Hi,
I'm a trustee (owner) of a condominium in Somerville MA that has a total of 5 units. We all bought a building under construction and the seller left the property prior to fulfilling many of his obligations to make the common areas safe for too many reasons to reveal in this posting. Nonetheless we're trying to make repairs as needed in a priority basis. In order to make any repairs we need a majority vote within the association from all trustees (owners).
In the fall we had a few discussions about installing a new front door on the left side of building for safety (lock area is rotted) and economic reasons (big gap under the door). In the past some decisions have been made online between the trustees to expedite the process. Some travel and work evenings so meeting can be difficult at times. We've never reinforced the fact that we all need to be in person for the voting to take place. I received email verifications from those necessary to make a majority vote and now someone wants to detract from their decision after the door has been ordered. Some want to hold me totally responsible for the entire cost of the door which quite honestly isn't fair. I'm a member of the association and I'm only acting in a proactive manner for the association at large.
My question is related to the voting privileges of two of the individuals who attend all the meetings. One individual is a resident who is living on the property that his father bought for him and is making decisions as a trustee but his father is listed as the owner of the property. Shouldn't his father be attending the meetings and making the decisions? Another person is married to the individual who has her name on the P&S/owner. Both of the individuals want a say in the meetings, which they've had since day one, and want to partake in the actions of the association. They act as trustees but they don't own the properties or are listed on the P&S. They can influence the decisions of others who represent the majority decision so how can that be legal.
Aren't there necessary steps to appoint a new trustee to the property you own so the other condo owners are aware of who's responsible for the decisions that need to be made. I believe I read in the by-laws that if a trustee is appointed the recording should be done at the Middlesex South Registry of Deeds of the Certificate and shouldn't that be known to all within the association. With all good intentions to protect an improve my property how can I be solely responsible for the entire cost of the door?
Thank you for your response.