Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2015 The Board of Commissioners (“Board”) of the Norwich Housing Authority (“Authority”) met in regular session at the main office of the Norwich Housing Authority, 10 Westwood Park, Norwich, Connecticut, at 4:30 PM, Wednesday, December 9, 2015. I. Roll Call Chairman Baillargeon called the meeting to order at 4:45 PM and the following answered present: Marion Rucker Wilma Sullivan Paul Gauthier Hector Baillargeon Alice Cunningham Also present was Charles C. Whitty, Executive Director. II. Public Hearing A. Proposed base rent increase for the State Moderate and State Affordable programs effective May 1, 2016. Chairman Baillargeon called the public hearing to order and asked if anyone present had any comments on the proposed base rent increase for the State Moderate and State Affordable programs effective May 1, 2016. Geraldine Moleon Wright, 7 Sullivan Drive, Norwich, addressed the Board regarding the State Affordable program base rent increase. Ms. Wright also asked about laundry facilities at JFK II. Mr. Whitty explained that the development was built without basements and that there were no washer / dryer hook-ups in the units. There had been an on-site laundry facility but the Authority closed it due to vandalism a number of years ago. Ms. Patrice Bernier, 69 Quarto Road, Norwich spoke in opposition to the State Moderate program base rent increase. In particular, she noted her difficulty in being able to pay the proposed $30.00 per month base rent increase. Ms. Bernier had also submitted letters to Chairman Baillargeon and Mr. Whitty on this matter. No other written comments were received. Chairman Baillargeon closed the public hearing. III. Minutes A. Mr. Gauthier moved and Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on November 12, 2015. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – December 9, 2015 page 2 IV. Communications No communications were received. V. Committee Reports A. The Homeownership Committee did not meet. B. Rent Review Committee. Mr. Whitty noted that there is a resolution on the Board’s agenda regarding a proposed base rent increase in the State Moderate and State Affordable programs effective May 1, 2016. VI. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Mr. Rucker moved and Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion to approve the bills for November, 2015. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Reports – Mr. Whitty noted that the Authority had 8 vacancies as of December 1, 2015. Ms. Sullivan moved and Mr. Gauthier seconded the motion to receive the December 1, 2015 report. Motion carried unanimously. C. Modernization Reports - John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator, prepared the report. Mr. Whitty reviewed the same with the Board. The Sunset Park Roof Replacement and the Oakwood Knoll Hot Water Heater and Boiler Replacement projects are currently being designed and will be bid in January 2016. The Authority has received an Assistance Agreement from DOH for planning preconstruction capital improvements at its state elderly developments and a predevelopment planning grant for Sunset Park. Mr. Gauthier moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the report. Motion carried unanimously. D. Section 8 Voucher Portfolio Reports - As of December 1, 2015 the total portfolio was 510 Housing Choice Vouchers. Ms. Cunningham moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion to receive the reports. Motion carried unanimously. E. Other Items – None. VII. Unfinished Business There was no unfinished business to discuss. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – December 9, 2015 page 3 VIII. New Business A. Mr. Gauthier moved to adopt Resolution R-15-12-1251 to approve a $30.00 per month base rent increase in the State Moderate program and a $25.00 per month base rent increase in the State Affordable program effective May 1, 2016. Ms. Sullivan seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. B. Mr. Gauthier moved to adopt Resolution R-15-12-1252 to apply for City of Norwich Community Development Block Grant funding for Program Year 42 for the roof replacement project at Sunset Park. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. C. Mr. Gauthier moved to adopt Resolution R-15-12-1253 to contract with SavageAlert to serve as Owner’s Representative for the Oakwood Knoll Boiler Replacement Project. Mr. Rucker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Cunningham, Rucker, Sullivan, Gauthier, Baillargeon Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. D. Commission Members - There was no comment. E. Community Portion of the Meeting – There was no comment. F. Other – None. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – December 9, 2015 page 4 IX. Executive Session No Executive Session was held. X. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Cunningham moved and Mr. Rucker seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:50 PM. Respectfully submitted, Charles C. Whitty Executive Director Minutes approved on January 13, 2016 Hector R. Baillargeon Chairman