HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-05 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING, MM 5, 2003
A regular business meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday, May 6, 2003 at 7
P.M at the office of the Reading Housing Authority the town of Reading, Mass. The meeting was call
to order at 7:10 P.M. with the Vice - Chair, Mary Connors, presiding. Those members present and
forming a quorum were Tim Kelley, Don Allen, and John Coote as well as the Secretary/Executive
Director, Lyn Whyte.
Minutes Move Don Second John Vote 3 -0
02 -096 VOTED: To accept for the record the Minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of April 07,
as presented.
Finances Move Don Second John Vote 4 -0
02 -097 VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/billroll for the period for Accounts Payable
#7597 -7649, Payroll Check Summary as presented for April 2003 ; Section 8 Voucher Program,
8485, as presented.
4001 Budget Revision Move Don Second Tim Vote 4 -0
02 -098 VOTED: To approve and sign the FY2003 4001 Budget Revision 1 as presentec
submittal to DHCD.
Scholarship Recipient Move Don Second Tim Vote 4 -0
02 -099 VOTED: To convey congratulations to Reading Housing Authority program resident,
Smith for being a 2003 Mass NAHRO Scholarship recipient.
for
Lori
Real Estate Matter:
Board continued their discussion on the proposed development of 75 Pleasant St. Engine ring
proposals from Waterfield Design and McKensie Engineering were reviewed. It was decided to
gather more information through Town Planner, Chris Reilly before preceding to enter into
engineering contracts. Executive Director, along with Tim Kelley were going to make inquiries
and let it be known within Town of our desire to develop that property.
Pierce Street property; Progress is being made on the purchase of Unit #I I at 13 Pierce Street. A
purchase and sales agreement has been approved by both buyer and seller's attorneys. Signing of
that agreement is expected by May 8`b. Executive Director presented two proposals for fin cing
with Massbank and Reading Cooperative. Upon discussion, it was agreed to seek financing
through Massbank if they meet the low financing rate of 5.50% for 30 year note offered by the
Cooperative Bank. RHA will seek financing at lowest terms. Once confirmed, the Executive
Director will submit signed P &S along with appropriate applications to bank to secure mortgage
of $144,000. Expected passing on property is early June 2003.
Wilson Street; Medford Engineering has completed their study of that property for final filing of
DEP conditions. Executive Director was informed that the finished paperwork should be available
by mid May.
An update was provided on the proposed replacement of a "cigar" tree on Summer Av, for
neighbor, Mr. Clark. Executive Director has engaged a landscaper to find this particular tree.
Upon recent discussions with landscaper, RHA has been told it may be a few more weeks before
the nurseries will have one in stock.
Personnel Matters:
- None
Mr. Clark,.property owner on Summer Avenue, phoned the office within the past week. He i
looking for his tree. As a result of difficult winter, nurseries have yet to receive all their stock. I
I did inform him that I had instructed our landscaper to locate one. We would stay in touch.
- Due to litigation with Town of Reading, a unit has become available for purchase located on
Pierce Street. RHA has received permission to purchase this property as affordable if we can enter
into an agreement with contractor, Gerald Welch. Executive Director has indeed spoken with Mr.
Welch and he would like to sell to the RHA and avoid the time delay involved in a lottery. The
unit is a finished 2 BR with the option of a P. RHA would have to finish the 3`d BR in order to
maximize the use of said property. Mr. Welch is willing to work with us on it. Suggestion ould
be to use the $10K grant to complete that immediate housing project. Don Allen presented a
financial view regarding the purchase of said unit utilizing excess operating reserve funds from our
RHA Owned properties and the Massbank grant funds. Upon further discussion, a decision was
made to proceed with the proposed pushes of said property. The Executive Director will con inue
the process necessary to acquire this affordable unit to add to the Reading Housing Authority
owned sites.
Engineering proposals for 75 Pleasant Street are not yet complete. McKenzie Engineering om
Saugus has submitted their proposal, however, I had contacted other firms who have not got back
to RHA. Discussions indicate that most firms will carry the process through all phases of a 40B
development. Costs appear to range $ l OK- $13K. Executive Director will continue this proce by
contacting Town Planner, Chris Reilly for additional guidance and engage two addit onal
engineering proposals.
- Medford Engineering did get out to the Wilson Street property on March 31 " to finalize the
requirement paperwork to meet with DEP conditions. RDEP was notified of ongoing work. Due
to difficult winter weather that project has been delayed.
Personnel Matters.
- Latest DLI rate issued reflect an eighty -two cent hourly increase for General Maintenance positions and
a one dollar thirteen cent hourly increase for Maintenance Man R position. These rates will go into
effect on April 1, 2003. Since we have a zero percent funding level expected for FY04, the optional
supervisory rate will be adjusted from $1.00 per hour to fifty -nine cents per hour to offset the
mandatory hourly increases.
- Foresee the AARP position recently held by Amy Tawfik to be eliminated by present FYE.
Report of Programs•
- Vacancy Report • All units in all programs fully leased as stated in reports presented.
- Sec 8 Report- Report presented for review by Kathy Rolli. Program is presently 100% leased.
- FSS Report — Report presented for review by Karen Keyser, FSS Coordinator.
- Resident Service Coordinator- Written report submitted by Lynne Michaud.
New Business:
- Section 8 Administration Plan Update and the HUD Annual Agency Plan Update was completed jointly
by Kathy Rolli and Lyn Whyte. No major changes have been made to the plan. This agency has
maintained the program to the best of its ability and within the guidelines issued by HUD. The update
will be submitted online by due date of April 15, 2003.
- Discussed the opening of the state family wait list for all bedroom sizes. Motion presented to board for
approval to move forward. April 28 & 29, 2003 are the dates set for availability of applications and May
3, 2003 is the lottery date. All proper paperwork will be presented to DHCD for approval. At the request
of the Board, initial wording for ad was changed slightly.
- Current DLI rates went into effect April 1, 2003. See Personnel Matters.
- Requested permission of the board to issue PO# to Danvers GMC for purchase of truck in order o lock