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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-10 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY Minutes of the Meeting of March 10, 1997 A regular business meeting of the members of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Mon March 10, 1997 at 7:00 P.M. at the office of the Authority, 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive in the T of Reading, Massachusetts. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. with the Chairman, Sweet, presiding. Those members present and forming a quorum were: Mr. Kelley, Ms. Conr Ms. Galvin and Mr. Allen. The Executive Director, Ms. Plansky, was also in attendance. Representing the Department of Mental Retardation were Amanda Chalmers, Dan Lincoln, J Rider and their attorney, Kathleen Gallagher. Representing the Authority was John L. Greco, attorney. Minutes Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Kelley, it was unanimously VOTED: To approve and accept for the record the Minutes of the regular session of February 3, 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. Galvin, it was unanimously VOTED: To, approve and sign �he checkroll/billroll for the period for Accounts Payable #3273 -3339; Payroll Check #1261 -1309; Section 8 Certificate Program #3565 -3618 Se Voucher Program #1601 -1629; and Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program #511 -514, as pre The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. ,, , Upon -a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously VOTED: To approve and ratify the Annual Budget for the Section 8 Existing and Section 8 V Programs, as prepared by the fee accountant, Fenton, Ewald and Associates, as presented. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. ii Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously of Page 2 Minutes 3/10/97 VOTED: To accept for the record the Single Audit for all Reading Housing Authority programs for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997 as prepared by Sandra Wrona, CPA of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, which shows no findings or recommendations. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Kelley, it was unanimously VOTED: To authorize and approve an amount up to $3,000 to install crash bars at rear door of the ten buildings in the development. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. In presenting this item for discussion, the Executive Director told the Board that installation of crash bars were necessary as we now have slide bolts on the back doors and they are difficult to open and close. The tenants are nervous having the back doors open. The front doors are always open but are more visible to others within the development. They do not want the security taken away; the fire department considers these slide bolts to be a safety hazard in case of fire. Therefore, the recommendation is the installation of a crash bar with a locking device with a key same as the laundry room key, so that tenants can enter through the back door. Construction of Garagg Upon a'motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Connors, it was unanimously VOTED: To authorize and approve the expenditure of up to $2500 for architectural services to construct the 3 bay garage at the rear of 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. t M,, , 8 689 Program - The Executive Director spoke with Jane Rider from DMR regarding the turnover of the building and what work DMR would be willing to do in the house. The Board reviewed the items that EMARC was responsible for correcting per lease agreement. The representatives from DMR met with the Board at 8:00 P.M. Introductions were made and 3 3/10/97 the Chairman, Executive Director and the RHA attorney presented the problems with the new for 74 Bancroft Avenue, as follows: * The lease given to the RHA is different than the current lease with EM, The Board was assured that there would be no changes. This lease is a "; model agreement; the lease with EMARC is a "Vendor" model Leas Management Agreement and there are changes between these docume * Board wants a 1 year .term; not 5 year. * 8 units per CFA; not 4 as requested by DMR * Accept changes as per John Greco's recommendations regarding lanl change for DMR responsibility for tenant/staff conduct as well as marked changes. * Initial rent should include the 4.3% increase due 7/1/97 and commei $1200 /month through June 30, 1998. * Insurance requirements - RHA as also insured; must have required cov * The RHA requires indemnification by DMR or an insurance policy i would be added to the cost of the rent. * This is' a Management Contract; RHA wants Lease and Manage Contract. lease kRC. >tate" and at ich Ms. Gallagher, Mr. Lincoln and Ms. Chalmers from DMR presented their responses. DMR dos not want to move clients without a firm 5 year commitment. Language can be worked out which would allow a move in consultatio with DMR- DMR no longer operates an 8 person program; 4 persons is their model. * DMR was concerned that the language regarding responsibility for co 1duct for staff and clients was "discriminatory". Mr. Greco stated that this w not discriminatory as it required only that which is required of other housing tenants. Mr. Greco and Ms. Gallagher will work this language out. * Rent is acceptable at $1200 per month. * DMR will not insure or indemnify