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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-05 Reading Housing Authority Minutest READING HOUSING AUTHORITY Minutes of the Meeting of January 5. 1998 A regular Board meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday, January 5, 1998 at 5:30 P.M. at the office of the Authority, 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive in the Town of Reading, Massachusetts: The Chairman, Rev. Robert K. Sweet, Jr., called the meeting to order. Those members present and forming a quorum were: Mr. Allen and_ Ms. Connors. Mr. Kell y and Ms. Galvin were unable to attend the meeting. Ms. Plansky, the Executive Director, w also in attendance. Minutes Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Connors, it was unanimously VOTED: To accept for the record the Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of December 1, 1997, as presented. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Connors, it was unanimously VOTED: To accept for the record the Minutes of the Meeting of December 2, 1997, as presented. Finances Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Connors, it was unanimously VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/billroll for the period for Accounts Payable Ch k #3793 -3864; Payroll Check #1589 -1642; Section 8 Certificate Program #4119 -4170; Section 8 Voucher Program #1823 -1847; and Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program #537 -538, as presented. Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Connors and seconded by Mr. Allen, it was unanimously VOTED: To approve the expenses for the Executive Director for the NERC/NAHRO Conference on February 9 -11, 1998 in Newport, Rhode Island. One focus of the conference alternative financing for development, which would be advantageous if we get the Pleasant lot. State Bud=t An royal The Authority has received approval for the State budgets, with approval to expend the money to construct the new garage and convert that space to offices. The Executive Director has promised to get started on this right away. Will have to follow proper bid procedures after receiving working documents from the architect. The maintenance supervisor has been in contact with Page 2 Minutes 1/5/98 Boston Gas Company, Bob Cavicchi, about running a gas line to the garage and office. He suggested that this may be the prototype for converting the other buildings in this development.. MR VP -Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Connors and seconded by Mr. Allen, it was unanimously VOTED: To approve the Annual Contributions Contract with Department of Housing and Conununity Development r 5 um s )f MRVF f6or Reading Housing Authority e fflective September 1, 1997 through August 31, 1998, as presented. Trash Contract The trash contract we have has been with C &C Disposal, and they have been taken over by USA Waste of Massachusetts. USA has agreed to assignment of the contract. The Director spoke with Attorney Greco who informed her that assignment of the contract does not require rebidding the contract if they accept it as awarded. Stewart Curran of USA Waste has agreed to accept assignment and will forward a letter to the Authority stating the same. Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Connors and seconded by Mr. Allen, it was unanimously VOTED: To approve the assignment of the trash contract from C &C to USA Waste of Massachusetts under the same terms and conditions as awarded. tility Service Purc With the deregulation of utilities, the Authority will have to make some decisions about where to buy its electric and oil. Currently, we are members of RMLD, and as this is a municipally owned utility, we do not have to decide this year. Also, we get our oil from Citizens Energy as a non- profit provider of low- income housing. We do not pay for the gas, the tenants do in each building. We may consider converting Main Street/Summer Avenue from oil to gas; then we will have to make the decision as to where to buy the gas. I have sent a letter to Springfield Housing Associates, Inc. in regard to joining the utility purchasing program they has set up. There is no obligation, but this will serve as a benchmark to the price we should be paying. The Executive Director was asked to inform the Municipal Light department of this opportunity with the group. FSS Revolving Loan Fund Thanks to the generosity of contributors, the RHA has $1800 to set up a revolving loan program. We have one application and have formulated a set of rules and an application for requesting the Page 3 Miqutes 1/S/98 funds. The interest rate to be charged will be what HUD has approved for imputing income f Dr assets, which is 2.3$. The following contributions were received from: Reading Clergy Association $ 1000.00 Reading Rotary Club 300.00 Reading Cooperative Bank 500.00 Town -owned land - Pleasant/Wilson Streets Informational was held on, December 9, 1997 at 7:30 PM at the Senior Center - 49 Pleasant Street. The Director was asked to contact the Town Manager to follow -up on what the Board Selectmen. were doing in consultation with Conservation Commission on this matter. The le from Don Nadeau, Conservation Administrator, regarding the wetlands issues on this proper) which was prepared for the Board of Selectmen by Mr. Nadeau was presented to the Board. 689 Program: Did not schedule an open house. Any thoughts on how to approach this? 667 Program - One apartment turnover for December 1997; another for January 1998. Both have been leased. 705 Program - Fully leased and no vacancies during the month or anticipated in the near Schoolhouse - Mr. Allen has submitted his name for nomination to serve on the Board of Directors at the Old Schoolhouse Condominium Association. The annual meeting is sche for Tuesday, January 27, 1998 at 7 PM at the Reading Public Library. Ms. Connors reported that her son's car had been broken into while parked on the lot in a vis: space. She also reported that there were problems with trash pick -up when the holiday fell o regular pick -up day. The Director will get some information from the Town regarding their policy in this regard. Summer/Main Street - One vacancy for this month. Have a tenant for February 1, 1998. Gazebo Circle - All units are leased. Mr. Allen and the Director have submitted their name: nomination to the Board of Directors for Summit Village. The annual meeting is scheduled Monday, January 26, 1998 at 7 PM at the Reading Public Library. of s for Page 4 Minutes 1/5/98 Personnel A change in the work hours was reviewed and approved by the Board, as follows: work late one night per week; add 1/2 hour each day and close early on Fridays for a total of 35 hours for administrative staff. This is similar to many of the other housing authorities. The Personnel Policy will be updated for presentation at the next meeting. The Chairman requested that a ton-nal evaluation be peiTo-nned orfffe Executive Diiectol. The Director will send a copy of the form that is used by the Authority for all other personnel. The next meeting scheduled for February 2, 1998 at 5:30 P.M. There being no further business before the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 7:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Marg K. Plansky, Secretary and Executive Director