HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE TOWN OF MANSFIELD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Housing Authority Office
February 19, 2009
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. Guests: Ms Rychling and Mr. Bergeron who are tenants at Wright’s Village.
The meeting was called to order at 8:10 a.m. by the Chairperson.
A motion was made by Mr. Eddy and seconded by Mr. Simonsen to accept the minutes of the January 22, 2009, Regular Meeting. Motion approved unanimously.
Letter from Ms Barbara Rychling
Ms Barbara Rychling emailed Ms Fields a couple of items she wanted to address with the Board. Ms Rychling was invited to the meeting today with two items for discussion.
The first item was the laundry schedule. Ms Rychling does not believe the laundry facility is open enough unrestricted hours for Wright’s Village tenants. Ms Rychling requested that she be allotted a specific laundry time due to an arm injury. Ms. Fields will follow up with Ms Rychling regarding the request.
The second item was her desire to marry and live with another resident at Wright’s Village which would result in the household income exceeding the income limits. It was explained to her that income limits are set by HUD and used by the State of Connecticut for Moderate and Elderly housing eligibility. Ms Rychling does not believe these limits to be fair and requested information on whom to contact to address the issue. She was directed to Congressmen Courtney for further assistance.
Ms Rychling also requested that her drain that comes off the side of her unit be assessed to see if any action could be taken to change the water flow. Ms Fields will address the issue with Maintenance and Ms Rychling
After Ms Rychling left the meeting, further discussion was held on the laundry facility concern. It was decided that Ms Fields would investigate the possibility of installing a door to the outside for the facility to enable Wrights Village residents to do laundry when the Senior Center is closed. In addition, she will investigate the possibility of installing additional machines to increase capacity.
Letter from Attorney McGrath – Eviction Update
Mr. Maugeri contacted William R. Breetz, Esq., who sent Attorney
McGrath a notarized statement from Mr. Maugeri stating that he was willing to move to any other apartment in Wright’s Village. Ms Fields and Attorney McGrath discussed the issue. Mr Maugeri was legally evicted and he is not eligible to reapply for Elderly Housing pursuant to Section 8-113(a)(m) which defines “Elderly Persons.” Attorney McGrath responded to Attorney Breetz that Mr. Maugeri would not be offered a unit.
Request for 2008 Administrative Fees for Mid Month Contracts - HUD
HUD advised Housing Authorities that additional fees would be available on the basis of 50% of the published 2008 fee rates under the administrative fee set- aside for those Housing Authorities who applied for the fees prior to February 20, 2009. Ms Fields submitted the request on February 10, 2009. Fees will be pro-rated based on total requests and funds available.
REPORTS OF THE DIRECTOR
Bills
A motion was made by Mr. Simonsen and seconded by Ms Christison-Lagay to accept the January 2009 Bills. Motion approved unanimously.
Financial Reports –A (General)
December 2008 Financials were not available.
Financial Report-B (Section 8 Statistical Report)
December 2008 Financials were not available.
None
Finance Meeting Report
The Finance Committee met and reviewed the “cash on hand” for each program account for each month and determined that each individual program account should be changed to a money market account to enable the money to produce some income while being held for short term bill payment.
Ms Piette and Ms Fields were asked to provide a cost benefit analysis to the Board on the purchase of the HAPPY Direct Deposit software which allows direct deposit to landlords and participants. Purchasing the software will save a minimum of $500 per year. Ms Fields requested that the Board approve the purchase at the initial purchase price of $735.00.
A motion was made by Mr. Eddy and seconded by Mr. Simonsen to approve the purchase of the HAPPY Direct Deposit Software. Motion approved unanimously.
It was decided to review the Life Cycle report for Holinko Estates first. The report indicates that roofs and asphalt are the next large expenditures. Ms Fields would like to address, in conjunction with any asphalt repair, a new site for the dumpsters currently positioned at the corners of Building 4. Ms Fields will call an independent inspector to get an updated estimate of costs on both the roofs and asphalt.
A site visit to Holinko Estates was planned and an invitation to all Board Members was extended. The site visit is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 8:00 a.m.
Outside Lighting at Wright’s Village
Con Serv, Inc. has replaced all times with photo eye except the one in the front which will be replaced on Friday. The cost will be $1,560.00.
Barking Dogs at Wright’s Village
In the case of the first dog, Ms Fields spoke with one of the owners’ workers and the dog is in a training program which seems to be successful. Ms Fields has not received any more complaints regarding that dog.
In the case of the second dog, Ms Fields has tried to contact both the daughter and the niece of the owner of the dog to set up a meeting and has not had any calls returned. The Resident Service Coordinator has spoken to the dog owner and she maintains her belief that the dog only barks when people come to the door. She is not interested in the disturbance it may be causing her neighbors. Ms Fields has not had any more complaints regarding the dog.
A motion was made by Mr. Simonsen and seconded by Ms Christison-Lagay to override the pet policy of the January Board Meeting and replace it with the previous policy in place in December 2008. Motion approved unanimously.
Policy Review
Policy review continues. No policies were reviewed at this meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Property Loss Claim
Unit 701 at Wright’s Village was flooded due to a broken water pipe on February 3, 2009. The unit will have to be completely gutted and rebuilt. The estimated cost by the insurance adjuster is between $30,000 and $40,000. Ms Fields is overseeing the repairs.
Ms Lemire has requested that the Board consider picking up half of her cost of moving her personal items out of the unit. Half of that cost would be $150.00. This cost is not being reimbursed by insurance coverage because she was not carrying renters insurance. The Housing Authority has allowed her to store her personal items in the garage abutting her unit. The Housing Authority cannot pay the costs associated with moving a tenant’s personal items, however, Ms Lemire’s rent will be abated while the unit cannot be occupied and the rent savings will cover the cost of moving her items.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT
The Chairperson declared the meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
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Dexter Eddy, Secretary
Approved:
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Richard Long, Chairperson