May 14, 2026 Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF A MEETING
DRAFT- NOT YET APPROVED
These minutes are subject to approval by the Board at a future meeting and may be revised.
The Regular Meeting of the Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners was convened at 5:37 pm May 14, 2026.
Location: Zoom Video Conference
Present:
Brenda Penn-Williams, Chair
Liza Bermudez-Montgomery, Vice Chair
Isaac Walcott, Commissioner
Teneshia Jacobs, Commissioner
Absent:
John Church, Treasurer
Staff Attending:
Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director
Anna Keegan, Director of Policy, and MTW
Charmaine Davis-Ford, Director of Finance
Greg Lickwola, Director of Modernization
Lisa Endo, Director of Development
Leala Marlin, Development Project Manager
Jeff Oduro, Director of IT
Donna Lattarulo, Outside General Council, Lattarulo Law Firm, LLC
Roll Call:
At 5:37 pm, Chair Penn-Williams opened the meeting. Chair Penn-Williams recognized Commissioner Teneshia Jacobs, Commissioner Walcott and Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery, as present and acknowledged the presence of a quorum.
Report of the Secretary:
1. Mr. Bovilsky reported that the President has provided his plan for the 2027 HUD budget. Congress did not follow the President's 2026 budget; however Mr. Bovilsky thought it was important for the board to understand what the President is recommending for next year. Mr. Bovilsky reviewed the key points in the President's budget.
2. Mr. Bovilsky reported that HUD issued a small additional 2025 capital funds payment to NHA of $21,071.
3. Mr. Bovilsky shared that NHA received a $10,000 grant from CHFA for a raised garden bed in Ludlow Commons. Mr. Bovilsky acknowledged Linda Rolle's efforts in securing this competitive grant.
4. Mr. Bovilsky provided an update regarding NHA's shortfall funding and status. In April, NHA received $260K in 2025 public housing shortfall funding. In May, NHA received $174K in 2025 section 8 shortfall funding.
Mr. Bovilsky reported that the 2026 HUD Section 8 allocation was just received by NHA. The 2026 allocation of $27.1M is substantially over the funding that NHA has been receiving. NHA had $750K in HUD held reserves at the end of March and is currently at around $1M in HUD held reserves. If the full HUD funding is received, there will be a $250K surplus per month over and above current allocation. Mr. Bovilsky shared that NHA believes it should be out of shortfall status based on this. Communication with HUD has been initiated to review NHA's status. Once confirmed by HUD, NHA could begin issuing vouchers.
5. Mr. Bovilsky shared that the Learning Center hosted the poet laureate of CT to come and speak to the children. Several commissioners were also in attendance.
6. Mr. Bovilsky shared that several commissioners were in attendance for the Mayor's Ball held by the city.
7. Mr. Bovilsky shared that the Learning Center team held a spelling bee at City Hall. Mayor Smyth was the pronouncer for the first round, and NHA was thankful for her participation.
8. Mr. Bovilsky shared that the Learning Center held a STEM event in collaboration with the nursing program with NCC.
9. Lisa Endo took the floor to provide a Leroy Downs update. Ms. Endo reported that the site plan was approved. In a funding update, Ms. Endo shared the grants that Sound Communities has received for the project, as well as its plans to apply for an additional CIF grant. In addition, Sound Communities has also been approved by CHFA to manage Leroy Downs.
In a relocation update, there are 15 families and 1 business to be relocated. Sound Communities has procured relocation counselors to support the families and is paying security deposits, moving expenses and rental assistance as needed. 3 families have already been relocated.
Chair Penn-Williams asked whether Sound Communities was financially sound to be able to cover all of these costs. Ms. Endo confirmed that Sound Communities is financially sound but cautioned that the next influx of revenue is dependent on being able to close on Leroy Downs.
Ms. Endo stated that 10 vouchers would be needed once NHA is out of shortfall to stay on track with tenant relocation. Ms. Endo advised Sound Communities has to submit its ConApp no later than Q3 2026 for the project to remain on track. The submission can only be done when the funding gap is closed.
Ms. Endo also advised that the train station project timeline is contingent on the completion of Leroy Downs.
Ms. Endo went on to detail out the project costs and funding sources for Leroy Downs and shared the current funding gap is around $3M. Sound Communities is applying to CIF for the full $3M gap as its first priority.
Chair Penn-Williams asked how Sound Communities was doing with their development and suggested that Sound Communities add an outside developer on their board. Ms. Endo and Mr. Bovilsky agreed that this can be explored further.
10. Mr. Bovilsky shared that Soundview Landing received its NSPIRE scores for physical inspections and received very high scores in all three phases (93,97 and 91 respectively). Upon review of the reports most deductions were for mundane things that that break through normal tenant use. The reports are available for detailed review.
