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 October 21, at 4:30 p.m. at Turnure Terrace, 36 Old Stockbridge Road
A. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Carol Ramsey at
4:30 p.m.
B. Roll Call: Present – Carol Ramsey, Chairman
Deb Prew, Vice Chairman
Kim Graham, Treasurer
Linda Carroll, Member
Shannon Cella, Executive Director
Jim Mercer, Commercial Property Manager
Ellen Jacobson, LTO President
Robert Pelliciotti – Tenant
Amy Sternlieb – Tenant
Absent – None
1. Tenant Forum:
Ellen Jacobson spoke on behalf of the LTO regarding security cameras and lighting at the Curtis building. There have been some concerning events and the tenants would like to see cameras at all entrances to the building and the parking lot along with better lighting in the parking lot. The director will look into these things as soon as possible.
2. Minutes:
a. Approval of minutes for the regular board meeting of July 8, 2025
Kim Graham made a motion to approve the minutes for the regular board meeting of July 8, 2025 as presented. Linda Carroll seconded the motion. Vote 3-0. Deb Prew abstained due to absence.
b. Approval of minutes for the Special Board Meeting of September 30, 2025
Kim Graham made a motion to approve the minutes for the Special Board Meeting of September 30, 2025 as presented. Deb Prew seconded the motion. Vote 3-0. Linda Carroll abstained due to absence.
3. Commercial Space:
Jim Mercer reported that the Pharmacy has vacated one of the spaces that they used to occupy. This leaves a beautiful 750 square foot vacant space for rent. Jim has reached out to a few people who have previously shown interest, but no one had gotten back. He is advertising to find a new tenant. There have also been a few issues with the cleaning company that he has addressed, so hopefully in the next month things will be better with the cleaning. Otherwise, all else is good.
4. Accounts Payable:
a. Monthly Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2025
689 balance is $102,118.19. 400-1 balance which includes the commercial financial report is $161,809.59.
b. Monthly Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2025
689 balance is $106,659.65. 400-1 balance which includes the commercial financial report is $180,335.44.
c. Monthly Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2025
689 balance is $111,202.13.400-1 balance which includes the commercial financial report is $186,679.73.
d. Quarterly Operating Statements and Modernization Cost Reports as of June 30, 2025
The director presented the Quarterly Operating Statements as of June 30, 2025 for review.
A motion to accept the Quarterly Operating Statements as of June 30, 2025 was made by member Deb Prew. The motion was seconded by member Carol Ramsey. Vote 4-0.
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 is 1 vacancy at Turnure Terrace - 40-5D. There are 2 vacancies at the Curtis, #306 and #412. 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: 3439 Total Elderly/Handicapped, 10,392 total Family
Elderly list – 1386 Elderly, 2053 Handicapped
1 local/veteran, 24 Local, 37 Veteran
Family list – 2 local/veteran, 29 Local, 63 Veteran
5854 2-bedroom, 3408 3-bedroom
6. Old Business:
a. FISH #152118 - VU23 - Unit Renovation 5D - Update
Salco Construction Co. has been working in this vacant unit for the past few weeks. As of now, the unit has had the electrical work done, along with the sheet rock work. The plumbing work, appliances and fixtures, flooring and finishing work all still need to be done.
b. FISH #152119 - 13 Church Street Unit A101 - Bath Upgrades - Update
Salco Construction Co. has also been working on this unit for the past few weeks. The new outdoor concrete handicapped ramp has been poured in front of the building and is all set. The bathroom in the first unit has been sheet rocked and the subflooring has been put down. Bathroom fixtures were delivered this week.
c. Resident Services Coordinator Update
The Lenox Housing Authority is currently working with another new Resident Services Coordinator. The director has reached out to EOHLC or guidance on what the program should entail as of lately there seems to be a lack of communication between the administering housing authority and the grantees of the program. The LHA has requested a meeting between all four housing authorities involved in the grant and representative from EOHLC.
7. New Business:
a. FISH #152110 Arpa FF: Repair & Renovate Side Porch, West Street Complex, 689-1B - Bid Results
There were 9 bidders for FISH #152110 Arpa FF: Repair & Renovate Side Porch, West Street Complex, 689-1B. The low bidder was Master Builders Construction from Marlborough, MA with a bid of $12,900.00. Architect Jody Barker of Jody Barker, A.I.A | Architecture + Design, LLC has reviewed the references and recommends that the bid be accepted.
Deb Prew made a motion to accept Master Builders Construction as the low bidder at $12,900.00 for FISH #152110 Arpa FF: Repair & Renovate Side Porch, Werst Street Complex, 689-1B. Kim Graham seconded the motion. Vote 4-0.
8. Executive Director’s Report
a. Town of Lenox
Trunk or Treat with the Town of Lenox will be held on Friday October 24, 2025. In light of the recent activities around the Curtis, the director has decided to not participate as we have done so in the past. If tenants are interested in handing out candy, we will make sure that there is enough for them to hand out.
b. Personnel –
In September, the director attended the annual conference in East Falmouth, MA. The conference began on Sunday and ended on Wednesday with many interesting and informing topics, speakers and networking opportunities. The director attended sessions on Bullying, What to do When a Tenant Passes, Ask the Attorney & Therapist, Emergency Evacuations among others.
c. Public Hearing Notices
PHN 2025-09 - Annual Plan Update
PHN 2025-10 - Mandatory Date Reporting
PHN 2025-11 - FY26 Budget Guidelines
PHN 2025-12 - Seeking Pre-Qualified Candidates to Serve as Chief
Administrative and Financial Officer (CAFO)
PHN 2025-13 - Amendments to 760 CMR 5.00 Effective 9/26/25
9. Any topic the Chairperson could not reasonably anticipate:
a. There has been some concerning activity at the Curtis during the past month that indirectly involves residents. Kim Graham spoke to the board about a meeting that she attended that was put on by the Senior Services Coordinator along with the housing authority director, the housing authority administrative assistant, the Chief of Police, the Town Manager, Selectboard members and the community center. Unfortunately, due to privacy and confidentiality, everyone is limited on what can be said.
The Police Chief assured us that they are doing everything they can and if someone sees something concernig to call them immediately, not to wait. Also, to not take things into their own hands and to let the police handle it. The director also stated that she is doing everything she can do at this point. Kim Graham recommended that the Senior Services Coordinator reach out to the LTO to see if there is a way to work together.
b. The director informed the board that she was going to try and apply for the Town of Lenox FY2027 Community Preservation Act Funding to restore the Curtis front porch. Applications are due Friday October 31, 2025, at 4:00 PM
10. Adjournment:
Motion was made by Kim Graham to adjourn, seconded by Linda Carroll. Vote 4-0.
Meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
Next Meeting – Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. at The Curtis, 6 Main St.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shannon Cella
Secretary/Executive Director
