I can pretty much just continue from my last post (2 years ago this month) and report that next month I'll be relocating, at least temporarily while the old Chesterfield Hotel goes through a renovation.
Since receiving that notification letter back in 2012 it's taken a full two years for the grant[s?] to be approved, and all the business details to be completed. Finally the construction will begin in about a month.
Maybe the building is aware of the changes coming. Twice today our new fire alarm system has gone off for no apparent reason. A detector in a entryway was the source of both alarms occurring just hours apart but it wasn't smoke/fire that set it off. That's the only good part of having to evacuate the building twice in the same day and wait until the fire department checks and gives the all-clear (and shuts off the alarm!), at least there was no actual fire. I'm sure the fire fighters, like the residents, have better things to do on a Sunday afternoon than respond to false alarms.
I wasn't even sure that the building could be renovated. There is so much dry rot evident in and around my apartment and the vinyl siding separating in so many places because the nails holding it on don't have any decent wood to attach to. The wood sills in two out of three of my windows are rotten and the single 'modern' window started separating from my wall when I tried installing an air conditioner in it. Just the fact that water was able to get into the framework around those windows, for who knows how long before I moved in makes me wonder how much mold is in the walls.
The apartment next door had a shower stall leaking into the apartment below for quite a while and the apartment on the first floor (# 1) supposedly has a recurring issue of sewage backing up.
The shingles (at least on the back section) have been falling off faster and faster all of which contributes to water getting into places it's not supposed to be.
The foundation (a very old one) has a serious leak (when it rains) that flows across the basement floor and required a sump pump (cheaper than fixing the foundation but pound foolish in the long-term).
I've only been here two years but I get the feeling this building has been neglected for much of it's later life.
I certainly hope the renovation includes some badly needed energy saving improvements, and after the work is done I would hope the property is maintained better than it has been recently. The same goes for the other properties being renovated.
As I hope we've heard the last of the fire alarm.
- Edited on 9/30/2014 4:49 PM
Showing posts with label construction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label construction. Show all posts
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Whoever Shoveled The Alleyway, THANK YOU!
Whoever did the shoveling in our alleyway this morning was great!
Maybe it was my imagination, but it seemed like they were trying to do it without disturbing the residents up above.
If I could afford it I would have 'tipped' them for being so conscientious! And if I wasn't half-asleep (and trying to remain that way) I would at least have thanked them [quietly].
It's much easier putting up with the seasonal noises like clearing snow if you know someone's at least trying to minimize their part.
Readers should keep in mind that those of us living on the south side of the Endicott building have endured over a year of construction noise, dust, and at times extreme vibrations while the Concord Commons building was being built.
As I've written before, I've gone through two air conditioners that have prematurely died from all the fine dirt that settled on our building during the construction, and what used to be (when I moved in) a nice bright apartment, is now dark, with a view of a brick wall and the unfinished floors of the Concord Commons building.
On another note, I thought I'd share my latest experience with the new parking garage.
I've been parking my car inside the new parking garage every time it's snowed to stay out of the way of Brochu's snow plows in the Market Basket parking lot where most of us park. After having Lenny(?) (he said he was Red's son) plow snow into all four sides of my little hatchback one time, and then curse me out* when I asked him about it, I've decided to pay the cost of parking instead of going through that again.
That experience aside, during the last big storm several days ago I parked in the new parking garage over the weekend. When I went to leave (Tuesday I believe) I had a envelope on my windshield containing a letter from the parking department and a parking stub to use.
You see the parking gate had to be left up during the storm, so there were cars inside that didn't get a stub/ticket when they entered. I thought it was great that the parking division went to the trouble of providing a parking stub and letter** explaining the situation. What they might not have accounted for though, were the folks like me who didn't leave on Monday morning.
When I took their supplied ticket stub and tried leaving, the system wouldn't let me. So, I went up to the 3rd floor pay station and stuck the ticket in to see if I had to pay something. The ticket popped back out with a message telling me to "See the cashier". Huh? I thought what 'cashier'?
I then tried calling the Concord police/parking department, twice, no answer, the phone system just sent me back to the beginning of the automated message....
