Housing Authority moves forward into 2015

Dec 23, 2014

A little more than a year after a scathing report from the state on its financial and management practices, the Wareham Housing Authority appears to be out of the woods and looking toward the future.

“All those issues are resolved as far as I’m concerned,” said Jane Donahue, Housing Authority board member.

Donahue was appointed to the board by Gov. Deval Patrick in January. The Housing Authority Board is made up of four elected members and a state-appointed member, who all hold five-year terms.

Donahue’s appointment came after a tumultuous 2013 that saw three board members and the executive director, Pam Sequeira, resign.

The resignations came amid a September 2013 report from the state that said the Housing Authority failed to produce a budget for 2013, had inadequate accounting practices and an incorrect application screening processes, just to name a few things.

Because of this, the Housing Authority did not receive its full state subsidy for 2013.

The Housing Authority is a a state-funded program under the Department of Housing and Community Development that operates the Agawam Village and Redwood Park housing complexes for low-income senior citizens and disabled adults in Wareham.

“2015 will be a transition year. We hope to conclude it on a more positive note,” said Bob Powilatis, chairman of the Housing Authority Board. He said the organization has received all of the past subsidies it was owed by the state.

At a meeting last Friday, board members, along with Housing Authority Director Jacqueline Hickey, discussed its proposed budget for next year. They anticipate finishing next year in the black, as they have done in years past.

Last year the board had a $26,365 profit that went into its reserves.

At the meeting the board also voted to put $40,000 into an interest bearing account at Eastern Bank.

“We’re trying to improve our bottom line and show we’re managing our money properly,” Powilatis said.