Danbury Housing Authority - Welcome · Author: Kevin Barry Created Date: 7/19/2016 11:10:56 AM
Hat City Housing Heraldhacdct.org/downloads/pdf/newsletter/fall_2012.pdf · 2016-05-21 ·...
Transcript of Hat City Housing Heraldhacdct.org/downloads/pdf/newsletter/fall_2012.pdf · 2016-05-21 ·...
To maintain the High
Performer designation
in the management of
Housing Choice Vouch-
er (Section 8) Program.
Develop quality hous-
ing that is affordable
and indistinguishable
from the surrounding
community.
Empower HACD em-
ployees and residents
through sponsored
training and education
programs.
Increase intergovern-
mental collaborative
between the Housing
Authority of the City of
Danbury and its net-
work of partners in
public safety and social
services delivery.
The Housing Authority of
the City of Danbury pre-
sented its Annual and Five
Year Plan to a public hear-
ing at 2 PM, October 14th at
the agency’s 2 Mill Ridge
Rd. offices.
Federal Law requires the
agency develop a plan with
input from public housing
and Housing Choice Vouch-
er participants, elected offi-
cials and the public.
HACD is one of the ten
largest public housing
authorities in the State of
Connecticut. It has in-
creased its housing stock
from 1133 to 1840 housing
units during the last eleven
years.
In developing the plan,
HACD will reach out to the
residents, public officials
and the public including
HACD’s resident leadership,
to elicit comments and rec-
ommendations. Comments
will also be received
through the mail during the
statutory review period.
Among the major initiatives
in this year’s plan are:
Improve the lives of our
residents through the
continued implementa-
tion of an effective As-
set Management strat-
egy.
To maintain Standard
Performer designation
through improvements
in the Agency’s core
property and financial
management
Housing Authority Presents Annual Plan
Wooster Manor and Putnam
Towers are receiving major
upgrades to common areas, a
project that is scheduled for
completion shortly after
Thanksgiving.
HACD is investing about
$450,000 of capital improve-
ment funds for the project.
Improvements are similar at
both sites. Asbestos was re-
moved, which required areas to
be isolated for about a week at
each site. Community rooms
and kitchens are being com-
pletely renovated.
The renovations
include floor and
ceiling replace-
ments, improved
lighting and new
windows and
doors.
Bathrooms at
both community
rooms are being
m a d e h a n d i -
capped accessible and will
meet ADA requirements.
All the improvements are
meant to be functional and to
add increased eye appeal for
residents and their quests.
The improvements are being
made while the buildings are
occupied in an effort to mini-
mize the impact on residents.
Hat City Housing Herald
Housing Authority, City of
Danbury
HACDCT.ORG
Fall 2012
Volume 4, Issue 4
Inside this issue:
Laurel Gardens
Benefits from Eagle
Scout Project
2
Glen Apartments
Weatherization
2
Housing Choice
Voucher High
Performer
2
What’s In A Name
Putnam Towers
3
America’s Fastest
Growing Crime
3
Senior’s Picnic
Photos
4
Laurel Gardens
Dedication Photo
4
Chairman,
Domenico Chieffalo.
Vice Chairman,
Raymond Yamin
Resident Commissioner,
James Zeh
Commissioner,
Stanley Watkins
Executive Director,
M. Carolyn Sistrunk
Renovations Refresh Wooster Manor and Putnam Towers
Lobby view of Wooster Manor after asbestos removal
Area officials gathered at the
Laurel Gardens basketball
court Saturday, September
29th, to dedicate the refur-
bished site . They were also
there to honor Alex Fish of
Ridgefield who’s Eagle Scout
Service Project resulted in the
new and greatly improved site.
On hand for the dedication
were Danbury Mayor Mark
Boughton and Ridgefield First
Selectmen Rudy Marconi. Also
present were city council mem-
bers, HACD board members
and other city officials.
Alex, a member of Troop 76,
has been working on the pro-
ject for most of the summer.
The effort took prior months of
planning and approval by the
boy scout district and council
officials, the HACD Board of
Directors and local officials.
