REGULAR MEETING

PROVINCETOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY

Wednesday, March 2, 2005

 

 

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

Teri Nezbeth, Vice-Chair, on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 5:20 p.m. in the Maushope Common Room at 44 Harry Kemp Way, Provincetown, Massachusetts.

 

 

 

PRESENT:                Teri Nezbeth, Vice-Chair

                        Arturo Alon, Treasurer

                        Nancy Jacobsen, Vice-Treasurer

                        Patrick J. Manning, Executive Director

                        Lucy Singer Farkas, Recording Secretary

 

                        

EXCUSED:            Margaret Carroll-Bergman, Chair

 

 

AGENDA:

            Motion by A. Alon to approve agenda as presented, seconded by N. Jacobsen.   

                                                                                    VOTED: Unanimous to approve                                                                                          agenda as presented.

 

PUBLIC STATEMENTS:  David Goudreau, Director of Prevention and Education Services for the ASG, introduced himself to the Board.  He had been invited to the meeting to get a sense of Board activities.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 

A. Alon noted that the correct address for the tax title property discussed at last month’s meeting should be 951R Commercial Street.

                        Motion by N. Jacobsen to approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 2, 2005 with correction, seconded by A. Alon.    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   VOTED: Unanimous to approve                                       Minutes of Feb. 2nd with                                                       correction.

                                                                                                                                                                       

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Board reviewed Financial Report for January 2005.

A. Alon asked about the line item of Extraordinary Maintenance.

ED explained this item was for things other than general maintenance, usually for special projects under special contracts.

 

A. Alon asked if expenditures in this category were itemized.

ED said “yes”, if monies are expended.

.           Motion by A. Alon to accept Report as presented, seconded by N. Jacobsen.

 

                               VOTED:  Unanimous to approve

                                                                         Financial Report for

                                                                         January 2005 as presented.

 

Accountant Contracts:                                                                                                     

Jenna Milne, PHA Accountant submitted her annual contracts for Board approval.

ED advised that the DHCD has allowed for a small increase in contract costs.  The contract submitted for Foley House is correct but that for Elderly/Family seems to be incorrect (as cost is lower than that of last year).  ED recommended that Board table vote on the contracts until ED can clarify with Accountant.

 

 

 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

I.              DHCD:

         A.  Maushope Atrium Payment- - Item to remain on agenda until DHCD

               submits original signed copies to the Authority.

                  

         B.  Subsidy Payments--ED advised that State yet owes the Authority app.

               $1400.00 in subsidies for 2003.  No subsidy due for 2004 as Authority

               income covered expenses.

 

 

II.  MAUSHOPE:    

         A. Washing Machines--Reimbursement for machines from HAC still

              awaited.   However it is now unclear if machines will be fully reimbursed or

              if HAC to reimburse only the difference in cost between conventional

              machines and the energy saver models that were purchased.  ED’s original

              understanding was that of full reimbursement and he is attempting to clarify

              with HAC officials.

 

          B.  Census is 24 of 24.

 

                 

III. FAMILY HOUSING:

         A.  DHCD Inspection--Eviction against tenant in violation of

               fire/safety standards is proceeding.  PHA Attorney is compiling necessary

               paperwork.  The tenant is aware that eviction is pending but has yet to take

               steps to correct violations.

 

 

          B.  Up-Date on Tenant Complaint--The Authority continues to follow-up

                with eviction proceedings for three tenants for unauthorized occupants at

                their units.  Attorney Pat Grace reviewing material,

                A fourth Family Tenant has applied to add another occupant on  lease. 

                That individual has a clean CORI and ED awaiting financial information to

                 re-calculate rent.

 

 

          C.  Septic Failure--Septic engineer Billy Rogers has confirmed that the system

                in question is a Title V.  He is to re-inspect the leaching field and if

                problem created because of grease build-up likely can remediate without

                installing a new system.

 

            D. Census is 9 of 9.

               

 

IV.  FOLEY HOUSE

           A. Eviction Up-date--Tenant remains in compliance with Court order and his

                rent is up to date.  Order to terminate at end of month and item will then be

                removed from the agenda. 

                ED has begun proceedings against another tenant for failure to comply with

                the mandated care component of the program.  Tenant has been served

                with a 30-Day Notice and ED to review situation at end of the 30 days to

                determine tenant compliance.

