PORTSMOUTH HOUSING AUTHORITY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PORTSMOUTH HOUSING AUTHORITY
127 PARROTT AVENUE
PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE
APRIL 10, 2002
4:30 P.M.
The Board of Commissioners of the Portsmouth Housing Authority met in Regular Session on April 10, 2002, at 4:30 P.M., 127 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The Vice Chair called the Meeting to order and upon roll call those present and absent were as follows:
PRESENT ABSENT
Vice Chair Griffin *Chairman Giambalvo
Commissioner Freedman
Commissioner Leith
Commissioner Pappas
Commissioner Charest
Others in attendance included: Timothy J. Connors, Richard G. Gray, Debra E. Crapo, Judith P. Bunnell, Peter Millette, Linda A. Smart, Lee Roneker, George Robinson, and Rhonda L. Schwarz.
Vice Chair Griffin apprised the Commissioners of a Request for an Excused Absence by Chairman Giambalvo in that out of town travel prohibited his attendance at the Meeting. Said Request met with unanimous approval.
Commissioner Freedman made a motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting, March 13, 2002, as written. Commissioner Leith seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
In the absence of Chairman Giambalvo, Vice Chair Griffin requested that Mr. Connors present the Report of the Contracting Officer.
Mr. Connors reported that the work item of exterior improvements throughout the Gosling Meadows Housing Development is about eighty percent complete.
Further, Mr. Connors reported that Careno Construction Co., LLC, has completed the rehab of bathrooms in the two-story bungalows and another twenty units are expected to be complete by the end of this week. In all bathrooms of thirty-four units at the Wamesit Place Housing Development are included in this work phase. Mr. Connors added that although said rehab has not progressed as fast as anticipated, the finished product bears out that slow is sometimes better.
Mr. Connors advised that the work item to remove all paving, grate, and hot top of the parking areas and driveway of Margeson Apartments is moving along as scheduled by the Contractor, Bayside Paving. As you are aware, said work item necessitated the relocation of this Meeting, noted Mr. Connors.
Referencing previous discussion regarding a new heating system for the Parrott Avenue Center for Seniors, Mr. Connors reported on a meeting with Bob Iafolla, Shaune Shields, Director, Adult Day Care, and Judith Bunnell, Director, Community Services Program, to review cost.
The Report of the Contracting Officer was accepted as presented in a motion by Commissioner Charest, seconded by Commissioner Freedman, and all voted in favor.
There were no Travel Requests for presentation at this time.
*Excused Absence
Vice Chair Griffin introduced George Robinson advising that Mr. Robinson has been chosen by the Selection Committee to fill the new position of Director of Administration.
Commissioner Leith made a motion of authorization for the hire of George Robinson for said position of Director of Administration, effective May 28, 2002, and following a one-year probation Mr. Robinson would be evaluated and considered for permanent status. Commissioner Pappas seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
Vice Chair Griffin welcomed Mr. Robinson to the Portsmouth Housing Authority with the Commissioners expressing concurrence.
Mr. Connors requested that permanent status be awarded to Lee Roneker, Marketing and Leasing Department Aide, and Deborah Merrill, Receptionist, following completion of their six-month probationary periods on May 4, 2002. Mr. Connors noted that both employees were hired before change of the probationary period to one year.
Commissioner Freedman made a motion to award permanent status to Lee Roneker Marketing and Leasing Department Aide, and Deborah Merrill, Receptionist, with Commissioner Leith seconding the motion and all voting in favor.
Richard G. Gray, Comptroller, reviewed with the Commissioners the Financial Reports, two-months ended February 28, 2002, Locally Owned Housing, Section 8 Existing Housing, and Managed Properties.
Mr. Gray provided a comparison report for the same period in 2001, noting that the difference in salaries would be attributed to five pay periods as opposed to four pay periods during the same period last year. In addition, Mr. Gray distributed a Memorandum informing the Commissioners on notification received this date indicating an increase of eighty-nine percent for Property Insurance. The Insurance Agent initially estimated a seventeen-percent increase that was included in the Operating Budget for Locally Owned Housing. Said increase would result in a shortfall necessitating a revision to the budget as it was presented to the Commissioners.
