Chestnut Hill, MA – Apr. 22, 2009 – Last April, Chestnut Hill Realty (CHR) announced the launch of a comprehensive green initiative targeting its existing properties. The ‘Live Green’ program is a multi-faceted effort targeting all CHR communities, its residents, and its employees. Outlined below are the accomplishments since the inception of the initiative in the following areas: education and awareness, energy conservation, water consumption, electricity and lighting, recycling, landscaping, pesticides and maintenance.

To date, CHR has successfully reduced their carbon imprint on fuel by 688 tons. That is enough to send one car from Augusta, Maine to Los Angeles, California 248 times!

Education and Awareness: CHR realizes that education and awareness of environmental issues is the key to affecting change. Last April, CHR gave away nearly 5000 reusable grocery bags to residents and employees with information on how to reduce, recycle, and reuse within their own homes. Throughout the year, CHR hosted contests and events at various communities to encourage additional awareness for recycling, energy conservation and water consumption with great results.

Energy Conservation: CHR has installed 1700 digital thermostats to replace mercury thermostats. The conversion has resulted in a 13% decrease in energy used. Furthermore, 1300 apartments and town homes were re-insulated, 1700 doors were re-weather stripped, and 416 windows have been replaced to significantly increase the energy performance of these buildings

Water Consumption: CHR achieved a water conservation of 40% at our communities by installing water-saving toilets, faucets and showerheads.

Electricity and Lighting: CHR replaced inefficient incandescent lighting fixtures with low wattage fluorescents and CFL’s in common areas and outdoor lighting. Also, new residents are provided with a green move-in gift with two CFL light bulbs for use in their home.

Recycling: CHR placed recycle bins at every desk company-wide and set up each computer with duplexing and scanning abilities. This helped dramatically reduce the number of copies made by company employees by almost 100,000 pieces of paper. Additionally, copy paper was switched to 30% post consumer material and 100% of toner cartridges are now sent back to the manufacturer for recycling. Overall, recycling increased by 53%.

Landscaping, Pesticides and Maintenance: The CHR Horticulture Department began replacing old leaf blowers and trimmers with fuel efficient and noise reducing equipment. Smart irrigation was installed in most communities resulting in a reduction of water usage by almost 70%. The CHR Maintenance Departments successfully instituted a light bulb and appliance replacement program that consists of replacing inefficient lighting and appliances and using proper means to recycle the old material.

By Jody Kessler/correspondent Brookline -

The Brookline Mens Softball League recently finished another season of double plays, screaming liners and home runs.

A and B Division Champions were decided on Sept. 18 at Deleteskty Diamond. Zaftigs Deli swept Moe’s Tavern in three games for the A championship, while Chestnut Hill Realty beat 1918 in a five-game series for the B championship.

Zaftigs has many players from the Smokehouse Red team, which won the last three championships before folding after last year. After beating Moe’s, 6-5, in the first game, and 4-3 in the second, Zaftigs won, 8-1, in the deciding game. The game was close for four innings until Ryan Oshea broke things open with a two-run triple in the fifth inning. Games one and two featured timely hitting from Pat Elison, including a two-run home run in game two.

Pitcher and team captain Andy Hawkridge said of the win, “Yeah, it’s been four in a row for me, five for some other guys. The guys behind me do it. We have a great ‘D.’ That’s what wins games in this league.”

“[Moe’s is a] fantastic team,” Hawkridge said. “Two runs differential in two games. It could have easily flipped. They lost some people; I think that was the difference in game three. My hats off to them.”

“It was a tough series,” Alex Dubanowitz, team leader of Moe’s said. “We had a couple of guys who moved, but we didn’t hit. The name of the game is hitting. We played good fielding. We almost won game two, they came back. We had a good time.”

The deciding game of the B series ended with drama and some controversy. The game went into extra innings. In the 8th inning (games are seven innings), Chestnut Hill went up, 9-6. 1918 came back in the bottom of the inning to score two runs. With the tying run on third base, a ball was hit around the plate, sat right next to the plate and was ruled to be in contact with the plate, and thus a fair ball. The batsman was thrown out at first for the final out. 1918 was upset with the call.

“Any ball that’s hit, if it is in contact with the plate and remains in contact with the plate is a fair ball,” lead umpire Jimmy Hennessey said. “The home plate umpire ruled the ball was in contact with the side of the plate so that makes it a fair ball.

“Zaftigs is more talented than other teams, good hitters,” Hennessey added. “They’re the best hitting team in the league.”

Hennessey said if other teams in the league want to knock Zaftigs off going forward, they’re going to have to improve their hitting and keep their fielding sharp throughout the season.

