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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-06 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY Minutes of the Meeting of January 6 1997 A regular business meeting of the members of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Mol January 6, 1996 at 7:30 P.M. at the office of the Authority, 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive in the To` Reading, Massachusetts. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. with the Chairman, Mr. S presiding. Those members present and forming a quorum were: Mr. Kelley, Ms. Galvin and Mr. E The Executive Director, Ms. Plansky, was also in attendance. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously VOTED: To approve and accept for the record the Minutes of the regular session of December 9, 1996, 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 the checkronillroll for the period from check #3181 -3224 for accl payable; and check #1210 -1244 for payroll, and the landlord checks #3454 -3510 for Secti Certificates; #1559 -1579 for Section 8 Vouchers. The Chairman then declared said 1btion 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 the "Wire Transfer" agreement for RHA account at B authorizing both the Executive Director and/or Catherine Sutherland to be the authorized repr to perform the wire transfers. 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 authorize and approve the Executive Director to forward a check as their portion salary increase for the for the North Shore Legal Pilot regional counsel and to make this check p, to the Gloucester Housing Authority, as requested in their letter. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. of ATI 8 ves the Page 2 1/6/97 Minutes Report of Programs Tanner Drive: The Board received a letter from Vinny Cameron to RMLD Board stating that he did not recommend removing the current pole and placing a new pole with transformers on Town -owned property as it was too expensive. The Board asked that the Executive Director continue to communicate their disappointment to the Light Department and see what other resolution might be available. 689 - 74 Bancroft Avenue: The Authority received a letter from Department of Mental Retardation regarding a proposal that would close -out the program under EMARC and would open a program under the State as vendor. Mr. Kelley and the Executive Director met with DMR representative's Dan Lincoln and Mandy Chalmers and EMARC's Executive Director, JoAnn Simons. The proposal is to have EMARC out by February 15, 1997 as they plan to take over a new house on Hopkins Street (across from Summit Village) which they purchased with Federal Section 811 funds. DMR has promised to continue support of the current tenants at Bancroft in the new house. DMR would then open a 4 person program under the state as vendor. The questions and concerns discussed by the Board included: What is the difference /similarity in profile of the proposed residents /current residents? - What are the contractual obligations of DMR and EMARC under the lease? - What plans does DMR/EMARC have in meeting with neighborhood? - What action should the RHA take to meet with the neighborhood and community? - Why is the current reuse proposed for only 4 persons; house is large and will be underutilized? With so little housing available should/could RHA convert this property and find another property more suitable for 4 clients? Does DHCD support reuse for 4 clients as proposed? What will the lease arrangements be under DMR? The Board requested that the Executive Director schedule a walk - through at Hogan Regional Center so that the Board can familiarize themselves with the type of client that is proposed. The Board also would like to review other LHA/DMR operated facilities. Schoolhouse Condominiums: There is a new management company, Barrington Management, which took over on January 1, 1997. All unit owners also received their final payment from Charles James Associates in settlement of the law suit against the original developer /owners /trustees. The total recovery of costs is about 95% from the assessment. 3 All units of RHA are currently under lease. We expect 2 vacancies on or about February 1 st i our Summer/Main Street property. One tenant will be moving to Summit Village; another is sch'st ed to purchase their own home. We expect that we should be passing on the Summit Village property before the end of January 997. We should be receiving the upgrades we requested in each of the units. The walk - through for final inspection before passing is scheduled for next week. Assisted Living Faci1 tv The Board received a letter from Susan Cwieka from Longwood Place. Although this was the second request, the response did not contain the statistics needed. The Chairman directed the Executive Director to send a letter to Longwood stating that it was our understanding, relative to the conversation we had with them at our November meeting, that they would be able to provide us with detailed information regarding Reading residents /length of residency for the GAFC clients. The Board also requested that a formal proposal from Longwood be presented as to what waiver from the Agreement they are requesting so that the Board can consider their proposal. Any further action was deferrc d on this matter until the next Board meeting. Annual Report of Reading Housing Authority Upon a motion duly made by Mr. ,Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously VOTED: To approve the "Annual Report" as submitted with the following sentence added at the end of the narrative: "The Authority commends the Executive Director and staff for their efforts in achieving these accomplishments." This report shall be forwarded to the Town Manager for inclusion in the Annual Report of the Town of Reading. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. The Chairman, Mr. Sweet, reported that he would be on a 3 month leave starting April 1 through June 30, 1997. Mr. Allen agreed to preside as Chairman for that period. The next meeting of the Board will be held at 7:00 PM, rather than 7:30 PM on February 3, 1997. The March meeting will be hel I on March 10, 1997 also at 7:00 P.M. Page 4 1/6/97 Minutes There being no further business before the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, and Executive Director