HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-09-08 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY
' MINUTES OF THE Regular BOARD MEETING. September08. 2008
A regular business meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday, September 08, 2008 at 7:00 P.M at
the office of the Reading Housing Authority the town of Reading, Mass. The meeting was called to order at 7:10 P.M.
with the Chair, Mary Connors, presiding. Those members present and forming a quorum were Kevin Mulvey, Diane
Cohen, Timothy J. Kelley and Karen L. Flammia as well as the Secmtary/Executive Director, Lyn Whyte.
Minutes Move Diane Second Tim Vote 4-0 1 Absent for vote
09 -019 VOTED: To accept for the record the Minutes of the Annual Business Meeting of August 4, 2008, as
presented.
Finances Move Tim Second Diane Vote 5-0
09 -020 VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/bilholl for the period for Accounts Payable Check 81770 -1823
Payroll Summary as presented for August, 2008. Section 8 Voucher Program, #2897 -2992 as presented.
Finances Move Tim Second Diane Vote 5 -0
09 -021 VOTED: To certify receipt of monthly operating statements for all RHA programs for the month end July,
2008 of the current fiscal year.
Emergency work at Summer /Main properties Move Tim Second Karen Vote 5-0
09 -022 VOTED: To authorize the Executive Director to enter into an emergency contract not to exceed $10,000.00
with Bennett Construction, Wakefield, MA to replace and repair porch and stairs at RHA Summer /Main properties as
outlined in proposal.
Fire Alarm repairs Move Karen Second Tim Vote 5-0
09 -023 VOTED: To authorize the Executive Director to enter into a contract with Atlas Alarm Company to replace
four alarm panels damaged in an electrical stone in the Frank Tanner Drive complex at a cost of $4771.00 per building
less insurance reimbursement of $14,997.16 form adjusted RHA expenditure of an amount not to exceed $5000.00.
Work Plan 1005 - Sidewalks and oavina Move Karen Second Tim Vote 5-0
09 -024 VOTED: To authorize Executive Director to pay $54,433.70 to Allied Paving Corporation, Chelmsford, MA
out of RHA state reserve monies for invoice #I in conjunction with curbing, paving and sidewalk repairs at our 667 state
elderly complex. This expenditure will be reimbursed by contract previously signed with DHCD.
Personnel Matters:
- None.
Report of Programs:
- Vacancy Report-. Report prepared by Mitch Hudzik, State Program Coordinator. There were four turnovers in our
667 elderly program. In process of leasing all units. There is one vacancy in our 705 family program as a result of an
eviction. Offer has been made to next qualified family on wait list and will be leased upon completion of that
process.
- Sec 8 Report- No official report presented until quarter end, however, we are leased at this time.
- Resident Service Coordinator- Current Tannerville Newsletter provided.
New Business:
- RHA received an insurance settlement in the amount of $14,997.16 as a result of RHA claim for lightning damage to
four buildings within our 667 elderly development. The board authorized the executive director to enter into a contract
with Atlas Alarm Company to install fora new addressable fire alarm panels to repair damage. Total cost of project is
expected to be $19,084.00. Offset by insurance results in an expenditure of approximately $4087.00. Motion was
presented and approved.
RHA mod plan for installation of granite curbing, sidewalk repair and overlays and roadway has been completed. This
project was a joint effort with the Town of Reading. First invoice of S54,433.70 for curbing and front sidewalks was
submitted to DHCD for review and subsequent approval. Executive Director provided documentation of DHCD
approval and requested authorization to make payment directly to the Town of Reading's subcontractor, Allied Paving
using RHA funds with expected reimbursement from state following. Motion was presented and approved.
' - Executive Director requested permission to expend approximately $10,000 and enter into an emergency contract with
Bennett Construction of Wakefield, MA to repair staircases at our Main Street and Summer Avenue properties, along
with the replacement of a porch at Summer Avenue. The Executive Director presented the proposals for this work
along with documentation indicating the need for these emergency repairs. Motion was presented and approved.
New banking signature cards for accounts at the Reading Cooperative Bank were presented to all board members for
their signatures in order to update records. Former board member, John Coate was removed as a signer and Kevin
Mulvey was an addition.
- FY2009 budget guidelines were presented to the board for their review prior to the FY09 budget being formerly presented at our
October meeting. Although there is a um increase in state funding proposed for this yew, authorities will be afforded more
flexibility within the budget line items. Retained revenue agencies, such as the RHA, will have the continued ability to provide
some increases utilizing our federal funded programs although the Executive Director is suggesting caution due to increasing can
of utilities and a deem. in rental income; two major items beyond the control of any agency. The overall intent of this years
budget will be to maintain our properties while continuing to make capital improvements that our within our budget and immediate
control. A formal presentation will most likely be presented at the October meeting.
Real Estate Matter:
- Update 75 Pleasant Street: The sale of this BHA property took place on September 3, 2008. Proceeds of
$77,560.97 were realized by BHA. There is a legal bill yet to be presented to us for payment by Brad Latham at
this time. Since the property had no deed restrictions associated with it the funds have been deposited in an
BHA account for that program. Those funds do not have to be set aside in a restricted reserve, however, will be
invested with other funds.
- Resale of affordable unit at Gazebo Circle. The Executive Director presented the request of present owner, Mr.
Memory, to have the RHA exercise its option to purchase the unit. All attempts have been made since
November 2007 to locate a buyer but with no offer being made. An appraisal of unit with a market garage
attached for $270,000 was submitted for discussion. The discount rate, per deed rider, is 20% below market for
the affordable wit only. The garage might market for $10,000415,000. Taking that into consideration, the
1 value of unit is approximately $204,000. The Director did not recommend purchasing the unit at this time due
to our loss in FY08 in that program and due to the fact that other properties owned by the BHA are in need of
capital improvement. In order for us to break even, we would need to make a down payment of 37% or higher.
That amount would significantly impact the financial stability of this program at the present time. Upon further
discussion, Tim Kelley suggested we contact the town manager to discuss this situation and request the release
of funds from the affordable housing trust fund established for the Town of Reading in order to purchase this
unit. The Executive Director will make contact as soon as possible in order to make a final decision at our
October board meeting. RHA will also keep the present owner informed of our plans to negotiate the purchase
of his affordable unit.
Board Schedule
October, 2008 BOARD MEETING: 10/06/2008 @ 7 PM
09 -025 TO ADJOURN: 8:35 PM. Move Tim Second Karen Vote 4-0 1absent
mec ysubmitted,
y
E. Whyte, Secretary & Executive Director