Trumbull Housing Authority
December 22, 2015
4:00 pm
Community Room of Stern Village

Commissioners Present: Thelma Burr, Suzanne Donofrio, Susan Fatse, Janice Kopchik

Also Present: Executive Director Harriet Polansky

Commissioners Absent: Linda Nassrah

The meeting was called to order at 4:02 pm by the Chairman, Mrs. Kopchik. Roll call was conducted followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Past Minutes
Ms. Polansky provided the Clerk with the following changes to the November 23, 2015 minutes:
– Under Past Minutes – last paragraph should read: “Mrs. Donofrio motioned to accept the minutes…”
– Under Resident Comments, under Sandy, third line should read: “waste the Boards’ time…”
– Under Resident Comments, under Christiane Poggi, third line should read: “If anyone wants to see it, you can see everything.” Sixth line down should read: “Polansky stated they know exactly what is going on…”
– Under Executive Director’s Report, second paragraph, fourth line should read: “She is looking to improve the facility…”
Mrs. Kopchik motioned to accept the minutes as amended; seconded by Mrs. Fatse and approved unanimously.

Resident Comments
Paul Littlefield – Mr. Littlefield stated he did not know what the motion will be to address #8 under New Business. He felt it may have to do with a policy change switching the burden of cost for extermination from the landlord to the tenant. He wanted to know what precedent this comes from and what legal basis the Commission has for doing that. He stated that for non-profit housing, the landlord is responsible and that is backed up by the Trumbull Housing Code and the Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants in CT put out by the Judicial Department. They point out that the landlord is responsible for expenses having to do with extermination of pest. Under HUD, Harrison House had had extermination of bed bugs several times and the tenants have not been charged except for the prior preparation, such as clothing removal. He recommended the Commissioners look at this very carefully because he does not want them to be tagged as one of the first housing authorities to put in such a rule. Mr. Littlefield discussed extermination prices at the facility. He recommends the motion, which he requested in advance but did not received because the Executive Director was away and when she returned, was too busy to respond to his request, be carefully reviewed and he would like to hear the discussion. He does not want to just have a motion. Mr. Littlefield thanked the commission for their attention.

Patricia Lungi – Mrs. Lungi noted she has lived in 15 different places and in 27 years and she has never paid for pest control, in any location. This service was provided every month and, if needed, would be provided a second time. She doesn’t understand this at all.

Treasurer’s Report
Mrs. Burr reported for the period ending November 30, 2015, Stern Village and Stern Center had an overall gain for the period of $10,229. All vendors have been paid. The current Accounts Payable amounts to $50,067 which includes our PILOT payment for the previous year. The cash position is healthy at the present time. For the Village, the current cash position is approximately $50,199, and the Center’s cash position is $19,464. Capital expenditures have increased for the Village. New refrigerators were purchased that are energy efficient.

Executive Director’s Report
Ms. Polansky noted that currently the reserve balance is over $1,438,629 which is approximately $6,480 for each unit in the entire complex. The overall cash position as of November 30, 2015 shows a balance of $1,191,510, including the investment account. She is looking at various grants to off-set costs to procure a salad bar with sneeze guard and convection oven; both are necessary for the congregate.

She thanked the THA Commissioners for their hard work this year and all the volunteers who have made a positive impact on the community. She also thanked the following vendors for making the holidays extra special for the residents – Home Depot, Ed Henrich from United Healthcare, Mark, Melick, Omar and Naiomi from Hancock Pharmacy, Chips Restaurant, W.B. Mason and Verizon.

Ms. Polansky spoke with the Chart representative from Massachusetts. Charter will be assessing the signal strength for the property and do whatever they can to fix issues. A mid-January time frame was discussed for the results.

Ms. Polansky read the THA Recap covering the period from July 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. This Recap is attached to the minutes as an addendum.

Unfinished Business
None.

New Business
Ms. Polansky noted that when a unit is rented, it is delivered to the tenant in a sanitized condition. There have been residents with bed bug infestations and roaches. These are brought into the apartment; they don’t just appear. For some infestations, like bed bugs or roaches, the Orkin exterminator is called. They are able to source and validate where the infestation originates, therefore that resident should be responsible for payment. In 2015, over $2,700 was spent on extermination services for bed bugs. When Orkin comes in, they do all four apartments; they can’t just do one. It is an upheaval for the residents that don’t have a problem and it is money that she would rather spend somewhere else. Attorney Ray Rizzio, THA General Counsel was called upon for his expertise in this matter. Discussion was held regarding the circumstances where this would be imposed. It would not cover things like food spoilage or the covered spraying for bugs such as ants, spiders or termites. Anything the maintenance men can handle would not be included. However, unkempt apartments or something brought in from the outside that causes a problem would be the tenant’s responsibility. This would be spelled out in the new lease. A payment plan can be agreed upon should that be necessary.

