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MINUTES05.12.2015
Bellingham Housing Authority
Meeting Minutes
May 12, 2015 held at Wrentham Manor

  • Call to Order at 6:11 p.m.
Announcement: recording of meeting
  • Roll Call: ~Joseph Hall absent
  • Public Input
  • Ms. Maxwell stated that the vinyl siding has begun and she noticed an engineer on site for Building 10. Mrs. Maxwell asked about sidewalks. Mrs. Bergeron stated that the sidewalks will be done under the operating budget and that would be a separate project.
  • Mrs. Alves inquired about the door locks. Mrs. Bergeron stated that she ordered some samples to test first.
  • Mrs. Harrison asked how much to advertise, interview and train staff. She would like to know who decides that the Authority cannot hire a full-time staff. Mrs. Cartier stated that the accountant assists with those types of decisions. She explained that all aspects of salary must be considered i.e. health insurance and pension. Mrs. Bergeron announced that Mr. Fregeau has resigned effective May 12, 2015. Mrs. Maxwell made note that Mr. Restuccia has told the tenants that he only works for golf money. Mrs. Bergeron stated that staff should not be speaking to residents in regard to subjects such as that. Mrs. Cartier asked when the Authority received notice in regard to Mr. Fregeau. Mrs. Bergeron noted that the Authority had a scheduled meeting and did not think it was imperative to notify the Board via email. Mrs. Bergeron will notify the Board immediately of any such issues in the future. Discussion ensued regarding the benefits and pitfalls of part-time staff.  
  • Mrs. Penney asked about the drafts from the windows. Mrs. Bergeron stated that she assumed the job was completed and Mrs. Penney should have called Mrs. Bergeron to notify her of the unfinished work. Mrs. Cartier interrupted Mrs. Penney and explained that she needs to contact Mrs. Bergeron with issue first before addressing the matter to the Board.
  • Minutes of  April 14, 2015 meeting
  • Motion to accept minutes made by Mr. Sposato, seconded by Mrs. Lavallee, all in favor, motion carried.
  • New Business
  • A motion was made by Mr. Sposato to table the elections until the June meeting due to Mr. Hall’s absence, seconded by Mrs. Lavallee, all in favor, motion carried.
  • Mr. Barrett Lachance from Sun Edison spoke in regard to Virtual Net Metering and solar power. The Authority can continue to utilize their supplier. Net metering is similar to getting a gift card in the amount of $100 for an actual cost of $70. Discussion ensued. Mr. Lachance stated that should the authority wait, the process would be less lucrative. The company has no local solar farms; nearest facility is in Westport. Mrs. Bergeron also noted that the percentage cap of 3% has been met.
  • Approval of FYE 3/31/2015 Budget Revision notice from DHCD
  • Resolution 2015-06 Authorization for Financial Assistance for State-Aided Capital Improvement Plan presented by Mrs. Bergeron at April . A motion was made to approve the CIP by Mrs. Sacco, seconded by Mrs. Lavallee, all in favor, motion carried.
  • Resolution 2015-07 Policy Amendments presented by Mrs. Bergeron. All of the changes are housekeeping in nature. Discussion ensued especially in regard to the sexual harassment policy. A motion was made by Mrs. Sacco to approve the Policy Amendments, seconded by Mrs. Lavallee, discussion ensued. Mrs. Cartier asked about the policies for part-time staff. All in favor, motion carried.
  • Resolution 2015-08 Fiscal Year End 2015 Financial Statements Certification presented by Mrs. Bergeron. A motion was made to approve the financial statements by Mrs. Lavallee, seconded by Mrs. Sacco, all in favor, motion carried.
  • Mrs. Maxwell asked questions in regard to the solar net metering and the possibility of getting a discount from National Grid. Mrs. Bergeron explained that residents and businesses alike received a rate hike.
  • A motion was made by Mr. Sposato to table the Executive Director’s Evaluation and Salary Negotiations/Review to June, discussion, seconded by Mrs. Lavallee, all in favor, motion carried.
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Mrs. Cartier inquired about the staff uniforms and reimbursement. Questions in regard to warrants were answered appropriately by Mrs. Bergeron.
  • Accountant’s Report
  • Mrs. Bergeron aptly answered all questions.
  • Executive Director’s Report
  • Status quo in regard to administrative duties.
  • Current vacancies:              
Unit
Vacancy date
Anticipated
turnaround
Anticipated
rental
Notes
35WM
4/24/15
Transfer 6/1/15
55WM
4/16/15
5/5/15
5/15/15





  • Tenant/Participant Activity- State-aided: Processed one transfer; received eleven applicants, sent out thirteen applications. Processed thirty-seven Annual reexams.
  • MRVP: administered one Interim reexam and one Change of Unit.
  • HCV: processed six interim reexams (five absorbed vouchers), updated one Port-out and one Change of Unit; submitted HUD Form 50058.
  • 667-1 Vinyl Siding: demo/construction begins May 4, 2015 (pre-conference meeting held April 27, 2015.
  • Rebid 705-1 Center St unit rehab (site visit April 30, 2015); bids due May 6, 2015.
  • Mrs. Cartier inquired about what will happen to the money, will the Authority be penalized? Mrs. Bergeron explained that, no the agency will not be penalized. The money will be used for the roofs at Depot Court and the work will undoubtedly will be done when the tenant moves out. Another option may be to do a room at a time. Mrs. Cartier asked how long the tenant has lived there. Mrs. Bergeron responded that she was unsure but at least five years.
  • Mrs. Cartier asked for details in regard to the roofs and funding for Depot Court. Mrs. Bergeron explained that she was told by the town’s grant administrator that the town could offer BHA $105,000 from the CDBG program. The Authority was misinformed. Depot Court is not in the demographic area to qualify for CDBG and the latest grant application was submitted in February. The town does not have those funds. Mrs. Bergeron did requested from Dennis Fraine if the town could donate any funds; no response has been received.
  • Hired Civil Engineer for 667-1 Depot Court ponding issue.
  • Any other business that may legally come before the board
  • Mr. Sposato inquired about the advertisement for the maintenance position. Mrs. Bergeron stated that she placed an ad on Indeed.com, AMBI18, and the BHA Facebook page. Mr. Sposato suggested to place it on the town’s website.
  • Mrs. Cartier asked if the Personnel Policy was to be update. Mrs. Bergeron stated that the policy was updated in 2012.
  • Mrs. Cartier asked if we have addressed investments, specifically the land. Mrs. Bergeron stated she sent an inquiry to Mr. Conlon and Mr. Pelletier with no response as of this date.
  • Mrs. Cartier asked about pet licenses. Mrs. Sacco stated that dogs must be licensed and vaccinated. Mrs. Bergeron stated that that is in the Pet Policy.
  • Mrs. Cartier asked about the Recreational Equipment Policy. Mrs. Bergeron contacted Stephanie Giancola at DHCD and there have been no updates to the regulations.
  • Next meeting is June 9, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Motion to adjourn made by Mrs. Sacco, seconded by Mr. Sposato, all in favor, motion carried.