Window Replacement Update

As many of you already know, the windows in our building are 30+ years old (the building was converted to condos in the 1980's) and are well beyond their projected lifespan.

As a result, many residents at 24 Norman Street have windows that are no longer energy efficient ( as reflected in high heating and cooling bills). Many have cracked or broken seals and/or broken and cracked glass which make for drafts and even leaks when there is a combination of wind and rain.
There are also broken counterweights which make the windows difficult to open, and dangerous if they should fall shut. Add in missing screens and it looks like it is high time to replace the windows.

Our windows are exceptionally large (approximately 4 feet by 9 feet 6 inches ) and heavy (over 1,000 lbs). Most window manufacturers (especially vinyl window)  have an upward size limit of 85". That is 3" shorter than the two bottom panels of our windows. Our windows are really (2) windows joined together. (1) part comprised of two large panels of equal size, and an additional  1 foot-high transom at the top.

Markwood has been looking into window replacement since last year, but because of the size, weight and location of the windows,  have had difficulty in finding a combination of a vendor who can manufacture windows at the large size required, and an installer who was willing and able to install them.

I personally contacted (5) different window vendors, all referrals from business associates including an architect.
Out of those five, one never got back to me and another RiteWindow, said they could not help us after I sent them pictures and dimensions.
The three left were:
Coastal Windows & Exteriors of Beverly
Schernecker Property Services of Waltham
New Angle Glass of Lynn

Each of these three came and met with me at the building, looked at the windows inside and out, and took measurements.

Coastal Windows gave me an estimate the same day, but they were very expensive. 
$8,124.00 for replacing (2) windows.
They also only do vinyl windows which is a problem due to the size.

Schernecker Property Services
Is a property service company so they are used to dealing with large condo projects. They were very knowledgable and besides the sales rep, had a structural engineer along. They said that vinyl windows are not an option for our size windows as they do not add structural support and the weight would cause  the vinyl to deform over time, which would lead to problems. They recommended metal replacement windows. They have have not yet , as of today, provided me with an estimate.

New Angle Glass is a local company (based in Lynn) they also sent two people, a sales rep and an installation guy. They confirmed that for windows this size that vinyl is not an option. They also recommended metal replacement windows. They have recently completed several large window projects in the Lynn area.
Their pricing was much better, coming in at around $4,198.75 for two windows. They also gave us the option of two different window configurations, one where the (3) panels would be of equal size, thus reducing the weight of the individual panels and making them easier to open, and one with a “hopper”option for the top panel, so that you could actually open the top most window.

There are still some variables that might drive the price up bit. they would need to rent a boom lift which would cost them $2,450.00 a week, and Salem might require them to have a police detail as well (not sure what that would cost) so the more people do this at once, the cheaper it is for everyone. This definitely brings this into the realm of possibility.

Anyway, that’s where things stand. If you are interested, or know anyone in the building who is, please let the Markwood Management office  (Kim Lord) or myself know (leave a comment or e-mail me).

I will be posting about this on the blog again in the near future as I get updated information. There is also an e-mail chain making the rounds.
When I get the final estimate from Schernecker , I will pass that on to you. We will probably need to have a special meeting to discuss this further.

NO SMOKING REMINDER

"Man, that pot smell is really strong!" this was the reaction from a vendor on a recent walk-through of the third floor of our building.
With the recent changes in the legality of marijuana, this may be a good opportunity to remind everyone that there is no smoking of any kind allowed anywhere inside 24 Norman Street.
That ban includes tobacco, marijuana, hashish, banana leaves (or any other substance you can think of) in pipes, rolling papers, cigarettes, fruit, bongs or any other device you can think of. 
That applies to all common areas of the building (hallways, entryways, laundry room) as well as all individual units.

It is obvious that people in the building are smoking, because they can be seen smoking around the front door or in the side lot and their cigarette butts litter the ground outside. and of course because you can smell it.

Some smokers are at least considerate enough to go outside to do so, but as happens every year when the cold weather starts, people start fudging it: smoking in the back stairway, just outside the front and back doors, or sneaking one in their units.
This is unfair to the majority who do not smoke. Besides smelling bad, causing eye, throat and nose irritations, and increasing the risk of fire, it also exposes everyone to carcinogens.
 
Smoking in the building will not be tolerated.
You can't hide the fact that you are smoking in a building this small. Interior doors are not tight, and neither are the floors and ceilings between units. It doesn't take a bloodhound to sniff out where the smoke is coming from. Sooner or later someone is going to complain to Markwood about the smell of smoke coming from your end of the hallway, or your unit, or you will be seen smoking inside or directly adjacent to the building.
If that happens, you will be fined, $100 for each offense until you stop or move out
Is that worth it?

.

Temporary Parking Changes on Hoyoke

The parking situation on Holyoke Street took a twist two weeks ago when new signs were installed on both the east and west sides of the street. The new signs by the Holyoke Insurance building (Common Ground Enterprises) were changed to seemingly restrict after-hours parking. However, according to Ward Councilor Arthur Sargent;
"The parking spaces on Norman St and Holyoke Sq that are beside Common Ground Enterprises should only be reserved for them during the day (8:00 am to 5:30 pm) Monday thru Friday."
Arthur copied Markwood on emails he received from Lt. Preczewski of the police dept and Matt Smith from the parking dept which confirmed this.  They worked with Common Ground Enterprises to correct the signs to properly reflect The City Ordnance. So you can park on the Holyoke Building side (west side) of the street between 6:00 pm and 7:30 am on weekdays, and all day on Saturday and Sunday without any problems.

