NHA approves waste contract, Salvo roof, HUD certifications and GrowFood grant

The Northampton Housing Authority board approved a package of resolutions at its September meeting, including procurement, HUD certifications and a community grant.

Key votes at a glance - Waste removal contract (Resolution 2025-10): The board approved awarding a two-year waste-removal contract to USA Waste in the combined amount of $227,739.97. Commissioner Tarbutton moved the measure and it passed unanimously. - Financial certifications (Resolution 2025-11): The board voted unanimously to certify FY2025 quarterly and year-end financials, adopt a top-five compensation document and confirm compliance with lead-paint notification laws. - Holyoke extension (Resolution 2025-12): The board approved a second 45-day extension of an agreement with the Holyoke Housing Authority, retroactive to 08/09/2025. - Section 8 management assessment certification (Resolution 2025-13): The board adopted the HUD-required FY2025 Section 8 Management Assessment Program certification (form HUD-52648). The roll call outcome was 5 yes, 1 abstention; the motion carried. - Salvo roof replacement (Resolution 2025-14): The board approved awarding a roof-replacement contract for Salvo House to Englewood Development Corporation in the amount of $2,681,280. That vote passed 5 yes, 1 abstention; the abstention came from a commissioner who said they live at Salvo and recused themselves from voting. - HUD fair-market rents (Resolution 2025-15): The board approved applying HUD's 2026 Hampshire County fair market rents and flat rents at 100% to applicable programs, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The vote was 5 yes, 1 abstention. - GrowFood Northampton funding (Resolution 2025-16): The board approved awarding $10,400 to GrowFood Northampton to support the organization's operations after losing critical funding; the vote was 4 yes and 2 abstentions after several commissioners disclosed personal connections to GrowFood lessees.

Board discussion and context Executive Director Matt Mayneville described staff procurement work and said the low bid for waste removal was already providing service with no reported issues. On the Salvo roof project, Mayneville told the board staff would "provide notification to EOHLC tomorrow morning" and hoped to issue a notice to proceed "shortly thereafter," but cautioned that product-delivery delays could affect timing. A Salvo resident who is also a commissioner asked when work would start and how long it would take; Mayneville said the goal was to complete work during the current building season if materials arrived on schedule.

GrowFood Northampton drew praise from commissioners for the program's community value. Several commissioners disclosed connections to GrowFood (lessees and family members) and abstained from the vote after consulting with board counsel. Attorney O'Connor advised that the disclosed ties did not necessarily require abstention but that commissioners could choose to recuse themselves; the motion carried with a quorum present.

Why it matters: The board approved several procurement and compliance actions that affect capital work, tenant subsidies and community food programming, while handling recusals and abstentions where personal ties were disclosed. The Salvo roof award is the largest single contract approved at the meeting.

Next steps: Staff said they would notify EOHLC and move toward contract execution on immediate-effect resolutions; HUD submissions and certifications will be signed by the executive director and chair as authorized.