoke of an impending improvement to certain aspects of the indoor pool, which has never been renovated, such as the walls, columns and glass panels of the dome. Concerning the latter, there is no structural damage to repair, but puckering, blistering and discoloration of the panels has occurred over the forty years since the pool was built. Goldstein’s announcement of Beth Donner Design being the company providing the design work for the project was greeted with appreciative oohs and aahs from the audience. House and Grounds Committee Chair Howard Teitelbaum announced that the process for the delayed renovation of the entrance and front plaza has begun. Plans for such were approved a decade ago, but put on hold when more pressing concerns took precedence. He completed his time by giving a hearty “Thank you” to each of the unsung members of his library committee by name. Fred Chernow returned to the dais to give Special Projects Committee Chair Bob Ricken’s report, which included an announcement of the date for the anticipated Art Show (August 28) and upcoming Holocaust program on May 5, as well as an initiative about walking trails around the golf course. Chernow was followed by NST legal counsel Errol Brett, who addressed the rising concern of smoking and its secondhand effects with residents. Brett advised that any enforcement on smokers would have to come from the residents and offered two proposals. The first would be to amend the NST resale policy to allow any future sales of units to non-smokers only. The second would entail amending the co-op’s proprietary lease to disallow smoking altogether. Such an action would take a two-thirds vote from the residents, and Brett noted that a similar action was not granted in the past, because the minimum of votes was not reached. He then asked for a show of hands to gauge residents’ feelings on the matter. Residents then took to the mic with questions for the Board. Issues, such as landfill concerns on Marcus Avenue; charging stations for electrics cars and hybrids installed in the garages; bicycle storage; and enforcement of start times for private contractors were addressed, as well as reiterated concerns for the smoking issue and the re-inspection of the restaurant. The evening ended as it always has in the past with refreshments. Board President Gitter profiles the start of 2016 Fred Chernow channels Bob Ticken


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