HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-02-22 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY
Minutes of the Meeting of February 22. 199
A special -in -lieu of regular business meeting of the members of the Reading Housing Authority
was held on Wednesday, February 22, 1995 at 7:30 P.M. at the office of the Authority, 22 Fran]
D. Tanner Drive in the Town of Reading, Massachusetts. The meeting was called to order with
the Vice - Chairman, Mr. Sweet, presiding. Those member present and forming a quorum were:
Ms. Galvin, Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Allen. Mr. McIsaac was able to join the meeting during its
session. The Executive Director, Ms. Plansky, was also in attendance.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Reynolds, it was
VOTED: To approve and accept -for the record the minutes of the Meeting of January 9, 1
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 Mr. Reynolds, it was
VOTED: To approve and sign the checkroll/billroll for the period from check #1966-2050
accounts payable; and checks #552 -612 for payroll, as presented.
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
I
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Reynolds, it was
VOTED: To approve the following expenditures for repairing the Community Room kitchi
due to the fire, charged to approved budget items; fire insurance; and anything above those
charged to Operating Reserve:
Cabinets/floor /painting
4464.00
Electrical
150.00
Appliances
1500.00
Draperies
1325.00
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Mr. McIsaac joined the other members at this point in the meeting.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Reynolds, it was
VOTED: To approve the following Section 8 Voucher Payment Standard, as follows:
as
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0 Bedroom --------- - - - - -- $ 550.00
1 Bedroom --------- - - - - -- 625.00 (previously approved)
2 Bedroom --------- - - - - -- 750.00 " if
3 Bedroom --------- - - - - -- 950.00 "
Mr. Allen presented an overview of the case brought against the developers /trustees of the C 14
Reading Schoolhouse. The jury found in favor of the condo owners warranty claims and di not
allow the counterclaim brought against the engineering firm of Sumner Schain by Schwartz,
Pearlman. The legal fees for the case have been currently billed out at $105,000.00. The cor dp
owners have paid $25,000 and the remaining $80,000 is due. The management company Wi 1
take $20,000 from reserves to defray some costs and the owners voted to assess each unit owner
for the remaining $60,000.00. The RHA will owe $3456.00 by March 31, 1995 as their
assessment for this cost. At the March 1, 1995 post trial conference, the parties will discuss he
issues and the judge will determine what will be assessed. The formal judgment will be entered
in court thereafter and the 30 -day appeal period begins. If the developer appeals, our attorneys
have agreed to charge a flat fee of $15,000 to kill the appeal.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Reynolds, it was unanimously
VOTED: To authorize the Executive Director to pay the Special Assessment for the Old
Reading Schoolhouse Condominiums in the amount of $3456.00 to pay for the additional co is
associated with the attorneys' fees against the Schoolhouse Properties LTD Partnership.
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Allen and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously
VOTED: To authorize the Executive Director to release an article regarding the proposed
Assisted Living Facility at the Pearl Street School site and the proposed "affordable" units
would serve only those persons making under $6900 per year or market rate units which v
cost between $2300 -2900 per month.
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Upon a motion duly made by Ms. Galvin and seconded by Mr. Reynolds, it was
VOTED: To authorize Mr. Allen to represent the Board's position at the Reading Zoning Board
of Appeals hearing regarding the Pearl Street School reuse as an assisted living facility under the
Municipal Building Reuse Zoning By -law and the Authority's position regarding the inclusion of
the 10% affordable units.
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The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. McIsaac and seconded by Ms. Galvin, it was unanimously
VOTED: To authorize the Executive Director to discuss with Bill Casper of Longwood
Associates, per his request, a letter of support to the Reading Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
regarding the reuse of the Pearl Street School as an Assisted Living Facility; And
To authorize the Executive Director to send said letter to the ZBA, if an agreement can be
reached with Mr. Casper, which would include the covenant that 10% of the housing would b4
provided in a manner acceptable to the Reading Housing Authority.
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Mr. John Cootes of the Zoning Board of Appeals joined the Board members and requested to
have somebody from the Authority represent the Board's position at the next ZBA hearing on
Pearl Street School. Mr. McIsaac promised to have a Board member present.
The next meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals on the hearing of the variances for the Pear
Street School and the issuance of the Special Permit for the Assisted Living Facility at this sit
will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 1995 at 7 P.M. in the Berger Room at Town Hall.
There being no further business before the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn until t
next meeting scheduled for Monday, March 13, 1995 at 7:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Margar . Plansky, Secretary
and Executive Director