THE REAL RICK SACCULLO Edit page

Rick Saccullo pictured above called Jewish residents Gestapo Agents in a community email

   WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

In the email exchange below, it is evident that the president of the board Rick Saccullo, displays a disrespectful and condescending tone towards new residents. In a sarcastic and demeaning tone Rick Saccullo inaccurately asserts that ongoing issues with the property become the responsibility of the new homeowner over time and blames the residents for not hiring an engineer to assess the outside property, before they purchased it. Saccullo, who transitioned from a traditional home environment, seemingly lacks an understanding of condo living, where owners are only responsible for the interior of their units. Instead of acknowledging that the repairs needed fall under the condo’s  responsibility, the president incorrectly placed blame on the new homeowners.  Consequently, the homeowners had no choice but to hire an engineer at a cost of $800, who identified critical structural issues stemming from the condo's sinking due to the saturation of the surrounding property.

The day of the closing the new homeowners discovered a puddle of water in the basement; if that wasn't upsetting enough, the residents would later learn that Rick Saccullo was "aghast" that they reported this leak the same day to management (see email below). Initially a basement leak was misdiagnosed by resident Ely Zayken - who is not an engineer or a liscenced contractor -  told the new homeowners the basement leak was due the an improper installation of the back patio. This ridiculous diagnosis, even if true, would still see the condo responsible for fixing the problem because it is the condo's job to ensure new back pavers or decking are installed property. 

This misrepresentation fails to acknowledge the responsibilities outlined in the condo bylaws, which clearly state that the condo is responsible for repairs in common areas. Every repair issue faced by the new homeowner, including a large split in the concrete walkway, a separated concrete front step( base had separated from the top), water intrusion into the basement and a chimney leak, falls squarely under the condo's responsibilities. The need for the new residents to hire an engineer at their own expense to assess foundational issues—notably, that the property, over the years, was sinking due to extreme water saturation—highlights a significant oversight by the board. Whether the previous owner noticed these issues or not has no baring on the condo’s responsibility to repair it all.  The property sinking into the ground was the reason for all the cement issues. 

When the residents ask to have tar foot prints cleaned from the apron of the driveway, that were left by the workers who resurfaced the driveway, they were told “you made the foot prints, you clean the foot prints.” Rick Saccullo’s attempt to shift blame regarding tar footprints on the concrete apron of the driveway adds insult to injury, especially in light of the fact that the impressions were left by a worker during the resurface of the driveway while the previous owner still held title to the property and had already moved out. The home was vacant at the time the  driveway was resurfaced. The new residents were never on the property when the resurface occurred and they had to point this out before anyone would agree to remove the tar foot prints.

The exterior of this condo had fallen into disrepair. This situation highlights the necessity for current board members to familiarize themselves with the bylaws.  The issues were not addressed as promptly as Rick Saccullo suggests they would be in the email below; in fact, many of the repairs took well over a year to complete.

Such an approach not only violates the civility expected in communal living but also undermines the rights and dignity of homeowners, especially those unfamiliar with the nuances of condo living.  Rick Saccullo’s cruel demeanor and inappropriate handling of the situation serve as a reminder that compassion and understanding should be paramount in any thriving community.

 

From: Rick Saccullo <ricksaccullo@gmail.com>
Date: August 15, 2021 at 8:38:01 PM EDT

This is in response to the series of emails sent to our Property Manager of EstatesII.

As you are aware you closed on your home 2 weeks ago.  We were aghast to learn that you had some many issues with your new home within not days, but  within hours of your real estate  closing.   Clearly, many of these issues existed for a long period of time, well before you took ownership of the unit. As Daniella has advised we are both investigating and attending to these issues as expeditiously as possible.  Not all of these issues are emergencies, and the ones that you may deem urgent cannot be responded to as quickly as you are demanding.

It is important to note that due to the nature of these items  and the fact that the issues existed for an extended period of time, we must direct you that you have recourse against the seller of the unit, and just as importantly,  against the real estate broker, who sold you this unit, and  did not advise you that there existed a series of deficiencies in the unit. The broker, who I believe is your stepfather, promotes himself as one of the most knowledgeable, if not the most knowledgeable, real estate broker in the world of North Shore gated communities and has previously lived on the same street of the unit you have purchased.  It would appear that the negligence on the seller, and the real estate agent,  prior to your closing, certainly has   contributed to the issues at hand on your unit.

It should also be noted that negligence of the prior owner shifts the blame to the owner of record, and not to the condo.  Furthermore, it appears you yourself  were not prudent if you did not have an engineer inspect the unit prior to your purchase, which perhaps shifts a portion of the blame to you.
Notwithstanding the above, we are continuing to review each of the items at hand, and will work with you bring to resolution as many items as practical.

On a final note I must advise you that your incessant and repetitious emails to our property manager demanding answers immediately will not be tolerated going forward. Our property manager is not required to respond to emails in “real time” as if she was operating a 911 Crisis Center.   Emailing is a privilege not a right and we will direct our property manager to cease communication with you via email if you continue to bombard her with incessant  emails.
We have 178 units in EstatesII.  Problems will always  arise with any development of this nature,  and we are proud of our record of  responsiveness  to our homeowners. With the rarest of exceptions -  we have an excellent relationship with our EstatesII residents .  We hope that over a period of time, you will become a long-standing  and valued member of EstatesII and I sincerely hope we can move forward in a  more positive direction.

And while we are taking the time to send you this email we do not intend to engage in a back and forth email communication with you on these issues.
You will be contacted  by our property manager when there is something to report.


