Trumbull Housing Authority – April 24, 2017
Trumbull Housing Authority Meeting
April 24, 2017
4:00 pm
Community Room of Stern Village
Commissioners Present: Chairman Janice Kopchik, Deborah Dowd, and Paul Niebuhr
Also Present: Executive Director Harriet Polansky
Commissioners Absent: Susan Fatse, Suzanne Donofrio
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 pm by Chairman Kopchik followed by Roll Call and the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Past Minutes
Motion was made by Mrs. Kopchik to approve the minutes of March 27, 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 March 31, 2017. Stern
Village and Stern Center currently has an overall loss of approximately $71,703. This is attributable to
the numerous vacancies in the Village and the Center reducing our rental income, as well as additional
costs of advertising for applications for Stern Village and the necessary credit checks, utility rate
increases and usage.
Director’s Report
Ms. Polansky reported the current reserve balance is $1,420.416, which is approximately $6,398 for
each unit in the entire complex. The overall cash position as of March 31, 2017, shows a balance of
$882,116 including the investment account. As of March 31, 2017, Accounts Payable is approximately
$76,199, including the PILOT accrual for the current year. Ms. Polansky will also be continuing to look at
other projects to further improve the facility within the realm of affordability, need, and security.
As the present time, the village has eight vacancies (not including the vacant building) and the
congregate has four vacancies. Ms. Polansky has 30 applicants and has mailed several applications.
There are interested applicants for the Congregate and they are scheduling when they will move in.
The installation of the heat pumps is going well. Several resident meetings have been held to discuss
the heat pumps and the remote control. The contractor is setting the thermostat and residents have
been told to set it and forget it. They are now up to unit 48. Every unit is getting a heat pump. Residents
do not have to use it if they don’t want to.
The Small Cities Application was delivered to DOH last week. This is for the energy efficient windows for
186 units.
The 2017 SSHP application is near completion. Ms. Polansky is asking for $5 million to fix the
infrastructure, roads, sidewalks, new roofs, fascia (front), gutters, new exterior doors, additional ADA
units, ADA compliant bathrooms, and kitchen for the community room.
Paperwork has been filed for establishing a non-profit THC at IRS. Once approved we will be able to get
additional funding and do lots of fund raising.
The letters residents wrote were mailed to Senator Moore, State Representatives David Rutigliano,
Laura Devlin and Ben McGorty, along with copies of the petitions. A representative of Senator Chris
Murphy’s office visited last Tuesday. Needs were discussed and how Senator Murphy can help. Ms.
Polansky also provided copies of all the letters and petitions to Senator Murphy.
Ms. Polansky is in the process of recertifying tenants. At the time of recertification, every resident must
sign the new lease in order to live at Stern Village. Copies of the new lease are in the Community Room
for residents to review. Ms. Polansky will also email caregivers the lease upon request. If a resident
does not sign the new lease, the THA will need to take appropriate action.
Starting on May 1st the Community Room will be open until 8 pm.
Unfinished Business
None.
New Business
None.
Update from the Stern Village Resident Association
John Vogel reported for the Association. He noted that he put together letters for the legislators in the
area asking them for assistance. Mr. Vogel was thanked for his efforts.
Resident Comments
Ed – commented that in the future he will bring up cable TV and the ability to change to a different
supplier. He realizes there is a monetary component for the Village to use Charter but he asked that the
money be given back so that they are not held hostage. Residents are having a lot of trouble with the
current supplier. Ms. Polansky noted that April 1, 2010, Charter was allowed to market their services at
Stern Village and the THA signed a non-exclusive installation and service agreement with Charter. This
agreement expires March 31, 2021. In doing so, Charter gave the THA a one-time payment of $22,200.
This situation has been explained to the residents in the past. Harriet will again contact Charter to see
what the options are and try to have some answers at the next meeting.
Joan – also spoke on the cable situation noting that Optimum and Cablevision cannot come into the
Village and satellite does not work.Ms. Polansky noted that the power in the Village went out recently due to an accident nearby and the generator in the Congregate worked well. The new protocol for the security guard also worked well. Ms. Polansky noted that she is informed when the power is out.
Ralph – asked about the status of the golf cart. Ms. Polansky noted she is getting quotations for new
batteries (6) and perhaps new tires. It will be in working condition soon.
Adjournment
There being no further business, motion was made by Mrs. Kopchik to adjourn the meeting at 4:20 pm.
Seconded by Mr. Niebuhr and approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Crandall
Clerk