By this time I was really frustrated. I had a doctor's appointment at 1 PM and it was 12: 55! My car and I were being held hostage inside the garage! Finally, thanks to another resident of the Endicott who was there paying he suggested that I try the 'call-box' down at the exit gate. I'd forgotten all about that in my panic so I thanked him and rushed down to the exit and pushed the button. After a short delay a helpful woman listened to my plight but had never heard of the "See cashier" message I'd received when trying to pay (I wish I had my camera so that I could have taken a picture),
and finally lifted the gate manually (by remote from PD). She was great and wished me good luck as I sped off to my appointment.
When I returned later that day to park inside again (because of ANOTHER expected snow) there was a serviceman already there to check the system! I must say even though there are obviously some bugs to work out with the new garage (and hopefully some additional pay stations) the parking department is staying on top of the situation. Now they need to work on their phone system! It's not good when you can't get someone on the line and you're caught in a unending phone system circle.
I'm sure Dave Florence (of the parking dept.) will adjust his procedures accordingly for the next big snow storm that will surely come. Every time I've dealt with him (and everyone else in the parking division for that matter) he's been pleasant to deal with and quick to respond.
* The younger Brochu said that if I continued to complain that he'd "make sure nobody from the Endicott could park there"... and since it was about a week before Christmas he added "Merry F****** Christmas!". Nice, huh?
---------------------------------------------------------------
**Copy of parking letter:
Monday, December 17, 2007
Due to the fact that the entry gate was left in an open position it is likely that you do not have an exit ticket for the parking garage. Please use the ticket enclosed with this note as you exit ticket from the garage. This ticket DOES NOT need to be processed at the Automatic Pay Station - simply insert into the exit gate verifier and the gate will open.
Thank you for your use of the Capital Commons Garage. Please contact the Parking Control Unit with any questions about the facility.
Sincerely,
Dave Florence
-----------------------------------------------------------
Maybe it was my imagination, but it seemed like they were trying to do it without disturbing the residents up above.
If I could afford it I would have 'tipped' them for being so conscientious! And if I wasn't half-asleep (and trying to remain that way) I would at least have thanked them [quietly].
It's much easier putting up with the seasonal noises like clearing snow if you know someone's at least trying to minimize their part.
Readers should keep in mind that those of us living on the south side of the Endicott building have endured over a year of construction noise, dust, and at times extreme vibrations while the Concord Commons building was being built.
As I've written before, I've gone through two air conditioners that have prematurely died from all the fine dirt that settled on our building during the construction, and what used to be (when I moved in) a nice bright apartment, is now dark, with a view of a brick wall and the unfinished floors of the Concord Commons building.
On another note, I thought I'd share my latest experience with the new parking garage.
I've been parking my car inside the new parking garage every time it's snowed to stay out of the way of Brochu's snow plows in the Market Basket parking lot where most of us park. After having Lenny(?) (he said he was Red's son) plow snow into all four sides of my little hatchback one time, and then curse me out* when I asked him about it, I've decided to pay the cost of parking instead of going through that again.
That experience aside, during the last big storm several days ago I parked in the new parking garage over the weekend. When I went to leave (Tuesday I believe) I had a envelope on my windshield containing a letter from the parking department and a parking stub to use.
You see the parking gate had to be left up during the storm, so there were cars inside that didn't get a stub/ticket when they entered. I thought it was great that the parking division went to the trouble of providing a parking stub and letter** explaining the situation. What they might not have accounted for though, were the folks like me who didn't leave on Monday morning.
When I took their supplied ticket stub and tried leaving, the system wouldn't let me. So, I went up to the 3rd floor pay station and stuck the ticket in to see if I had to pay something. The ticket popped back out with a message telling me to "See the cashier". Huh? I thought what 'cashier'?
I then tried calling the Concord police/parking department, twice, no answer, the phone system just sent me back to the beginning of the automated message....
By this time I was really frustrated. I had a doctor's appointment at 1 PM and it was 12: 55! My car and I were being held hostage inside the garage! Finally, thanks to another resident of the Endicott who was there paying he suggested that I try the 'call-box' down at the exit gate. I'd forgotten all about that in my panic so I thanked him and rushed down to the exit and pushed the button. After a short delay a helpful woman listened to my plight but had never heard of the "See cashier" message I'd received when trying to pay (I wish I had my camera so that I could have taken a picture),
and finally lifted the gate manually (by remote from PD). She was great and wished me good luck as I sped off to my appointment.
