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 April 14, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at Turnure Terrace, 36 Old Stockbridge Road
A. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Carol Ramsey at
4:32 p.m.
B. Roll Call: Present – Carol Ramsey, Chairman
Linda Carroll, Member
Deb Prew, Vice Chairman
Shannon Cella, Executive Director
Jim Mercer, Commercial Property Manager
Barb Keenan, Town Resident
Jared Weber, Town Resident
Absent – Kim Graham, Treasurer
1. Minutes:
a. Approval of minutes for the regular board meeting of January 13, 2026
Due to absence this item will be voted on at the next meeting
b. Approval of minutes for the regular board meeting of February 10, 2026
The director presented the minutes of the regular board meeting of February 10, 2026
Deb Prew made a motion to approve the minutes for the regular board meeting of February 10, 2026, as presented. Linda Carroll seconded the motion. Vote 3-0.
c. Approval of minutes for the regular board meeting of March 10, 2026
Due to absence this item will be voted on at the next meeting
2. Commercial Space:
Jim Mercer reported to the board that the Chamber of Commerce has found someone to take over their current lease and they plan on moving to the vacant spot at the Curtis before their busy summer season. Jim also reported that the Pharmacy will be changing hands once the state completes their inspections. Other than a few small maintenance issues, all is going well.
3. Accounts Payable:
a. Monthly Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2026
689 balance is $134,053.71. 400-1 balance which includes the commercial financial report is $121,866.24.
4. Programs:
a. Rent Collection – There are currently 4 tenants on repayment agreements with money being collected each month.
b. Vacancies: There are 5 vacancies at Turnure Terrace - 40-5D, 40-2C, 40-3C, 40-3D & 40-5A. There are 4 vacancies at the Curtis, #401, #203, $410 & #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 fairly soon.
c. Waitlist: 3415 Total Elderly/Handicapped, 10,797 total Family
Elderly list – 1372 Elderly, 2043 Handicapped
4 local/veteran, 26 Local, 43 Veteran
Family list – 3 local/veteran, 38 Local, 48 Veteran
5992 2-bedroom, 3542 3-bedroom
5. Old Business:
a. Abandon Unit Policy
The director and the board talked about the Abandon Unit Policy that was given to them at the last meeting. There are a few changes to be made to the policy and the board will vote on the policy next meeting.
b. Updated Handbooks
The board was given the updated handbooks at the last meeting and there was some conversation between the board and the director. There are some changes to be made to the handbook and it will be voted on at the next meeting.
6. New Business:
a. FISH #152112 - Turnure Terrace Replace ext. doors - Phase 2 - Change Order #1
Oakridge Construction Co. submitted a Change Order Request for a time extension to paint the doors. The weather has put a hold on the painting. The project will be completed as soon as they are able to paint the doors. There is no cost for this Change Order.
Linda Carroll made a motion to approve FISH #152112 - Turnure Terrace ext. doors - Phase 2 - Change Order #1 as presented. Deb Prew seconded the motion. Vote 3-0.
b. FISH #152112 - Turnure Terrace Replace ext. doors - Phase 2 - Certificate of Substantial Completion
The director presented the board with FISH #152112 - Turnure Terrace Replace ext. doors - Phase 2 - Certificate of Substantial Completion.
Deb Prew made a motion to approve FISH #152112 - Turnure Terrace Replace ext. doors - Phase 2 - Certificate of Substantial Completion as presented. Linda Carroll seconded the motion. Vote 3-0.
c. FISH #152119 - VU2023 - 13 Church Street Unit A101 - Bath Upgrades - Change Order #2
Bradley Architects, Inc. submitted Change Order Request #2 to replace the existing rotted subfloor with new 3/4" subflooring. The total amount for this change order is $2,594.30.
Linda Carroll made a motion to approve FISH #152119 - VU2023 - 13 Church Street Unit A101 - Bath Upgrades - Change Order #2 in the amount of $2,594.30. The motion was seconded by Deb Prew. Vote 3-0.
d. FISH #152119 - VU2023 - 13 Church Street Unit A101 - Bath Upgrades - Change Order #3
Bradley Architects, Inc. has submitted Change Order Request #3 to replace the existing bathroom door. The door is in need of replacement and the swing direction of the door will need to be changed to make it easier for ADA purposes. The cost of this change order is $1,654.26.
