Welcome to the YCC 367 BLOG

At the 2006 Annual General meeting, communication was highlighted as an area that we could improve upon. This Blog is intended to be one way to allow residents to express themselves and get feedback from others. At the present time I have chosen to moderate this blog, so any comment posted will be previewed before posting to the blog. I will not censor any comment, but since the blog is open to anyone, I want to ensure that no inappropriate messages are posted. Please also note that while I have been a member of the Board for quite some time (as of June 2015 I am no longer a Director on the Board of YCC 367), any opinion that I express on this blog is as a resident of this community and may not necessarily reflect the opinion of any other member of our community or any other Board member. While I attempt to post useful information relating to our Corporation and maintain this forum for your convenience, this is not an "official" YCC 367 site. The Corporation does not provide any funding either directly or indirectly to maintain this blog. So. . . with that being said, scroll down, investigate and feel free to add your comments. Have fun !!


19/3/10 - PLEASE NOTE - Comments that do not relate to this blog or contain links to advertising or non-related sites will be removed. Please do not include links in your post as your post will be flagged as Spam and will not be published !!


PLAN TO ATTEND - NEXT AGM:  June 28, 2022  @ 6:00 PM
     (registration at 5:45)
If you would like to contribute your expertise as a Board member, please note that next year (2023) there will be two (2) Board positions up for election. Board positions are 3 year terms except in instances where the remaining term of a vacated Board position is being filled. Terms are staggered such that on average only two positions change over in any given year affording a degree of stability or continuity to the operations of the Corporation. 

Tues.June 28th 2022 (5:45 pm @ YCC 367 South parking lot)
Wed. June 23rd 2021 (proxy only meeting)
Congratulations to the three returning Board members Susan Wickware, Tricia Staples and Linda Zhang.

Mon. November 9th 2020 (5:00 pm @ YCC 367 South parking lot)
Congratulations to our new Board member Linda Zhang who had been appointed to the Board mid-year following the resignation of Rhonda Sloane

Mon. June 3rd 2019 (7:00 pm @ Thornhill Community Centre)
Congratulations to the three returning Board members David Haigh, Trish Staples and Carmela Casuccio. Carmela had been appointed to the Board mid-year following the resignation of Zoran Gadjanski.

Mon. June 25th 2018 (7:00 pm @ Thornhill Community Centre)
Congratulations to our new Board member Trish Staples and returning member Susan Wickware. Trish had been appointed to the Board mid-year following the resignation of Pam Young.
 
Thurs. June 8th 2017 (7:00 pm @ Thornhill Community Centre)
Congratulations to Rhonda Sloane and Zoran Gadjanski on their re-election.  
 
Tues. June 7th 2016 (7:00 pm @ Thornhill Community Centre) 
Congratulations to our new Board member Rhonda Sloane and returning member Pam Young and David Haigh.

Tues. June 9th 2015 (7:30 pm @ Thornhill Community Centre) 
Congratulations to our new Board member Susan Wickware.

Tues. June 10th 2014 (7:30 pm @ Thornhill Community Centre) 
Congratulations to our new Board members Zoran Gadjanski and Michael Posteraro. Thanks to our outgoing Board members, Greg Rist and Jim Dzik, for their contributions.

Tues. June 11th 2013 (7:30 pm @ Thornhill Community Centre)

Tues. June 12th 2012 (7:30 pm @ Thornhill Community Centre)
Congratulations to our new Board member Bob Anderson. Thanks to our outgoing Board member, Helen Hochberger, for her contributions and hospitality over the past three years.

Tues. June 14th 2011 (7:00 pm @ Thornhill Community Centre)
Congratulations to our new Board member Kim MacLaurin.

Tues. June 15th 2010 (7:00 pm @ Thornhill Community Centre)
Congratulations to our new Board member David Haigh. Thanks to Karen Coleman for her contributions over the past year.

Tues. June 9th 2009 (7:15 pm @ Thornhill Community Centre)
Thanks to all who attended this meeting. Over 50% of our Unit owners were represented in person. Congratulations to our new Board members Helen Hockberger, Robert Reckenberg and Karen Coleman. 

To post a comment, click on the "posted by" time or comment count, create or login under an account name and password that you have created. You can ignore the option to create your own blog, if you want. Once you have identified yourself, click on the "Publish" icon.