When I returned later that day to park inside again (because of ANOTHER expected snow) there was a serviceman already there to check the system! I must say even though there are obviously some bugs to work out with the new garage (and hopefully some additional pay stations) the parking department is staying on top of the situation. Now they need to work on their phone system! It's not good when you can't get someone on the line and you're caught in a unending phone system circle.
I'm sure Dave Florence (of the parking dept.) will adjust his procedures accordingly for the next big snow storm that will surely come. Every time I've dealt with him (and everyone else in the parking division for that matter) he's been pleasant to deal with and quick to respond.
* The younger Brochu said that if I continued to complain that he'd "make sure nobody from the Endicott could park there"... and since it was about a week before Christmas he added "Merry F****** Christmas!". Nice, huh?
---------------------------------------------------------------
**Copy of parking letter:
Monday, December 17, 2007
Due to the fact that the entry gate was left in an open position it is likely that you do not have an exit ticket for the parking garage. Please use the ticket enclosed with this note as you exit ticket from the garage. This ticket DOES NOT need to be processed at the Automatic Pay Station - simply insert into the exit gate verifier and the gate will open.
Thank you for your use of the Capital Commons Garage. Please contact the Parking Control Unit with any questions about the facility.
Sincerely,
Dave Florence
-----------------------------------------------------------
Monday, December 17, 2007
Things Are Getting Worse
In and around the Endicott things have been going downhill in the past few months. Part of it is the season, since winter for pedestrians in Concord is notoriously bad. Another part of the problem is some of the residents here at the Endicott.
Today was a perfect example of the former. I had to go to the grocery store across the street. The trip there was pretty good. The sidewalk was relatively clear in front of and beside the Endicott, and the only area that wasn't cleared was the area with the benches down by the corner.
The other side of the street was where it turned bad. The snow banks completely cover the sidewalk so people parking there have to walk in the road after they park their cars, and what's worse, pedestrians crossing the street from the side of the shopping plaza have no way of getting to the signaling button for the lights because there's 4-5 feet of snow surrounding it. Because of that pedestrians are left to cross the street while traffic is going by!
That's the 'pedestrian' part of the trip. The 'resident' part started with the elevator, which still hasn't been serviced (the doors sometimes open violently, then close about 1/3 of the way), and the elevator certification certificate (and it's Plexiglas cover) was hanging from one screw. The screw I installed the last time it was like this was gone. That means someone took the time to unscrew the extra long screw I put in over a month ago. Who would do something like that? Maybe the same type that has covered the area with graffiti 'tags'? I don't know, but it's just another sign that this beautiful (or what could be) old hotel and it surroundings are uncared for and deteriorating.
There is a huge crack in the ceiling near the elevator on the third floor that I just noticed the other day reminding me that no one has ever returned to inspect the building after construction was complete (as they said they would). I have a big crack in the wall of my bedroom next to my window also that I've mentioned previously.
The residents are still being exposed to second-hand smoke ever since "Energy Improvements" installed new lights and bathroom fans....
[Interesting note]: According to a "Breathe New Hampshire" representative I spoke with, there are absolutely no state or federal laws protecting residents of apartment buildings from this health threat!
How can that be, with all the legislation that's been passed lately? So much for our representatives working to protect us.
So as of now, it's perfectly legal for tenants to be forced to breathe second hand smoke (and in my case it's so strong that I've been awakened twice because of it when I didn't keep my bathroom fan running) unless they keep their bathroom fans running 24/7 (something they're not designed to do, not to mention a huge waste of ENERGY), and isn't that a potential fire hazard?
"Energy Improvements" company? Indeed!
- Please note that before the bathroom fans were replaced there was no problem whatsoever.
The two bags of trash I wrote about previously were still sitting in the snow down by the corner (I put them in the dumpster), the box spring and mattress were still sitting down in the alley (as of Saturday), and now there's a piece of old furniture sitting down by the ground floor elevator door.
The long list [of mainly plumbing repairs] I submitted weeks ago hasn't been responded to in any way.
