Okay, I'm going to call the meeting of the Westport Housing Authority Board of Commissioners to order at 10:01. I'll do a quick roll call. Uh Tim Kaitton, >> Liz Collins >> here. >> Pauline Broaddor >> here. >> Paul Stein, >> president. >> Let's begin the meeting with the pledge
of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Okay. In your board packets is a is a copy of the minutes of the January 21st meeting. reminder that we did not meet in February. So I need a motion and a second to approve the minutes. >> So second
>> there's a motion by Liz, seconded by Pauline. Any discussion on the minutes? >> I'm going to include both of them. >> Is that what you're doing? >> Including both of them. >> Well, we're talking about the minutes now, not the warrants. We're talking about the minutes.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. So there is a motion glasses off. >> No worries. >> So there's a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I have it. Uh there are two warrants in your board packet. Warrant 18 in the
amount of $32,339.3 and warrant 19 in the amount of 22,74262. Um we did not meet last month. That's why there's two warrants. So, um I would just need a motion and a second to approve both warrants.
>> Second. Motion to approve. >> Second. It's a motion by Liz, seconded by Paul. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Anybody opposed? I have it.
>> Okay. Management agent update. Um, just wanted to >> You want the signs or >> uh Yes. Uh, pass that around. There's one for warrant 18 and there's one for warrant 19. >> One for 18 >> right here. I got
>> Oh, here it is. So, just um just sign both warrants. just uh actually should be under old business, but I'll mention it under under my uh management agent report. I know there was uh there was some discussion uh over a new sign for the
front of the property uh out front here to replace the um the uh you know sign that's there hanging on on the utility thing. We do have uh we do have a quote from from Signature Signs which is a local sign
which is a local sign manufacturing company. Um so we we did we did uh sign the proposal with them. So um probably at some point next month once the weather you know officially turns we'll have that we'll have that new sign installed. So that'll be good.
>> So what what are they going to do? They're going to they're going to install a new sign that says Greenwood Terrace. That's a lot more attractive than what we have out there right now. >> Separately mounted. >> Oh, it'll be it'll be in the ground. It'll be in the ground. They they uh
they have come out. They've looked at it. They scouted out where they want to put it. >> We're also going to take the the Greenwood Terrace sign, I guess you would call it. It's not even a It's not even a sign. It's just hanging on the utility thing. We'll
take that out as well. So, the it'll it'll look a lot better aesthetically. So, just an update on that. >> Ask a question. >> Sure. >> Okay. Uh the company that you spoke to, what's their name again? >> Signature Signs.
>> And is that the only one you spoke to? >> No, we got we got three we got three quotes. >> Okay. >> Uh well, actually, we we solicited three quotes. We heard back from two. There was an outfit out of Fall River that got back to us, but they they were
significantly higher in price. The third the uh third company that we reached out to never got back to us. >> Is this one on Route 177? >> Yes, >> it is. Okay. >> It's it's it's down the road right near the uh
I don't know how to >> I know. You got to go that way. >> It's behind the behind the medical building. But yeah, I've been to I've been there. I've seen their work and um I you know they are good and they're not that
>> they are usually pretty reasonable. >> Yes, they are. Yeah. I >> I Westport company, >> right? >> And uh you know they have a great u they have a really friendly uh dog. >> Sure.
>> Okay. So, uh just a just a quick uh personnel update. I uh just want to want to let everybody know that um uh Dave Dave um you know recently as as you all know with the uh um
the very heavy snow. Dave Dave was out for a couple of weeks and uh he's back he's back as of yesterday which is great news. Um he's going to be on a limited duty for a little bit of time. Um but um he's you know his attitude is good. He
he seems to be doing very well and um I just want to say that he um you know we we did cover the you know maintenance for the two weeks that he was out. We had we had it set up where uh Develin was down here um you know a morning a
week to take care of any you know routine work orders. Um, and then any emergencies, um, and I don't even think if that there were any any emergency calls. Any emergency calls obviously would have been handled by Adelaro. >> Excuse me. >> Uh, should that happen?
Should I wait till this is all over? >> Yeah, you'll have you'll have a moment under under tenant comments at at the end of the meeting, which is fine. Um so um in your in your board packet as well um is the January financial
reporting. Um again the you know housing authority is in um is in very solid shape. Our reserves are approaching 70%. Um our maintenance costs are under control. Uh our insurance costs are under control. Our utilities are a
little over. Uh but that's not unusual considering the time of year. Uh that should be un that should be back under control. Well, it's not out of control. It's just a little high, but it should be back under the um uh 10% threshold
shortly. So, we're good on that. Um, we're also talking about um, uh, in our new budget year, which starts in July, we're also talking about getting, um, you know, Westport housing, getting
Greenwood Terrace, some um, more modernized snow removal equipment such as a Bobcat and things like that to enable our on-site maintenance staff to um, do more with the snow rather than having to wait for uh the the outside
vendor to come. I know that that may have been uh somewhat of an issue during the last the last storm. Um the work order report is there for your your review. Uh and the vacancy report is there. We have one vacant unit. Um just
an update on that. As of this morning, uh the unit was offered to an applicant was offered to a qualified applicant. Uh that individual turned the apartment down because they said it was too small.
