"Upgrade" to a U-Lock?

We all know the back-gate-secured-by-cable-with-a-combination lock school of security is a joke . . . but as long as we're going keep such a laughable measure in place, can we at least make it a U-lock style bike lock that will prevent the gate from being opened wide enough for a person to squeeze through? Under the current cable-and-padlock arrangement, I can easily squeeze through the gate even when it's locked -- and I weigh close to 200 lbs.

Maybe it's time for an update on when whatever more permanent measure will be replacing the bike lock will be implemented.

10+ minutes of hot

Neighbors -

I hope those of you that wanted to feel the new hot water system in action got to do so over the weekend. Homes Portfolio is understandably anxious to start the installations throughout the building, and as I pointed out before, the revised strategy would be a vast improvement from my current 2-3 minute hot showers.

We will hold off from authorizing Homes Portfolio to proceed only if there are any major objections offered by residents or discussed at tonight's Board Meeting.

Management Company

Has the board hired a new management company? With the upcoming snow that is expected, I and I am sure others would appreciated having our sidewalks and walk ways cleared of snow and Ice unlike last week. The build up of snow and ice presents a safety issue for the residents of the Piedmont and an liability issue for those who use both the walk way and sidewalks.

Piedmont Residents' Forum: Piedmont Party!?

Piedmont Residents' Forum: Piedmont Party!?

Piedmont Party!?

Hi all. A few of us were discussing the possibility of having a Piedmont party. It would be great to get to know eachother in a social setting where we aren't venting about hot water and trash pick-up. Perhaps we could each invite 1 or 2 friends as well. Let me know if you are interested. We're looking at the evening of Feb. 17, next Saturday.

Now, what are the chances Brad will let us use the unit on the first floor? We're considering asking him, with, of course, the promise that we will clean up promptly afterwards.

Let me know your thoughts.

This, Too, Is Only a Test

Do nothing immediately!

This Is Only a Test

If you can read this, no further action is required.

Slow Drip

[Updated, see below]

So the hot water replacement has yet to be fully completed enough for the board to take a look & give it our blessing. Are we frustrated? Yes. However, I was personally in Unit 405 this afternoon while the equipment was being installed, and there was a legitimate snag. The 10 GE gallon heater was damaged or otherwise defective, so Gene headed out for a replacement around noon.

I still have hope that we will have a working demonstration before the weekend and, if the gods are with us, fully functioning systems in all units before the end of eternity. That was only slightly sarcastic (gotta hedge my bets on the track record).

Also, speaking of drips, the painters used the oven in Unit 103 for heat again today. If you smell a blast of warm natural gas stench when you get home, that's the culprit. I've already had words with Gene and Beth on the matter, and you may note a note that I've added to their "WET PAINT" sign. Do me and the rest of the building a favor, if you see Unit 103's door open and the painters are in there, ask them politely to shut the oven off and then go find Gene.

02.09.07 UPDATE

I was able to view and test the new hot water set up in Unit 405 at approximately 7pm Thursday night. The water sustained a 115 degree temperature for 11 minutes (set at about 75% hot...all the way hot was over 135 degrees and was scalding hot), and stayed completely above 100 degrees for another 10 minutes. This far outperforms my system, and I have a hunch it will do the same for most everyone else.

Before we give any green light to Gene, Beth and Brad, I would like to give everyone who wants to feel the results first hand the opportunity to do so. Before Monday, please get in touch with a member of the board (I will be out of town, so check with the other four), and we can arrange access to the unit for a demonstration, or if you are in the building before 4pm today, Gene should be around and he can show you the way.

I ask that either comments be posted to this blog entry or be sent the board via email: piedmontboard [at] googlegroups [dot] com. Next week, the board will discuss the results together and contact Beth and Brad with our recommendation.

Trash Time

A brief note regarding trash (both inside and out). There have been a few days where the cans outside were already overflowing with our rubbish and so a small pile of boxes, etc. grew next to the cans. Unfortunately, the waste management company will not dispose of piled trash, so somehow it needs to find it's way into the cans.

I took care of this for everyone today, but I would ask that if you did leave trash outside of the bins next time to please stop out back every day or so to see if it could then be broken down and dumped in the bins. That's it on that.

Second, the inside. I know we all have busy schedules and - as noted above - we don't have the most regular of trash pickup. However, whatever we can do to not let trash linger outside of our doors for more than a day would be very helpful. Neighbors would be appreciative, as would potential new neighbors who are trying to get a feel for how we live here.

Ok, so trash: let's all get it in the bins as soon as possible. Many thanks.

Gate + Water Status

[Updated, see below]

Residents, countrymen, countrywomen...here's today's update:

Parking Gate - Both the concrete pad and electrical work are to be completed by the end of the day Saturday, Feb 03. The gate equipment (see the system for yourself here) is set to be installed the week of Feb 12. While the concrete pad cures, please try to temper your urges to carve in your initials in it.

Pedestrian Gate - I have suggested a hardware solution (found on the Columbia Road side steps to the church a block away) that provides (1) quick access control from the alley via key, and (2) quick and secure exit from within, to Homes Portfolio. Beth is going to meet with the company that installed the front door hardware to see how soon this could be installed.

Hot Water - Homes Portfolio has arranged for EEMax and Ferguson Enterprises representatives to meet and diagnose the issues with the water heaters. The Piedmont Board will be at whatever site visits these companies make and will keep everyone informed of what we find out. If you have not already heard, the previously discussed "T3" heater models will not be installed in the units. The electrical panels do not have the capacity either physically or by code to handle such a device. As the currently installed equipment has never run properly from day one, EEMax and Ferguson are being brought in to personally handle the troubleshooting.

...more info when we have it.

02/02/07 HOT WATER UPDATE: After a thorough walk through and consultation with EEMax's representative on Friday afternoon, the builders will be installing a 10 gallon tank AFTER the EEMax unit, not before as they currently are installed. The logic behind this switch is convincing, as the tank will provide a healthy shot of hot water up front, and will be continually refilled with 80-90 degree pre-heated water. The way most of us have it set up right now works very inefficiently from the representative's standpoint, as the EEMax doesn't "superheat" the already hot water. I will be viewing a test run either Saturday or Monday and will follow up with everyone...

Congratulations to the Piedmond Condo Board!

Among its many other exciting highlights, last night's first meeting of the Piedmont Condo Association produced our first elected condo board, which subsequently selected its own officers:

President: Nick Mroczkowski

Vice President: Jordon Chasnoff

Co-treasurers: Shawn Canfield and Derek Swick

Secretary: Erin Wright

Congratualtions, friends. We trust you each to discharge your duties faithfully.

Piedmont Residents' Forum

Piedmont Residents' Forum

I can't make the Owner's Association meeting on Jan. 8th. Other than losing the opportunity to vote for condo board members, is anyone aware of any other rights I'd be forfeiting by not being present?