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 July 14, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at Turnure Terrace, 36 Old Stockbridge Road
A. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Deb Prew at 4:30 p.m.
B. Roll Call: Present – Deb Prew, Vice Chairman
Kim Graham, Treasurer
Linda Carroll, Member
Barb Keenan, Town Resident
Shannon Cella, Executive Director
Jim Mercer, Commercial Property Manager -
Via Phone
Absent – None
1. Minutes:
a. Approval of minutes for the regular board meeting of June 9, 2026
The board is unable to approve minutes from June 9, 2026. Due to the changing of board members in July, there will not be a quorum of eligible voting board members.
b. Approval of minutes for the regular board meeting of June 30, 2026
The board is unable to approve minutes from June 30, 2026. Due to the changing of board members in July, there will not be a quorum of eligible voting board members.
2. Commercial Space:
Jim Mercer reported that all is going well with the commercial properties. The shrubs have been trimmed all around the Curtis and some mulch was put down by the Walker St. side entrance. The Loring Group's lease has ended; however, they are looking to extend their lease. Scott Hand's space will be vacant at the end of August 2026. Once vacant, the Housing Authority will be moving their office into that space as it is much larger and has easier handicapped entry than the current office. Linda Carroll asked about the pharmacy's storage in the basement and Jim reported that the pharmacy was allowed basement storage as a courtesy and at their own risk as the basement is wet and damp.
3. Accounts Payable:
a. Monthly Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2026
689 balance is $102,304.65. 400-1 balance which includes the commercial financial report is $104,026.02.
4. Programs:
a. Rent Collection – There are currently 3 tenants on repayment agreements with money being collected each month.
b. Vacancies: There are 4 vacancies at Turnure Terrace - 40-2C, 40-3C, 40-3D & 40-2D. There are 5 vacancies at the Curtis, #401, #315, #410, #411 & #415. All of the units are in different stages of the vacancy process with current tenants transferring into 2 of the units. 13 Church Street still has a vacant 2-bedroom, wheelchair accessible family unit, which shas been mostly completed and should be rented out by next month.
c. Waitlist: 3288 Total Elderly/Handicapped, 10,692 total Family
Elderly list – 1322 Elderly, 1966 Handicapped
1 local/veteran, 20 Local, 17 Veteran
Family list – 2 local/veteran, 44 Local, 67 Veteran
5813 2-bedroom, 3553 3-bedroom
5. Old Business:
a. FISH #152108 - ARPA FF: Turnure Terrace Community Bath - Bid Results Review
The director informed the board that Oakridge Construction has withdrawn their bid for FISH #152108 - ARPA FF: Turnure Terrace Community Bath. With Oakridge withdrawing their bid, the second lowest bidder, Alfa Design Build Inc., has been contacted and will honor their bid in the amount of $97,895.00 which has been reviewed by EOHLC and appears to be in order pending positive references.
Linda Carroll made a motion to accept the bid of $97,895.00 from Alfa Design Build Inc. for FISH #152108 - ARPA FF: Turnure Terrace Community Bath as presented, pending references. Deb Prew seconded the motion. Vote 4-0.
b. FISH #152109 - ARPA FF: Curtis Community Rm Bathrooms - Bid Results Review
The director informed the board that Oakridge Constrcution has withdrawn their bid for FISH #152109 - ARPA FF: Curtis Community Rm Bathrooms. The second lowest bidder has been informed and we are waiting to find out if they will honor the original bid.
6. New Business:
a. Contracts for Financial Assistance (CFA) and Amendments signatory
The director explained that the board chair is currently the only authorized signatory on all Contracts for Financial Assistance and Amendments. With the changing of board members, and their roles, the thought of having the director become the authorized signatory seems to make more sense. After speaking with EOHLC, the director is allowed to be the authorized signatory instead of the board chair.
Linda Carroll made a motion to assign Shannon Cella, Executive Director as the authorized Signatory on all Contracts for Financial assistance and Amendments going forward. Deb Prew seconded the motion. Vote 4-0.
7. Executive Director’s Report
a. Town of Lenox
b. Personnel
c. Public Hearing Notices
PHN 2026-06 Creative Place Making Grant
PHN 2026-07 - Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Update - December 31 FYE Cohort
8. Public Speak (3 Minutes)
None
9. Any topic the Chairperson could not reasonably anticipate:
None
10. Adjournment:
Motion was made by Kim Graham to adjourn, seconded by Linda Carroll. Vote 4-0.
Meeting adjourned at 4:56 p.m.
Next Meeting – Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at The Curtis, 6 Main St.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shannon Cella
Secretary/Executive Director
Lenox Housing Authority
6 Main St., Ste. 1
Lenox, MA 01240
Minutes of the Lenox Housing Authority Board of Directors Public Hearing for the Proposed FY 2027 Annual Plan on July 23, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
The Meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Deb Prew at 4:31 p.m.
Roll Call: Present – Deb Prew, Vice Chair
Kim Graham, Treasurer
Linda Carroll, Member
Barb Keenan, Member
Ellen Jacobson, Tenant
Pascal Popa, Tenant
Karen Nelson, Tenant
Brenda Vallandingham, Tenant
Gail Hurley, Tenant
Veronica Cunningham, Tenant
Absent – None
- The Executive Director presented the Annual Plan to the Board. The annual plan involves both the public and tenant input and the tenants and the public have had access to the Annual Plan since June 4, 2026 through the LHA’s website as well as in the community rooms and in the office. The annual plan serves as a tool for the LHA’s to reflect on the previous year, but also an opportunity to develop a new plan for the coming year. The board has been given the annual plan to read over and make any comments or recommendations.
The vice chair asked if there were any comments on the FY 2027 Annual Plan.
There were none.
With no comments, a motion was in order to accept the FY 2027 Annual Plan as presented
Deb Prew made a motion to accept the FY 2027 Annual Plan as presented. Kim Graham seconded the motion. Vote 4-0. The roll call vote was as follows: Prew, yea, Graham, yea, Carroll, yea, Keenan, yea.
With no other business to come before the board, a motion to adjourn was in order.
Kim Graham made a motion to adjourn the Public Hearing for the Proposed FY 2027 Annual Plan. Linda Carroll seconded the motion. Vote 4-0. The roll call vote was as follows: Prew, yea, Graham, yea, Carroll, yea, Keenan, yea.
Public hearing was adjourned at 4:33 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shannon Cella
Secretary/Executive Director
A cozy dining area with wooden table and chairs next to large sliding glass doors.