Fitchburg Housing Authority
Regular MeetingFitchburg, MA · August 16, 2023
Minutes
FITCHBURG CITY CLERK
Fitchburg Housing Authority Oct 11 2023 1:39 pm
Minutes of FHA Regular Board Meeting, August 16, 2023
Canton Valley Community Room, 24 Valley Street, Fitchburg, MA
A Regular Meeting of the Fitchburg Housing Authority was called to order by Chair, Linda Byrne
at 10:07 AM on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, in the Canton Valley Community Room at 24 Valley
Street in the City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
Present: Absent:
FHA Board Members: FHA Board Members:
Linda Byrne, Chair None
Adam Goodwin, Vice Chair
David Rousseau, Treasurer
David Basilio, Assistant Treasurer
Thomas Hughes, Member
FHA Staff:
Douglas M. Bushman, Executive Director, FHA Board Secretary
Andrew Skoog, Deputy Director
Kim Hergert, Director of Finance/HR
Yoko Ishii, Executive Assistant
Genesis Ruiz, Director of Housing (Left at
Norma Letamendi, Director of Elderly Housing
Gary Geneau, Family Maintenance Foreman
FHA Tenants:
None
Quorum: Yes (Quorum Requirement: Three FHA Board Members)
1. Motion to Open Meeting
Chair, Linda Byrne opened the meeting at 10:07 am
Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Rousseau All in favor
2. Motion to Open Public Comments.
Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Rousseau All in favor
No Tenants Attended, No comments.
3. Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Session Meeting held on July 19, 2023
Move: David Rousseau Second: David Basilio All in favor
4. Motion to Approve Minutes of Executive Session Meeting held on June 21, 2023
Move: David Rousseau Second: David Basilio All in favor
5. Motion to Approve FHA Payables for July-August FY 23 (Attachment A)
Move: David Basilio Second: David Rousseau All in favor
.
6. Motion to Approve Financials for January-July FY 23 (Attachment B)
Move: Adam Goodwin Second: Thomas Hughes All in favor
7. Implementation of Organization Changes
The Executive Director updated the Organization chart. Adam Goodwin, Vice Chair, asked if Marci Haneisen is still a
FSS coordinator. The Executive Director answered that she is the primary FSS coordinator.
“Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family”
8. EOHLC (Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities) CIP (Capital Improvement)
and Annual Plan Hearing.
• Friday September 1, 2023 – Advertise and Draft annual plan/CIP posted.
• Tuesday October 3, 2023 – Review annual plan with Local Tenant Organization
• Wednesday, October 18, 2023 – Review and vote of plan at FHA Board meeting
9. Tenant Account Receivable (TAR) Updates (Attachment C)
The Executive Director updated that TAR has increased.
10. Review the FHA’s updated Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Last month, Marci Haneisen, FSS Service Coordinator, and David Rousseau, FHA Treasurer and Tenant
Representative, reviewed the Policy. Marci will revise it shortly.
11. OFH ( Formerly Our Father’s House) Management Agreement Review
The Executive Director updated Management on Opportunity For Hope, Inc (formerly Our Father’s House).
After two former staff leave on 8/17, the FHA staff will work for the Finance dept as well. Linda Byrne, FHA Chair
and Adam Goodwin, Vice Chair are the subcommittee members for OFH. David Rousseau, FHA Treasurer, asked why
the FHA will manage OFH. The Executive Director answered the city, Mayor requested to support OFH, the FHA will
receive $8000 plus maintenance materials costs. The city appreciated our efforts. The Chair asked when the FHA’s
work hours for the OFH are. The Executive Director answered that it is during normal work hours.
12. MassNAHRO Annual Convention September 17-20 at North Falmouth.
13. FHA Annual Appreciation Day August 16th at Noon.
The State Rep and Mayor will be here.
14. Audit /Management Reviews
PMR -Result will be coming at the End of this month.
Authority-Wide Audit & AUP – waiting for the results.
15. New Foreman-Family & Federal Housing Maintenance
The Executive Director introduced a new foreman, Gary Geneau, who joined the FHA 4 month ago, he stepped up to
the foreman. Gary introduced himself to the Board. The Board discussed the union issue.
16. Evictions and Vacancy (Attachment D)
Andrew Skoog, Deputy Director updated the eviction cases. The Deputy Director also updated the Vacancy rate for
July 1st, increased from 65 units to 68.
17. New Director of Maintenance and Facilities
The Executive Director updated the board that a New Director of Maintenance, Bruce Budrick, who is former PMR
expert of the state, will join the FHA.