Again, um I I have I have to shake my head. If you if you've been on the waiting list for years and you might be homeless or you might you know why you would turn down an apartment in public housing is beyond
me, but it does happen. So, um, our strategy now is to move on to the next qualified applicant off of the list that we're working on, >> work our way down from there or did they have >> I don't know the circumstance. I I'm I'm
just saying that um, you know, if you know, a lot of people are are, you know, waiting for a unit and they wait on these these lists are very long. They're very lengthy and um you know they don't you know units don't come up too too
often but um my theory is I mean if you're offered a public housing unit where you have an opportunity to pay 30% of your income on rent uh which means the rents are very very affordable. They're very low considering
the market that we have out there right now. Some people still turn the units down. So, um, that that's what happened in this case, Liz. >> Yeah. Um, I'm assuming that somebody in
the office sat down with that person and gave them all the information. >> Well, we uh, yes, when we when we qualify somebody, we have to make sure that they qualify incomewise. Okay, which the the individual did. This this went to an offer stage which meant
that the person was 100% qualified. We had we had we had the income, we had the assets, we did a background check, we had landlord references, everything came back fine. When when everything checks out, we're able to offer the apartment
officially to somebody. We make an offer and then we we invite them to come in and look at the apartment after the offer is made. And that's what happened. We we made the offer. They came in. They went to the apartment to look at it and they said, "Nah, it's too small. I'm not
going to take it." >> So, >> one other question. seeing that office people spoke to this person. Um, we used to give out flyers, very
nice flyers to take to give to the person to take home and look over them. I don't know what happened to them, but they should be somewhere. >> I I have my original one has a dimension and anything on it. Is that what you're
talking about? >> I have mine. I still one by one. It's a very nice folder >> and it gives them some time and it gives them a lot of knowledge >> and that's and that's and and that's and
that's good and I think that that may have that may have worked >> in you know that that may have worked 15 years ago or 20 years ago or 10 years ago but in the new system that we have in place now what happens is when we
make an offer when we make an offer that the individual that we're offering the apartment to has has 10 days to accept the offer or not. And the reason is um you know when we get a vacant unit I
mean there you know we have a vacant unit here in Westport we have I don't know we have four vacant units in seconk we have I think 12 vacant units in Attboro >> you know it takes time to turn the units over after the old tenant moves out or
you know passes away or whatever it takes us a little bit of time for the maintenance team to get in to turn the unit over but And we don't we don't want that unit to to sit vacant for months and months and months when there's when there's homeless people out there
waiting for, you know, apartments. So, they've they've really, you know, tightened up the timeline. And in the olden days, I mean, every housing authority had a had an Excel spreadsheet with names on it. And when you got a vacancy, you just went to the Excel
spreadsheet and okay, who's number one on the list? we'll try to contact number one and we'll work exclusively with that person and there was a lot of flexibility now under the new system where they you know they require landlord references and they and they
require um you know certain certain information to be entered into the system. Um, it's a much more streamlined process. In a way, it's a better process. In in some other ways, it it tends to
slow the process down because any time that you put information out on the portal, >> you're letting any other housing authority in the area also have access to it. So, we've had situations where um I don't think here in Westport, but I
know we've had situations where um we've had somebody fully qualified and then and then Somerset will grab them off the list because all the information's there and they're fully qualified. So, they make the offer and we lose out. So,
there's a lot of moving parts. I'm happy to say that um you know EOHLC is um I think they're recognizing that it's not a perfect system and they're taking the necessary steps to make it better. But like anything else, it takes time.
There's a lot of trial and error. I will say for the Champ system, it's it's it's leaps and bounds better than it was when they first rolled it out. when they first rolled it out, uh, it was a mess and housing authorities were not, um, in
fact, many housing authorities just just basically said, you know, the heck with this. I'm just not going to do it. And um you know fortunately in Adelbar at the time we we sort of you know you know we embraced it and we learned it and we
went to all the trainings and you know we have a tenant selector in Attleboroough that's very very knowledgeable and very um on point with all the all the ways the system works and so forth. And um you know I I think here in Westport Christina does a great
job in you know filling units in a timely manner. She also does all the reertifications here as well. Um so she there's a lot of there's a lot of interaction with residents. Um she's extremely knowledgeable of what she does. I can't say enough positive things
about Christina. Um she knows her stuff. Uh but with you know she's but she's also black and white. you know, I need in order to do your reertification, I need this, this, and this. And if you give me this, and this, I still need
this. So, you know, it it's, you know, she knows what she's doing. Um, you know, Westport does very well on their audits. Um, all of our reertifications were done were done properly. And, um, I'm very happy to say that, you know, you operationally anyway, um, you know,
Westport Housing is doing well. What do we what do we need down here? Um, we could use a resident services coordinator. Um, I know that there's a big push in the state to get housing authorities that don't have an RSC to
get a resident services coordinator. Um, and I've been pushing for that. um they were only in the last budget cycle, which was a year ago, they were only they were only funding existing RSC grants. So, Westport at the time did not
have an did not have an in place grant. So, they were not able to move forward with that. Um >> what is their job? their their job is to do, you know, you know, do events, interact with residents, find out who
may need services, assist them with with different things. What >> that's what I've been doing. >> Well, I I I think you do a good job and no and I and I thank you for that. Um the uh but >> in order to have um a resident
>> um that doesn't interfere with a res on the board, does it? >> No, that has nothing to do with it. That's that's a that's a staff member of of the housing authority. And in a housing authority such as Westport, um it would be funded on a you know on a part-time basis. The grant dollar amount
would be uh would be enough to fund a part-time RSC, but in a housing authority this small, uh you wouldn't need a full-time resident services coordinator. We have um we have two resident services coordinators in
Adelaro and one of our RSC's in Adelaro handles Plainville and Plane Bill's uh you know eight units smaller than this. So, um, in order to get a standalone RSC, it would probably be a 20our a week position, but it would be enough to get
some programming here, get some activities going. That >> I don't have to travel. I can just stay here and do the I can just concentrate on this housing authority. I don't have to travel to another housing authority. Right. >> I'm I'm not I'm not following. >> Okay. So, in other words, that's it. It
would be for this housing authority. >> Right. Correct. Correct. Now I you know Westport has a very active council on aging. I see they send the uh you know the the pamphlets every month. >> Yeah. >> And I know a lot of um you know a lot of residents may you know may wish to
participate in some of the council on aging activities and uh they they're a very welcoming organization. I've talked to the director there and um they've uh they've offered to work with with the housing authority in the absence of an
RSC. But my hope um they're they're talking about the new budget coming up. Um I don't know um I don't know how it's all going to shake out as you know Paul you might have have some knowledge on
this. It's the fiscal 27 budget is going to be very very challenging on the state level for all sorts of reasons. There's a lot of federal uncertainty. We don't know what what kind of federal funding the the state is going to get. Um EOHLC,
which is the Executive Office of Housing, has been very generous, I think, to housing authorities over the past several budget cycles. They might not be as generous this year. We're expecting that they're not going to be. Um so I don't know how the resident
services coordinator applications are going to shake out. Um, but I'll be happy to keep the board apprised of that and of course all the residents informed as well. >> So where where does the where does where in the budget would this would this uh appropriation go come from?
