Fall Newsletter / November 2006

Common Element Fees

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that there is no increase in the common element fees for the upcoming fiscal year. We have tried to watch our spending and bring in quality results with minimal expense.

Winter Reminders

With winter time quickly approaching we would like to remind you of the following:
1) Have your furnace checked by a professional to make sure that it is working correctly. Ask the serviceman if the brackets holding the motor are fine. If not, have them replaced, as another homeowner recently has.
2) When the streets are icy, please take your time in driving as it is important to get home and not how fast that you got home.
3) The corporation roadway will be salted as necessary and ploughed.

Correspondence & Mail

Please remember that all questions, requests and/or complaints must be in writing and either mailed to the Board of Directors via :
Simerra Property Management Inc.
160 Carrier Drive, Suite 200,
Toronto, Ontario – M9W 5R1
Faxed to Mark Waxman at (416) 293-5904 or e-mailed to mwaxman@simerra.com . Please also make use of the Corporation website at http://dempseypark.com/

Landscape Improvements(Upgrades)

The Board of Directors are currently working on ideas for upgrading the landscaping next Spring.


Preventive Maintenance

· The Corporation retained the services of Jermark Plumbing to clean the catch basins on McBride Lane.
· The eavestroughs were recently cleaned out. Please remember that the Corporation does this one time for the benefit of all residents. If you would like your eavestroughs cleaned out more than once, feel free to contact a contractor of your choice.

· We would like to take this opportunity to remind all owners to winterize their units. Please remember to shut off the outside water valves and drain the water supply pipe, and to store the hose and sprinkler.

· It is also time to store your patio furniture and cover up your barbeque to protect it from the harsh weather.

· Holiday decorations must be installed after November 30th and must be removed by the end of January.

· It is your responsibility to shovel your driveway and the walkway in front of your unit. We ask that you do not use salt as it causes damage to the sod and interlocking. Calcium is much friendlier to the ground.

· Please remember to change your air filter in your home. This allows for better air circulation. Typically this should be done every three to four months.

· It is also time to replace the batteries and test the smoke detectors and carbon-monoxide detectors.

Summer Newsletter: July 2005

Owning a lot line townhouse

· Condominium living is a new concept for a lot of homeowners. There are a lot of new types of condominiums. Your unit is a lot line property. In a lot line property, the unit owner is responsible for the maintenance and repairs to the unit as described in the declaration. The unit boundaries for McBride Lane extend from the front concrete curb to the back fence and for Ellerslie Ave from the sidewalk to the concrete curb at the back. The unit boundaries extend vertically unlimitedly. The unit owner is responsible for the roof, windows, front stairs, exterior walls, and retaining walls servicing the unit. The Corporation is responsible for the perimeter fence, common areas and roadways.
· Even though you own your unit, you still have to abide by the rules and regulation of the Corporation.


Common Element Deficiencies

· The Corporation received a $5,000.00 settlement from the developer for the common element outstanding deficiencies. Most of the deficiencies related to landscaping (i.e. improperly compacted soil, dead tree, etc.).
· The Corporation has undertaken the repairs. We hope to have the work completed by the end of summer.
Summer to do list __

· Remember to remove the weeds from your front and back interlocked area.
· Summer fertilization will ensure a healthy lawn. Please use organic fertilizers.
· Please watch your speed while driving at the property and please advise visitors to do the same.

Alteration Agreements _

· You need to submit a written request with a sketch if you are planning on making any renovations or upgrades to your unit whether inside or outside the house. As it needs to be approved by the Board. If approved, the Board of Directors will send you an alteration agreement and a waiver for your signature. Kindly sign and return to Management for final approval by the Board of Directors. Shortly after approval you will receive a finalized copy for your files. Do not start any kind of work until you receive your finalized alteration agreement.
· The alteration agreement does not need to be registered because the alteration is made on your private property not the common elements. Consult with the city with regards to compliance to setbacks or a need for a building permit. Ensure your contractors do not park on the fire route or abuse the Corporation’s visitor parking. And last but not least, be kind to your neighbours and enforce that all work is carried out during business hours.
· Be advised that the installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of said modification(s) shall be at the sole expense of the registered owner(s), the modification(s) shall remain with the unit when and if there occurs a transfer of ownership and in case of such a transfer of ownership, the owner(s) agree that any succeeding owner(s) shall provide a similar undertaking to M.T.C.C. 1418 for the modification(s).

