SUNDAY, APRIL 2

3:00 PM                     REGISTRATION Hotel Lobby

5:00 PM                     WELCOME RECEPTION Atrium

MONDAY, APRIL 3

8:00 AM                          REGISTRATION Eden Vale Foyer

8:00 AM                      CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Eden Vale AB

Sponsored by: Driscoll & Driscoll, P.C.

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM    OPENING PLENARY SESSION Eden Vale AB

Welcome and MassNAHRO Update

MassNAHRO President and Executive Director will update members on the Association’s activities and progress since the last conference and provide insight on what’s in store going forward.  This session will also offer an overview of the agenda, speakers and extra activities that make up the 2023 Spring Conference.

Presenters: Kelley Cronin, Interim President, MassNAHRO; Donna Brown-Rego, Executive Director, MassNAHRO

Guest Speakers: The Honorable Kim Driscoll, Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth

John Gollinger, Executive Director, Waltham H.A.

Jeannette A. McCarthy, Mayor of Waltham

DHCD Update

Join DHCD staff for an update on the latest with State housing programs.

9:30 AM           EXHIBITION OPENS   Eden Vale Foyer

9:45 AM – 11:00 AM      CONCURRENT SESSIONS       

Tenant Board Member Dos and Don’ts Concord Ballroom

The job of a Board Member is vitally important for a housing authority to run effectively. Tenant members on the board are generally considered to help ensure that the interests of both the housing authority and tenants are considered in the board’s decision-making process. This interactive session will identify the do’s and don’ts of meetings in order for you to have the tools to effectively fulfill your responsibilities and assist in the governance of your LHA. This session will provide a presentation and discussion as to the collective role and legal responsibilities of your LHA Board, as well as the role of each individual member including the tenant member of the Board. Discussion will focus on the BOC as it oversees various functions of the LHA.

Moderator: Caileen Foley, Executive Director, Lexington H.A.

Presenter: Jeff Driscoll, Executive Director, Medford H.A.

Learning from Insurance Claims to Improve Safety &

Loss Control in State-Aided Housing Programs   Eden Vale C

This presentation will explore the Massachusetts State-Aided Affordable Housing Insurance Program’s recent claims with the goal to help LHAs identify claim risks. Relevant incidents will be reviewed with safety tips shared. We will also review the claim process and accident investigation process so you will be prepared when claims happen. We will discuss the purpose of loss control within the insurance industry, focusing on both property and crime loss control.  Risk Control consultant will discuss how to conduct an occupancy hazard analysis. At this session you will hear recommendations to reduce the frequency and severity of loss and learn how to identify potential risks related to fire, flood, crime or accidents. 

Moderator: Colleen Doherty, Executive Director, Taunton H.A., Stoughton H.A., Bridgewater H.A.

Presenters: Sarah O’Leary, Risk Management Specialist, DHCD; Robert Garrett, Facilities Management Supervisor, DHCD; Matthew McDermott, Risk Control Consultant, Brown & Brown of MA, LLC

Understanding Resident Relocation Requirements

and Best Practices to Support Residents Cambridge Room

This session will help attendees understand relocation requirements for housing authorities if you are planning apartment rehabilitation and/or leveraging federal and state resources for public housing replacement.  Different financing sources trigger different relocation requirements for residents.  Planning ahead provides housing authorities the opportunity to engage with their residents and support a smooth process that will save projects time and money.

Presenters: Susan Connelly, COO and Principal, Housing Opportunities Unlimited;

Kate McGuire, Executive Director, Ipswich H.A., Hamilton H.A., Salisbury H.A.

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM    DHCD RESOURCE ROOM     Emerson

11:00 AM         COFFEE BREAK WITH EXHIBITORS   Eden Vale Foyer

Sponsored by: Fenton, Ewald and Associates, P.C. & TAG Associates

11:15 AM – 12:45 PM     CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Smoke Free Policy Enforcement Cambridge Room

Is the policy your agency implemented years ago being enforced? Are the non-smoking residents complaining that nothing is being done about their smoking neighbors?  Are you struggling with ways to document someone violating your policy? This session will provide proven steps to take in the process of successfully penalizing and even evicting residents who continuously violate these policies.