>> Uh it would come from it would come in the form of a grant. It would come as the right as to the to the Westport Housing Authority say for I don't know $30,000 or whatever >> operating it's an it's part of the operating
>> it would not be part of the operating uh it would not be part of the operating budget. It would be a separate grants. >> So it would have to be renewed every year. >> Correct. Correct. However, um our um um our professional organization which
which is called Mass Narrow, it's the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. They've been very very proactive in lobbying for additional resident services, you know, coordinator funding. In fact, that's going to be a
topic of the conference. There's going to be a couple of seminars. Develin is is is uh planning to attend the Mass Narrow Conference next week for a couple of days. And uh held >> uh that that is well this this time it's going to be held at the um at the 1620
hotel in Plymouth. >> Excuse me. This is a question I was thinking of and you said wait till >> go ahead >> later. Okay. We're talking about this. I want to know what the authority is. I want to know like Westport, Secon,
uh, Attalboroough, and a couple others you mentioned. Are you in charge of all that or somebody else is in charge? How did you have their own? You have your own like your what? You are the manager here. >> I'm the executive director. I I am the executive director of of the Attalboroough Housing Authority.
>> Adorable. And here >> I am the management agent for the Westport Housing Authority. >> Okay. >> I'm the management agent for the Secon Housing Authority. the Planeville Housing Authority and the Sharon Housing Authority >> because I I I haven't even come to the meetings because I work now a couple
hours in the morning >> and when I was coming to the meetings when you first started here, I don't know how long ago that was. >> Gez, I think it's it's a couple of years now. >> Two years in July. Okay. Well, I was very impressed with you. You know, I thought, you know, this is going to pick up. This place Well, now coming to this
meeting, I don't feel that way. I don't feel that way. There's no thing. I got there no thing to deal with. I got David I'd like to mention that I see that he he's been getting the shaft and I I just you know in my eyes that that he does above and beyond of what he does and
he's one person >> he gets knocked down from a wicked snowstorm >> which shouldn't happen and here it is again coming back again you know and it's like >> well as long as you brought that up and I know and I know there's there's
probably a number of people that want to talk about that I will talk about that uh Now, I guess you could say just just a couple of points to >> to um you know, bring up on that. Um and again, I'm not I'm I'm not I'm not
making any you know, any excuses per se. I'm I'm not if if something doesn't go right, okay? It ultimately falls on on the director. It's my fault. It's my problem. And to the extent that that was
the case, I I accept I accept full responsibility. Um, >> how just a >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Just just a couple of things to point out. >> Okay. And um and again, I'm not I'm not trying to minimize anything, but um the
last storm that we had um the the Westport area got 42 in of snow. you like hit the jackpot down here. It was the It was the highest snow total in southeastern Massachusetts. >> Okay. Um
there it was, you know, it was unprecedented to that to that degree. We haven't had a storm like this since 1978. And I don't really know I, you know, I was I was 12 years old in 1978. I don't
know how Westport was back in 1978, but from what I gather, you know, talking to people in town, this storm was was one of the worst storms they've ever seen. >> Mhm. >> Now, having said that, the point that you made is absolutely correct. David is
by himself down here. >> Yeah. >> And I'm not talking about snowstorms. I'm talking about year round. >> Right. >> Right. And I've and I've been very consistent in all these meetings. the residents that have attended and the board members that have attended. I I
consistently, you know, praise Dave for all the work that he does. >> That didn't get him help. >> What's that? >> That doesn't get him help. >> Well, what what >> I thought at first at first the snowtorm before >> the big one. >> Yeah. >> There was two trucks. Two I don't know
who who gets the trucks that come in here. >> Well, we we have an outside vendor that does that that helps us out with plowing. Okay. And the the issue that we were facing this time was um he was not he was not able to get here for a couple
of days after >> I was watching it too the snowstorm not this one the one before watching cuz I like to watch them cuz they they do a good job you know they were doing really goodoom boom boom boom y >> and then all of a sudden >> David's by himself all the time >> y >> doing shoveling shoveling sho and he
does a great job he ends up on his back because >> because he's got And that and that was an unfortunate thing. And hindsight being 2020, I think he may have may have he may have o overdid himself before that. He overdid it before that and that
knocked him down. >> But I just want to say one thing about you know you mentioned him being alone. >> Um the uh Westport Housing Authority is 48 units. Okay. So the the guidelines
that we operate on from the state is um and I believe it's is it one per 75? Okay. So if if we had if we had 76 units right here, >> we we could get a second maintenance
guy, we could be funded >> unit short >> for a sec. Well, no, we're we're we're 20 we're uh 22 unit we're 28 units short. >> And that makes that difference? I mean, for one person, this is a lot of units for one person. >> Well, it's it's 48. >> Let's make those mistakes off.
