1981-02-09 Reading Housing Authority Minutes

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READING HOUSING AUTHORITY ( Minutes of the Regular Meeting - February 9, 1981 The Reading Housing Authority met in regular session on Monday, Fe 9, 1981, at 7 :30 P.M. at 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive in the Town of Beading, Massachusetts. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Dempster. T members also present were Mr. Westra and Mr. Uhite,forming a quorum. Mrs. Pierce, the Executive Director, was also present. In attendance also for a time, was Mr. Rick Heym of Eavirodesign, Architects, and Patricia Rensello, Section 8 Administrator for the Authority. Mr. Dempster first addressed Mr. Heym concerning his report on the comparison of energy used for this year as compared to last, in the three moni period that the additional attic insulation has been installed. His report contained a computation by degree days to give an accurate accounting of the kilowatt hours used, and the resulting figures showed a savings of approximatq 5%. which is close to that which had been anticipated originally. There foll a lengthy discussion on various alternatives to saving energy, and steps that be taken further when funds are available. The Energy Conservation Program application which the Authority sent in to E.O.C.D. last August was mentioned - and Mrs. Pierce said that she hah never heard any more about it. Mr. Dempster asked that she check again with E.O.C.D. to see what the status of that application was at this time. It was also suggested that Mrs. Pierce talk to the tenants at their meeting about the use of conservation measures in their apartments and the ways that they can he in some small way to relieve the high utility costs. :Hick Heym also requested the Board's opinion on a matter under the ne Modernisation project for which he is preparing specifications. One of the items is the replacement of shutters in the entire project. However, after a tour of the area, he found that most of the shutters in the newer section were fairly good, but those in the older section were badly in need of replacement. Since the cost of shutters is so high, Mr. Heym thought that the Authority could save money by taking off all the shutters in the old section and using the better ones for replacement in the newer section. Then, either iinyl or wood shutters would be used to replace all in the older section. What he want from the Authority, was their opinion on this arrangement, and the type of shu tars to be purchased. The cost of the wooden ones are $60 per pair, and the vinyl ones are $30 per pair. After some discussion, the Board agreed that for the purpose of the future maintenance, as well as the lower cost, the Lnyl shutters should be called for in the specifications. Next, Mr. Heym presented to the Board, a summary of the current hous. ing programs available through which the Authority could apply for funding, and gave his comments on the various types. Pat Ren$ello joined the discussi< ,at this point, as she had attended a meeting at which applications were distr: for HUD's Low Rent Public Housing Program. Under this Program, applications be accepted at any time and funding is now available. Applications do not N to be site specific and can include family and elderly. owed can 1.