Fitchburg Housing Authority

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Fitchburg Housing Authority May 16 2024 3:09 pm Minutes of FHA Regular Board Meeting, February 23, 2024 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 8:30 AM on Friday, February 23, 2024, 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 Basilio, Treasurer David Rousseau, Member-Tenant Representative Thomas Hughes, Member-State Appointee (Arrived at 9:24am) FHA Staff: Douglas M. Bushman, Esq., Executive Director & CPO, FHA Board Secretary FHA Staff: Andrew Skoog, Deputy Director Kim Hergert, Director of Finance & HR Yoko Ishii, Executive Clerical Assistant Genesis Ruiz, Director of Public & Community Housing Bruce Budrick, Director of Facility and Maintenance Marc Cummingham, Foreman, Elderly Housing Maintenance Mayor of Fitchburg Samantha M. Squailia Myles Phillips-Wilcox, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mayor’s office FHA Tenants: Daniels Heights -Janice Spellane, Milagro Ortiz Canyon Valley-Jeff Ingel Wallace Tower- Pamela Newton, Susan Leger Quorum: Yes (Quorum Requirement: Three FHA Board Members) 1. Motion to Open Meeting Chair, Linda Byrne opened the meeting at 8:30 am Move: David Basilio Second: Adam Goodwin All in favor 2. Motion to Open Public Comment on Agenda Items, Maintenance, & Occupancy Issues Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor The Chair stated that the public comments rules #5 need to be changed “by name and city”. Milagro Ortiz, Tenant of Daniels Heights, complained about the downstair resident’s behavior. Janice Spellane, Tenant of Daniels Heights, also stated that she was afraid of the tenant. Douglas Bushman, Executive Director, and Andrew Skoog, Deputy Director, will investigate it right away. 3. Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Session Meeting held on December 27, 2023 Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 4. Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Session Meeting held on January 17, 2024 Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 5. Motion to Approve FHA Payables for January -February FY 24 (Attachment A) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor . “Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family”  6. Motion to Approve FHA FY2023 Year End Close Out Financials & Related Documents (Attachment B & D) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 7. Tenant Account Receivable (TAR) Updates (Attachment D) The Executive Director updated TAR to the Board, stating that the FHA has been aggressive on rent collection, but the tenants are still not paying. The Motion for the Budget FY24 will be moved to the last item since all Board members need to be present and approved. 8. MassNAHRO Spring Conference March 24-26, 2024 Adam Goodwin, the Vice Chair, and Lina Byrne, Chair will go. 9. ABLE Presentation Event at City Hall on February 14, 2024. (Attachment F) The Executive Director reported that the presentation went well, follow up meeting with Carpenter union. YMCA will use their connections and resources from Boston, advocating to the State. David Basilio, Board Treasurer, asked if the new Green Acres projects add handicapped units, The Executive Director replied 12 units will be added. PLA needs a certain level of complexity to participate. Mayor Samantha M. Squailia commented it was a great presentation. The Mayor and the Board discussed project funding. 10. Eviction The Deputy Director updated the eviction status that the FHA has served two eviction notices and had one forced eviction after judgment for the FHA in FY2024. The Board discussed the eviction cases. 11. Vacancy & HAFIS Report (Attachment G) The Deputy Director explained that the vacancy rate for February 1, held at 65 units . 12. Union Agreement The Deputy Director stated that there are still some disagreements. The Union rep is still reviewing. David Basilio talked about the article of Worcester Housing authority regarding the union issue. 13. EOHLC PHN2024-03 Vacancies & Changes HAFIS System (Attachment H) The Executive Director explained that the EOHLC takes an initiative on vacancy program, Resident Services The Executive Director stated about the recent Resident Service event. Marci Haneisen, Resident service Coordinator helped Tenant’s dog memorial service at Durkin. Construction 14. Motion to Approve C J Durkin Project#097127 Certificate of Substantial Completion (Attachment I) Move: David Basilio Second: Adam Goodwin All in favor David Rousseau, the Board member stated that he is not sure if the project was completed. The Deputy Director answered that the status of substantial and Final completion was there. 15. Motion to Approve C J Durkin Project#097127 Certificate of Final Completion (Attachment J) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 16. Project# 097132 The Executive Director updated that it is close to release a final Bid , a groundbreaking will be held on late spring or early summer. “Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family” 17. Motion to Approve Wallace Tower Project#097165 Change Order #0004 $23,346.57 (Attachment K) Move: David Rousseau Second: David Basilio All in favor 18. Motion to Approve Wallace Tower Project#097165 Certificate of Substantial Completion (Attachment L) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor Bruce Budrick, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, explained about the ASHP project, ASHP temperature control issue to the Board. David Rousseau, the Board member, claimed what happened to the C. J. Durkin’s ASHP project. The Executive Director answered that the State decided the project, they had a final determination for the project. 19. Gateway City Project #097153 The Executive Director started the project will go to new direction with ABLE/PLA 20. Project#097168 Green Acres Force Account Vacancy Turnover Project #097153 The Executive Director stated about the Vacancy Force Account Project. 21. Project#097188 Rooftop Ventilation and project#097202 Emergency Roof Replacement (C. J. Durkin) The Executive Director updated the Board about the C. J. Durkin Roof emergency project. That we submitted as Emergency project so the DCAMM waived (for Bidding Process) , addressed leaking units, repaired sidings, sealed windows will be taken care of by this project. Ventilation issues on the rooftop, which have been addressed by the Board of Health, will be also taken care as this project together. 22. 174 Milk Street – Construction Phase It will be completed by spring. Thomas Hughes, Board member arrived at 9:24am 23. Motion to Approve FY2024 Budget and related Documents (Attachment E) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Rousseau All in favor The Executive Director explained, and the Board discussed the budget. 24. Motion to Adjourn (at 9:37am) Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor “Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family”