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Windsor Locks housing authority meets; officials cite tenant-selection changes, REAC inspection and tight waitlists
Summary
At a Jan. 29 special meeting, the Windsor Locks Housing Authority discussed mandated changes to tenant selection, an upcoming REAC/INSPIRE inspection, vacancies and waitlist pressures, a slip-and-fall insurance update, and an MOU transferring utilities for the former senior center.
The Windsor Locks Housing Authority met virtually on Jan. 29, 2026, where board members discussed forthcoming changes to tenant-selection policies, preparations for a federal REAC/INSPIRE inspection, unit vacancies and waitlist pressures, and a memorandum of understanding transferring utilities for the former senior center, officials said.
Director of Housing Darlene West told commissioners that "per the new government administration" the authority must revise its tenant selection process; the board agreed to table formal changes until more guidance is available. West said staff expect some residents will be upset by the mandated changes but that the authority is required to implement them as directed.
West reported unit availability and eviction activity: four openings at Southwest, one at Chestnut and eight at Oak Grove, and three Oak Grove residents scheduled for eviction. She said staff are notifying applicants from the waitlist and provided counts of 30 applicants for Southwest, 81 for Chestnut and 34 for Oak Grove. The board received an offer from West to meet individually with new commissioners to review the December financial reports.
West updated the board on a slip-and-fall claim at Oak Grove that she said stemmed from vendor activity; she reported the housing authority's insurer and the vendor's insurer are coordinating on the case. Commissioners asked for clarification about the vendor work involved.
Maintenance and property operations were highlighted. West praised the maintenance team for the number of work orders completed through December 2025 and for their turnaround time. Maria DeMarco, president of DeMarco Management, clarified that there are "1.5 Housing Authority employees" assisting on site. West also flagged delinquency and outstanding balances and cited resident safety concerns including unauthorized appliances, smoking and housekeeping/hoarding issues. She said a dump truck was used to remove snow when space for snow storage was limited.
Chair Steve Bushnik said the town has signed an MOU concerning the former senior center and that utilities for the property have been transferred to the Windsor Locks Housing Authority; staff clarified the property had been under a no-cost lease arrangement with the town, which led to the transfer of utilities.
On inspections, West said a REAC (Real Estate Assessment Center)/INSPIRE public housing inspection is expected in about three weeks, with a focus on interior unit conditions and randomly selected occupied units; maintenance staff are preparing properties for that review.
On governance items, West said she contacted the League of Women Voters about the tenant commissioner election and proposed March 13 as a possible date pending the League's availability; two applicants have submitted applications requiring signatures.
Votes at a glance: Chair Steve Bushnik moved to approve the Jan. 6, 2026 meeting minutes; Paul Riedi seconded and the minutes were recorded as passing with "1 in favor, 2 abstention and 0 opposed" (vote tally as recorded). At 6:04 p.m., Linda Zettlemoyer moved "to adjourn," seconded by Paul Riedi; that motion passed with four in favor and zero opposed.
The board requested the INSPIRE internal review report be added to the next agenda. The meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m.
