60 Kings Highway

Kings Corner Manor

Gales Ferry, Connecticut 06335

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Housing Authority

Meeting Minutes - Final

Chairman

Charles Duzy

Regular Meeting

7:00 PM

Monday, October 2, 2023

Kings Corner Manor

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Duzy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

II.

ROLL CALL

Board Member Thomas Cassabria

Board Member Dayna Waterhouse

Chairman Charles Duzy

Present

Board Member Paula Crocker

Board Member Margaret Boyd

Excused

In addition, the following were present:

Colleen Lauer - Housing Director

Naomi Rodriguez - Town Councilor

Tenants Present - 2, 3, 9, 13, 19, 24, 26, 27

Nicole Cruz-Glacken - Resident

Nina Diaz - Resident

Eleanor Murray - Resident

Ed Murray - Resident

III.

OPENING AND CLOSING THE FLOOR TO TENANTS, RESIDENTS & PROPERTY

OWNERS

Comments limited to (3) three minutes. Total Time (30) minutes

Ms. Nina Diaz, 1546 Route 12, Gales Ferry stated during the September Town Council and

Community Relations Committee meetings, Councilor Paul suggested the Housing Authority

Board meetings be moved to the Town Hall Annex. This would be in alignment with how all

other public meetings are held. This would create an equal opportunity to attend and/or

participate in monthly meetings by way of virtual or in person options. Ms. Diaz stated the word

compromise should not be a bad word, what could be and is a bad thing is the danger that some

residents have been forced into by having to be in the road or on someone else's private property.

Ms. Diaz added how terrible it would be for a resident to get hurt or worse killed while trying to

cross the road at night. There are no street lights on Kings Highway or sidewalks just darkness

and opportunity. Ms. Diaz stated compromise would be the difference maker in regards to the

residents safety and compromise would also decrease legal ramifications between the residents

and the Housing Authority and Town. Ms. Diaz added according the ADA reasonable

accommodations can be submitted orally, however it is suggested to be in writing for the record

and this should not be seen as a problem. Per the State of Connecticut, there are only two types

of housing exempt from ADA accommodations, the first is an owner occupied dwelling with

two or less rentable unites, the second is the rental of a room or rooms in an owner occupied

dwelling. The refusal to address a request for accommodation can be discrimination and the

failure to respond is discrimination both, of which can lead to civil rights violations. Ms. Diaz

added this issue has been discussed by many including Town Councilors and Board Members.

The safety and rights of our seniors and disabled residents should be a priority to all. Ms. Diaz

stated suggestions and potential solutions have been voiced and asked the Board to participate in

conversation and compromise in the best interest of all Kings Corner Manor residents.

Chairman Duzy thanked Ms. Diaz for her comments.

Ms. Sonn, Unit #19 stated she had three quick points. Ms. Sonn stated she asked for an ADA

accommodation over a year ago due to her hearing and vision. She stated all are aware she is

going deaf and blind. Ms. Sonn stated she asked this to be taped and nothing was ever done.

Ms. Sonn requested that this be taped and she does not believe a year is an appropriate time to

have an accommodation linger. Ms. Sonn asked another question regarding ADA

accommodations she had in her apartment before the renovations that were perfectly fine and

have now been removed. Ms. Sonn stated she has put in writing ten pages inclusive of the

accommodations she needs put back for her various medical conditions. Ms. Sonn stated her

apartment was started in April and it is now October and they have not been addressed. Ms.

Sonn notified the Board that she will be formally charging the Board for violations of her rights

with the Department of Justice. Ms. Sonn added that when her apartment was worked on her

voice activated electrical system that runs her lights, microwave and television were destroyed.

Ms. Sonn stated she was told by Lou to order new and he will take care of it and nothing has

been done other than Lou and Ms. Lauer fighting over who is going to pay for it. Ms. Sonn

stated she is out hundreds of dollars and she has no intention of remaining out hundreds of

dollars and she would like to know when she is getting her money back, also for the items that

were removed and damaged from her property. Ms. Sonn stated if there is going to be scripting

she would advise having someone trained because words on that board were attributed to her

that she did not say. Ms. Sonn added you are looking at legal ramifications if those stay up as

said by her when they are not what she said. Ms. Sonn added learn how to script or start taping

everything. Ms. Sonn stated we do have a tape of the last meeting and have compared it to what

was written and it is lies. Ms. Sonn stated it is not what she said and she would like it removed

and jobs to be done appropriately.

