Willington Housing Authority
60 Old Farms Road
July 9, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Present: WHA Chair Robert Campbell; Treasurer Claudia D’Agata; members Don Berg; Willington First Selectman Christina Mailhos; financial consultant David Berto; WHA Recording Secretary Brenda Sullivan.
Call to Order – R. Campbell called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
Present to Speak – No members of the public were present to speak.
Old Business – Senior Housing project:
There was discussion about the timing of the lease and the length of the fixed tax assessment. C. Mailhos suggested dating it back to the lease for the other senior housing project. R. Campbell suggested linking the date of the lease to the time of the loans.
D. Berto asked what happens when the lease expires. R. Campbell said he foresees the Willington Housing Authority becoming the management board. C. D’Agata asked what usually happens? D. Berto said that at the end of the lease period, the leasing entity has no rights – they revert to the leasor, which is the Town of Willington and the town would have to own and manage the property. He asked if there is any incentive for ownership to revert to the town.
C. Mailhos said the town attorney told her 30 years is the normal lease period. She said she’d like to see the lease agreements for the previous senior housing project and the new one come up on the same date, in about 70 years.
R. Campbell asked about how a fixed tax assessment works in relation to the mill rate over time. D. Berto asked if the lease and assessment would follow the same timeline. C. Mailhos said, yes.
R. Campbell said the manager of the new senior housing project would be responsible for maintenance only within the lease line. C. Mailhos said this would be OK with the Board of Selectmen.
R. Campbell noted where the lease line cuts through the center of an island, which is confusing, so it might be necessary to shift the line so that the island is on either the senior housing side or the town side… or agree informally that both the WHA and the town will work together on maintenance. He added that the landscape architect said the grass to be planted there is a kind that needs to be mowed about once a year.
D. Berto said Federal Home Bank needs signed contracts.
C. Mailhos said the town meeting for the senior housing project is on the same agenda as a vote to approve funds for the Center School parking lot.
There was discussion about choosing a name for the new senior housing project. After considering a long list of suggestions, including several solicited via the town’s web site from Willington residents, the WHA voted unanimously for Button Hill.
Because the architect (Bill Crosskey) wasn’t at the meeting, there was no discussion on updated plans. D. Berto said Mr. Crosskey had been in the hospital with pneumonia, but Michasel Weissbrod has been working on the items discussed at the June WHA meeting and there have been several follow-up emails in the process. A complete set of updated plans is expected by the end of the week, D. Berto said. R. Campbell said he would like two paper sets and to have plans put up on an FTP site, and that he and D. Berg would review specifics that have discussed at WHA meetings. They will then meet at Crosskey’s to convey questions from the WHA. R. Campbell and D. Berg asked that the paper plans be mailed to them; D. Berg asked for a copy of the spec book, as well.
R. Campbell asked D. Berg to have a face-to-face meeting with at Crosskey’s office in Hartford to discuss any questions or changes (including questions regarding heating and cooling), and then they may be able to sign a preliminary approval of plans at the WHA August meeting.
D. Berto said he might be able to attend the Town Meeting vote on July 17.
There was discussion raised by D. Berg about the heating/cooling system about whether a split system (versus fan coil units and a lot of duct work) would be more efficient. R. Campbell said that with an air handler, you know how much fuel/electricity it uses at maximum. D. Berg noted plans call for separate meters and utility costs included in the rents.
There was a review of the current plans, including anchor bolts, floor transition areas, location of pipe, moisture barrier between key way and wall, engineered wood for stem wall with shelf, type of radon detection system.
D. Berg asked if 4 inches of stone is enough, asked about 30- versus 40-year shingles, ventilation holes, R49 blown-in insulation (R. Campbell said it’s adequate), nailed versus screwed in sheetrock in demising partition, exterior walls regarding vapor barriers, height of knobs at maximum height, window detail (worried about caulk failing), insulation behind shower units, stairwells and lower levels and their fire rating, a one-hour door protecting the attic (is that needed?), bathroom exhaust fan vents near the patio (R. Campbell asked if the fan will be strong enough to vent that distance, given the number of elbows in the piping, what is a ceiling radiation damper, drying venting and possible future installation of a lint trap (important not to leave that to the tenants), home runs to panel boards, why is the light in the stairway
on a timer, and not tying the ground into the footing steel (why isn’t this shown in the foundation detail?).
There was discussion about insurance for directors and officers (of WHA) – R. Campbell asked about a bill for about $1,400. D. Berto said this would come from project funds. He also said he called Mr. Privatelli at the bank that day but didn’t speak with him directly.
New Business – none.
Approval of Minutes – D. Berg moved and C. D’Agata seconded the motion to approve the June WHA minutes as written; motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
C. D’Agata reported the only expenditure to date was for secretarial services ($53.83), and there was a balance of $5,360.20
Adjournment – Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Sullivan, WHA Recording Secretary
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