Headline: Getting Your Condo Community Ready for Winter

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If you serve on a condo board in New England, winter preparation is probably one of several things competing for your attention. October offers a chance to settle a few details before snow is in the forecast, alongside your community manager and vendors.

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A walk around the property is a good place to begin. Take a look at the entrances and walkways your neighbors use every day. Are handrails secure? Is the lighting working? Does water collect anywhere? Together, you can arrange gutter cleaning, review exposed pipes that may need insulation and check that shared heating equipment is ready. Gutter cleaning and pipe insulation are among the National Weather Service's winter-preparation recommendations.

That walk is also a chance to talk with your snow contractor. Discuss where snow will go, which areas are included and when service begins. Pay attention to the route from a resident's door to the parking lot or trash area. Ask how follow-up visits and snow hauling are handled, including any additional costs. A conversation now gives everyone a shared understanding before the first storm.

Then bring residents into the plan with a friendly, short notice. Let them know about parking arrangements, where to find storm updates and whom to contact after hours about icy areas or a loss of heat. For neighbors heading away for the winter, a reminder to update their contact information and review the community's guidance for an unoccupied home can be helpful.

It's also a good time to remind residents to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and have flashlights, batteries, food and water on hand. Winter storms can interrupt heat and power, and household preparation matters alongside the association's work.

At the next board meeting, agree on a manageable list of tasks, who will handle each one and when to follow up. You don't need to solve everything in one evening. A few clear decisions and steady follow-through can help your community feel more prepared.

Getting ready for the season? Learn more about RowCal at RowCal.com.

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