HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-07 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING, November 7, 2005
A regular business meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday, November 07, 4005
at 7:00 P.M at the office of the Reading Housing Authority the town of Reading, Mass. The meeting was
called to order at 7:04 P.M. with the Chair, Karen L. Flammia, presiding. Those members present and
forming a quorum were John Coote, Tim Kelley, Mary Connors and Diane Cohen as well as the
Secretary/Executive Director, Lyn Whyte.
Minutes Move Tim Second Diane Vote 4 -0
02 -258 VOTED: To accept for the record the Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of Octo er 3,
2005, as presented.
Finances Move Tim Second Diane Vote 5 -0
02 -259 VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/billroll for the period for Accounts Payable C eck
#9522 -9574, Payroll Check Summary as presented for October, 2005 ; Section 8 Voucher Program,
11265- 11360, as presented.
Finances Move Tim Second Diane Vote 5 -0
02 -260 VOTED: To certify receipt of monthly operating statements for all RHA programs fb� the
month end September, 2005 of the current fiscal year.
Personnel Matters:
- MAHAMS $1000 scholarship won by Tom Stapleton's son Thomas.
- Request of ED to be on DMH Advisory Board/ respectfully decline.
- ED is on Reading Ad -Hoc Committee to research possibility of nurse advocates position in T
presentation is being made by committee member on 11/08 @ 7:00pm at Selectmen's Meeting
Report of Programs:
- Vacancy Report- All units in all programs fully leased as stated in reports presented.
- Sec 8 Report- No report provided until Qtr. End 12/05.
- FSS Report — No report provided until Qtr. End 12/05
- Resident Service Coordinator- Current Tannerville Newsletter provided.
A
New Business:
- RHA received letter from Archstone Smith, Development Company for new construction project
located on West Street. The letter inquires as to our ability to be the lottery agent for said project. The
Board had previously discussed this option and decided that RHA would decline due to staffing
constraints. ED will send letter to that affect to Town of Reading and Archstone Smith. A listing of
other lottery agents will be provided to the Management Company as a courtesy. Any and all other
information associated with the rental market in this area and pertinent to qualifying potential r nters
will be provided to development company as needed.
- Workers compensation audit for fiscal year end June 05 resulted in a refund of $1355.00.
- Letter to editor from RHA re: Adopt -an- Island program thanking all the families who adopt d the
Tannerville development over the past summer. A cake from RHA was also donated to the group for
their end of year gathering.
- Executive Director presented a number of recent tenant issues involving outside service agencies their
roles, and the potential for a deteriorating relationship and conflict with one service agency. The
housing environment is changing and we are becoming more service oriented. Future discussion ould
be helpful in defining roles of both the RHA and service agencies utilized within our development,
establishing possible policies for guidance in this regard and in order to protect all parties. Executive
Director will refer our questions to legal counsel and MassNahro since many other agencies are
experiencing the same problems. Policies may have to be established at a higher level such as D"CD.
Real Estate Matter:
- RHA/Gazebo property: RHA received a notice from Great North Mgt. regarding the installation
of a sprinkler type irrigation system at the Summit Village Condominiums (Gazebo Circle
properties). The cost to install this system would be funded from Reserve Accounts. In order to
proceed, 75% of unit owners must vote in favor of this improvement to common areas. Boai d felt
that not enough information was actually provided to make a decision. ED was in agree ent,
therefore, by not responding to this matter; RHA would be voting NO on the matter. Information
will be filed with property folder.
- Update 75 Pleasant Street: RHA is proceeding with the LIP application at this time. Executive
Director, along with architect, Rick Fenuccio, is in the process of gathering the necessary
information to present the LIP to Town sometime between December 1St to 15th. If we can adhere
to our deadlines, and then Town would be required to hold a public meeting within 45 days after
receipt of said application. The latest cost estimates were discussed in detail. There is a gap
between the figures presented by architect (based on recent modular construction) and Executive
Director (based on recent stick construction). However, both numbers indicate the need to 'move
forward with the construction of the smaller scaled unit of 1364 SF. Members of the board
concurred. Stick construction verses modular construction is a topic we will continue to discuss.
At this time, we are unable to determine the least costly approach. The RHA may be able to beach
a larger pool of bids using the stick construction approach thus giving us a better chance I an
affordable project. A much smaller pool of vendors limits modular construction. R�HIA must also
determine the cost of reconstructing the municipal parking area and pursue conversations and a
memo of understanding with the Town relative to their part in this phase of the project. The cost
of the parking lot may be the catalyst that "makes or breaks" the overall project. Geotechnical
reports and existing condition plans have been completed and a copy of each was provid�d to
Board Member John Coote for his review and input.
A letter was also received from the Historic Commission with their request to have us consider
redesigning the proposed parking lot in order to save trees. At this time, the Board feels that we
are unable to acknowledge their request but are willing to take a look at it during the LIP pro ess.
It was also pointed out that as public hearings are made available, the issue could be addressed
more closely.
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Board Schedule
December, 2005 BOARD MEETING: 12/05/2005 @ 7 PM
02 -261 TO ADJOURN: 9:37 PM. Move Mary Second John Vote 4 -0
)e9sfully submitted,
E YWyt eh , Secre ry & Executive Director