March 2018

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March 2018 Community Trends ®

HOMEOWNER LEADERS

In This Issue

• Best Practices —WorkingWith Your Manager • Rely on the Experts • To Bid, or Not to Bid? ....and more

2018 ULTIMATE PARTNERS NJ Chapter Communi t y Associat ions Inst i tute The Community Associations Institute New Jersey Chapter would like to thank its partners below. For more information on our sponorships, please contact Laura O’Connor at 609-588-0030 or laura@cainj.org.

CAI-NJ STAFF

LARRY P. THOMAS, PCAM CHAPTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LARRY@CAINJ.ORG ANGELA KAVANAUGH DIRECTOR, CONFERENCE & PROGRAMS ANGELA@CAINJ.ORG LAURA O’CONNOR DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP & MARKETING LAURA@CAINJ.ORG JACLYN OSKIERKO DIRECTOR, EVENTS & EDITORIAL JACLYN@CAINJ.ORG BROOKE STOPPIELLO-NEVINS OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR &

GRAPHIC DESIGNER BROOKE@CAINJ.ORG

Contact CAI-NJ

ADDRESS CAI-NJ

500 HARDING ROAD FREEHOLD, NJ 07728 PHONE 609-588-0030 FAX 609-588-0040 WEB WWW.CAINJ.ORG EMAIL INFO@CAINJ.ORG

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THE CAI-NJ COMMUNITY TRENDS ® MAGAZINE CONTENTS

A Review of the FAST Committee in 2017 By Kristy Winchock Morris Engineering

Board Member Best Practices — Working With Your Manager By Steve Kroll Fairways at Livingston and Jean Bestafka Renaissance Homeowners Association

Do One Thing Better: Important Traits of Effective Board Members By Mary W. Barrett, Esq. Stark & Stark Relying on the Experts By Vanessa Davenport Board President, Regency at Quailbrook HOA and Kari Valentine, CMCA, AMS Community Director, Associa Mid-Atlantic

To Bid or Not To Bid By Robert N. Roop, P.E. Lockatong Engineering, Inc.

Management Trends: ADR/Mediation By Tony Nardone Corner Property Management

EXTRAS President's Corner

5 6 7 8

Looking Ahead

CAI-NJ Upcoming Events

Legislative Update

Chapter Trends

10 23 26 32 38 39 40

Spring Break Party Registration

2018 Legislative Update Program Registration

2018 Roudtable Series Registration

New Members

CAI Membership Application

Get Social with CAI-NJ

2018 CAI-NJ Conference & Expo Save the Date 51 2018 CAI-NJ Conference & Expo Booth Registration 52

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CAI-NJ LEADERSHIP BOARD OFFICERS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Benjamin Basch American Pool Business Partner

Donna Belkot, CMCA, AMS Taylor Management Company, AAMC, AMO Community Association Manager Jean Bestafka Renaissance Homeowners Association Community Association Volunteer Leader

PRESIDENT LISA VITIELLO, CPA TOWNE & COUNTRY MANAGEMENT, INC.

Frank Catanzarite Community Association Volunteer Leader

Jeffrey Logan Guardian Service Industries, Inc. Business Partner

VICE PRESIDENT JENNIFER NEVINS DW SMITH ASSOCIATES, LLC

PRESIDENT ELECT MOHAMMED SALYANI, CPA WILKIN & GUTTENPLAN, P.C.

Deana Luchs Canal Walk Homeowners Association Community Association Volunteer Leader Christopher Nicosia, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Prime Management, Inc., AAMC Manager Lawrence N. Sauer, CPM, CMCA, PCAM Association Advisors Manager

TREASURER LOREN LIGHTMAN, ESQ. HILL WALLACK, LLP

SECRETARY MARK WETTER, ESQ. RADOM & WETTER

GENERAL COUNSEL Jason Orlando, Esq. Orlando Murphy LLP

GENERAL COUNSEL EMERITUS Wendell A. Smith, Esq., CCAL Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis, LLP

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Denise Becker, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Homestead Management Services, Inc., AAMC

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER LISA VITIELLO, CPA CAI-NJ 2018 PRESIDENT | TOWNE & COUNTRY MANAGEMENT, INC.

