MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PORTSMOUTH HOUSING AUTHORITY
245 MIDDLE STREET
PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE
NOVEMBER 14, 2001
4:50 P.M.
The Board of Commissioners of the Portsmouth Housing Authority met in Regular Session on November 14, 2001, at 4:50 P.M., 245 Middle Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The Chairman called the Meeting to order and upon roll call those present and absent were as follows:
PRESENT ABSENT
Chairman Giambalvo None
Commissioner Griffin
Commissioner Freedman
Commissioner Leith
Commissioner Pappas
Commissioner Charest
Others in attendance included: Timothy J. Connors, Linda A. Smart, Debra E. Crapo, Peter Millette, Linda W. Vickery, Robert Kulik, Judith P. Bunnell, and Rhonda L. Schwarz.
Commissioner Leith made a motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting, October 10, 2001, as written. Commissioner Pappas seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
Chairman Giambalvo reported the results of the bid opening held on October 25, 2001, for bathroom renovations to all 2-bedroom units in Wamesit Place Housing Development. Careno Construction Co., LLC., was the resulting low-bidder, advised Chairman Giambalvo.
Commissioner Freedman made a motion to award said contract to Careno Construction Co., LLC., Inc. Commissioner Leith seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
Following discussion of several ongoing work items, the Report of the Contracting Officer was accepted as presented in a motion by Commissioner Leith, seconded by Commissioner Pappas with all voting in favor.
There were no Travel Requests for presentation at this time. Mr. Connors advised the Commissioners on the hire of Debra Merrill, Receptionist, and Lee Roniker, Marketing and Leasing Aide, both full time positions, effective November 5, 2001.
Commissioner Freedman made a motion of authorization for the hire of Debra Merrill, effective November 5, 2001, and the hire of Lee Roneker, Marketing and Leasing Aide, effective November 5, 2001, and following a six-month probation Ms. Merrill and Ms. Roneker would be evaluated and considered for permanent status. Commissioner Leith seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
In the absence of Richard G. Gray, Comptroller, Mr. Connors reviewed with the Commissioners the Financial Reports, nine months ended September 30, 2001, Locally Owned Housing, Section 8 Existing Housing, and Managed Properties. Mr. Connors reported that the Statements for Locally Owned Housing reveal an increase in Administrative and Maintenance Expenses as well as and increase in Insurance due to new policies. Statements for Section 8 indicate that the Program is holding its own due to an increase in leased voucher recipients. Further, reported Mr. Connors, Managed Properties are in good shape.
Mr. Connors also reviewed the Statement of Operations, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, three months ended September 30, 2001, advising that said Program is according to budget.
The Statement of Operations for the Meals On Wheels Program, year ended September 30, 2001, shows a reserve. This would be the final separate Statement for the MOW for financial purposes only as transfer to the Adult Group Day Care Program has been completed, noted Mr. Connors.
Lastly, Mr. Connors reviewed the Statement of Operations for the Adult Group Day Care Program and Transportation, year ended September 30, 2001, stating that things do not look bad for the first full year at the new site.
The Financial Statements were accepted as written and presented in a motion by Commissioner Freedman, seconded by Commissioner Pappas with all voting in favor.
Mr. Connors apprised the Commissioners on his appearance this date before the Conservation Committee regarding the addition to the Maintenance Shop in the Gosling Meadows Housing Development, noting that he had been accompanied by David Gates, AIA, Costello, Lomasney, and deNapoli (CLD). The Planning Board, City of Portsmouth, meets Thursday evening, November 15, 2001, advised Mr. Connors, and furthermore, he and Mr. Gates would make presentation to said Board also concerning the aforementioned addition. Mr. Connors added that he did not anticipate any difficulties.
Mr. Connors informed the Commissioners that Commissioner Griffin has been instrumental in the coordination between the Housing Authority and Verizon as part of modernization work in the Gosling Meadows Housing Development.
The Report of the Executive Director was accepted as written and presented in a motion by Commissioner Leith, with Commissioner Freedman seconding the motion and all voting in favor.
