HOA News

How Drowning Detection Systems Can Save Lives

Conventional pool safety measures, including covers, perimeter fences, and subsurface alarms, can prevent unauthorized access when a pool is closed. However, these measures do not protect against drowning when a pool is in use. Lifeguards, swimming lessons, and parental supervision have traditionally served as the primary safety measures during swim time, but tragically, even these….

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Top 10 Condo Do Overs to Avoid

Over the last twenty years I have had the privilege of meeting with many condominium and HOA boards and leaders. Some were seasoned and experienced while others were new and exposed to the culture of community living for the first time. All wanted to do their best, yet failings and mistakes were acknowledged. With the….

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Security in Maine – Secure Communities

Maintenance Plans and Reserve Funding Many think of Maine as a safe haven. During the height of the Covid pandemic, Maine saw a rapid growth in population due to folks fleeing the densely settled urban areas to the south. This in turn resulted in Maine’s average home sales prices climbing due to a lack of….

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Be Prepared – Emergency Response Best Practices

Emergency Response Plan You don’t have to be a weatherman to notice storms are more frequent and fierce. Nor do you have to be a news broadcaster to recall all of the reported residential damage from fire, floods, and wind. Nor do you have to be an accountant to recognize the cost of building repairs….

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CAI 2023 Dallas: Find Us at Exhibit Booth #824

CAI 2023 Dallas 2

The Criterium Engineers team is headed to the CAI 2023 Dallas national gathering from May 17-20! Find us at exhibit booth #824. In addition, members of the Dallas metroplex-based Criterium-Dotson Engineers‘ team will also join us at the exhibit booth. The Community Associations Institute’s Annual Conference and Exposition: Community NOW brings community association managers, homeowner….

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Pickleball: One Way to Repurpose Underutilized Assets

Pickleball repurpose underutilized assets 2

Is your HOA looking repurpose underutilized assets? Here’s is an engineer’s perspective on one way to utilize the tennis courts on your property and once again make them an asset for residents. The article takes a fun look at a fast-growing sport that may be a good fit for your community association. An Addictive Phenomenon….

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Repairs & Reserves

Repairs reserves

Liabilities and Risks of Ignoring Issues: An Engineer’s Perspective Question: A recent reserve study identified a number of repairs/replacements that should be addressed in the community. However, while the reserve is being funded on a monthly basis, there isn’t enough in the current reserve fund for the repairs/replacements. With inflation and knowing that owners won’t….

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Moisture: The Root of all Maintenance

Moisture maintenance

One of the primary issues in building science is the study of how moisture damages buildings and reduces the quality of life of its inhabitants. Moisture penetration can cause mold, rot, and interior damage. Serious moisture problems and their cure are often hard to solve as the physics of air flow, dew points, and vapor….

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Hidden Structural Flaws

Hidden structural flaws 2

Like people, no two condos are the same. Establishing methods of managing all types of condos by the same rules and standards is fruitless. A 40-year-old high-rise condo on the beach in York County needs a different maintenance plan than a community of new wood-framed duplexes in Franklin County. Following the collapse of the Champion….

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Welcome Martha Page to Criterium!

martha page

Martha Page recently joined Criterium Engineers as a Project Engineer. She’s working primarily in the Homeowner Association (HOA) business segment services, such as reserve studies and transition studies. She belongs to an HOA and is familiar with that market. She also continues to work as a licensed real estate agent. Martha is a Maine Maritime….

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