HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-02-09 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING 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.
Mrs. Pierce also brought up the fact that a representative from EKARC,
Mrs. Cripps, had also been in touch with her again to see if the Board has put
any more thought into applying for Chapter 689 funds through E.O.C.D. for the
acquisition of a home for retarded adults. This item had been side - tracked over
the past months with the discussion of additional family or elderly housing, but
the members present could not see any reason why the matter shouldn't be pur
sued, and certainly there is the need for such a facility.
Therefore, it was decided to take some action in the direction of all
the above Programs, and see what funding can be obtained to give housing ass!
ance to the individuals in need among the aforementioned groups.
Accordingly, a motion was made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Westra
and unanimouslys
VOTEDs That the Reading Housing Authority make application under the
Federally funded Low Rent Public Housing Program for 40 units of elderlyttm
rehabilitation of a public building, and 40 units-of family housing through
acquisition of scattered sites.
Also, to make application for funding under State Chapter 689 for ac-
quisition of a facility for retarded adults.
The Chairman thereupon declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Mr. Heym left the meeting at this point.
At this time, Mr. White made a Motion which was seconded by Mr.
and unanimously:
VOTED: That the meeting go into Executive Session.
The Chairman,-,thereupon declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
During this time, Mrs. Pierce and Mrs. Rensello discussed a tenant on
the Section 8 Program, Mrs. Cecily Beaman.
A notion was then made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Westra and
VOTED: That the meeting go out of Executive Session.
The Chairman thereupon declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Mrs. Pierce read a letter from Fred S. James & Company, the insurance
agency to which HUD awarded the General Liability Insurance coverage in the
New England area. It was suggested that Authorities carry this insurance fo:
their Section 8 Programs as it is not included in the coverage which the
Authority has for their housing project. The cost is a very reasonable 920
per unit.Sor $2 million worth of coverage. The Board felt that at a cost
of less than $55 it would be well worth having to cover defense expenses
alone in the event of a suit.
Mrs. Pierce was asked to contact James' and make the necessary
ments to have this coverage.
Patricia Rensello left the meeting at this time.
2.
Mr. Dempster had been contacted by the Board of Appeals to have some re ese;
(6vtation from the Housing Authority at their meeting concerning the proposed housing
for the elderly by the Congregational Church. He asked that members make a note of
the date of February 18th and try to attend if possible.
It was also suggested that Mrs. Pierce send a letter in advance of the eetin
to the Board of Appeals reiterating the Authority's support of the Church's project
based on the need for this type of housing as evidenced by the waiting list for
Tannerville.
Mrs. Pierce advised the members that E.O.C.D. has put together new leases
for public housing tenants and she was in the process of preparing them for all
current tenants to sign. This lease is the result of many meetings and input from
all sources involved and will be put into effect on March 1, 1981. The only item
not resolved as yet by E.O.C.D. is the charge for air conditioners. Previously,
each Housing Authority had their own rate and method of payment, but now the am unt
and method of payment will be determined by E.O.C.D. and the details of this will
be forth - coming.
Mrs. Pierce said she planned to have a general meeting with the tenants
go over the lease, paragraph by paragraph, to simply it for them and answer an,
questions that they may have on the spot. Then, she will call each building o
one at a time for signing.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, and upon a
_duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting. The
ian thereupon adjourned the meeting at 10 :00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
anet Pierce, Executive
Addendum:
Upon a motion made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Westra, it was
VOTED: To accept for the record, the Minutes of the regular meeting o
January 12, 1981, copies of which had previously bean mailed to all members
The Chairman thereupon declared said motion carried and said vote in effect
Upon a motion made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Westra, it was una
VOTED: To approve and pay checks and bills in the amount of $14,105.!
for and to ratify the signing of checks for Section 8 in the amount o:
$11,373.33 ($10,000 of which was a deposit into the savings account). A lii
these checks is attached hereto a nd made a part of these Minutes.
