FAQ

By definition, a co-op, or a “cooperative home,” is usually a multi-family piece of real estate in which a business holds the title to the property. The residents gain equity in the building or property by buying shares in that business. Co-op residents own a share of the property, but not the deed to the property itself. A cooperative is an established corporation functioning within the parameters of New York State's Business Corporate Law. As such, a corporation must have a board of directors and appoint officers to perform business functions. Simply stated, the board of directors is entrusted to perform as fiduciaries of the corporation by establishing: an annual operating budget, maintaining and using funds for purposes of keeping the grounds and buildings in good repair, and maintain quality of life standards. The Board of Directors are elected by the shareholders.

One of the basics in co-op living is that all residents are entitled to have their unit be 'habitable'. Therefore, the house rules contain limits on noise, pets, driving and parking while on the grounds, and generally, issues that could impact living conditions. Over the years, as situations arise the Board of Directors can change or update the House Rules as needed. All shareholders are made aware of the House Rules as they are presented for review and acknowledgment during the Board’s interview process of a new buyer. A copy of the House Rules is on this website and available in hardcopy form from Kaled Management.

The proprietary lease is effectively the contract between the shareholder and the co-op corporation. It contains the terms that define the responsibilities of the shareholder and those of the coop corporation. Within the cooperative environment it is the single most important governing document. Other governing documents are the house rules and the by-laws. The by-laws govern the corporate aspects and procedures of the cooperative.

The co-op corporation is actually the owner of the land and the buildings. Your ownership is technically an ownership of shares of the corporation. The Board of Directors are legally bound to serve in the best interest of the corporation. One way of doing this is to establish qualifications for purchasing. By making sure that prospective purchasers are financially capable of ownership, we are doing our best to prevent foreclosures and loss of value of the overall property.

The monthly maintenance charges are used to keep Birchwood on the Green operating. The maintenance that is collected each month is used to pay the following: the underlying mortgage on the property, heat/gas energy costs, water, property taxes, management fees, payroll, garbage removal, snow removal, landscaping, waste treatment plant operations, general repairs and supplies, property insurance, maintenance office operating expenses, and exterminating service

For information on how to enroll in the STAR program(s), shareholders can contact the Town of Islip assessor at 631-224-5585 or Email to: assessorsoffice@islipny.gov

Our management company is here to guide you through the process. Contact Barbara Robertson at barbarar@kaled.com or at 516-876-4800 for directions on how to get started.

Birchwood residents have the option to select either Optimum or Verizon for their service. Listed here is the customer service number for each provider.

Optimum - 1-888-276-5255

Verizon - 1-888-266-7553

This question is specifically answered with the proprietary lease. Generally, the shareholder is responsible for the interior of the unit including floors, walls and ceilings as well as fixtures protruding from the walls (such as plumbing faucets and shower bodies). The shareholder is also responsible for electrical wiring from the breaker panel to the outlets, switches, and fixtures. A shareholder is responsible for any damage caused by the shareholders neglect, for example an overflowing sink or a tub/shower grouting that is in disrepair.

The coop corporation is responsible for: water supply and common waste lines, electrical service up to the point of the breaker panel (but not including it), the main exterior door (not storm doors), all windows and sliding rear doors. The building heating systems, building structure, building exteriors, and the grounds.

The preceding is a general description only, there is much more detailed information in the proprietary lease that governs responsibility of repairs. In cases, where the proprietary lease differs from the statements listed here, the terms of the proprietary lease shall take precedence.

The Town of Islip offers a number of recreation options for the enjoyment of residents.

PARKS AND RECREATION

The Bayard Cutting Arboretum 

440 Montauk Highway, Great River, NY 11739 

631-581-1002  

website: www.bayardcuttingarboretum.com

Connetquot River State Park

4090 Sunrise Highway, Oakdale, NY 11769

631-581-1005

website: www.parks.ny.gov

Byron Lake Pool

76 Bayview Drive, Oakdale, NY 11769

631-472-7043

Cherry Avenue Dog Park

On Cherry Ave. south of the Baymen Soccer Field

THEATERS

Bayway Arts Center

265 E. Main Street, East Islip, NY 11730

631-226-8400

website: www.studiotheatrelongisland.com

CM Performing Arts Center

931 Montauk Highway, Oakdale, NY 11769

631-218-2810

website: www.cmpac.com

Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts

71E. Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772

631-207-1313

website: www.patchoguetheater.org

Sayville Movie Theater

103 Railroad Avenue, Sayville, NY 11782

631-589-0232

website: www.sayvilletheater.com

LIBRARIES

Connetquot Library

760 Ocean Avenue

Bohemia, NY 11716

631-567-5079

website: www.connetquotlibrary.org

Sayville Library

88 Greene Avenue

Sayville, NY 11782

631-589-4440

website: www.sayvillelibrary.org

East Islip Public Library

381 East Main Street

East Islip, NY 11730

631-581-9200

website: www.eipl.org

Yes, shareholders can deduct a percentage of the cooperative real estate taxes and interest on their personal income tax returns. Our management company provides individual statements with instructions to shareholders in early February of each year.

The Town of Islip offers permit parking for a fee to Town residents. Information on how to apply for a parking permit can be found at www.islipny.gov. The Town accepts applications by mail only.