Housing Authority

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE NORWICH HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 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, December 13, 2023. I. Roll Call Chairman Bergren called the meeting to order at 4:46 PM and the following answered present: Kenneth Scandariato Benjamin Lathrop Frances Patterson Mary Ellen Lunt Alan Bergren Also present were Jeffrey S. Arn, Executive Director, John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator, and Joanne M. Drag, Deputy Executive Director/Finance Director. II. Minutes A. Ms. Lunt moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting held on November 8, 2023. Motion carried unanimously. III. Communications A. Community Comment / Public Comment – None. B. State Elderly, State Moderate and State Affordable Management Plans for Fiscal Year 2025 (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025). Mr. Scandariato moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to receive Communication B. Motion carried unanimously. IV. Report of the Executive Director A. Bills – Mr. Scandariato moved and Ms. Patterson seconded the motion to approve the bills for November 2023. Motion carried unanimously. B. Vacancy Reports – Mr. Arn noted that the Authority had 21 vacancies as of December 1, 2023 and 2 units were leased in November. There is a waiting list for all properties. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – December 13, 2023 page 2 C. Modernization Report - John Mainville, Modernization Coordinator, prepared the report. Mr. Arn and Mr. Mainville 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. The roofing portion and cement front patios of the project have been completed along with approximately ninety (90%) percent of the blown-in insulation. The replacement of the new back wood decks has also been completed. The siding removal, abatement, residing and window replacement portion of the project is on-going. 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. Mr. Mainville also reported on the water main break at Schwartz Manor that occurred last Thursday. The residents were without water for most of the day. The contractor was able to restore the water service by the end of the day. There was another water main break on Donahue Drive affecting one duplex. D. Housing Choice Voucher Portfolio Report - As of December 1, 2023, the total portfolio was 471 Housing Choice Vouchers (“HCV”). The HCV waiting list will open January 8 through January 12, 2024 with pre-applications being completed on-line. Affordable Housing is the contractor that will process the pre-applications, perform the lottery selections and maintain the waiting list. E. Procurement Log – There are no new contracts on the procurement log for last month. 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. Mr. Arn noted that State Resident Services Coordinator April Griffin’s, last day will be December 27, 2023 and Eric Bastien has been selected to replace Joseph Keith as Maintenance Supervisor. Mr. Scandariato moved and Ms. Lunt seconded the motion to receive items B. through F. above. Motion carried unanimously. V. Unfinished Business None. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – December 13, 2023 page 3 VI. New Business A. Mr. Scandariato moved to adopt Resolution R-23-12-1668 to apply to the City of Norwich, Community Development Block Grant funding for Program Year 50 for siding replacement and exterior trim wrapping at Rosewood Manor – Phase II, 335 Hamilton Avenue, Norwich. Ms. Patterson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Scandariato, Lathrop, Lunt, Patterson, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. B. Ms. Patterson moved to adopt Resolution R-23-12-1669 to approve the State Elderly Management Plan – Schwartz Manor for Fiscal Year 2025 (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025). Mr. Scandariato seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Scandariato, Lathrop, Lunt, Patterson, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. C. Ms. Patterson moved to adopt Resolution R-23-12-1670 to approve the State Elderly Management Plan – Eastwood Court for Fiscal Year 2025 (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025). Ms. Lunt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Scandariato, Lathrop, Lunt, Patterson, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. D. Ms. Patterson moved to adopt Resolution R-23-12-1671 to approve the State Elderly Management Plan – Rosewood Manor for Fiscal Year 2025 (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025). Mr. Scandariato seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Scandariato, Lathrop, Lunt, Patterson, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – December 13, 2023 page 4 E. Mr. Scandariato moved to adopt Resolution R-23-12-1672 to approve the State Moderate Management Plan – Melrose Park, Sunset Park, John F. Kennedy Heights I, Hillside Terrace for Fiscal Year 2025 (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025). Ms. Patterson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Scandariato, Lathrop, Lunt, Patterson, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. F. Ms. Patterson moved to adopt Resolution R-23-12-1673 to approve the State Affordable Management Plan – John F. Kennedy Heights II for Fiscal Year 2025 (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025). Ms. Lunt seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Ayes – Scandariato, Lathrop, Lunt, Patterson, Bergren Nays - None Motion carried unanimously. G. Commission Members – None. H. Other – None. VII. Executive Session No Executive Session was held. Minutes of the Norwich Housing Authority – December 13, 2023 page 5 VIII. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Patterson moved and Mr. Scandariato seconded the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:10 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey S. Arn Executive Director Minutes approved on January 10, 2024 Alan H. Bergren Chairman