My upstairs neighbor continues to clomp around shaking me and my apartment to the point of things actually falling off the wall, and ignoring the numerous letters sent to him from management telling him to contact them to discuss the matter.
The phone number he gave them is out of service, and after MB management and I had agreed that I was going to update [her] as to his compliance (or 'non') I call and hear from the secretary that she's off on vacation for "a few weeks"? Huh?
I've been trying to give them time, but three months in and things are getting worse, not better.
There are two men hired to do the maintenance for all of CATCH's properties, does that sound like enough? I worked for Concord Royal Gardens in the maintenance department as an apartment inspector and we had three times that number of maintenance personnel for just the two complexes and they were barely able to keep up with it!
I feel sorry for the one who has to answer the night-time 'emergency' calls! It's totally unrealistic to expect two people to handle all that in any kind of timely and responsible manner.
How long does this go on before the obvious conclusions are drawn by CATCH?
My conclusions are:
Bob the guy responsible for cleaning the building continues to slack, but is still getting a free apartment and stipend.
MB Management is not committing enough resources to responsibly care for the buildings and tenants they contracted for.
Promises/commitments made by construction-related people aren't being kept.
Residents continue to defy rules and management with impunity.
The condition of the building continues to deteriorate
CATCH needs to rectify this situation quickly.
Today was a perfect example of the former. I had to go to the grocery store across the street. The trip there was pretty good. The sidewalk was relatively clear in front of and beside the Endicott, and the only area that wasn't cleared was the area with the benches down by the corner.
The other side of the street was where it turned bad. The snow banks completely cover the sidewalk so people parking there have to walk in the road after they park their cars, and what's worse, pedestrians crossing the street from the side of the shopping plaza have no way of getting to the signaling button for the lights because there's 4-5 feet of snow surrounding it. Because of that pedestrians are left to cross the street while traffic is going by!
That's the 'pedestrian' part of the trip. The 'resident' part started with the elevator, which still hasn't been serviced (the doors sometimes open violently, then close about 1/3 of the way), and the elevator certification certificate (and it's Plexiglas cover) was hanging from one screw. The screw I installed the last time it was like this was gone. That means someone took the time to unscrew the extra long screw I put in over a month ago. Who would do something like that? Maybe the same type that has covered the area with graffiti 'tags'? I don't know, but it's just another sign that this beautiful (or what could be) old hotel and it surroundings are uncared for and deteriorating.
There is a huge crack in the ceiling near the elevator on the third floor that I just noticed the other day reminding me that no one has ever returned to inspect the building after construction was complete (as they said they would). I have a big crack in the wall of my bedroom next to my window also that I've mentioned previously.
The residents are still being exposed to second-hand smoke ever since "Energy Improvements" installed new lights and bathroom fans....
[Interesting note]: According to a "Breathe New Hampshire" representative I spoke with, there are absolutely no state or federal laws protecting residents of apartment buildings from this health threat!
How can that be, with all the legislation that's been passed lately? So much for our representatives working to protect us.
So as of now, it's perfectly legal for tenants to be forced to breathe second hand smoke (and in my case it's so strong that I've been awakened twice because of it when I didn't keep my bathroom fan running) unless they keep their bathroom fans running 24/7 (something they're not designed to do, not to mention a huge waste of ENERGY), and isn't that a potential fire hazard?
"Energy Improvements" company? Indeed!
- Please note that before the bathroom fans were replaced there was no problem whatsoever.
The two bags of trash I wrote about previously were still sitting in the snow down by the corner (I put them in the dumpster), the box spring and mattress were still sitting down in the alley (as of Saturday), and now there's a piece of old furniture sitting down by the ground floor elevator door.
The long list [of mainly plumbing repairs] I submitted weeks ago hasn't been responded to in any way.
My upstairs neighbor continues to clomp around shaking me and my apartment to the point of things actually falling off the wall, and ignoring the numerous letters sent to him from management telling him to contact them to discuss the matter.
The phone number he gave them is out of service, and after MB management and I had agreed that I was going to update [her] as to his compliance (or 'non') I call and hear from the secretary that she's off on vacation for "a few weeks"? Huh?