Mrs. Kopchik made a motion that the Trumbull Housing Authority units will be delivered to the tenants in a sanitized condition and the tenant will affirm the same at the acceptance of the unit. The tenant will be responsible for the cost of extermination for any future infestations discovered by the landlord that is not normally covered within the daily maintenance of the Trumbull Housing Authority Maintenance people. Seconded by Mrs. Donofrio and approved unanimously.

Adjournment
Motion was made by Mrs. Kopchik, seconded by Mrs. Fatse, to adjourn the meeting at 4:24 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Crandall
Clerk

These minutes are considered a draft until approved at the next meeting of the Trumbull Housing Authority.

Minutes THA December 2015

Trumbull Housing Authority
November 23, 2015
4:00 pm
Community Room of Stern Village

Commissioners Present: Thelma Burr, Suzanne Donofrio, Susan Fatse

Also Present: Executive Director Harriet Polansky

Commissioners Absent: Linda Nassrah and Janice Kopchik

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by Mrs. Donofrio in the absence of the Chairman. Roll call was conducted followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Past Minutes
Ms. Polansky provided the Clerk with the following changes to the October 27, 2015 minutes:
– Under Public Comment – first line should read “Two residents thanked the Commission and Ms. Polansky for all the work that is being done.”
– Under Treasurer’s Report – second line should read “All vendors have been paid.” End of last line should read “Center’s cash position”.
– Under Executive Director’s Report – second page, first paragraph – should read “approximately $10,000 mostly for cleaning various units.” Next paragraph should read “families in Trumbull who are interested in volunteering”.
Mrs. Fatse motioned to accept the minutes of October 27, 2105 as amended, seconded by Mrs. Burr, and approved unanimously.

Resident Comments
Paul Littlefield – Mr. Littlefield made a recommendation that in the emergency planning the Board have
authorization to hire additional help for snow removal. In the past when we had a severe storm, one of the Board members and director did hire a contractor. There is a legal agreement with the town but he felt that was not going to work. He recommended the additional help be dedicated to removing the snow from the secondary bedroom exits. During the last storm, people were frightened because they thought they were trapped. This way if something happens to the front room, they have a secondary exit.

Roberto – he is not happy with his cable TV. He pays a lot and wondered if the Board could do something to change it. The service is terrible and the channels cannot be seen correctly. He has reduced his service to the minimum level and is at a point to just not have the service. Ms. Polansky will check on this. Many factors could contribute to this service problem. Residents have already spoken to the cable service with no change in service. Ms. Polansky will contact Charter and ask for a meeting to resolve this.

Sandy – asked if there isn’t anything to come before the Board, if the meeting could be postponed until January. It was noted that it is part of the bylaws to have a meeting every month. She doesn’t want to waste the Boards time for a meeting if it is not necessary. Also, there may be something important come up for discussion and it is good to have the meeting already scheduled. Sandy also acknowledged Harriet and all that she has done since she first came. It has only improved. It hasn’t slacked off or lost enthusiasm. She feels that she has always been encouraged to speak her mind, to feel comfortable and feel a part of the community. She is pleased with the improvements and knows it is only through someone who cares and showing that they care. She feels Harriet has done a marvelous job.

Christiane Poggi — stated she does not feel safe in Stern Village. She moved from #90 to #9 because of this woman who is a convicted killer. She stabbed someone 29 times and then killed someone else 10 years later. It is in the computer. If anyone wants to see, it you can see everything. She does not feel safe. The other day this lady tried to run her over. She called the Police and the Police haven’t done anything. She tried to kill her. She also tried to kill her friend, as well. She does not feel safe. Ms. Polansky stated they know exactly is going on as well as Paulette, the Commission and the Police. It is all being taken care of. The attorneys have been advised of this also.

Also, there are no cameras here. The Police came when this woman tried to run her over and kill her. She came in the back with her car and she tried to kill her and her dog. She brushed her jacket. She stated she should have gone to the hospital although she wasn’t injured. The Police have not done anything. She did the same thing to her girlfriend. The camera was not working. It happened right in front of the camera. She would like someone to fix it and that it be working for their safety. Question was asked why the cameras are not working. Ms. Polansky noted they were working for a while and then it cost a lot of money to fix them so they decided to wait until the revitalization. There are cameras in the Congregate that work, the Maintenance one works, as well as other places in the Village.

