HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-07 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING - May 7, 2001
A regular business meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday, May 7, 2001, at 7:00 P.M.
at the office of the Authority, 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive in the town of Reading, Mass. The meeting was called
to order at 7:05 P.M. with the Chair, Mr. Allen, presiding. Those members present and forming a quorum were
Mr. Kelley, Ms. Connors, Ms. Flammia, and Mr. Sweet as well as the Executive Director, Mr. Hixson.'
Minutes Move Tim Second Bob Vote 5 -0
01 -031 VOTED: To accept the Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of April 9, 2001, as presented'
Finances Move Bob Second Mary Vote 5 -0
01 -032 VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/billroll for the period for Accounts Payable Check #5989-
6045; Payroll Check #3117 -3165; Section 8 Certificate Program #6462 -6470; Section 8 Voucher Program
#6471 -6533; MRVP — No check; as presented.
Signing of New Account Cards
The Executive Director will be added, Bob will be sadly subtracted.
Computer System Purchase
The system from MCS of Wisconsin was installed on April 25. Initial training will take place on May 14417, just
before John goes to Falmouth for the NAHRO conference May 20 -23. Further training will be in July.
VeasaneWllson Street — Modular Home
'he utilities are installed, and we hope to have occupancy by May 31.
Old Police Station
Demolition is completed. Our student team put together a nice package for us.
Proposed Addition to Peter Sanborn Place
Jacquie Carson and her Board are proposing a 50 -unit addition, with 20 Section 202 units, 20 RHA units, and 10
market -rate units. The Conservation Commission recommended a reorientation of the addition today. The
Section 202 proposal will go in later this month, and we will work on our part this summer.
Houses on the Move?
The Town offer to the RHA of a piece of land was opposed by neighbors and was delayed by the Select en. Thus
a cape house (in excellent condition) that its owners wanted to have removed will likely be demolishe instead.
An historic structure, a Greek Revival house in very poor condition, is now under demolition delay an could be
moved as well, but is too far gone. An even older 1748 house on 20,000 sq. feet is for sale, and two mo a houses,
on Barrows and Sylvan Rds., have been offered. The idea is to make such houses for first -time homebuyers and
use the proceeds to fund the purchase and rehab of two - family houses elsewhere.
Speaking of which, we have been offered a two- family on Middlesex Ave. for $275,000. Each apartment is three
poms and a bath, and the upper apartment has an unfinished attic. The first -floor tenant is on Sec. $, and her
mse expires soon. Rep. Jones' office called on her behalf today.
Don reported on his discussion with John Greco regarding the non -profit group the RHA would like to create.
Since it can now have a mirror board and bring significant advantages, Don urged John to proceed with it.
Report of Programs
• We have had 2 more apartments at Tannerville which have been vacated during the month.
• A court case going back many years appears headed for trial on September 25.
• HUD's Section 8 Enforcers sent us a letter sanctioning our program, but we responded that we had been given
forebearance and had brought the program up to speed since Kathy was hired. No response yet.
• Joan Walsh, our Tenant Services Coordinator, has run a brunch program for Tannerville residents through St.
Athanasius' Youth Group without any RHA subsidy to date. She is requesting some funds to ensure that the
program can continue on a monthly basis. At $2 a tenant, attendance has greatly improved, and it is bringing
out many people who don't normally participate. Kudos to Joan and her hardworking volunteers!!
Personnel
• Don, Tim and John met with our Section 8 Coordinator Kathy Rolli. She had two other job offers in hand, and
the committee felt it vital to keep her with the RHA. Therefore Don offered her a $1,000 bonus for the
remainder of this fiscal year and the new position of Assistant Executive Director beginning July 1 at a salary of
$21 per hour. Kathy accepted the offer and thanked the committee for giving her an opportunity to meet her
needs and stay with the RHA.
Move Bob Second Tim Vote 5 -0
01 -033 VOTED: To approve a $1,000 bonus for Kathy and the upgrading of her position to Assistant Executive
Director at a salary of $21 per hour for 30 hours per week effective July 1, 2001.
• Tom Stapleton is about to take the Construction Superintendent's License exam. Should he pass it and be
eligible to pull building permits and supervise work by contractors, an upgrade will clearly be in order.
Town- Related Activities
Tim Kelley has been sworn in and is serving on the Community Preservation Act Committee. He will give us +
occasional reports on their activities.
The Housing Trust Fund proposal comes before the Board of Selectmen tomorrow night. Members talked about
the various options for RHA participation along with or in place of the Selectmen in various roles. Don talked
about other situations with which he and John Greco were familiar where the Trust Fund Committee ends up
competing with the RHA for funds and using the funds for higher- income projects.
Move Bob Second Karen Vote 0 -5 Unanimously DEFEATED
01 -034 VOTED: To support the home rule petition as proposed by the Town, with the Board of Selectmen
having full control over the affordable housing trust fund.
Move Tim Second Bob Vote 5 -0
01 -035 VOTED: To approve a home rule petition for the affordable housing trust fund substituting the Board of
the Reading Housing Authority for the Board of Selectmen in the latter two places.
John noted that John Coote has submitted his form to the Selectmen requesting that he be appointed to fill Bob
Sweet's position on the Board. Another person would be welcome as an associate member.
It was noted that a special meeting for the budget would be set up at the end of May, possibly in place of the
June meeting
01 -036 ADJOURN: 9:20 PM. Move Bob Second Mary Vote 5 -0