If you would prefer to send me an email, I can be reached at . . . Galin.YCC367@sympatico.ca

10/3/06 - I have decided to remove "moderation" of the site - unless it becomes necessary to put it back in place. I still reserve the right to remove any offensive or abusive comments !!!

19/3/10 - PLEASE NOTE - Comments that do not relate to this blog or contain links to advertising or non-related sites will be removed. Please do not include links in your post as your post will be flagged as Spam and will not be published !!

Notices & News Items

Keep checking this area for copies of notices or other items of interest. As they become available you will be able to view and download copies of notices that are delivered to your unit and other documents like AGM minutes and Pool Rules etc.

NEW NOTICES:-
27/12/15  By now everyone has probably received their copy of next years budget (2016) and the fee increase the Board has assessed. If you, like I, believe that the $28 fee increase is excessive you have every right to express your views to the members of the Board. Can't wait for the rationalization of this increase at the AGM. 
Based on the information provided by our Board, we are projected to be just under $29,000 under budget this year. Next year's operating budget has only increased by just under $11,000 of which $3000 has been allocated to a Contingency fund which is now the third largest "Repair & Maintenance" item at $8,000. Only "Pool Services" at $13,500 and "Miscellaneous" at $10,266 are greater allocations. The Contingency Fund is essentially a Reserve Fund allocation without the restrictions of a Reserve Fund. The 8% recommended increase to the Reserve Fund is part of the Reserve Fund Study's recommendations, but it is predicated on expected Reserve Fund expenditures. The overall goal is to insure that the Reserve Fund has adequate resources to service Common Element repairs. We will have to wait until we receive the financials but it is my best guess that the Corporation has not spent as much as the Reserve Fund study projected and that the Reserve Fund is currently well above where the Reserve Fund study recommended. As the Budget letter did not indicate any major projects (except the rear balcony repairs which we have already been told were financially accommodated within the 2015 financial allocation), we can only wonder as to the rationale behind this augmentation of the Reserve Fund. The Reserve Fund Study cannot be used to substantiate this increase. This will be more apparent once the year end financials are released.
It is the Board's right to set the budget and a $10-$15 monthly difference in the assessed fees only amounts to $120-$180 more in your pocket over the year. It is also a reasonable expectation that the Board assesses fees based upon sound financial reasons. At a time when the inflation rate for 2016 has been set at 2% and most of us are trying to manage our own personal budgets in a stagnant economy, an 8% increase has the optics of being excessive, particularly when there isn't a defined reason for this allocation and it appears this is just being tucked away for a rainy day.

Management should also pay a little more attention to detail. It appears that the second page was not revised to correspond with the final budget allocations as over half of the line items are incorrect and the pie chart is also inaccurate. Sloppy!

NEWS ITEM (April 5, 2006) - Bayview Avenue Widening Proposal by Regional Municipality of York.(see comments)
The third public consultation was held Wed. June 27th 2007 (6- 9pm) at Thornlea Secondary School.

Exterior Water Shut-Off Notice {PDF file} . . .
Fireplace Non-Usage Notice (March 2020) {PDF file} . . .
Common Element Modification Registration Section 98 Notice {PDF file} . . .

Reserve Fund Study - Form 15 {PDF file} . . .

2022 Condo Insurance Certificate {PDF file} . . .
2021 Condo Insurance Certificate {PDF file} . . .
2020 Condo Insurance Certificate {PDF file} . . .
2019 Condo Insurance Certificate {PDF file} . . .
2018 Condo Insurance Certificate {PDF file} . . .
2017 Condo Insurance Certificate {PDF file} . . .
2016 Condo Insurance Certificate {PDF file} . . .
2015 Condo Insurance Certificate {PDF file} . . .
2014 Condo Insurance Certificate {PDF file} . . .
2013 Condo Insurance Certificate {PDF file} . . .
2012 Condo Insurance Certificate {PDF file} . . .
2010 Condo Insurance Certificate {PDF file} . . .

By-Law Ammendment #5 "Standard Unit"(November 2020) {PDF file} . . .
By-Law Ammendment #6 "Electronic Representation"(June 2021) {PDF file} . . .