>> It's it's 48 apartments, >> right? >> And our experience has been my experience has been in talking to Dave >> in seeing the volume of the work orders that he does. Now, he does other stuff, too. Like in the springtime and summer, he'll be cutting grass. He'll be
emptying trash, moving around. If there's a vacant unit, he turns that. >> That is all part of his his responsibilities. But um you know and again I don't think I'm being out of I don't think I'm speaking out of line either. >> 95% of the time Dave has things under
control down here. >> This last snowstorm was a a storm for the ages. There were 42 ines of snow >> and he was so worn out. >> We Right. We we um you know I was I was in contact with him. He was at home to
begin with. there was a travel ban in place for three days following the storm. >> Okay. So, the most important thing from from my standpoint was number one, there's a travel ban. So, number that's the first thing. So, you weren't allowed
to go anywhere. Secondly, um there were, you know, there were cars that were that were buried. You were snowed in. You weren't going anywhere anyway. >> You couldn't even see the car. Right now, our our goal is to is to open a
road, open a path in the event that there's an ambulance call or a 911 response. >> They needed to get in here. >> That's important. >> So, that was our number one thing. >> Okay, which was done initially. Okay, it wasn't done all that well, but you know,
Delin was in contact with our vendor. Um, and of course, and again, this this was a jackpot for the snowplow drivers, too. They, you know, a lot of these these new guys, particularly if you're young, they've never seen a storm like this. And if you've got 25 clients,
you're rushing around trying to take care of everybody. And, you know, >> there's people that plow and do everything all year round. They come, they have a situation like that. They come and do their job. Why is it that we couldn't get somebody to come and do their job? Well, we had we had somebody
to do the job. It was just that just getting them they and and they did it. He was here. The storm was on Monday. He was here on Thursday with the backhoe moving the snow, >> right? He was moving the snow at that time. And he initially said that he couldn't get here until Friday. So, he
came a day early. I tried to stay in contact with folks via ROOC call to let folks know what was going on. But my I have to stress I I I've got to stress that during most of that time there was a travel ban. So
>> you know yes the the the snow was unbelievably >> so that's why you couldn't send somebody before that >> and the snow plows the private snow plows a lot of them were pulled off the road. They were getting stopped by the state police help if a tenant if a tenant doesn't um
you know argue with the fight and argue with the um plow guy that my point is that you had somebody come at the beginning. I tried to get out cuz I drive and I tried to get out Wednesday cuz the storm Saturday or
Sunday and I tried to get out Wednesday. >> The storm was Monday. The storm was on a Monday. >> I'm confused about the time. But anyway, >> and there was a travel ban or Thursday. I finally got out. >> Okay. >> Which is fine because I wasn't going anywhere anyway. But I did want to clean my car out. And I thought if we could
get our cars cleaned out, we could go over to the front like we do on a snowstorm, a regular snowstorm, get over to the front cuz they had cleaned enough that we could get our cars into the front so they could shut the back. But I don't know, I just didn't understand what was going on. I didn't understand where where things were coming from. You
know what I'm saying? >> Right. and in conversations also um you know we we've recognized that uh and again w with our luck um you know you know next winter and the winter after that and the winter after that we're probably not going to get any snow at
all >> but we're um you know we've we've talked about upgrading the equipment here to give David more of a um you know an opportunity to to utilize equipment to use right cuz I I admit the snowblower
by itself was not enough. It was just not enough. And um you know, but he recognizes that and um and I I recognize his efforts and there's always room for improvement and >> what we do after every storm for all of
all of our agencies is is is we take a peek at things and and again um >> what you know what worked, what did not work, and what do we have to change for the winter of 27 and beyond to make it better. And that's that's where that's
where I come in. I take responsibility for everything that happens here. So to the extent that it was not done um it was not done in a timely manner, although I'm just going to push back a little bit on that. I think it was I think considering the size of the storm,
considering the fact that nobody really should have been on the road, >> um I I think that the response here, >> you know, was adequate. And I also commended there were a couple of residents here that were out and about
helping folks clear out their cars and shovel out and I admire them for that and I appreciated that and I acknowledge them for that. So >> I have a question with regards to that. So you obviously there's essential workers, you know, obviously within the
state. Um you where this where this location is, you're on a prime road. You have accessibility with regards to 195 and Route 6. Those were the top, you know, uh roads that were actually addressed
early on in. Um and so essential services, especially when it comes to seniors and people with disabilities, um for the mere fact of emergency vehicles trying to get in out of this facility, um this was very easy to get to. Um with
regards to secondary roads, those were the ones that were toughest in the town of Westport. Um but the primary roads were taken care of uh once the band was lifted. Emergency vehicles were the first vehicles that were allowed on the roads. So if in fact you're saying that
you are the management agent for this particular location and other locations you do have vendors and they weren't necessarily hit as hard. Um we actually had area cities and towns that weren't hit as hard. Um that came from Franklin
and other neighboring areas to help the town of Westport. Why wasn't that available to help this particular location? If you do have vendors already on, you know, that you have an agreement with or contract with, you could have pulled maybe from that those other areas
to assist Westboard. >> We Well, we we don't have uh actually, believe it or not, in uh we we don't have uh we don't have any vendors at our at at our other locations. in Adelbar. In Adelbar, we have a maintenance staff
of of of nine people and they they were charged with going out and, you know, we've got seven seven different sites in Adelbar. We have more sites if you count our, you know, duplexes and things like that. So, the the Adelaro staff was, you
know, tied up doing Adelaro. I've got one maintenance man in SECONK who was basically in the same boat Dave was in. He didn't have a vendor, so he had to um he had to rely upon did he have the town come in just to do the the the
roundabout. >> He he handled all um plowing and sidewalk clearing himself. >> Here in Westport, we we had an existing contract with with the individual that we've been using now for several years.
