BICYCLE SHED REMINDER

Unlike the garbage shed, the two doors to the bicycle shed must be kept LOCKED at all times. Please keep this in mind if you go in for any reason, and lock up when you leave.

Also keep in mind that the bicycle shed is for BIKES ONLY, not other items that may or may not fit in our condo units.

(That includes barbecues, one of which is currently in there — and should be removed, please.)

We all have to deal with the same space constraints for our belongings. The bike shed is not intended as an area for personal overflow storage. 

GARBAGE SHED REMINDER

Turning out the lights when you leave a room can be a good idea — except if that room is our garbage shed.

The light switch turns the vent on and off. That means when it’s dark, it’s also unvented.

Since venting controls both odour and pest potential, we want it operating at all times.

So when you leave the garbage shed, please — LEAVE THE LIGHT ON.

As for the doors to the garbage shed, unless you see some pressing reason for keeping them locked, the board thought we might experiment with leaving them unlocked. This might make things a little more convenient.

If unforeseen problems arise, we can always re-visit this issue down the road.

JOYEUX NOEL, MERRY CHRISTMAS, 

 MEILLEURS VOEUX

  AND THE VERY BEST OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON

 TO YOU ALL!

Your Condo Board

SAFETY ISSUES

The Firewall in Block 3 needs to be fitted with eavestroughing. The problem has been reported by Axia Property Management to Brigil's Service Ontario and Rheal for update. Brigil is looking to find a suitable solution. More to follow as we get updates. In the meantime, Rheal was asked to secure the areas with pylons and/or warning signs/tape to ensure the safety of all concerned as there is constant ice on the sidewalk and a large icicle stuck on the top of the firewall in the back of Block 3. The same problem exists for the Utility Rooms of Block 3 and 4. It was reported at the same time, and a solution is forthcoming.

VARIOUS ITEMS TO REPORT

. The Fire Inspection has been scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month with Tremblay Fire Solutions (TFS). TFS is the company that installed the fire safety equipment.

·  The snow removal contract was awarded to Always Growing, which does Buildings 1 and 2, and will be done as required.

·  The common area cleaning was awarded to Titan Building Cleaning (also does Buildings 1 and 2). Titan is now scheduled to be onsite Mondays and Thursdays.

·   Sidewalk snow clearing: The city has been informed online (Dec. 15, 2014) that the snow on the sidewalk in front of Block 3 leading to Block 4 entrance should be cleared at the same time as the sidewalk in front of Blocks 2 and 3.

·   Carpets were purchased and installed in all of the front entrances, inside and outside.

·   Notice holders will be installed in each of the five front entrances.

·   Deadbolts and Door Handles for Block 3: Inquiry sent by Axia Property Management to Brigil's Service Ontario and Brigil on-site rep Rheal, on Dec. 3 for update.

WINTER...

…means snow. And slush. And frozen ruts. And difficult parking. Please remember to move your car out of the parking lot, if you can, when the plow comes. The operator will be able to do a more thorough job, and we’ll all be a lot happier with our parking spots.

FIRST BOARD MEETING

The board met with Jodie Marion, our Axia property manager, on Dec. 10 for a preliminary discussion of the various concerns that affect us all. We looked at budgets and contracts for our various services, such as maintenance, snow clearance, garbage removal and so on. We heard about Jodie's ongoing discussions with Brigil about outstanding work (which, to us, sounded fairly one-sided to date — Jodie raising concerns and Brigil not responding).

We considered a number of things  that many of us are concerned about — things like parking spots obliterated by snow, front doors that don't latch securely, ongoing power outages in common areas of Building Four, painting not done as contracted — and are relying on our property manager to get the issues resolved.

We also talked a little about condo life, something many of us are just now learning about, having moved here from large single-family homes. Jodie reminded us that common areas are just that. They are not, in fact, our own private spaces, even if they are right outside our front doors. She not only reminded us, she showed us the condo regulations that we all agreed to when we purchased our units.

And so, we were told, there should be no furniture or other items on our landings or in the entranceway. We probably shouldn't even have mats outside our doors, although we're closing our eyes to this one for the time being. (Ditto Christmas decorations, apparently.) If you're kind enough to shovel around your front door before our snow guys have come, you can't leave the shovel out there. In fact, you can't leave anything of yours in the common areas. The rules have to do not only with property standards, but also with safety regulations and maintenance requirements.

We will be discussing all these things at a general meeting in the New Year — along with other concerns of a more seasonal nature, like balcony furnishings, bird feeders and barbecues. Once the specific new bylaws (that is, above and beyond the existing ones) have been voted upon and passed, they will be enforced.

CONDO BOARD ACCLAIMED

On Nov. 26, the first Annual General Meeting was held for OCSCC 953 (that's us — Ottawa Carleton Standard Condominium Corporation 953). The meeting was convened by Axia Management, which manages our condo complex. The turnover from Brigil was effected, and calls were made for nominations to the three-person board. Since only three condo owners volunteered to serve, all three were acclaimed. They are: Jean-Noel Gilbert, who agreed to be president of the board; Isabelle Martin, treasurer; and Janice Kennedy, secretary. Gilbert and Kennedy will serve a two-year term, and Martin will serve for one year.
The board will meet on the second Wednesday of each month.