PREVIOUS NOTICES:-

Minutes of June 21, 2005 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 13, 2006 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 12, 2007 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 3, 2008 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 6, 2009 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 15, 2010 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 14, 2011 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 12, 2012 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 11, 2013 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 10, 2014 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 9, 2015 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 7, 2016 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 8, 2017 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 25, 2018 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of June 3, 2019 AGM {PDF file} . . .
Minutes of November 9, 2020 AGM {PDF file} . . .

2011 Pool Rules & Schedule {PDF file} . . .
2008 Pool Rules & Schedule {PDF file} . . .
2007 Pool Rules & Schedule {PDF file} . . .
2006 Pool Rules & Schedule {PDF file} . . .

RECENT NEWSLETTERS & NOTICES:-
Community Newsletter - Spring 2018 {PDF file} . . .
Community Newsletter - Fall 2017 {PDF file} . . .
Community Newsletter - Spring 2016 {PDF file} . . .
Community Newsletter - Fall 2015 {PDF file} . . .
Activity Status Update - Jan 2016 {PDF file} . . .

BLASTS from the PAST:-

Community Newsletter - April 1998 {PDF file} . . .
Community Newsletter - April 1997 {PDF file} . . .
Community Newsletter - September 1982 {PDF file} . . .

Everything You wanted to Know about Condo Living but ...

Whether you have just moved in or have been here for several decades, you may have questions about who is responsible for what. Living in a Condominium requires a certain degree of compromise and there is a distinction between what the Condominium Corporation is responsible for maintaining and what you have full authority over. This division of responsibility can be complicated at times, but not insurmountable. The document (provided below) is provided to help explain some of the details relating to this area of Condo living. Please recognize that this is a start and with your help we can add/revise to this document to continue to improve and clarify any of the information.

As you are probably aware Condominiums in Ontario are governed by the Condo Act. A link to this document is provided in the side panel under links. Suggestions for revisions, amendments or comments on this piece of legislation can be sent to condoreview@ontario.ca . They will NOT respond to any submission nor deal with any problems or complaints, but they are looking for feedback and will take this information under consideration for any future revisions to the Condo Act.

Included below is also a "Welcome Package" for new owners to provide some basic information about YCC 367.

Summary of Condominium Responsibility Split {PDF file} . . .

Schedule C from Declaration {PDF file} . . .
Site Plan, Unit/Exclusive Use depiction {PDF file} . . .
Common Element Change Agreement Form {PDF file} . . .

YCC367 Newsletter - March 2008 {PDF file} . . .

YCC 367 Welcome Package {PDF file} . . .

Maintenance Issues

Please call the Management office with any routine or emergency issues. If there is something that you would like the Board to specifically look at, please post a comment and your Board will be informed so that they can evaluate and try to resolve the problem. It is also your prerogative to contact the Board directly by email, letter or any other means that you choose..

Property Management Contact:  Janet Saunders            jsaunders@ntpm.ca

Newton-Trelawney Property Management Services       905 619-2886 x252
253 Lake Driveway West, Ajax Ontario  L1S 5B5 

As of March 26, 2017 Newton-Trelawney has established an online presence for YCC 367 at www.ntpm.ca  A password is required and login information should have been distributed to all Owners. For more information contact the Property Manager. (as at July 2021 this site does not appear to be available and as far as I can tell has never actually been a source of information or allow any interaction)

November 2012:- Hopefully everyone likes the freshened look after the door and garage trim, side panels and front doors were given a paint job. For your reference in case the exterior paint requires future touch-up, the paint formulation(s) are:-

(1) Garage door frames and wood panel above garage door, side panel at front doors and front door frames
     Dulux #1580

• BLK 1P   14
• YOX 1P   53
• OXR 0P   14

(2) Front doors
     Dulux (Devoe) #4216 0100L

• BLK 1P   14
• YOX 1P   53
• OXR 0P   14

Archival Issues:-
 
Property Management Change (December 2011)
Sterling Property Management Inc: 416 299-9650 or Administration@sterlingproperty.ca
*****  IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be advised that as of December 1, 2011 Sterling will no longer provide property management services for YCC 367. If you have a property management issue please contact a Board member directly. Information pertaining to this change in property management services will be forthcoming.  ***** 

Annual Spring Walkarounds 
{2007} The Board's walk around of the property on May 15th (Tuesday early evening) for the 2007 Annual Spring Walkaround was terminated early due to inclement weather. Thanks to everyone who returned their "Unit Checklist" . Based on your feedback and an assessment of the property and our units by Marie, our Property Manager, and your Board of Directors, work to address some of the identified deficiencies will commence shortly and proceed over the Summer and Fall.