Alex researched the need for
the project which he did with
the assistance of Danbury
Youth Services.
He also had to then deter-
mine the best available suppli-
er for the suspended court
surface.
Alex determined he needed a
budget of about $8,700—funds
which he had to raise. He then
needed to recruit volunteers to
help install the project. Alex
relied on friends, fellow scouts,
and several Laurel Garden
youth who will benefit from the
project. Many of these volun-
teers were on hand for the ded-
ication.
Alex and his team installed a
SportsCourt suspended basket-
ball surface—a series of snap-in
tiles. This surface provides a
safer playing area.
In addition to the new court
surface, Alex centered the
backboard supports, All new
backboards, hoops and nets
were installed.
Eagle Scout is the highest
rank attainable in the Boy
Scouts of America. President
Gerald Ford, New York Mayor
Mike Bloomberg and Secretary
of Defense Robert Gates were
Eagle Scouts. Eagle Scout
ranks also include several No-
bel Prize laurites.
Alex is the son of Dr. Daniel
and Geraldine Fish. He is a
junior at Ridgefield High School.
When asked what his future
aspirations were he responded
“Whatever career I pursue, I
hope to have a positive impact
on other people’s lives.”
(Event photo on page 4)
Eagle Scout Project Upgrades Laurel Basketball Court
Glen Apartments Weatherization Energy efficient interior and
exterior lighting is also being
installed.
Under a separate grant, win-
dows are being replaced in
those units heated with elec-
tricity. This grant has a value of
about $36,000.
HACD is seeking additional
funding to replace the windows
in those unity not covered in
the present grant.
The Housing Authority of the
City of Danbury’s Housing
Choice Voucher (Section 8)
Program recently achieved a
High Performer designation
from the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Develop-
ment.
This means that HACD’s Sec-
tion 8 Program attained a per-
formance rating of 90 or above
in fourteen key areas that
HUD measures through it’s
SEMAP measurement.
HACD’s program measured
125 points out of a possible
135 points.
This is the first time HACD
received this designation.
Work has begun at the Glen
Apartment to help keep resi-
dents warm this winter and
cooler next summer.
With a grant from Northeast
Utilities which provides nearly
$65,000 in funding, workers
are installing attic insulation in
all buildings. All doors are be-
ing weather-sealed and all fau-
cets and showers are being
upgraded with water saving
devices.
Page 2 Hat City Housing
Housing Choice Vouch-
er Program Designated
High Performer
CityCenter Farm-
ers’ Market Con-
tinues to Oct. 26
The CityCenter Farm-
ers’ Market at which
many of our residents
take advantage of the
farm-to-table bounty of
the Western Connecticut
region, remains open
until the end of the
month.
Open from 10 am to 4
pm vendors have plenty
of fall produce. Baked
goods and other items
are available.
Farmers’ Market Nutri-
tion Program (FMNP)
and Supplemental Nutri-
tion Assistance (SNAP)
Program vouchers are
accepted.
Wait Lists Open
Wait lists for State Mod-
erate Rental 2 bedroom,
Glen Apartments and
Crosby Manor efficiency
a p a r t m e n t s o p e n
Wednesday, October
17th.
Applications may be
picked up at the 2 Mill
Ridge Rd. office.
Applications must be
returned by mail only.
Volunteers who
helped refurbish the
Laurel Gardens court
hold certificates of
appreciation present-
ed by HACD Chairman
Chieffalo.
(K. Quallen photo)
Putnam Towers, Putnam
Drive, Putnam County, Putnam
Memorial State Park, Town of
Putnam. What do all these
sites have in common? All were
named to honor Revolutionary
war General Israel Putnam.
Gen. Putnam was born Janu-
ary 7, 1718 in what is now Dan-
vers, Mass. At the age of 22 he
moved to Pomfret, CT., to es-
tablish a farm because land
was cheaper in Connecticut.
Putnam took part in the
French and Indian War as a
member of Roger’s Rangers
and later lead a similar compa-
ny of rangers in Connecticut.
During a military exercise in
New York he was captured by a
band of Indians and was saved
from burning at a stake by a
French officer.