>> How is this supposed to come? You said you had a vendor. Who's your vendor? >> That that would be Troy's landscaping. >> And is that local? >> Yes. >> Troy's landscaping could not assist you. >> Correct. He came out as often as he
possibly could. And how many times did he come? >> Uh, I believe he came and did three plow passes and then came by >> on Thursday to help us move snow >> with just a So, was that just a regular pickup truck? >> With a bobcat. Did he have a bobcat or?
>> Yeah, he had his backhoe here helped moving. So, he he pushed with his plow as much as he could. Then he came back on that Thursday to move the mounds to give us more room because there was an expected storm afterwards as well.
>> Okay. So, I guess my next question is what does the management agent actually do? Because that's your role here is the management agent. What is what is that? management agents are are typically, you know, chosen by smaller housing authorities to to oversee them. For
example, Westport uh has had a management agent now for, you know, many years. Several years ago, we were you we were managed by the the New Bedford Housing Authority. Then we were managed by Fair Haven. Fair Haven entered into
an agreement to manage Westport. Um after Fair Haven left, um uh Somerset came in and managed them and then Somerset the the executive director of the Somerset Housing Authority was was
retiring two years ago and the Somerset Housing Board did not did not wish to continue the management agreement with Westport. So, we were approached by uh the executive office of housing because
we have had other management agreements with other agencies and we were we were invited to to do a little bit of you know due diligence and look at everything and see if that would be something that the Attalboroough Housing Authority would like to you know you
know make a bid on if you will. So we looked at it and we, you know, we initially had concerns because of the distance because Attalboro is a is a ways away from Westport. Usually usually management agents are located in the immediate vicinity like Fall River, like
New Bedford, like Somerset, like Fair Haven. We're a little bit off the beaten path. So we, you know, I I came in, I I gave a presentation to the board at the time, um, and they and they decided to go with Adelaro. there. If they did not
go with us, the the only option at that point because no one else came forward, their only option at that point would have been to hire an hire their own standalone executive director uh which um in the in the Commonwealth right now
that has not been really going over too well because of the amount of work involved is um standalone executive directors for a housing authority such as Westport. report um would only be funded about 20 hours a week. Um so that
would be all the directors of work and you would still be responsible for all the state reporting, all the leasing, all the human resources, all the all the vendor agreements, all the payments, all the audits, all the stuff that that you
know goes into that. Having Adelo on board, we we handle all of that. We handle the builds. We handle leasing. We handle reertifications. Um, uh, Develin will, you know, will oversee the maintenance operation here.
He oversees Dave. And, um, I report to the board. I I handle the finances. I handle the projects. >> Excuse me. >> So, that's how that's that, you know, that's how >> what you're doing is you're vetting, you know, compliance. >> Yeah. We we we run the housing authority
for the Westport Housing Authority Board of Commission. So with regards to this lady's question, you know, if you only have one provider, you know, and that person is unable to do that, I think, you know, moving forward, you should have maybe a secondary person that you would call or a third person, not just
put all your eggs in one basket because from the resident's point of view in an emergency situation, not going to be able to have accessibility to get an emergency vehicle, you know, into this private property essentially as opposed to being a public facility.
>> That's that's yes that's so I think I think with regards to that being in an emergency and us hitting the jackpot that other resources we had to reach out you know for mutual aid with other cities and towns that did come the town of Franklin came uh sheriff's
departments from all around the Commonwealth did come and try to help Westport. Um, so I think in essence, you know, what this lady is saying is valid. Um, and having a a um a policy or or an additional procedure in place to assist in an emergency situation where you're
not waiting for that one person. >> Um, and that you have secondary people that you can call on and vet them now so that you don't end up in a situation. >> Yeah, that that that was part of what we were talking about in the aftermath of this. And it's not only here, not only here in Westport. We we take a look at
things all over the place. And >> but I'm looking at the demographical area, Fall River and the southern mass part of Massachusetts was the ones that got hit the worst. >> Another thing we're talking about too is I noticed this morning they picked up the the recycle this morning. Now, how
come since the storm up until this morning it just gets picked up? >> Every two weeks they do the recycle. Once a week they do the dumpster. I had my I had my recycle in my closet. I had my trash in my tub waiting for somebody to empty clear that space out so we can
get rid of everything. >> Yeah. And I think I think overall I'd just like to get back to um Elizabeth Collins's first question, you know, when the person actually didn't uh come forward to take the vacancy. Um she was looking actually for a brochure and
probably uh you actually still have your brochure. I think when it comes to people with disabilities and seniors, they do need to have something in writing. Um I my name is Lisa and I represent the disability. >> Hi everyone.
>> Hi sweetheart, how are you? Um and so I just really wanted to come and and uh you know find out you know you know I come as a guest and kind of do my due diligence with regards to to the town of Westport. I think it's very important to have support material that will go home
with a particular individual. I have a brain injury. People don't realize that, but my my uh disability is invisible. Um and you know, for for people that have visible disabilities, that's one of the reasons why commissioners, you know, get
involved because we walk in the shoes of people that have challenges and catastrophic challenges in their lives. So, I think getting back to Elizabeth's original question, even though we're in a high techch world, it's very nice to have support material that goes home
with that particular individual because they might not understand what the decisions that are that are actually being faced with and they don't know the importance of that >> without waiting for somebody else to tell them. >> Exactly. But I also think that they have
limits and they don't have to tell you what those limits are. And maybe that particular unit was not handicap accessible for their needs and they don't have to share that with you because they're protected not only with the commission but they are protected
with ADA and they are protected with HIP. So, to get back to Elizabeth's original question, um, technology is not our friend as we get older. >> Oh, yeah. >> Uh, when I went to college, >> my phone exactly, but when I went to
college, we didn't have computers, you know? I mean, I'm going to be 65 years old, but in the same token, um, I just think it's really important to to be advocates rather than just closing that door and saying we're just going to go
on to the next. I I think that, you know, sitting down with the person, as Elizabeth said, and making sure that they totally understand is one is one positive attribute that you can do, but also having those brochures like Pauline, how long have you had that brochure? >> 14 years.
