The Regular meeting of the LHA was held on Tuesday September 11, 2012 at 4:30 PM at the Curtis.
- The meeting was called to order by Chairman T. Sorrentino at 4:30 PM.
- Roll Call: Present – Tess Sorrentino, Chairman
Catherine May, Vice Chairman/State Appointee
Jan Ward/ Treasurer
Marge Pero/Member Diana Kirby/Member
Martha Joyner, Exec. Dir.
Absent – Diana Kirby Others Present: tenants
No requests for agenda.
b. Minutes-Aug Annual/ Regular meeting.
M. Pero made the motion to accept the annual minutes, J. Ward seconded. All in attendance voted in favor. C. May made the motion to accept the regular minutes,
M. Pero seconded. All in attendance voted in favor. Minutes will be forwarded to the town web site. C. May questioned why tenant names are not listed in minutes – Exec. Dir. responded due to privacy and confidentiality names are not allowed.
c. Accounts Payable/Aug.
Accounts payable for Aug. were approved. The June 30, 2012 quarterly and mod report was submitted to DHCD. As of today the 4001 balance is approximately $ 43,000.00, July accounts reconciliation show LHA is over subsidized by $18,661.00, GIC health insurance
$ 8,290.28 will be paid, transferred $ 6447.05 from 689 MMA to 4001, porch fund balance as of 8/31/12 is $2249.96. T. Sorrentino suggested renaming this account to “special projects” as the porch is done. Exec. Dir. will ask accountant about this and best way to handle or just leave as is.
- Board vote – Revised Income Limits for Admission/FMR for continued Occupancy
C. May made the motion to approve the following DHCD revisions effective Aug. 9, 2012:
Net income limits, 1 person $45,500, 2 person $52,000, 3 person $58,500,
4 person $65,000, 5 person $70,200, 6 person $ $75,400, 7 person $ $80,600,
8 person $ $85,800. FMR -1 bedroom $ 673, 2 bedroom $ 835, 3 bedroom $ 1073.
M. Pero seconded and all in attendance voted in favor.
e. Request for BCHC Community Service – hallways TT
Exec. Dir. submitted a request for painting of hallways at TT and it has been approved.
All labor is provided free, LHA is responsible for paint and materials. Scheduled for first or second week of Oct.
As of 9/1/12 Curtis 1, TT 1, families –2 (3 bed). Exec. Dir. noted that in the past year there have been 24 vacancies, 3 have been total renovations.
- Update on Smoke Free housing
Health and Wellness Program Coordinator for Tri-Town Health Adele Gravitz met with board to discuss the possibility of putting a deadline on “right to smoke” to those smokers who were grandfathered in Dec. 2010. There are issues unique to elder populations that make this opportunity to go completely smoke free a challenge. Health risks are not necessarily a deterrent at their age, memory issues, and probably more. Not sure that holding a health fair would draw the smokers. What are consequences for smoking and how can you enforce it. Lack of staff for monitoring, self-policing by volunteers would cause conflicts among tenants/neighbors.
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Exec. Dir. would like to send out a survey to all tenants – leave policy as is or move to complete non-smoking property. Ask for their input about policing, what it would take for a smoker to quit. Exec. Dir. would like to see the 10’ rule for windows/doors increased to 25’. Board thanked Adele for attending and welcomes any ideas she may have to help us accomplish our complete non-smoking property goal.
Future Financial viability of housing authority – Exec. Dir. discussed the proper handling of the elimination of the maintenance mechanic position with Atty. LaFore. She met with employee to discuss authority’s financial position and to inform the employee as of Oct. 1, 2012 this position will be eliminated. The employee has chosen to retire, therefore
M. Pero made the motion to eliminate the maintenance mechanic position as of Oct. 1, 2012 and acknowledged the retirement of employee (last day of employment will be 9/28/12.) C. May seconded and all members in attendance voted in favor.
Our State Appointee C. May has been reappointed until July 2017. Best wishes for her continuing support of our authority.
Curtis Porch Restoration – Exec. Dir. is pleased to announce that with the marble steps and the façade painting the porch restoration is completed! T. Sorrentino suggested hosting the caroling event. This will be discussed further at a future meeting. Thank you will be sent to Lenox Citizens/Selectmen and the CPC.
Request for modernization funds to address rehab needs in vacancies
Exec. Dir. emailed LHA Asset Mg. to inquire about the possibility of 705 modernization funds to assist with rehabs of 11 Church St. B 101, B 102 (3 bed apt.). Without extra funding these apts. will continue to remain vacant with no rental income. This building has a newer roof and both apts. have new high efficiency gas boilers. State Inspector D. Balling made a site visit on Aug. 27 to assess our funding needs to assure we are included in any future rounds of funding. His assessment total s $24,950.
Exec. Dir. will attend WMEDA meetings 9/13 and 9/19. She will inquire if any other Berkshire Cty. authorities are interested in having a joint meeting with our boards, reps, and senator to discuss this proposal by the Gov. Commission.
Exec. Dir. reminded all in attendance that an Open Meeting Law presentation will be held on Wed. 9/12 at 6Pm at the Lenox Town hall. All members are encouraged to attend.
- T. Sorrentino adjourned the meeting at 6:00 PM. All members in attendance voted in favor.
Respectfully Submitted
Martha Joyner, Secretary/Executive Director
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