Minutes

Winthrop Housing Authority · from the Town's website · 3 pages · 135 KB
open the file ↗ · original at the source ↗

. 
MINUTES Regular Board Meeting
Meeting Date: October 25, 2021 
Remote Zoom Meeting per Notice Coordinates (attached)
CALL TO ORDER AT 7:00 PM by Vice Chairman Frederick Sick
ROLL CALL:
Present: Richard D Honan, Fred Silck, Peter T Gill, Peter A. Caggiano,
Absent: Frank R. Ferrara
Also present was Peg Tiernan Lyons, Executive Director and ex-officio Secretary and James Griffin,
Gordon Griffin LLC. . After Roll Call, a quorum was present and the Meeting was called to order by
Mr. Silck
Motion by Richard Honan to suspend Order of Meeting to Accommodate Accountant James Griffin to
discuss FY 2022 Budget proposal. Seconded by Peter T Gill
Budget Guidelines for FY 2022 released by DHCD were distributed to Board Members previously.
They include a 4% increase in ANUE, as well as several Direct Cost Exemptions. .
In addition to the ANUEL increase, these budget guidelines include policy initiatives and adjustments
for FY22: $45/unit directed budgeted exemption for the purchase and installation of stove-top fire
stoppers; continued $75 directed budget exemption for each unit with a heat pump to support
maintenance of Air Source Heat Pumps.
Discussion of budget proposal.
Motion: Richard Honan moved that the proposed Operating Budget for State-Aided Housing of the
Winthrop Housing Authority (Chapter 200 / 667 / 705), Program Number 400-1 for fiscal year ending
6/30/2022 showing total revenue of $ 2,789,688 (Acct. No. 3000) and Total Expenses of $ 2,838,414 
(Acct. No. 4000) thereby requesting a subsidy of $ 67,673 (Acct. No. 3801), and further that the
Executive Director’s total annual salary of $ 96,597 for fiscal year ending [June 30, 2022 be submitted
to the Department of Housing and Community Development for its review and approval. Peter T. Gill
Seconded the motion which, upon roll-call, was passed by a vote of Four 4 “For” Vote Total to Zero 0
“Against” Vote Total, with one absence. 
WINTHROP HOUSING AUTHORITY
9 GOLDEN DRIVE
WINTHROP, MASSACHUSETTS 02152
TEL. (617) 846-7100
FAX. (617) 846-7581

Motion: Peter T Gill moved that the proposed Operating Budget for State-Aided Housing of the
Winthrop Housing Authority (Chapter 689), Program Number 689-1 for fiscal year ending 6/30/2022
showing total revenue of $ 33,481 (Acct. No. 3000) and Total Expenses of $ 33,356 (Acct. No. 4000)
thereby requesting a subsidy of $ -0- (Acct. No. 3801), and further that the Executive Director’s total
annual salary of $ 96,597 for fiscal year ending [June 30, 2022 be submitted to the Department of
Housing and Community Development for its review and approval. Richard D. Honan who Seconded
the motion which, upon roll-call, was passed by a vote of Four 4 “For” Vote Total to Zero 0 “Against”
Vote Total.
Public Comment: MaryLou Heighton, tenant at Viking Gardens and President of WHA Gardens
Tenants Association stated the raccoons are getting into dumpsters at Viking Gardens. Some lids don’t
close all the way due to volume of trash and expressed concern.
Minutes of the Regular meeting of September 25, 2021 were reviewed. Discussion. Motion to accept
minutes was made by Richard Honan. Motion was seconded by Frederick Silck . Members voted 4-1 in
favor (1 absence). Chairman Caggiano motion passes so moved.
The Disbursement record for the period August 24, 2021 through September 25, 2021 including bills
totaling $466,756.48 (Big expenses include annual Retirement paid too Town $225,844, $88,000 Water
bills, $40k electricity, and appliances for back-up) and were presented and reviewed by all members.
After discussion, a motion was made by Richard Honan and seconded by Frederick Silck to accept the
bills with authorization as presented. All in favor. Members will sign Disbursement record
electronically. 
OLD BUSINESS: 
Security of WHA Buildings. Evidence of Homeless found in WHA 667-2 closet. WPD responded,
identity of person(s); Locks fortified. Discussion of Building Code, Exterior Locks and
Intercoms/doorbells making price prohibitive.
Service work will be conducted on phone system at 9 Golden Drive on Tuesday – Avaya rep. Upgrade
of existing more cost effective than replacement/upgrade may be needed.
Discussion on possible Covid 19 Booster Clinic 
NEW BUSINESS: 
State SHERA Rent Relief Program is being utilized to help tenants get caught up on rent arrearage. The
Director has submitted SHERA applications on behalf of Tenants that have not paid timely rent, who
have certified the reason is COVID.
DHCD published Public Housing Notice that expands on PHN 2011-13 and provides LHAs with
the Reasonable Accommodation Template that was promised in PHN 2021-14 . They remind us that
LHA’s are prohibited from discriminating against persons with disabilities and have affirmative
obligations to provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in LHA housing and other
programs, services, and activities. Director Lyons expressed WHA is pro-active and accommodating to
all persons, especially those that may fall under this category.
DHCD’s template Reasonable Accommodation Policy and Procedures that shall be used in drafting and
adopting a new reasonable accommodation Policy was distributed.

DHCD conducted their annual Performance of Management Review (PMR) Audit for FY 2021. Mrs.
Lyons was please to submit we have NO FINDINGS in all categories examined FY 2021 Desk Audit as
she made a presentation of DHCD Report. Of importance – in addition to fully complying with State
mandates on application of LHA best practices, policies and regulations, WHA staff worked as essential
workers throughout the pandemic. Extraordinary efforts were made by many staff and all should be
commended.
AUP Auditor Thomas Flaherty has notified WHA that he is available to conduct AUP Audit in
November. The Auditor shall be at WHA November 18 th through November 23 rd .
WHA’s Lisa Sarro and Peg Lyons attended NSHEDA Luncheon, including the presentation by Attorney
Nanette Donovan on Reasonable Accommodations. Case Law. Service animals’ vs Support animals.
WHA tenant and WWII veteran Richard Minichiello turning 100 Years on October 31 st 
There being no further business, motion to adjourn was made by Fred Silck seconded by Peter Gill at
8:00 PM