Spring 2005 newsletter

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday May 11, 2005 at Willowdale Presbyterian Church – 38 Ellerslie Ave. Registration will begin at 6:30 pm to allow for 7:00 pm meeting.
Please be advised that there will be an election for one (1) Director’s position for a three (3) year term. Nominations are still welcome.
The Corporation’s documents require that 25% or 13 unit owners be present at the meeting in order to achieve quorum. If quorum is not achieved the Corporation will have to incur all the costs of re-scheduling the Annual General Meeting. We would like to impress upon all of you the importance of attending this meeting or if this is impossible it is essential that you at least submit your proxy or give it to someone who is attending so that your wishes can be represented.


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http://www.demspeypark.com/

The Corporation has two websites for your convenience. Please log in and register for free and find out about the community. We will have access to newsletters, forms, community standards, rules and regulations.


Common Element Deficiencies

The Corporation received an offer from the developer to settle for the Common Element deficiencies. The Corporation is getting quotes from contractors to determine if the offer will be accepted or not.
If you have any questions related to your unit warranty, please contact TARION – Customer Centre 5150 Yonge Street, Concourse Level. Toll free 1-877-982-7466 or log on to www.tarion.com

Insurance premium _

The Corporation renewed its insurance policy with Atrens –Counsel until October 31, 2005 the Corporation’s year-end.
Please be reminded that the Condominiums insurance policy does not cover any of your personal belongings, improvements or betterments inside your unit boundary. It is strongly recommended that the unit owner have insurance on the above items as well as insuring themselves against the deductible portion of the Condominium Corporation’s policy, which ranges from $1,000.00 to $100,000.00 depending on what the cause of the damage is.

Preventive Maintenance_____

· Stride’s Landscaping will conduct a Spring clean up of the grounds by April 18, followed by fertilization of the grounds.
· The Corporation will conduct a roof assessment in Spring.
· All residents are asked to conduct a clean up of their balconies and back patios.
· All Green Lawn Sprinklers will turn on the irrigation system by April 30, 2005.
Troubleshooter _____


· Water supply mail valve: If you have a flood turn off the main valve to stop the water supply to your house.


· Air conditioner filters – should be replaced every 3 months.


· Adjust the fan speed if your air conditioner/heater is noisy.


· If the lower floors are too cold and the upper floor is too hot. Open all vent covers in the lower floor and adjust the ones in the upper floor to allow the hot air to rise.


· Ensure the hot/cold water-mixing valve has the right settings. It feeds the water tank and the heating unit.


· If you do not have hot water or the unit is not heating properly, ensure the water temperature is at the right settings.


Spring to do list __

The Corporation looks after the maintenance and repairs of the common elements and the unit owner is responsible for maintenance and repairs to the unit (including front and backyards). Spring is finally here and before the weekends are booked we would like to give some maintenance tips to the unit owners.

· April is perfect time for pruning the trees in your back yard.
· Spring fertilization will ensure a healthy lawn in the summer. Please use organic fertilizers.
· Remember to turn on the outside water valves.
· Check the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Correspondence & Mail_____

Please remember that all questions, requests and/or complaints must be in writing and either mailed to the Board of Directors via:
Simerra Property Management Inc.
160 Carrier Drive, Suite 200,
Toronto, Ontario – M9W 5R1
Fax: 416-293-5994 agarcia@simerra.com

Fall Newsletter

Common Element Fees

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the increase in the common element fees for this fiscal year is only 3.2% despite increased insurance premiums and a larger contribution to the reserve fund. The budget package was mailed out at the beginning of October explaining all the expenses.
The Board of Directors managed to negotiate a new contract with Stride's Landscaping at the same rate as last year.
Insurance premium

Our insurance policy expires on December 31, 2004. Despite the increase in the replacement value of the property from $7,911.600.00 to $12,491,400.00 effective May 10, 2004 our insurance broker, Atrens -Counsel, was able to keep the cost at just under the budget amount for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2004.

Common Element Deficiencies

On Monday November 29, 2004, TARION, Cochrane Engineering, Management and the Developer will conduct a site inspection of the common element deficiencies listed in the technical audit.

Bulk Gas

Simerra Property Management Inc. is proud and very pleased to advise that we have negotiated a favourable contract with Superior Energy Management, that we believe will lead to substantial savings for our clients.
While you are not bound to take advantage of this offer, we feel that it will be in your best interest to evaluate this offer carefully.
We are particularly pleased to advise you that to the best of our knowledge we are the only management company to secure a bulk gas purchase for condominium town homes and single-family dwellings at the larger user rates, previously unavailable to single users of natural gas. This offer is currently only available to homes managed by Simerra Property Management Inc.
As many of you know gas prices fluctuate daily. Superior Energy will provide the best available price that will then be confirmed when you sign up. The current market rate is 28.6 cents per m3. Superior Energy advises that the Enbridge rate is expected to jump to 32 cents per m3. On January 1, 2005. Should you wish to take advantage of this opportunity please contact Superior Energy at 1-866-959-1200. You may enter into an agreement with Superior at any time, however please remember that the price will vary in accordance with the market.