Moderator: Donna Brown-Rego, Executive Director, MassNAHRO

Presenter: Louise Marcus Esq., Marcus Law, LLC

Cybertheft, Data Breaches, and General Cyber Security Issues Eden Vale C

Cybertheft and data breaches can be detrimental to your agency resulting in check fraud, violation of privacy of personal information, and network attacks. Many housing authorities are working with their financial institutions to implement automated cash-management services to deter check fraud. Come hear from the experts about Positive Pay and other recommendations to protect against cybertheft and keep your operations secure.

Moderator: Jen Polito, Executive Director, Concord H.A.

Panelists: Kristen Hartman, Product Specialist, Citizens Bank; Michael Guyder CPA, Partner, Marcum LLP; Jason Kane, Risk Advisory Supervisor, Marcum LLP

Managing Difficult Tenant Interactions Concord Ballroom

As Executive Directors and staff in a housing authority, you wear many hats.  In addition to fiscal management, personnel and board administration and support, tenant interaction is a large part of your day-to-day operations.  This session is an opportunity to hear from your peers who are social workers, resident service coordinators and the VP of family services discuss difficult tenant interactions and how they addressed the challenging situations.  This is an interactive session and participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and join in on the conversation.

Moderator: Jaclyn Martin Esq., Attorney, Turk & Milone

Panelists: Edlin Ortiz, VP of Family Services, Worcester H.A.; Cathy Hoog, Executive Director, Salem H.A., and Marblehead H.A., Matt Frank, Supportive Services Manager, Chelsea Housing Authority

12:45 PM                 LUNCH Eden Vale AB

Presentation of Massachusetts Public Housing Administrator & Board member Certification Graduates

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM      CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Common Personnel Issues Eden Vale C

This program will cover a variety of topics, including updates to MassNAHRO's template personnel policies, pandemic-related requirements in a post-pandemic world, and other employment-related issue of note.  There will be time to "ask the attorney".

Moderator: Lisa Audette, Executive Director, Franklin H.A. & Norfolk H.A.

Presenter: Michelle Randazzo Esq., Attorney, KP Law

Service and Assistance Animals in Public Housing Concord Ballroom

The terms Service Animal, Assistance Animal, Emotional Support Animal, Comfort Animal, Companion Animal and Therapy Animal are often used but, in many cases, misunderstood. What do Service and Emotional Support Animal identification cards mean? Can a PHA ask for verification of animal training? If a Pet Policy does not apply are there any restrictions?  What about exotic animals? HUD and DHCD have both recently issued Notices to clarify some of these issues. From Monkey to Snake to Minatare Horse….. What is the analysis?  Come to this session for discussion of the various definitions and tests and a review of recent HUD and DHCD Guidance regarding the same.

Moderator: Mark Roy, Executive Director, Canton H.A.

Presenter: Manette Donovan Esq., Attorney, Law Office of Manette Donovan

Maintenance Best Practices and Return to Work Policies Cambridge Room

Housing authority operations and the way we do business are changing all the time. The relationship between maintenance and administration is important and must operate efficiently and effectively. Learn about some innovative maintenance practices and initiatives you may want to replicate at your agency, including interagency agreements for ‘borrowing’ staff, implementation of daily “safety huddles” to improve behavior and efficiency, and using a loss control consultant to improve operations! Housing authorities of all sizes from very small to very large will benefit from this sessions.

Moderator: Jen Polito, Executive Director, Concord H.A. 

Presenter: Dave Matosky, Operations Director, First American Insurance Agency/CMS; Gary Dean, Director of Maintenance, Salem & Marblehead H.A.; Bruce Budrick, Director of Facilities, Amherst H.A.; Bruce McCarrien, Director of Facilities, Beverly H.A.

