Dear John: I’ve been a co-op owner at Queens’ Deepdale Gardens for more than 14 years.

We received School Tax Relief Exemption (STAR) credits in June of each year from the New York City Finance Department. Last year, the co-op board authorized an assessment of $300, plus a one-time abatement.

However, this year it is once again taking out an assessment. The co-op office couldn’t tell me what the assessment is for.
Is that legal? J. & E.

Dear J. & E.: The city finance department says it has no control over the assessments that your co-op imposes. The city credit you get is separate.

And, yes, I believe that co-op owners are entitled to know where the board is spending your money. I suppose you’ve asked and have been told.

I called Deepdale Gardens and management refused to give me any details about the assessment or anything else.

The phone number is (718) 428-6011 in case anyone with a sense of fairness would like to try for themselves.