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FAIR
RENT COMMISSION
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CITY OF NORWALK
FAIR RENT COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 7, 2007
ATTENDANCE: John Church, Vice Chairman; Mary Geake; Wendell Simms; Maria Borges-Lopez;
Jeannette Jean-Pierre; Martin Bernard (7:40); Brenda Penn-Williams (7:42 pm).
STAFF: Adam Bovilsky, Director; Lawrence Patterson, Field Representative.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by the Vice Chairman.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING – OCTOBER 2007
The following corrections were made: On page 2, 1st motion should read: Mr. Bernard moved to approve the minutes as corrected.” On pages 3 & 4, “Review, Discussion and Motions of Open Cases”, “Mr. Patterson recommended” was corrected to “Mr. Patterson stated that the Fair Rent staff” in all cases.
At 7:40 p.m., Mr. Bernard arrived at the meeting.
** MS. GEAKE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS CORRECTED.
** MS. BORGES-LOPEZ SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Vice Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and pointed out that it was his first time chairing a meeting. He also commented that several former and current commissioners had been active in the local elections that took place yesterday. He congratulated everyone, whether they were successful or not, stating that it is terrific that commissioners are trying to serve Norwalk.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Mr. Bovilsky reviewed his written report.
At 7:42 p.m., Ms. Penn-Williams arrived at the meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
NEW BUSINESS
REVIEW OF DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET REQUEST 2008-2009
Mr. Bovilsky reviewed the following documents:
Description of Services/Mission Statement
Draft budget
Budgets from the prior two years
Commissioners will provide feedback by November 26th, at which time the budget has to be submitted.
Discussion took place, initiated by Ms. Geake, on how this commission can help people who are facing high utility costs this winter. Mr. Bovilsky said Fair Rent provides state energy assistance information, but this is a very small amount of money. There is concern that this can spark additional evictions. NEON has a variety of different programs to assist people. Ms. Borges-Lopez said that the Second Taxing District also gives money ($20,000) to NEON. Mr. Bovilsky said that landlords are required to provide a certain level of heat to their tenants. If they don’t, the Health Department can be called. Utility companies also cannot turn off heat during certain months. Mr. Patterson said they have a brochure from the State of CT Department of Social Services on energy assistance. He also noted that utility companies are coming on very strong to people with overdue bills.
REVIEW, DISCUSSION AND MOTIONS ON OPEN CASES
CASES#1555-06/1571-07
Mr. Patterson reviewed these two cases.
** MR. BERNARD MOVED TO TAKE NO ACTION ON THESE CASES.
** MS. BORGES-LOPEZ SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CASE #1573-07
Mr. Patterson reviewed this case.
** MR. SIMMS MOVED TO CLOSE THIS CASE.
** MR. BERNARD SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CASE #1574-07
Mr. Patterson reviewed this case.
** MR. SIMMS MOVED TO CLOSE THIS CASE.
** MR. BERNARD SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
PRESENTATION OF NEW CASES
CASE #1577-07
Mr. Patterson and Mr. Bovilsky reviewed this case.
** MR. SIMMS MOVED TO TAKE NO ACTION ON THIS CASE.
** MS. GEAKE SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
CASE #1578-07
Mr. Patterson reviewed this case.
** MR. BERNARD MOVED THAT THE FAIR RENT COMMISSION NOT HEAR THIS CASE.
** MR. SIMMS SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
** MS. BORGES-LOPEZ MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MR. SIMMS SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services
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