Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2023 The Board of Commissioners (“Board”) of the Norwich Housing Authority (“Authority”) met in regular session at the Westwood Park Community Room, 10 Westwood Park, Norwich, Connecticut, at 4:30 PM, Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Two Commissioners were excused and one Commissioner was in route due to traffic congestion. Therefore, the Board did not have a quorum to open the meeting. An informal discussion was held with Jason Geel, Maletta and Company, regarding the FY 2023 (April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023) Audit Report with Commissioner Patterson, Chairman Bergren and senior staff. At 5:10 p.m. Commissioner Lunt joined the meeting and a quorum was now obtained. Discussion of the FY 2023 Audit report continued until 5:30 p.m. when the Board meeting commenced. I. Roll Call Chairman Bergren called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM and the following answered present: Frances Patterson Mary Ellen Lunt Alan Bergren Kenneth Scandariato and Benjamin Lathrop were excused. Also present were Jeffrey S. Arn, Executive Director, and Joanne M. Drag, Deputy Executive Director/Finance Director. II. Minutes A. Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on October 11, 2023. Motion carried unanimously. III. Communications A. Community Comment / Public Comment – None. B. Presentation by Jason Geel, Maletta and Company, regarding the FY 2023 (April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023) Audit Report. Mr. Geel reviewed the audit report with the Board and answered questions prior to the meeting. He noted that the Authority was a financially stable organization. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – November 8, 2023 page 2 Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to receive Communication B. Motion carried unanimously. IV. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to approve the bills for October 2023. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Reports – Mr. Arn noted that the Authority had 21 vacancies as of November 1, 2023 and 9 units were leased in October. There is a waiting list for all properties. C. Modernization Report - John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator, prepared the report. Mr. Arn reviewed the same with the Board. The Dorsey Building Emergency Generator replacement project was awarded to Rock-Vern Electric. The lead time for the generator is approximately six (6) months. The anticipated installation date is now the end of January 2024. The Sunset Park exterior renovation project started July 24th with roofing and blown-in insulation. The roofing portion of the project has been completed along with approximately seventy (70%) percent of the blown-in insulation. The replacement of the front cement patios and new back wood decks has also been completed. The siding removal, abatement, residing and window replacement portion of the project is on-going. Siding has been abated on approximately 16 houses. PAC Group is the Construction Manager for this project. The City Council approved funding the Rosewood Manor siding and exterior wrapping project at its June meeting. Capital Studio Architects (“CSA”) is completing the plans and specifications. This project will be bid in January 2024. CSA is also developing plans for the building and site renovations project at Westwood Park and Dorsey Building. Funding for this project will come from the 2023 Federal Capital Fund Program. D. Housing Choice Voucher Portfolio Report - As of November 1, 2023, the total portfolio was 478 Housing Choice Vouchers (“HCV”). The HCV waiting list will be opened later this year with applications being completed on-line. E. Procurement Log – Mr. Arn reported that two (2) new computers had been purchased from Whalley Computer Associates. F. Other items – Funding availability regarding housing for Homeless Veterans. A meeting with the Veterans’ representative to discuss housing options will be scheduled. Mr. Arn noted that he will pursue opportunities for housing for veterans. Ms. Patterson moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to receive items B. through F. above. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – November 8, 2023 page 3 V. Unfinished Business None. VI. New Business A. Commission Members – None. B. Other – None. VII. Executive Session No Executive Session was held. VIII. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Lunt moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:45 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey S. Arn Executive Director Minutes approved on December 13, 2023 Alan H. Bergren Chairman