On October 26 Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha.

Highlights of our October 2 Town Hall

Windows:

• Board member, Nicolas volunteered to have one of his windows sent to Montreal for testing by an independent engineering lab
• We have held back 14% of payments to the installer
• If windows testing goes OK second phase of installation will occur next spring

Air conditioners:

• Need to be winterized
• Inspection will be done in Nov.

Elevator problems:

• Service company has been called and must come each time there is a problem

Lawn in bad shape on side facing Riverside Dr.:

• This will be addressed after ash trees are cut

Plumbing issues:

• Camera survey being done then purging of pipes

Garbage pickup:

• Will be biweekly starting later in October
• See also Frequently Asked Questions

Ants:

• Have been seen in many locations
• We need whole building treated
• All residents must agree to a treatment program
• See also Pharaoh Ants

– Doug Brandy, Director

Any building-wide pharaoh ant program must have the consent of all Frobisher Place residents. The Board will be sending a notice to all residents and will make efforts to survey your views. In the meantime, please see the links below. Contact me if you wish – Doug Brandy

I have provided some links below with info on pharaoh ants. You could find more with a Google search.

Wikipedia

Rentokil, Pharaoh Ant

Boradust, a product used by some pest control companies

Pest Control Canada

eHow, How to Get Rid of Pharaoh Ants

Alberta Health Service

How to Get Rid of Pharaoh Ants

Julie MacArthur is a talented member of our Frobisher Place community. Have a look at the video she just completed about childhood cancer, Smiles for Andy (running time = 4:14)

The Governance Committee will present the proposed changes to the new bylaw on a date to be scheduled later.

The last bridge evening was Monday, October 29; next will be Monday, November 5. The club plans to continue every Monday evening, 7:00 p.m. in the Perrier Room.

If you have not already signed up you may contact me and I’ll connect you with the organiser.

– Doug Brandy

The August 18 Ottawa Citizen carried an article, “OCH boards the green express”. The article discussed exciting initiatives at Ottawa Community Housing. I think we could follow some of their examples.

They have set up raised vegetable and herb gardens on part of their grounds. We have a small raised herb garden now at Frobisher Place but we could consider a more ambitious plan in the future. I believe the membrane covering the parking garage will eventually need replacing. This will probably mean tearing up most or all of the side yard. Why not use at least part of that yard for a vegetable garden after the membrane work is completed?

OCH has installed a solar wall that reduces winter operating costs for a 17-story building. Could we do something similar?

OCH’s third green move is roof-mounted solar panels. The article claims the electricity generated goes into the electrical grid, bringing in $250,000 annually from the Ontario Power Authority. I’ve learned from the solar system we installed at our cottage that a solar system requires a significant initial setup but pays for itself and more in the long run. I’m also impressed with how well our system works even in winter.

I have another cottage-inspired idea not mentioned by the Citizen. If we installed eaves troughs along the edge of the parking garage roof we could place large barrels under the ends to catch  rain water. We could use that water on our plants. We would need to cover such barrels with screens to keep out curious wildlife.

Except for rain water, I’ve not discussed any of these ideas with the Board. If you think we should pursue any of them at Frobisher Place please contact me or other Directors.

Doug Brandy

We held a Town Hall on Tuesday, October 2, 2012. The next Town Hall will be scheduled according to significant developments.