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                                                   LEE HOUSING AUTHORITY

                                                        155 MARBLE STREET

                                                              LEE, MA 01238

Minutes of Regular Lee Housing Authority Board of Directors meeting November 18, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Cozzaglio  at 4:30 p.m.

Members in Attendance: Sandra Cozzaglio, Chairperson

                                        Kathy DeVarennes

                                        Marjorie Donovan

                                        Deborah M. Pedercini, Executive Director

Members Absent:            Thomas Unsworth

                                        Jennifer Heath

1. Public Speak (two minutes) on any Agenda Item 

Tenant Kathy Griffin spoke on the sewer project; November 10, 2025, the tenant above her had issues with water, concurrently, Kathy had a toilet back up. VanZandt was called and apologized to her that they had neglected to cut a portion of her sewer pipe after the relining project was completed and remedied the problem. Ruby Garrity also stated that she had slow draining in her kitchen sink. The director stated that she would investigate to make sure her unit was properly cut. 

2. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 21, 2025

The director presented the minutes of the October 21, 2025, meeting; she stated that there was a typo in section 7. Executive Director's Report. Chairperson Cozzaglio stated an additional typo, where a word was missing in Resident Services Report. The director stated she would correct the minutes.

Member Donovan made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 21, 2025 as amended. Member DeVarennes seconded the motion. Vote 3-0.. 

3. Programs

667 Currently there is (1) vacant unit at Brown Memorial Court, #30. Current Waitlist: 2726

705 Currently, there is (1) vacant unit at Clarke Court; Unit #40 three (3) bedroom unit. A waitlist has been pulled. Current Waitlist: 9832

689  Both properties are running well.

The annual inspection was performed at 185 Marble Street on October 13, 2025, at both A & B sides. Units are in good condition and very minimal work orders were needed. DDS requested that three bedrooms be repainted, which we will do in the coming months. 

The annual inspection will be scheduled for 150 Laurel Street in December. 

4.  Old Business

     a. FISH #150517 Brown Memorial Court Emergency Sewer Line Certificate of Substantial Completion

The board was presented with FISH #150517 Brown Memorial Court Emergency Sewer Line Certificate of Substantial Completion Vanzandt Plumbing.

Member DeVarennes made a motion to approve FISH #150517 Brown memorial Court Emergency Sewer Line Certificate of Substantial Completion. Vanzandt Plumbing. The motion was seconded by chairperson Cozzaglio. Vote 3-0. 

Work was completed by Vanzandt Plumbing on October 31, 2025. However, there was a return to one of the units for a backup on November 11, this was remedied the same day, as there was a pipe that was not cut properly. 

The tenant in #47 that was relocated during the sewer replacement was able to return to their unit on November 13, 2025. The unit needed extensive repairs such as new floors, painting and cleaning as well as toilet installation.

     b. FISH #150517 Brown Memorial Court Emergency Sewer Line Certificate of Final Completion, Vanzandt Plumbing

The board was presented with FISH #150517 Brown Memorial Court Emergency Sewer Line Certificate of Final Completion.

Member DeVarennes made a motion to approve FISH #150517 Brown Memorial Court Emergency Sewer Line Certificate of Final Completion, Vanzandt Plumbing. The motion was seconded by chairperson Cozzaglio. Vote 3-0. 

     c. FISH #150502 Brown Memorial Painting Certificate of Substantial Completion

The board was presented with FISH #150502 Brown Memorial Court East Side Certificate of Substantial Completion.

Member Donovan made a motion to approve FISH #150502 Brown Memorial Court Painting East Side Certificate of Substantial Completion, Gentlemen Painting. The motion was seconded by member DeVarennes. Vote 3-0.

The painting on the East side at Brown Memorial Court was completed by Gentlemen Painting on October 24, 2025. The tenants were happy with the work; the contractor did a great job as far as keeping the area clean as well as maneuvering around the ongoing sewer project and stayed on schedule. 

     d. FISH #150502 Brown Memorial Painting Certificate of Final Completion

The board was presented with FISH #150502 Brown Memorial Court East Side Certificate of Final Completion.

Member Donovan made a motion to approve FISH #150502 Brown Memorial Court Painting East Side Certificate of Final Completion, Gentlemen Painting. The motion was seconded by member DeVarennes. Vote 3-0.

5. New Business

     a. Approval of Administrative Compensation Funds for FISH #150517

EOHLC allows additional admin funds for certain large projects, our current project, FISH #150517 Brown Memorial Sewer Project is one of those projects. As a part-time Executive Director, EOHLC allows compensation for extra hours worked on specific projects where admin is available. Lee Housing Authority has received funds for admin; however, the board of directors must vote to approve the expenditure before EOHLC will release any funds. 

The director requested approval of $709.34 in admin funds from FISH #150517.

A motion to approve the request for $709.34 admin funds from FISH #150517 Brown Memorial Sewer Project was made by member DeVarennes. Motion was seconded by member Donovan. Vote 3-0. 

6. Financial

      a. Monthly check register for October 31, 2025

The Monthly Check Register for October 31, 2025, was presented to the board. After review, a motion was made by member Donovan to accept the check register for October 31, 2025, as presented. The motion was seconded by member DeVarennes. Vote 3-0.

7. Executive Director’s Report 

     a. Executive Director’s benefit balance as of November 13, 2025 

                      Vacation: 34     Personal: 13.5       Sick: 285.35

The director stated that the LHA office would be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday November 27, 2025, and that a decision was made to also close the day after. She stated that staff would use vacation or personal time as it was not a paid holiday in accordance with the personnel policy.

Member DeVarennes inquired as to how this policy could be changed to add the day. The director informed her that it would need to be put to a vote to add this day as a paid holiday for the agency. The director stated that she could add this on the December agenda and if it passed it would be in effect for 2026.

The Social Aggression and E-Bike policies will be addressed at the December meeting as well.

      b. Resident Services Coordinator Report for the month ending October 31, 2025

The director presented the report for the month ending October 31, 2025

     8. Any topic the Chairperson could not reasonably anticipate

None.

    9. Adjournment

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

Member Donovan made a motion to adjourn; member DeVarennes seconded the motion. Vote 3-0

The meeting was adjourned at 4:57 pm

THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR December 16, 2025

Submitted by:

Deborah M. Pedercini

Executive Director