During the council meeting, Leonard Spicer provided an extensive overview of the NHA’s performance, revealing that the organization had been marked as troubled due to low scores in several evaluation areas. He outlined several short-term goals to address these issues, including a restructuring of the organization, a new centralized work order system, and a physical needs assessment aimed at improving customer service.

Councilman Gonzalez queried about the NHA’s zero score in the financial category, a concern that Spicer attributed to the missed deadline for submission. In a broader context, the exchange between Spicer and the council members underscored the need for improved financial controls within the NHA.

Councilman Ramos expressed support for Spicer’s appointment and discussed the need for efficiency, raising concerns about potential patronage positions and the balance between staff expenses and the funds allocated for housing rehabilitation. Spicer responded by stressing the importance of accountability and competitive hiring practices. New protocols were mentioned as part of an effort to address these concerns and improve the agency’s performance.

The NHA’s challenges extended to the physical conditions of the housing units, with council members specifically mentioning elevator issues. The need for better security measures and a closer relationship between housing managers and tenants was also highlighted. The council members recognized the importance of maintaining livable units and the collection of rent to ensure the NHA’s financial stability.

The presentation on estate planning presented by representatives of the Essex County Surrogate’s office addressed another issue. The team highlighted the significant number of Americans who die without a will, a problem exacerbated by the high death toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The surrogate’s team also discussed the process of adult guardianship, especially for children with special needs, and the importance of initiating this process well before the individual reaches adulthood. The council members showed interest in collaborating with the surrogate’s office to organize workshops and on-site planning sessions for estate planning.

The council meeting also included requests for updates on fire safety standards and employee benefits, as well as discussions about commercial vehicle citations. However, these topics did not dominate the conversation as much as the issues surrounding the NHA and the importance of estate planning.