Homeowner Leaders

T his month’s issue is focused on “Homeowner Leaders.” Homeowner Leaders in community associations are both board members, elected by the members, at large and committee members, usually appointed by the board to lead those committees. I have, personally, walked in both sets of shoes. My first home was a condominium where I volunteered as a committee member as well as an elected board mem- ber. The latter lasted twenty years and I experienced com- munity operations from the board member’s vantage point. Board members of communities are volunteers who bring diverse experiences to the board room. There are those members who are interested in the social aspect of being involved and others who wish to bring their business expe- rience to the table. The one common link for all members is that they have a vested interest in seeing that the community thrives. For many boards, this is a new endeavor. It was for me. Being one of the first board members in a new community, the first major matter at hand was transitioning from devel- oper to owner control. Fortunately, for our community, we had a seasoned board member who knew about CAI. Our board was able to tap into the plethora of educational pro- grams to guide us through. Education was and continues to be key to a thriving community. Being a board member brings much responsibility. You are entrusted with the fiduciary duty to make the best business judgement decisions for your community and its

"Our communities are micro-cities. Like NYC, we have our share of security issues." members. Therefore, I offer a few key guidelines in making your decisions. • Keep emotions out of your decision making. The unique part of being a community board member is that many situations involve your neighbors. Focus on what is best for the community, at large. • Self Interest should not be your motive. You were elected to serve the members, at large

"Board members of communities are volunteers who bring diverse experiences to the board room."

• Segregation of duties is a key financial control. Don’t have one person performing overlapping duties. You need checks and balances to safeguard community assets. • Don’t be afraid to raise fees. In the long run, it will hurt the value of your homes if there are insufficient capital funds to maintain the community. • Curb appeal is important for added value. Put those flowers in !!! Enjoy your community and neighbors. I have life, long friends from my community living experience. n

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LOOKING AHEAD LARRY THOMAS, PCAM | CAI-NJ CHAPTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I ’d like to begin this month’s column by thanking all our community’s board members and committee volunteers. Without you all, we would not have as many successfully run associations as we have. New Jersey board members have evolved tremendously over the recent decades. This is due to the willingness of board members to better educate themselves on what their role is and to better understand the importance of creating an experienced team of support vendors and professionals. I started in the community management business over 35 years ago and I can say without hesitation that today’s community leaders are more informed and cognizant of their roles and responsibilities as board members and committee associates. Here is my take on what I see are the major improvements with our board members and I will follow with what I see are the areas that need improvement. Whenever I get contacted by a board member. I consider the governance of their association, I look to see who is managing and who the professionals are. I also look to see how many members of the community are registered with CAI and which functions they have attended. This gives me a sense of how dedi- cated or genuine the board is with properly running their association. Here are my key components to a successful community: • Transparency — A confident board will publish all their pertinent information in as many outlets as possible. I believe a “members only” section on the community’s website is the best place to provide these reports/ doc- uments. I also suggest that the associations insurance information and governing docs be placed in the “mem- bers only” section. • Communication — There is nothing better than being able to meet with a board member or the com- munity manager face to face to ask any questions about the community or see if an issue can be quickly resolved.

Several communities have designated specific times where a resident can meet with a board member or the community manager. • Education — I cannot stress enough the importance of being as up-to-date as you can possibly be with what is happening in the New Jersey community association arena. I often encourage our boards to not only allow their management teams to attend our educational events but to insist that they attend and report back to the board what was discussed. • Experienced Team — “Hire the best that you can afford” is my advice here. I too often see boards “set- tle” for a lesser quality manager or professional. An experienced, credentialed manager can properly lead your community and over the long run the extra cost will come back to you several times over. I also see too many boards get into the weeds with trying to manage the day to day operations. Boards should set policy and the staff and professionals should carry out these policies. I see way too many associations suffer due to micromanagement by the boards. • Forward Planning and a Succession Plan — The most successful communities plan far beyond the current year. I suggest creating a realistic strategic plan or a three-year operations budget. And finally, have a succession plan for your board positions. You can accomplish this by getting your key committee volunteers more involved with education and CAI. Remember, you can now sign up to 15 board members or key volun- teers for the cost of $295 per year. CAI-NJ offers several seminars and educational events designed specifically for our Homeowner Leaders. Please check out the calendar on the facing page for a list of these events. n

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2018

EVENTS & EDUCATION CALENDAR

JUNE

march

Board Leadership Development Workshop CAI-NJ, Freehold

Coffee & Cram: CMCA Study Group CAI-NJ, Freehold

21 12

Lecture Series CAI-NJ, Freehold

20 27 13

Lecture Series CAI-NJ Freehold

Joint Manager & Business Partner Roundtable TBD Dennis R. Casale Memorial Golf Outing Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Twp.

