HALLWAY FLOOR SHAMPOOING

Why would cleaning of hallway carpets be conducted in early March, the sloppiest month of the year? After waiting many months for long overdue shampooing, surely it would be more reasonable to wait until the worst month of the year has past before doing so.

The hallway carpets have for a number of years been constantly filthy and neglected. It is apparent that management’s and the Board’s standard of cleanliness is far less than that of most residents. Many residents are justifiably embarrassed, constantly reminded by their visitors. Prior to current management, these carpets were shampood quarterly by the caretaker using equipment of the Corporation. The caretaker has now been relieved of this duty at the expense of residents. For those unit owners who are not ashamed of the filthy state of our carpets, they should be reminded that their standards are no better than those of the Board.

The selection of carpets several years ago was a grave mistake. Professional carpet suppliers and cleaners providing services in our building ever since, have questioned why such a carpet was ever chosen. No further expenditures on our hallways should even be considered until the carpets have been replaced with a more suitable carpet.

PARKADE FLOOR CLEANING

Again, acceptance by Board members of the filthy and neglected parkade floor is unacceptable and does not respect the living standards of those residents who have respect for their property. Prior to current management, the parkade floor was washed AT LEAST quarterly by the caretaker. The current caretaker has been further relieved of this duty as well and unnecessary contractor costs are incurred at the expense of residents. Residents live in this building with the parkade as part of their home and their standards are obviously much greater than those of the commercial owner who has once again convinced the Board to minimize appropriate cleaning at the expense of residents. Residents deserve much more respect than this and should not have to bare the unnecessary costs imposed upon them by the commercial owner’s directive shamefully supported by residential Board members.

SNOW REMOVAL

It is somewhat embarrassing for residents to witness on numerous occassions, the snow removal contractor remove snow one evening and then return the next evening to spend several hours again scraping the ground when there is no snow to remove. This has happened many times over the past several winters. The video of such conduct is somewhat entertaining. Why is no one monitoring this activity?

WINDOW CLEANING & ROOF ANCHORS

Occupational Health & Safety has advised that any person or entity advising residents that windows can not be cleaned until roof anchors are installed, are simply attempting to pull the wool over the eyes of residents. They further advise that this matter is totally within their jurisdiction and all legal regulations and requirements are clearly outlined in the Act. Spadina Towers has for more than 35 years had windows cleaned by contractors with certified portable roof anchors that have worked just fine and with no safety infractions. They have been prepared to clean for the past five years even though the building refuses to have this work done. The Board must simply abide by the Occupational Health & Safety Act and continue to contract a qualified contractor. Why would the Board pay thousands of dollars for unnecessary roof anchors. Any attempted decision to make such a purchase must be presented to unit owners and receive approval at a General Meeting.

VESTIBULE SECURITY

We have a caretaker whose duties include inspections of common areas at night. For some 40 years, should someone be found present but not welcome, they are simply asked to leave and if necessary, a simple call to police is made. That is a duty of the caretaker. To require a fob on the exterior door is certainly a major inconvenience for residents. What resident is expected to run all the way down to the entrance to allow entry to guests arriving later in the evening or even be able to allow an emergency ambulance entry. Yes, the Corporation could be seriously liable. This requires consultation with residents at a General Meeting, and not something for the Board to decide on the own. Is the Board attempting to eliminate the duties of the caretaker entirely?

Conclusion:  The Board, management and caretaker, must respectfully and responsibly act with respect for residents. The commercial owner and management should not be permitted to continue their obvious ongoing neglect of residential interests and residential Board members must start to represent the interests of their fellow residents rather than simply saying “yes” and bowing to the commercial owner’s demands.