Chair Penn-Williams raised her concerns about the broken elevator at Soundview Landing. Mr. Bovilsky said that he agrees that Winn Management did a poor job on communication regarding the elevator repair. Mr. Bovilsky stated that the last update was that it should be fixed this week but no confirmation has come yet. There were different opinions on the timeline of the elevator repair and the team will go back to confirm.
Commissioner Jacobs asked what will be done to improve communication to tenants on issues going forward. Mr. Bovilsky stated that with third party management companies, NHA has limited control over communication. However, it has advised the management company on the standard it expects.
11. Mr. Bovilsky shared the following key upcoming dates:
June 10-13, 2026 PHADA Conference (Chicago)
June 18, 2026 Annual Board Meeting including the election of officers
June 29, 2026 Oak Grove Ribbon Cutting (tentative)
July 9, 2026 Regular Board Meeting
July 16, 2026 Scholarship Reception (tentative)
Donna Lattarulo reminded commissioners that there is a special session on May 18th at 5:30PM that will be held virtually.
Old Business:
22-43 Commissioner Walcott moved to select:
a. Electro-Service as the contractor for the Senior Court alarm system
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in Favor. Motion carried.
Greg Lickwola took the floor to address the update for the Senior Court alarm system. Three bids were received along with the architect's recommendation. The recommendation is to move forward with Electro-Service for a bid amount of $634,875. Mr. Lickwola shared that $212,000 of the amount will be paid from a grant NHA received in 2025.
22-44 Vice Chair Bermudez-Montgomery moved to adopt:
b. Changes to the Travel Policy
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
Mr. Bovilsky provided the current travel policy and outlined the change that has been recommended. The change is that travelers may leave the day after the conference ends. The previous policy stated that commissioners could only stay that night if the conference ended after 2pm. Mr. Bovilsky explained this is a much cleaner way to approach the policy and appropriate so that travelers can fly at reasonable hours.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in Favor. Motion carried.
22-45 Commissioner Walcott moved to amend:
c. The Personnel Policy to include the IT Acceptable Use Policy
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
Mr. Bovilsky explained that NHA would like to add a section in the personnel policy that states that employees and commissioners must abide by the IT Acceptable Use Policy. The IT Acceptable Use policy will remain a separate document so that it can be evolved as technology changes.
Jeff Oduro took the floor to elaborate further on the policy. Mr. Oduro highlighted the section that has been added about free AI tool use and what is allowed on those platforms. Cell phones and iPads are now specifically addressed in the document as well.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in Favor. Motion carried.
22-46 Commissioner Walcott moved to approve:
d. 2026-2027 Ludlow Common Admin & Congregate Budget & the signing of the CHFA congregate services resolution
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
Charmaine Davis-Ford took the floor to present the Ludlow Common Admin & Congregate Budget. Ms. Davis-Ford stated this budget would be effective July 1st, 2026. Ms. Davis-Ford presented that the congregate plan covers all additional services that are provided at Ludlow Commons including 1 hot meal per day, 12 hours of housekeeping services, 24 hour attendants on duty and a part-time social services counselor. In addition, she presented there are assisted live in services to keep seniors in their familiar surroundings. Services range from basic assistance (between 1 to 3.75 hours per week) to extensive personal services (15 to 24 hours/day).
NHA is proposing rent of $916 (a $20 increase) and congregate services of $1,113 (a $30 increase). Residents only pay rent and congregate services based on income and the balance is subsidized by the state.
Mr. Bovilsky also presented the congregate services management plan, which is the resolution to be signed that aligns with the presented budget.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in Favor. Motion carried.
22-47- Commissioner Bermudez-Montgomery moved to table:
e. Adam Bovilsky to attend Executive Leadership "Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management" program at Harvard Business School.
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in Favor. Motion carried.
Mr. Bovilsky explained that the Harvard Business School sponsors someone from Norwalk each year. However, there were a lot of applicants and he was not chosen. He will continue to develop a relationship with that group and will apply for the scholarship next year.
22-48 Commissioner Walcott moved to authorize:
G. Charmaine Davis-Ford to attend ACFE Global Fraud Conference in Boston, MA.
Vice Chair Bermudez-Montgomery seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Unavailable at time of vote
Commissioner Jacobs
Motion carried.
Commissioner Walcott expressed his strong support in favor of training that can further help the agency prevent fraud.
22-49 Commissioner Walcott moved to adopt:
H. Minutes from February 19, 2026; February 26, 2026; March 19, 2026
Vice Chair Bermudez-Montgomery seconded the motion
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
Abstained
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Motion carried.
There were no edits to the meeting minutes.
New Business:
22-50 Vice Chair Bermudez-Montgomery moved to publish for public comment:
H. Preference for Displaced Individuals in ACOP
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in Favor. Motion carried.
Mr. Bovilsky explained that NHA was concerned that it would not have Section 8 vouchers available for people that it was displacing due to shortfall. Therefore, the organization is recommending an amendment in the ACOP to allow for families that NHA is displacing to get a priority for public housing.