{2008} The weather co-operated for the 2008 walkaround which was held May 15th. Again thanks to everyone who provided feedback by inspecting your unit.

Please understand that your Board attempts to do as much work as our budget allows. If an item that you indicated on your checklist is not addressed this year, please re-enter it for consideration on the coming years checklist. The checklist is tool that your Board finds useful in assisting them in identifying common element deficiencies. You are more familiar with any existing or developing problem or concern with your own unit and your input is appreciated. Not everything that may be noted on these sheets is a Common Element maintenance issue but that does not lessen its importance to be identified. Please understand that this checklist is not a repair worksheet and should not be considered obliging the Board to address any identified issue. Please contact the Management company if you have a maintenance related concern.

Unit Owner Checklist {PDF file} . . .

Looking after your unit can be intimidating for some of us especially when we are not sure of how to detect signs of potential trouble. Just like the chore of keeping your home clean, a little preventative, routine maintenance can go a long way in staving off major repairs. Here are a few hints and checklists that you may find helpful. If you have any other helpful hints, please feel free to pass them along.

Indoor Environmental Safety {PDF file} . . .

Bathroom Checklist {PDF file} . . .

Window & Patio Door Program

Update: As of an April 2017 revision, the Board of Directors has announced a change to this program. The existing program will be terminated Dec. 31, 2017. I am sure that copies of the March 30th letter from the Board will be available on the Newton Trelawney YCC367 site (although at the time of this posting the site was devoid of any content). Essentially the Board is reverting to the commitment as determined by the Declaration (specifically Schedule C). Not sure why it took two lawyers to convince the Board, but this is their right. The policy that is being replaced was put in place due to failures of the originally installed sealed windows which were under warranty by the manufacturer (if memory serves, Knight Industries). Unfortunately when it became necessary to replace faulty windows, this manufacturer had gone bankrupt. As all Owners were potentially impacted by this window design failure, the Board at that time decided that a fair compromise position was to share this repair responsibility. As several decades have now past, most original windows have probably been replaced and review of this policy is appropriate. 
As an Owner you should also know your responsibility for repair to your "Unit" and when the repair is the Corporation's responsibility as it is a repair to the "Common Element". Pertaining to this issue, the tricky part of the Declaration's definition of the "Unit" is in the exclusionary clause, which states . . .

"Notwithstanding the foregoing, the unit shall not include:-

(a) Exterior face of the doors leading out of the unit, and exterior face of the window frames;"

In other words, the exterior face of these doors and the exterior aspects of the window frames are "common element" but the interior aspects of these elements are part of the "unit" and thus the Owners responsibility. To complicate matters further, schedule C specifies that a boundary of the "unit" is the backside of the drywall and that this boundary extends across window and door openings. The trick is to apply these definitions in a practical repair. Good luck! If you are replacing a window by putting the new window into the existing frame, this is 100% the Owners responsibility. Not so simple, if the window replacement involves removing the frame, especially if the exterior aspect of the frame is damaged. Repair of the exterior aspect of the frame (extending to the plane defined by the backside of the drywall) is the Corporation's responsibility, whether the window replacement is for an original or betterment. The dilemma is how to share the repair costs by determining the extent of the Common Element repair. Hopefully the Board will consider each repair request on it's merits, but it is in your best interest to understand your responsibility and submit your proposed window or door repair to the Board for consideration.

{Original post}
Windows and exterior doors fall into a "gray zone" of the unit declaration being both a common element and "unit" owner responsibility. Many years ago the Board established a Window & Door Program with an annual budgetary allocation to fund this type of repair. Our Property Manager at Newton Trelawney keeps a list of requests which the Board reviews and approves. In any calendar year, an owner can request to be put on the list for the replacement of either their patio door or up to two windows (where the insulating seal has broken and the windows are fogging). The unit owner can purchase any compatible window or door from a vendor of their choice and arrange for it's installation. The Corporation will refund 50% of the cost (HST included) with a maximum refund capped at $600 for a patio door and $400 per window. 
At the present time this cost sharing program does not apply to windows other than the sealed double pane insulated windows. It also does not apply to front doors. If you have any questions, please contact Property Management or contact a Board member.

