Housing Authority Director Faces Tough Review

The presented its review of Executive Director Edward Santos at a meeting Thursday night, despite Santos’ avid protest. Santos, who was e-mailed the review earlier in the day, said he wanted a chance to defend himself to the board members in private before his review was shared in public.

Housing Authority chairman Gina Govoni that public meeting laws allowed for the review to take place and that it was not required that the board e-mail the review in advance. Thursday was the first time in shared memory that the board had conducted such a review.

Govoni recognized that the situation was uncomfortable, but said, “this is part of having a public position,” adding that it had been on the agenda since December and should not come as a surprise.

The reviews, which were collected from each board member in December, were read without attribution.

Criticisms included accusations that Santos delegates many of his own tasks to assistant executive director Eileen Merritt and that it is “hard to see direct leadership.” A member said that there is room for improvement in his conflict resolution skills with tenants and said that some tenants have cited feeling disrespected notably after Santos referred to some of the tenants as “you people” in a previous meeting.

Board members said that Santos often does not return their e-mails or e-mails and phone calls from other public officials in town, one member even saying that this has caused the Housing Authority to miss opportunities for networking in the town.

Members did however compliment his work bringing in revenue to the organization through school projects, the Achieve Program and through housing the Natick Service Council.  The board praised his organization, punctuality and experience with the authority.

Santos said he would respond to each of the comments through an e-mail to the board members.

“I will use this as a tool for me to get better and help to meet your expectations in the future,” said Santos.

Govoni said Santos' goals for the future should be to decrease the number of complaints from tenants, improve communication and bring records up-to-date. He will undergo a follow-up evaluation in August.