Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD JULY 16, 2010 The Commissioners of the Nashua Housing Authority (NHA) held its regular meeting at the office of the Nashua Housing Authority, 40 East Pearl Street, First Floor, Nashua, New Hampshire, at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, July 16, 2010. Chairperson Paul Deschenes called the meeting to order, and the Recording Secretary called the roll at approximately 8:30 a.m. with the following responses: Present Absent James Tollner Thomas Monahan Selma Pastor Eric Wilson Paul Deschenes The following persons were also present: Lynn Censabella, Executive Director, Pro Tem; Sarah Brisk, Public Housing Program Manager; Jim Tarosky, Finance Manager; Jim Floras, Property Manager; and Lisa Cox, Recording Secretary. MINUTES: The Chairperson entertained a motion to waive the reading of the Authority's June 18, 2010 regular meeting minutes, to accept them and place them on file. Mr. Wilson made the motion, and Mr. Monahan seconded the motion. The Chairperson asked if there were any comments, additions/deletions, corrections, or discussion. There being none, the motion carried unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS: The Chairperson entertained a motion to waive the reading of the Communications, accept them, and place them on file. Mr. Monahan made the motion, and Mrs. Pastor seconded the motion. The Communications were as follows: Monthly Operational Reports - June 2010 - consisting of Public Housing and Section 8 Waiting List Report; Vacancy Report; Vacancy Report Compilation Sheet; Work Order Report; and Rent Collections rewrite its mortgage for the 40 East Pearl Street office building. The mortgage interest rate is increasing from 6 percent to 7 percent after five years. Mr. Monahan asked Ms. Censabella to look into remortgaging at a reduced rate. There being no further discussion, the motion to waive the reading of the Communications, accept them, and place them on file carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Ms. Censabella discussed the Nashua Housing Authority's (NHA) audited financial statements for period ending September 30, 2009 saying the auditors had no findings to report, and the NHA is in very good financial condition. The NHA's Public Housing operations are running smoothly. Staff have remained under six days in filling vacancies thanks to the hard work of the Applications and Public Housing Departments. The Sullivan Terrace South residing and window project continues to progress with demolition of the east, north, and west sides of the building underway. The contractor continues to experience delays in the delivery of new windows and was informed by the window supplier to expect them after July 24. During a recent telephone conversation, a representative from Champion windows did not have a confirmed delivery date for the new windows. The contractor is considering other options for windows at this time. The window replacement at Sullivan Terrace South will cause residents to discontinue use of horizontal air conditioners as the NHA replaces the sliding windows with new, double- hung windows. Ms. Censabella asked the Board to consider replacing obsolete, resident owned air conditioners based on the financial burden residents would endure having to purchase a new one. The horizontal air conditioning units will not fit into the new openings, and Ms. Censabella is worried if residents attempt to use the horizontal units with the new double-hung windows, NHA could see units falling from the building or residents could damage the new window frames trying to fit their old air conditioning units into them. If approved by the Board, NHA would purchase approximately 32 air conditioning units to replace the horizontal units currently in use. The approximate cost to do this would be $5,400. Ms. Censabella informed the Board bathroom modernization began at Temple Street Manor in mid-June with a mock-up completed in the community bathroom and one residential unit. The contractor has begun the community bathrooms at 100 Major Drive after experiencing a backorder of essential supplies required to complete a residential bath  Because of the recent reduction in force, the Union has requested the NHA enter into an impact bargaining session. The Union's request was presented to Attorneys Terry Gormley, NHA's legal counsel, and Dan Marr, Labor Attorney, and they agree the NHA should enter into an impact bargaining session with the Union. The Hearing is scheduled for July 26 at 40 East Pearl Street. Ms. Censabella thanked the Board of Commissioners for allowing NHA to host a retirement party for George Robinson. Mr. Robinson asked Ms. Censabella to extend his appreciation