Parking Initiatives

27/12/15  Please note that while the information below is still relevant, the current Board has implemented a new parking control program. Not sure if this revised program will have any impact but time will tell. Contact Management for details relating to this new parking control program.

Parking is the second "P" in the three P's of Condo life, people, parking & pets. These three issues tend to comprise the lion's share of problems experienced in a Condominium. The availability of parking in our Visitor parking lots has been problematic in the past and while the situation eases at times, it has been of concern to many residents over the past several months. While the problem is relatively simple, a fair and equitable solution to the problem is more difficult. YCC 367 has 13 Visitor parking spaces, all down at the SE end of the property. Ten spaces beside 29 Kindale and three spaces beside 40 Kindale. Each residence has two parking spaces. One inside the garage and the other on the driveway. As long as there are no more than two cars per residence and the garage is available to park a vehicle, there should be no reason for a Resident to park in the Visitor parking spaces. Oh if life were that simple.

I don't think that most of us have a problem with the occasional use of the Visitor spaces by residents as long as there are sufficient spaces remaining for our visitors and guests. Unfortunately, these visitor spaces seem to be occupied constantly. In most instances it is difficult to impossible to determine to whom these vehicles belong - guests, residents or individuals from outside our Corporation. An aggressive ticketing and towing program would definitely curb the problem, but there is a definite downside to that strategy. So we come back the first "P" - people. If we the people of this Corporation can recognize that there is a problem and that the solution lays with us, then maybe we can come up with a strategy that can accommodate our occasional need to make use of these parking spaces and the right of others to also have that opportunity for themselves and their guests. I am not advocating that Residents should consider our Visitor spaces as extra personal parking spots, but there are many situations where this may occasionally be valid.

Your Board has been discussing this issue over the past few months and with you feedback and comments will be implementing revisions to our strategy for managing parking in the Visitor parking areas. A letter describing this strategy was distributed to each Unit on November 27th. The distribution of parking tags will hopefully occur within the next couple of weeks, once we have received the requested registration information submitted by the majority of our Units. While not perfect, it is a good beginning and hopefully with your co-operation and suggestions we can refine some of the details and come up with a parking solution that is equitable and fair.

This strategy is specifically aimed at the availability of parking spaces in the Visitor parking lots. Parking on our roads and Common Areas is illegal and violations can result in ticketing and/or towing. Our roadways are designated Fire Routes and parking is not allowed at any time. Our roadways are narrow and in case of an emergency, I don't think that an Emergency vehicle will think twice about a minor inconvenience in getting to their destination. Don't take the chance.

YCC367 Parking Letter #1 - November 2010 {PDF file} . . .

Water Main Break

On Tuesday morning a break in the section of pipe feeding the fire hydrant outside of 24 Kindale sent a river of water down the roadway. This section of pipe branches off of the water main located on the hill side of the roadway and passes under the roadway to the fire hydrant on the opposite side of the street. As a consequence water was shut off for most of the day until the leak was located and the pipe repaired. Water service was available by about 8:30 Tuesday evening. Unfortunately a second leak occurred early Wednesday morning necessitating a second water shut off from about 8:45 am to about 10 pm. This leak was in the main itself. The second rupture was complicated by the fact that the hole dug the previous day filled with water and undercut the integrity of the ground under the roadway. The hole had to be drained and enlarged to accommodate shoring that was placed into the hole to prevent a possible collapse. It was important to ensure that the work site was safe.
Your patience and understanding was appreciated during this exceptionally stressful situation.

The current plan is to replace a section of the water main with new pipe and relocate the fire hydrant to the hill side of the roadway. Barring further complications, further excavation and preparation work will be performed on Thursday and Friday. No water disruption is scheduled during this phase of the repair. The section of pipe and hydrant installation is scheduled for Monday. This will require a disruption in water service from about 9:30 am to about 7 pm.
It would be a good idea to fill your bathtub with water prior to going to bed or before the scheduled Monday shut off. The toilet reservoir can be filled manually with this water so that your toilet can remain functional. Having a few jugs of water for consumption would also be a good idea in an attempt to minimize the disruption caused by the water shut off.

