2/6/2020 HOUSING AUTHORITY Minutes

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have the housing authority reconsider the decision. The board can uphold the decision of the grievance officer or set it aside after hearing tonight's testimony and considering the all information documentation presented. The board has 45 days from the date of Ms. Banks' request to issue a decision in writing. A sign in sheet was distributed for all present to sign. Mrs. Botsford proceeded to give an account of Ms. Banks participation,history, and ultimate termination from the MRVP,reading from several documents in the file. Attorney Yox reviewed his involvement and the history that he has regarding Ms. Banks' court case and other matters leading to that. He presented Ms. Banks' case from their perspective and asked the board to set aside the grievance officer's decision to terminate Ms. Banks' MRVP assistance. Several questions were asked by board members and several documents were presented for board members to review. Attorney Yox, Mrs. Botsford, Ms. Banks, and some other attendees answered questions presented by the board regarding Ms. Banks' rental history, lease violations, MRVP Program violations, disturbances and overcrowding in rental units in the past, and the most recent court case regarding an agreement for Judgement. The hearing was concluded, and chairman Allen stated that the board would consider all information and issue a decision. A formal written decision will be sent to Ms. Banks, with a copy to her attorney,within the next couple weeks. All attendees of the hearing left. The board then reviewed the information received at the hearing and after some deliberation, a motion was made by Kevin Shackett and seconded by Richard Halpern to uphold the grievance hearing officer's decision to terminate Ms. Banks' assistance in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program. The motion carried unanimously. Ms. Allen will write a letter outlining the board's decision and make sure that it gets mailed out as soon as possible. SECRETARY'S REPORT: Minutes for the meeting held on December 12, 2019 were sent to members before the meeting. A motion was made by Richard Halpern and seconded by Kevin Shackett to accept the minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously. TREASURER'S REPORT & BUDGET UPDATE: Mrs. Botsford reported that DHCD had finally looked at our FY 2020 budget only to revert it for reasons that are unclear. Ms. Botsford has contacted several people at DHCD, including Ms. Mary Farrell, Ms. Laura Taylor, and Mr. Ben Stone to get information which clearly outlines the reason for the budget being reverted. She will keep members posted. It has been very frustrating to have submitted the budget so long ago with no response until now and the only reasons received so far for it being reverted are unclear. After a brief discussion, it was decided that an email/letter will again be sent to DHCD by Mrs. Botsford asking for clear direction from DHCD. Warrants were distributed for review and approval. Mrs. Botsford reported that it was too early in the month to report non-payment of rent, but she expected there would not be any collection problems. Page 2 of 4