HADLEY — Responding to a series of complaints about how the Golden Court apartment complex is managed, the Select Board will help residents form a tenants association.
The board at its Aug. 4 meeting voted unanimously to have member Jane Nevinsmith help organize those living at the state-subsidized housing complex off Middle Street under the management of the Amherst Housing Authority. The complex includes 40 units for senior citizens and disabled individuals.
“I am concerned that some of our most vulnerable residents are not being treated as human beings, they’re talked down to and disrespected,” Nevinsmith said.
In advocating for the Select Board’s involvement, Nevinsmith said she would like to be appointed to serve as a liaison to a tenants association that will aim to improve the quality of life for residents and give them a voice in what happens at the property.
Complaints she has heard from a number of tenants include having no full-time person on site, lack of an on-site maintenance person and limited repairs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and grievances that are not responded to. Some of these issues have developed since the Amherst Housing Authority took over management two years ago as part of a state Department of Housing and Community Development effort promoting efficiencies.
The board’s decision marks the first time that it has gotten involved at Golden Court, previously letting elected and appointed commission for the Hadley Housing Authority handle complaints.
Pamela Rogers, executive director of the Amherst Housing Authority, said Monday that since assuming management the 62 people who make their homes at Golden Court have seen improved services, including more maintenance on site to handle work orders and added hours for staff members.
COVID-19, Rogers said, has meant more deferred work orders, but these are still being done in the priority order in which they are received.
Rogers added that she supports having a tenants association and had advised Golden Court residents, like those at Belchertown properties, to seek help through the Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants.
“It’s a welcome thing,” Rogers said, noting some tenants might be too timid to bring up issues without one. “If Miss Nevinsmith wants to help form a tenants association, that’s wonderful.”
For Judy Roncalli, a 17-year-resident of the property, the Select Board involvement will be helpful in reviving a tenants association that existed in the past, but then fell apart.
“We’re thrilled,” Roncalli said.
Roncalli said two issues need to be addressed, communication and how people are treated. “They treat us so bad over here,” Roncalli said.
Roncalli’s complaints have included limited response to repairs that need to be done and the removal of a tree last year over objections by residents. The tree, she said, was a gathering spot and provided needed shade.
“That was so heartbreaking,” Roncalli said, comparing it to the recent removal of cherry trees on Warfield Place in Northampton.
Rogers, though, said trees were too large, posing dangers to the property, and that the space where tenants got together was too close to one of the dwellings.
Nevinsmith said she has been working with Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and Rep. Dan Carey, D-Easthampton, to let them know about the concerns.
The board intends to invite representatives from the Hadley Housing Authority to a meeting later this month to learn more about the situation.