VOLUME XV, NO. 9 • SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 A PUBLICATION OF THE SOMERSET RUN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION TABLE OF CONTENTS Board of Directors Zoom Meeting Summary Board of Directors Zoom Meeting Summary cover, 3 Safety Issues cover, 5 By Susan Gooen First Community Socially Distanced Event 4 [Editor’s Note: This article does not set forth the official minutes of the Resident Photographer Rick Fisher 4, 25 Association meeting. The official minutes are available on the Somerset Run Lifestyle Corner – Upcoming Events 5 website, once approved by the Board of Directors.] Weekly/Daily & Event Calendars 6, 7 Life on the Run 8 MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020 A Strange Segue: From Masks to Afghans 8, 9 The Open Board Meeting held on August 17 was streamed on Zoom due The Trivia Corner (Answers – 27) 9 to the COVID-19 epidemic. About 160 residents signed into the meeting. Board The Trivia Corner, Too (Answers – 27) 9 members Alan Blander, John Blazakis, Rick Blitz, Mike Goldman, Ed Gordon, Say Hello to Your New Neighbors 10 Fred Okun, and Danita Susi were present. Community Manager Monica Griffin and Assistant Community Manager Kaitlyn Brown also attended. The meeting Singles Club News 10 was called to order at 7 p.m. Somerset Run Seniors Bowling League 10 C&C News 10 MINUTES: Geology Tales 12 The minutes of the July 20, 2020 meeting were approved. Pool Countdown 12 TREASURER’S REPORT: Women’s Club News 12, 13 Ed Gordon reported that work on the 2021 budget has begun. The Budget Bocce in the Time of COVID-19 14 & Finance Committee, the team from First Service, Danita Susi, and Ed Gordon From the Frying Pan(s) into the Fire 14 were all involved in the process. For the first seven months of 2020 there is a The Book Nook 15 positive variance in the budget of $128,000. Resident delinquencies amount to $5,876 currently. Travel Club News 15 Alan’s Travel News 16, 18 OPENING OF AMENITIES: The Teacher Post 18, 19 Legislation limiting liability for COVID-19-related lawsuits has gone Mr Eye Que 19 nowhere, so there are no plans to increase any approved amenities. Residents are reminded to sign up with Judy Clickner the day before to use the tennis, pickleball, Somerset County Senior Wellness Centers 19 or bocce courts. Judy will not be involved in forming groups to play. That is the The First Step 20 residents’ responsibility. There are no plans currently to open the gym or the Crossword (Solution – 30) 21 Clubhouse. The Ballet Recital 22 …Continued on page 3 Letter to the Editor 22 Franklin Township Public Library 23 Shell Shocked 24 Safety Issues Movie Happenings 2020 24 By Jim Silkensen Board of Directors 28 Financial Summary 28 FIRE SAFETY PROGRAM VIA ZOOM – OCTOBER 1, 7 P.M. Contact the Newsletter 30 Somerset Run residents are invited to participate in a one-hour Fire Safety Somerset Run Condominium Association 30 Program via Zoom with Franklin Township Fire Marshal/Fire Prevention Inspector Erik Mickelsen at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2020. Monica Griffin will send Emergencies 30 out information on how to join the Zoom program a few days beforehand. Somerset Run EXTRA Staff 30 HOW TO WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS TARGETING SENIORS: OPEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS A scam can be initiated via the computer (email, the internet, social • Next Regular Meeting: Monday, September 21st media), text message, mail, in person, or a phone call. No matter the origin of • 2020 Schedule: See page 28 the scam, the characteristics are the same. First, there is something to pique your interest – someone in trouble, big discount offers, lottery win. Second, the NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION SCHEDULE individual contacting you seems trustworthy, very friendly, and seems to care • Next EXTRA Published: October 15th about you. Third, there is a deadline associated with the offer – “act fast, act now.” • Articles for October 15th Issue Due: September 27th …Continued on page 5 #1 Realtors in the Country for a reason! We’re by your side We Specialize in Buying & Selling in the so your loved one can stay at home. 55+ COMMUNITIES! Whether you are looking for someone to help an aging loved one a few times a week or need more comprehensive assistance, Home Instead can help. Barbara Kalmus Anne L. Cohen Sales Associate Sales Associate Senior Real Estate Specialist Senior Real Estate Specialist Home Instead CAREGiversSM Call for a free, can provide a variety of no-obligation appointment (SRES) (SRES) services. 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If your property is currently listed for sale with a real estate broker, this is not intended as a guaranteed and should be independently verified. PAGE 2 • SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 SOMERSET RUN EXTRA TO ADVERTISE CALL: 732-968-1615 $171,000 over the next three years, an amount that offsets the BOARD OF DIRECTORS ZOOM MEETING SUMMARY lower quote from Taylor. Continued from page cover… • They impressed the Board when their insurance team helped them find good insurance coverage within two days and at a PAVING UPDATE: substantial saving. The work that Hillcrest is doing on the roads has gone well.. • Their response to the COVID-19 pandemic with Zoom seminars Further paving will follow sidewalk repair. and advice to the Board has been impressive. SIDEWALK UPDATE: • They have the best support for a full-time Lifestyle Director. Work by Ianello Co. is ongoing. • They have greater depth than Taylor with financial services and affiliated companies. CARRIAGE HOMES: • Their educational programs and guidance on many levels for the We have two bids for power washing the Carriage Home buildings Board have been a great help. and are waiting for a third bid before a decision is made. Some violation • They have committed to producing the financial reports more letters have been sent to residents who have not completed the required quickly. HVAC services. • We need a full-service company to help us manage a budget that PICKLEBALL UPDATE: is over $3,000,000 per year. We have confirmation that the construction of the pickleball courts Fred Okun thanked Mike Lynskey for advising the Board to begin is on the agenda for the Franklin Township Planning Board meeting on the process in February. He indicated that he would support Taylor. September 2. The meeting will be available on Webex. It was suggested He indicated that both companies are well qualified but that he liked that you download Webex in advance if you want to participate in it that Taylor involved the Board in choosing the management team, the meeting. Our lawyer is actively reviewing all our documents in they provided Zoom accounts for all the Managers, and there was a cost preparation. differential that would account for a savings of between $70,000 and $100,000 over three years. COMMUNITY CENSUS: Some additional comments: 86% of residents have returned our Community Census forms. • Both companies are fully accredited, both are well regarded in Judy Clickner is following up with those who have not yet completed New Jersey, and both address our current needs. them. • The Board controls the money, the management team does what the Board directs with the money. FLU SHOTS: • Complaints from residents about members of Management We have tentative dates when flu shots will be available— don’t represent the full support of the First Residential. What September 21 and October 19. The community will be kept advised as is important is what the company provides. The Board can more information becomes available. approach the company to change a member of the management LMS LANDSCAPING: team if they so choose. Rick Blitz reported that he had met with the owner of LMS and • Three-year contracts are standard, but all have an opt-out reviewed their contractual obligations. The owner will be attending provision. the October