Condo VII – April 2026
Dates to Remember
April 1 – April Fool’s Day
April 1 – Passover begins at sunset
April 3 – Good Friday
April 5 – Easter Sunday
April 22 – Earth Day
This past winter was one of the worst, with one of the biggest blizzards in years. With a total of over 50 inches of snow, it was also an expensive one for us. Our snow removal contract covers storms up to 4 inches. Anything above that is an additional cost, depending on the number of snowfall inches. As a safety precaution, we did extra shoveling and salting of the sidewalks, which is not covered under the contract. We spent $22,628 above the cost of our contract, $10,000 of which is in our budget. The remainder will have to be covered by our reserve fund.
It is always difficult to determine how much to allocate to our Snow Over Contract budget line. The last several winters, we were lucky and did not need that money. Unfortunately, this year we got hit. Keep in mind this amount does not include our share of the HOA’s cost for plowing the roads and parking plazas. That is a separate expense, and we do not yet know the amount.
Spring Clean-up
Depending on the weather, our landscapers and tree trimmer started the spring clean-up in March, and it will continue into April. They are only responsible for cleaning up the common areas. The Board has reviewed with them the work that needs to be done, so please do not ask them directly to do anything additional. If you feel something needs to be addressed, submit a work order. Remember, any work on your property is your responsibility.
Smoke Detectors
We will be starting the first of our semi-annual checks of the smoke detectors in April. This is a very important safety precaution so please allow access to your unit in order for your smoke to be checked. It only takes a couple of minutes. If your detector is not working, it will be replaced at no cost to you
Spring Plantings
Some of you may already be planning your spring planting. Remember, the planting of vegetables is not allowed. Any such plantings will be removed. Make sure anything you plant is not a banned or invasive plant. New York has website you can check – https.//extapps.dec.ny.gov for a listing of such plants. Board approval is required for any plantings in the common areas.
Tick & Mosquito Spraying
We will be spraying again this year for ticks and mosquitos. If the snow was all gone and weather cooperated, the spraying began at the end of March. The program will continue monthly through the end of October. A blast call will go out to alert you a few days prior to the spraying. The treatment is not harmful to humans or pets, but as a precaution we suggest you keep your windows closed for the day.
Outside Hose Spigot
If you have the valve for the outside water spigot in your unit, please wait until nighttime temperatures are no longer below freezing before opening it.
Basement Schedule for April
Saturday, April 11 from 11:30am to 12:00pm
Sunday, April 26 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Some Gentle Reminders
Feeding the wildlife is prohibited. Bread, nuts, birdseed, or any other kind of food thrown outside attracts unwanted pests such as rats. If we need to address a rodent problem due to you feeding the wildlife, you will be billed for the cost. Remember that birdfeeders are also not allowed.
Do not leave your trash bags outside your door or on your patio, as they can also attract rodents. All trash must be disposed of in the dumpsters.
Any contractor doing work in your unit must be licensed and insured. If you are unsure of the requirements, contact the board for details.
Contractors are not allowed to dispose of items in the Condo’s dumpsters. They must cart away any debris from your unit.
If you are replacing appliances, you need to arrange for the old ones to be removed from the Condo property. They cannot be placed by the dumpsters.
Dumpsters are for household refuse only. Cardboard boxes should be flattened so they don’t take up excess space. If a dumpster is full, put your trash in another one. Please make sure you close the dumpster lid to keep the critters out.
Do not place any items in front of the dumpsters or lean anything against them. If they are blocked, the carting company will not empty them.
Attic storage is never allowed. This is a fire hazard and dangerous to you and your neighbors.
If you see a light out in any of the parking plazas or walkways, even if it is not by your unit, please put in a work order. Many of our residents are not out at night and may be unaware a light is not working.
Head in parking only.
Car and motorcycle repairs are not permitted in the parking plazas or on the street.
Happy Passover! Happy Easter!
The Condo VII Board of Managers
brettonwoodscondo7@gmail.com
Thought for the month
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; Watch your words, they become your actions; Watch your actions, they become your habits; Watch your habits, they become your character; Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” Lao Tzu