Recognizing Community Leaders

Recognizing Community Leaders
Applauding Volunteer Contributions

With the continued support of CAI members and the countless contributions of volunteer time, expertise and resources throughout the year, New England continues to maintain it’s standing as one of most respected and largest chapters in the country. Homeowners and industry professionals from the chapter states of Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont were recognized at this 16th annual event for their unparalleled efforts in supporting their communities and advancing the community association industry.

Members from around New England were on hand to congratulate award winners and take part in one of the most popular social events on the chapter’s calendar. Award winners including homeowners, managers and business partners were recognized in several categories including Association Excellence in Service Awards, Association Volunteers of the Year, Service Professional of the Year, Community Association Manager of the Year, CAI New England Chapter Volunteer of the Year and CAI Recruiter of the Year.

In addition, the many chapter and Condo Media committee members as well as past and current presidents in attendance, along with chapter partners and sponsors were applauded for their support and success in consistently achieving chapter goals and raising the bar each year to ensure continued chapter growth.

Association Excellence in Service Award

The Association Excellence in Service Awards recognize the achievements of communities and spotlight the contributions of association volunteers who work tirelessly on their behalf.

Special Events
The Villages at Marlborough East

The Villages at Marlborough East was singled out for their extraordinary efforts in communicating with residents and working with management to ensure the successful oversight of their community. In addition, their involvement in organizing community programs and activities support and promote community spirit.

This 100 unit, 55 plus community, is divided into 10 villages each having a captain that assists with communication between the board and community members. In addition to monthly board meetings and open meetings for residents, captains’ meetings are held throughout the year where the board and management review the associations’ financial position, offer updates on new and ongoing projects and provide information on other issues of interest. That information is then communicated by the captains to their respective villages.

To ensure community inclusiveness, a welcome committee of volunteers meets with new residents and a volunteer activities director coordinates a variety of events through out the year including socials, cookouts, group dinners and much more. Volunteers are also actively involved in the oversight of association with the finance committee working closely with management in preparing the annual budget and then making its committee recommendation to the board.


Communications
Laurelwood of Hopedale

The Association Excellence in Service Award for Communications showcases the effective communication tools that engage association members in dialogue with each other, as well as with association board members and management. The Laurelwood of Hopedale Newsletter is written by volunteers and covers a wide range of topics - from little known facts about historical dates and events, to word games and recipes, the newsletter offers something for all ages and interests.

The publication keeps owners and residents informed by regularly communicating important association information as well as reminders about community rules, and providing notice to residents about upcoming association projects and meetings. Editors often spotlight community leaders and volunteers highlighting their background, interests and association contributions. Community hosted social events are a popular newsletter story including photos and special thanks to volunteers.


Association Volunteers of the Year
Snowbrook Village Condo Association

Association volunteers are the lifeblood of the communities they serve, and trustees Steve Banahan, Dev Culver, Margaret Curran, Dick Dane, Chris Jones, Robert Lee, and Kay Storch were recognized for their “tireless and unselfish” efforts in putting a plan in place and creating a “Vision for Our Village” that will serve as a road map for the associations continued success.

This 216 unit, 30 acre association located at the Sugarloaf Mountain ski area in Maine, is comprised of 18 residential buildings, a pond, tennis courts and indoor pool facility all subject to the extreme weather conditions of the western Maine mountains. Among their many accomplishments, these members through their plan are credited with creating and adequately funding a 2-part, 30-year Long Range Capital Improvement Plan; overseeing building improvements in excess of there quarters of a million dollars; instituting more financial controls and updating the association’s website.

In addition the “Vision” addresses conservation, curb appeal and communication. Replacing exterior lighting with energy efficient LED lights and installing a cold roof on the pool building have lowered the consumption of electricity and oil by as much as 18%. A weed eradication program, a brighter exterior stain on all buildings and new light fixtures along with a “Welcome to Snowbrook Village” entrance sign have improved curb appeal. And resident communication is fostered through new opportunities for owners to get together that include owner weekends, face-to-face roundtable discussions, and special renters meetings.



Service Professional of the Year
Richard Piltch, ARS Services, Inc.

Annually the Service Professional of the Year Award recognizes an individual who provides exemplary service to associations and whose actions are consistently courteous and respectful of board members’ and homeowners’ concerns and comments. In the aftermath of unparalleled natural disasters in Massachusetts and Connecticut in 2011which left substantial water damage, and with the sense of urgency and anxiety extremely high among those owners, board members and managers impacted, Piltch was applauded for providing prompt, professional and effective water damage repair and restoration, bringing peace of mind during stressful times. Scheduling appointments and remediation services with unit owners at night, in the morning and on weekends to accommodate owner schedules and minimize inconvenience, these and other notable efforts avoided displacement of more than 200 unit owners.


Community Association Manager of the Year
David Boston, CMCA, AMS, TPW Management, LLC

Also faced with unprecedented challenges in the after math of the natural disaster known as Hurricane Irene, David Boston, CMCA, AMS was nominated by peers and colleagues with one nomination noting “While most people watched the national news showing the floods in Vermont washing away 100 year old covered bridges, few viewers thought about the crushing challenge this would be for a manager with dozens of properties and 1,000’s of families to protect. Floods washed out town and state roads; massive propane tanks floated down mountainsides and main streets; families were left without electricity and drinkable water; and management staff were unable to reach residents using conventional transportation.”