Deb Prew made a motion to approve FISH $152119 - VU2023 - 13 Church Street Unit A101 - Bath Upgrades - Change Order #3 in the amount of $1,654.26. Linda Carroll seconded the motion. Vote 3-0.
e. FISH #152118 - VU23: Unit Renovation - 5D - Change Order #4
The director presented the board with FISH #12118 - VU23: Unit Renovation - 5D - Change Order #4. This change order is to install Closet Shelves and Rods into the vacant unit. The cost of this change order is $4,822.85.
Deb Prew made a motion to approve FISH #152118 - VU23: Unit Renovation - 5D - Change Order #4 in the amount of $4,822.85. Linda Carroll seconded the motion. Vote 3-0.
f. Town Appointed Tenant Board Member
The director informed the board that the Town Appointed Tenant Board Member's term expires in May 2026. In accordance with EOHLC, the LHA is required to notify its residents of the opportunity to submit their names for the Town for consideration for appointment. Notices were delivered to each tenant explaining the process.
7. Executive Director’s Report
a. Town of Lenox
None
b. Personnel
Executive Director Cella and Maintenance Supervisor Tim Wilson went to Plymouth for the MANAHRO spring conference from March 22 - 24. This was a great opportunity to meet with other housing staff from across the state and to sit in on the many classes that were held. Some of the sessions attended were Risk, Response and Resilience in the Office, Procurement Essentials for LHAs, A Trauma Informed Approach, Mastering Daily Property Challenges among many others.
c. Public Hearing Notices
None
8. Public Speak (3 Minutes)
Jared Weber, town resident, spoke to the board about the important work that the housing authority does. He mentioned that the waitlist statistics are very large and that most people aren't aware of that. He also wanted to inform the board to reach out to the town CPC funding for any large or small projects that the town may be able to fund. Mr. Weber also wanted the housing authority board to know that he would be willing to help out with recruiting board members or grant writing. He would also be willing to help out any way he can.
9. Any topic the Chairperson could not reasonably anticipate:
a. FISH #152118 - VU23: Unit Renovation - 5D - Certificate of Substantial Completion
The director presented the Certificate of Substantial Completion for FISH #152118 - VU23: Unit Renovation
Deb Prew made a motion to approve FISH #152118 - VU23: Unit Renovation -5D - Certificate of Substantial Completion. Linda Carroll seconded the motion. Vote 3-0.
b. FISH #152118 - VU23: Unit Renovation - 5D - Certificate of Final Completion
The Certificate of Final Completion for FISH #152118 - VU23: Unit Renovatio -5D was presented to the board.
Linda Carroll made a motion to approve FISH #152118 - VU23: Unit Renovation -5D - Certificate of Final Completion. Deb Prew seconded the motion. Vote 3-0.
c. a. FISH #152119 - VU2023 - 13 Church Street Unit A101 - Bath Upgrades - Certificate of Substantial Completion
The Certificate of Substantial Completion for FISH #152119 - VU2023 - 13 Church Street Unit A101 - Bath Upgrades was presented to the board.
Linda Carroll made a motion to approve FISH #152119 - VU2023 - 13 Church Street Unit A101 - Bath Upgrades Certificate of Substantial Completion. Deb Prew seconded the motion. Vote 3-0.
d. FISH #152119 - VU2023 - 13 Church Street Unit A101 - Bath Upgrades - Certificate of Final Completion
The director presented the board with FISH #152119 - VU2023 - 13 Church Street Unit A101 - Bath Upgrades Certificate of Final Completion
Deb Prew made a motion to approve FISH #152119 - VU2023 - 13 Church Street Unit A101 - Bath Upgrades Certificate of Final Completion. Linda Carroll seconded the motion. Vote 3-0.
10. Adjournment:
Motion was made by Deb Prew to adjourn, seconded by Linda Carroll. Vote 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m.
Next Meeting – Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. at Turnure Terrace, 36 Old Stockbridge Rd.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shannon Cella
Secretary/Executive Director
