Willington Housing Authority
40 Old Farms Road
January 11, 2010
Meeting Minutes
Members Present:
Robert Campbell
Claudia D’Agata
Wilbur Gangaway
Cindy Wilson
Don Berg
Also present:
Dave Berto- housing consultant
Christina Mailhos- First Selectman
R. Campbell called the Housing Authority meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
W. Gangaway made a motion to approve December’s minutes. C. D’Agata seconded the motion. All members voted in favor.
C. D’Agata presented the treasurers report she stated that the balance as of 12/14/09 was $1210.30. Payroll expenses paid were $53.82 leaving a balance of $1156.47.
Old Business
Dave Berto told the Housing Authority that some progress has been made regarding the application to DECD for funding. Mr. Berto told the board that WINCOG contacted OPM letting them know that the Conservation map for Willington had been mismarked. OPM was angry with DECD for making an error on their map as two buildings have already been constructed in the “conservation area”. After OPM’s discussion with WINCOG, OPM sent correspondence to DECD stating that the Willington senior housing cottage project was not in violation of the plan of conservation. DECD has gotten back to WINCOG and told them that they will continue looking at Willington’s application for funding and will let the town know in about a week if it is consistent with their line of funding
for affordable housing.
First Selectperson Mailhos came to the Housing Authority meeting to discuss a transfer of money by the Board of Finance to the Housing Authority. She stated that she is going to recommend to the Board of Finance that they transfer $5000 to the Housing Authority for administrative costs. Ms. Mailhos stated that Mr. Berto would be able to be paid out of that funding and then the architect could be paid from the EDI grant that Mr. Wagner administers.
C. D’Agata asked what the Housing Authority will do if they need more money after the $5000 is gone. R. Campbell said they will be able to submit bills through Mr. Wagner and have things paid by the EDI grant or they will be able to use the Housing Authorities line item in the general fund and draw down that money as it is already earmarked for them.
The Housing Authority members went over the requirements for the use of the EDI money. Mr. Berto said that the EDI grant from 2008 must meet Mr. Wagner’s requirements and can only be used for infrastructure. Mr. Berto said that the left over money from when the town built the water system at the HUD senior housing can be used for anything and does not need to meet any federal requirements, although the town resolution must be changed to reflect that. Mr. Berto suggested the Board of Selectmen make a motion at their next meeting to change the resolution. R. Campbell said he thinks that a town meeting must be held in order to change the resolution. Ms. Mailhos said she was not sure and would look into it. Mr. Berto told Ms. Mailhos that Mrs. Wagner would
like to meet with her to go over the grant so she fully understands it.
The Housing Authority board discussed having a town meeting regarding the resolution before they go to the Board of Finance to request a portion of the money be moved into their account. Ms. Mailhos said that it is easier to go to the Board of Finance then to call a town meeting. Ms. Mailhos said she will find out if going to town meeting is necessary to make changes to the resolution. Mr. Berto went through the resolution to try to make better sense of it. The board discussed what infrastructure actually includes. R. Campbell said that he feels it should include the design of the cottages.
Mr. Berto told the board members that Mr. Wagner suggested having the entire infrastructure and all of the building of the cottages done separately as to make sure each grant’s policies are followed correctly and nothing is done under the wrong grant. He went on to state that the Housing Authority needs to show how they hired their architect and engineer and from now on follow the town’s procurement policy. R. Campbell asked C. Wilson to find the town’s procurement policy.
Ms. Mailhos said that she will meet with the town’s insurance agent tomorrow to discuss getting Officers and Directors insurance for the Housing Authority members.
C. D’Agata asked if Crosskey had signed a contract yet. R. Campbell said he had not. C. D’Agata said that she does not want to make any decisions for the project until she is covered under the Officers and Directors insurance.
R. Campbell suggested using Karl Acomovic the town’s engineer for the project. R. Campbell stated that they interviewed several architects for the project years ago.
The board continued to discuss funding sources. Mr. Berto reminded the board that last year he worked with the previous first selectman Eldredge to write a grant for $400,000. He said they should be hearing in the next month or so whether they received it or not. Mr. Berto stated that that grant can be used for many different things including building and design. Mr. Berto also stated the DECD grant could still come through.
C. D’Agata suggested paying the remaining bill from Mayo Crowe. R. Campbell said he would like to wait until they have more money as it should be only another month before the town is able to move the money into their account.
W. Gangaway made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 PM, C. D’Agata seconded the motion. All members were in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa McDonough
Recording Clerk
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