Joint Economic Forecast Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Twp. LAC Update (South/ Central Jersey) Greenbriar Woodlands, Toms River

July

APRIL

12- 13 18 25

M-203: Community Leadership Ramada Plaza, Cranbury Annual Olympics Thompson Park, Monroe Twp. Senior Summit Renaissance at Manchester, Manchester

3 10 17 26

LAC Update (North/Central Jersey) Renaissance at Raritan Valley, Somerset LAC Update (South Jersey) Horizon at Woods Landing, Mays Landing

LAC Update (Central Jersey) Concordia, Monroe Twp. Spring Break Party The Grand Marquis, Old Bridge

August

Annual Beach Party Martells Tiki Bar, Point Pleasant

may

Board Leadership Development Workshop CAI-NJ, Freehold

M-100: The Essentials of Community Association Management Mercer County Community College, West Windsor Joint Manager & Business Partner Roundtable TBD

Lecture Series CAI-NJ Freehold

31- 2

SEPTEMBER

Homeowner Leader Roundtable TBD Manager Leadership Workshop TBD

Lecture Series CAI-NJ Freehold

Events are subject to change

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

GEORGE GREATREX, ESQ. PARTNER, SHIVERS, GOSNAY & GREATREX, LLC LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE CHAIR

A s I’ve been known to say about the legislative pro- cess, to be successful you must possess patience and perseverance…in abundance. In spite of our best efforts, we fell short on two of the Legislative Action Committee’s objectives at the end of the last legislative ses- sion in Trenton this past January. First, the mortgage foreclosure reform legislation we sup- ported to address the problem of “zombie foreclosures” in our communities failed to reach the floor of either chamber for a vote. The good news is that these bills have already been reintroduced in the Assembly and the Senate in this new legislative session (A2085/S1243), and their spon- sors are as motivated as we are to move them toward pas- sage. It is our hope that revisions to the bills can be soon negotiated to address the technical concerns expressed by Senate staffers who were responsible for pulling the bills at the last minute. We remain committed to providing fair options to lenders and community associations during the often lengthy foreclosure process on vacant properties in our state. Second, the bill to amend the Municipal Land Use Law to waive a developer’s obligation to post performance and maintenance guarantees for those improvements in com- mon interest communities which would not be dedicated to the local municipality was signed into law by Governor Christie on his last day in office. For those property manag- ers and board members of new common interest communi- ties (going forward) for which the developer is not required to post those bonds on certain improvements, you will no longer be able to rely on the municipal engineer and administrator to make sure those improvements have been properly designed and constructed by enforcing those bonds. Rather, it will be necessary now to be more vigilant than ever in monitoring the construction of those communi- ties and to timely demand repair and/or replacement of any discovered design and construction defects, since liti-

"...we have been made aware that at least one state legislator intends to introduce legislation to mandate proper training of members of New Jersey’s 6,700 common interest community governing boards." training of members of New Jersey’s 6,700 common inter- est community governing boards. It goes without saying that our homeowner leaders play a vital and necessary role in the daily governance of our homeowner associations. These volunteers attend countless meetings, answer daily telephone calls and letters from their neighbors, and are generally depended upon to ensure the peaceful enjoyment and maintenance of the value of their homes, all without compensation and often without the credit they deserve. It is suggested, however, that all board members could perform these volunteer tasks more efficiently and effective- ly if they received proper and timely training. To be sure, there is no better training than what you receive “on the job”, but for newly elected/appointed board members who must jump right into what often are difficult situations gation against the developer will be the Association’s only remedy. It is important for your transition team (property manager, board members, engineer, attorney and accoun- tant) to actively communicate with each other and with the developer so as to prevent what could be catastrophic consequences for your new associations. In keeping with the theme of this issue of Community Trends ® , we have been made aware that at least one state legislator intends to introduce legislation to mandate proper

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2018 CAI-NJ COMMITTEES

in their communities, early training and orientation can assist those new board members in being prepared to properly perform their tasks from the day they join the board. What that training or orientation will look like will be the main subject of negotiation of this legislation. What must be sought is a fair balance between the benefits of training and the recognition of the time constraints already put on our vol- unteer homeowner leaders. In a time when it is sometimes difficult to recruit new board members to serve on our governing boards, the last thing we want to do is further discourage our vital volunteers from serving. We invite your input on this issue of board member training. The LAC will be involved in helping to shape this legislation, and we will seek to attain that fair balance of benefit versus cost. Let us know your thoughts and sugges- tions…we’ll keep you posted. Talk to you next month. n

AWARDS COMMITTEE Dori Novick — Chair Andrew Linfante — Vice Chair Tana Bucca, Esq.