>> 14 years. And maybe it hasn't changed. Um, and and sometimes people like to change the look of it so that it has, you know, a more modernized look. >> Could I have a Could I have a copy of that? >> Sure. a lot of people. >> But I just think it's important >> even with um some of the things that
you're bringing up, >> you're verbalizing it and you know the old school is when you verbalize something it doesn't exist but when it's on paperist >> so so my recommendation would be is to write things down and submit them to the
management so that it's documented. I'm working on that >> and and I just think it's important to open up lines of communication so that each thing is addressed >> well then and that everyone is because I know I don't know this is
>> no the gentleman that you always say does a lot of work here >> David he's the maintenance >> yeah and you all seem to rally around David so I think David rallies around you as well and I think sometimes and that's really
And that's really what the commission does. We're here as advocates for the residents that are here >> based on compliance and what what what they're responsible to provide and u maybe uh things that you're not getting.
Um and and we just really want to be an advocate and a positive influence. >> I just I just hold on one follow a comment here. >> Um yes I I just need some information. Um we have do we what is the do we have
funding through um the uh for for for disabled uh units units of people with disabilities? >> We have we have handicap accessible units. Yes. >> And do do we have uh I mean are they all
accessible? Cuz I I'm just looking around. No, no, they're not. And I the one the one that's vacant, I don't believe is is is handicapped accessible, no. Okay. >> So, my question to you, sir, is is if you did have someone that needed
accessibility for that particular unit, are you prepared to make those necessary changes for them? >> Well, if they if if they if they put in a reasonable accommodation request, we you know, well, it's not a reasonable accommodation. It's a necessity for that
particular individual. Well, I mean, if it's if if they're if it's a second floor unit, um they I mean, they they would need a first floor unit if they Right. Okay. Correct. >> So if it's a if sometimes what and again
>> so on the application process is is there in fact you know uh questions to allow that particular uh person for placement you know if in fact they are disabled or maybe they can make it to the secondary uh landing but maybe they
might need uh grab bars for their for their we have absolutely no problem doing that. Absolutely no problem doing that. What some what sometimes occurs is um for example if we you know if we have a second floor unit that is vacant and
that's the one we're trying to fill >> there is a there is a place on the application where they they can indicate if they have the ability to to you know do stairs or not. If they if they check off that they cannot do stairs and
therefore they can't be on the second floor unless the building has an elevator which none of these buildings do >> they would need a first they would need a first floor unit. >> So with regards to that how many first floor uh apartments are handicap accessible right now? What is the
compliance for this location? Um, >> oh the two over here, right? Two. Okay. >> Two out of how many? 48 48. >> Two out of 48. >> And what's your requirement? >> What what's the requirement? I I I think we are we are in in compliance with
that. >> But you would make other first floor if there is person that was uh interested, you would make it as handy accessible. >> Maybe maybe we can just go back. to the to the how how you get on the lists. Um
there are preferences, there are priorities and those lists are established and and and and regulated through the state. >> Correct. >> Yes. Through the through the centralized champ system
>> and and and in in order and we are and and you are obligated to um follow that list strictly follow that list, right? >> We we typically will deal we'll if we have a vacant unit, we we typically will
pull a list of 25 names and then we will we will mail out to those 25 individuals and we'll try to qualify someone off of that list. And the highest the highest qualified applicant
is the person that gets the offer of >> and is the qualification done here at the at the through through through your >> correct >> work. But but it's the Westport of Housing Authorities's responsibility to qualify. >> Correct. >> From the list, >> right,
>> in order in the order that that list appears, >> right, >> with and and so if someone has a and there are preferences or priorities for people with disability. >> Mhm. >> If you've claimed it. >> Correct. >> And those are PL are those plug
>> if you if you need if you need a hand if you need a handicap accessible unit. There is there is a place on the application to to specify that >> and and those people would get priority if there is a unit available. >> If there's a handicap unit that if we
have a handicapped accessible unit that is vacant >> then obviously anybody that indicates that they need that unit would be at the top of the list. H how have we been um how how has it been determined that we have that that having no more than two
handicap accessible units >> uh complies with the law or whatever what is the law that that that um >> I'm I'm unfamiliar with that we for >> Okay's
been here for a year and a half and we've had there's there's I'm just curious whether it's is it a >> statute. >> Is it a statute or is it a regulation that prescribes? >> It usually goes based on how many units
are here. Um and then they have a percentage of how many that they have to have that are actually deemed. >> And where do you find where do you find that authority? Is it in a rule or is it a regulation or is it a >> it's an ADA? It's an ADA compliance. >> Yeah. I I mean I I would be it would be
useful if you could provide it. >> Absolutely. >> That that authority. >> But I think what he's trying to say though in with respect to him is that if you only have two units, they're only going to advertise basically two units or they only have the two units
available. But my question to him was if in fact you do have someone who like can make that second floor. I haven't seen your units. I apologize. I I can see them from the exterior, but he is willing to make
simple changes or simple requests like having the grab bar. >> We install grab bars all the time. We install, you know, we we we are more than willing to accommodate people. >> But but but based on the regulatory or the regulation of compliance for this
particular location, um it may call for more. It might call for, you know, >> right? Well, as a as a member of the board as a board we we cannot be involved in who who comes can't we can't fit the right
>> so that because that would be you know >> friends and family problems that would require >> but we are responsible for ensuring that the harvest authority complies with the laws and regulations of this common law >> so to the extent that you're raising a
question about whether we are in compliance with whatever requires requirements than they be. Uh that is important for the board to have the information. Absolutely. Okay. >> Excuse me. Paul, >> I just want to go back.
