Co-op City Times 10/23/10

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Co-op City’s official newspaper serving the world’s largest cooperative community. © Copyright 2010 Co-op City Times

Vol. 45 No. 42

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Riverbay’s commercial tenants will now pay for water usage BY JIM ROBERTS Soaring water costs imposed by New York City keep hitting the pocketbooks of cooperators, and now commercial tenants of Co-op City will help by paying for the water they use in their businesses. “It’s important to the shareholders because it means the commercial tenants

are paying their fair share,” said Riverbay General Manager Vernon Cooper. “All the costs of operating expenses here are not just paid for by shareholders’ carrying charges. “Of course, that’s our primary source of income, but it shouldn’t be the only (Continued on page 2)

Riverbay is installing meters to measure the amount of water individual commercial tenants use each month. Commercial tenants will now pay for their water as part of their leases. Photo by Jim Roberts

Garage Waiting List (SEE PAGE 13 FOR LISTING)

25¢

Keeping things in perspective until facts are known I felt it was conspiracy theoPresident’s Message important to ries, and even remind everyone some that are just that Co-op City is based on personal President indeed a city, and dislike and anilike any city, mosity. And, to be there are many issues to be dealt with, honest, I cannot say what truly took as well as making sure that day-to-day place, or speak about anyone who is operations are performed and essential guilty of anything. And if anyone is services are delivered. That’s not to say guilty of a transgression, at this point, I that other things aren’t important, but cannot with any degree of certainty we must keep things in perspective and point an all knowing finger at anyone. not rush to judgment on anything withYou hear it a lot. Innocent until out all the proper facts. proven guilty. Unfortunately, someI am talking about the allegations times, it seems some have trouble putabout a Director reportedly jumping ting this all important concept into others on the waiting list to get a townpractice. We all know, however, if anyhouse. I feel I must comment on it one of us was accused of something, because newspapers are coming out especially if we were innocent of any with articles, and since an investigation wrongdoing, we would certainly want has not yet been completed, and no others to give us the benefit of doubt responsible conclusion can therefore before automatically convicting us. be reached, much of what is being I am also somewhat disappointed reported is based on speculation or perand disturbed that some are so willing sonal opinion. to move from an allegation to immediI’m not sure whether to laugh or ately proclaiming the entire Board cry, but during the course of my normal guilty and painting the entire Board as day I have heard so many stories and such. The Board is made up of 15 resiexplanations about what happened in dent Directors, and all these Directors the Residential Sales Department. I have volunteered their time to represent have heard preposterous stories, stories that are wrapped in sensationalism and (Continued on page 4)

Helen Atkins

Second elevator in Building 9A to be up and running soon BY ROZAAN BOONE Elevator #2 in Building 9A, which has been out of commission for the past two weeks, is expected to be back in service by week’s end. According to Riverbay’s Ombudsman, Joe Boiko, the elevator needed a part of its motor, the worm and gear—the mechanism that facilitates the elevator’s hoisting cables that takes the cab up and down—replaced. However, this part, which is under warranty from the previous elevator contractor, Mainco, is not available in the United States and had to be ordered from the manufacturer in Canada. “TKE, formerly known as Mainco, Riverbay’s old elevator company, is responsible for doing all the warranty work on our elevator motors as Riverbay has a 25 year warranty on the motors as a result of negotiations when the elevators were modernized in 20042005,” said Boiko. In this instance, Mainco attempted to repair the motor, but when that failed, a completely new worm and gear mechanism had to be ordered and custom built by the manufacturer. Riverbay was notified this week that the

order had shipped and was awaiting clearance from Customs which took place late Thursday. “Once we have the part, it takes approximately five business days before it is installed and tested and the elevator placed back in service so we’re estimating that by later in the week, the elevator will in operation,” said Boiko, who oversees the community’s elevator program. “We would like to thank the cooperators in Building 9A for their patience and cooperation while we get these repairs done.” There are 179 elevators and one handicapped lift in Co-op City’s 35 high rise residential buildings, community centers and garages. In 2004-2005, Riverbay Corporation embarked on an elevator modernization project that has resulted in the installation of new energy efficient motors in the elevators and energy efficient lighting, as well as other improvements. “When the modernization project was done, new computerized, electronic equipment replaced older mechanical equipment so that our elevators are now state of the art,” said Boiko.

Total Construction this week began pouring an 8 inch layer of top soil at the southern end of the Greenway from the baseball field in the rear of Building 18 and 19, to the bandstand/stage area. This will complete Total Construction’s work on the Greenway for the season, followed by hydroseeding by the Riverbay Buildings and Grounds Department. It is expected that the Greenway will be completed by late Spring, although it will not be ready for full use until the grass has regrown. Photo by Jim Roberts


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