RICK SACCULLO
BOARD PRESIDENT

Rick,

You have upset my step daughter with your nasty mean-spirited email so much that she doesn’t want to move into her new home.  If you saw water in your basement right after closing you might consider that to be a 911 type of problem.   Why would a board president be “aghast” at any condo common area issue?  It’s just business at hand. I would say my step daughter was aghast to find water in her basement.  She was also aghast to learn an unlicensed board member is diagnosing water infiltration problems.  

You stated in your email: “many of these issues existed for a long period of time, well before you took ownership of the unit.”   Can you let us know how long you have been aware of these issues?  If I was given the minutes that I asked for we all would have known about these on going issues. 

You are incorrect when you stated: “It is important to note that due to the nature of these items and the fact that the issues existed for an extended period of time, we must direct you that you have recourse against the seller of the unit, and the real estate broker….”   Samantha’s issues are outside the home and in the common areas. The seller is not responsible for fixing old rotting steps, cracks in the vinyl siding, broken sidewalk, leaks in basements that come from outside and over saturated swampy ground.  You are not abiding by the by-laws.  

I ask you: Why would a person hire an engineer to inspect the outside common areas of a condo?  The trellis is the condo’s responsibility, the roof is the condo’s responsibility, the land surrounding the condo, etc…so what is the need for an engineer?  In the course of a transaction of sale the buyer has no standing when it comes to common areas. The seller cannot make any representations as to the conditions of the common areas because he also has no standing.

You besmirched my character and my competence as a real estate broker to my step daughter. How do you think she felt reading that?  You accomplished nothing but making her cry. For your information, when I show a condo I tell everyone, according to the bylaws, a homeowner is not responsible for the common areas of the condo. So if the trellis is shot all they will have to do is alert management and it will be repaired.  Are you saying that if the trellis was in disrepair for an extended period of time the condo is not responsible for the repair or replacement? 

The reality is, management is supposed to maintain every common area on an ongoing basis. A home owner should not have to ask for a crack in their sidewalk or a front step in disrepair to be fixed, or the siding to be repaired or cleaned. Management should conduct routine maintenance inspections of all the homes. That’s how it used to be done. Dead branches used to automatically be cleaned out and cut back by the landscapers.  I can tell you the landscaping in the back of the homes used to look as nice as the front.  The siding on the homes down the hill from where I live are utterly filthy.  My neighbors cement sidewalk is black with dirt. She is elderly. Just because she does not ask Daniella to have the cement power washed doesn’t mean it should not be inspected, cleaned and repaired on a regular basis.

I find it fascinating that you think it is a privilege for a resident to communicate with management.   I also find it fascinating that you deny residents their rights according to the bylaws. 

Samantha was not demanding everything on her list be done immediately. She was letting Daniella know what else needed to be taken care of. I am at a loss as to why this has made you so angry with her. A few months ago you asked me for names of other management companies because you wanted to replace Daniella. Now you want to shield her from resident emails.  

Daniella told Samantha that Eli is an expert in many areas and the board defers to him for critical diagnosis and decision making. That is disturbing. It is my understanding Eli holds no contracting licenses.  The bylaws state the condo can only use licensed contractors. Why are you so confident in his diagnosis?  Have you thought of the consequences if Eli is wrong?  As a previous board member I have witnessed many of Eli’s mistakes.

I contend that no condo should ever be neglected to the point there are so many repairs warranted at the same time. You should be embarrassed her condo needs so much work on the common areas, not angry at her.  It is a reflection of the boards style of management and micro management of Daniella.  How can you blame Samantha for the condo’s gross negligence and for expecting the exterior to be in better condition?  It is reasonable to expect repairs to be done in a timely manner or at the very least be told when the repairs will begin, water infiltration aside. You stated you are still reviewing the situation.  A resident should not have to worry about upsetting management or board members for expecting repairs to be done in a quick timely manner.  Samantha had water in her basement and two weeks later she had to reach out to Daniella, after the board meeting, to find out that the board was not going to fix the problem. Samantha has every right to not accept the boards decision not to fix the water leak, especially in light of the boards erroneous reason for not fixing it.  Your expectation of take it and shut up is unacceptable. 

This board seems to enjoy taking rights away from residents ( preventing us from reading the minutes). What should happen to the board when it blatantly breaches the bylaws?  We have not received the financial records according to the bylaws. Rumor has it the board no longer takes minutes or has committees ,which is also in breach of the bylaws.  You told me reading the minutes is privileged which in itself indicates you lack basic understanding of the bylaws and your fiduciary responsibility to the residents. It is my opinion that you and some other board members lack the temperament to serve your fellow neighbors.

Samantha will move forward in a way that allows her to feel safe and not intimidated or bullied. 

Ken


ELECTION NIGHT

Rick Saccullo has openly mocked residents longing for the past, yet it’s worth noting that boards in the past did not need to hire a stranger to count votes and previous presidents did not need to hire an “emotional support attorney” to attend the meeting. The continued presence of an attorney at every meeting seems excessive, especially when past leaders managed to address the community standing on their own merits. One has to wonder why Rick Saccullo cannot face his neighbors without the presence of an attorney. This is a sad first for Estates ll. The attorney did nothing the entire meeting except bill Estates ll.

RICK SACCULLO'S FULL REPORT CARD SEE PAGES


Saccullo speaking to residents Election Night: 

'We work very hard to reduce costs.'" However, the board seemed to contradict this commitment by spending unnecessary funds to hire someone to count the votes and having the condo attorney present, who spent the entire time on his phone. These are two clear examples of wasted money in just one evening.