Page 11 - New York Cooperator February 2019

F A S T AT YOUR PROPERTY www.veritasmanagement.com 1995 Broadway, NY, NY 10023 Tel: 212.799.2365 At Veritas, we’re always just a hop, skip or subway ride away, making responsive service a priority. In a digital age, we’re on top of technology. But we also handle things the old-fashioned way; we’re at your property in person, when you need us. Co-op, Condo and Rental Management • Online Services Project Management • Sales and Leasing • Compliance and Filings • Emergency Services • Staff Supervision Connect your property to Veritas Call us to learn more COOPERATOR.COM THE COOPERATOR — FEBRUARY 2019 11 corporation, and the purpose of the rule is more time-strapped people.” not age-based or based on any other type of housing restriction, or discrimination cat- egory. Rather, it is connected to a purpose staggered seats. “Term limits are a great idea and wishes. It’s a matter of dedication, not ational communities. He says that in some of the condominium, which is to protect the to force new blood onto a board. Compla- equity and health and safety of the mem- bers it serves for now and in the future. An lem, though. You don’t amendment is the most secure method to want vacant seats, adopt such a change. There are no cases on which could result point as yet, so we can only wait and see.” Encouraging Diversity Hakim suggests there are steps that can ward.” be taken to encourage diversity in all direc- tions. “A corporation or association could amend its bylaws to require a certain level the Wyckoff, New Jer- of attendance at meetings,” he says. “Failure sey law firm Piekarsky to attend would be deemed an automatic & Associates, concurs. resignation. A younger resident with a busi- ness lifestyle may elect not to obligate him are turning to term or herself, or resign. The converse might be limits to promote di- to amend how meetings are held, allowing versity and get more use of Skype, or teleconferencing via smart- phone. That might encourage those who are says. “Older, long-serving board members families who want these amenities, but the more technologically savvy but not physi- cally available. You have both sides of the coin. One side pushes to those with more bardi, “are those that are dedicated to in- time, the other by adding different means creasing the value of the property.” He ing out because the younger tenants became of attendance. That opens doors to younger, doesn’t see any correlation between that so vocal, and the resulting changes made Another avenue to more diversity, sug- gests Hakim, is the use of term limits and board member with their own needs, ideas, friction doesn’t limit itself to multi-gener- cency is still a prob- if no new potential members step for- Scott Piekarsky, Managing Member at “Some communities board turnover,” he tend to want to stay on forever.” “The best-run associations,” says Lom- goal and the relative age of board members. them uncomfortable in the community. “Every person approaches the job of being a age.” At Loggerheads In many commu- nities, a lopsided age problem,” Piekarsky says. In that particular balance on the board setting, “older people don’t want to deal with can lead to confronta- tion. “In diverse com- munities – particularly dren in diapers...older people don’t like it. the newer ones – I’ve In many communities in Florida, they have seen the differences of adults-only swim times.” He explains fur- opinion that can result ther: “Age stipulations in pools can be a real from age differences on legal problem, though,” under anti-discrimi- a board,” says Piekarsky. nation laws, “despite health risks and issues.” “If they don’t have full And clearly, when the problem comes before facilities, like a play- ground or a basketball one way or the other may find it harder than court for the kids, there they thought to arrive at a fair decision. can be vocal, growing older residents don’t want it – and the tug Concord Village, located in Brooklyn. This of war begins.” He cites one community in complex of seven 16-story buildings has which the older empty nesters began mov- Interestingly, Piekarsky notes, this age over-55 communities, the 50-year-olds are fighting with the 80-year-olds. “The pool is often at the heart of the young kids. The pool toys, the potential for the pool to become contaminated by chil- the board for consideration, a board skewed Some Cases in Point Leonard T. Jordan, Jr., is the President of 1,023 units. “The property is very diverse, “You cannot create age limitations of any kind relative to the board. It’s illegal. And that’s under both federal and state laws and statutes.” —Mark Hakim continued on page 20