HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-07 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING A UTHORITY
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING, August 7, 2006
A regular business meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday, August 07, 2006 at 7
P.M at the office of the Reading Housing Authority the town of Reading, Mass. The meeting was called i
order at 7:03 P.M. with the Chair, Diane Cohen, presiding. Those members present and forming a quoru
were John Coote, Tim Kelley and Mary Connors as well as the Secretary/Executive Director, Lyn Whyte.
Minutes Move Mary Second Tim Vote 4 -0
02 -312 VOTED: To accept for the record the Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of July 10, 200 , as
presented.
Finances Move Tim Second John Vote 4 -0
02 -313 VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/billroll for the period for Accounts Payable Check #377
Payroll Summary as presented for July, 2006. Section 8 Voucher Program, #561 -647 as presented.
Finances Move Tim Second Mary Vote 4 -0
02 -314 VOTED: To certify receipt of monthly operating statements for all RHA programs for the month
June, 2006 of the current fiscal year.
Entry Sian for 667 Development Move Mary Second Tim Vote 4 -0
02 -315 VOTED: To approve the design and installation of a sign to identify the 667 elderly development and
administrative offices as presented.
To open 705 Wait List Move John Second Tim Vote 4 -0
02 -316 VOTED: To approve the opening of the Chapter 705 family state wait list for a 3 -BR unit only on
8`h and August 9th, in accordance with DHCD guidelines and subject to DHCD approval.
FYE 2006 Financial Statements Move Tim Second John Vote 4 -0
02 -317 VOTED: To authorize the Executive Director to sign and submit the FY 2006 4001 and 689
Statements to DHCD.
Contract Leeal Counsel Move Tim Second Mary Vote 4 -0
02 -318 VOTED: To authorize the Executive Director to retain Bradley Latham as legal counsel for 75
Street project.
Personnel Matters:
- None
Report of Programs:
- Vacancy Report- One unit in elderly development vacated as of 7/31/06 and will be leased on 8/10/06. C
BR unit in our state family program is empty as of 7/31/06. New lease up expected.
- Sec 8 Report- Report provided by Executive Director as to our current status on this program. We recentl}
a briefing to issue twelve new vouchers to potential participants. We hope to have 50% of them lease i
place (with present landlord). The remaining participants will have up to 90 days to find a unit. It is our gc
be within HUD leasing guidelines by October 2006.
- FSS Report — Annual Report has been presented by Karin Keyser and will be submitted to HUD by month
- Resident Service Coordinator- Current Tannerville Newsletter provided.
end
had
.3 in
11 to
New Business:
- Designs were presented to Board for a sign to be installed at the entrance to the senior development located on
Tanner Drive. Upon discussion, it was suggested to use the term "independent" community rather than senior in
the sign. All were in agreement. A motion was passed to order and install the new sign.
- The Executive Director asked for a motion to open the three- bedroom wait list for the state family program due
to a lack of Reading residents on that particular bedroom size list. The motion was passed.
Executive Director presented year end financial statements for the FYE June 2006 for discussion and approval
for submittal to DHCD.
At the Summer/Main property, the drain basin was expanded to a double width in the parking lot, in ho ies of
addressing flow of water during excessive rains. The berm along edge of property line was also increa3ed in
size. The DPW assisted us with this project. The problem was addressed due to a complaint from an abutting
neighbor.
A license agreement with Verizon related to the recent upgrade of lines at the 667 elderly development was
presented for discussion. Although the work has already been completed, it seems Verizon was remiss in asking
our permission and have now asked us to sign the agreement, belated. Upon review by Tim Kelley, it appeared
that there would be no reason not to sign and submit to Verizon as requested.
The volunteer work done by the church group out of Wakefield has been completed at our 74 Bancroft pr perty
that is leased to DMR. The kitchen was refaced with some additional cabinets made to fit; countertops were
replaced along with backsplash and ceilings. They did a nice job and DMR staff complimented our endeavors to
maintain that property. All efforts were appreciated. Also, in the near future, the driveway at that location Nvill be
widened to at least twenty feet. Upon speaking with the Town Engineer, we may widen up to twenty-four feet
without any special permits needed. The DPW has offered to assist us by first removing a dead tree. We wi 1 then
remove a small wall and grade the area before putting down an asphalt surface.
Real Estate Matter:
- Update 75 Pleasant Street: 1) Demolition permit submitted on 7/14 (clock ticking) Public hearing scheduled for
August-17'h- @- 7:30pm. Letter from Historical Commission was discussed- - RHA- attained _azurrent abuttees- list and
provided labeled and stamped envelopes to the Town for notification of upcoming meeting. The Executive Director
for presentation presented a draft package to the Board of the Historical Commission in order to comply with heir
process. Tim Kelley offered to draft a summary letter to be sent with package... 2) Bldg application submitted to
Town on 7/14 as noted in timeline of notes provided to Board. At present, one unit is now vacant at 75 Pleasant
Street and second tenant occupying three bedroom unit has requested to move. We do support that for fear she, will
be unable to afford rent and heat. If the building becomes vacant my early fall; RHA will shut down all services to
the building and inform local authorities. Discussions took place as to the need for legal counsel to represent
in order to continue with the building process. The project is at a point where counsel must assist us in
negotiating a memo of understanding with the Town as it pertains to the development and maintenance of
the municipal lot in the future. Legal counsel could also be of assistance in defining the lots, demolition
process for existing structure and in our efforts to attain DHCD site approval. All were in agreement that
Brad Latham would be a good choice for RHA and a motion was presented to retain him as legal counsel
for the purpose of this Pleasant Street project. RHA will continue its efforts to move the process along.
Intentions are to meet with Town officials to prepare a Memo of Understanding. We will move through the
required process for demolition of the existing structure. We will attempt to close the gap on funding by
utilizing DHCD assistance.
Board Schedule
September, 2006 BOARD MEETING: 09/11/2006 @ 7 PM
02 -319 TO ADJOURN: 9:05 PM. Move Tim Second John Vote 4 -0
Res p y submitted,
Lyn E. Whyte, Secre & Executive Director