Trumbull Housing Authority – May 22, 2017
Trumbull Housing Authority Meeting
May 22, 2017
4:00 pm
Community Room of Stern Village
Commissioners Present: Chairman Janice Kopchik, Deborah Dowd, Paul Niebuhr and Suzanne Donofrio
Also Present: Executive Director Harriet Polansky
Commissioners Absent: Susan Fatse
The meeting was called to order at 4:10 pm by Chairman Kopchik followed by Roll Call and the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Chairman Kopchik opened the meeting by expressing condolences from the Board to the family of Ed
Horan who passed away last week. She noted Mr. Horan was passionate about Stern Village and its residents. He was active in the redevelopment committee of Stern Village and a member of the Stern
Village Resident Association Board. He will be truly missed.
Past Minutes
Motion was made by Mrs. Kopchik to approve the minutes of April 24, 2017 as written. Seconded by
Mr. Niebuhr and approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
Mrs. Dowd reported for the Trumbull Housing Authority for the period ending April 30, 2017. Over the
course of the last ten months, Stern Village and Stern Center had an overall loss of approximately
$64,526. For the past ten months, there have been numerous vacancies in the Village and the Center
reducing the rental income, as well as additional costs for the necessary national credit checks and
criminal checks, legal expenses, advertising for the wait list, utility rate increases and the rehabbing of
vacated units. However, a profit of $6,260 is reflected on the 2016 management budget under Repairs,
Maintenance and Reserve.
Executive Director’s Report
Ms. Polansky reported the current reserve balance is $1,433,189, which is approximately $6,456 for
each unit in the entire complex. The overall cash position as of April 30, 2017 shows a balance of
$798,335 including the investment account. As of April 30, 2017, Accounts Payable is approximately
$37,280 including the PILOT accrual for the current year. Ms. Polansky will continue to look at other
projects to further improve the facility within the realm of affordability, need and security.
At the present time, the Village has twelve vacancies and the Congregate has five vacancies. There were
approximately 80 applicants and approximately 35 were rejected based on the national credit and
criminal background checks. All rejection letters have been mailed. Heather is in the process of
entering the 35 applicants into our software program to create the wait list. A letter will be going out to these applicants stating that the next steps include landlord verification, an interview and determining
the ability to pay the base rent. In the meantime, the maintenance men are rehabbing the vacant units.
Units 5, 6, 7 and 8 will be rehabbed and they served as the test units for the heat pump systems.
All heat pumps should be installed by the end of the June. Ms. Polansky is hoping to have additional
funds to be used for heat pumps for the Community Room. Ms. Polansky met with John Barry on Friday
to see how many would be necessary and to obtain a cost for the pumps and installation.
Ms. Polansky spoke with a representative of Spectrum ‐ Cable and she will get back to Ms. Polansky in
the next two weeks. The agreement in place does not end until 2021 for this funding which is a
marketing initiative.
Team Home Depot will be putting in a flower and vegetable garden in the back of the Congregate. The
congregants have expressed their interest in having a healing memorial garden. They will be planning
this garden. They are awaiting dates for planting.
The batteries are charged on the golf cart. Tires will be checked by maintenance and it would be on the
road shortly.
Ms. Polansky discussed the letters from the State Representatives. The Trumbull Delegate will be invited
to Stern Village to become better acquainted with the Village needs.
Ms. Polansky welcomed John Fox as a new member of the maintenance staff.
Recertifications are in process. Everyone must sign a new lease. Any changes in rent and the new lease
will go into effect on July 1, 2017.
Ms. Polansky stressed the importance of helping the residents by calling the THA or Congregate if you
feel something is not right. Check on your neighbors; watch for papers and mail piling up. If you think
your neighbor may be ill and requires medical attention, do not hesitate to call 911. She thanked the
residents who do that on a daily basis.
A Special Board Meeting will be held on June 6, 2017 at 4 pm in the Community Room.
Unfinished Business
None.
New Business
None.
Update from the Stern Village Resident Association
John reported that letters were received from Representative David Rutigliano regarding the condition
of the sidewalks at Stern Village Senior Housing. Mr. Rutigliano noted that he has been aware of the
conditions and agrees that something needs to be done. Letter is attached for review.
Ms. Polansky noted that when Mr. Rutigliano received all the letters, he stated he was in support of the
renovation. They discussed the funding being requested. Ms. Polansky encourage him to go to the DOH
and speak with them regarding the Village.
Resident Comments
Joan – stated she was pleased with the men who installed the heat pump. They were great, cleaned
everything, and put everything back in its original place. They were very nice. The pumps work well and
look beautiful. She questioned, with regard to the situation last week, if the guard could have opened
the apartment door or does it have to only be the Police. Ms. Polansky noted the guard is for the
Congregate only. She reiterated that if you see mail or papers piled up or you think something is wrong
with your neighbor or know they are will, please call for help. The guards will not be opening doors for
anyone any more. This is independent living and not all residents inform Ms. Polansky if they leave for
several days.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Mrs. Kopchik motioned to adjourn the meeting at 4:26 pm. Seconded
by Mrs. Donofrio and approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Crandall
Clerk