President’s Message

Dear Members,

With the end of the year upon us, my term as President is nearing completion. At the beginning of the year, I challenged all of us to “take this Chapter to the next level.” As I reflect back on our accomplishments over this past year, I believe that we have achieved this goal.

As a Chapter, we raised the breadth and depth of our programming and expanded the number of events, including those held on the Eastern Shore. The Chapter hosted many top-notch educational programs, including our manager breakfasts, the Delmarva breakfast, the homeowner webinars, the new manager lunch and learn series, the Chapter Expo and the Delmarva Expo. We also produced a couple of podcasts to disseminate information on hot topics impacting our industry in a timely manner. We held several sold-out social events, including 2 golf tournaments, a crab feast and the Guinness outings at which we had the opportunity to network in an informal setting. Finally, through the work of the Chapter’s Legislative Committee and the Maryland Legislative Action Committee, we have advocated at the State and local levels on legislative matters impacting common ownership communities and the various interest groups that comprise our industry.

None of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts of the Chapter staff, the Board, the Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs and our committee members. My sincerest thanks and gratitude to all of you who have done so much this year for the Chapter. I would also like to recognize the work of all the prior boards and committees whose contributions grew this Chapter to the 1,264 members that we are today.

In my first President’s message at the beginning of the year, I noted that a business cannot rest on its laurels, but must be strategic and forward thinking. In order to do so, it must have new ideas and set new goals. This can only be achieved by getting more members involved in the Chapter. If you have not joined a committee, I encourage you to do so. Not only will it enrich your experience, but it will provide the Chapter with its next group of leaders who will take this Chapter to yet the next level.

Our first event in 2023 is Charting Your Course, which is an opportunity to hear from all of the Chapter’s Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs and learn how you can get involved or more involved with the Chapter. Mark your calendars for January 18, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM for this Zoom event.

Here’s to a happy and healthy holiday season.

All the best, Susan Rapaport, Esq., Partner Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC Chesapeake Region Chapter President

Check out our website for our 2023 Sponsorship Opportunities!

2023 2023 2023

continued from cover page The Site’s overall Annual Schedule can and should include ‘pre-event’ (I.E., impending major storm) inspection processes: • Site Major Storm/Weather Event preparation: Fall is a good time to review what is expected from all team members for heavy rain and/or snow. Heavy rain/snow don’t always happen between 8–5

Monday to Friday. Don’t forget setting priority for snow/ice storm sidewalk/parking clearing/treatment; for those periods when staffing is low for any reason. • Site Snow Removal: If on-site staff has a role, as most do, even if it is only to the extent of de-icing agent spreading, then is everyone clear on their requirements? If contracted out, are call lists and contract provisions clear to all team members? ■ In-house equipment in good condition. Appropriate stocks of de-icer on site.

■ Snow removal contract should include specific language on where to pile snow. If the lot slopes and snow is plowed/piled ‘uphill’, you will have an ice mess each and every morning. If you need to have the snow transported off-site, this is a good time to decide—

February is not the time. ■ Handicapped parking needs to be cleared and the associated ramp/access paths cleaned and de-iced—this is a famous one for

‘that’s not in my contract!’

Fire/Life Safety Systems and associated subsystems and components; to prevent freezing in the winter months. • Primarily directed to wet and dry pipe sprinkler systems ■ Dry pipe inspections should include identifying and testing each and every standpipe drain, and setting a schedule for weekly inspections. This should be typically coordinated with the Fire

Alarm/Fire Sprinkler system maintenance contractor and should include refresher training on dry pipe fire sprinkler system operations. ■ Do not forget stairwell and storage unit heaters, in areas serviced by wet and dry pipe fire sprinklers. ■ This is a good time for fire extinguisher inventory and annual testing. • Emergency generator load bank testing, typically annually, but conducted in the fall. • If the site has no emergency generator, then emergency battery lighting systems (battery pack lights) need inspections. Is the Site’s inventory of battery lighting systems up to date? Are there areas that need battery lights installed? Are there spare unit(s) on site.

Central Plant Systems have specific requirements; these should be addressed with the Contractor/Maintenance Staff, however major items include: • Cooling System winter shutdown/maintenance activities: ■ Cooling Tower maintenance and cleaning (most properties put this off until the spring; however, leaving the dirt and debris in the tower all winter long causes the cooling tower (basin in particular) surfaces to deteriorate, as they stay wet under the dirt.) • Chiller tube punching (same statement and concern as noted above about cooling towers) • Heating System and associated subsystems and components ■ Remember insurance and local code authority required inspections ■ If your maintenance contract does not specifically include boiler system efficiency testing, then it should and the results should be reported in writing to you, the property manager.

In properties where individual unit HVAC is the norm; there are typically common area systems that need to be inspected/ maintained prior to winter operations. These include: • Common area HVAC systems heating systems, such as: ■ Electric heating elements in individual common area HVAC systems such as lobby and hallway systems ■ Natural gas heating systems in roof top units for community rooms/centers.

• In properties with exterior pools; proper freeze protection of pool house plumbing systems as well as pool fittings and equipment is required.

Written by Robert Kroohs, TRC Engineering 301-869-6446 ekirk@trc-engineering.com

410-766-2855

nac@nacontracting.com

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