NJ Cooperator Fall 2020

Fall 2020 NJCOOPERATOR.COM be replaced with something newer and better. Think about how we line up for the latest smartphone the minute it is available, even if the one we have is perfectly functional. When it comes to upgrades in the home, however, many of us are reluctant, even though the stakes can be much higher—we’ll patch and repair a furnace or roof as long as we possibly can before even considering a replacement, running the risk of paying more in the long run. continued on page 10 Residential communities such as co- ops, condos, and HOAs are unique in that they take the governance of their prop- erties into their own hands. While most properties do have managing agents to oversee staff and to handle the day-to-day operations, ultimately, it’s the board of di- rectors or trustees that makes policy and determines the continuing health of the community. Board positions are filled by unit owner or shareholder volunteers— the positions are almost universally un- paid. Community members give of their time and expertise freely, and with the intent to do their ‘civic’ duty and protect the investment of themselves and their neighbors. Often, residents with specific skills rel- evant to governing and managing proper- ty are ready, willing, and able to contrib- ute their knowledge to the community. Boards often feature a concentration of at- torneys, accountants, and business man- agement professionals. But even these competent individuals still have much to learn and absorb when they are elected to the board. Every building and community has a history and a set of circumstances all its own. That’s a compelling thing about real estate: every property is unique. So how should new board members get, well, onboarded? Should they take a professional course? Should building management or the building’s attorney and accountant hold an orientation to bring them up to speed? Should an exist- ing board member mentor a new member and debrief them on the ins and outs, the do’s and don’ts of the building? Turns out, just as individual properties have their own cultures and challenges, they also have their own processes for orienting new board members—though of course, Whether you reside in, manage, or serve on the board of a condo, HOA, or co-op, examining your building’s energy efficiency from top to bottom, inside and out, will have enormous implications for individual and communal costs, energy conserva- tion, and environmental conditions. And in the current unprecedented global viral pandemic, it is more important than ever to consider that making changes to power sources and systems can have collective health effects as well. So where to begin? In this two-part investigation of energy innovations for multi- family properties, we will help you understand the latest products and systems, how to navigate the slow-moving channels of energy bureaucracy, and even find ways to help pay for energy upgrades. Additionally, we will cover the question permeating every aspect of life these days: How does the coronavirus crisis affect all of this? This first part explores new energy-efficient products and updates that can be in- stalled in individual units. These innovations have varying costs and levels of com- plexity, but all of them will pay for themselves in terms of reduced utility bills, lower environmental impact, and comfort and quality of life. Some states even have pro- grams and incentives to defray the uptake expenses. Part two will delve into broader changes at the building-wide and community level, including how local and federal legislation is impacting the future of clean energy. Low-Hanging Fruit Living as we do in the Digital Age, technology seems to develop so quickly that what was just recently cutting-edge is now obsolete. Nevertheless, we continue to look for and find ways to invest in new concepts or products, even if they’re destined to Whether you live in a super-luxe Park Avenue co-op in New York City, a beach- front condo in Florida, a sprawling HOA in Nevada, or a multifamily community in New Jersey, one thing is certain: you have neighbors. Hopefully they’re the people you grill with on a summer after- noon; the providers of a spare cup of sug- ar when you run out; the folks who water your plants when you leave town … some even might have attended your child’s wedding or helped you through trying times. But regardless of the size, location, or overall cohesion of your community, at some point you’re likely to have at least one neighbor who disrupts the harmony and infringes on the peaceful enjoyment of your home. While most of us in multifamily hous- ing have come to accept this inevitability as a cost of communal living, there are some situations that cross the line from minor nuisance to legitimate harass- ment. Knowing the difference is impor- tant—but it can be tricky to discern, and even more difficult to address. After all, ‘harassment’ is a term that gets thrown around a lot, but is often a subjective disputation. One person’s ‘persistence’ or style of conflict management can be an- other’s criminal complaint. Harassment: Difficult to Identify, Harder to Prove Adding to the interpersonal complexi- ty, the legal system deals with harassment in different ways, depending on where you reside and the type of harassment be- ing alleged. Laws on harassment vary by state, and levels of criminality can differ within those jurisdictions. In New York State, for example, ac- cording to several attorneys consulted for this article, there is no civil cause of ac- tion for harassment. That means that any action taken against an accused harasser must be pursued as a criminal case. De- pending on a number of factors, the ha- rassment can be prosecuted as a misde- meanor, a violation, or a felony. Under New York’s Human Rights Law, sexual harassment, discriminatory ha- Multifamily Energy Saving Solutions Part 1: Incremental Upgrades BY DARCEY GERSTEIN What New Boards Members Need to Know (And How to Learn It) BY A.J. SIDRANSKY Handling Harassment in Multifamily Housing When Trash Talk Turns to Transgression BY DARCEY GERSTEIN 205 Lexington Avenue, NY, NY 10016 • CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED continued on page 13 continued on page 11