Richard Linderman, Esq. AJ Meola Angela Morisco, Esq. Steven Morris, RS Robert Roop

Carol Koransky, CPA Steve Kroll Christine Li, Esq., CCAL James Magid, CMCA, LSM, PCAM Thomas Martin, Esq. Glen Masullo, CMCA, PCAM Jack McGrath Michael Pesce, PCAM Paul Raetsch J. David Ramsey, Esq. Caroline Record, Esq., CCAL

Jennifer Carr Rich Cassilli Drew Cowley Gabby Grimes

Board Liaisons: Lisa Vitiello, CPA Deana Luchs Staff Liaison: Jaclyn Oskierko FAST COMMITTEE Lauren Vadenais — Chair Kristy Winchock — Vice Chair Matthew Antico Vincent Kazmierski Sierra Kressin, Esq. Jessica Long AJ Meola Rob Mignone Nicole Miller, Esq. Ashley Payne, CMCA Adrianna Rudzinsky, Esq. David Vargas Gabe Vitale Board Liaisons: Larry Sauer, CPM, CMCA, PCAM Jeffery Logan Staff Liaisons: Jaclyn Oskierko Laura O'Connor GOLF COMMITTEE Chris Belkot — Chair Paul Migliore — Vice Chair Raymond Barnes, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Scott Brandle Martin Cabalar, Esq. Patricia Clemente Eric Eggert Marty Ehrlich Robert Frustaci Keith Giliberti, PE, RS Matt Grobert Frederick Hodge Jessica Baker, Esq. Jamie Cullen, CMCA Jessica Hatton

Vanessa Hilsdon, Esq. Christine Maldonado Vanessa Pena, Esq. Kari Prout Nicole Skaro Eileen Szelewicki, CMCA Tino Tandurella Mary Visco Sandi Wiktor

Board Liaisons: Jean Bestafka Loren Lightman, Esq. Staff Liaisons: Larry Thomas, PCAM Laura O'Connor MANAGERS COMMITTEE Erin O'Reilly, CMCA, AMS, PCAM — Chair Glenda Carroll, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, LSM — Vice Chair Tracey Allen Tony Nardone, CMCA, AMS Kerri Stimpson, CMCA, AMS Ilene Uydess Elaine Warga-Murray, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Michelle Williams Board Liaisons: Donna Belkot, CMCA, AMS Christopher Nicosia, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Staff Liaison: Angela Kavanaugh MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Lysa Bergenfeld, Esq. — Chair Nikolaos Haralambopoulos, CPA — Vice Chair Erika Befumo Claire Diallo Steven Mlenak, Esq. Debbie Pasquariello, CIC, CIRMS Ken Shah Kathleen Radler Briana Walsh Board Liaison: Loren Lightman, Esq. Mark Wetter, Esq. Staff Liaison: Laura O'Connor NETWORKING EVENTS COMMITTEE Jeff Cirkus, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Chuck Graziano, PCAM, CPM Dawn Mackanic, CMCA Kristina Munson

Board Liaisons: Lisa Vitiello, CPA Mohammed Salyani, CPA Staff Liaison: Jaclyn Oskierko BUISNESS PARTNERS COMMITTEE

Robert Flanagan, Esq. — Chair Kim Manicone — Vice Chair Beth Barnett John Buglione Arnold Calabrese, Esq. Bernie Cosentino Toni Licciardi Julie Nole Ken Sauter, Esq. Herman Shauger Amy Shorter Dan Turi Jessica Vail Patricia Ventura Gregory Vinogradsky, Esq. Lisa Wagner Kristy Winchock Brian Yarzab, Esq. Board Liaisons: Jeffrey Logan Jennifer Nevins Staff Liaison: Angela Kavanaugh CONFERENCE & EXPO Cheryl Rhine — Chair Jay Burak — Vice Chair

Hank Johns Pete Katula Georgette Kyriacou Michael Polulak, Esq. Ross Rutman Christopher Tensen, CMCA, AMS Ryan Weiner Tom Witowski Board Liaisons: Larry Sauer, CPM, CMCA, PCAM Mark Wetter, Esq. Staff Liaison: Jaclyn Oskierko HOMEOWNER LEADER COMMITTEE Charles Lavine — Chair Bruce Kunz — Vice Chair Nina Bell Roslyn Brodsky Steve Kroll Cheryl Palent Board Liaisons: Jean Bestafka Frank Catanzarite Deana Luchs Staff Liaison: Angela Kavanaugh LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE (LAC) George Greatrex, Esq. — Chair A. Christopher Florio, Esq. — Vice Chair Liz Comando, PCAM Louis Curtis, MBA, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Barbara Drummond, CMCA, PCAM

Joe Bonafede Stacey Cadoff Jessica Chelkowski, CPA Ellen Comiski Sudeep Das John Echelmeier Eric Frizzell, Esq. Eleni Giannikopoulos Tanya Jimenez Barbara Kelly Terry Kessler, Esq. Konrad Kurach Steve Lang Denise Mack Patricia McGlone, Esq.

