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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-07 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 7, 2000 A regular business meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday, February 7, 2000 at 7:00 P.M. at the office of the Authority, 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive in the town of Reading, Massachusetts. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. with the Chairman, Mr. Sweet, presiding. Also in attendance were Mr. Allen, Galvin, Mr. Kelley and Ms. Connors as well as the Executive Director, Ms. Plansky, , the General Contractor for the Pleasant/Wilson Street property, Harry Nelson and the Authority's attorney, Mr. Greco. Fourteen neighbors from the 82 Linden Street neighborhood were also in attendance for a portion of the meeting. Minutes Deferred action on the Minutes of Regular Business Meeting held on January 10, 2000. Upon a moti n duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Kelley, it was unanimously VOTED: To accept for the record the Minutes of the Executive Session of the Board Meeting eId on January 10, 2000, as presented. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. Finances Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/billroll for the period for Accounts Payable Check #5122 -5165; Payroll Check #2446 -2487; Section 8 Certificate Program #5401 -5440 Section 8 Voucher Program #2415- 2447; MRVP - #579; as presented. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. MRVP— Contract Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously VOTED: To approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Contract for Financial Assistance Mass. Rental Voucher Program with DHCD for one voucher. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. the Single Audit — Draft Report The Board reviewed the draft report prepared by the State Auditor's office. There were no findings or recommendations noted in the draft report. BOAST Review The Board reviewed the BOAST report as submitted. The Executive Director will work With the accountant to prepare answers to the overspending. The money they say was overspent was placed in a Restricted Reserve account as approved and authorized in the budget guidelines. Financial Overview ofAuthority The Board reviewed the financial statements for the period ending 12/21/99 for all programs. Mr. Allen presented an overview and the prospects for financing for acquisition and rehabiliation of property. Page 2 2/7/2000 Minutes 689 Program — 74 Bancroft Avenue The Board is in receipt of a lien of $1948.49 from the Town of Reading for 74 Bancroft Avenue operated by Northeast Residential Services. This lien is for failure to pay the water /sewer bills as required by the lease. The Director contacted the DMH Program Manager, Jane Ryder. She said that the bills have been paid by Department of Revenue to the Town. Unfortunately, the bills are not broken out for each project so the Town does not know where to apportion the money. The Director called Beth Klepeis, Town Accountant, who stated that this was essentially correct and that she would contact Jane Ryder to get the necessary detail so that the payments could be properly credited. Will keep the Board informed. Pleasant and Wilson Streets - Modular Home At the February 3, 2000 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the Board unanimously voted to approve a Comprehensive Permit for 2 family house in a single family district with the 1 foot overhang for the 2nd floor; and approximately 5 foot encroachment for the front porch. Mr. Kramer mentioned that he would be appealing the decision to Superior Court when rendered. Harry Nelson informed the Board that the ground has been cleared and preliminary excavation is complete. If the weather conditions are favorable, the contractor will be on site next week with the forms; pouring should take place within 2 days after the forms are complete. The property needs to be restaked. Mr. Nelson reported that he has sought prices and has been able to secure the services of Medford Engineering. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously VOTED: To authorize the Executive Director to expend up to $2025.00 to Medford Engineering and Survey for the engineering study at Pleasant/Wilson Streets. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. Mr. Nelson presented the plans for bidding for a modular 2- family home. Five Year Plan The Director reported that the draft as approved at last Board meeting is being distributed for public comment. HUD keeps changing the requirements for the resident advisory board. The Director recommended that a letter be sent to every 5th person on our programs announcing the formation of the board. The final board members will be chosen by lottery selection. 75 Pleasant Street VOTED: To approve and authorize the Executive Director to advertise for bid as required by law for a modular 2- family as described in the February 7, 2000 submittal. 82 Linden Street — Comprehensive Permit The Executive Director reviewed the report regarding the requirements for a Comprehensive Permit. The Board appeared before the Board of Selectmen Tuesday, January 18, 2000, to request their support of this application to the Zoning Board of Appeals for operation of a 6 family house at 82 Linden Street. A walk - through for March 4th has been scheduled as requested by the Selectmen. Page 3 2/7/2000 Minutes There were 14 neighbors in attendance. The Board reviewed the plans to date as will be presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Questions from the neighbors included: • Parking and the allegedly illegal curb cut on Linden Street • The density of the building as a 6 family dwelling • The problems with the prior Special Permit which was granted by the Zoning Board of Ap eals • The type of people that will occupy the building. The Board answered the problems and promised to have a plan showing the current building locat on and parking areas. The Board will be proceeding with a Comprehensive Permit for a 6 family. Any plans for rehabilitating this building will be deferred until the Permit is granted. Ms. Plansky was requested to have the interior layout of the building drawn so that the Board could make a clear presentation on the current configuration. Ms. Plansky had tried to contact several architects for these layouts but was not able to get anyone to respond quickly. Ms. Plansky disclosed that Mr. Smith was her brother -in -law and did not engage in the decision or discussion regarding the hiring of Mr. Smith to perform this work. Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Connors, it was unanimously VOTED: To authorize the Executive Director to hire Emmet Smith to draw the interior layout' of the building at 82 Linden Street at a rate of $30 per hour not to exceed $600.00. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. Executive Session Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Kelley, it was unanimously VOTED: To adjourn to Executive Session at 9:15 P.M. to discuss matters relative to real e: possible litigation and to return to Regular Session before final adjournment, upon the following vote: Mr. Allen — aye Ms. Galvin — aye Ms. Connors — aye Mr. Kelley — aye Mr. Sweet — aye The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. Regular Session Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Kelley, it was unanimously and call VOTED: To adjourn from Executive Session at 9:55 P.M. to return to Regular Session to continue discussion on the listed agenda items, upon the following roll call vote: Page 4 2/7/2000 Minutes Mr. Allen — aye Ms. Galvin — aye Ms. Connors — aye Mr. Kelley — aye Mr. Sweet — aye The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. Report of Programs The Director requested that the current vacancy at the 667 be taken off line for the window replacement project. This will provide overnight accommodations to any resident that does not have a place to go during the rehab of their unit. The schedule is: Early March — mart of work Each building — 4 days for completion (depending upon degree of brick work that is needed) Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Connors, it was unanimously VOTED: To authorize the Executive Director to take a vacant unit off-line during modernization at the Frank D. Tanner Drive (667 -C) development for a period of five (5) months for possible over -night accommodations for residents. The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect. The schedule has been proposed as follows: • Tenants will be requested to be out of their units for a minimum of 2 days. If a resident wants to return to their unit when their side is completed or stay while the other side is being done, they have been made aware of the limitations they will face. They will not be able to use the front entrances, the buildings will be open while the workmen are working on that building; the building will be cold. • The workmen will start each day at 8 AM and must have access into the units. They will need to caulk, insulate and secure the windows from the inside as well as the outside. • Residents are required to move their furniture away from the windows. • The contractor will schedule work for %2 the building = 2 days; full building = 4 days. We have requested that all tenants stay out for the 4 days but will allow tenants back in their units when their side of the building is done. Board Schedule COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT —82 Linden Street — Per P &S Agreement, full application must be made by 2/28/2000 to the Zoning Board of Appeals. 3/4/2000 @ 9 AM — Tenative schedule for exterior viewing of 82 Linden StreetMARCH BOARD MEETINGS— 3/6/2000 @ 7 PM There being no further business before the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:10 P.M.