Community Alerts

Incidents in our Neighbourhood
{Aug 23 - Sep 10, 2010}, approx. 10 homes in the Woburn/Kindale/Dunkeld/Romfield area

• B&E, personal items within residences stolen
• Sep 2, 2010 - robbery @ BMO (Romfield Plaza)

{Dec. 22/23, 2008},

• 11W - B&E, personal items within residence stolen

{Nov. 30/31, 2008} sometime between midnight and 6 am,

• 14K - vandalization and theft, vehicles & garage (garage left open)
  
• 2K - theft from vehicle on driveway
  

Crime and vandalism have become common occurrences and too often a segment on the evening news or the front page of our newspapers. The reality is that no community is immune. While this should provoke an awareness in us all, this should NOT be a persistent fear in our lives. Please feel free to post any incidents that you believe your neighbours should know about. The Thornhill Liberal runs a listing of crimes in the community, but not all incidents get reported. While in most instances these incidents are random, there are some basic things that can be done to protect ourselves. These petty criminals tend to target the weakest, most penetrable or accessible places to prey. Common sense and awareness at a Community level are powerful deterrents. If you happen to see anything out of the ordinary in our neighbourhood, a call to the police may be warranted. If you are going away and leaving your home unattended, let your neighbours know so that they can take in your mail and just keep and eye out for you. Obviously getting to know and trust your neighbour is important. There used to be a formal Community Watch program in the Romfield Circle/Stornoway Public school area, primarily as a safety net for our children, but also to generally promote community safety and awareness. Even without a formal program, watching each others backs is always a good idea.
I do not profess to be a security expert but there are many articles on how to burglar-proof your home on the internet. As a starter here are two that you can read. One is from Readers Digest, the other from the Toronto Star
Readers Digest article:- http://www.readersdigest.ca/mag/2005/08/proof_home.php
The Toronto Star:- http://www.howtoadvice.com/HomeSecurity/
Home alarm systems, bullet-proof glass, better lock and door systems, and even dogs are all options that can be considered. But even the best security system is useless if it is not used effectively. An open door is an open door. Leaving your keys in the door, keeping the car running unattended, forgetting to close the garage, leaving keys or a wallet/purse by an open front door are all invitations to a thief. Arrested petty thieves will often recount that they tried several locked doors until they found an open one. Remember these people are typically looking for a quick and easy score, anything that will slow them up or make it difficult usually deters them to the next location.
If you are interested in some DIY home security products, there was a Consumer alert segment on CTV news within the last week where a few items were presented including a film that can be applied to your windows to make them tougher to break, a door frame reinforcement system and more secure locks.
Security window film (Armour Guard)

Armour Concepts LLC

Speed Bumps

-->

As you have probably noticed speed bumps were installed over the summer on both YCC 367 and YCC 256 roadways. Then in the first week of November two of these speed bumps (outside 17 Woburn and between 22 and 24 Kindale) were replaced with an even more aggressive speed bump. I am interested in your opinions and comments regarding these additions to our roadways.

Let me make my position clear - I am opposed to the installation of these impediments. I am even more concerned about the manner in which these additions to the Common Element were approved by your Board of Directors.

The Issue: Safety concerns particularly related to some vehicles occasionally exceeding the posted speed limit and the risk to residents, particularly small children.

Background: A discussion of safety issues within the Corporation has been considered by your Board of Directors both past and present. For example, improved lighting and the extension of fencing to prevent non-residents easy access to backyard areas were effective projects in addressing security concerns. Alteration to our roadways has been an issue that has been considered by previous Boards. An evaluation of the merits of installing speed impediments always attempted to estimate the real risk and whether the solution adequately reduced that risk as well as the costs both monetarily and to personal freedoms. Our roadways are primarily used by owners and their guests and are not a thorough fare subject to excessive traffic. The daily inconvenience to our residents and the potential for damage and increased maintenance to their vehicles as a consequence of traversing roadway impediments, the impact of these impediments to snow removal, emergency vehicles and other service traffic were all factors that were balanced with the perceived risk. Previously, it was the opinion of the standing Board that the installation of speed bumps was not warranted.

