Castlegram
The Voice of the Manor
March 2022
Dear Homeowner,
We are at last seeing some warmer days and sure signs that Spring is finally coming. Daffodils and other Spring flowers are making an appearance around The Manor grounds. Montauk traditionally ushers in the Spring with the Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade is scheduled to return this year after a hiatus due to COVID, March 27th, 2022. Many of the seasonal shops and restaurants reopen at this time. At Montauk Manor we are busy as well shaking off this unusually cold winter. We had a sold out “Murder Mystery Weekend” recently and two more are planned for March and April. Weekends in general have been lively at The Manor with guests taking advantage of the Hilltop Restaurant and fireside cocktail lounge being one of the few that stayed open all Winter.
Since the last Castlegram, the Board of Managers has met by conference call on December 11th and again on February 5th. The primary issues discussed were the restaurant, the Rental Program, and the ongoing construction projects. (The full minutes of all board meetings are available to homeowners on the Montauk Manor website, password “manor”). Regarding the “Hilltop” restaurant in the Montauk Manor lobby, it is operated by the owners of the well-known Tauk restaurant in the center of town. Members of our Board of Managers are continuously consulting with the restaurant owners on issues such as “specials,” amenities, and creating a warmer dining atmosphere. The success of the restaurant reflects directly on the reputation of The Manor. The main challenge facing all restaurants and hotels in Montauk for the coming season is the lack of affordable housing for seasonal employees. We are working with the Chamber of Commerce and local government to address this issue.
Regarding the Rental Program, our last three seasons have been all-time records for units rented and for rental income. Advanced reservations for the coming season are doing very well. Many returning guests are making certain they get their favorite units. The Rental Committee will be meeting in April to plan for the coming season and to make certain that all rental units are being maintained according to the high standards of the program. Homeowners in the Rental Program who own units with decks, patios, etc. are currently replacing their outdoor furniture to update these areas with Board approved options for furniture.
As to our construction projects, our number one priority is to get the indoor swimming pool back into service. It is being completely renovated and brought up to code for accessibility for handicapped. The original pool and locker rooms have been completely demoed. We were scheduled to commence the new construction last month but found that additional permits were needed. The Board of Managers is doing everything at our disposal to expedite this process.
The construction on our Westside is underway with the scaffolding being erected. The scope of work will include power washing, caulking of stucco, windows and lentils where needed and painting. While the scaffolding is up we will be addressing replacing any needed brown Tudor woodwork as well the chimney. As with all grand hotels and resorts there is always something that needs to be updated. Please note that your Board’s on it.
Sincerely,
The Board of Managers