I've been trying to give them time, but three months in and things are getting worse, not better.
There are two men hired to do the maintenance for all of CATCH's properties, does that sound like enough? I worked for Concord Royal Gardens in the maintenance department as an apartment inspector and we had three times that number of maintenance personnel for just the two complexes and they were barely able to keep up with it!
I feel sorry for the one who has to answer the night-time 'emergency' calls! It's totally unrealistic to expect two people to handle all that in any kind of timely and responsible manner.
How long does this go on before the obvious conclusions are drawn by CATCH?
My conclusions are:
Bob the guy responsible for cleaning the building continues to slack, but is still getting a free apartment and stipend.
MB Management is not committing enough resources to responsibly care for the buildings and tenants they contracted for.
Promises/commitments made by construction-related people aren't being kept.
Residents continue to defy rules and management with impunity.
The condition of the building continues to deteriorate
CATCH needs to rectify this situation quickly.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Why Am I Being Forced To Breathe Cigarrette fumes? (and why has it been allowed to go on for so long?)
I just got up from the computer and went into the bathroom. As soon as I opened the door I was hit with the stench of cigarette smoke. Big problem -- I don't smoke.
This is an ongoing issue ever since we had some "Energy Improvements" company come in and replace the bathroom fan-light combination and kitchen ceiling light with what I assume were touted as energy-efficient florescent units (which are much dimmer than the previous lights). I didn't notice the ventilation problem until the apartment directly above me was rented. Soon after that I noticed odors in my bathroom that weren't mine. Now the cooking smells were fine, but the first time I opened the bathroom door and smelled a strong odor of cigarette smoke I almost threw up. And just the other night I was awakened by the smell of tobacco in my bedroom and realized that I hadn't left the fan on in the bathroom. Something must be done about this! It's unhealthy, annoying, and I'm betting it violates state and/or federal laws.
Since I brought the matter to the attention of the Hodges management and maintenance personnel I was told that "there's nothing we can do about it", and another time "just run the fan" (of course that's saving energy now isn't it?). The former quote was during a quarterly inspection in which someone from maintenance, and the property manager were present.
Since then I have learned from another resident down the hall from me that she's had the same issue, she brought it to the attention of CATCH, and was given (by Hodges) one, and then two air filter/fans similar to the expensive ones you've seen on TV but much cheaper (and I do mean cheaper). And finally, I brought this issue up again recently to our property manager and pretty much all I got was a shrug. I wasn't offered any air filter or any other solution. At that point I mentioned that if this issue was brought to the attention of state or federal authorities someone would be in big trouble.
Q: Is it possible that this issue had something to do with Hodges not managing CATCH properties anymore (as of November 1st)? TBD
Q: Did anyone from CATCH or Hodges contact the company that replaced the fans to find out what they did to create this unhealthy and illegal condition and rectify it or hold them accountable in any way? I haven't seen any evidence of that.
Q: Did CATCH/Hodges Development Corp. do anything to rectify the problem themselves other than to provide cheap air filters (and only after a resident complained to CATCH)? No.
Q: Do I still have to breathe cigarette smoke coming from another apartment? Yes.
Since that time Hodges Development Corp. has been replaced by "MB Management" for reasons unknown to me at this time. I will be speaking to CATCH directly about this and other concerns but it shouldn't be contingent upon me to go to them to rectify this existing and known issue. They know about the unhealthy (and illegal?) situation and they've done nothing [to date].
Some of the questions I have for them are:
1. What were the reasons for the management change?
2. Was there any communication between the Hodges maintenance staff and the new maintenance staff at MB management, concerning among other things any specific quirks/issues relating to specific properties (like the steam heating system and the mis-configured wiring in the Endicott, or where the cable/telco access rooms are)?
3. Who was the energy improvement company that replaced the bathroom fans/lights (and the kitchen lights that are much dimmer than before) and are they going to be held accountable?
4. What did [that] company do to the ventilation system to cause fumes/odors from one apartment to flow into other apartments?
5. What is CATCH's plan to remedy the [illegal] situation?
6. Why haven't the people who videotaped the condition of our apartments prior to construction returned to inspect the apartments for potential damage done by the construction vibrations?
There's a crack in my bedroom wall next to the window [now] that they should take note of.