Outspoken against the British
taxation policies around the
time of the Stamp Act, he was
elected to Connecticut’s Gen-
eral Assembly.
A prosperous farmer and tav-
ern owner, Putnam received
news of the Battle of Lexington
and Concord in 1775. Working
in his fields he abandoned his
plow and rode 100 miles to
Cambridge to offer his services.
The next day Putnam was
named major general in what
became the Continental Army.
He was a primary participant at
the Battle of Bunker Hill—in its
planning and on the battle-
field.
In 1778-1779, Gen. Put-
nam’s troops encamped in
Redding when it was decided
that from that position it could
support the fortress at West
Point and cover the areas
around Long Island Sound.
From this camp they could
also protect nearby Danbury
which was burned the year
before by British troops and
resurrected to keep supplies
going to Gen. Washington’s
army.
This winter encampment is
now Putnam Memorial State
Park.
What’s In A Name — Putnam Towers and Putnam Drive
ID Theft — America’s Fastest Growing Crime
you have initiated the con-
tact.
Shred all documents—
including pre-approved
credit card applications—
received in your name;
insurance forms, bank
statements, bank checks
or similar financial instru-
ments.
Do not use your mother’s
maiden name, any part of
your social security num-
ber, phone number or oth-
er similar series of num-
bers as a password for
anything.
Do not put your social se-
curity number or telephone
number on your checks. If
a business requests such
information offer an alter-
native and explain why.
Minimize the number of
credit/debit cards you
carry.
Record the credit card
numbers, bank names,
customer service numbers
and keep in a secure place
in case of loss.
Be careful using ATMs.
Someone can look over
your shoulder as you use
them and get your PIN
number. Skimming devic-
es and pin-hole cameras
have been attached to
ATMs in an effort to steal
your information.
If ordering a new credit
card, make sure to track
the time until it is received
and notify the issuing bank
if it does not arrive within
the scheduled time.
Do not put your credit card
information of the internet
unless the site is encrypt-
ed.
Pay attention to your billing
cycles. Follow up with
creditors if bills do not
arrive on time. A missing
credit card bill could mean
an identify thief has taken
over your credit and
changed your billing ad-
dress.
The National Crime Prevention
Council provided information
for this article.
Over the past several
months Danbury Housing Au-
thority residents have reported
being victims of Identity Theft to
the Danbury Police Department.
The National Crime Prevention
Council calls ID Theft the fast-
est growing crime in America,
affecting half a million new
victims a year.
An imposter who obtains your
social security number, date of
birth, address or phone number
can apply for credit or order
goods over the interned. They
can also obtain credit cards or
other financial instruments in
your name.
“Dumpster Divers” pick up
information you may have dis-
carded in the trash such as
utility bills, credit card slips, and
other documents.
ID Theft impacts all age
groups from new born children
to senior citizens. Here as
some tips to avoid being victim-
ized:
Never give out personal
information over the
phone, through the mail, or
over the internet unless
Volume 4, Issue 4
The thing that is
really hard, and
really amazing,
is giving up on
being perfect
and beginning
the work of
becoming
yourself.
~Anna Quindlen
Page 3
Gen. David Wooster
General Israel Putnam
.
HACDCT.ORG
Housing Authority, City of Danbury
2 Mill Ridge Rd.
Danbury, CT 06811
Phone: 203 744-2500
Fax: 203 797-1864
The Authority's mission, in support of the
City of Danbury, is to provide safe, afford-
able and decent housing within the City of
Danbury
Hat City Housing Herald
Kevin N. Barry, Editor
203 744-2500 X115
Alex Fish (l) listens as Ridgefield First Selectman addresses attendees at
the dedication of the new basketball court at Laurel Gardens. Mayor
Mark Boughton and HACD Executive Director M. Carolyn Sistrunk also
spoke. Alex, of Ridgefield, refurbished the court as his Eagle Scout Ser-
vice Project. (S. Estefan photo)
Fun,
Friendship
and Food.
A good time
was had by all.
2012 Senior
Picnic