The Annual meeting of the LHA was called to order by Vice Chairman C. May on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at the Curtis at 3:10 PM.
- Roll Call: Present – Catherine May, Vice Chairman/State Appointee
Tess Sorrentino, Treasurer
Marge Pero, Jan Ward, Members
Martha Joyner, Exec. Dir. Absent - Holly Higgins, Member
Marge stated that it is important to have a full board for reorganization; however with H. Higgins being a new member it most likely would not affect the voting. C. May called for nominations for Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Treasurer. J. Ward nominated T. Sorrentino for Chairman, Marge seconded and all in attendance voted in favor. M. Pero nominated C. May for Vice Chairman, T. Sorrentino seconded and all in attendance voted in favor. T. Sorrentino nominated J. Ward for Treasurer, M. Pero seconded and all in attendance voted in favor. C. May adjourned the Annual Meeting at 3:15 PM. All in attendance voted in favor. C. May will continue as the board’s representative on CPC.
The regular meeting of the LHA was held on Tuesday July 5, 2011 at 3:15 PM at the Curtis.
- The meeting was called to order by Chairman T. Sorrentino at 3:15 PM.
- Roll Call: Present – Tess Sorrentino, Chairman
Catherine May, Vice Chairman/State Appointee
Jan Ward, Treasurer
Marge Pero, Members
Martha Joyner, Exec. Dir. Absent – Holly Higgins, Member
Agenda:
No topic requests for agenda. Exec. Dir. reported that FY’12 Budget required tenant meetings for input on capital improvements were held on Tuesday 6/28 at TT and the Curtis. The prioritized items relevant to each site were presented to all present. Tenants understood the items/ the associated costs, and have an appreciation for what it takes for the LHA to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing.
- Minutes/June regular meeting.
Marge made the motion to accept the minutes, Cathie seconded and all in attendance voted in favor. Minutes will be sent to the town web site.
Accounts payable for June were approved. May account reconciliation was distributed, 4001 bal. approximately $11,000 including rents deposited, no transfer from 689 MMA to 4001, as of 6/30/11 Curtis porch fund balance $2509.63 includes $800 set aside to be used to refinish wood floor outside of office.
None at this time. The next four Curtis porch column shafts have been ordered, the next phase is being planned.
As of 7/1/11 Curtis – 2, TT – 0, Families –1. Marge asked if there had been any discussion regarding the lowering of the elderly age requirement in order to target a growing segment of applicants who fall between 55 and 60 who for the most part are employed, but cannot afford the private market rents according to Exec. Dir.
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These tenants would help the LHA financially, would help fill vacancies, and in turn the LHA would be providing a service to these people who are in need of decent, affordable housing. Exec. Dir. will contact Mass NAHRO for their input/advice on the possibility of having this implemented and also Sen. B. Downing and Rep. S. Pignatelli to alert them to this need. Other Exec. Dir. will be contacted as well.
- Lease Addendum – Collection of Legal fees and Costs
Atty. PM LaFore has advised that an addendum regarding Collection of Legal Fees and Costs related to costs associated with a Summary/Eviction case brought against any tenant be adopted for clarification. The suggested addendum was read/reviewed. Marge made the motion to adopt, Jan seconded and all in attendance voted in favor. Exec. Dir. will implement addendum asap starting immediately with new tenants.
Curtis Assoc. water/sewer – Exec. Dir. has forwarded a copy of the Curtis Assoc. lease, water/sewer clause correspondence and other relative information to Atty. LaFore for her review. To date there still has been no response from Atty. Boraski or S. Barry with a proposal for water/sewer fees. Marge asked if there was a reporter (locally/Boston) who would be willing to resurrect the controversy. This lease is a disservice to the housing authority, taxpayers of Lenox and the state.
Board meeting time – 3:00 PM is not always convenient for the working board members. Board agreed starting with Sept. 6 meeting time will be 4:30 PM with a goal of 1 hr. if possible.
Exec. Dir. evaluation form – C. May asked Exec. Dir. her opinion of current form, Exec. Dir. stated does not like it/questions don’t give a good picture of the job. She suggested the possibility of canvassing the different people she is in contact with on a regular basis to give a better view of job performance. She suggested Asset Mg., Construction Mg., Project Mg., Accountant, CPC, grievance, police/fire/ambulance. Jan stated the form was hard to fill out as board members don’t know about handling all the different day to day events. Marge asked what other authorities use – Exec. Dir. stated some authorities don’t do evaluations, others like Westfield use a basic form. Tess asked about a comment /response section on the present form, would like to canvass contacts. Exec. Dir. will provide their email addresses to Tess. The form will be further discussed at the Sept. meeting.
Exec. Dir. will be on vacation starting 7/27 and will return to work 8/8.
Due to vacation conflicts the Aug. meeting will be cancelled.
The BTEP students (4) started 7/5 and will work at the Curtis and TT.
- T. Sorrentino adjourned the meeting at 4:45 PM. All members in attendance voted in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Joyner, Secretary to the Board
Executive Director
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