HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-05 Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY
' MINUTES OF THE Regular BOARD MEETING, April 5.2010
A regular business meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday, April 5, 2010 at
5:30 P.M at the office of the Reading Housing Authority the town of Reading, Mass. The meeting was
called to order at 5:40 P.M. with the Vice - Chair, Diane Cohen, presiding. Those members present and
forming a quorum were Timothy Kelley, Kevin Mulvey, and Mary Connors well as the
Secretary/Executive Director, Lyn Whyte. Karen L. Flammia was absent.
Minutes Move Tim Second Mary Vote 4-0
10-45 VOTED: To accept for the record the Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of March 1,
2010, as presented.
Finances Move Tim Second Mary Vote 4-0
10 46 VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/billmll for the period for Accounts Payable
Check #2683 -2738 Payroll Summary as presented for March 2010. Section 8 Voucher Program,
#4725 -4818 as presented.
Finances Move Tim Second Mary Vote 4-0
10-47 VOTED: To certify receipt of monthly operating statements for all RHA programs for the
month end February, 2010 of the current fiscal year.
' HUD Annual Aeencv Plan Update Move Tim Second Diane Vote 4-0
10 -48 VOTED: To approve the RHA Streamlined Annual Agency Plan Update m presented for
submission to HUD.
Section 8 Admin. Plan Move Tim Second Kevin Vote 4-0
1049 VOTED: To approve the Section 8 Administrative Plan as presented for use in the
administration of RHA's federal housing program.
DOS Rate Chanee Move Kevin Second Mary Vote 4 -0
10 -50 VOTED: To accept and approve the minimum base wage rates as presented by Comm. Of
MA, DOS effective 04/01/10 for General Maintenance @ $ 23.44 base rate and Maintenance Man II
@ $21.87 base rate
Administrative Staff Bonus Move Tiro Second Mary Vote 4 -0
10 -51 VOTED: To approve the distribution of a 5% FY2010 bonus for a total of $7984.95 to RHA
administrative staff members K. Rolf, C. Sutherland, M. Hudzik and L. Whyte as presented in report
analysis of salary expenses to date.
Personnel Matters:
- State Ethics Commission Training. All RHA staff and Board Members have completed this training.
- Executive Director presented salary analysis to Board for consideration of proposed bonus for
' Administrative Staff members only.
RHA is participating in the Senior Community Service Program (formerly AARP) and will have
available an administrative support person for 20 hours per week at no cost to the agency. This person
will work five hours per day for four days per week effective 3/30/2010.
Report of Proerams:
' - Vacancy Report- Mitch Hudzik, State Program Coordinator provided her monthly report. We have
had two new lease -ups in our elderly program but all state family units are fully leased.
Sec 8 Report- Kathy Rolf, Section 8 Program Director provided a recent delinquent report as of
2 @8/10 indicating 100% reporting rates and 95% lease -up rates. As of March 2010, RHA has issued
all available vouchers. Also, HUD is changing how they distribute administrative fees to HA's as of
January 2010. This change will increase RHA monies due from HUD.
- Resident Service Coordinator- Current Tannerville Newsletter provided.
New Businms-
- RHA is working with Primoris Inc to implement GASB 45 accounting measures for year -end June
2010. This analysis determines the potential expense associated with retirees; past and future. We will
have the report completed for year -end processing.
- RHA presented an application to the Reading Conservation Commission to modify the existing plan at
41-43 Wilson Street as it pertains to the retention basin on that site at a public hearing on March 24,
2010. Town Engineer, George Zamborous presented his findings to the Board on behalf of the RHA.
By a majority vote, the Board instructed Fran Fink to draft a new order of conditions to be presented at
its meeting on April 14, 2010 for final approval. If final dmft approved, RHA will move forward with
assistance from Reading's DPW to proceed with the work at that location.
- Review of required annual plans to HUD along with requested changes to Section 8 Administrative
Plan was presented to the Board by the Executive Director. Upon discussion and Board approval, the
Plan will be submitted electronically to HUD by its due date of 4/16/2010.
- Division of Occupational Safety issued its new labor rates to become effective 4/01/10 for maintenance
personnel. This years increase is equal to a 2 -Ys % increase. At the present time, housing authorities are
mandated by law to implement these increases despite the negative fiscal impact it has had on many
agencies.
Walsh & Associates June 2009 provided final audit report for FY to RHA. The report was given to
RHA Board Members for their review. All required reports are in process of being submitted
electronically to HUD by deadline of 4/30/10 as required.
The Commonwealth of Mass auditors just completed their two -year compliance audit for FY 08 & 09
as required by state regulations. There were no findings indicated in our exit interview held on 3/23/10.
Full report has not yet been provided to the RHA for our files.
Real Estate Matter:
11 Grand Street update: The RHA engaged the services of the Middlesex Sheriff's Department to
empty out the house during the week of 3/22 through 3/26/2010. There were eight dumpsters
used during the week for the removal of all contents of this building. The cost is expected to be in
the area of $5000 to complete that job. We had an excellent working crew from the Sheriff's
Dept. and all work was completed as planned. Local authorities and nearby neighbors were
informed of our plans prior to starting that job. All went well.
RHA does not pay taxes on properties that we own. We do participate in a PILOT program,
however, the Town has been without an assessor, therefore, the transfer of paperwork within the
tax department has been held up. Ms. Kimball, Executor for Mr. Thompson's estate is concerned
' that she will be responsible for the May 1 tax bill. I have told her to provide that bill to RHA and
we will work with the Town to have all the information transferred. The Board would consider
paying the estate, per diem for past taxes paid by Mr. Thompson.
An invoice in the amount of $1128.00 for legal services from Latham and Latham has been
presented to RHA regarding the initial transfer of property and establishment of life estate.
Executive Director approved the invoice for payment.
Discussion on future plans for this properly took place. At this time, the Board has requested a
' certified appraisal on the property. The Executive Director will contact a local appraiser to begin
that process. Also, RHA is to submit request to the Town to demolish the home.
Board Schedule
May, 2010 BOARD MEETING: 05/03/2010 @ 5:30 PM
10 -052 TO ADJOURN: 6:25 PM. Move Kevin Second Mary Vote 4 -0
RespeSt�ully submitted, /
h C._. c � (stn
Lyn E. Whyte, Secretary/ & Executive Director