>> I'm sorry, Liz. Go ahead. >> Yeah. Um >> I've got a few comments to make um that cannot be answered today. >> Uh first of all, the storm. Okay.
uh not too long ago, couple of years ago, he hadn't had that storm here and maybe it was more than a couple of years ago and um I said something to one of the members, none of them are here right
now, but I said, "Why don't we get so and so from so and so?" I said because the importance of that is this is housing for the disabled and the young. So if we
go or have an understanding so be there's a different or whatever cuz we did for a thousand years we have a we had a highway department. It was an
understanding with the highway department. We had a very very helpful highway department and he agreed that he would come even before the storm started he would come and it's you know
it's none of a lot of area but he would come more than once and and that was one thing and it worked out fine for everybody on the board. the tenants, everyone except for one
year when the whole board changed and I mentioned something about the snow plowing. Well, the answer I got was we're not part of the town, so the town isn't
going to do anything for us. And so I took up this took that up with this person and um I don't want to go any further with that for certain reasons. But you know today
the other comment I want to make is this is the most tenants I have seen in I don't know when I can't even counter you here. This is what counts. Mhm.
>> You guys have rights. >> You have rights and you have you have the right to know if this happens, if that happens or how does that happen? >> Mhm. >> That's your right.
And the only way that's going to happen is if we get a crowd >> because we don't against one another. When I get out of here, if I go home, I'll have lunch. >> But actually, I didn't bring my cards
here. I would have given you my cards. >> I have them. >> Don't worry about it. It's not for my running. It's just >> from old times. I I'm getting old, so the the information is old. >> Um, but you know, this is what makes
things happen. No matter what you're talking about, >> you want to talk about the law, you want to talk about the Democrats, Republicans, >> just >> if you get enough people together >> and agree on something
>> and ask for something, >> you should get it or there should be an answer, >> right? >> And I can't imagine anything better than that. I really can't. And it's not
enough. I I've been here for over 20 years, maybe 25. I don't know. I'm getting pretty old. But, you know, it's good for you people. And you know, we talk about um
paperwork and I said something about paperwork and I think I don't know because I don't know the rules and regulations, but I think a flyer is a good thing to let
people know. Mhm. >> Um, you can't imagine how many people in Westport do not know about Greenwood Terrorists. Have no idea. None whatsoever. I'm telling you, I go to Le a lot.
>> If I could if I could just interrupt one because uh I'm just in in in the in the interest of time. I just want to piggyback on what you said, Liz, and address another comment. >> Yeah. Can I just what she said just quick question? Sure. >> I have pictures of the storm, after the
storm, before the storm, and of the front here at least. I didn't walk around here. Why can't the state, because it is a state run facility, why can't the state just take one quick sweep to let the emergency vehicles in? >> We're uh we are
>> we are a quasi uh public entity. >> No, I'm saying that's state. We're funded by the state, but we're we're an independent entity. Now, getting back getting back to what Liz said, I know, I guess from what I'm gathering, there there was a time when
the town would come in and and and plow through. Now, why why that h has not continued, that's worth a phone call. I can f I can find out. The point that I want to make is um you know and and I could speak to the board and I and I think the board knows this and I think
looking out here I I I think some of you know this too. You know um you know I'm I'm not the I'm not the enemy. I want to work with you. I've got a good relationship with most of you. Um we're all in this together. I I want to I want
to make things the best they can be for you. I want you to live in peace. Okay. I want to live in peace. >> Um, you know, so we we just I mean I I want to work I hear what you're saying. I hear what you're saying loud and clear.
>> Whatever is not working, we will we will certainly make every effort to fix. I understand the the point that was made about maybe having a backup vendor. That's that's a great idea. Um, I I like that idea and um and it's something that
the good news is I was telling Is Lori here? Yeah. I I was telling Lori before the meeting started. I I I sent a memo to the National Weather Service and I and I and I said no more snow. All right. I I just don't appreciate snow.