The Chairman thereupon declared said motion carried and said vote in effect
tion
and
C•T4
3•
At this time, it was determined that the BayBank Middlesex checking account
showed a deficit balance of $6,977.46 for 667 -C and in order to pay the current
bills, a motion was made by Mr. Westra and seconded by Mr. White, and unanimo sly:
VOTED: To withdraw $7,500 from the M.M.D.T. savings account to be deposited
into the BayBank checking account.
The Chairman thereupon declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Mrs. Pierce reported also that the balance in the M.M.D.T. savings acco
was $28,464.59 as of January 31, 1981. All rents have been collected for the
month of February, totalling $6,956.00.
Upon a motion made by Mr. Westra and seconded by Mr. White, it was
VOTEDs To accept the Financial Report as read.
The Chairman thereupon declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
R
I
L A
TOWN OF READING
To Town Clerk Fe &= 19 81
16 Lowell Street
Reading, Ma., 01867
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, of the General Laws as mmendAd
a meeting of
will be held ati 44 r-r ix .ij = tanner Drive
(Location) 7
on the following date /a Monday, February 9, 1981 Time:
Time:
for the purpose of Matters of administration, management and f.
control of the Housing for the Elderly Project and
Posted
related Programs. /--)
Executive Director
P.M.
seal
READING HOUSING AUTHORITY
Checks & Bills
February -9, 1981
x. No. Account
2485 James L. Muise (ratify only - already signed)
2486 to of of
2487 of to of
2488 to if to
2489 Janet Pierce
2490 Mahlon D. Crouse
2491 U. S. Trust Company (Deferred Comp. - JLM & JP)
2492 BayBank Middlesex (Fed. Inc. Tax Withheld)
2493 Comm. of Mass. - Dept. of Revenue (Mass. Inc. Tax)
2494 Town of Reading Contrib. Ret. Fund (JLM & JP)
2495 Comm. of Mass. - Group Ins. Comm. (JIM - Health Ins.)
2496 of it it if to " (qtrly, payment from RHA)
2497 Town Collector (Water and sewer bills)
2498 Corroon & Black of Mass. (Gen. Liab. Ins. - 1981)
2499 Reading Municipal Light Dept.
Aw New England Telephone
2501 Richard D. Avery (Elec. Heater repair)
2.502 Joseph H. Young Company (Koehler plumbing parts)
2503 Johnson Farm Supply, Inc.
2504 D. & J. Repair (Refrig. - 29-4; Range - 36 -1 Repairs)
2,505 Mass. Sanitary Sup* Co. - (Maint. supplies & new Vacuum
cleaner)
2506 Reading Disposal, Inc. - (trash collection)
2507 V. Canelas Co., Inc. - (garbage collection)
2508 James L. Muise - (overtime - snow removal)
2509 Petty Cash - RHA
2510 Little's Business Service
Ratify
SECTION 8 CHECKS
1633 Patricia Renzello (Feb. pay)
16,52 Richard Fenton ( gtrly accounting secs.)
1655 Deposit into Reading Savings Bank
Ic Robert D. Gersh & Company (biennual acctg. secs.)
Date of Inv.
2/6/81
2/13/81
2/20/81
2/27/81
1/31/81
1/31/81
2/28/81
1/31/81
1/31/81
1/31/81
2/28/81
12/26/80
1/1/81
1/8/81
1/28/81
1/16/81
12/10/80
1/26/81
1/24/81
1/22/81
1/22/81
1/31/81
1/31/81
1/31/81
2/9/81
2/6/81 $
2/2/81
2/2/81
il4181
Amount
237.99
237.99
237.99
213.84
404.42
251.67
180.00
331.40
125.82
154.4o
24.15
313.26
1,863.00
553.00
8,163.96
38.67
20.00
15.60
55.60
13.95
274.00
140.00
22.00
75.89
,.&vJ.
833.33
90.00
10,000.00
4,50.00