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CHR inspections uncover maintenance issues

By Staff | Nov 23, 2012

JIM LINETTE Equipment and amenities on the playground at Mahogany Way will be getting an upgrade soon thanks to CHR volunteers and a donation from the Kiwanis Club. Mahogany Way is part of the CHR affordable housing program.

Maintenance and inspection of rental units was a top issue discussed at Monday’s board of directors meeting at Community Housing and Resources (CHR) as the organization continues to cope with the upkeep of multiple properties.

Recent inspections were conducted at Algiers, Beach Road, Rabbit Road, Riverview and Wooster units, according to board member Robin Moran. Maintenance work orders were generated by the inspection process while one unit presents multiple challenges related to simple cleanliness.

“I’m surprised we have had no complaints from neighbors about the filthy conditions,” said Moran. “I’m going to check back every month, but we need to start thinking about a process to get the place cleaned up.”

Tenants are ultimately responsible for keeping their units clean and tidy at their own expense, but the conditions at the problem unit may require additional tenant motivation or action by CHR.

A playground on the Mahogany Way campus soon will receive a facelift and upgrades to the play equipment. Labor is being provided by volunteers and a $2,500 grant from the island Kiwanis Club will help provide one new piece of playground equipment, mulch, paint and restoration to the swings and slide. Overgrown vegetation has been trimmed and removed with the help of Blades Earth Care over the summer, but still more needs to be done in that area.

The board also discussed the goals for its five-year plan. Board members and staff submitted surveys to rank a number of goal ideas and those rankings were the topic of discussion Monday night. After making clarifications and explanations, the revised list was sent back to committee to be formally written into a draft document to be brought back to the next general board meeting on Dec. 17.

Board member Ray Pavelka reported an agreement was reached with the private landlord of the Rabbit Road property ending several months of negotiations. Landlord Roy Perkins agreed to take on maintenance costs as well as monthly trash and sewer fees while the tenant, who signed a one-year lease directly with Perkins, will pay electric utilities.

“The landlord remains in the CHR program, but we only provide him with a qualified tenant,” said Pavelka.

Development committee chairman Tim Garmager reported progress on both the organization’s upcoming major fundraiser and the new marketing strategy. Local consultant Bill Waites has provided advice in this area and will continue to consult with the marketing committee.

CHR’s mardis gras night, the major fundraiser, is scheduled for Feb. 9 at the Dunes. It is a four-hour family friendly event slated to start at 5 p.m. with dancing, games and activities for kids and adults.