7. When is the exterior of the Endicott going to be painted? Heck, when is someone going to bother to even clean the entry ways of the building?
I was told by a manager of the Pachamama store on the ground floor that the owner of the sections of the building that CATCH doesn't own was trying to secure a grant to fix the exterior.
- Does CATCH have any similar plans?
8. Does CATCH/the construction company feel any obligation to the residents whose air conditioners died prematurely (like mine) from all the construction dust/dirt (and mortar that ended up sprayed onto our windows and A/C units when it was being finished) to provide some form of compensation?
9. Why do (or do) they have a resident getting a free apartment plus a stipend for cleaning the building and being the resident contact who works full time, when the carpets are stained, the laundry room is disgusting, and even after he supposedly vacuums the carpets are still dirty? Plus I mentioned the entry ways, which haven't been cleaned [ever that I've seen].
- When I spoke to our [Hodges] property manager about spills/dirt in the elevator that sometimes remain for a day or more before being cleaned up, I even offered to clean them myself if they could provide a mop, bucket, and ringer in the maintenance closet adjacent to my door, to no avail.
10. Referring to #9, Why don't they have someone who is on-site all the time? Residents complain that he's not there during the day, and after he gets home is tired and frequently sleeping and unavailable. I'd be willing to bet that there's someone living in the building right now that would love to get a free apartment and stipend that would be there during the day/night, and actually care about keeping the place looking good (inside and out).
- I'm hoping that he's not being shielded from responsibility because he's a CATCH volunteer...
I frequently make coffee and take it with me while I walk around the block picking up trash, brushing away cigarette butts from around the new benches in front of the building, picking up [some of] the trash left around the dumpster behind the Lighting Place and next to the brand new parking garage, and also trash scattered around the nicely landscaped section just built down at the corner of Pleasant St. extension and Storrs St.. If I'm out walking around and I see trash I usually pick it up and put it in one of the nearby trash cans. I'm frequently cleaning up trash strewn about when the dumpster driver empties the dumpster or food and/or broken beer bottles from the Green Martini are left lying on the pavement (and sometimes in the middle of the stairs) next to the dumpster.
If I could afford it I'd buy one of those dustpan/trash containers with a handle and a broom to take on my walks around the block (I don't know how I'd carry my coffee though).
Why does it seem that I'm the only one who cares enough to at least try to keep the block clean?
I guess that most people think that it's someone else's problem.
Another thing I can't understand is why can't the city of Concord have it's workers clean the area? I see them changing out the trash bags in the early mornings but they walk right past trash strewn about the brand new sitting area on the corner that was so nicely landscaped. All that nice new construction and landscaping and it was just a matter of days until the trash started accumulating.
For that matter, why has the city of Concord let it's streets and highways get so neglected with weeds growing out all over the place, and other unsightly areas neglected until someone complains loudly enough to the right person? And why do we frequently have to wait until the day after a snowstorm for the downtown side street sidewalks to be cleared and sanded?
And why don't the residents of the Endicott have any parking spots provided for them so that we aren't threatened daily with towing ($150.00 ransom I've been forced to pay once already) because we park in the big parking lot across the street?
And finally, will I ever get a response to my email request to Clay McCuistion who's the "blog wrangler" for the Concord Monitor online's "blogsNH"?
A while ago I wrote to him (following the instructions at the top of the page for people wishing to "blog here") and haven't heard anything back.
I just checked the date I sent the email and it's been eleven days! So I guess I'll send it again in case it got lost, and if I have to I'll go to the Concord Monitor offices and hand deliver it.
Hopefully you'll be reading blog posts from me at blogsNH in the very near future!
-UPDATE [11/10/07]: I got a brief email from Mr. McCuistion the other day informing me he's on vacation and wouldn't be back until November 2oth.
All those questions and more will have to wait for another day and another post in The Endicott Dispatch. Stay tuned...