the RHA as they are a state agency and are therefore self - insured. The Board discussed the problems with payments for claims to the RHA under self - insurance. The Board requested that no language for insurance be included; but the rent could be increased so that the RHA could acquire the necessary protection for insurance and indemnification. Ms. Gallagher will investigate this and get back o the Authority. * Ms. Gallagher will inquire as to whether or not this can be a "leas " and management contract. Page 4 Minutes 3/10/97 The Board has scheduled an informational meeting for neighbors of Bancroft house for Wednesday, March 19, 1997 at 7 PM at Selectmen's meeting room. DMR represented that they could not be present without a signed lease. The Chairman instructed the Executive Director and the two attorneys to negotiate the issues; he would review and the Board would meet beforehand to review the final document. At this point in the meeting, DMR thanked the Board and the Board took a 5 minute recess. The Board continued discussion on the listed agenda items. All units in all programs are currently leased. We anticipate a move -out on April 1, 1997 for one unit at Summer Avenue. We have leased up 3 apartments at the 667 development during February/March period. .«17 ,� The 2BR unit in building 9 and the 3BR unit in building 4 have become available for first time homebuyers. In order to work with Dolben to obtain the house that is currently on their lot: the Board will talk to the Selectmen in order to acquire the vacant Town -owned lot at Pleasant/Wilson Streets on which to relocate the building; get a home inspection with "cost to cure" estimates for any required work; acquire appropriate financing for deleading; improvements; moving the building, etc. rI The Board received a copy of a letter from Bill Casper from Longwood to the Town Clerk stating that they have fulfilled their obligations. When the Chairman requested the Executive Director to inquire of the Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner, as to whether the Board of Selectmen feels that this response fulfills Longwood's obligations in regard to the agreement, Peter responded that the agreement only requires that Longwood had to state to the Town Clerk that they were in compliance - no verifications were required and Mr. Hechenbleikner was concerned about "confidentiality" problems. The Director and Town Manager discussed whether this letter actually fulfilled the spirit of the agreement and a request was made to determine what the Board of Selectmen's position was in this regard. The Town Manager said that he would talk to Bill Casper from Longwood and then make a presentation to the Selectmen. 5 3/1 The Director and Maintenance Man are scheduled to meet with Vinnie Cameron from Reac ing Municipal Light Department on Tuesday, March 11th to discuss options for relocation of the transformer and pole at the entrance to the Tanner Drive development. The General Manager, en Rucker, is scheduled to meet at the site with the Director and Maintenance Man on Friday, M ch 14th, if necessary. 7 Housing Possibilities The Executive Director received a call from a private owner, Bradley Steele, regarding a m lti- family house at 22 -24 Union Street, which has one 3BR unit, two 1BR units and a studio apartment in the basement. The house has not been deleaded, but has had an electrical upgrade with house meter and separate apartment meters. There is a common heating system but separate hot water systems. The building has a new roof. The owner is asking $245,000.00 and wants to know i the RHA would be interested. The Director looked at the property. It has asbestos shingles on the outside, which appear to be in good shape. There does not appear to be any major structural problems that you can see from the outside. The Board requested that the Executive Director make inquiries as to funding availability or private financing. i� The historical house on John Stfeet that the Reading Historical Society is interested in preserving needs a lot of work. The Director reported that the cost to buy; move and perform a total reh b of this house would be prohibitive. The house on Hopkins Street (Dolben) needs a lot of work. A home inspection and cost estimate for doing the rehab work will have to be performed before making a decision on whether to act o this. It is necessary to acquire the lot at Pleasant/Wilson Streets from the Town before procee ling too far in this project. This building with proper rehab and additions could be a good house for the 689 DMR group. The current 689 could then be used as a 705 family development. This w uld require work with DHCD. A housing inspection of the house on Pleasant Street that the Town is interested in buying for a cess to the town -owned parking lot and giving to the RHA to move will have to be done to make sur that this is feasible. The Director will continue discussion with the Town Planner on this. The next Board meeting is scheduled for April 14, 1997 at 6:30 PM. The Chairman, Mr. Page 6 Minutes 3/10/97 will be on a 3 month sabbatical. Mr. Allen will be acting Chairman during his absence. Mr. Sweet is scheduled to return on or about July 1, 1997. There being no further business before the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:20 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Margare . Plansky, Secretary and Executive Director