Butler Committee Meeting Minutes

October 1, 2007

Submitted by Jane Phillips (Recording Secretary)

Committee members present: Dante Ricci (GSG Rep), Audra Pompeani (Bugle Editor), Juan Melli (Webmaster), Patrick Ross (Treasurer), Nicole Jui (Garden Co-Coordinator), Shannon Hughes (Chair), Jane Phillips (Secretary), Laura Soltesz (Social Chair), Jeffrey Dwoskin (Housing Rep), Bronwyn Smith (Community Room Coordinator), Rodrigo Cassasus Coke (Dolly Coordinator).

Community members present: Patti Smith, Tara McCartney.

Meeting called to order at 9:04pm.

Patti Smith (Housing): Patti is here as a liason from the Housing office. Major maintenance requests were taken from the grad apartment complex committees by Housing. We had about 120 units turn over in Butler in the past year. Previously, turnover had been about 50% per year. There are some pending items from last year that were given funding but are not yet finished (lighting project, porch replacements), and the insulation project is completed. Patrick asked exactly what is entailed in the lighting project. Patti says that some temporary lighting has been put up in roads where lights have failed, but the head electrician has not come up with a finalized plan for how to complete this (it would involve installing wiring around the entire complex). Jeff noted that some streets are well lit and some are completely dark. Patrick noted that on some streets, trees block lights. Jeff will help Patti to follow up with trying to remove some branches from trees. Bronwyn noted that she was told by a Facilities person that there are no squirrel-proof screens – Patti says and Juan agrees that Facilities can install tough screens to deter squirrels. Patti will follow up with Bronwyn. Patti wants all residents to know that storm windows are available in every old Butler unit. Audra noted that her apartment does not have storm windows, and Patti said to contact Dwight (all residents without storm windows should contact Dwight). Patti would like to have residents informed of how to use their storm windows. Patti asked that she and Dwight be invited to the Butler winterization clinic that will hopefully be held in late fall.

Patti says that the regular laundry supplier is Mac Gray. They are doing repairs for Butler even though there is no actual contract for Butler at this point. Apparently there has been an issue with backordered machines because of washing machine company mergers. People from Housing went to Home Depot last week and purchased new machines, two of which have been installed. As of now, the new laundry machines cost $1.50; parts have been ordered to make the machines cost $0.50. Have some Maytags and some GE’s backordered. Patti is attempting to also put some new dryers on order; the goal is to replace two of the commercial dryers. Patti is also buying a scale for people to weigh their laundry so that they know how much clothing to put in each machine. The scale was recommended by washing machine vendors. Patti and Housing intend to get the next three washing machines plus two dryers and also increase signs in the wash room to inform people in more detail of how to use machines. Coin pickup has increased to several times per week so that machines do not get full of coins as often. Patrick asked whether it would be possible to get a change machine. Patti says that a coin machine would open Butler to a security risk. Juan suggested that Housing put card readers on the door, but this would be a problem for domestic partners, who are not able to get Princeton ID cards. Patti said that she could get Housing to change the code for the Community Room. Nicole mentioned that the back door to the laundry room does not close securely. A maintenance request will be submitted. Three nesting tables should be delivered soon, and new sofas should be shipped on October 8, both for the Community Room.

Bronwyn asked about the state of the playgrounds. The Grounds department is responsible for this, and Patti Smith will try to follow up with them to get the playgrounds maintained. Patti mentioned that sand is supposed to be put into the volleyball courts each year, but Committee members say that it has not happened in years. Patti and Tara will follow up with this in the spring.

Shannon (Chair): Shannon sent out an email to the Butler community about the campus safety alert from Sept 23 regarding the burglary. Shannon also sent out an email about laundry issues to the community. Also, Laura has resigned from the Butler Committee so it we will need to elect a new Social Chair. Shannon suggested that we wait to set up a wine and cheese event until we get a new Social Chair. Wine and cheese cannot be on November 8 because Tara cannot be here, so November 15 is the tentative date for the wine and cheese. Dante volunteered to coordinate the wine and cheese whether or not a new Social Chair is found by that point. Patrick will look up last year’s budget for the wine and cheese. Dante will try to follow up with Damien (previous Social Chair) about last year’s wine and cheese as well.

Pet sitting co-op email address does not work anymore. Audra suggested that we just have a listserv so that people can subscribe and email each other about pet sitting. Juan will follow up to create an email address so people can sign up.

Shannon was emailed by a community member who wanted to start a petition to fix the laundry room. Tara thinks that Housing is more likely to respond to emails from residents (address already set up by Juan) rather than a petition. Committee members agreed that the laundry room code should be changed to avoid having people from outside Butler , and Patti Smith will be informed.

Patrick (Treasurer): We have around $2000 in the Princeton account. The Committee received $979 from the grad school and $1300 from housing. The garden account has $538, minus some funds (~$60) that were used for the garden (receipts submitted by Nicole).

Bronwyn (Community Room Coordinator): There is a $100 deposit for the Community Room, and Bronwyn asked whether it applies to all groups because a few groups have questioned it. Tara says that there are no deposits for other apartment complexes’ community spaces. Bronwyn suggested that we get rid of the deposit. Every time someone reserves a room on campus, they must also inform Lisa Schreyer using an Event Registration Form (separate issue). Tara will follow up to determine whether a deposit is necessary.

Meeting adjourned at 10:01 pm.