So, I'm I'm cautiously optimistic that it's March 18th. I think we're good. I think we're safe until the next winter. But the good news is it gives us time to to recalibrate. And the time to think
about this is not, you know, is not, you know, November. The time to think about this is May of the prior year where you can get things in in shape and we're going to address the equipment issue in the budget. We're going to do that. Uh so there's there's a there's a lot of
good things that we are planning to do based off of our experiences this winter which and let's face it was you know it was hellacious. There was it was over 3 ft of snow. We it's it's the storm of the century. We're probably
you know you know we're probably not going to see snow like that again in in a good long time. >> If it was if it was me it would be put on the back burner and forgotten about. That's why I wanted I think it should be >> I agree with you. I agree with you. And again, I I have to stress and I know
I've said this before and I try. Um >> Oh, you're busy. >> I'm not I'm not exaggerating. I get probably 80 emails a day. I do make every effort to respond to every voicemail and every email that comes into me. You know, whatever it is. If it
if it's a question about operations, if it's a if it's a question about trash, if it's a question about gee, my neighbors, you know, you know, giving me a heart, whatever it is, I I try to respond to the best that I that I can. And uh and that and that's not going to
change cuz that's that's the way I am. I I you know, Mr. Director, I know we want I know I will save some of my comments until we conclude, but I want to make sure we get through the old business and any new business. Is there anything that we have to address? >> No, there is no there is no old
business. Our next meeting will be April 15th of 2026. >> Okay. Uh yeah, I I think that um that there's a whole lot of information that's been exchanged to you. Um and um um
but I'm wondering if there is maybe some another more efficient way of getting getting to to Yes. on some of these questions like uh uh is is there a
tenant association of any sort or has that ever been organized or >> there is there is not a tenant association in Westport. Uh in fact we don't have um um we don't have any tenant associations
in any of our agencies except Adelaro. >> Is there a reason for that? Well, at one time, uh, well, do do you want >> But I think since this is you're in a part-time position here, okay, if there
was some if there was someone, maybe it's the tenant representative, but uh someone that could funnel information through through through a a group, collect that information and get it, you know, so
that rather than we have 20 people here all all coming to the meeting once. >> I think you're right on the spot. >> There is so much to put together. You haven't been here that long. I don't know if they helped you with anything. Don't know if they didn't. But there are
a lot of things. We talked about rules and regulations. We haven't gotten there yet. >> But you're right. There's a way to do this and a way not to do this. If you if you want to if you want to Paul and I would encourage anybody here as well,
you can you can Google the Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants. That's an organization in the state that is charged with assisting housing authorities, housing authority residents in establishing what's called LTO's or
local tenant organizations. The problem I I'm going to be I'm going to be very honest and very frank. The the issue that residents face is they'll send somebody down. They will send a representative down to meet with
all of you and they will say, "Okay, you um you know, you want to form an LTO. Let's let's get to work." Okay. Um you need you need officers. You need a president. You need a vice president. You need you need a secretary and a treasurer. You need a you need a little bit of a board of directors, so to
speak. >> Is there a way to do this without Can I say something? >> Can I say something, please? We tried that. I know. >> We had to get six people from six different buildings to get that done. Nobody was interested. That's the point. >> That's the reason why we have a tenant
on the board because we couldn't set up enough. >> Well, no, you have a tenant on the board because it's a state requirement to have a tenant on the board. >> Yeah, that's because we don't have an an association. What sometimes happens, Paul, and just got to get back to what
you're saying is um it's it's all well and good to form an LTO, but when when residents realize that >> I I got to I got to, you know, I got to do a budget. I got to submit the budget. I got to balance the books. I've got to
ask for funding. I've got to deal with. And then what usually happens and I'll be very frank cuz it h it happens all over the place is so and so gets mad with so and so and they quit >> and all of a sudden you don't have a
president and you don't have a board and >> things fall apart and things just >> wither on the line. That's what happens all the time. I think the best way to do it, if I might, is, you know, with the Westport Commission on Disability, we
have so much information with regards to different um topics, if you will, you know, especially when it comes to housing. We work very closely with Elizabeth and and and you know, your board here. Um we can definitely filter
information. having a committee, you know, it's kind of like you come when you're available and you know, it's almost like a subcommittee. Um, when you have boards such as what this gentleman is saying, you have to have what's called transparency. Um, and it has to be, you know, it, you know, discrim it
can't be discriminated, discriminatory issues, ADA compliance, all of those different things that your board actually, you know, every single person that's up there has to comply with. So, I think if you had like a little committee um you know and you you talk
about things that are first and foremost that are on your list that you really want to have addressed um and then you bring it to a member of the board here and they're they become your voice, but you're putting together the information of what's near and dear to you that
needs to be addressed. whether it be something inside your apartment or maybe accessibility on the grounds. Um we help all of the area boards. That's one of the reasons why I came today, you know, not only for for seniors and people with
dis with uh disabilities, but so that we can get to know what you're doing here and and how can we help. You know, we are a regulator, but we want to be able to help because you don't know what you don't know. Um especially when it comes to service animals, we have people that
are, you know, asking service animals to leave um public businesses and you can't do that. They don't have to have they don't have to prove to you that that animal is trained for a particular disability. There's only two questions that a that a business person can ask
is, "Are you disabled?" And of course, the person would then say yes. And then the animal that they have with them, are they trained to assist with that disability? And if they answer those two questions, >> that the the animal is allowed to go
into that particular business. They don't have to prove it to you. They don't have to pull out any papers. They don't have to wear a vest. All of those types of things because that is um private and it's protected. >> So, but the businesses, you know, to in
in to defend them, they don't know what they don't know. So I think what what Paul is saying is you know where is the documentation where is the guidelines so that they can act and react. So I think you saying are you saying you know we
don't need an LPO all we need is an association. >> No I would never make that decision for you. No >> I think what you're saying are you saying to get an organ like a community together just just something >> with your with your help? I know I know
we all have other things that we need to do. Um I'm just wondering if we could just put on the agenda for next meeting uh to continue this discussion both globally in terms of what how we
can get better a better handle on payment input on a on an ongoing basis and specifically what we're going to do about the the snow or the winter maintenance issue. Um I I it it just it
comes to my mind that there's there may be funding sources that we could we could identify not just with the state but maybe locally here. Um I think most of this the local funding is
is is is limited to capital uh expenditures and nonoperating. Um, but there may be uh other opportunities and maybe we can figure out a way of having some sort of
part-time help in the winter if we can't get a, you know, a second person here full-time. I read these these um, uh, work orders. Dave is is a superstar >> and getting everything done and it's
only a very limited window of time that that we would probably need some help. But maybe we should be thinking about >> uh you know a seasonal kind of of support. Those are all issues that we can't address right now, but I think if
we can put that on the agenda, >> everybody put on their thinking caps >> uh between now and next month and then we'll revisit some of this when when we get back together. >> Great. >> Sounds good. >> Are you kidding me? I think that's
fascinating.