Willington Housing Authority
MINUTES
November 9, 2015
60 Old Farms Road – Senior Center
Willington, CT
PRESENT – Chairman Robert Campbell, Vice Chairman Wilbur Gangaway, Secretary Don Berg, Member Laurel Millix, Treasurer Claudia D'Agata, Housing Consultant David Berto, Recording Secretary Brenda Sullivan.
1. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m.
2. Present to speak –
Nine residents from Willington Woods attended the meeting in order to express concerns about the name of the new road for the Button Hill senior housing project. The currently approved name is Senior Way.
Concerns included having to notify several entities – banks, doctors, etc. – because of what would be an address change. They said this places an unnecessary burden on them.
Speakers also said they are concerned about a road name that includes the word “senior,” because they feel it will make them a target for those who commit crimes against the elderly. They said they felt “vulnerable.” One speaker also said it was “a matter of dignity.”
R. Campbell, D. Berg and W. Gangaway addressed the various questions. In general, they explained to the group that the final choice of the road's name is the Board of Selectmen's.
W. Gangaway said a tally of all the names suggested was taken and listed by number of suggestions and then put in an order from most common to least common. The three Senior Center presidents met and recommended the top five suggestions be submitted to the Board of Selectmen which then discussed these and decided on Senior Way.
Some speakers said they felt the Board of Selectmen should have been asked for a vote by the public on the road's name.
Housing Authority members explained that if the group petitions to change the name, they need to work with the town clerk to make sure the petition is worded correctly and they need to bring it to the Board of Selectmen for further action.
D. Berg said he will work with the group and that his understanding is that they need a minimum of 20 signatures from registered voters in town, not limited to signatures from Willington Woods or only seniors – just registered voters.
Housing Authority members also responded to concerns about the way current signs are located and lit poorly or not at all, by saying that sign-related decisions for the Button Hill senior housing project will have to conform to the town's regulations.
R. Campbell said that placement of signs also has to do with identifying the distinction between the various properties on the site (based on lease lines) and who is responsible for each property.
The group also expressed concerns about security at Willington Woods, i.e. security cameras. R. Campbell said a plan is underway to install cameras at Willington Woods that will allow residents to see who is at their door.
3. Old Business – Button Hill senior housing project.
There was discussion about the remaining steps to be taken by the Department of Housing in order to reach closing. R. Campbell also said Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) has given the project an extension until Dec. 31, 2015.
D. Berto left the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
4. New Business – R. Campbell reported that he was sworn in for another term as Chairman of the Willington Housing Authority.
5. Correspondence – C. D'Agata said she gave D. Berto a Putnam Bank statement and a bill from Gardiner & Peterson.
6. Approval of Minutes – C. D'Agata moved to accept the Oct. 19, 2015 minutes; W. Gangaway seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously.
7. Treasurer's Report – C. D'Agata reported a balance of $862.71, which reflects payment for secretarial services.
8. Adjourn – The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Recording Secretary Brenda Sullivan. Please note that minutes are posted prior to being officially approved – changes/corrections are indicated in the subsequent month’s meeting minutes.
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