East Hampton Housing Authority
Chatham Acres
Governor Bill O’Neill Drive
East Hampton, CT 06424
A meeting was held on April 20, 2011 at Chatham Acres. The meeting opened at 6:05pm. Members present were Patricia Dufour, Tom Denman, Ann McLaughlin, Jo Ann Ewing, Jodi Brazal and Judie Bobbi. Monica Kangley is away until June due to a family matter.
Minutes:
A motion was made by Ms. McLaughlin to approve the Minutes of March 16th. Mr. Denman seconded. Vote was unanimous.
Bills and Communication:
Ms. Bobbi reported that no reply has been received from Senator Eileen Daily from the letter sent on March 29, 2011.
AARP sent notice to support Senate Bill 1, Electric Relief Legislation.
Ms. Bobbi sent letter to tenant at Bellwood Court regarding cleaning of the apartment. Ms. Brazal is also working to arrange help for getting the apartment cleaned through the Agency on Aging.
Cash Report: Ms. Bobbi presented the report for the Board to review. The report will be filed for audit.
Old Business and New Business:
Ms. Bobbi asked about the disposal of the old VCRs since our new televisions have a DVD player in them. The Board suggested checking with tenants to see if anyone could use one and if not, they would be given away.
Ms. Bobbi reported that she attended a Smoke-Free Public Housing seminar last week. Milford Housing Authority went smoke free on March 1st which includes no smoking in apartments. At least three other housing authorities have plans to go smoke free this year. It was brought out that this something that HUD is supporting since smoking is not a protected class or activity. You are not preventing a smoker from living in public housing; you are preventing the activity of smoking in apartments which is the number one cause of fires in apartments and is the number one cause of preventable disease. The Board will be looking at this issue in the coming months.
FEMA: Ms. Bobbi contacted DEHMAS regarding the Jan 11/12 snow storm to see if FEMA has reconsidered including Middlesex County in the claim. Nothing has happened so far.
Blumenthal and Donahue Insurance have brought down the premium by $600 which makes the increase over last year about $250.
Weatherization Update: Ms. Bobbi received a Scope of Services Agreement to sign and return to CRT.
Bellwood Court Patio furniture: The table, some chairs and a grill was damaged during the winter storms due to the weight of snow. The furniture was originally purchased by a few tenants and the Board feels that made them responsible for it. The grill belonged to Mr. Strong who had passed away this winter. The Board will look into purchasing table and chairs for the patio. Mr. Denman made a motion to look for furniture in the price range of $500. Ms. McLaughlin seconded. Vote was unanimous. Ms. McLaughlin recommended that we check with Wal-Mart and let them know we are a senior housing to see if they may give a good discount. The Board stated that because the housing authority was buying the furniture that the use of the table and chairs would include anyone who resides at
Bellwood Court. Tenants were also concerned that the patio was the yard for #3. Ms. Bobbi pointed out that all property inside and out belongs to the Housing Authority, with the exception of a tenant’s personal belongings. The Housing Authority allows planting by a tenant along the border of their apartment within reason.
Congregate: Ms. Bobbi will try to check out the Housing Coalition site for information.
Vacancy – 1
Ms. Bobbi presented the Financial Statement for the quarter ending on March 31, 2011. She pointed out that due to the cost of snow removal and shoveling of the roofs, we have surpassed the complete amount budgeted for 2011 already.
The Chairman reported that she is not happy that the doors are being left unlocked at Bellwood Court when they should be locked. Ms. Bobbi will make sure that maintenance is aware of this and to make sure the doors are locked before he leaves. Ms. Bobbi believes that some tenants are unlocking the doors and leaving them unlocked. A notice will be placed in the newsletter.
RSC:
Ms. Brazal reported that Bellwood is reviving the Bellwood Club with Don Sorvillo being the chairman.
Ms. Brazal noted that the state is proposing to make cuts in the homecare program with benefits many of our senior residents. Ms. Brazal will be attending the NERSC conference in Maine the first week of May.
Tenant Commissioner: Ms. Kangley is away until June.
The May meeting date will be changed to Thursday, May 12th at 6pm so that we have a quorum.
A motion was made by Mr. Denman to adjourn at 7:30pm. Ms. Ewing seconded.
Respectfully submitted by Judie Bobbi, recording secretary
CC: Board Members, Town Manager, Town Clerk, Town Council
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