The Regular meeting of the LHA was held on Tuesday October 2, 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 – None Others Present: tenants
No requests for agenda. Exec. Dir. wished to acknowledge two tenants who have volunteered to do some outside painting at TT and to make a new TT sign to replace the one that was stolen. These volunteers show a great deal of pride for their home and want to keep it nice for all to enjoy.
b. Minutes-Sept Regular meeting.
C. May made the motion to accept the minutes, J. Ward seconded. All in attendance voted in favor. Minutes will be forwarded to the town web site.
c. Accounts Payable/Sept.
Accounts payable for Sept. were approved. Aug. accounts reconciliation show an over subsidy of $23,509,as of today the 4001 balance is approximately $ 23,000.00(no rents), transferred $ 3184.83 from 689 MMA to 4001, and porch fund balance is $2520.63. The renaming of this account will wait until a later time based on accountant consultation. The maintenance accumulated time payout was $5,019.84 (net). Otis Elevator contract for the fiscal year is $ 5168.52 an increase of $166.22 due to negotiated union labor. The Curtis Consignment Shop sent an update along with a check for $115.73.
d. Request for BCHC Community Service – hallways TT
Painting in TT front hallways/stairs started 10/1. The team is expected to work a week. Exec. Dir. has been encouraged to request more time from them for later in the fall in order to help finish some much needed painting projects.
As of 10/1/12 Curtis 0, TT 2, families –2 (3 bed).
The LHA received a request from S. Barry to approve a tenant for Shop # 10, rent will be $300 per month. This tenant will create little if any traffic in and out of the space. D. Kirby made the motion to approve Frank Shattuck Tailor for Shop # 10, M. Pero seconded, and all members in attendance voted in favor. Another letter from S. Barry was received regarding mice in the pharmacy and basement. Exec. Dir. has followed up – LHA is responsible for basement and S. Barry must provide extermination in any of his rental space. On another matter, the pharmacy has made a written request to S. Barry to reduce their rent by 10%. The board acknowledged the great job the pharmacy does for the town and all our residents, however our maintenance expenses for commercial space walks/entrances continue to
rise (snow removal/sand & salt), and all our other contractual responsibilities. The LHA has just eliminated a maintenance position as a cost saving measure. The LHA is not in a position to reduce income from any source or subsidize private business anymore than already doing. In the past year the Walker St. steps
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repair cost $4025.00 – the past years total commercial space 10% share was $7932.
Exec. Dir. reported the current rent for the pharmacy according to S. Barry records is $4410 - our 10% = $441, pharmacy 10% request =$441 reducing the rent to $3969 – our 10% = $396.90, a loss of $44.10 per month, $529.20 per year. J. Ward made the motion to deny the pharmacy request to reduce their rent by 10%, if S. Barry wants to agree to the reduction ok, but the LHA will expect our monthly 10% share to remain as it is now($441) or until such time rent is increased in future at the stated 5% increase. D. Kirby seconded, and all members in attendance voted in favor of denying this request. Exec. Dir. will send board’s decision to S. Barry.
Update on 9/13, 9/19 WMEDA meetings – A 9/13 memo from Tom Connelly regarding the draft proposal from Commission Working Group on Governance and DHCD’s presentation to LHA Executive Director Organizations 9/19 by L. Heyer on Public Housing Sustainability & Reform were distributed to all members for their review. C. May commented that information was very ominous.
Berkshire County housing authorities to schedule joint meeting with our board members, Senator, all Representatives, and town Selectmen to voice our concerns about the proposed reform for public housing and how it will affect our authorities and all residents and to discuss strategy. Exec. Dir. will contact all others in county regarding this matter. As soon as a date/time is agreed all will be notified. Selectmen Dave Roche will be contacted with date and time. This joint meeting will be held in Lenox – possibly the town hall if more space is needed.
T. Sorrentino will distribute Exec. Dir. evaluation form to all members/offer opportunity for comments or suggestions.
Exec. Dir. will check by-laws regarding meeting date, what process must be followed to make any change and report to board at next meeting.
C. May commented on the “Open Meeting” forum that was held at the town hall 9/12. Very important for the public in attendance to be able to hear and see the meeting. The board will work hard to make sure that happens.
- T. Sorrentino adjourned the meeting at 6:17 PM. All members in attendance voted in favor. Next scheduled meeting should be Nov. 6 – voting day so date has to be rescheduled. Budget meeting must be scheduled in Nov as well – Exec. Dir. will check accountant schedule and post meeting accordingly.
Respectfully Submitted
Martha Joyner, Secretary/Executive Director
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