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 November 18, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. at The Curtis, 6 Main Street
A. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Carol Ramsey at
4:31 p.m.
B. Roll Call: Present – Carol Ramsey, Chairman
Deb Prew, Vice Chairman
Kim Graham, Treasurer
Linda Carroll, Member
Shannon Cella, Executive Director
Absent – Jim Mercer, Commercial Property Manager
1. Tenant Forum:
None
2. Minutes:
a. Approval of minutes for the regular board meeting of October 21, 2025
Deb Prew made a motion to approve the minutes for the regular board meeting of October 21, 2025 as presented. Kim Graham seconded the motion. Vote 4-0.
3. Commercial Space:
The director reported that there has been no interest in the vacant commercial space as of right now. Jim Mercer has reached out to those who have showed interest in the past, but has had no response.
4. Accounts Payable:
a. Monthly Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2025
The Monthly Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2025 were unavailable at the time of the meeting.
5. Programs:
a. Rent Collection – There are currently 4 tenants on repayment agreements with money being collected each month from all individuals.
b. Vacancies: There are 3 vacancies at Turnure Terrace - 40-5D, 40-2C & 40-3C. Both of the new vacant units will need a complete rehab. There are 2 vacancies at the Curtis, #401 and #418. Unit 401 is a 2-bedroom unit in need of a complete turnover and unit 418 shouldn't need much work done. 13 Church Street still has a vacant 2-bedroom, wheelchair accessible family unit, which should be complete in the next few months. The staff is working on the waitlist and maintenance is working on turning over the units.
c. Waitlist: 3450 Total Elderly/Handicapped, 10,545 total Family
Elderly list – 1385 Elderly, 2065 Handicapped
2 local/veteran, 24 Local, 43 Veteran
Family list – 3 local/veteran, 30 Local, 63 Veteran
5914 2-bedroom, 3448 3-bedroom
6. Old Business:
a. FISH #152110 - Arpa FF: Repair & Renovate Side Porch, West Street Complex, 689-1B
Master Builders Construction, the contractor who received the low bid, has officially changed their business name to Oakridge Construction, Inc. The work for this project was set to begin Tuesday, November 18, 2025. This project should be completed within the next few weeks.
b. Resident Services Coordinator Update
The director, along with representatives from EOHLC, the other two directors involved in the grant and the host housing authority met on a zoom meeting to discuss the RSC program. There still seems to be some questions on what the program should entail.
c. Community Preservation Act Funding Application
After some discussions, the director has decided to postpone applying for the Community Preservation Act Funding until the next round.
7. New Business:
Nothing to report
8. Executive Director’s Report
a. Town of Lenox
b. Personnel –
Mike Sullivan will be retiring from the full-time Maintenance Supervisor position on January 1, 2026. Part-time maintenance mechanic, Timothy Wilson has been offered the full-time position and will be taking over upon Mike's retirement. An ad for the part-time position has been posted with the hopes of the new employee starting in January 2026. Resumes are due by December 4th at 4:00 pm.
c. Public Hearing Notices
PHN 2025-14 - Public Housing Innovations 2026 Notice of Funding Availability
9. Any topic the Chairperson could not reasonably anticipate:
Deb Prew wanted to inform us that she spoke with Leigh Davis regarding the State Appointee position on the board. As of now, Deb has been waiting 2 years to become the State Appointee. After speaking with Ms. Davis and submitting the paperwork again to her office, we hope that Deb Prew will be appointed soon.
10. Adjournment:
Motion was made by Kim Graham to adjourn, seconded by Deb Prew. Vote 4-0.
Meeting adjourned at 5:19 p.m.
Next Meeting – Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. at 36 Old Stockbridge Road
Respectfully Submitted,
Shannon Cella
Secretary/Executive Director