This is an ongoing issue ever since we had some "Energy Improvements" company come in and replace the bathroom fan-light combination and kitchen ceiling light with what I assume were touted as energy-efficient florescent units (which are much dimmer than the previous lights). I didn't notice the ventilation problem until the apartment directly above me was rented. Soon after that I noticed odors in my bathroom that weren't mine. Now the cooking smells were fine, but the first time I opened the bathroom door and smelled a strong odor of cigarette smoke I almost threw up. And just the other night I was awakened by the smell of tobacco in my bedroom and realized that I hadn't left the fan on in the bathroom. Something must be done about this! It's unhealthy, annoying, and I'm betting it violates state and/or federal laws.
Since I brought the matter to the attention of the Hodges management and maintenance personnel I was told that "there's nothing we can do about it", and another time "just run the fan" (of course that's saving energy now isn't it?). The former quote was during a quarterly inspection in which someone from maintenance, and the property manager were present.
Since then I have learned from another resident down the hall from me that she's had the same issue, she brought it to the attention of CATCH, and was given (by Hodges) one, and then two air filter/fans similar to the expensive ones you've seen on TV but much cheaper (and I do mean cheaper). And finally, I brought this issue up again recently to our property manager and pretty much all I got was a shrug. I wasn't offered any air filter or any other solution. At that point I mentioned that if this issue was brought to the attention of state or federal authorities someone would be in big trouble.
Q: Is it possible that this issue had something to do with Hodges not managing CATCH properties anymore (as of November 1st)? TBD
Q: Did anyone from CATCH or Hodges contact the company that replaced the fans to find out what they did to create this unhealthy and illegal condition and rectify it or hold them accountable in any way? I haven't seen any evidence of that.
Q: Did CATCH/Hodges Development Corp. do anything to rectify the problem themselves other than to provide cheap air filters (and only after a resident complained to CATCH)? No.
Q: Do I still have to breathe cigarette smoke coming from another apartment? Yes.
Since that time Hodges Development Corp. has been replaced by "MB Management" for reasons unknown to me at this time. I will be speaking to CATCH directly about this and other concerns but it shouldn't be contingent upon me to go to them to rectify this existing and known issue. They know about the unhealthy (and illegal?) situation and they've done nothing [to date].
Some of the questions I have for them are:
1. What were the reasons for the management change?
2. Was there any communication between the Hodges maintenance staff and the new maintenance staff at MB management, concerning among other things any specific quirks/issues relating to specific properties (like the steam heating system and the mis-configured wiring in the Endicott, or where the cable/telco access rooms are)?
3. Who was the energy improvement company that replaced the bathroom fans/lights (and the kitchen lights that are much dimmer than before) and are they going to be held accountable?
4. What did [that] company do to the ventilation system to cause fumes/odors from one apartment to flow into other apartments?
5. What is CATCH's plan to remedy the [illegal] situation?
6. Why haven't the people who videotaped the condition of our apartments prior to construction returned to inspect the apartments for potential damage done by the construction vibrations?
There's a crack in my bedroom wall next to the window [now] that they should take note of.
7. When is the exterior of the Endicott going to be painted? Heck, when is someone going to bother to even clean the entry ways of the building?
I was told by a manager of the Pachamama store on the ground floor that the owner of the sections of the building that CATCH doesn't own was trying to secure a grant to fix the exterior.
- Does CATCH have any similar plans?
8. Does CATCH/the construction company feel any obligation to the residents whose air conditioners died prematurely (like mine) from all the construction dust/dirt (and mortar that ended up sprayed onto our windows and A/C units when it was being finished) to provide some form of compensation?
9. Why do (or do) they have a resident getting a free apartment plus a stipend for cleaning the building and being the resident contact who works full time, when the carpets are stained, the laundry room is disgusting, and even after he supposedly vacuums the carpets are still dirty? Plus I mentioned the entry ways, which haven't been cleaned [ever that I've seen].
- When I spoke to our [Hodges] property manager about spills/dirt in the elevator that sometimes remain for a day or more before being cleaned up, I even offered to clean them myself if they could provide a mop, bucket, and ringer in the maintenance closet adjacent to my door, to no avail.
10. Referring to #9, Why don't they have someone who is on-site all the time? Residents complain that he's not there during the day, and after he gets home is tired and frequently sleeping and unavailable. I'd be willing to bet that there's someone living in the building right now that would love to get a free apartment and stipend that would be there during the day/night, and actually care about keeping the place looking good (inside and out).
