LENOX HOUSING AUTHORITY 6 Main Street, Suite 1 Lenox, MA 01240 US
Meeting minutes
The Regular meeting of the Lenox Housing Authority was held on Tuesday March 11, at 4:45 p.m. at Turnure Terrace, 36 Old Stockbridge Road
A. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Carol Ramsey at
4:45 p.m.
B. Roll Call: Present – Carol Ramsey, Chairman
Deb Prew, Vice Chairman
Linda Carroll, Member
Shannon Cella, Executive Director
Jim Mercer, Commercial Property Manager
Barbara Keenan, Town Resident
Ellen Jacobson, LTO President
Robert Pollock – Tenant
Eric Cleary – Tenant
Sandy Panzella – Tenant
Amy Sternlieb – Tenant
Robert Pelliciotti – Tenant
Diane Romeo – Lenox Board of Health
Absent – Kim Graham, Treasurer
1. Tenant Forum:
Ellen Jacobson spoke on behalf of the LTO. She spoke about their budget and the numbers per unit. She asked if there was any progress on receiving their allotted money. The director told the board that she had her accountant review the LTO’s budget and she informed the director that it was ok as is. The director also informed the board that she reached out to Mass Union with questions regarding the LTO funds, however, they are waiting for the Mass Union Executive Director to return to the office to answer these questions.
2. Minutes:
a. Approval of minutes for February 18, 2025 was postponed to the
next meeting due to lack of quorum as Chairman Ramsey was not
present at the meeting and was unable to vote.
3. Commercial Space:
Jim Mercer let the board know that the leases for both Apella and the Lenox Village Pharmacy are up for renewal. He has reached out to both and they would like to continue their lease with the LHA.
4. Accounts Payable:
a. Monthly Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2025 were unavailable. Will
review at next month’s meeting.
5. Programs:
a. Rent Collection – There are 3 tenants on repayment agreements with
money being collected each month from all individuals. There is one
tenant who is currently in a nursing home and we are working with her
lawyer to collect rent.
b. Vacancies: There is 1 vacancy at Turnure Terrace - 40-5D. There are 4
vacancies at the Curtis, #403, #415, #408 and #311. There will also be a
2-bedroom unit available at the Curtis, as a tenant will not be returning.
The second member of that household will be transferred to unit #403 by
March. 13 Church Street still has a vacant 2-bedroom, wheelchair
accessible family unit which is waiting on the bathroom rehab. This
project went out to bid on the 5th of March and bids are due in no later
than the 26th of March.
c. Waitlist: 2998 Total Elderly/Handicapped, 9100 total Family
Elderly list – 1390 Elderly, 972 Handicapped
3 local/veteran, 15 Local, 52 Veteran
Family list – 2 local/veteran, 37 Local, 48 Veteran
5255 2-bedroom, 2992 3-bedroom
6. Old Business:
a. Automatic Door Openers
The director reached out to New England Door Closer, Inc. out of
West Springfield inquiring about door closers with keys. The estimate of
+/- $3400 - $3900 per door plus the cost of the electrician is for the 2
main doors at the Curtis and the 1 main door at Turnure Terrace. The
director will look into adding this to the LHA’s 5-year Capital
Improvement Plan.
7. New Business:
None
8. Executive Director’s Report
a. Town of Lenox – Diane Romeo from Lenox Board of Health/Tri-Town
Health spoke to the board to ask about the possibility of putting in a
Sharps Container Disposal Bin. This would be a mailbox sized container
that would be locked 24/7, completely managed by Tri-Town Health and
would have nothing to do with the LHA. After much discussion, the board
and the director agreed that it would be a good thing for the residents
and the community. The bin will be coming sometime in June and the
director and Ms. Romeo will find a location in the Curtis for placement.
b. Personnel – The LHA staff has been having a tough few months with
injury and illness affecting the Director and Maintenance Staff. Hopefully
in the next few months the staff will be back at full strength.
c. Public Hearing Notices
None
9. Any topic the Chairperson could not reasonably anticipate:
10. Adjournment: Motion was made by Deb Prew to adjourn, seconded by
Linda Carroll. Vote 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m.
Next Meeting – Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. at The Curtis, 6 Main St.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shannon Cella
Secretary/Executive Director