Mr. Gray reported that the Statement of Operations for the Section 8 Existing Housing reveal a big improvement—an increase from 190 units to 240 units. Managed Properties continue to hold their own, despite the line item of Prior Year Expenses due to an error in computation by a former employee.
The Financial Statements were accepted as written and presented in a motion by Commissioner Leith, with Commissioner Freedman seconding the motion, and all voting in favor.
Following a brief discussion regarding the Cottage Hospital, 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 Report of the Marketing and Leasing Department Manager was accepted as written in a motion by Commissioner Charest, seconded by Commissioner Pappas, and all voted in favor.
Peter Millette, Director, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, reported on approval of the annual Request for Funds submitted to the Town of Exeter.
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, distributed copies of information packets which would be mailed to all those who utilize the Senior Transportation Program. Said packet includes a Client Information Sheet for each participant to fill out, accompanied by memorandum explaining that the requested information would be used to form an emergency database for use by those that manage said Program and only in an emergency. Also, included was a list of Rules and Regulations for Transportation participants.
In addition, Mrs. Bunnell reported on the outstanding response to invitation to the annual Champagne Drawing in May. Response has always been good, commented Mrs. Bunnell, but this may be the best year ever.
Commissioner Leith made a motion to accept the Report of the Community Services Program as written, with Commissioner Charest seconding the motion, and all voting in favor.
On behalf of Lisa Brennan, Director, Nutrition Program, Mr. Connors reviewed the Report of the Nutrition Program.
Following discussion of the increase in meals, the Report of the Nutrition Program was accepted as written in a motion by Commissioner Leith, seconded by Commissioner Charest, and all voted in favor.
In the absence of Robert Kulik, Rent Collector/Resident Liaison, Mr. Gray reviewed with the Commissioners the Accounts Receivable month ended March 31, 2002, Gosling Meadows and Wamesit Place Housing Developments, advising that numerous line items were cleared by the listed individuals after compilation of said Reports.
The Reports of the Accounts Receivable, month ended March 31, 2002, Gosling Meadows and Wamesit Place Housing Developments, were accepted as written and presented in a motion by Commissioner Leith, seconded by Commissioner Freedman, and all voted in favor.
The following Resolution was introduced by Vice Chair Griffin, read in full and considered:
RESOLUTION NO. 1170
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORTSMOUTH HOUSING AUTHORITY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORTSMOUTH HOUSING AUTHORITY DO HEREBY APPROVE AND ADOPT THE OPERATING BUDGETS FOR LOCALLY OWNED HOUSING, SECTION 8 EXISTING HOUSING, MANAGED PROPERTIES, AND WAMESIT PLACE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2002.
Commissioner Freedman, moved that the foregoing Resolution be adopted as introduced and read, which motion was seconded by Commissioner Charest and upon roll call the "Ayes" and "Nays" were as followed:
AYES NAYS
Commissioner Freedman None
Commissioner Leith
Commissioner Pappas
Commissioner Charest
Vice Chair Griffin
The Vice Chair thereupon declared said motion carried and said Resolution adopted.
Vice Chair Griffin inquired as to whether or not Mr. Connors had received further correspondence from or been contacted by Cheryl A. Bushman, Founder, Voices United in Truth, seeking more information or to set up a meeting with Mr. Connors and Staff.
Mr. Connors advised that a meeting with Ms. Bushman was in the works, but at this time, he did not have any further information to provide. Discussion ensued during which the Commissioners recommended that Gerald Giles, Attorney, be present should a meeting take place.
Discussion ensued regarding the upcoming Annual Meeting and Election of Officers, May 8, 2002. Mr. Connors advised that arrangements are underway and invitations for the dinner that follows the Annual Meeting would be mailed three weeks prior.
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 5:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy J. Connors
Secretary
Accepted by:
Saverio M. Giambalvo
Chairman