Decision 2008: Over the past summer, during a joint Board meeting and discussion with the Board of YCC 256, we were informed that as part of their roadway repaving they were installing speed bumps on their roadways. This information led to a renewed discussion on the installation of speed bumps within YCC 367. During this discussion the Board was not in possession of any specific information regarding the specifications for these speed bumps, except that if we had them installed while YCC 256 was performing their repaving, the cost would be $500 per speed bump and five speed bumps were being recommended. An exchange of information by email ensued and ultimately a decision was made by email consensus to approve the installation of five speed bumps. I was not included in this Board decision as I do not agree to transact Board decisions by any means other that a meeting at which a quorum is present to discuss and vote on the issue.

My Concerns: This was an improper decision.

1) I had made it clear to the Board that while email, fax or phone was an agreeable method to exchange information, all Board decisions can only be voted on after discussion at a meeting of the Board. No such meeting was held. The rationale was that this was an emergency decision. That is simply not true. There was no emergency, just a deadline by the contractor to have the work done at the $500 price. That is not an emergency. This stipulation of holding a Board meeting is a requirement of The Condominium Act, not just me being difficult.

2) It was also argued that if YCC 367 did not install the speed bumps, while YCC 256 had speed bumps, that more traffic would be diverted to our roadways as cars avoided the speed bumps on Dunkeld. All I have to say about that is nonsense. Look at the layout of our developments. Most of YCC 256 is situated along Dunkeld and Romfield. While it is possible that some of the residents in the SW aspect of the complex may have elected to go along Kindale through YCC 367 roadways, the more probable route would be to continue using Dunkeld.

3) The estimation of risk and evaluation of the acceptance by our community of the inconvenience and their willingness to accept the installation of speed deterrents was not properly investigated. This was an emotional decision not a rationale one.

4) This alteration to the Common Element is on the threshold of being considered a substantial alteration and as such not only did this decision require a vote by the Board of Directors, a vote of the Owners would also have been appropriate if not mandatory. An alteration is considered substantial if the cost in any single month exceeds $1000 plus 1% of the annual budget. This threshold figure works out to $2584. The five speed bumps cost $500 each, so their cost was $2500.

5) The speed bumps as they were initially installed were bad enough. The two more aggressive speed bumps that have recently been installed are excessive. The reason for this change is unclear as there was no discussion regarding this alteration either at a regular Board meeting that was held the week prior to this work being done or by any other form of Board communication.

6) This winter will be a test of whether these “improvements” pose a problem or risk on snowy/icy days when getting up the grade on both Kindale and Woburn is difficult enough without having to overcome these additional impediments. I also fear that snow clearing efforts by our contractor will also be negatively impacted by these barriers and rather than plowing, an increased use of salt may be employed to keep our roadways clear.

I have had my say, now it is your opportunity to have your say. Please post your comments or communicate with your Board by any means that you choose. Contact information can be found in the last newsletter (March 2008). If you have lost yours, a PDF copy can be viewed/printed from this blog (under the “Everything you wanted to know about Condo Living” section).

{Dec.6, 2008}

P.S. Subsequent to the publication of this post I received emails from my fellow Board members voicing their displeasure with this post. One of these was from our President Zoran Gadganski, demanding that I remove this post and change the name of my blog. I will do neither. If I have misrepresented or made an error in any of the information presented, I will gladly correct or modify the information appropriately. I will not be censored because any of my fellow Board members disapproves.

Garage Doors

It is the Corporation's responsibility to maintain and repair the common element. In the past problems with our garage doors mainly related to adjusting or replacing the springs and rollers. Unfortunately, unless the repair is relatively minor, it is no longer possible to obtain replacement parts for the original doors. On an as need basis the Board is replacing faulty doors with a new door. You can see this replacement new door as you walk around the complex. If you are experiencing a problem with the operation of your garage door, please contact our property manager. All requests will be given consideration by the Board with approval determined by the priority of the repair. Note that functional problems are given priority over cosmetic requests. The Corporation covers the cost to install a basic insulated sandstone coloured garage door. The unit owner can elect to upgrade this door and arrange for the installation of a garage door opener at their own cost. It is requested that the owner inform the Board via our property manager of any modifications or upgrades.