The signs on the Verizon building (east side) were changed to allow 2 hour parking on Holyoke.
The apparent compromise on the bus parking area initially looked  promising, but was actually calculated to divide the small-business signers from the residential participants in the petition.
There is currently a petition drive with almost 2,000 signatures to modify or eliminate the tour bus parking. By allowing temporary parking the city appears to be addressing the issue that was driving businesses on Gedney Street to oppose tour bus parking–loss of business due to the lack of convenient available parking in the area.
This change is only temporary, and ignores resident parking needs as it does not allow for weekend parking. Again, according to Ward Councilor Arthur Sargent;
 "The temporary parking where the Bus Spaces are is from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. 
Although this theoretically means that you can park there between 6:00 pm and 7:30 am on weekdays, and all day on Saturday and Sunday, (as that is in line with the city-wide parking ordinance), since this is not reflected on the signage, you do so at your own risk.

Markwood will keep you posted on any further developments.

MARCH- Free Book Swap!

 If you live at 24 Norman Street and love books, you will want to save this date! The next Free Book Swap is Saturday, March 18 at the Council on Aging, 5 Broad Street, Salem, MA. "Swapping" isn't necessary -- feel free to drop off, take away, or both!

They will take BOOKS, CDs & DVDs, VCR TAPES, and GREETING CARDS.
All leftover material will be donated or recycled.

REUSABLE BAG SWAP.
Have excess reusable / cloth bags at home? Bring them to the Swap for others to take as needed.

GOT LOTS OF ITEMS? You can drop off ahead of time.
Drop off times are:
* Friday, March 17, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
* Saturday, March 18, 9:45am - noon

For more info or to volunteer, visit salem.com/recycling or call (978) 619-5679.

Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting

Markwood recently received the following notification about a Zoning Board of Appeasl meeting about an issue that may or may not affect us here at 24 Norman Street.

Dear Neighbor,

Many of us in the greater Endicott Street neighborhood recently received a meeting notice from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The notice reads that Excel Recycling is seeking a Special Permit which will allow them "to operate a metal storage, recycling and transportation facility categorized as a junkyard at 99 MARGIN STREET". That location is in Ward 3 between the Salem Police station and 1 Jefferson Avenue. It is diagonally across the street from the bottom of Summer Street.

If you are interested in hearing more about this development, or have concerns as to its impact on our neighborhood, the issue will be on the Zoning Board of Appeal's Meeting Agenda. It will take place at:

6:30 PM, Wednesday Evening, February 15, 2017
City Hall Annex
120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor

Concerns or inquiries can also be directed to Ward 3 Councilor Stephen Lovely.
stephen.lovely@verizon.net

Thank You,

Barbara Mann & Bob Femino
Co-Chairpersons, Greater Endicott Street Neighborhood Association (GESNA)

A Note About the Disposal of Large Items

Last week a resident of 24 Norman Street had their water heater replaced. Unfortunately, the plumbers who did the replacement, did not take the old unit with them and left it sitting outside
by the recycling bins.

Another resident disposed of a large couch by pushing it out a window and leaving it leaning against the west side of the building.

If you are planning on disposing of large items, you must make arrangements either with Markwood or with a qualified vendor.
Do not place large items in or next to the dumpster or leave them sitting outside.
Our regular trash service will not take these items. We cannot stress this enough.
This includes mattresses, tables, chairs, couches, refrigerators, air/heating units, cabinets, toilets, bathtubs, sinks, and last but not least, water heaters. Professional plumbers and carpenters will take their trash with them if you ask them to. If they will not or cannot take it, then you should look for one that will.

If you dispose of items improperly, Markwood is forced to call our maintenance service to come and remove the items from the property. We get charged for this every time it happens, and we will then pass on that charge to you.

 In the case of the water heater, the cost of removal is being billed back to the unit owner. If you have questions about disposing of large items or want to arrange to have something picked up, please call Markwood Management at (781) 639-4080. Thank you for your cooperation.

Christmas Tree Disposal-2017

Christmas is a time where homes are filled with love and holiday cheer. Unfortunately, it's also a time when homes are filled with things that will need to be disposed of, particularly your Christmas tree.
You have two options this year:

OPTION 1:
Curbside pickup
City-wide Christmas tree curbside collection will continue to take place January 9 -13, 2017. 
Please leave your tree curbside on the same day as your regularly scheduled trash day and Waste Management will pick up your tree. Trees should be on the curb bare, with no bags or decorations.
Since Christmas falls on a Sunday, trash pickup will operate on a regular schedule.

OPTION 2:
14th Annual Christmas Tree Bonfire
 The City’s 14th annual Christmas tree bonfire will be held at Dead Horse Beach on Memorial Drive on Friday, January 6, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., weather permitting. 
Waste Management trucks will be picking up trees curbside on the same day as your regularly scheduled trash day beginning January 2nd.  If you really want to make sure your tree is part of the bonfire, you can drop it off at the entrance to Dead Horse Beach after January 2nd or bring it to the bonfire on the 6th.

Please don't forget that all decorations and lights must be removed from your tree. 

In case of inclement weather (rain/snow/wind) the bonfire will be held on Saturday evening, January 7th at 6:00 p.m. Check www.salem.com for rescheduling information. 

Finally, DO NOT place your tree inside or next to the dumpster.