LENOX HOUSING AUTHORITY 6 Main Street, Suite 1 Lenox, MA 01240 US
Meeting minutes
The REGULAR VIRTUAL meeting of the LHA was held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman, C. May at 4:00 p.m.
1. Roll Call: Present - C. May, Chairman, D. Kirby, Treasurer, T. Sorrentino, member
B. Heaphy, Executive Director, J. Mercer
Tenants - S. May, C. Ramsay, T. Miller
Absent - D. Prew, Member
a. Tenant Forum: No requests
b. Minutes: Motion made by T. Sorrentino, seconded by D. Kirby to approve the
minutes of the July 30, 2020 meeting. All members voted in favor.
c. Curtis Commercial Space:
J. Mercer reported that he's waiting for the plans for the new Pharmacy door. Dan
Downer from hill Engineering is working on them. Funding for the door will come
from the Commercial account.
d. Accounts Payable:
Barbara reported that as of July 2020, 689 balance is $73,744.21. 4001 balance is
$124,881.63. Commercial balance is $94,529.19. Commercial savings is
$60,456.50. All but one rent is paid. Tenant has been making partial monthly
payments as per repayment agreement.
Old Business:
Vacancies - There are two vacancies at the Curtis. As of 8/31. There is one family
unit vacant that needs a lot of work. A three-family unit is vacant as of 8/31. There
is one vacancy at Turnure Terrace. Waitlists: 609 - Elderly: 22 local, 18 veterans,
2 local/vet. 1686 families 10 local, 26 veterans. There are around 505 family
applicants that don't qualify here because there are only two- and three-bedroom
apartments and they've requested a different bedroom size.
Building Property Maintenance - The Curtis parking lot project began on August
31st. Tenants moved their cars on one side. That side and the driveway with
additional parking spaces added, will be done first. The other side will be done
after first side is paved. The contract is for 70 days with completion date October
26, 2020.
Regulatory Updates - State quarantine order travel guidance: out of state travel to
higher risk areas is strongly discourages among staff. Employees are expected to
take vacation time with the importance of taking a break from responsibilities of
work particularly given the unique stresses of 2020.
Town of Lenox - The cell antenna project update: Due to current circumstances
with the pandemic, a virtual meeting with tenants, board, town officials and Anthony
LePore, consultant, will be scheduled. Atty. LePore sent a proposal to evaluate
and negotiate the cell antenna project on the Curtis roof. He is willing to speak to
the tenants and answer any questions they may have as to what potential
installation of this equipment may mean. Tenants want to know why the Curtis?
It is the highest location in town to receive a signal. This is a Town project and
Board would like Chris Ketchen, Town Mgr., to speak at the tenant meeting about
the importance of this project.
Chris Ciolfi of Evolution, was the high bidder. Motion made by T. Sorrentino to let
Chris Ciolfi know that the Housing Authority is still exploring and has not yet made
a formal decision to move forward. Diana seconded the motion. All members
voted in favor.
Personnel Issues - none
Public Housing Notices - DHCD recommended procedures and protocols for
Housing Authorities: Maintaining all face mask wearing, social distancing and
hygiene protocols. Resume in unit resident services, maintenance, capital
projects, maintaining mask wearing, social distancing and hygiene practices.
Continue frequent cleaning of common touch points: doors, handrails, bathroom
surfaces, handles, counters, elevator buttons. Provide access to hand washing
facilities and cleaning products. Continue holding remote meetings or hold
outside or in a well-ventilated room. Reopen community rooms with restrictions:
Require face masks, limit total number of people to such that can maintain six
feet of social distance between each person - 8 per 1000 square feet or 25 people
whichever is less.
New Business: Shannon Cella organized the repainting of parking lot lines at
Turnure Terrace. Each space has been numbered as well. Now tenants have
assigned parking and it's working out well.
Trilby Miller, a tenant is asking for reimbursement from the Housing Authority for
$750 legal fees as a result of being served by the courts for harassing another
tenant. The judge dismissed the case. The tenant pressing charges lived next
door to Trilby. Housing offered to move Trilby to another apartment and paid for
the move which was $900. Trilby still feels the other tenant is a danger to others.
Barbara has referred the case to the Resident Service Coordinator and Berkshire
County Regional Housing Authority. Protective Services can be called if necessary.
Board agreed to table this until next month.
D. Kirby will ask D. Prew if she is still interested in serving on the Board as she has
missed several meetings. There is an opening since L. Messana resigned. Kim
Graham is interested and Diana's daughter-in-law is, as well. There are two likely
candidates. Annual meeting to elect officers won't take place until new members
are appointed.
Adjournment:
Motion made by D. Kirby, seconded by C. May to adjourn at 5:06 p.m. All
members voted in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Heaphy
Secretary/Executive Director
