Housing Program Eyes Property Sales After North Adams Balks at Transfer
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A years-long effort to transfer ownership of Housing Opportunities Inc. properties to the city of North Adams has hit a wall.
Because of the city's delayed response and recent apprehension toward the transfer of all the parcels, the nonprofit board may sell the properties on its own.
HOI attorney Elisabeth Goodman, who remotely attended Monday's meeting, told the board members that she attended a meeting with Mayor Richard Alcombright and City Solicitor John DeRosa two weeks ago, and DeRosa said the city may not want to take all the properties.
"We had thought …that the city of North Adams wanted the properties transferred to it but at the meeting, John DeRosa expressed concern about the city’s ability to manage the property and was not certain if the city should be taking ownership of the property," Goodman said.
For the past five years the HOI, which is made up of North Adams Housing Authority officials, has tried to dissolve and transfer its nine properties to the city. The Housing Authority views HOI largely as a failed program that legally cannot continue to use federal funds or staff from the Housing Authority.
Goodman said the city had originally "indisputably" wanted the assets, however, at the meeting, DeRosa requested to see the properties' grant agreements for review — the properties were acquired with state grants through the city.
Goodman said DeRosa had told her he was never asked to review the transfers and would have a response in 30 to 45 days.
Authority member Christopher Tremblay suggested ending the transfer of the properties, which he called a "convoluted mess," and find another way to dissolve.
"This was brought to us by the city and they knew we had to dissolve this but now they do an about face," Tremblay said. "This was for the good of the city and at this point, I am very disappointed … and I am not interested in having them cherry pick what they want."
Authority members agreed with Tremblay but felt they should wait for DeRosa's response and recommendation to City Council before deciding.
Authority member Matt Neville said if they do not hear from DeRosa before their next meeting, they should rescind the vote to dissolve HOI, sell the assets themselves and turn over the money to the city.
"This has been an ongoing saga for who knows how long, but I think it is the better for this board to grit our teeth for another 30 to 45 days," he said. "If we do not hear anything then I suggest we operate as Housing Opportunities Inc."
The board unanimously voted to proceed this way.
Chairman Colton Andrews asked Goodman if the city was delaying the process now because of the fear of possible contamination at the former Sun Cleaners property on River Street.
She said she asked if that was the issue at the meeting and DeRosa denied it.
She added that if there is contamination, a site assessment can be done and an activity and use limitation may be placed on the property that may just restrict residential use.
Tremblay also suggested that DeRosa may have been involved in the initial acquiring of some of the properties or their demolition
Andrews said there may be a conflict of interest worth investigating.
"If John DeRosa knew if there were liabilities per say on some of these properties but knowingly allowed the city to transfer them over to HOI authority," he said. "Now, however, many years later he decides not to proceed with the transfer back to the city."
The board also asked Goodman to compile any liens that may be placed on the properties and provide them with more details on the assets.
In other business, acting as the Housing Authority, the board approved a Dwelling Lease Update.
Director Jennifer Hohn said in the future they will have to update the animal policy.
"We gave the definition of a therapy dog and a service animal and that is becoming a very gray area so we are having that rewritten by attorneys to clarify what is what," she said. "We had a pet policy for the past 10 years that allowed dogs under a certain weight on certain floors. Now we are finding that everyone has a pet."
Tags: Housing Authority, Housing program,
