The new security locks have been installed on the clubhouse, pool gates, ECR gate and the tennis court.
Unfortunately, there is a ‘bug’ in the programming system which prevents us from loading the FOB ID’s into the locks, so the FOB’s don’t work.
FOR THE TIME BEING, if you need to access the clubhouse or pool, you can use the following code in the keypad on the lock:
‘123456’
Once we have fixed the ‘bug’ you will need to use your fob to open the locks.
After a number of delays we are finally on schedule to begin installation of the new gates and security system for the recreational areas (clubhouse/spa, pool, tennis court) and the gate at El Camino Real. Installation of the first pool gate will begin on Monday, November 14th. Both pool gates will be replaced with new, sturdier gates which meet the Santa Clara County code for swimming pools. Additionally, the locks on the clubhouse, tennis court and ECR gate will be replaced. The new system will use RFID key fobs and will allow PML Management to remotely operate the locks and provide access for contractors as needed. Finally, new child-proof locks will be installed on the patio fences for units adjacent to the pool.
PLEASE NOTE: All residents will be issued two (2) key fobs to replace the current keys for the recreational areas. Offsite owners will be provided a key fob upon written request to PML.
We have arranged for distribution of the new key fobs at the clubhouse during the following hours listed. Please arrange to have an adult member of your household come to the clubhouse to pick up, and sign for receipt of, the key fobs.
Friday, November 11, 2016 7 PM to 8 PM
Saturday, November 12, 2016 12 Noon to 1 PM
Sunday, November 13, 2016 12 Noon to 1 PM
At the end of August we will begin installation of new gates for the pool area to comply with State code which requires that the gates open out away from the pool area. Both gates will be equipped with crash bars to allow emergency exit. At the same time we will be installing new security lock systems on the pool gates, the clubhouse doors, the gate at the end of the fire lane and the tennis court. These will be operated by an RFID key fob. The fobs will be distributed to residents and owners in mid September. This should eliminate the unauthorized copying of keys which has become a problem. The system will also allow us to assign temporary access codes to service personnel and contractors working at Barron Square.
It’s been a while but the lighting renewal project is finally under way. We thought we had a decision regarding the new lighting fixtures we wanted for Barron Square, but then there was a new wrinkle. The City of Palo Alto informed us that any new fixtures had to comply with Title 24, the California Energy Conservation code. That meant that the fixtures had to have a GU-24 bi-pin socket and not the usual medium screw type. The purpose of this was to discourage people from continuing to use incandescent bulbs and encourage switching to LED or even CFL type lamps. (Nobody told the lawmakers in Sacramento that there were incandescent bulbs available with a GU-24 base.)
Anyway, it was back to the catalogs to find an appropriate fixture and one we chose was the Galen by Quoizel in bronze finish. The Board felt this was a good design and color to match the decor of our buildings. It is available in a family of sizes and all of the main light fixtures will be replaced. Twelve inch (12″) lamps will be installed on the garages, ten inch (10″) lamps on the wall opposite the stairs of the middle units and seven and a half inch (7.5″) next to the entrance doors. Even the post lamps at the back of the clubhouse by the pool will be replaced with matching fixtures. If you want to see samples, there are new fixtures at Building 1 on the garages, sidewall and entrance to 4108. There is also a 12″ unit on the garage at 564.
The ‘jelly-jar’ lamps on the stairwells, trash room walls and other places will also be replaced by a comparable fixture. If the Board approves at the next meeting, we will also replace the lights on the patios and balconies with this same fixture. It was the closest match to the Galen we could find at a reasonable cost. NOTE: If you have installed replacements for the original lights, these will be removed.
One of the advantages of doing the lighting replacement at this time is that the construction crews and the painters have to remove the fixtures as they work and they will install the new fixtures for us at no additional charge. Of course, we expect that the replacement of the old fixtures with their inefficient fluorescent lamps with new LED lights will also save us on the cost of electricity and maintenance. (Sorry, Laszlo. You won’t need to replace many bulbs anymore.)
What’s going on?In case you hadn’t noticed, Barron Square is getting a face lift. A major project to repair dry rot damage and repaint all the buildings began several weeks ago. You have probably seen the red marks on the walls, stairs and balconies of your building. These indicate areas of the siding/shingles and the trim which showed evidence of deterioration during the initial inspection and will be replaced. The work is being done by A.C. Enterprises under the supervision of Richard Avelar & Associates. The last time this work was done was in 2009.
You will receive several notices regarding your building, the last being 3 days prior to beginning of work. Please read the notice carefully. It may be necessary for you to remove personal items from your patios/decks. Planters and such may need to be moved in order to permit access for work.
The project began on at Building 1 on July 11th. Startup was slower than expected as the work crews familiarized themselves with the construction of our buildings and as additional areas needing repair were uncovered. Problems which are discovered and were not covered in the original scope of work in the contract will be evaluated on a case by case basis. We are hoping that all of the buildings can be completed this year before the rainy season (hopefully!) begins in November.
The Board decided to continue with the current paint colors because it was felt that they were best suited to the landscaping of our community. Another interesting reason was that we had insisted that any owner who had replaced their windows had to match the exterior color to the dark brown trim, so now we had to match the trim to the windows. One small change was made. A slightly more glossy finish was chosen for the trim in the hope that the additional reflectivity would decrease the sun fading of the darker brown color. Replacement shingles will be stained with a cedar tone to approximate the existing siding.
If you have Comcast cable service you should know that when Comcast rewired our complex in 2010 we insisted that all cables be run in underground conduit and in covered cable track on the side walls of the buildings. No more unsightly half-buried cables to be cut by the gardeners or stapled to the side of the building. As a consequence of this, if your cable enters the building in a section of siding that needs to be replaced because of dry rot, it will be necessary to disconnect your cable.
We realize that for some subscribers this may interrupt television, internet and even telephone services. We will inspect your building prior to beginning construction and determine if any of the Comcast cables are located on an area of siding to be replaced. The contractor has agreed that this will be done in the most expeditious way to minimize any disruption of your services. If you can arrange to be at home when that area of siding needs to be removed, the contractor can enter your home and disconnect the cable from the wall plate and remove it from the wall. They will then replace the siding as quickly as possible and reconnect the cable. If you are not home the contractor will have to cut the cable on the outside, replace the siding and then splice your cable. In either case it should not affect the quality of service, but you may need to restart your TV control box and/or your internet modem to reinitialize your Comcast service.
NOTE: Comcast informed us that they will no longer supply the covered cable track but the Board has identified an alternate source of supply. If you decide to order new Comcast service or need to move your Comcast outlet to another location in your unit, please contact PML so that we can insure that the installation is done according to our architectural standards.