18. Union Negotiations
The Board will discuss the union issue at the Executive session.
Resident Service
19. Elderly Housing Birthday Party.
20. WooSox Game Outing for Elderly Tenants.
First Event outside has taken place. Felix Velazquez, Resident Service Coordinator, Family, Marci Haneisen, Director
of Resident and Community Services, and Norma Letamendi, Director of Elderly Housing did a phenomenal job. The
Executive Director thanked Charline Spencer, Administrative clerk, for donating money for ice cream.
21. 3rd Annual Black Party and BBQ at Green Acres
It was a great success thanks to Felix Velazquez, Resident Service Coordinator, Family and Tamara Castro, Assistant
Housing Manager Family, and Marci Haneisen, Director of Resident and Community Services. There were more
“Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family”
tenants’ in attendances than last year. Maria Skoog, Andrew’s wife donated gift cards from her company. Other
donations include:
• Salvation Army-Hot Dog Canteen with hot dogs, buns and juice cups
• Spanish America Center-Hamburgers, buns, condiments, cheese
• Fun Time- Cotton Candy Machine
• DCU- $100.00 donation
• Fitchburg Police Department- Attending with a truck
• Various barber Shops- Haircut gift certificates
• The Healing Center-$1000.00 donation
22. Construction Update
• FISH097124- Finalize the project soon.
• FISH097127-Finish soon.
Motion to Approve Change Order #2 $31,010.64
Move: Thomas Hughes Second: David Basilio All in favor
• FISH097165- ASHP project-moving fast-the Board discussed Fire Watch.
• FISH097168-Vacancy Project
• FISH097181-GA Storm Door Replacement Project- Material Requestion Bid (Attachment F)
Motion to Accept Purchase Requisition Bid Results - HD Supply
Move: Thomas Hughes Second: Adam Goodwin All in favor
180 storm doors- FHA maintenance will do labor.
• Milk Street Renovation Project-finally construction commencing.
23. Motion to Enter to Executive Session (at 10:50 am)
Move: David Rousseau Second: David Basilio All in favor
24. Motion to Close to Executive Session (at 11:22am)
Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Rousseau All in favor
25. Motion to Adjourn (at 11:22am)
Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Rousseau All in favor
“Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family”
Agenda
FITCHBURG CITY CLERK
Aug 11 2023 2:46 pm
Fitchburg Housing Authority
Notice of FHA Regular Board Meeting
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Chapter 30A, Sections 18 through 25 of the General Laws that a Regular
Meeting of the FHA will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 16th, 2023, via actual participation. The
meeting will be held at the Canton Valley Community Room, 24 Valley Street, in the City of Fitchburg,
Massachusetts. FHA tenants and the public are invited to attend.
A. Agenda Items & Motions
1. Motion to Open Meeting (Quorum Requirement: Three FHA Board Members)
2. Motion for Public Comment
3. Motion to Approve Minutes of the FHA Regular Board Meeting Held on July 19th, 2023.
4. Motion to Approve Minutes of the FHA Executive Meeting Held on July 19th, 2023.
5. Review of Executive Director’s Reports, Attachments and Supplemental Reports
6. Motion to Approve Payables for July-August 2023
7. Motion to Approve Financials January-July FY2023
8. Motion to Approve Change Order#2-FISH 097127-AUI at C. J. Durkin-$31,010.64.
9. Motion to Accept Purchase Requisition Bid Result-FISH097181 Storm Door Replacement
10. Motion to Adjourn
B. Executive Session
This Motion is made pursuant to M.G.L. c30A Section 21 (a)(6) for the following reason: 2. To conduct strategy sessions
in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract
negotiations with nonunion personnel; 3. To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open
meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares;
4. To discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices, or strategies with respect thereto; 5. To investigate charges
of criminal misconduct or to consider the filing of criminal complaints; 6. To consider the purchase, exchange, lease or
value of real property if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position
of the public body; Per the General Laws a public body may meet in executive session provided that: 1. The body has
first convened in an open session; 2. A majority of members of the body have voted to go into executive session and the
vote of each member is recorded by roll call and entered into the minutes; 3. Before the executive session, the chair shall
state the purpose for the executive session, stating all subjects that may be revealed without compromising the purpose for
which the executive session was called. 4. The chair shall announce publicly whether the open session will reconvene at
the conclusion of the executive session; and records of the executive session shall be maintained pursuant to MGL.
“Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family”
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