Chairman Duzy thanked Ms. Sonn for her comments.

Ms. Fernandez Unit #3 sated she would like to respond to some of the things Ms. Crocker stated

last month. Ms. Fernandez stated they were told the Executive Director has no vote and she is

well aware of that fact, she also has eyes and ears and tape recordings that clearly show the

Executive Director, Ms. Lauer telling the Board President what to say at Board meetings. Ms.

Fernandez added that secondly there are no lights along the driveway and there will be snow and

ice during the winter when you come to the stop sign at the end of the driveway. Ms. Fernandez

stated look to your right and tell her if you can see anything but blackness. Ms. Fernandez noted

here are no lights or sidewalks on Kings Highway were they are being sent to smoke. Ms.

Fernandez added please don't tell her the health and well being of the residents were considered.

Ms. Fernandez stated that two weeks ago they were told they were State owned to call CHFA

and the Board told them they don't know who owns Kings Corner and the grant states we are

owned by an LLC, someone or everyone is lying. Ms. Fernandez added the quote Ms. Crocker

made from the employee handbook only relates to the Town owned and managed properties and

the Town claims no responsibility for Kings Corner, these points of Ms. Crocker's speech are

mute. Ms. Fernandez stated she is not an employee, she lives here and pays rent, please do not

tell her how to dispose of her butts when she is off property. Ms. Fernandez stated the comment

about the tiki torches being addressed as soon as it was mentioned was not true. Ms. Fernandez

added she has a comment/suggestions form that was typed and dated April 5, 2021 where she

made mention that she had concerns about tiki torches at that time. Ms. Fernandez stated she did

not believe Ms. Crocker was on the Board at that time. Ms. Fernandez stated she will reiterate

Ms. Crocker's own words from the last meeting and address them to the Board, giving

misleading or false information is never appropriate.

Chairman Duzy thanks Ms. Fernandez for her comments.

Ms. Murray, 16 Chapman Lane, Gales Ferry stated freedom of information is a law and the

meeting minutes come under that law, it is absolutely unlawful to say anything in the minutes

that did not occur or to make editorial comments like deciding to say the last comment is from

me personally and not necessarily from the Board and go off on a tangent. Ms. Murray added

there are a number of comments people have stated that are listed in the minutes and did not

happen or were listed as opinion and did not occur and it is unlawful to do that in a public

meeting. Ms. Murray stated this was a warning that minutes cannot be done like that and are

not appropriate. Ms. Murray asked for the minutes to be taped and if there was a tape from the

last meeting use that for the minutes. Ms. Murray added that she understood people had to move

out of their apartments for renovations and move back in. Ms. Murray stated that many of these

senior citizens have health issues and are being required to move themselves. Ms. Murray stated

she would guarantee that and she would be happy to spend the money or do research herself, but

does not think it should be her job to find out if there is money in the grant to move the

residents. Ms. Murray added that she does not believe the senior citizens are required to take the

stuff out of their apartments and move the stuff back in. Ms. Murray stated she bets there is

money to do that and she understood that other people got help. Ms. Murray added the last thing

she would like to point out is people in this community have oxygenators and they need to be

able to replenish the power to those oxygenators. They cannot carry those 40 pound units to the

community center where there is a generator, power packs are needed. Ms. Murray stated the

power packs are not dangerous and are batteries to have in the apartments and have been

disallowed for no good reason. Ms. Murray suggested that this be reconsidered.

Chairman Duzy thanked Ms. Murray for her comments.

Mr. Murray, 16 Chapman Lane, Gales Ferry stated the question he has for the Authority is have

they taken the time to educate or explain to the tenants that they have an opportunity to create

their own tenant organization which allows them to speak as a group and choose their own

tenant commissioner. Mr. Murray added this is part of CSG8-41 where it talks about all of the

commissioners that are to be part of the organization.

Chairman Duzy thanks Mr. Murray for his comments.

IV.