3:45 PM – 5:00 PM             CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Mental Health Conditions and Legal Elements Concord Ballroom

How can we accomplish coordinating services and enforcing the lease with the intensely increased prevalence of mental health conditions in our communities and what is our responsibility?  This workshop is an opportunity for staff to learn how to recognize some common mental health conditions for the purposes of forming the best plan of action to help.  The workshop will also cover how utilizing creative court agreements can help our residents stabilize their housing while also addressing the legal aspects of lease violations and help us with our responsibility of lease enforcement.  Participants will have an opportunity to join in discussion on how to address challenging situations creatively and ask questions to the presenters, an Attorney and a Therapist!  Agenda topics will cover thinking outside the box to manage, utilizing resources, the importance of partnerships and supporting staff.  The workshop is appropriate for Service Coordinators, Department Heads, Housing Managers and Executive Directors.

Moderator: Pamela Rogers, Executive Director, Amherst H.A., Belchertown H.A.

Presenters: Cathy Hoog, Executive Director, Salem H.A., and Marblehead H.A.; Caitlin P. Milone Esq., Partner, Turk and Milone

CHAMP and Centralized Screening Update Eden Vale C

With the state moving towards centralized screening of housing priorities, there are lot of changes coming soon that will make it easier for Housing Authorities to work through their waitlists and fill units!  DHCD will provide updates on upcoming CHAMP and policy changes regarding tenant selection in state programs.  This panel will also introduce Archipelago Strategies Group (ASG), the state’s chosen vendor for centralized screening for AHVP, State Public Housing, and MRVP.

Moderator: Jack Nagle, Executive Director, Arlington H.A.

Panelists: George King, Data Systems and Performance Analyst, DHCD; Cecilia Woodworth MRVP Specialist, DHCD, Andrew Clinton, CHAMP Project Manager, DHCD; Chris Devore, Director of the Bureau Housing Management, DHCD; Josiane Martinez, Founder and CEO, ASG; Jacob Edelman, Associate Director, Contact Center Operations, ASG

Financial Management Cambridge Room

This session is beneficial for Executive Directors, staff and board members – new and seasoned. It will cover aspects of financial management including: Introduction to Budgeting - guidelines, tools, preparation, board & staff involvement, deciphering between line items; Understanding the results of the budget, financial condition of your programs and how it affects your AUP & PMR; Definition of Housing Programs & Funding Sources; Executive Director Salary Calculation; Forms and Documentations; Certifications and Approvals. Attendees will get sample documents and instruction from an expert fee accountant, as well as the perspective from an Executive Director.

Presenter: Teresa Ewald, CPA, Fenton, Ewald and Associates

5:00 - 6:00 PM    NETWORKING RECEPTION Eden Vale Foyer

Sponsored by: MassNAHRO Insurance Group

Last chance to meet the vendors and see the products and services they offer your agency.

TUESDAY, APRIL 4

7:30 AM                      CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Eden Vale AB

    Sponsored by: WSD Digital, LLC

8:00 AM - Public Housing Law Group Meeting Emerson

The Public Housing Law Group was recently formed to assist housing law practitioners and LHA executive staff members with law degrees to collaborate with one another to resolve current and trending legal questions that impact our industry. To be eligible to join this group you must be a MassNAHRO member and either a licensed attorney working in housing law, or a senior/executive staff member with a Juris Doctorate degree (with or without a law license) at housing authority or community development agency. At this first official meeting of the group, eligible members will begin conceptualizing the group’s early objectives, including events and programming to foster their collaboration, as well as services to the rest of our members.

* This special event is open to registered conference attendees only.

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM  CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Housing Opportunities through Modernization Act (HOTMA) Cambridge Room

HUD is currently in the process of implementing the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA). Provisions in sections 102, 103, and 104 of HOTMA will impact income reviews, asset limits for tenants, and over-income residents in public housing. This session will walk attendees through everything a PHA needs to know about the HOTMA sections 102, 103, and 104 rule to make sure your agency is prepared to implement these new provisions.

Moderator: Caileen Foley, Executive Director, Lexington H.A.

