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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_12_01 Housing Authority Minutes Drafted Minutes from the Housing Authority Committee meeting held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 beginning at 7:OOpm, in the Community Room, Ice Rink, 140 Hommocks Road, Mamaroneck, New York 10543 PRESENT: Dolores A. Battalia, Chair Frank Pierson, Vice Chair Joseph Mileto, Treasurer Meg Deshpande Margaret C. Delohery, Secretary to the Housing Authority ALSO PRESENT: Steve V. Altieri, Housing Authority Consultant Nuno Pires, Gramatan Management Chair Battalia started the meeting at 7:10pm 1. Welcome and Introduction of Board Members - Ms. Deshpande, Mr. Mileto, and Mr. Pierson all introduced themselves to the residents in the audience. 2. Review of the Role of the Town of Mamaroneck Housing Authority- Chair Battalia described the background of the Hommocks Park Apartments and the Housing Authority. She also elaborated on the relationship between the Housing Authority and the Town of Mamaroneck. 3. 2022 Capital Improvement Projects Planned for Hommocks Park- Mr. Mileto reviewed the Capital Projects that are planned and current actions of them. He mentioned that he would like to obtain an engineering firm to design windows for the apartments, would like to maintain and update decks, and have a total review of the building carried out. 4. Presentation of New Recycling Program - Mr. Altieri discussed the recycling program for the tenant and the regulations. Mr. Altieri purchased cans for each unit that will arrive in mid-January which will be labeled by unit number. 5. New Email Address for Tenants to Contact the Town of Mamaroneck Housing Authority - Chair Battalia spoke about a Housing Authority email that has been set up by the Town's IT Department for resident to correspond directly with the Housing Authority. A resident asked about those who do not email to which Mr. Pierson responded that it is another form of communication that will be available to tenants and that the Housing Authority will continue with traditional forms of communication. 6. Questions and Comments from Tenants— • Chair Battalia expressed that the Housing Authority is aware of the current problems especially in regards to the Super, but reinforced that the Housing Authority is committed to rectifying any tenant issues. She then opened the floor to the tenants to openly discuss their issues. • A resident stated that the issues with the units have been piling up for some time, main concerns are the smoking problem, having little to no maintenance, and some residents' belongings blocking the stairs. • A resident stated that other residents have been having parties in their garage, where smoking occurs, and tenants pay to have a super on site, which is not representative of the current situation. • Chair Battalia said that the Housing Authority is aware that there has been problems with smoking. Mr. Pires said that tenants aren't letting him know who has been smoking or it happens during his off hours. Another resident stated that when they encounter the similar issue and gave the name of the smoker to Mr. Pires, Mr. Pires handled it privately and resolved the matter. A third resident commented that in the past the Super did give out the informant's information to the tenant accused. Mr. Pires expressed that if the residents come to him about others smoking, he will always keep the information confidential. Mr. Mileto and Mr. Pires then spoke about the next steps of disciplinary action plans. • Residents, Mr. Pires, and the Housing Authority discussed the notices that were sent out to the tenants for the meeting. Mr. Pires said he had sent the notices in early November. Residents expressed that none of them had received such notice and only received a notice on the meeting date, with the envelope post marked 11/29/2021. • A longtime resident of the complex explained several issues that have occurred to them. The resident stated that an issue from the below unit caused the Super to turn off their dishwasher and were told not to worry. After speaking to the resident of the below unit who stated the problem occurred because of a window, the resident turned the dishwasher back on. When the resident pulled out their dishwasher, they found drill holes. The resident also spoke about issues with their sinks, window sills, broken floor boards, boiler, and inadequate patch work. • A resident expressed that there needs to be more communication about on- going issues as they receive little to no follow up. Mr. Pires said he would go to their unit to walk through and discuss the unit's issues. Chair Battalia asked about work order forms as a way to communicate tenant issues directly with Mr. Pires. • Mr. Mileto said he would use the Town email address to send out contact information for Mr. Pires and the work order form. • Residents, Mr. Pires, and the Housing Authority discussed the current Super situation. Mr. Pires said that the current Super's substitute left two weeks ago, and that the current substitute is a past Super, but is only working 30 hours a week. A resident asked about the current substitute receiving extra assistance as a way to get work orders and maintenance completed faster. • A resident and Mr. Pires discussed snow removal practices. • Chair Battalia circled back to the smoking problem and asked when the smoking is the worst. The residents explained it is worst at night after regular work hours, and happens inside the units during extreme weather. Mr. Pires said that in past the Housing Authority considered purchasing devices that could detect when smoking occurred. He also disclosed that the past few smoking occurrences were perpetrated by guests of residents. • A resident and Mr. Pires spoke about some residents using their garage to hold barbeques and gatherings. Mr. Pires knew about the situation and explained that the resident had a George Foreman Grill and was told to not use it inside the garage, and that the garage was not supposed to be used as a hangout spot. The resident has since ceased the behavior. • A resident asked for the contact information for the current substitute Super and the work order process, which Mr. Pires then explained. • Mr. Pires, Ms. Deshpande and residents discussed forms of communication and where residents can directly correspond with the Housing Authority • Residents and Mr. Pires discussed payment for this month. One resident received notice that she did not owe any rent; Mr. Pires stated that it was a discrepancy with the vendor who sends out the bills. Another resident said they did not receive the physical bill yet; Mr. Pires stated he would investigate. • A resident brought up rent increase and their concerns about the affordability of the complex, they became concerned after speaking with new residents who had higher rent increases. Mr. Pires explained that because the resident was grandfathered in under certain rent increases they are paying a lower increase than a new resident. • A resident asked about the Housing Authority meeting schedule. Chair Battalia explained that the Housing Authority meets the first Monday of every month in Conference Room C and that they could find all agendas and minutes on the Town's website. 7. Chair Battalia adjourned the meeting at 8:30pm.