Commissioners review property repairs, tenant enforcement and flood recovery; approve minutes

The commissioners convened at 5:36 PM to hear updates on building repairs, tenant enforcement and flood recovery work across the portfolio.

During the public‑comment period, resident Wendy said trust‑fund money is available to start a parking‑lot security system and mechanical upgrades, telling commissioners, "we did get approved for our our parking lot uh security system and uh mechanical system upgrades." Wendy estimated the amount as "like 560 or something," a figure not specified as dollars or a full amount in the record.

Amy, a staff member reporting on Milport, gave a series of operational updates and near‑term schedules. She said crews will ready two to three apartments that became vacant, a container will be placed on site to clear one unit, and extermination is scheduled for June 11–12. Amy told the board that "MJ Dailyaly is going to be here on the 22nd" to perform sprinkler inspections and backflow testing for the property and that Aquarian will do backflow testing on April 29. She said funds for certain camera and HVAC swaps are available now and that work will proceed once specifications are completed and contractors are selected through competitive bids.

Commissioners and staff discussed procurement and labor rules; staff indicated the trust fund award does not carry wage‑rate or union‑labor requirements and the work may be competitively bid unless property agreements dictate otherwise. Commissioners also weighed bundling Riverwood paving with Milport work to gain efficiencies and asked staff to prepare clear specifications for bidding.

Amy described tenant‑facing enforcement actions and outreach: notices have been issued for smoking and patio clutter, and she plans tenant meetings toward the end of next month to reiterate house rules. Commissioners and staff explored a spring 'dumpster day' or a set of dumpsters on site to help tenants without vehicles dispose of large items; staff said they would coordinate with the New Canaan transfer station/swap shop where feasible.

On Kanan Parish, staff member Shandrita reported three remaining vacancies (one in the north building, two in the south) and detailed flood repairs under way, including spray‑foam insulation, new light fixtures, wiring for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and sheetrock/taping. She said an Inspire inspection returned only minor electrical findings that were resolved and that occupied flood units are projected to be finished by late April (staff cited April 24–28) with unoccupied flood units possibly ready by mid‑May. Shandrita also noted HUD income limits will be announced May 1 and that resident‑services training and tax‑credit training are scheduled in early May.

Regarding Riverwood, commissioners were told the property is nearly fully leased — "we're like 98 something% rented leased" — while staff manage window repairs, roof leaks after snowmelt, cleanup and paving needs.

During public comments, Mel, who said they were recently sworn in, offered to assist with resident outreach, requested permission to post a short bio on unit doors, and described meeting with Marisella Esquilin of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development(Connecticut field office), noting HUD had provided a "quick guide" and information about project‑based vouchers and emergency solution grants that may be useful for tenants.

Procedurally, commissioners moved and seconded approval of prior minutes (voice vote; tally not specified). Later the board voted to go into executive session; they returned and reported no votes were taken or required from that confidential discussion. A motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.

The board did not make any formal decisions on tenant discipline, specific contractor awards, or the exact dollar amount for the parking‑lot or mechanical upgrades during the open meeting; staff were asked to prepare specifications and continue coordination with Riverwood and outside vendors. The next steps noted in the meeting record were to proceed with bid specifications, schedule the identified inspections, and continue resident outreach and cleanup planning.