HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE TOWN OF MANSFIELD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Housing Authority Office

October 15, 2008

8:00 a.m.

 

Attendance: Mr. Long, Chairperson; Mr. Simonsen, Vice Chairperson; Mr. Eddy, Secretary and Treasurer; Ms Hall, Assistant Treasurer; Ms Christison-Lagay Commissioner; and Ms Fields, Executive Director.

 

The meeting was called to order at 8:08 a.m. by the Chairperson.

 

MINUTES

A motion was made by Ms Hall and seconded by Mr. Eddy to accept the minutes of the September 18, 2008, Annual Meeting.  Motion approved unanimously.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

            None

 

REPORTS OF THE DIRECTOR

Bills

            A motion was made by Mr. Eddy and seconded by Mr. Simonsen to accept the September 2008 Bills.  Motion approved unanimously.

 

Financial Reports –A (General)

A motion was made by Mr. Simonsen and seconded by Ms Hall to accept the August 2008 Financial Reports.  Motion approved unanimously.

 

Financial Report-B (Section 8 Statistical Report)

            A motion was made by Mr. Simonsen and seconded by Mr. Eddy to accept the August 2008 Section 8 Statistical Report.  Motion approved unanimously.   

 

REPORT FROM TENANT REPRESENTATIVE

            Mr. Eddy suggested and it was agreed that the mailboxes that are going to be replaced be sold at a tag sale to benefit Wright’s Village. 

           

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Report of the Financial Advisory Committee

            The visit from Jack Sullivan, the MHA’s accountant, was informative and productive.  A method of cash accounting was agreed upon for the purpose of improving the accuracy of the monthly variance reports.  Ms Fields and Ms Piette will prepare a 12 month spreadsheet of estimated cash expenditures to be used by the accountant with the 2009 budget. Mr. Sullivan will also begin to provide monthly balance sheets for MHA staff and Board to review.

 

 

Outside Lighting at Wright’s Village

            Ms Fields contacted three solar providers, SolarWrights, Inc., Solar Works, Inc., and Sunlight Solar Energy, Inc.  Ms Fields is waiting for a proposal from Sunlight Solar Energy.  An approximately cost of $106,000 with a cost to the Housing Authority after rebate of $53,200.  Ms Fields will contact the other two companies and inquire about solar panels tied directly into the exterior lighting meter rather than on each light.

            Ms. Fields will contact Maria Capriola regarding the possibility of receiving any small cities grant monies to help defray the cost.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Public Act No. 08-167 – New Policy

            Ms Fields informed the Board that a new policy would have to be created to address Public Act 08-167 which requires securing the privacy of social security numbers.  In response, new locks have been placed on all file cabinets that contain personal information.  Ms Fields suggested the Board review all policies at this time.  Ms Fields will create a schedule of policies for review over the next few months.

 

Liberty Bank – Qualified Public Depository

            Ms Fields will investigate splitting the monies invested by the Housing Authority into separate banks to better protect the assets.  Liberty Bank is currently a five star superior rated bank.

 

Final HUD 2009 Payment Standard

            HUD released the final payment standards which did not change from the proposed payment standards.  The payment standards were increased between 3.6 and 3.8 percent over last year’s payment standards.  They became effective on October 1, 2008.  The Housing Authority continues to use 110% of the payment standard to allow participants to lease up in our jurisdiction.

 

Opening Section 8 Waiting List

            The section 8 waiting list will be advertised beginning on October 20, 2008 and applications will be accepted with postmarks between November 3, 2008 and November 5, 2008.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

Minutes to Board Meetings

            A letter was received from the Town Clerk stating minutes to the board meetings must be received and posted on the Town website no later than seven (7) days after the meeting.  Draft meeting minutes are acceptable until final minutes are accepted by the Board.  The Board agreed to comply with this request.

 

2009 PHA Plan       

            Ms Fields filed the PHA Plan with HUD on October 1, 2008.

           

ADJOURNMENT

            The Chairperson declared the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.

 

 

                                                                                    __________________________

                                                                                    Dexter Eddy, Secretary

 

 

 

 

Approved:                                                               

 

______________________________

Richard Long, Chairperson