Fitchburg Housing Authority

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Fitchburg Housing Authority May 16 2024 3:13 pm Minutes of FHA Regular Board Meeting, March 20, 2024 Wallace Tower Community Room, 54 Wallace Avenue, Fitchburg, MA A Regular Meeting of the Fitchburg Housing Authority was called to order by Chair, Linda Byrne at 8:30 AM on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in the Wallace Tower Community Room at 54 Wallace Avenue in the City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Present: Absent: FHA Board Members: FHA Board Members: Linda Byrne, Chair Thomas Hughes, Member-State Appointee Adam Goodwin, Vice Chair David Basilio, Treasurer David Rousseau, Member-Tenant Representative FHA Staff: Douglas M. Bushman, Esq., Executive Director & CPO, FHA Board Secretary FHA Staff: Kim Hergert, Director of Finance & HR Andrew Skoog, Deputy Director 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 Alicia Santucci, Executive Clerical Assistant Jimmy Ramos Jimenez, Maintenance Mayor’s Office Alexander Vera, Chief of Staff, Fitchburg Mayor’s office FHA Tenants: Daniels Heights -Janice Spellane Wallace Tower- Lorraine Perez, Bette Vancour, Stephen Paul, Barbara Arey, Cheryl Hirst 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 Rousseau 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 Bette Vancour, tenant of Daniels Heights, claimed Community Room needs to be separated from Laundry Room since odor comes from Laundry Room. Also, she claimed she abided by Daniel Heights storage rules, but the other tenants did not follow. The Chair stated that Genesis Ruiz, Director of Public & Community Housing and Bruce Budrick, Director of Facility and Maintenance, will follow up the Daniels Heights’ issues. Douglas Bushman, Executive Director, announced that updated and recent approval of Wallce Tower Projects. He also stated that Storage issue will be discussed on the sidewalk & Parking lot renovation projects. He mentioned Andrew Skoog, Deputy Director have been advocating Daniels Heights issues for years. Cherl Hirst, tenant of Wallace Tower, requested to have better communication from FHA regarding what’s happening on Wallace Tower construction project. The Executive Director stated that the FHA will have an update meeting with Wallace Tower Tenants once a Wallce Tower general constructor is selected. Lorrain Perez, Friend of Wallace Tower Tenant Association, introduced herself to the Board. 3. Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Session Meeting held on February 23, 2024 Move: Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor 4. Motion to Approve FHA Payables for February -March FY 24 (Attachment A) Move: David Basilio Second: David Rousseau All in favor “Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family”  5. FY2024 Budget Submitted-waiting for comments and approval. . 6. Tenant Account Receivable (TAR) Updates (Attachment B) Kim Hergert, Director of Finance & HR, updated TAR to the Board. TAR is same as usual of $20,000 nonpayment and repayment agreement included. Family Housing is the largest in nonpayment and repayments. The Chair asked why there are so many nonpayment issues. The Director of Public & Community Housing explained that there is a court judgment if the RAFT is involved. 7. MassNAHRO Spring Conference March 24-26, 2024 Adam Goodwin, the Vice Chair, and Lina Byrne, Chair are going to the conference. 8. Motion to Approve Union Employee Job Classification Change (Attachment C) Move: : Adam Goodwin Second: David Basilio All in favor The Executive Director stated that every year the Union recommends maintenance job classification, but the union agreement has been made yet. Bruce Budrick, Director of Facility and Maintenance, explained after reviewing Brad Kennedy’s performance and considering his current position as an Assistant Foreman, he recommended Brad Kennedy to step up to change his job classification from Groundskeeper-Custodian-Aide to Maintenance-Mechanic- Custodian. 9. Welcome Newest Member of the FHA & Maintenance Team Jimmy Ramos Jimenez. New Maintenance staff, Jimmy Ramos Jimenez, was introduced by the Executive Director. 10. High School Maintenance Program: The Executive Director discussed the Highschool Program for simple task like cleaning, painting, etc. He will discuss with Mayor’s office to introduce the program to high schools in Fitchburg. 11. Vacancy Genesis Ruiz, Director of Public & Community Housing, spoke about the vacancy. The tenant moved out due to getting subsidies, Major reason of transfer at GA is mildew issue. 4 units are Ready to Occupy (RTO). Leasing up delayed due to applicant’s incompletion of required documents. The Executive Director spoke about the Wallace Tower relocation project, four vacant units will be used for relocation. David Basilio, FHA Board Treasurer, asked for an update of the Green Acres basement issue. The Executive Director answered that the FHA requested the State, and the Work-Order for new basement project was completed. 12. Union Agreement The Executive Director updated that the Union reviewed the agreement but has not responded yet. Still waiting. Resident Services Elderly Birthday Party Resident Service Department, Marci Haneisen and Ann Dumezil did great jobs. C. J. Durkin Tenant meeting with Mayor Squailia and Police Chief Martineau The Executive Director stated that “Meet and Greet” with Mayor and Police Chief was held on March 12, 2024. This is a good start to interact. They discussed DPW, safety, and spot-checking issues. David Rousseau, the FHA Board member, said that it was a good event. FSS Program-No change “Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family” Construction 13. Motion to Approve Canton Valley #097124 Certificate of Substantial Completion (Attachment E) Move: David Basilio Second: David Rousseau All in favor . 14. Project# 097132 The Executive Director updated that finally BID will go out. The FHA asked the State to add the Floor renovation, and got money. Will ask windows to add. 15. Wallace Tower ASHP #097165 Bruce Budrick, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, spoke that Until delivered us $750K check, which is the largest amount check given to us. Our electric bill has improved. David Rousseau, the Board member, asked if the ASHP can be added to Durkin. The Executive Director answered that he will ask. 16. 76 Mechanic Street #097161 The Executive Director updated the Board that the Bid will be gone out. The Board discussed the 76 Mechanic Street project. 17. Gateway City Project#097153 The Executive Director discussed the project, will put the proposal together and send to Mayor’s office next week. 18. Project#097193 Green Acres Force Account Vacancy Turnover The Director of Facilities and Maintenace updated the project to hire contractors using Forced Account to move this along faster. The FHA will hire 2 more full-time maintenance positions plus temporary maintenance positions. Also high school internship program will be used 19. C. J. Durkin #097202 Emergency Roof Replacement The Executive Director updated that he had a meeting with design selection committee. This project was approved the DCAMM waiver due to the emergency. The work will be done as the rooftop ventilation replacement project#097188 since that will be done on the roof as well. 20. 174 Milk Street Renovation Project The Director of Facilities and Maintenance updated the Board that this project is almost ended. The funds came from multiple sources. Almost 700K to get the house repaired. The Board discussed the project. The Executive Director said that the tour will be arranged once the project is completed, and Kim Hergert, Director of Finance and HR, handled money issue very well. David Basilio, the Board Treasurer, asked how many people participated in the FSS program. The Executive Director answered that Marci Haneisen, FSS coordinator and Resident Coordinator will update later. 21. Motion to Adjourn (at 9:25am) Move: David Basilio Second: David Rousseau All in favor “Teamwork, Excellence and Ability for Your Home and Family”