Mary Shepherd Home Citizens' Advisory Committee

Shepherd Home Advisory Committee MINUTES June 8, 2022 5:00 Location: Shepherd Home Conference Room or Zoom video Those in Attendance: Col. Phil Cacciola, Chair; Deputy Mayor Vinnie Loffredo, Vice-Chair; Atty. Ralph Wilson, Larry Riley, Veteran; Christine Garriga, DeMarco; Carl Rodenhizer, Columbus House Phil opened the meeting at 5:00. Minutes of the May 11, 2022 meeting were approved as presented. Finances Were not available for presentation Occupancy Christine we continue to have two vacancies. Prospective tenants have been vetted by DeMarco and are waiting for approval by the Middletown Housing Authority. Christine continues to build a list of alternates in the event prospective are not approved. Demographics Christine will pull together a demographics report for next month. Tenant issues Christine reported that tenant who was complaining about neighbor making too much noise. Complaint has been reviewed and considered baseless. The tenant can file a grievance if he wants to have the matter reconsidered. noted that there was an effort to meet with the tenant complaining about noise. A couple tenants are having rental payment issues. One of the tenants did not follow through on the recertification process and MHA has canceled their portion of the rent and the tenant is not paying his portion. Christine has reached out to the VA for assistance. One of the tenants is on a payment plan. Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund was discussed has a potential source of aid. An intoxicated tenant remains at hospital but is scheduled to be returned to Shepherd. Services is seeking additional behavioral health intervention. Program Report • Elks has resumed their kayak program at Lake Beseck and can transport up to five tenants. • Tenant meetings have been resumed. There was no interest in having a joint meeting with tenants and the advisory committee • Middlesex Hospital continues to populate an on-site health clinic that is well attended. • Cross Street AME Church has resumed providing support services for tenants. • Discussed Gilead, which has not resumed a presence on site.  • Christine raised the interest in producing raised gardens, with the Elks funding. The committee was supportive of that action. • Shepherd tenants did assist with placing flags at the cemetery. . Maintenance Elite Roofing submitted the low bid of $161,000 to replace the roof. Efforts are underway to identify $50,000 over the funding allocation. Carl to check with Brig Smith to see if the City’s ARPA dollars could be tapped. Development Vinnie noted that efforts are underway to set up a meeting with the CVH CEO. Larry McHugh is supportive. Vinnie will invite legislators to visit the site, possibly tied to next month’s meeting. Meeting adjourned at 5:45. Next meeting, July 13, 2022 Submitted by, Carl Rodenhizer