Not a Member?

Jeffrey Paige, Esq. — Chair Pam Illiano — Vice Chair Denise Becker, CMCA, AMS, PCAM

Monica Caporosa Dean Catanzarite Diane Cody, PCAM

Rhett Cowley Steve Ferrara Angelo Giacchi Gary Gleitman

Fred Hodge Arthur Holl Allison Jacques Jessica Long Jessica Marvel Sharon Maldonado Daniel Reilly Chris Rosati David Shahrabani Mark Siwiak Jodi Smallwood Christina Smith Melissa Volet, Esq. Board Liaisons: Jennifer Nevins Benjamin Basch Staff Liaison: Jaclyn Oskierko

Kevin Oliver Kelley Rojas Harriet Schwarzber, CMCA, AMS Lenny Stern Jackie Thermidor, CMCA Board Liaisons: Donna Belkot, CMCA, AMS Mohammed Salyani, CPA Staff Liaison: Angela Kavanaugh EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Kari Valentine, CMCA, AMS — Chair Mary Barrett, Esq. — Vice Chair Robert Arnone, CMCA, AMS David Cerra, Esq.

Join Today! Fill out the membership application on page 39 of this issue!

Call (609) 588-0030 with your questions about joining CAI.

Joseph Chorba, CPA Vanessa Davenport Jessica Flynn, Esq. Dan Fusco, CMCA, AMS

Matthew Earle, Esq. Vincent Hager, CIRMS Sue Howe, CMCA, AMS, PCAM

M A R C H , 2 0 1 8

CHAPTER TRENDS mem property management Selected as Management Company for Society Hill at Hamiton II mem property management was recently selected as the new property management company for the Society Hill at Hamilton II Condominium Association, a private condo- minium community located in Hamilton Township in Mercer County, New Jersey. Society Hill at Hamilton II is composed of 432 attractive two-bedroom, two-bath condominiums located on three stories within 18 buildings. The amenities in the complex include a clubhouse, a pool, 2 tennis courts, and 2 tot lots. The complex is located within the excellent Hamilton Township school system, including Steinert High School. “We are very excited to have been chosen as the new property management company for the Society Hill at Hamilton II Condominium Association and look forward to working with an outstanding and highly engaged HOA board to support this incredible community,” says Martin Laderman, founder and CEO of mem property manage- ment in New Jersey. Cowleys Pest Services Earns Angie's List Super Service Award Cowleys Pest Services is proud to announce that it has earned the Angie’s List Super Service Award (SSA). This

award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List in 2017. Angie’s List Super Service Award 2017 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check, record a current trade license attestation and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines. Cowleys Pest Services has been listed on Angie’s List since 2007. This is the third year in a row that Cowleys Pest Services has received this honor. World’s Largest Distributor SOLitude Lake Management ® was recently recognized as the world’s largest distributor of AquaMaster fountains and aeration systems by AquaMaster, the leading brand and largest manufacturer of lake and pond aeration equip- ment. The designation was made in January, following several years of SOLitude’s consistent placement as one of AquaMaster’s top three distributors. Floating fountains and aeration systems add both beauty and function to a water- body, and are an integral part of an effective and environ- mentally-safe lake and pond management plan. Fountains and aerators improve water circulation and efficiently add dissolved oxygen throughout a waterbody, which can help prevent many undesirable symptoms of stagnant and stratified water, including algae blooms, bottom sludge, foul odors, and mosquito and insect infestations. SOLitude continues to work closely with AquaMaster to ensure SOLitude’s team of experts receive regular certifications and training on the latest technology advancements in lake and pond aeration. The SOLution SOLitude Lake Management is pleased to announce the results of the company’s 2017 charitable initiatives through

Courtesy CAI-NJ.

(above) Drew and Bill Cowley of Cowleys Pest Services.

CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 13

M A R C H , 2 0 1 8

COMMUNITY. ASSOCIA. FUTURE.

At Associa, COMMUNITY always comes first! Investing in a home is one of the most important decisions you can make and so is choosing a partner to help you protect your investment. Associa is the world’s largest community association management firm, serving its clients with local knowledge, national resources and comprehensive expertise. Our best-in-class technology, products and services are designed to add value to your community.