- I'm hoping that he's not being shielded from responsibility because he's a CATCH volunteer...
I frequently make coffee and take it with me while I walk around the block picking up trash, brushing away cigarette butts from around the new benches in front of the building, picking up [some of] the trash left around the dumpster behind the Lighting Place and next to the brand new parking garage, and also trash scattered around the nicely landscaped section just built down at the corner of Pleasant St. extension and Storrs St.. If I'm out walking around and I see trash I usually pick it up and put it in one of the nearby trash cans. I'm frequently cleaning up trash strewn about when the dumpster driver empties the dumpster or food and/or broken beer bottles from the Green Martini are left lying on the pavement (and sometimes in the middle of the stairs) next to the dumpster.
If I could afford it I'd buy one of those dustpan/trash containers with a handle and a broom to take on my walks around the block (I don't know how I'd carry my coffee though).
Why does it seem that I'm the only one who cares enough to at least try to keep the block clean?
I guess that most people think that it's someone else's problem.
Another thing I can't understand is why can't the city of Concord have it's workers clean the area? I see them changing out the trash bags in the early mornings but they walk right past trash strewn about the brand new sitting area on the corner that was so nicely landscaped. All that nice new construction and landscaping and it was just a matter of days until the trash started accumulating.
For that matter, why has the city of Concord let it's streets and highways get so neglected with weeds growing out all over the place, and other unsightly areas neglected until someone complains loudly enough to the right person? And why do we frequently have to wait until the day after a snowstorm for the downtown side street sidewalks to be cleared and sanded?
And why don't the residents of the Endicott have any parking spots provided for them so that we aren't threatened daily with towing ($150.00 ransom I've been forced to pay once already) because we park in the big parking lot across the street?
And finally, will I ever get a response to my email request to Clay McCuistion who's the "blog wrangler" for the Concord Monitor online's "blogsNH"?
A while ago I wrote to him (following the instructions at the top of the page for people wishing to "blog here") and haven't heard anything back.
I just checked the date I sent the email and it's been eleven days! So I guess I'll send it again in case it got lost, and if I have to I'll go to the Concord Monitor offices and hand deliver it.
Hopefully you'll be reading blog posts from me at blogsNH in the very near future!
-UPDATE [11/10/07]: I got a brief email from Mr. McCuistion the other day informing me he's on vacation and wouldn't be back until November 2oth.
All those questions and more will have to wait for another day and another post in The Endicott Dispatch. Stay tuned...
Monday, October 29, 2007
They're still putting the finishing touches on the new parking garage and the other morning I enjoyed the protection from the rain while I got some fresh air and drank my coffee.Today the workers from Galaxy Glass in Manchester are out there finishing up with the caulking in the sub-40s fall chill.
I for one will be glad when the project is done. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a beautiful building and it's a huge improvement over the vacant lot (although I had a nice bright apartment and a view before it went up. Not so now.).
The residents of the Endicott, especially the ones whose apartments face the construction site have put up with the noise that started daily at seven AM, and the fine dirt that clogged our air conditioners and covered our window sills with a fine powder. By the way, I had to buy a new air conditioner because the previous one which was only a couple of years old couldn't handle the dirt and died a squeaky death.
At the start of the construction when the piles were being driven to hold back the street, the vibration was so bad I had to open up all of my cupboards so that they wouldn't rattle all day long, and important pictures had to be taken off the walls for fear of them coming down. Even then it was like living inside an ultrasonic cleaner.
The construction company had seismic equipment to monitor the shaking and they had to inject some kind of material into the foundation of the Endicott to shore it up before starting.
Now all that disruption in our lives is over for the most part and all we're left with are memories, and speaking for myself a big crack in my bedroom wall next to the window. Prior to construction some people came in and videotaped the condition of the walls in our apartments. They said they'd be back to check things out after construction was done, but to date I haven't seen anyone.
So it's been a long noisy expensive experience for this resident.
At least the building didn't fall down. There were times when that seemed like a real possibility. Now lets hope some businesses fill the building and the theater is supported. It would certainly help the Red River Theaters if a successful restaurant moved into the space on the first floor next to their sign. There's plenty of parking now in the attached parking garage. Let's fill it up!
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