CAI-NJ Sept.2017(1)

S E P T E M B E R , 2 0 1 7

I have been asked to update CAI-NJ membership

on several pending bills relating to the management

of community associations, as follows:

A1484 – Automatic Rain Sensors

The first bill, A1484 was introduced in the Assembly in

2016, and is sponsored by three (3) North Jersey legisla-

tors (McKeon, Jasey, and Eustace). This bill would amend

the legislation passed in 2000 which required the retrofit-

ting of lawn sprinkler systems installed prior to 2000, upon

UPDATE ON

PENDING BILLS

By Mike Pesce,

Associa - Community Management Corp.

sale of property, with automatic rain sensors which turn

off the system when not needed due to rain. The 2000

legislation, however, specifically exempted, at CAI-NJ

initiation, property within community associations. This bill

would eliminate that exemption, and require associations

to equip their common area irrigation systems with rain

sensors within 24 months of passage. No mention is made

of irrigation systems on individual lots owned by individual

owners, but maintained by the association.

CAI-NJ presently opposes this bill, as it did many prior

versions, but is looking to meet with the irrigation industry rep-

resentatives, to discuss our concerns. Our historic objection

has been that the technology for these systems (oftentimes, a

cup which fills up and triggers the shutdown) is not sufficiently

sophisticated to work well. Most managers have war stories

of sensors not working, and sprinklers still operating during tor-

rential rains. We are anxious to hear the views of the sprinkler

industry to determine if anything substantial has changed in

that regard. Until then, we oppose the bill as mandating an

association expense that is not necessarily effective.

A4747 – Electric Vehicle Charging

The second bill, A4747, was introduced in March,

2017 in the Assembly, and would amend the Planned

Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act (PREDFDA,

Courtesy CAI-NJ.

Michael Pesce is the President of Associa - Community

Management Corporation, a real estate management

and marketing company with a primary focus

on community associations (condominium,

cooperatives, planned unit developments and

townhouses). Previously, he practiced law,

specializing in real estate litigation.

Mr. Pesce has been active in the leadership of the

industry through his company’s participation in Community Associations Institute

(CAI). He serves on the Legislative Committee of both CAI and the New Jersey

Apartment Association, is a past President of the New Jersey chapter of CAI, and is

Board Liaison and a former Chair of its Legislative Action Committee. He received

CAI’s Member of the Year Award in 1995 and its Distinguished Service Award in

2014. Mr. Pesce achieved Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM)

designation and is a licensed New Jersey real estate salesperson.