Snow
will soon be on the way. In the past
we’ve found that with proper preparation and the excellent cooperation
of residents, who moved their cars so that spaces could be cleared, things
worked very well. In the past, cars parked
on Ernston Road have been plowed in by municipal plows. Parking on Ernston Road before a storm is
no longer a wise option.
Snow removal is costly and
inconvenient but necessary. In order to
facilitate this, it is important that neighbors cooperate by moving their cars
so parking stalls can be cleared. Moving cars to clear spots is
inconvenient, but it's a matter of safety and one of
our responsibilities as homeowners. Snow that remains and freezes becomes a hazard. As
it thaws and refreezes it is an additional hazard and
liability problem. At the
2000 Open Meeting residents approved a resolution requiring that vehicles be
moved so spaces can be cleared, and imposing a $25 fine if vehicles are not
moved. We don’t like fining
residents so please cooperate by moving your cars when the plow is clearing
parking spots.
Telephone calls will be made a few minutes before
the plow comes to clear parking spots. Please be ready to move
your car and return it when the space is cleared. (Give the plow a few minutes to allow greater
maneuverability to clean adjacent spots and spots across from yours.) Don’t be afraid to ask neighbors for help if
you need it.
Your
teamwork during a storm promotes safety, makes the job go quicker and reduces
the association’s exposure. If you see a
neighbor in need, please lend a hand.
Neighbors helping neighbors happens often at Sayrebrooke and it makes
things go much easier. If you are going
to be away, please leave a set of car keys at home so a relative or neighbor
can move your car and save you a $25 fine.
If you’re going to be away for an extended time during the winter and
your car can’t be moved, please let our Manager Adam Sassaman know. (732-409-3991 or SassamanA@u-b-e.com)
Sidewalks will be cleared after the snow
stops falling. Please remember that the contractor must start at one end of the
community and finish at another. It may
take a while before they get to you.
(In heavy snowfalls, we will have several crews on site ASAP.) In a storm, everyone must expect and plan for
some degree of inconvenience. Our goal
is to ensure you will have safe, clear passage no later than 12 hours after the
storm ends – most times it is much sooner.
Please be patient, the workers will get to your area as soon as
possible. If you have a pot of coffee
brewing, offer the shovelers a cup – on a cold day they will sure appreciate
it.
If the
contractor misses an area, please
call it to their attention ASAP.
It is much easier to have the work done while the contractor is still on
site. Board President Jim Robinson often
supervises snow removal, so, if you see an area that is missed and the
contractors are still on site, call Jim at (h) 732 727 0559 or (c) 732 261
0820.
We have again placed a container of a safe, approved
ice-melting agent near the mailboxes.
Please fill up the containers you were given and use it as
necessary. On days when the amount of
ice doesn’t justify calling out a contractor, or when ice thaws and re-freezes,
the product will be very helpful. Please
do not use rock salt on sidewalks or walkways.
v Make sure you turn off the water
to your outside spigot. Once the water
is turned off, open the outside valve to prevent water from freezing in the
spigot. There is a danger the pipes in the front bathroom may freeze and burst. Set your thermostat to provide adequate heat
even when you are not home and leave the bathroom vanity doors open so heat
circulates in there.
v Each
year we remind you to check and replace your washing machine hoses. A spray of water on the second floor can
cause a flood in the entire house.
That’s especially inconvenient in winter. When you’re done using the washer, turn of
the water.
v
Take a minute to make sure everyone in your house
knows how to turn off the main water
supply in case there is an emergency.
(Many units have the shut-off in the front closet; check to be sure of
its location and that you can easily get to it in an emergency.)
v Back-in parking is prohibited by the
bylaws year ‘round, but it is especially annoying in the winter when people may
warm their cars before driving. Please
be considerate – you don’t want your car’s exhaust aimed at your neighbor’s
home.
v Parking
in other than designated spaces is always a problem, but when there is snow on
the ground and parking is tighter, it can be even more of a problem. Please make sure you or your guests don’t
park in a way that blocks access ways, hydrants, or mailboxes or that makes it
difficult for neighbors to back out of their spots. Make sure emergency vehicles always have easy
access to the community.
v Christmas
trees will be picked up with the regular trash pickup in early - mid
January. Please remove all tinsel,
garland, etc from the trees.
Why
do we provide ice melt?
Years ago we delivered containers of ice melt to
each home. Since then, each year the
Board has bought ice melt product in bulk (which is significantly cheaper than
the original container) and allows residents to refill their containers. The product will be placed in plastic
containers near the mailboxes in the winter.
Those whose sidewalks are on the northern side of the home get little
sun on their walks and may go through the product at a quicker rate. Having the contractor apply an ice melt
product to the sidewalks costs almost $2,000 per application. Using the product the Board distributes saves
money and increases safety. Providing it
to residents also helps to ensure they do
not use rock salt on the sidewalks or
walkways as it deteriorates the concrete.
Please use the product to keep your sidewalk and walkway clear of ice
and safe.