From accounting services to full-scale, fully staffed management, including on-site personnel and facilities maintenance, we can help you achieve your community’s goals.

Secure your community’s future by partnering with a management company that will put your community first. Contact Associa today!

Associa Mid-Atlantic 14000 Horizon Way, Suite 200 Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 888.884.8490 www.associamidatlantic.com

Associa Community Management Corp. 1030 Clifton Ave., Suite 205 Clifton, NJ 07013 973.773.6262 www.communityservices.com

Delivering unsurpassed management and lifestyle services to communities worldwide.

CAI-NJ 2018 PARTNERS

GAF Kipcon Inc. McGovern Legal Services, LLC mem property management, co., inc. Rezkom Enterprises, Inc. Taylor Management Company, AAMC, AMO

Ansell Grimm & Aaron, PC Associa Community Management Corp., AAMC Belfor Property Restoration Brown & Brown Insurance of Lehigh Valley C & L Sweeping & Pavement Maintenance DW Smith Associates, LLC FWH Associates, P.A. G & C Electronics

The Falcon Group - Engineering, Architecture & Energy Consultants Wilkin & Guttenplan, PC

Accent Group Becht Engineering, BT, Inc. Becker & Poliakoff, LLP

Griffin Alexander, P.C. Hill Wallack, LLP Hillcrest Paving & Excavating, Inc. Jesan Construction and Maintenance JGS Insurance KPI 2 Contractors, Inc. L.N. Rothberg & Son, Inc. Landscape Maintenance Services, Inc. Mackoul Risk Solutions, LLC Morris Engineering, LLC National Contractors, Inc. NFP Property & Casualty Services, Inc. O & S Associates, Inc.

Popular Association Banking Quality 1st Contracting, Inc. R.M. Termite & Pest Control Radom & Wetter Attorneys at Law Rainbow G & J Painting, LLC Regal Restoration Republic Services of NJ, LLC Stark & Stark Suburban Consulting Engineers, Inc. Supreme Metro, LLC Technocality, Inc. Towne & Country Management, Inc. USI Insurance Services Wilkin Management Group, LLC

Berman & Wright Architecture Engineering & Planning, LLC Buckalew Frizzell & Crevina LLP Capital One Bank, N.A. Corner Property Management Cowley’s Termite & Pest Control Services Curcio, Mirzaian & Sirot, LLC Cutolo Barros, LLC Denali Property Management, Inc. FirstService Residential, AAMC Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis, LLP

Renda Roads, Inc. RMG, Regency Management Group, Inc., AAMC Shivers, Gosnay & Greatrex, LLC South Shore Construction, LLC Union Bank HOA Services

Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Hueston, McNulty, Attorneys at Law Mirra & Associates MyPropertyBilling.com, LLC National Cooperative Bank Peter Waldor & Associates, Inc.

Accurate Reconstruction Dan Swayze & Son, Inc. Diversified Property Management Environmental Designers Irrigation, Inc. Eosso Brothers Paving Felsen Insurance Services

CHAPTER TRENDS... from page 10.

Chapter Trends Editorial Guidelines

• All submissions must come from and be about: - A member of CAI-NJ (Manager, Management Company, Board Member, Business Partner or Business Partner Employee) in good standing. • Companies/Communities are permitted four (4) announcements per calendar year. • Submissions are limited to 150 words. - Members are responsible to condense the information appropriately, as CAI-NJ will not do so. Any submissions over 150 words will not be published. • Submissions may include (1) image. • Submissions should not be advertorial in nature. Please note, CAI-NJ reserves the right to edit any submissions. The chapter reserves the right to omit information as necessary. CAI-NJ has the exclusive right to refuse to publish any submissions for any reason. For questions regarding the Chapter Trends section of Community Trends ® , please contact jaclyn@cainj.org or 609-588-0030.

SOLitude’s volunteerism and local outreach program, The SOLution. SOLitude and staff contributed $79,393 in donations of goods and in-kind services to non-profits, environmental projects and natural disaster victims last year, an 86% increase over 2016. The contributions, which supported 11,285 families across the country, were supported by 3,512 collective volunteer hours through SOLitude’s Earth Day, Love Your Lake, Little GOBBLERS, and HOLiday Cheer programs, as well as local initiatives including food bank programs, kid’s fishing events, Habitat for Humanity builds and a pond restoration project with environmental students from Maple Shade High School in Maple Shade Township, NJ. Since the program began in 2012, SOLitude has donated more than $254,830 in goods and in-kind services and contributed 9,457 volunteer hours to our local communities across the country. n

