Great North Property Management, Inc.
Lou Gargiulo, CEO
 
Dear Valued Homeowner,

For companies in industries marked by declining margins, slower growth, and fundamental challenges to yesterday's value propositions, those that succeed are those that are constantly reinventing themselves.

 

In our industry, you have to be constantly asking, "What are the value propositions that keep us in this ball game?" For Great North, that value proposition is about offering our clients more -- moving from services to solutions.

 

To build a value proposition around excellent service, Great North has created a company-wide culture of customer service excellence. Our team understands the value in providing excellent customer service and this is demonstrated from the top down.  In our opinion, there is no "arrival" at customer service excellence. It is a never-ending process.

 

Our focus is on spreading a vision of customer service excellence across the company. This takes a daily effort from each and every employee, at all levels of our organization. To drive a great customer service experience, we make every effort to keep our employees engaged and understanding that the work they do is meaningful. We strive to create a culture of communication, mutual trust and respect. In a culture of recognition, we believe, goodwill will transfer to all we serve.

 

The Great North team is dedicated to providing our clients with a high level of communication and a superior service experience. In business, integrity is all about doing what you say you're going to do, doing what is right and maintaining a passion for our work. Our goal is to continue to build a company-wide culture of customer service excellence.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Lou Gargiulo, CEO

 

Great North Property Management

 

 

End of Year / Budget Planning
By:  Jacki Sirrine, Vice President of Finance - GNPM
 

As we near the budget preparation season for calendar year end properties, it is a great time to remind everyone to elect the IRS ruling 70-604B in the upcoming annual meeting. In very simple, and uncomplicated tax terms, this election allows the association the ability to plan to roll excess funds (additional income) in operating to reserves if the finances allow. We highly recommend this election is voted on (and approved) each year at the association's annual meeting. The vote does not always have to be utilized, but should the tax professional ever need it to put the association in the best taxable position, it must be voted in favor of in the same tax year for it to be used. This vote should be reflected in the annual meeting minutes.

 

As the budgets are being prepared, it's important to take a good look through the current year financials and understand any variances to the budget to be able to better anticipate the expenses for the next upcoming year. Many associations are finding themselves in a deficit position this year due to the harsh past winter. Many are choosing to carry that deficit into next year and plan to fund some of it using fee income from the owners. While this can be an option to consider, it is very important that it is balanced and watched throughout the year to ensure that the deficit from the prior year is funded and does not grow further in the current year as well. Others are looking at adjusting the current year budget and funding the deficit through a supplemental fee to the owners so that the association maintains its current cash flow and can maintain timely payments to its vendors. This is also a great time to ensure bank accounts are insured. Funds up to $250,000 are covered by FDIC. At some banking institutions, they may have DIF insurance, which covers above the FDIC limit to ensure your funds are insured. DIF insurance is generally found in Massachusetts banks, not all banks have this additional insurance.  As you go through the year end and budgeting process, we at Great North are here to help.

Many Thanks!
Nancy
A special thanks goes out to Trustee Nancy Downey who recently referred us a new association account.  As our way of saying thank you Nancy was rewarded a check in the amount of $2,700!   Nancy plans to take her grand children to Ireland.  Thanks Nancy.   If you are pleased with our performance please spread the word and send your referrals to justin.gargiulo@greatnorth.net
Have a Safe Halloween
Pumpkin

                            

Halloween is a kid's delight. It's a blast to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, attend parties and, most of all, eat candy.

 

At the same time, Halloween can be scary for parents. Costumes can be dangerous, too much candy can be sickening and walking around at night can be risky.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer these tips (in anagram form) to make sure your little ghouls and goblins have a safe Halloween:

 

S - Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be 

     short, soft and flexible.

A - Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Children should walk in groups

     or with a trusted adult.

F - Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers

     see trick-or-treaters.

E - Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before

     they're eaten.

 

H - Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help see and help

     others see you.

A - Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it when

     done to avoid skin irritation.

L - Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established

     crosswalks wherever possible.

L - Lower the risk for serious eye injury by avoiding decorative

     contact lenses.

O - Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing

     traffic to stay safe.

W - Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid

     blocked vision, trips and falls.

E - Eat only factory-wrapped candy. Avoid eating homemade

     treats unless you know the cook.

E - Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult.

N - Never walk near lit candles or other open flames. Be sure to

     wear flame-resistant costumes.

 

If you're hosting a party or expecting trick-or-treaters:

 

* Provide healthy treats, such as individual packs of raisins, trail

   mix or pretzels. Offer fruits, vegetables and cheeses to party

   guests.

* Use party games and trick-or-treating as an opportunity for

   kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.

* Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of

   obstacles that could cause falls.

* Keep candle-lit jack-o-lanterns and other open flames away

   from doorsteps, walkways, landings and curtains. Place them  

   on sturdy tables, keep them out of reach of pets and small

   children and never leave them unattended.

* Drive safely and watch out for trick-or-treaters.

 

 

 
Sandy RobertsBOARD TRAINING SEMINARS

 

In September close to 45 board of director / trustee members joined us for our latest Board Seminar.  Changes in the insurance market, FHA requirements, smoke free buildings, and how to effectively run your association were just a few of the topics that were covered. 

A special thanks goes out to the following presenters:

Lucas Sevigney, Sevigney Lyons Insurance

Kate Moran Carter, Esq.

Sanford Roberts, Esq.

Due to the popularity of these seminars another one will be scheduled in the next 90 days where a variety of other topics will be discussed. 

Be sure to speak to your property manager if you're interested in attending!
FOLLOW GREAT NORTH ON TWITTER

To enhance communication with our clients, Great North is now on Twitter. Please click on this link to become one of our followers:

http://twitter.com/GreatNorthProp

NEW CLIENTS

Please welcome the newest associations to our Great North family. 

 

PICKWICK ESTATES CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

Chelmsford, MA

 

THE WOODLANDS AT BELMONT HILL II CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

Belmont, MA

 

CANNONGATE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

Ayer, MA

 

BASS RIVER CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

Beverly, MA

 

MAVERICK SQUARE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

East Boston, MA

 

NORRISBROOK CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

Exeter, NH

 

THE COMMONS OF ATKINSON CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

Atkinson, NH

 

WALDEN WOODS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

Nashua, NH

 

PRESCOTT CROSSING CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

Raymond, NH

 

 

We are proud to have the opportunity to serve these communites in the years ahead.


Great North Property Management, established in 1990, is a full service real estate management firm specializing in the management of condominium associations throughout New England.
 
We give you attention from the senior staff members of the company, unsurpassed service, and extensive knowledge of the marketplace. We handle all of your financial, administrative, contractual and legal matters.


If you wish to contact us regarding a service request, accounting inquiry, change of address, or a 6(d) certificate/statement of fees,please direct inquiries to:


Great North Property
Management, Inc.

Corporate Headquarters - Accounting
3 Holland Way, Suite 201

Exeter, NH 03833

Phone: (603) 436-4100 

(800) 639-7309 (Outside NH)

Fax: (603) 766-6548



Please feel free to contact any of the senior staff members if you have an issue or concern:

 

Lou Gargiulo, CEO

603-436-4100 ext. 6540

 

Justin Gargiulo, Senior VP and Director of Corporate Operations

603-436-4100 ext. 8784

 

Julie Geren, VP and Director of Human Resources and Operations

603-436-4100 ext. 8775

 

Jacki Sirrine, VP of Finance

603-436-4100 ext. 8799


 

 

 


Great North Property Management, Inc.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

3 HOLLAND WAY
EXETER, NH 03833

www.greatnorth.net
Contact Us 

Established For Today. Equipped For Tomorrow.
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