Current Status of Request List:{Pending Installation (2008/09): {To be determined}{On Hold: 24K }
{Installed Sept 2008: 16K, 33K, 43K, 44K, 45K, 46K, 48K, 49K, 58K}
{Installed March 2006: 6K, 8K, 22K, 36K, 54K, 56K, 47K, 1W }
{Installed June 2006: 26K, 39K }
{Installed 2007: 5W, 2K, 4K, 12K, 18K, 34K, 37K, 42K, 50K, 52K, 58K }

Pool News

Before we know it winter will be a memory and we will be getting ready to enjoy another summer. The pool is jointly managed by the Board's of both YCC 367 and  YCC 256 . Operational issues are attended to by our pool contractor, Sparkling Pool and the Property Management Companies representing our two Corporations. To ensure that this valuable resource is utilized in a manner that meets the needs of our residents, a pool committee with representation from both YCC 256 and YCC 367 can be a useful adjunct to the Board. Able bodied volunteers or constructive comments are always welcome. The contract has not been completely negotiated yet. So now is the time for input into any operational issues like hours of operation or any other suggestions so that we obtain maximum enjoyment out of this resource.
The pool is scheduled to open Saturday June 22nd 2013 and will close after Labour Day in September (Monday 2nd).

SUPERVISED POOL HOURS 

YCC 256 & YCC 367 

June 28 – August 5, 2013 

Weekdays (Monday – Friday)                 Weekends & Holiday Mondays * 

    NOON – 3:00 PM                                   11:00 AM – 3:00 PM 

4:00 PM – 9:00 PM                                     4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

 * Monday July 1st

* Monday August 5th 

August 6 – September 2, 2013 

Weekdays (Monday – Friday)                  Weekends & Holiday Mondays * 

    NOON – 3:00 PM                                   11:00 AM – 3:00 PM 

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM                                     4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

* Monday September 2nd 

Notes:
   Pool Maintenance :- 1 hr prior to morning opening 
   Break (Lifeguard) :- 3 pm to 4 pm 
   Hours may be adjusted based upon weather and available light conditions.

AUG/06 - Hope you are enjoying the use of the pool. If you have any suggestions or comments that would be useful for next year, please add an entry to this blog.

APR/07 - Arrangements have been made for this years operation of the pool. Your input is still important, so if you have any suggestions please send them along. This years operations are being overseen by YCC 367 and their property management company (Sterling Property).

APR/08 - Arrangements are being made for this years operation of the pool. Your input is important, so if you have any suggestions please send them along. This years operations are being overseen by YCC 256 and their property management company. The contract will be with the same company that manged the pool last year (Pool People) and the hours and rules should essentially be the same. You should receive a notice regarding the pool opening in early June.

Landscaping

June 2011 - Unfortunately at the present time there is no official Landscaping committee. Anyone interested in assisting with Landscaping functions and decisions is encouraged to contact the Board of Directors. Any and all contributions are greatly appreciated.


{previous entries}
The Landscaping committee is back in action. Thanks to Zoran (29W), Pam (22K) and Madeline (26K) for all their hard work. Anyone wishing to participate should get in contact with someone on the committee or the Board. As always, volunteers, comments, suggestions are welcome.

Thank you for all who attended an open meeting held Thursday May 3 2007 at 7:00 pm in the Craft room at the Thornhill Community Centre to discuss landscaping. Everyone's input and comments were appreciated.

Zoran Gadjanski also has his own blog if you want to share landscaping information and tips. Check out... [Zoran's Blog]


As suggested at the 2008 AGM, relevant sections of our Landscaping contract are provided below for anyone interested in what tasks the landscaping crew is contracted to perform. Your feedback is welcome so that we can consider revisions to the work specified in future contracts.
2007 - De Jong Landscaping {PDF file} . . .
2008 - Bonzai Landscaping {PDF file} . . .
2015 - Crystal Landscaping {PDF file} . . .

Markham has a new Pesticide By-law and they have published a 4 page brochure that describes what you should know and includes tips on "Growing Naturally". In case you cannot find a copy, here is a copy in PDF format that you can view or download.
Markham "Growing Naturally" brochure {PDF file} . . .