HomeMy Public PortalAboutHousing Authority -- 2016-03-17 Minutes Minutes of the Meeting
BREWSTER HOUSING AUTHORITY
Board of Commissioners
March 17, 2016
Date: March 17, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Brewster Housing Authority, Community Room, 11 Frederick Court, Brewster, MA
Members Present: Barbara Burgo, Robert Hooper, and Brian Harrison,
Members Absent: Leonard Avery and Mary Haynes
Others Present: Leila Botsford,Executive Director/Managing Agent, and Zachary Volpicelli
List of documents and other exhibits used at the meeting and retained at the Authority's
office:
• Meeting Notice/Agenda
• Minutes of the meeting held February 18, 2016
• 4001 Warrant for February 2016
• MRVP Warrant for February 2016
• Executive Director's report February 2016
• Financial Reports dated February 8, 2016
• DHCD Public Housing Notice 2016-03
• Email from DHCD re: training April 29
• Resignation letter from Mary Haynes dated March 1, 2016
DECISIONS MADE/ACTION TAKEN ARE IN BOLD
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l. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE
Robert Hooper convened the regular meeting of the Brewster Housing Authority's Board of
Commissioners at 5:35 PM in the Community Room of 11 Frederick Court, Brewster, MA.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert Hooper,Barbara Burgo, and Brian Harrison
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Haynes and Len Avery Jr.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Brian Harrison seconded by Barbara Burgo
and voted unanimously.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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A. The minutes for the regular meeting of February 18, 2016 were reviewed and a motion to
approve was made by Barbara Burgo, seconded by Brian Harrison and voted
unanimously.
4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION The chair asked Mr. Volpicelli if he had any comments. Mr.
Volpicelli stated that the presentation last month was reassuring.
5. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
A. DHCD issued a Public Housing Notice earlier this month. A copy is provided to all
members. In this notice,they indicate that board member contact information(addresses and
emails)must now be provided in the LHA Board Meetings Attendance Page on the DHCD
website. Leila will input this information.
B. A communication from DHCD was just received today via email. Under the new law,they
are starting to implement Board Member Training. They are looking for one member of each
board to attend a training in Franklin on Friday, April 29 from 8 AM—about 1:30 PM. Lunch
will be provided. Barbara Burgo volunteered to attend and everyone thanked her for doing so.
6. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mrs. Botsford mentioned that she previously sent
out her report for the month of February, and added the following:
• All regular rents are paid in full at Frederick Court and at Huckleberry
• We are 100%occupied at Frederick Court. We currently have 3 vacancies at Huckleberry;
Mrs. Botsford reviewed the financial reports with the board.
Mrs. Botsford then brought to the board's attention that we are still having problems with the
dumpster and trash situation at Huckleberry Lane/Sunny Pines. Some residents are overflowing
the dumpster or leaving things by the dumpsters that cannot go in. We end up having to take
things to the dump at our cost. Additionally, if trash is not put in dumpster correctly,trash ends
up blowing all over the property and we have to spend time picking it up. Residents have been
asked to take care and dispose of garbage properly,but the problem persists. Mrs. Botsford
stated that the dumpster company has been contacted and we can change our pick up to twice a
week(one dumpster instead of two) and the cost will go up, which the tenants have to pay for.
The other option would be to remove the dumpsters completely and then the residents would be
responsible for taking their own garbage to the transfer station. Ms. Burgo suggested that maybe
we could give one final notice to the residents and give it a few months to improve before we
decide to change things. Mrs. Botsford stated that she can do that and report back in July as to
how things were going.
Mrs. Botsford then stated that she had received the annual communication from the Executive
Office of Labor and Workforce Development indicating the minimum pay rate for the
Maintenance Laborer. It indicates a very small increase of just over I%. Mrs. Botsford
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requested that the board consider issuing Mr. Doyle an increase of 4% over that, as he is a very
valuable employee who works very hard, gets along terrifically with residents, and has become a
wonderful member of our team. Brian Harrison made a motion to approve the requested
increase in the Maintenance Laborer's pay. Barbara Burgo seconded the motion which
passed unanimously. Mrs. Botsford thanked the board and stated that she knows Mr. Doyle
will be pleased. She will put the increase into effect April 1.
7. CORRESPONDENCE none not already mentioned.
8. OLD BUSNIESS
A. CPC update(Barbara Burgo): Ms. Burgo stated that she attended the last meeting.
She was asked how the Brewster Woods process was going and assured them that things
were moving along. Mrs. Botsford mentioned that she also issued a written report to Mr.
Ruchinskas.
B. Brewster Woods Proposal Review: The Chair mentioned that the presentation last
month was very good. He felt that all of our questions had been answered; however, with
Mr. Avery and Ms. Haynes not present, he personally did not want to move ahead with
making a decision yet,because it should be a decision made by the whole board. Ms. Burgo
mentioned that she thought the development had many benefits and that there could be an
adjustment period for people not used to living in that type of development. Mr. Harrison
mentioned that he still didn't personally prefer the design as it didn't seem typical of
Brewster. A consensus was reached that the design would not necessarily appeal to everyone,
and that since this was such a big decision, the full board should be present to vote. It was
agreed that we table this item until Mr. Avery has had a chance to review it and come to a
meeting and discuss.
9. NEW BUSINESS none
10. TOPICS THE CHAIR DID NOT REASONABLY ANTICIPATE The Chairman
reported that he had received a letter of resignation from Mary Haynes effective immediately.
With her position open, and Mr. Harrison's term expiring in May, the board will be down to only
three members unless the vacancies are filled. Mr. Harrison stated that, although he is ready to
retire from the board after 22 years, he would be willing to fill the remaining year on Mary's term
until someone else can run. Mrs. Botsford will get in touch with Town Hall to see what the next
steps are. Mrs. Botsford will also send a letter on behalf of the housing authority thanking Ms.
Haynes for her years of service on the Board of Commissioners.
11. BILLS
The Warrants were presented for approval for the period of February 2016. Brian Harrison
made a motion to approve the bills and sign the checks presented. Barbara Burgo
seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
The next meeting will be Thursday, April 21, 2016 unless changed beforehand.
12. ADJOURNMENT
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Brian Harrison made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Barbara Burgo seconded the
motion which was voted unanimously. The meeting was adjourned by roll call vote at 6:30
p.m.
Respe s ?,m,,' ted,
ila Bots � rd' IX , MP , PHM, C9P
'.,,Executive irector' aging Agent
Secretary Ex-Officio
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