WWW.HOMESTEADMGMT.ORG

328 Changebridge Road • Pine Brook, NJ 07058 • 973-797-1444 284 Route 206 South • Hillsborough, NJ 08844 • 908-874-6991

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A Review of The FAST Committee in 2017 By Kristy Winchock, Morris Engineering

C AI-NJ’s young professionals group, the Future All Star Team (FAST), was inducted as an official CAI Committee in 2017. FAST’s first year as a committee was a busy one, with either a networking event or fundraising initiative almost every month. In 2017, we held networking Meet Ups to encourage young professionals to get involved with CAI. This year, we are planning humanitarian-based Meet Ups, such as a day volunteering at a local foodbank or helping out with Habitat for

notebooks, backpacks, pens, pencils, etc. that helped countless students in the Long Branch School District. In July, Fast Committee hosted the 3rd Annual CAI Olympics. Proceeds collected through sponsorships, partic- ipants and spectators were donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of NJ. During the event, Larry Thomas volunteered to shave his head for addi- tional donations. Following the CAI Olympics, FAST presented a check for over $6,800 to the Make-A-Wish

Humanity. Keep your eye out for more information and dates for these events on our Facebook page and CAI email blasts. We hope that you will join us for networking with industry professionals while helping our local communities. FAST also organized two Event Drives that, through the help of CAI members, turned out to be huge successes. During the Spring Break Party, our Food Drive collected 660lbs of food, translating to 550 meals donated to the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Our School Supply Drive held at the Beach Party, collected numerous

Foundation at their Wishing Place in Monroe, NJ. With the amount of money donated in 2017, FAST was able to fully fund a child’s wish. We are excited to receive the details of the wish granted and provide everyone with an update. We were informed by Make-A-Wish that with the money donated in 2016, we were able to help fund a 4 year-old girl’s wish to go to Walt Disney World. FAST held several additional fundraising initiatives throughout the year, totaling about $12,600 raised for various charities, including:

• Red Nose Day, supporting chari- ties such as Boys & Girls Club of America and Save the Children, $500 • POAC Autism Services, providing support and training to families affected by Autism, $400 • Hurricane Harvey Relief, ben- efitting the Houston Foodbank, $2,250

CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 41

(left) The CAI-NJ's FAST Committee at the CAI-NJ Olympics in 2017. Following the event, FAST presented a check for over $6,800 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

M A R C H , 2 0 1 8

Courtesy CAI-NJ.

B est practices of board governance recommend that the board establish priorities on behalf of the commu- nity they serve and then task the community manager with carrying those out to the benefit of the community. So it isn’t surprising that having a strong relationship with their community manager based on solid communication is par- amount to the board’s success of keeping community resi- dents satisfied with the services they need on a daily basis. While it is tempting for board members to directly insert themselves into specific matters that arise within their com- munity, it is best left to the community manager to handle the operational aspects of running a community. A professional community manager can bring their experience in dealing with issues that are common to all types of board-governed communities. By having community issues addressed by the community manager, the board members who are also residents are allowed to remain above the fray when diffi- cult matters have to be resolved. This doesn’t mean that the community manager doesn’t confer with board members when necessary, but the community manager has the pro- By Steve Kroll, Fairways at Livingston and Jean Bestafka, Renaissance Homeowners Association BOARD MEMBER BEST PRACTICES Working With Your Manager...

fessional discretion to decide when it is needed. Having a community manager overseethe community’s affairs is similar to a chief executive running a corporation with shareholders. Like a CEO’s relationship to the compa- ny’s shareholders, the community manager is responsible for achieving the objectives set down by the board. The CEO has the same role, but is primarily responsible for producing profits for the company’s shareholders. In this way, the board and its residents can evaluate how satisfied they are with the performance of the community manager on an annual basis. Holding monthly meetings of the board and the community manager with a focused agenda facilitates an ongoing dialogue between the two parties that builds confidence in their relationship and a continual renewal of accomplishment through in-person communication. Having the agenda emailed to the board a few days before the meeting allows the board members to be prepared to discuss the agenda items and raise any concerns they have about the community. In addition to closed board meetings where only

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M A R C H , 2 0 1 8

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THE MANAGER... from page 16.

association’s lawyer and the regional community manager typically join the board members and on-site com- munity manager. An open meeting agenda is prepared by the community manager in concert with the president of the board. The open meeting focus- es on significant developments and

issues that the community’ residents are concerned about or need to be made aware. It is customary for the president of the board to lead the open meeting and keep it running on schedule while allowing adequate time for residents to ask questions as the agenda’s items are discussed. The open meeting is not a time for a resi- dent ‘s specific issue to be raised and resolved, but the community manager who takes the meeting’s minutes will make a note of it for follow-up action. Towards the later part of each year a finance committee meeting is held

board members and the community manager participate, there are open meetings held during the year where all residents are welcome to attend. At these meetings, the community

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"Like a CEO’s relationship to the company’s shareholders, the community manager is responsible for achieving the objectives set down by the board."

