10.8.2026 Housing Authority

Meeting summary The Fall River Housing Authority met on October 8, 2026, and handled several routine administrative and modernization matters. During resident input, Ed Gagnon of the Fall River Joint Tenants Council reported on the Massachusetts Union of Public Housing annual conference in Marlborough, noting that Vice Chairman David Underhill was reelected as chairman for an additional two-year term, and highlighted a forthcoming no-cost computers-for-seniors initiative. Following public input, the board approved the prior meeting minutes, bills and vouchers, eight monthly management reports, the August 2026 financial reports, and the state quarterly operating statements for the period ending June 30, 2026. The Executive Director provided updates on recent internal staffing promotions, the rollout of seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics across elderly housing sites, and preparations for the annual plan submission to HUD led by Martha Gallagher. In modernization and procurement business, the board approved a certificate of substantial completion for tree removal and site improvements at Stanley and Ray Streets by Chestnut Tree and Landscape, and approved Change Order No. 6 for $8,322.56 covering panel replacements, fire drill controls, and monitoring extensions at Chor-Bishop Eid Apartments, Bates and Orswell Streets, and Stanley and Ray Streets. The board also awarded a contract to Empire Ford for a 2026 Ford Transit cargo van in the amount of $55,224.25. Before adjourning, the board voted to approve the HUD public housing flat rent schedule effective October 1, 2026 through January 1, 2027, as well as the updated HUD Section 8 payment standards and fair market rents taking effect on December 1, 2026. Topics discussed Resident Input and Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Conference Ed Gagnon shared updates from the annual conference in Marlborough, David Underhill's reelection, and a upcoming senior computer initiative. Regular Meeting Minutes Approval of the previous meeting minutes. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting — approved Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting Bills and Vouchers Approval of housing authority vouchers and payments. Approval of bills and communications vouchers — approved Approval of bills and communications vouchers Management Reports Acceptance of eight standard monthly departmental and modernization reports. Acceptance of eight management reports as read — approved Acceptance of eight management reports as read August 2026 Financial Reports Approval of monthly financials for August 2026. Approval of monthly financial reports for August 2026 — approved Approval of monthly financial reports for August 2026 State Quarterly Operating Statements ending 6/30/2026 Approval of state quarterly operating reports for the quarter ending June 30, 2026. Approval of state quarterly operating statements for period ending June 30, 2026 — approved Approval of state quarterly operating statements for period ending June 30, 2026 Executive Director's Update Report on internal staff promotions, elderly vaccine clinics, and upcoming Resident Advisory Board meetings for the 2027 HUD annual plan. Certificate of Substantial Completion for Stanley and Ray Street Approval of substantial completion for tree removal and site improvement project DOHLC #095202 completed by Chestnut Tree and Landscape on September 18, 2026. Approval of Certificate of Substantial Completion for site improvement and tree removal project at Stanley and Ray Street (DOHLC #095202) by Chestnut Tree and Landscape — approved Approval of Certificate of Substantial Completion for site improvement and tree removal project at Stanley and Ray Street (DOHLC #095202) by Chestnut Tree and Landscape Change Order No. 6: Electrical Panel Replacement and Smoke Alarms Approval of an $8,322.56 change order for fire drill hand controls and monitoring extension across multiple apartment sites. Approval of Change Order No. 6 for targeted Federal Pacific panel replacement and smoke alarm system in the amount of $8,322.56 — approved Approval of Change Order No. 6 for targeted Federal Pacific panel replacement and smoke alarm system in the amount of $8,322.56 Procurement of 2026 Ford Transit Cargo Van Award of vehicle purchase contract to Empire Ford for $55,224.25 following the rejection of a non-responsive bid from Gervais Ford. Award of contract to Empire Ford for a 2026 Ford Transit cargo van in the amount of $55,224.25 — approved Award of contract to Empire Ford for a 2026 Ford Transit cargo van in the amount of $55,224.25 HUD Flat Rent Schedule and Section 8 Payment Standards Approval of updated HUD flat rent schedule and HUD Section 8 fair market rent payment standards. Approval of HUD public housing flat rent schedule effective October 1, 2026 through January 1, 2027 — approved Approval of HUD public housing flat rent schedule effective October 1, 2026 through January 1, 2027 Approval of HUD Section 8 payment standards fair market rents effective December 1, 2026 — approved Approval of HUD Section 8 payment standards fair market rents effective December 1, 2026 Links Read the meeting summary Watch the full meeting