REGULAR MEETING

PROVINCETOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY

Wednesday May 5, 2004

 

 

A regular meeting of the Provincetown Housing Authority was called to order by

Margaret Carroll-Bergman, Chair, on Wednesday May 5, 2004 at

5:25 p.m. in the Maushope Common Room at 44 Harry Kemp Way, Provincetown, Massachusetts.

 

 

 

PRESENT:                Margaret Carroll-Bergman, Chair

                        Teri Nezbeth, Vice-Chair

                        Arturo Alon, Vice-Treasurer

                        Patrick J. Manning, Executive Director

                        Lucy Singer Farkas, Recording Secretary

 

ABSENT:            None

 

AGENDA:            Motion by A. Alon to approve agenda as presented, seconded by

                        T. Nezbeth.         

                                                                                    VOTED: Unanimous to approve                                                                                          agenda as presented.

 

PUBLIC STATEMENTS:   Beverly Spencer on behalf of the Maushope Tenant Association expressed their satisfaction with the atrium alterations; in addition, the work crew has been very efficient and considerate of the tenants.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 

A. Alon noted that under State Appointee M. Bergaman, not he, had taken out the necessary papers for reelection to the PHA Board.

                            Motion by A. Alon to approve minutes of April 6, 2004 with correction as noted, seconded by T. Nezbeth.                                 

                                VOTED: Unanimous to approve to                approve Minutes of April 6, 2004                                           with correction.               

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Board reviewed and discussed the Financial Report for March 2004 and the 4001 and State Mod quarterly financial statements.

                 Motion by A. Alon to approve reports as presented, seconded by

T. Nezbeth.

                         

                                                                        VOTED:  Unanimous to approve

                                                                         Financial Reports as presented.                             

 

 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

I.              DHCD:

         A.  Atrium Windows- - Construction moving along and window and wood

               repairs are complete. Carpeting is awaited.  It appears that the project will

               come in below budget allowing for the painting of inside walls and spindles

               and if possible, new carpet for the downstairs.  ED expressed his satisfaction

               with Vareika.  He will be meeting with architect, construction people and

               DHCD representative on Monday to review project and costs to date.

      

                    

         B.   FY2004 Budget--ED to push State for 2004 subsidy monies owed the

               Authority.    Recent statement from Bookkeeper indicates that the Authority

               has operational monies only for another two months; ED may have to tap

               into other Authority accounts to meet shortfall unless State begins to remit

               subsidies.

 

 

  II.  MAUSHOPE:    

         A.  Hot Water Tank—Item to remain on agenda until there is a final

               resolution regarding the matter of replacement. Water test results still not         

               available.

 

         B. Atrium Construction Up-date—See above.

 

         C.  Census is 24 of 24.  

                 

III. FAMILY HOUSING:

         A.  Annual Rent Re-Certifications--Only four of the nine tenants have

               submitted required materials for annual rent review.   If not submitted by

               May 15th ED will notify delinquent tenants that their rents will revert to

               FMV on June 1st.

              

 

         B.  Census:  9 of 9.

 

 

IV.  FOLEY HOUSE

 

 

  A.  Shelter + Care Grant Extension/Renewal--Extension has been verbally approved by HUD and ED awaiting for formal written approval. 

 

           B.  HUD Subsidy Payments—HUD has advised they will require a separate

                 request for subsidy increase not tied in with extension request and will

                 send ED appropriate paper work.  ED will compare FH rates with

                 comparable SRO’s  in area.

 

            C.  Eviction Updates—The two residents who are under a mediation

                  agreement are in violation of same; one may be moving out.  Rent has not

                  been paid  and ED to return tenants to Court. 

             

            D.Census is 8 of 10.  One from wait list will be moving in by mid- month and

                 and several other applicants are being screened.

                

V.  OTHER

           A.  ED Contract –ED trying to get information from the State as to whether

                 he is eligible to join the State pension system or will be under the

                 county system. 

                 M. Carroll-Bergman said ED’s contract should be extended asap, as it is

                 over due.  Contract can include a provision to reopen same for pension

                 benefits as soon as clarification about same is determined.

 

           B.  Health Benefits—J. Turner still waiting for a certified copy of his

                 marriage license from Canada in order to include marriage partner in his

                 health plan.  At this point he may simply wait until May  17th and then

                 apply to the State of Mass for certification.

 

           C. Bank Signature Cards—Bank North which recently took over CCB&T

                has advised that two signatures by PHA Board are no longer required on

                Authority checks and will accept checks that contain only one signatory.        

                By consensus Board agreed to continue practice of double signatories

                despite new Bank policy.

 

          D. New Computer --ED informed Board that his office computer has twice

               crashed in past week necessitating using Town computer expert to repair.

               Material has been transferred to the notebook in the interim but it appears a

               new  computer will be needed; current one is app. 10 years old.   ED to

               check with DHCD to see if there are special subsidies available for purchase

               of computer equipment.

 

 

 OLD BUSINESS:

            A.  Creek Road--Project remains “on hold”.

 

            B.  Affordable Housing Trust Fund--No work session for month as ED tied

                  up with annual rent reviews and Maushope atrium construction.

 

            C.  44 Harry Kemp Way—No new action; item to remain on agenda.

 

            D.  Tax Title Properties—No further actions; item to remain on agenda

                  pending determination about small piece of land abutting Creek Road

                  property.

 

 

            E.  State Appointee--There were some write-in votes for vacant seat at recent

                 election but as less than two votes for each candidate were received did

                 not meet election  requirements.  The Authority must request a joint

                 meeting with the Board of Selectmen within 30 days or Board of

                 Selectmen can name an appointee.

 

                 T. Nezbeth asked if a member of the ASG Board could serve on the PHA

                 Board.

                 ED said individual could have no personal connections to any Foley House              

                 clients and would have to be recused from vote on Foley House matters.

 

                  M. Carroll-Bergman suggested a real estate person who was pro-active in

                  the passage of the CPA.  Asked ED to write invitational letter to that

                  group.

 

            F.  Cumberland Farms--No further communication from Devra Bailin since

                  the joint meeting last week.  Ed will follow-up and push for a decision

                  from Cumberland re.donation of the land to the Authority.

 

           E.  Bookkeeper Services—ED advised Board that he has negotiated with

                Steve Roderick for bookkeeping services; the Authority will be billed at a

                special monthly rate.  Concurrently the current bookkeeper has advised ED

                that he will be resigning his position as he plans to move from the area.

                He has met with the new Bookkeeper re. check vouchers and procedures.

                S. Roderick will likely be attending the June Board meeting to meet

                Commissioners and answer any questions re. his services.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

           A.  Election of PHA Officers--Generally Board votes on officers following

                 Town election of Commissioners but Board agreed to defer same pending

                 a full Board contingent.

         

 

 

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS:       

Board reviewed check registry and checks presented for signature.

         Motion by T. Nezbeth to approve vouchers as presented, seconded by A. Alon.

 

                                    VOTED:  Unanimous to approve

                                    vouchers as presented.

 

 

The next Regular Meeting of the Board was set for Wednesday, June 2, 2004 at

5:15 p.m.  in the Common Room at Maushope.  There being no further business a motion to adjourn was made and seconded.  Unanimous to adjourn at 6:00 p.m..

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Lucy Singer Farkas

Recording Secretary