Prior planning and the ability to be creative where no plan could have existed, Boston not only survived the crisis, but shined in the face of disaster managing response plans that required accessing air transportation to reach homeowners, working creatively with insurance companies to obtain millions of dollars for recovery efforts, and effectively implementing technology to communicate with resident owners in Vermont and hundreds more residing out of state.


Chapter Volunteer of the Year
Maria Benway, ServiceMaster by Gilmore

Maria Benway was recognized for her long standing and ongoing volunteer service, continued support of CAI and tireless efforts in spearheading new chapter programs. A familiar face on chapter committees including the CAI Golf Tournament and Membership Committees, Benway has been instrumental in establishing a strong foundation for the chapter’s Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) created to support and help members build a strong link with career-minded industry professionals and CAI.

From social networking events and receptions, to educational programs covering new industry opportunities like social media, since its inception in May 2011, ELN has hosted hundreds of industry professionals at their events.


Recruiter of the Year
Gary Daddario, Esq., Perkins & Anctil, P.C.
The Recruiter of the Year Award is presented to a volunteer who has helped the chapter continue to maintain its prestigious status as one of the largest chapters in the country. Gary Daddario was applauded and thanked for actively recruiting more members to CAI than any other individuals in 2011 and which earned him the distinction as 2011 Recruiter of the Year.


It is with gratitude that the chapter recognizes all Banquet Committee members instrumental in the success of the event including committee chair, Erin Kremser, CMCA and members Andy Costa, Diana Norbury, CMCA, AMS, Cameron Pease, Esq., Charlotte Scuderi and William Thompson, Esq.


Special thanks to Banquet Sponsors

Corporate Event Sponsor
Brookline Bank

Newton Roofing Residential, Inc. Club CAI-NE Casino Cash

Schernecker Property Services, Inc. (SPS) Coat Check
Village Green Landscape & Lawn Care Services Inc. Coat Check

Continental Pools Incorporated Seating & Dinner Tickets

Crowninshield Management Corp, AMO Comedian/Entertainer
Goodman, Shapiro & Lombardi, LLC Comedian/Entertainer
Greater Boston Properties Inc., AAMC Comedian/Entertainer
Marcus, Errico, Emmer & Brooks, P.C. Comedian/Entertainer
MPD Law, LLC Comedian/Entertainer
Swerling Milton Winnick Public Insurance Adjusters, Inc. Comedian/Entertainer
Thayer & Associates, Inc., AMO Comedian/Entertainer

Goodman, Shapiro & Lombardi, LLC Dessert Reception Food
Marcus, Errico, Emmer & Brooks, P.C. Dessert Reception Food

Barrington Management Company, Inc. DJ Sponsor
Becht Engineering BT, Inc. DJ Sponsor
CCA Engineers & Architects, LLC DJ Sponsor
Dartmouth Group Inc., The AMO, AAMC DJ Sponsor
First Niagara, HOA Lending DJ Sponsor
LionHeart Contracting Inc. DJ Sponsor
Rodman Insurance Agency, Inc. DJ Sponsor
ServiceMaster by Gilmore DJ Sponsor
Small Water Systems DJ Sponsor

Perkins & Anctil, P.C. Craps Table

Greater Boston Properties Inc., AAMC Double Roulette

Prime Touch Services, Inc. Wheel of Fortune

Air Duct Services & Restoration Blackjack
CRACK-X of New England Blackjack
Dannin Management Corporation Blackjack
Leahy Landscaping, Inc. Blackjack
Maine Properties, Inc. Blackjack
MJT Enterprises, LLC Blackjack
Noblin & Associates, L.C. Blackjack
Prime Touch Services, Inc. Blackjack
Riverside Tree & Landscape Company, Inc. Blackjack
Stanton & Co., CPAs Blackjack

CCA Engineers & Architects, LLC Raffle Prizes
CertaPro Painters Raffle Prizes
Community Association Banc/CondoCerts Raffle Prizes
Cranney Home Services Raffle Prizes
First Associations Bank Raffle Prizes
First Realty Management Corp, AMO Raffle Prizes
High Sierra Pools Raffle Prizes
Knollmeyer Building Corp. Raffle Prizes
L.A. Window Cleaning Raffle Prizes
Landscaping Etc. Inc. Raffle Prizes
Meacham Heating, Cooling & Energy Solutions Raffle Prizes
Olympic / Turnpike General Contracting Raffle Prizes
Pro-Care, Inc. Raffle Prizes
Puritan Flood Restoration Raffle Prizes
Southeastern Property Maintenance LLC Raffle Prizes
T&K Asphalt Services, Inc. Raffle Prizes
ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance Raffle Prizes
Verizon Enhanced Communities Raffle Prizes
Webster Bank, N.A. Raffle Prizes
Wooster Roofing Raffle Prizes