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                                                    LEE HOUSING AUTHORITY

                                                           155 MARBLE STREET

                                                                 LEE, MA 01238

Minutes of the Regular Lee Housing Authority Board of Directors meeting April 19, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.

Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Sandra Cozzaglio at 4:30 p.m.

Those in attendance:     Sandra Cozzaglio,Chairperson

                                       Thomas Unsworth

                                       Marjorie Donovan

                                       Thomas Logsdon

                                       Deborah M. Pedercini, Executive Director

Members Absent:          Jennifer Heath

Others Present:            

1.  Public Speak

Tenant, M.D. stated that she was concerned with late night/early morning noise; she stated

that she would be putting in a request for the policy to be changed to 10:00 pm for quite time.

2.  Minutes of regular meeting of March 15, 2022.

Motion was made by member Unsworth to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of March 15, 2022.  Motion was seconded by chairperson Cozzaglio. Member Donovan abstained due to absence.  Vote 3-1, abstention.

Minutes of Executive Session meeting of March 15, 2022.

Minutes were unavailable, due to member Heath's absence; Motion was made by chairperson Cozzaglio to move to next meeting for approval.  Motion was seconded by member Unsworth.  Vote 4-0.

3.  Programs

a.   667 - There are currently 2 vacant units at Brown memorial Court, 12, and 23.  Wait lists have been pulled to rent unit #12; while unit #23 is on hold while the ADA showers upgrade is in process.  Current Waitlist: 867

b.   705 - The property has one vacant unit, #27 available for rent.  A pull list is in process.  Current Waitlist: 3478

c.   689 - currently, both programs are running well.

4.  Old Business

     a.  FISH #150066 ADA Shower Upgrade Contract Award

On March 23, 2022, two (2) bids were received for the ADA Shower project at Brown Memorial Court.  Cornerstone Building Services, Holyoke, MA, was the low bidder at $81,700, with General Contracting Solutions, Southwick, MA second at $139,000.

Based on observations and experience by our architect, Roy S. Brown, it was recommended to accept the low bid of Cornerstone Building Services in the amount of $81,700.

Motion was made by member Unsworth to award the low bid to Cornerstone Building Solutions in the amount of $81,700, subject to DHCD approval and to authorize the executive director to sign the owner contractor agreement when received from DHCD.  Motion was seconded by chairperson Cozzaglio.  Vote 4-0.

     b.  FY 2022 DHCD Budget Revision #1 and Executive Director's Contract of Employment

The director presented the FY2022 DHCD operating Budget Revision #1 for approval.

The FY2022 Budget was revised due to increase in salary for director that was previously approved at the March 15, 2022, regular meeting.  Due to the fact that the Annual Operating Budget has been revised, a resolution will need to be adopted.

A motion was made by chairperson Cozzaglio that the proposed Operating Budget, Revision #1 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, be submitted to DHCD for its review and approval.  Motion seconded by member Donovan.  Vote 4-0.

At the March 15, 2022 Board of Directors meeting, the executive director's salary was approved, at that time, the board should have voted to adopt and execute the DHCD Contract of Employment of the executive Director.  The director presented a three (3) year contract with a yearly salary of $50,039, effective July 1, 2021, expiring June 30, 2024, to the board for approval.

Chairperson Cozzaglio made a motion to adopt and execute the DHCD Contract of Employment of the Executive Director, effective July 1, 2021, ending June 30, 2024, a three-year contract in the amount of $50,039 per year.  Motion was seconded by member Unsworth.  Vote 4-0.

5.  New Business

      a.  DHCD PHN 2021-21 Language Access Plan

State-aided public housing regulations require that Massachusetts local housing authorities adopt and enforce a Language Access Plan or LAP, regardless of whether they receive federal funds.  In accordance with 760-CMR 4.02 (1) )e0, LHA's are required to adopt this by the fiscal year end June 30, 2022.

The goals of the LHA's Language Access Plan:

• To ensure meaningful access to the LHA's housing programs by all eligible

           individuals regardless of primary language spoken.

• To ensure that all LEP individuals are made aware that the LHA will provide free oral interpretation services to facilitate their contacts with and participation in programs administered by the LHA
• To provide written translations of vital documents to "limited English proficiency: (LEP) individuals speaking priority languages.
• To ensure that LHA staff are aware of available language access services and how these services need to be used when serving LEP individuals.
• To provide for periodic review and updating of this LAP and services in accordance with community needs.

The director presented the Language Access Plan to the board for approval.

A motion was made by chairperson Cozzaglio to approve the language Access Plan as presented.  Motion was seconded by member Unsworth.  Vote 4-0.

          b.  FISH #150072 Brown Memorial Court Community Room Carpet Replacement.

The Community Room at Brown Memorial Court will be replacing the current carpeting with vinyl tile flooring.  There are several benefits to replacing the carpet, such as, air quality and prevention of respiratory issues as well as the ease of disinfecting and sanitizing the floors.

The authority is proposing to install the same flooring and same color that were installed in the community room bathrooms.  The bathroom floors are Mannington Commercial LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile), Nature's PATH Collection, Wood.  By using the same product and color it will save the authority time and money by only having to stock one product as replacements for future use.

The director called for a motion to approve the proprietary use of Mannington Commercial LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile), Nature's PATH Collection, Wood; for FISH #150072, Brown Memorial Court community room flooring.

A motion was made by chairperson Cozzaglio to approve the Mannington Commercial Luxury Vinyl Rile floor, Nature's PATH Collection, Wood; for FISH #150072, Brown Memorial Court community room flooring project.  Motion was seconded by member Unsworth.  Vote 4-0.

6.  Financial

a.   Monthly Check Register for March 31, 2022

The Monthly Check Register for March 31, 2022 was presented- After review, a motion was made by member Unsworth to accept the check register for March 31, 2022, as presented.  Motion was seconded by member Logsdon.   Vote 4-0

b.   Monthly Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2022

Monthly Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2022.  Reserve level as of March 31, 2022, for the 4001: 58.93%  689: 519.77%.

7.  Executive Director's Report

a.  Executive Director's Benefit Balance as of week ending April 16, 2022

              Vacation/hrs. 44.0            Personal/hrs. 13.2              Sick/hrs. 79.33

b.  CHP Mobile Van, COVID-19 Booster

DHCD reached out to LHA's encouraging the hosting of a mobile COVID-19 booster vaccination that became available on March 29, 2022.  The clinics would be targeted for residents in elderly housing.

Community Health Programs (CHP) mobile van will be at Brown Memorial Court on April 26, from 1:30 to 3:30 administering COVID-19 boosters, Flu shots, and checking blood pressure for residents.

Topics for discussion:

There was discussion on the Single Hearing Officer for Grievance Procedures.  The five-year appointment for Paul Collins expired on March 16, 2022.  The director stated that she reached out to him to renew, however, he declined.  She stated that she had also reached out to the other alternate, Neil Clark, with no response; the third alternate member is deceased.  The director stated that she posted the appointments on the Town of Lee's and LHA's websites to see if there is any interest from the community.  The LHA needs an officer and two alternates.

The director informed the board that the Annual Inspections will begin on April 20, 2022, beginning with Brown Memorial Court.

8.  Any topic the Chairperson could not reasonable anticipate

There were no other topics for discussion.

With no further business to come before the board, a motion to adjourn was in order.

Motion was made by member Unsworth to adjourn.  Motion was seconded by chairperson Cozzaglio. Vote 4-0.

Meeting adjourned at :03 p.m.

THE NEXT SCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 17, 2022.

Submitted by:

Deborah m. Pedercini

Executive Director