Condo Media - June 2019 - 29

MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Roger Cummings, CMCA, Sterling Services, Inc.
Oversight of a major construction project tests the skills of any
manager. The façade improvement at Bellwood in Bellingham
provided that test for Roger Cummings, and earned him this
award, recognizing managers "whose efforts further the goals and
objectives" of their client associations. The board at this 40-yearold townhome community had two goals: Upgrade the façade to
increase property values and minimize any special assessment or
fee increase required to finance the project. Initial proposals to
replace the siding would have achieved the first goal, but not the
second. So Cummings worked with another vendor to develop a
much less expensive customized carpentry and painting solution
that upgraded the façade without replacing it. The plan required
modifications in the term of the bank loan financing the project,
which Cummings was able to negotiate with the lender.
While overseeing the façade project, Cummings confronted
another challenge at this community: A builder the association
deemed financially "unqualified," who had purchased development rights and extended them multiple times, was trying to
finalize the deal without complying with the conditions set by the
association and the town. The nomination letter notes that Cummings "was able to keep the board, the condo owners and the town
on the same page, allowing the builder's option to expire without
a costly lawsuit," and allowing the association to sell the development rights "in a hot real estate market at a much higher value."
COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR
Westminster Woods Condominium Association
This award recognizes the efforts of boards and owners who
respond effectively to major disasters or massive problems-
problems like those that age and construction deficiencies created in this 126-unit community. The board rose impressively to
the twin challenges of correcting the problems and financing the
work, producing "a model example of how a board can accept a
challenge and see it through successfully for the betterment of
the community," the award nomination says. Rejecting partial
solutions, the board undertook the "total restoration" of the
community-a $5 million project, financing of which was the key
to its success.
Anticipating the need for this major undertaking, a former
board president initiated an increase in reserve contributions
well before the project began, providing a significant portion
of the funds required; the remaining 43 percent of the cost was
funded through a bank loan. Reducing the association's operating costs freed funds to pay the debt service on the loan, the
nominating letter notes, and a "holistic approach" to financing
enabled the association to anticipate and budget for the longterm costs of maintaining the building envelope. The massive
project required an increase of only $92 in common area fees,
approximately half of which will be recouped through reduced
utility costs. Homeowners are understandably pleased with the
results, "and most importantly," the nomination notes, "their
homes are safe, water tight, aesthetically pleasing-and they
have greatly increased in value."

From left: Peter Westhaver, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, 2018 Chapter
President and 2019 Chapter President Nick Boit.

Manager of the Year Award recipient
Roger Cummings, CMCA (left).

Community of the Year Award winner Westminster
Woods Condominium. From left: Larry Dignan, Gina
DeFrancesco, Shawn Keane, Susan Fahey and Larry Riley.

June 2019 CONDOMEDIA

Condo Media - June 2019

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