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

Ms. Crocker stated that LHA would like all the tenants to fill out and vote as to where the

tenants would like the meetings to be held, at Town Hall Annex and recorded or stay at the

King's Corner Manor and recorded. Ms. Crocker stated to please put them in a sealed container

and they would be opened by at least two board members.

Ms. Murray asked if arrangements could be made for the Senior Center van to drive the tenants

to Town Hall Annex.

Ms. Crocker stated the Senior Center is not open during that time of the evening.

Ms. Murray suggested that they would try to make those arrangements or tenants could zoom

from their apartments.

A group of tenants stated they would not know how to do that and Ms. Murray and Ms. Diaz

stated they would come to the community center to teach the tenants.

Ms. Crocker added the ability to use zoom was a big issue during COVID.

Ms. Fernandez asked if there is an option to having the meeting at Kings Corner and have it

recorded.

Ms. Crocker stated that may be problematic and LHA may be able to get the video equipment on

loan but would not know how long that loan would be for.

Ms. Sonn stated that she was a member of the Library for the Blind and she may be able to get a

recorder.

Chairman Duzy stated that LHA was going to work on that.

Ms. Crocker shared a letter dated October 2, 2023. On September 5, 2023 at the Ledyard

Housing Authority Board meeting, Ms. Eleanor Murray handed a document to LHA Board

Secretary Paula Crocker with the following issues and/or complaints listed. Each issue and/or

complaint has been addressed individually by the LHA. They were addressed as a courtesy, not

out of any obligation. In the future, such issues and/or complaints will be reviewed by the LHA

board to whether a response is warranted.

ISSUES BROUGHT TO SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 MEETING BY MRS. ELEANOR MURRAY

ISSUE:

First public meeting public space allow citizen to speak or violation of ACLU

LHA RESPONSE:

There have been meetings every month, with the exception of a few. The agendas and minutes

to these meetings can be found on the Town of Ledyard website. These meetings have always

been public and we would have allowed tenants and residents to speak, however, there has not

been a resident in attendance for at least the last five years, so eventually the residents speaking

has been left off the agenda. LHA will remedy that and put a section for resident comments on

the agenda. Votes at a meeting are posted within 48 hours as a draft and the final minutes are

posted within 7 days after the meeting. This subject is closed.

ISSUE:

Cameras in common area do not allow privacy.

LHA RESPONSE:

Cameras were installed for the safety and wellbeing of the tenants and the Ledyard Housing

Authority. Cameras are only placed outside, in the common areas and the community room.

Tenants should not have an expectation of privacy in those areas. This subject is closed.

ISSUE:

Addendums to lease cannot be anticipated and cause anxiety: please limit to 4x per year.

LHA RESPONSE:

Addendums and rules and regulations may be worked on throughout the year, however, the

tenants of KCM are asked to sign the lease annually. This subject is closed.

ISSUE:

The tenant rep is not legally elected: needs to be remedied.

LHA RESPONSE:

LHA will not remedy anything based on your request. Ordinance #100-010 by the Town of

Ledyard states:

“The Housing Authority shall consist of five (5) members appointed ty the Town Council who

are electors of the town, each of whom shall serve for a term of five (5) years. Members shall

commence to serve their terms immediately upon appointment and shall serve until their

successor has qualified or they have been reappointed or removed by The Town Council.

“At least one member of the Authority shall be a tenant who lives in the housing owned or

managed by such Authority and has resided in such housing for more than one (1) year. This

member shall not have the authority to vote on any matter concerning the establishment or

revision of the rents to be charged in any housing owned or managed by such Authority.”

The term expiration dates for the current LHA board are as follows:

Mr Charles Duzy, 3/31/2025

Ms. Dayna Waterhouse, 3/31/2027

Ms. Margaret Boyd, 3/31/2026

Ms. Paula Crocker, 3/31/2028

Ms. Thomas Cassabria, 3/31/2024

This subject is closed.

ISSUE:

Smoking policy on Ledyard Street is dangerous and unsafe. Must be rectified. 25 feet from

buildings is still adequate in Groton.

LHA RESPONSE:

This subject is closed as per the LHA Non-Smoking Policy

ISSUE:

Please be kind enough to leave furniture where tenants place it. This is their home.

LHA RESPONSE:

LHA is unclear as to what furniture you are speaking of. The only furniture LHA knows of that

has been moved is the chairs that were in the former smoking area. These were moved to clear

that space for its intended purpose, a parking space.

This subject is closed.

ISSUE:

The law requires a greater frequency of Open Mtgs.

LHA RESPONSE:

See above where we addressed meetings. This subject is closed.

ISSUE:

The Director is in violation of the CT Wage and Hour Law

LHA RESPONSE:

The private earnings, income, or confidential payroll information of the Director of LHA/KCM

will not be addressed in reference to the CT Wage and Hour Law, Title 31 Chapter. 558.

This Subject is closed

ISSUE:

Asking for a return of larger sheds as residents have no other storage. No reason to require small

sheds.

LHA RESPONSE:

The rules and regulations/addendum does not state the size of sheds, it does state the tenants

advise LHA what they want to purchase and where they want to put it. As of this date, no one

here has been denied the ability to put in a shed.

This subject is closed.

ISSUE:

Asking for Doc prescription for reimbursement for OTC items against HUD regulations. Cease

and desist. It costs money, time and needless energy.

LHARESPONSE:

LHA will not cease and desist anything based on your request. OTC drugs are not considered

without a doctor’s note and sometimes they are still excluded. Tenants can only claim valid

medical expenses that are not reimbursed. LHA works closely with DOH and these are the rules

for recertification. This subject is closed.

ISSUE:

Wreaths on doors on door hangers is a small accommodation that does absolutely no harm and is

a simple example of over control. Allow wreaths on hangers as a gesture of good faith at this

time.

LHA RESPONSE:

As of this date no tenant has been told they cannot hang anything on their door with a hanger.

Tenants are not allowed to deface the door, such as putting in nails, screws etc. This subject is

closed.

In closing, we have responded to all the issues you have brought forward but will not do so in

the future. We are not obligated nor required to respond to you. In the future we will take your

issues under advisement.

Ms. Lupeinski, Unit #2 asked if she could comment.

Chairman Duzy stated that the public/tenants cannot comment after the comments section of the

meeting, fill out a greveince/comment form or bring it up at the next meeting.

REPORTS

MOTION to accept the payment of Bills and Financial Report

Chairman Duzy asked for the amoun in the STIFF account. Ms. Lauer responded $60,653.00

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Charles Duzy

RESULT:

MOVER:

Paula Crocker

SECONDER:

Cassabria Duzy Crocker

Boyd

AYE

EXCUSED

ABSTAIN

Waterhouse

Reports of the Executive Director

o The Laundry Room survey started 9/21, of the 27 units, 12 people said they want

to keep the sign up sheet, 2 people said they did not. The majority of tenants

prefer to have a sign up sheet so LHA will continue to do that.

o If residents did not get a chance to connect with Kathy Green from TVCCA

regarding energy assistance, call 860-464-3222 at the Town Hall.

o Ledyard Social Services will be providing holiday baskets again this year in

November and December to Ledyard Food Pantry guests. If currently a guest fill

please fill out the forms when they come out. If you are not currently a guest of

the Ledyard Food Pantry, please fill out an application (in the community

building hallway) and return to Kristen at the Town Hall. You do need to

recertify every year.

o Dog Scouts helping to be here later this month, waiting on a day/time, will put up

a notice when we have it.

o October Newsletter was walked around.

o There will be four units available beginning in 2024. If you would like to transfer

units, please be sure to put in a transfer request form which will also be in next

months newsletter.

RESULT:

Reports of the Chairman

Chairman Duzy stated the newsletter mentions that if a resident has a problem to fill out a

suggestion/work order form and reiterated that if you have a problem, submit it and don't put it

on Social Media, use the forms. Mr. Duzy stated that some of the Board went to the Community

Relations meeting at Town Hall and liked it. Mr. Duzy reiterated to all that this meeting is like a

Town Council Meeting where you can comment during the comments section and you do not get

to comment again. Mr. Duzy like the meeting because people go to comment. Mr. Duzy added

the Board is not changing this meeting but suggested every two or three months he would like to

hold a meeting in this room and not take votes or make decisions but take input and go from

there. Mr. Duzy added voting would take place at regular meetings but this way everyone would

get a chance to have input. Mr. Duzy stated the comment was already made about recordings

and he would like everyone to fill out a slip. Mr. Duzy stated that no matter where the meeting

is held, obviously if held at Town Hall everything could be recorded and video but most people

and he was one of them would not want to drive up there especially in the winter. Mr. Duzy

added if the meeting was still held at Kings Corner like he hopes he not only wants it audio

recorded but video recorded. Mr. Duzy added if they cannot borrow video equipment they will

buy it and there will be a video system in this room and every meeting will be recorded. Mr.