 

           B.  Census is 10 of 10.

 

                 

V.  OTHER

           A.  ED Contract--Contract to be finalized.

 

           B.  Barnstable County Retirement Association--Admission into the

                Barnstable County Retirement System to remain on agenda until PHA

                application approved by that entity.

 

 

 

 

 OLD BUSINESS:

            A.  Creek Road--According to up-dated tax title property information                  

                  the Town is moving ahead with foreclosure of a small piece of land that

                  abuts the Creek Road property.  The combined properties may be suitable

                  for development of two units.

 

 

           B.  Affordable Housing Trust Fund--ED working to finalize forms and

                 protocol.

 

                 

            C. Tax Title Properties---ED looking at strategies for presentation at Town

                 Meeting for the property at 951R Commercial. He will ask septic 

                 engineer Rogers to look at site and suggest various septic systems as an

                 alternative to a raised bunker.  Suggested that focus of presentation could

                 be public access to beach.

                 N. Jacobsen said the site would allow for some public parking and a

                 walkway to the beach.

                 Board agreed to hold a special work session on March 23rd at 5:15 p.m.to

                 come up with presentation.

 

             

            D.  State Appointee—A. Alon has filed papers to seek a second term on the

                  PHA Board.  Similarly, N. Jacobsen has filed.  Depending on other

                  townspersons who have filed, Nancy may elect to withdraw her filing and

                  assume the State Appointee position.

 

                  To date it appears that only one other individual has taken papers to run

                  for Nancy’s current Board position.  This person is known to her and she

                  agreed to ask him about his reasons for wanting to be on the PHA Board;

                  important that he is in sync with the mission of the Authority.

                

            E.  Cumberland Farms--A meeting for March 9th has been set for the

                  attorneys of the Town, Cumberland Farms, and the alleged encroacher

                  who has filed for adverse possession of the Cumberland-owned land on

                  which he has encroached.

                  The adverse possession does not apply to Town-owned land on which

                  there, also, appears to be some encroachment.  The Town may be able to

                  use this as leverage to facilitate a resolution between the encroacher and

                  Cumberland Farms.   Matter of PHA acquisition of Cumberland land

                  remains up in the air.  Still working to resolve discrepancies in land

                  appraisals.

                  Devra Bailin of Cumberland seems to still be looking at gifting the land to

                  the Authority.  Possibility, too, that the CPC may be willing to purchase

                  land for affordable development.  In any event legal stumbling blocks   

                  must be cleared up  before matter can be brought to Town Meeting.                 

 

                 ED to attend meeting with attorneys and advise PHA Board accordingly.

 

           F.  Community Preservation Committee-- N. Jacobsen, as the PHA

                 representative on the CPC, says that that Committee has expressed a lot of

                 interest in the Cumberland land.  She further advised that the CPC has

                 expressed interest in a property on Alden Street that has six units.  The

                 realty broker who is on the CPC has approached the CPC

                 and the CDC about purchasing same; says he will forego his commission

                 on such sale.  He is pressing for a quick  response to forestall private

                 purchase of the site. N. Jacobsen says the thrust of the CPC seems to be  

                 towards “big” developments although individuals have yet to present plans.

                 Nancy is also to attend a meeting of the Affordable Housing Task Force

                 with an eye towards getting on that group.

              

 

NEW BUSINESS:

M. Carroll- Bergman has suggested that the Board have a work session re. the tax title property at 951R Commercial Street prior to Town Meeting in order to ready a PHA presentation re. the property.  Board agreed to work session on March 23rd at 5:15 p.m. and to a delay in the next regular Board meeting to Wednesday, April 13th so as not to conflict with Town Meeting.

ED will have the Bookkeeper prepare two sets of checks for March and April so that payment to vendors will not be seriously delayed.

 

Other considerations for the special work session are a PHA presentation in support of its position on the Care Campus for Town Meeting and examining the warrant for matters pertaining to affordable housing so that PHA support can be presented as relevant.

 

 

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS:       

Board reviewed check registry and checks presented for signature.

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

N. Jacobsen.

                                    VOTED:  Unanimous to approve

                                     vouchers as presented.

 

Prior to adjournment, Board answered some questions posed by David Goudreau re. the various Town agencies/committees dealing with affordable housing issues and whether they are elected or appointed positions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next Regular Meeting of the Board was set for Wednesday, April 13, 2005 at

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

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Lucy Singer Farkas

Recording Secretary