On Friday, November 13, 2020, George Greatrex, Esq., Hill Wallack LLP partner and chair of the CAI-NJ Legislative Action Committee (LAC), will be participating in the virtual CAI-PA/Del Val New Jersey Regional Council Mini-Trade Show. George will be speaking about recent legislation and regulations and provide an update on pending legislation. The program will also contain a review of this year’s relevant case law. The program will be moderated by Jonathan Katz, Esq., Hill Wallack partner and President-Elect of the CAI-PA/Del Val chapter.

Written by: Michael S. Karpoff

Signs always have been a hot button issue for community associations. But in the current political climate, they have become an even greater source of concern. May boards restrict signs to prevent aesthetic clutter throughout the community? Must boards allow their communities to become billboards for their residents’ personal opinions? May a board prohibit messages that appear to be racially, ethnically or religiously insensitive or discriminatory?

CAI-NJ has a webinar every Wednesday, led by industry professionals, discussing important issues affecting your business or common interest community!

On Wednesday, July 29th at 12 noon, Caroline Record will be presenting on “Contracts”

Other topics include:

• Reading Engineering Maintenance Reports
• Building a Successful Maintenance Plan for Your Community
• Pipe Replacement

Managers will receive 1 hour of continuing education requirements for the CMCA certification!

Must be in attendance for entire seminar to receive credit.

Click here to register.

Hill Wallack Community Associations partner Jonathan H. Katz authors an article in the June 2020 issue of Community Trends Magazine,

Click here to read the article.

Click to read more. https://bit.ly/3hR2Cxn

One of the big questions facing associations at this moment is whether to go through the process of opening the pool. Should we do it now, as most pool companies are pushing—or should we wait and see what happens in a month? What if we haven’t even signed our pool contract? Should we sign it or just forget this season?

The decision is largely a business one, as the particular facts and circumstances of associations vary greatly. There are, however, a few key concerns that face all associations:

• Will the pool be damaged if we don’t open it and run the filtration system?
• If we have a signed contract, will we be liable to the contractor for the entire amount?
• If the “social distancing” requirements are lifted, do we want to be ready or risk facing an angry reaction from the owners? Or if this continues, will we be criticized for wasting our members’ money?

First, our research indicates that even if pools are not going to be open for swimming this season, it is necessary to open, chemically treat and run the filtration system from a pool health standpoint. There is a real possibility that if you don’t open the pool, the pool surface may become irretrievably stained and there might be permanent damage to the filtration system. Remember that if it’s opened but not used, you need to keep it running and maintained but at a reduced level (sufficient to protect the pool but not suitable for swimming).