HIGH

to discuss the budget for the upcom- ing year. The main responsibility falls upon the treasurer to prepare the budget and present it to the finance committee, which is typically com- posed of board members and several community residents. Since the asso- ciation budget affects all community residents, it may be important for non- board members to be part of the bud- getary approval process before the budget is disseminated to the entire community. An important corollary to open communication between the board and the community manager is that the manager knows the appointed responsibility of each board. For a

HIGH

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finance issue, typically the community manager would contact the treasurer on the board. For landscaping, snow removal, and athletic amenities, there are usually board members with assigned seasonal responsibilities. It seems everyday the community man- ager faces a myriad of issues from the simple to the complex that requires on-the-spot judgment calls. Like board members, each community manager has their own decision-making style and the board has to respect that as long as they conduct themselves in a professional manner. In addition to working closely with board members on diverse issues facing the community, the community manager is responsible for coordinat- ing with the vendors that service the community. Projects large and small

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O N E DO THING BETTER

Important Traits of Effective BoardMembers By: Mary W. Barrett, Esq., Stark & Stark SERVING ON YOUR CONDO/HOA BOARD CAN BE A THANKLESS JOBWITH FEWPERKS EXCEPT MAYBE THE SATISFACTION OF A JOB WELL DONE. SOME BOARD MEMBERS HAVE MORE SUCCESS THAN OTHERS AND THESE BOARD MEMBERS MAY SHARE CERTAIN IMPORTANT QUALITIES. EFFECTIVE BOARD MEMBERS SHARE OTHER IMPORTANT QUALITIES — SUCH AS A THICK SKIN — BUT ANY BOARD MEMBER WHO POSSESSES THE FIVE TRAITS BELOW WILL CERTAINLY BE SUCCESSFUL AND AN ASSET TO THE ASSOCIATION. DEDICATED TRANSPARENT

They are committed to their communities as a whole - not just one issue . They keep their eyes on the prize: fiscal responsibility and common property maintenance. They discharge their duties in good faith and with a reasonable degree of diligence. 1

They understand they are fiduciaries to a corporation. They make Association financial records available to unit owners. 2 They do not micromanage. 5 They remember they are spending the unit owners’ hard-earned money. They hold open meetings. They delegate duties to a competent and professional property manager.

COURAGEOUS They make decisions – even unpopular ones - in the best interests of the association. They know serving on a board is not a popularity contest.

3 DELEGATORS They utilize committees.

They increase fees when necessary.

They are not derailed by a few disparaging comments.

RECEPTIVE They surround themselves with competent experts.

They solicit and consider advice.

They allow unit owners to voice opinions.

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RELYING ON THE...

Experts By Vanessa J. Davenport, Board President, Regency at Quail Ridge HOA and Kari Valentine, CMCA, AMS, Community Director, Associa Mid-Atlantic

R elying on experts is sometimes a challenge for boards and managers since everyone brings some experience to the table. However, few of us in community leader- ship roles are experts in the more technical or legal aspects of maintaining a community. Those who are elected to unpaid voluntary board positions should acquire a certain amount of training as legislated by the state in New Jersey school law at N.J.S.A. 18A:12-1 et seq. However, there is currently no such statutory training requirement for residential community association board members or managers. However, when faced with a massive project or an uncomfortable legal matter, it is not uncommon to forego the utilization of an engineer or an attorney due to the cost. Only when something goes horrifically wrong do we think “if only.” Equally common is to consult an expert, such as an engineer, and then have a board member, or manager, whose brother-in-law works for a company who “knows”

more than the expert consult on the project instead. If you have hired an expert to do something and have appropri-

ately vetted them, then you should trust their expert’s knowledge. Trust is often a consid- erable stumbling block for both boards and managers. Sometimes there are a couple sus- picious board members who always feel as though the manager is

"...few of us in community leadership roles are experts in the more technical or legal aspects of maintaining a community."

out to get whatever they can from the association. Or, similarly, that if the manager is recommending a particular vendor, then they suspect that vendor is giving the manager something in return. To the contrary, the manager is usually

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