HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-08-04 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF THE Regular BOARD MEETING, August 04.2008
A regular business meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday, August 04, 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 Char, Mary Connors, presiding. Those members present and forming a quorum
were Diane Cohen, Kevin Mulvey and Karen L. Plantain as well as the Secretary/Executive Director, Lyn
Whyte. Timothy J. Kelley absent.
Minutes Move Diane Second Karen Vote 4 -0
09 -014 VOTED: To accept for the record the Minutes of the Annual Business Meeting of July 1, 2008, as
presented.
Finances Move Kevin Second Diane Vote 4-0
09 -015 VOTED: To approve and sign the checkrollfbillroll for the period for Accounts Payable Check
#1697 -1769 Payroll Summary as presented for July, 2008. Section 8 Voucher Program, #2803 -2896
as presented.
Finances Move Diane Second Karen Vote 4-0
09 -016 VOTED: To certify receipt of monthly operating statements for all RHA programs for the month
end June, 2008 of the current fiscal year.
Pet Waiver 667 Development Move Karen Second Diane Vote 4 -0
09 -017 VOTED: To approve and authorize the tenant at #8 -8 to have a cat in accordance with the rules for
Pet Ownership promulgated by DHCD and the Reading Housing Authority Pet Policy after assurance that
all conditions for pet ownership are in place
Personnel Matters:
- Provided the Board with an updated list of Town of Reading Liaison assignments. Mr. Rick Schubert is the
RHA liaison for the upcoming fiscal year.
Report of Programs:
- Vacancy Report- A report was provided by State Program Coordinator, Mitch Hudzik indicating only one
elderly vacancy and new lease up at Tannerville and one new two bedroom family lease -up at our Pleasant
Street properties for the month of July. We have notice of five expected elderly vacancies for August 31 ".
We are pulling applicants from our wait list.
- Sec 8 Report- No official report will be provided until Qtr. End September 2008. However, our Section 8
program is fully leased at this time. We do expect some available vouchers in the next few months but have
already pulled from the wait list to screen additional applicants for final eligibility.
- Resident Newsletter- Current Tannerville Newsletter for the week beginning July 26° was provided.
New Business:
A request for a pet waiver was made by a new tenant in Bldg. 8 -8 to have a cat in accordance with the rules
' for Pet Ownership. All required documentation was provided to both the Housing Authority office and to the
Board for their review. A motion (09 -017) was presented and duly recorded. RHA state program coordinator
will be informed of the vote.
The modernization project for new curbing, sidewalks and street overlay at our elderly development is well
underway. DHCD construction advisor, Mr. Bill Miller, has been at the site with a nod of approval from
them. The Town of Reading continues to oversee the work being done by the outside contractor, Allied
Paving, out of Chelmsford. At this time, curbing is in place, 80% of the sidewalks are finished. The
' contractor is expected to complete his work by week end August 8' The Town is scheduled to come in the
week of August 11 ° to complete the overlay, striping of lot and last of smaller rear sidewalks, All billing will
be submitted to DHCD office for approval and payment. The HA has utilized the $90,000 grant monies
awarded in October 2007.
- Four buildings at our elderly development on Frank Tanner Drive experienced damage to its fire slant
system during a lightning storm on June 24, 2008 in the early evening hours. As a result of this damage,
a claim was submitted to the Commonwealth of Mass. An adjuster was assigned to the agency and upon
inspection of the damaged equipment has authorized the replacement of four fire alarm panels. The
panels cost approximately $5000 each, however, insurance payment will cover all expenses with the
exception of the standard $5000 deductible. We have received two comparable quotes from Atlas
Alarm Company and American Alarm to do the work. The HA may now authorize one of these
companies to proceed with payment expected from the insurance company to the HA.
- The Board was informed of a potential termination of tenancy for a family located at Oakland/Waverly
Development. The local police department is also involved as well. The matter has been referred to
legal counsel due to its seriousness and we have been advised by counsel to proceed with an eviction as a
result of the charges being brought against this tenant. The director will continue to monitor the
problem and inform the Chair of any changes in this matter.
Legal counsel has reminded the RHA that DHCD recommends (Public Notice 2003 -04) the institution of a
pool policy at all of its family developments due to an unacceptable level of risk to personal injury claims.
The HA does have such a policy in place and is part of a lease addendum provided to each tenant household.
We will send out a notice to all families reminding them of their responsibility to adhere to their lease
addendum. RHA has not been enforcing this policy due to our small number of family units but based on
this reminder, the HA has elected to turn off the outside water supply at our family locations which
' substantially limits the unauthorized use of water. Maintenance personnel will access water as needed.
Real Estate Matter:
- Update 75 Pleasant Street: 1) The HA advertised the results of the bid opening for the sale of
Pleasant Street property in the Central Register as required. 20 The Executive Director signed the
Purchase and Sale Agreement on the 18' of July 2008 and is in receipt of a deposit of $13,750.00.
The FIA hopes to pass papers on this property the first or second week of August at the office of RHA
counsel, Mr. Brad Latham. All monies from the sale will be deposited and considered part of
restricted reserves. 3) The RHA did renew its insurance coverage on the said property for a three -
month period of time rather than the initial six -month policy originally proposed at the July meeting.
The savings to the authority was approximately $900.00, however, if we pass before the three month
policy expires, there will be no refund of dollars for the cancellation of said policy.
Board Schedule
September, 2008 BOARD MEETING:09 /082008 @ 7 PM
09 -011 TO ADJOURN: 8:07 PM. Move Kama Second Diane Vote 4-0
Respec Ily submitted,
' Lyn E. Whyte, Secretary & Executive Director