Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lenox Housing Authority reviews tenant group budget, lease renewals and accessibility upgrades
Summary
At its March 11 meeting the Lenox Housing Authority heard an LTO budget update, learned that Apella and Lenox Village Pharmacy want to renew leases, reviewed vacancy and waitlist figures, discussed estimated costs for automatic door openers, and agreed to host a Tri‑Town Health sharps disposal bin.
The Lenox Housing Authority on March 11 heard a Tenant Organization (LTO) budget update, was told two commercial tenants want to renew leases, reviewed vacancy and waitlist figures, discussed accessibility upgrades and agreed to host a sharps disposal bin managed by Tri‑Town Health.
Ellen Jacobson, president of the Lenox Tenants Organization, asked whether the LTO’s allotted funds had been received and raised questions about the group’s per‑unit numbers. Executive Director Shannon Cella said her accountant had reviewed the LTO budget and "it was ok as is" and that she has contacted Mass Union for follow‑up; she said Mass Union’s executive director must return to the office before staff can get a definitive answer.
The board postponed approval of the minutes for Feb. 18, 2025 because Chairman Carol Ramsey was not present at that meeting and the body lacked a quorum to vote.
Commercial Property Manager Jim Mercer told the board that leases for Apella and the Lenox Village Pharmacy are up for renewal and that both tenants have indicated they want to continue their leases with the Lenox Housing Authority. No lease renewals were voted on at the meeting.
On finance and operations, staff reported that monthly balance sheets as of Jan. 31, 2024 were unavailable and will be reviewed at the next meeting. Housing staff said three tenants are on repayment agreements with monthly collections in place; one tenant is in a nursing home and staff are working with the tenant’s lawyer to pursue rent collection.
Staff outlined current vacancies: one unit at Turnure Terrace (40‑5D) and four units at The Curtis (units #403, #415, #408 and #311). A two‑bedroom unit at The Curtis will become available when a tenant does not return, and a second household member will be transferred into unit #403 by March. 13 Church Street has a vacant two‑bedroom wheelchair‑accessible family unit that is waiting for a bathroom rehabilitation project; that rehab went out to bid on March 5 with bids due March 26.
Staff also provided waitlist counts: 2,998 total elderly/handicapped applicants and 9,100 total family applicants, with additional breakdowns given for elderly, handicapped, veteran and bedroom‑size categories.
Under old business the director said she had asked New England Door Closer, Inc. for estimates for automatic door openers with keyed closers. The quoted range was approximately $3,400–$3,900 per door plus electrician costs to fit two main doors at The Curtis and the main door at Turnure Terrace; Cella said she will consider adding the work to the LHA’s five‑year Capital Improvement Plan.
Diane Romeo of the Lenox Board of Health requested that the authority consider allowing a locked, mailbox‑sized sharps disposal bin on site; Romeo said the container would be managed entirely by Tri‑Town Health. The board and the director agreed the bin would benefit residents and the community. The bin is expected to arrive in June and staff and Romeo will identify a placement at The Curtis.
Cella said LHA staffing has been strained in recent months because of injury and illness among maintenance staff and at the director level but that staff hope to be at full strength in the coming months.
Deb Prew moved to adjourn; Linda Carroll seconded. The meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m. by a recorded vote of 3‑0. The next meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. at The Curtis, 6 Main St.