For more information please log on to www.superioenergy.ca or call the Customer Service Department at (905)660-8434 or toll free 1-866-772-7727.

www.DempseyParkTowns.com
www.DempseyPark.com

The Corporation has 2 websites. Please log in and register for free. Your information is confidential. Your will not receive junk e-mail or spams.

Private Tree By-Law

Please be advised that on September 30, 2004 Toronto City Council enacted a City-wide By-law to protect trees situated on private property. This By-law protects privately owned trees on private property, which measure 30 cm in diameter or more as measured at 1.4 m above the ground level. A permit is required to injure or destroy such a tree. In order to receive approval from Urban Forestry Services of the City of Toronto to injure or destroy a protected tree, you must first fax a detailed arborist report to 416-392-1915

A permit is not required to remove trees which are dead, terminally diseased or hazardous. You also do not require a permit to prune a tree in accordance with good arboricultural standards. For more information please call 416-392-0350 or log on to www.toronto.ca/trees/private_trees.htm.

Correspondence & Mail

Please remember that all questions, requests and/or complaints must be in writing and either mailed to the Board of Directors via:
Simerra Property Management Inc.
160 Carrier Drive, Suite 200,
Toronto, Ontario - M9W 5R1
Faxed to Alex Garcia at (416) 293-5904 or e-mailed to
agarcia@simerra.com

Preventive Maintenance

• The Corporation retained the services of Jermark Plumbing to clean the catch basins on McBride Lane.
• We would like to take this opportunity to remind all owners to winterize their units. Please remember to shut off the outside water valves and drain the water supply pipe, and to store the hose and sprinkler.
• It is also time to store your patio furniture and cover up your barbeque to protect it from the harsh weather.
• Holiday decorations must be installed after November 30th and must be removed by the end of January.
• It is your responsibility to shovel your driveway and the walkway in front of your unit. We ask that you do not use salt as it causes damage to the sod and interlocking. Calcium is much friendlier to the ground.
• It is also time to replace the batteries and test the smoke detectors and carbon-monoxide detectors

Waste Collection
We have experienced some problems with the new company.The Board of Directors and Management had a meeting on site with Fine Recycling to discuss the problems. The contractor has assured that this problem will not be repeated.

Remember pick up days for waste is every Monday, and every other Monday for recyclables.

Summer Newsletter

Technical Audit

The Board retained Cochrane Engineering Ltd to perform a follow up site inspection of the Technical Audit deficiencies in the common area including roadways, curbs, etc. found in the initial Technical Audit. The Board of Directors is hoping to reach a settlement with the developer in some of the deficiencies and have a private contractor correct the deficiencies immediately.

Please remember that the individual unit deficiencies have to be submitted directly to the developer and ONWP (now TARION)

Parking Control

All visitors must register by calling The Security Advisors Group at (416) 410-8764. All permits are good for one night only and you have to supply your full name, unit address, visitor's license plate number and the vehicle's make and model.

McBride Lane is a Fire Route and therefore a NO PARKING ZONE. Pleae be courteous to your neighbours and do not park your car in a manner obstructing the entrance to their driveway or garage or in the guest spaces or the private spaces on south McBride.

Do not park motorcycles on any walkway or sidewalk. This practice forces pedestrians onto the roadway.

Maintenance and repairs

• The Corporation has completed the landscape improvements and the installation of the underground watering system. The sprinkler will from from 3:00 am to 5:30 am. Help us protect your investment. Do not drive over the sprinkler heads and report any problems immediately to Management
• Each unit owner is responsible for the reomval of weeds and the up keeping of the interlocking bricks and back yards.
• If you experience hot water problems contact OZZ Home Financing (hot water tank rental) and/or consult a plumber to change defective mixing valves located on top of the water tank.
• Closely monitor eavestroughs for blockage and deficiencies. Report any problems to Management immediately.
• The Corporation would like to remind all residents NOT TO SPEED while at the property.
• The waste and recycling pick up day has been changed from Tuesdays to Wednesdays. In light of recent problems with the waste collection the Board of Directors has terminated our current contractor. Effective October 1, 2004 Fine Recycling will be providing this service to the units on McBride Lane. Once the new contractor begins the pick up day for waste and recycling will go back to Tuesdays.

Correspondence & Mail

For all other inquiries, you may contact the Property Manager Alex Garcia from Simerra Property Management Inc. At 416-293-5900, Ext. 296 or via e-mail at agarcia@simerra.com