League Commissioner Bruce Raine said of the season, “It went very well. I was really happy for 1918 and Chestnut Hill Realty, two of the lower division team that are vying for the upper division. Zaftigs [Smokehouse] is there again. It’s a season that went as smoothly as others. I think everybody’s having fun. From the league point of view, we have 15 teams. We’ll get at least one more, possibly two or three.”

(Original article appeared in the Brookline Tab 9-29-08 http://www.wickedlocal.com/brookline/sports/x555997885/Two-softball-champions-Zaftigs-and-Chestnut-Hill-Realty)

Chestnut Hill, MA – August 28, 2008 – Chestnut Hill Realty (CHR), one of New England’s leading full-service real estate companies focused on multifamily residential properties, is pleased to announce that longtime employee Mark Lawrence was recently awarded Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician of the Year by the National Apartment Association Educational Institute (NAAEI). (Lawrence was recognized at the NAAEI’s 2008 PARAGON Awards Ceremony in Orlando, Fla.)

"Mark and his colleagues represent the best and the brightest in the apartment industry," said Alexandra Jackiw, CAPS, CPM, NAAEI President. “Mark’s experience and enthusiasm for community maintenance and customer service standards not only make him a valued asset to his community and his team, but he continues to set an important example for others in apartment maintenance. We are happy to bestow Mark with the 2008 NAA PARAGON Award for Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician, the highest honor that our industry
grants annually."

As Director of Maintenance for CHR, Lawrence sets the performance standards for maintenance staff at all of Chestnut Hill Realty’s residential communities. In his 23 years with CHR, he has risen through the ranks and, in 2007, was named Director of Maintenance. In this role, he and his staff are responsible for the maintenance of 3,700 apartment homes.

“Mark is an exemplary member of the team here at Chestnut Hill Realty,” said Ed Zuker, President of CHR. “Not only is he an extremely talented maintenance professional, but he is an outstanding leader and motivator of his staff. All of us at CHR congratulate Mark on this prestigious award and are very proud that his hard work and achievements have been recognized on a national level by one of the apartment industry’s leading organizations.”

Lawrence chairs CHR’s cross-divisional maintenance subcommittee, the goal of which is to foster teamwork and establish more efficient ways of doing things. He was recognized in 2007 with the Rental Housing Association’s Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician Award.

About Chestnut Hill Realty
Chestnut Hill Realty, founded in 1969, owns and manages more than 3,700 residential rental units in the Greater Boston area and Rhode Island. Other service offerings include property management, corporate housing, home sales, commercial leasing and development. Corporate offices are located at 300 Independence Drive, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467. For more information about Chestnut Hill Realty, visit www.chestnuthillrealty.com.
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Chestnut Hill, MA – July 18, 2008 – Chestnut Hill Realty (CHR), one of New
England’s leading full-service real estate companies focused on multi-family
residential properties, announces the hiring of a new property manager at its
Norwest Woods location in Norwood, MA. Deb Bullens joins Chestnut Hill
Realty from Archstone Communities, a national apartment rental company,
where she worked in various locations throughout Massachusetts including
Canton, Watertown and, most recently, a property located in Waltham.

“Deb comes to us with over a decade of management experience and an
extensive background in property management,” said Bobby Zuker, Chief
Operating Officer of CHR. “Her experience, combined with her enthusiasm and
knowledge of the area, make her a fantastic addition to Chestnut Hill Realty’s
Norwest Woods location and will allow us to further develop and improve upon
this growing property.”

“I am very excited to join the Chestnut Hill Realty family,” said Bullens. “As a
longtime resident of Canton, I have a deep affinity for this community. I am
excited to get to know the residents of Norwest Woods and be a part of such a
vibrant, beautiful and well maintained property.”

Bullens’ responsibilities will include the daily management of the 352-unit
community, with a primary focus on developing and delivering exceptional
customer service to current and prospective new residents. She will also be
charged with overseeing the property’s maintenance and landscaping staff.

Norwest Woods combines relaxed countryside living, small town charm and easy
access to major metro areas. Its spacious one, two and three bedroom
townhouses and single-level one bedroom residences feature patios, park-like
views and Energy Star® appliances. Chestnut Hill Realty recently announced the
addition of 20 brand new one-bedroom apartments at Norwest Woods, designed
to reflect the architecture of the property’s signature clubhouse.

Other recent enhancements to the property’s amenities include a refurbished
baseball field, plus the addition of a half-basketball court, soccer field, and
walking path. These additions complement the existing tennis courts, pool and
clubhouse, a popular spot for parties and recreational activities.

About Chestnut Hill Realty
Chestnut Hill Realty, founded in 1969, owns and manages more than 3,700 residential
rental units in the Greater Boston area and Rhode Island. Other service offerings include
property management, corporate housing, home sales, commercial leasing and
development. Corporate offices are located at 300 Independence Drive, Chestnut Hill,
MA 02467. For more information about Chestnut Hill Realty, visit
www.chestnuthillrealty.com.