to the Commissioners and staff for roasting him. His retirement has begun with the hottest weather in years requiring him to sit under a bumbershoot to get some relief from the sun. He informed Ms. Censabella that he recently found a boat and anticipates having to find a job in order to pay for it. It really sounds as if he isn't enjoying his retirement at all. . . Ms. Censabella asked the Board if they would be interested in sponsoring a hole and/or a tee ($150) at the Tri-State Conference Buddy RomanoA/ern Kelley Scholarship Golf Tournament sponsored by N. H. Housing Authorities Corporation. The Chairperson entertained a motion to accept the Executive Director's Report. Mrs. Pastor made the motion, and Mr. Monahan seconded the motion. The Chairperson asked if there were any questions. The Board discussed Ms. Censabella's request to buy air conditioners for tenants at Sullivan Terrace South. The Board thought this may be a precedent-setting action and thought there may be another way to address this issue. The Board told Ms. Censabella her request is a nice gesture, but suggested finding out what other housing authorities have done in this situation. Mr. Wilson asked why the Union wants to enter into an impact bargaining session. Ms. Censabella explained the Union believes the recent reduction in force affects the Union and how it operates. Both Attorneys Gormley and Marr think it is in the Authority's best interest to enter into an impact bargaining session. Mr. Wilson said before any decision is made, it must come before the Board. Mrs. Pastor amended her original motion to discuss, at a later date, the recommendations, except for sponsoring the Tri-State Golf Tournament for $150. Mr. Monahan seconded the motion. There being no further discussions, the motion as amended carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION NO. 10-2140 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY AWARDING A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2010 THROUGH JULY 31, 2012 FOR THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM TESTING AND SERVICE TO A. S. A. P. FIRE & SAFETY CORPORATION, 90 PROGRESS AVENUE, #3, TYNGSBORO, MA 01879 AT A CONTRACT COST OF $2,330 PER YEAR ($2,080 UNDER THE PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING BUDGET AND $250 UNDER THE PARK VIEW APARTMENTS BUDGET) The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 10-2140. Mr. Wilson made the motion, and Mr. Monahan seconded the motion. The Chairperson asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion, the Recording Secretary called the roll with the following responses: AYES NAYS James Tollner Thomas Monahan Selma Pastor Eric Wilson Paul Deschenes Motion carried unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 10-2141 BY THE NASHUA HOUSING AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DISPOSE OF USED APPLIANCES The Chairperson entertained a motion to approve Resolution No. 10-2141. Mr. Monahan made the motion, and Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The Chairperson asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion, the Recording Secretary called the roll with the following responses: AYES NAYS James Tollner Thomas Monahan Selma Pastor BILLS/INVESTMENTS: The Chairperson called for a motion to pay the bills as listed on the Cash Disbursement List - check numbers 45460 through 45530 and from the Supplemental Cash Disbursement List - check numbers 45531 through 45617 and from the Park View Apartments Cash Disbursement List - check numbers 4307 through 4312 and to approve the Investments as listed. Mr. Tollner made the motion, and Mr. Monahan seconded it. The Chairperson asked if there was any discussion. There being no discussion, the motion to pay the bills and approve the investments as listed carried. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS: Mr. Tollner thought everyone did a very nice job with George Robinson's party saying he seemed to really enjoy it. It was a great time. The Board asked Ms. Censabella to send a letter to the Police and Fire Departments about re-naming Temple Street Manor effective January 1, 2011 or earlier. The Board suggested placing a resolution about this on the next meeting agenda and would like to plan a dedication ceremony and have a sign made for the building. ANY OTHER BUSINESS WHICH MAY COME BEFORE THE BOARD Mr. Tollner made a motion to accept Mr. Corosa's correspondence dated July 10, 2010, and no action was taken. Mr. Monahan seconded the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: The Chairperson entertained a motion to adjourn. Mr. Wilson moved to adjourn, and Mr. Monahan seconded the motion. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted,