image description

Dissolution of North Adams Housing Organization Moving Forward

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Housing Authority Executive Director Jennifer Hohn reported on Monday that the dissolution of Housing Opportunities Inc. is on track.

Hohn told the commissioners that the 25-year-old affordable housing program that the board voted to dissolve and transfer assets to the city is "ongoing and moving forward."

The board voted last year, after a three-year process, to disband the program that shared a board of directors and administrative staff with the Housing Authority.

Board member Christopher Tremblay, who voted against the dissolution last November, asked if the board or the city could run into trouble if the North Adams Ambulance Service contacted the attorney general about disputed HOI land on River Street.

The board voted last February to accept $12,000 from the ambulance service for the lot, which was assessed at $36,000. However, an abuttor, who had previously no issue with the sale, and his close relative contacted the board and the mayor's office in June indicating that they wanted to protect the property and would take legal action.

This canceled the sale of the land to the Ambulance Service, on the advice of the board's attorney.

Tremblay, participating remotely, said he believes Mayor Richard Alcombright held conversations with potential land buyers as speaking for the board.

"I was wholeheartedly on board and excited to present the city of North Adams with an opportunity to utilize these funds and our property until Mayor Alcombright interjected into our board ... and chose to inject his will into an autonomous board," Tremblay said.

The mayor, at the time, said he recommended halting the sale until the city could take over the property; then it could be sold at public auction.

Hohn said legal counsel noted the concerns, that she has received no contact form the attorney general's office and all seems to moving along smoothly. She added that the attorney general's office ultimately approves the transfer of assets to the city.

"I am sure if there is any conflict that exists we will deal with it when we ask them for approval when we have everything ready to go," she said. "But, I have not had one single communication form the attorney general at all."

In other business, Hohn noted that this year the Housing Authority will receive $420,718 through its Annual Contributions Contract. This is a contract between designated Public Housing Agencies and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

She said the amount has gone up over the past five years. Last year, the Housing Authority received $376,000 and the year before that, received $369,000.

"That's excellent for the Housing Authority, and it is another $50,000 that we did not expect to go into our capital fund budget," Hohn said. "It is because we are a high performing agency now and we receive a larger amount."

The money can be used for anything in the agencies five year plan.

Hohn had more good news and reported that the Housing Authority received a 100 percent score on its Section Eight Management Assessment Program. The program rates the Section 8 program and administrative policy

The Housing Authority also voted to amend the articles of organization of HOImin order to clarify the document

Tremblay voted against the changes. 


Tags: Housing Authority,   Housing program,   HUD,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Clarksburg Sees Race for Select Board Seat

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The town will see a three-way race for a seat on the Select Board in May. 
 
Colton Andrews, Seth Alexander and Bryana Malloy returned papers by Wednesday's deadline to run for the three-year term vacated by Jeffrey Levanos. 
 
Andrews ran unsuccessfully for School Committee and is former chairman of the North Adams Housing Authority, on which he was a union representative. He is also president of the Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council.
 
Malloy and Alexander are both newcomers to campaigning. Malloy is manager of industrial relations for the Berkshire Workforce Board and Alexander is a resident of Gates Avenue. 
 
Alexander also returned papers for several other offices, including School Committee, moderator, library trustee and the five-year seat on the Planning Board. He took out papers for War Memorial trustee and tree warden but did not return them and withdrew a run for Board of Health. 
 
He will face off in the three-year School Committee seat against incumbent Cynthia Brule, who is running for her third term, and fellow newcomer Bonnie Cunningham for library trustee. 
 
Incumbent Ronald Boucher took out papers for a one-year term as moderator but did not return them. He was appointed by affirmation in 2021 when no won ran and accepted the post again last year as a write-in.
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories