THA Reviews Budget Before Formal Vote in September

On Tuesday evening, the Tuckahoe Housing Authority held a special meeting, with the only agenda item a review of the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2010-2011. Board members will vote to approve the budget at the next regular meeting on September 21.

Present at roll call were Commissioners Jeff Zuckerman, Gertrude Gunther, Donald Wauchope, Andy Seney and John Smith as well as Executive Director Irina Matveevskii and legal counsel Mark Kamensky.

Before the THA Board of Commissioners adjourned to discuss personnel matters in closed executive session, accountant John G. Cruikshank of White Plains explained the summary budget under consideration.

Cruikshank explained that some line items, including operating subsidies and the Section 8 annual contribution were subject to variation. He noted reductions in budget allocations for training and travel—a source of previous THA controversy—and decreases in expenses for insurance and 'non-routine equipment' such as a generator system the THA had to purchase this past year. Cruikshank was hopeful that it would be possible for the THA to end 2011 with a modest surplus.

Zuckerman and Cruikshank explained that the THA was up-to-date in obligatory payments to the Village of Tuckahoe and its schools.

PILOT (payments in lieu of taxes) costs are based on the difference between rent income and utility costs multiplied by 10. According to Zuckerman, the THA is no longer in arrears to the Village for these payments.

Some of the 14 residents in attendance, however,  commented on issues other than the budget under review.

Ramona Major extensively praised Executive Director Irina Matveevskii, who Major said "had done a good job during the year and eight months that she's been here even though she fell into a hornets' nest."

The praise was in contrast to remarks at the tumultuous June regular meeting, where residents Renette Rimaglia and others commented on the perceived rudeness of the office staff. Rimaglia, also present Tuesday, asked why administrative raises were included in the budget while there was no allocation for additional maintenance.

Several residents also praised part-time maintenance worker Warren Green who they saw cleaning the premises and bundling garbage even on his days off.  

Commissioner Zuckerman explained that THA had purchased new garbage bins and power-washed others. Request for applications will be posted for a full-time maintenance worker on the Tuckahoe Village and THA websites.

Rimaglia asked about security screening and Major asked if the position was considered civil service and required testing. Zuckerman reassured the residents that all potential hires were background checked and explained that the civil service position did not require competitive testing.

There were also questions about brown water running in residents' taps.

Commissioner Gunther confirmed that there has been an ongoing problem for years with some residents' water. Zuckerman explained that the issue had to do with United Water rather than the THA.

According to Gunther and Matveevskii, incoming grants will be used to update the playground, purchase new refrigerators, and to replace or repair widows throughout the THA's properties.

Zuckerman said that the staff had been working diligently to address tenant concerns and that all financial matters had been brought up to date.

"Basically our Housing Authority is in good shape," said Zuckerman.