The following Resolution was introduced by Commissioner Freedman, read in full and considered:
RESOLUTION NO. 1161
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORTSMOUTH HOUSING AUTHORITY HEREBY AMEN SECTION THREE, PARAGRAPH 3.4 OF THE PERSONNEL MANUAL TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
PROBATIONARY APPOINTMENT: The Probationary Period shall be regarded as an integral part of the appointment process and shall be utilized to closely observe the new employee's work, to secure the most effective adjustment of a new employee to the position and to reject an employee whose performance does not meet the required work standards. All original appointments of full-time and part-time positions shall include a Probationary Period of one year. The Executive Director may extend the Probationary Period for an additional period not to exceed six months.
Commissioner Freedman, moved that the foregoing Resolution be adopted as introduced and read, which motion was seconded by Commissioner Leith and upon roll call the "Ayes" and "Nays" were as followed:
AYES NAYS
Chairman Giambalvo None
Commissioner Griffin
Commissioner Freedman
Commissioner Leith
Commissioner Pappas
Commissioner Charest
The Chairman thereupon declared said motion carried and said Resolution adopted.
Commissioner Griffin extended gratitude from relatives of a recently deceased resident of a Housing Authority senior-housing complex. Said relatives were grateful for the time their mother had in senior housing and the thoughtfulness of the Staff.
Following discussion of endless HUD revisions, the Report of the Marketing and Leasing Department Manager was accepted as written in a motion by Commissioner Freedman, seconded by Commissioner Leith and all voting in favor.
Commissioner Griffin queried Peter Millette, Director, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, about funding practices of surrounding towns. Discussion ensued regarding level funding applied by various towns.
Commissioner Freedman made a motion to accept the Report of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program as written, Commissioner Leith seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
Judith P. Bunnell, Director, Community Services Program, reviewed with, and answered questions posed by, the Commissioners regarding the Transportation Mission Statement prepared for the Senior Transportation Program.
Commissioner Griffin made a motion to adopt as written the Transportation Mission Statement. Commissioner Freedman seconded the motion, and all voted in favor.
Commissioner Freedman made a motion to accept the Report of the Community Services Program as written, with Commissioner Pappas seconding the motion, and all voting in favor.
Mr. Connors reviewed with the Commissioners the Report of the Nutrition Program. Said Program has been operating relatively smoothly, noted Mr. Connors.
The Report of the Nutrition Program was accepted as written in a motion by Commissioner Leith, seconded by Commissioner Pappas and all voted in favor.
Robert Kulik, Rent Collector/Resident Liaison, reviewed with the Commissioners the Accounts Receivable month ended October 31, 2001, Gosling Meadows and Wamesit Place Housing Developments,
Following a brief, but concise exchange, the Reports of the Accounts Receivable, month ended October 31, 2001, Gosling Meadows and Wamesit Place Housing Developments, were accepted as written and presented in a motion by Commissioner Freedman, seconded by Commissioner Pappas, and all voted in favor.
The Commissioners considered a proposal by The Kane Company, Inc., regarding purchase of the Gosling Meadows Housing Development. Following customary deliberation the Commissioners were unanimous in their decision to decline said proposal.
Commissioner Griffin made a motion of authorization for the Executive Director to convey, by written correspondence, the unanimous decision of the Board of Commissioners to decline the aforementioned proposal and to continue to pursue other housing opportunities. Commissioner Freedman seconded the motion, and all voted in favor.
Mr. Connors advised the Commissioners as to advertisement for the position of Director of Administration, advising that thus far the PHA Search Committee has received twenty applications.
Furthermore, advised Mr. Connors, arrangements have been confirmed with the Shiff Group to assess all housing programs to determine what may require attention as the position of Deputy Director became vacant over a month ago.
The Commissioners were unanimous in their approval for the Shiff Group to assess said programs and establish guidelines before hire of the Director of Administration.
There being no further business proper to come before the Board of Commissioners, a motion was made and duly seconded to adjourn the Meeting at 5:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
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Timothy J. Connors
Secretary
rls
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Accepted by: Saverio M. Giambalvo
Chairman
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Date