Duzy noted that this was his position and he has not discussed with the Board and would like to

bring it up at the next meeting based on results form the tenants. Mr. Duzy added he did not

want to make any kind of decision without all of the Board member present.

RESULT:

Tenant Representative Comments

None

RESULT:

VI.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION to approve the Housing Authority regular meeting minutes of September 5, 2023.

Ms. Sonn Unit # 19 disagreed with the minutes, stating the minutes were not correct and utilized

her name incorrectly. Chairman Duzy stated the Board will look at these minutes next month.

Mr. Duzy added the minutes will not be approved until the Board receives something in writing

stating specifically what Ms. Sonn disagrees with in the minutes.

NO ACTION

VII. OLD BUSINESS

RESULT:

Suggestion Box

None

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Renovation Updates

· This renovation is being completed following certain processes of arch punching

units, multiple arch working on deal for us/CHFA. Please fill out a tenant

renovation issue form for new items not working/damaged items. I forward those

forms for BRD to address. BRD has been asked for their process to replace

damaged items two weeks in a row, still waiting on the process, I will ask again

and should have the process this week, it is being worked on.

· We just got the dates - the laundry room will be started this week Thursday,

October 5th. You will not be able to use the laundry room from 8am-5pm on

Thursday the 5th and Friday the 6th, you can use it in the evening of the 5th and

6th. You will be able to use the laundry room the weekend of the 7th & 8th then

the laundry room will be unavailable from Monday-Friday October 9th-13th.

· Gutters, siding & concrete have been completed, just waiting on MNS

Mechanical for AC enclosures and then the architect will go around and punch

the buildings. They are backing up sidewalks and hope to lay seed later this

week.

· Still waiting on the front community building door hardware, and rear door auto

door - shipping issues.

· Handicap parking areas will be started this week, looks like Wednesday/Thursday

· BRD completed 4 units Sept. 29th and started 4 units today. Adding the extra

day should be done November 10th there will still be punch list items, but bulk of

having people moved out will be before the holiday.

· Nicer weather coming through hope for no weather hold ups.

· Window manufacturer was onsite and completed repairs. If there are any new

issues please report them.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Discussion and possible action regarding the Smoking Policy

Ms. Lauer stated she is working with the Town for a sidewalk and the contractor was present last

Friday and is working on an estimate.

NO ACTION

RESULT:

Any Old Business to come before the Housing Authority

None

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

Discussion and possible action on the Housing Authority monthly meeting location

Discussion continued to the next meeting pending tenant responses from the survey.

CONTINUE

RESULT:

Any New Business to come before the Housing Authority

Discussion:

The washing machines are getting old and more expensive to fix. Other Housing Authorities

have companies to maintain machine and charge $1 .25 - $2.00 to wash and $1.25 - $2.00 to

dry, the majority are $1.50 - $1.75. The current fees are low, $1.00 to wash and $1.00 to dry.

There would be no cost to the Housing Authority, the Housing Authority and company would

split the revenue. The company takes care of the machines. Average revenue is $225 - $275.

The company will be asked to charge $1.25 a load with an increase to $1.50 in time, if not able

to do $1.25 then $1.50.

Ms. Sonn, Unit# 19 asked what is an ADA accommodating washer and dryer.

Ms. Lauer replied front loading with front controls.

Ms. Sonn asked if they were voice activated?

Ms. Lauer replied no.

MOTION to hire a new company for the washer and dryer and split the revenue with that

company.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Charles Duzy

RESULT:

MOVER:

Thomas Cassabria

SECONDER:

Cassabria Waterhouse Duzy Crocker

Boyd

AYE

EXCUSED

IX.

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Duzy moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded Ms. Waterhouse.

The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.

VOTE: 4 - 0 Approved and so declared

DISCLAIMER: Although we try to be timely and accurate these are not official records of the

Town.