Anna Keegan took the floor to elaborate that the language is the same as the language in the Section 8 admin plan giving preference to families that are displaced by NHA's development. Ms. Keegan is requesting that this be published for public comment and then later to have a public hearing to be able to place it in the ACOP.
In addition to the Shortfall concerns, Ms. Keegan explained that some tenants have trouble using Section 8 vouchers due to bad credit and other barriers. This will allow NHA to have a back-up option to vouchers if needed.
Chair Penn-Williams asked how much time tenants would be given to use a Section 8 voucher prior to moving to public housing. Ms. Keegan answered that would be subjective based on the advice of relocation counselors.
Chair Penn-Williams asked whether the tenant would lose their Section 8 voucher if they chose the public housing options. Mr. Bovilsky confirmed that the voucher would be lost if the public housing option was taken as a tenant cannot have both. However, if the tenant had a right of return, they could later leave public housing and return to the redeveloped building with a project-based voucher.
Chair Penn-Williams asked for further information on why this new policy was being proposed. Mr. Bovilsky stated the immediate concern was related to 79 South Main Street re-development and NHA's current Shortfall status.
Commissioner Walcott asked if NHA could provide some data on how many tenants had issues with Section 8 vouchers due to credit. Mr. Bovilsky stated that that information can be pulled for Soundview Landing and Meadow Gardens.
Mr. Bovilsky stressed this is just an additional option, and primarily for Mutual Housing families that currently don't have vouchers. The request today is just for approval to publish for public comment and the board will later vote on the substance.
Mr. Bovilsky confirmed that new business agenda item b (CHFA Board Resolution) was approved in the old business section.
22-51 Commissioner Walcott moved to authorize:
G. Commissioners & staff to attend the NERC NAHRO conference in North Falmouth, MA
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in Favor. Motion carried.
22-52 Commissioner Walcott moved to authorize:
G. Commissioners & staff to attend the NAHRO Summer Symposium in Nashville, TN
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in Favor. Motion carried.
Mr. Bovilsky noted that this conference will conflict with the scholarship reception.
22-53 Vice Chair Bermudez-Montgomery moved to authorize:
G. FSS Coordinators to attend Bi-Annual National FSS Conference in Chicago, IL
Commissioner Walcott seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in Favor. Motion carried.
22-54 Commissioner Walcott moved to authorize:
G. Commissioners and staff to attend the CONN NAHRO in Uncasville, CT
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in Favor. Motion carried.
Mr. Bovilsky requested that this item be added to the agenda as the conference information became available after the agenda was published.
22-55 Commissioner Walcott moved to adopt:
G. Meeting Minutes from April 9, 2026
Chair Penn-Williams seconded the motion.
Ayes
Chair Penn-Williams
Commissioner Issac Walcott
Commissioner Jacobs
All in Favor. Motion carried.
Abstained
Vice Chair Liza Bermudez-Montgomery
Gregory Lickwola took the floor to share the Modernization Department Report. He shared that 2026 funding is not yet received but is expected to be between $2.7m-$2.8m. Mr. Lickwola shared the current obligations and disbursements from 2022 through 2025, as well as the different sources of grants that NHA receives and their requirements.
Mr Lickwola shared that the following projects were completed in 2025:
• Security cameras at Fairfield
• Carbon Monoxide at King Kennedy & Main Ave
• Fire Alarm system at Senior Court
• Replacement of windows at Irving Freese
• Bathroom replacement at John Shostak, 20 West and Main Ave
• Boiler replacement at Irving Freese
• Sidewalk replacement at West Cedar Street
• Installation of heat pumps at Elmwood Apts.
• New windows, siding and doors at Main Ave
Mr. Lickwola also highlighted the following CDBG Projects that were completed in the last three years:
• ADA ramps at Chapel St.
• Replacement of siding, gutters and fascia at 30 Chestnut
• Replacement of handicap ramp at 20 West apt.
Lastly, Mr. Lickwola shared the following upcoming projects for 2026:
• Ludlow Village- Replacement of Bathrooms (Estimated cost- $500,000)
• Senior Court- Fire Alarm System (Estimated cost $700,000)
• Roodner Court- replacement of Bathrooms (Estimated Costs-$2,400,000)
• Main Avenue Apartments- repave parking lots (Estimated costs $170,000)
• Senior Court - Replace bathrooms (Capital Fund Costs-$720,000)
• Replacement of sidewalk at Seaview Apartments, Senior Court (Estimated costs-$ 225,000)
Charmaine Davis-Ford took the floor and presented the finance reports.
22-56 Vice Chair Bermudez-Montgomery moved to adjourn.
Commissioner Jacobs seconded the motion.
All in favor. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:06pm.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
Adam Bovilsky, Executive Director