Presenter: Tushar Gurjal, Senior Policy Advisory, NAHRO

Successful Public Housing Development Models Eden Vale C

Many public housing authorities have surplus land which they would like to develop.  In the present funding environment, there are public and private resources which are available to finance housing authority development projects.  There are also state regulations and recent administrative decisions which apply to any HA developments.  Learn about development options and considerations in planning for any development on HA land. Public housing redevelopment is not just for the large agencies. Hear from a medium and small housing authority about how they began the process of financing the redevelopment and development of units.

Panelists: Kelley Cronin, Executive Director, Acton H.A.; Mike Lara, Executive Director, Watertown H.A.; Kurt James, Partner, KJP Partners LLP; Sue Cohen Esq., General Counsel, Cambridge H.A.; Margaret Donnelly Moran, Director of Planning and Development, Cambridge H.A.

Post Pandemic Rent Collection Concord Ballroom

Rent collection in Massachusetts is challenging in the best of times. Throw in a global pandemic and it may feel like a near-impossible endeavor. This training will explore the impact that the pandemic has had on rent collection practices in public housing - with a special focus on the courts - and offer practical solutions for fighting this uphill battle. Questions and class engagement welcome. Real world case examples will be utilized.

Moderator: Jaclyn Martin Esq., Attorney, Turk & Milone

Presenter: Jonathan Driscoll Esq., Partner, Driscoll & Driscoll

10:15 AM – 11:45 PM             CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Ask the Attorneys Eden Vale C

Attorneys will lead an interactive roundtable touching on the latest hot legal topics in housing and real-life examples of how to avoid the legal trouble. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask your questions and get answers from legal experts for only the price of admission!

Panelists: Caitlin Milone Esq., Partner, Turk and Milone, Jaclyn Martin Esq., Attorney, Turk and Milone; Jonathan Driscoll, Partner, Driscoll & Driscoll

Pros and Cons of Management Agreements Concord Ballroom

Come hear the agencies throughout the Commonwealth who are currently in management agreements - as the managing entity and managed. This session will be geared towards housing authority staff as well as board members. Listen to the positives and negatives to see if a management agreement is the best choice for your agency!

Panelists: Colleen Doherty, Executive Director, Taunton H.A., Stoughton H.A, Bridgewater H.A.; Kate McGuire, Executive Director, Ipswich H.A., Hamilton H.A., & Salisbury H.A.; Lisa Audette, Executive Director, Franklin H.A. & Norfolk H.A.; Heidi Compagnone, Board Member, Norfolk H.A.

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Cambridge Room

Attend this session to learn everything you need to know about HUD’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) proposed rule. This session will help you better understand the proposed actions that program participants must take to meet their Fair Housing Act duties. Learn about HUD’s proposed Equity Plan, public participation requirements, submission requirements, and compliance. Time will be provided at the end of the session for Q&A. The proposed rule applies to PHAs and jurisdictions and insular areas that must submit consolidated plans. 

Moderator: Diane Cohen, Director of Admissions, Occupancy & Compliance, Somerville H.A.

Presenter: Tushar Gurjal, Senior Policy Advisory, NAHRO

11:45 AM          COFFEE BREAK

Co-Sponsored by: Turk & Milone, LLP & Hayley & Aldrich

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM              ROUNDTABLES

Join your colleagues for open discussion to share best practices, ask questions, and make new acquaintances. Three separate roundtables:

Executive Director Eden Vale C

Board Member Concord Ballroom

Staff Emerson

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM                  LUNCH Eden Vale AB

2:00 PM  The Role of the OIG and Housing Authority Operations Eden Vale AB

The Office of the Inspector General is charged with preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse in the use of public funds and assets in Massachusetts. In this session, the recently appointed Inspector General, will review the role his office has in providing guidance to housing authorities and present common instances of conflict of interest and procurement violations all housing authority board members and staff should be sensitive to. 

Moderator: Kelley Cronin, Executive Director, Acton H.A.

Presenter: Jeffrey S. Shapiro, Inspector General of Massachusetts