Board extends Park Hill housing-authority pilot payment at 5% for two years

The Board of Selectmen voted June 4 to extend the East Windsor Housing Authority’s pilot payment at 5% of rental income for two years.

Marissa Pryor, introduced in the meeting materials as executive director of the East Windsor Housing Authority, told the board that maintaining the 5% pilot is important to the authority’s ongoing financial stability and ability to operate without relying on state or federal capital funds. She provided three years of pilot tallies: 5% payments last year totaled $23,942.76 and similar amounts in prior years. Pryor said the authority now holds about $450,000 in reserves but emphasized those funds are committed to replacement reserves and routine capital needs; a single catastrophic expense could deplete them.

Selectmen reviewed the policy history—at times the pilot has been 10% or 7%, but the board said 5% has been the typical, long-standing compromise—and discussed the duration of any extension. Several members favored a shorter term with a scheduled check-in, asking staff to revisit the pilot if the authority progresses on new development or grant-funded expansion. The board agreed to preserve the 5% rate but limit the extension to two years to allow reevaluation.

Funding context: Board staff explained the town has previously used one-time settlement and grant funds for education‑related allocations and that maintaining the pilot at 5% is consistent with past practice when the authority faced financial stress.

Ending: The board approved the 5% pilot extension for two years by voice vote and asked staff to return with an update and any new grant or development information at the two‑year check-in.

Quote: “We have worked hard to reach a point of financial stability,” Pryor said. “Maintaining this rate is important to the housing authority’s long-term financial stability.”