Pittsfield Housing Authority Director on Leave After Performance Concerns
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Housing Authority's executive director has been placed on administrative leave following "substantial" performance concerns.
On Wednesday, the Board of Commissioners adopted resolutions that place Executive Director Tina Danzy on paid administrative leave effective at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Susan Martino, director of finance and administration, has stepped in as acting executive director.
Five separate resolutions were approved following an executive session with Danzy. Martino, over email on Thursday, said the PHA has no comment on the situation.
"The leave is a non-disciplinary interim measure intended to protect the operations, records, employees, tenants, and interests of the Authority while the concerns are reviewed," the PHA Board's fourth resolution reads.
"During the leave, Ms. Danzy shall continue to receive her regular salary and benefits, subject to all ordinary deductions and benefit requirements. The Board has not, by this resolution, made a final determination that any allegation is substantiated or that Cause exists under the employment agreement."
The board, however, did find that concerns warrant further investigation, which could result in termination or discipline.
The first resolution states that, based on information presented to and discussed by the board during its prior meetings and executive sessions, including matters identified in a July 13 notice to the executive director, the board found that substantial concerns have been raised around Danzy's financial, operational, regulatory, management, and governance responsibilities.
Attorney Kevin Kinne has been retained to advise and represent the board; legal fees over $5,000 would need further approval.
During the administrative leave, Danzy cannot perform work or exercise authority on behalf of PHA, issue directives to employees, take personnel actions, authorize expenditures, enter into or terminate contracts, or communicate on behalf of PHA. All records and information must be preserved and not concealed or altered, and Danzy must return all PHA property and records and remain reasonably available to participate in the investigation and any board proceeding, the fourth resolution states.
Investigator John Agostini, through Kinne, will follow up on concerns by reviewing relevant records and conducting interviews. The board's third resolution allows Chair Michael McCarthy to offer to explore a "mutually acceptable separation agreement" with Danzy beforehand, and if no agreement is reached, the board can continue the investigation and consider suspension, discipline, or termination.
If the chair and executive director cannot agree on the terms of a separation agreement, the resolution states that, after the impartial investigation is concluded and findings are received, McCarthy can schedule a board meeting to consider if termination or other discipline is warranted, according to Danzy's employment agreement.
The Berkshire Eagle reported that this vote follows a "flurry of complaints lodged against PHA staff and Danzy in recent months over PHA property conditions and alleged violations of its own policies. The flash point was a proposal that would have banned personal items such as grills and children's pools from common spaces."
On May 12, the PHA sent a memo to federal public housing residents asking them to remove grills, toys, patio furniture, bikes, planters, decorations, storage containers, and other personal items from lawn and yard areas "when not actively in use" because of fire and safety hazards, stating that items left in these areas may be considered abandoned and removed by management.
In the memo, items were requested to be gone by May 31.
The Dower Square Tenants Union mobilized later that month, planning a meeting on May 26 at the apartment complex. Tenants called a meeting to push back against the "demand that we should hide in our houses, too afraid of being accused of violating our leases if we use our yards," a flier reads.
"Housing has gone too far by forcing through policy changes without any discussion midway through our leases," the tenants' union wrote.
"… We have a general right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that PHA is ignoring. Leaving us less than two weeks to remove, throw away, or destroy our property is unfair and mean-spirited."
The Eagle reported that the proposed policy was shelved after it was determined that it likely violated state laws around housing authorities, and tenants at the June 23 meeting called for Danzy to resign.
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