She also noted she has roaches in her apartment. Ms. Polansky and others came and found no roaches. Ms. Polansky stated she was aware of the problem. A sample of the bug was provided and it was felt it was a carpet beetle not a roach. Ms. Polansky will work on this.

Treasurer’s Report
Mrs. Burr reported for the period ending October 31, 2015. Stern Village and Stern Center had an overall gain of $9,391.00. All vendors have been paid. Current Accounts Payable amounts to $59,992.00. That includes our PILOT payment for the previous year. Our PILOT payment will not be paid until the outside account finishes the annual audit. The cash position is healthy. The current Village cash position has approximately $34,397.00 and the Center’s cash position is $38,005.00.

There are currently ten vacancies in the Village and four in the Congregate. Rehabilitation of the apartments is being done in the Congregate to allow for new residents. There were some capital expenditures this period. Repairs have been made to the stove and vent in the kitchen in the Congregate as well as to the sprinkler and the elevator. For the Village, additional refrigerators and ranges were purchased.

Executive Director’s Report
Ms. Polansky wished Mrs. Fatse a Happy Birthday and everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Currently the reserve balance is over $1,435,830.00 which is approximately $6,468.00 for each unit in the complex. The overall cash position as of October 31, 2015 shows a balance of $1,194,056.00 including the investment account. Accounts Payable is approximately $59,992.00 including our PILOT accrual for the current and past year. She is looking into project to improve the facility within the realm of affordability and any need for security that we can afford.

An update of the revitalization was provided to the residents at Ms. Polansky’s Tuesday Tea. This plan is also available in the Community Room and in December’s newsletter. We are transparent and we want to keep everyone involved. Thank you to the members of the Resident Development Advisory Committee who are always spreading the word. CHFA and DOH told them through a conference call that they want to do the project and they currently have updated plans for review. Ms. Polansky hopes that in December, she, Neil, any Commissioners and perhaps the architect will have a meeting with them. It was decided that bifurcating the redevelopment process into two phases would make sense to meet the identified financial goals set by the state and CHFA. The scope has been scaled back, thoughtfully, to control the overall cost of the project without diminishing the sustainability. In other words, Ms. Polansky noted they will be getting what they need and want. There will still be additional parking, the loop road for improved access for residents and first responders, only demolishing two buildings to accommodate the parking and roadway design from the initial 18 in the original concept. We also need a comprehensive storm water management plan including asphalt curbs, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. We will have upgraded landscape. There will be a renovated Community Room with, perhaps, an addition. New roofs, doors and windows will be done. They will be adding bedroom additions to the efficiency units. The front porch or foyers have been deleted from the scope because if was out of their realm. Emergency efficient ductless heat and cooling, hot water heaters, energy recovery ventilation systems, step in showers, and other improvements will be made. Ten percent will be designated as ADA or handicapped units. We are still on track. Ms. Polansky stated because the project was cut in half, they can’t renovate just one side. We will ask for a commitment to do both sides.

Ms. Polansky extended a special thank you to John and Darby Ruby and Don Scinto for the Second Annual Turkey Fest. The Ruby’s donated 25 turkeys and Mr. Scinto organized the event. She also thanked the First Selectman for joining the event and selecting the recipients. There should be an article in the Trumbull Times this week.

According to Ms. Polansky, residents chosen for the sampling of weatherization said they did a great job. The residents felt their apartments are less drafty now that the improvements have been made. A formal report will be given to UI and didn’t think there was any hindrance for UI not to say yes to everyone else. There is also a lighting study being conducted on Tuesday, December 1 at 9:00 am in the common areas in resident apartments. Thirty-seven residents were selected and should have received a letter regarding this.

There are a lot of parties going on in December in Stern Village. More information to follow.

Kim from TOVA will be back on December 15. TOVAH is working to educate Stern Village residents to understand how they can contribute to the growth and sustainability of our community and in the process prepare residents for taking on leadership roles when leadership opportunities, tenant association nominations and elections occur.

Question was raised if during the project, some of the trees would be cut down around the edge where it is shady and where mold sets in. It was noted that if it is in the landscape plan, it would be done.

Question was raised about the cabinets in some of the units. They are unusable and wanted to know if that is standard. Mrs. Burr noted some of the units had new cabinets put in and they are 1/3 less than other units. They cannot be used because of the size. Ms. Polansky noted everyone will love the new cabinets to be put in.

Unfinished Business
None.

New Business
None.

Adjournment
Motion was made by Mrs. Donofrio, seconded by Mrs. Burr, to adjourn the meeting at 4:28 pm. Approved unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Crandall
Clerk

These minutes are considered a draft until approved at the next meeting of the Trumbull Housing Authority.

THA Board Meeting Minutes November 2015