Selectmen reach out on Phoenix Court resident complaints

Kerry O'Brien News Staff Writer TEMPLETON — The Board of Selectmen recently reached out to the state Department of Housing and Community Development on behalf of several residents of the Phoenix Court housing development at 99 Bridge St. who say ongoing issues of maintenance and responsiveness from staff at the site are not being addressed. “We’ve gone to (the Templeton Housing Authority) so many times in the past and nothing happens. It’s ridiculous,” said resident Michael Casavant. “If something comes up, it gets swept under the carpet every time.” Louise Chaffee, director of the housing authority, said the complaints are “invalid.” “We have done tons of stuff to improve the property, and they’re picking on these little things,” she said. Phoenix Court is a 37-year-old housing development with 60 low-income apartments operated by the Templeton Housing Authority. The authority is operated by a director and an elected board of commissioners under the oversight of the state Department of Housing and Community Development. The selectmen do not have authority over the management of Phoenix Court or the housing authority, but allowed several upset residents of Phoenix Court to make their case recently during a meeting. “It’s my intention to have this discussed here,” said selectmen Chairman Jeffrey Bennett. “I feel it is the responsibility of the board to hear things and listen to them. If we want to support items in town, we can’t ignore residents and then turn around and ask things of them.” Mr. Casavant, resident Jean Morton and several others who declined to be identified claim that sand from last winter has yet to be swept up, grass and hedges are left to grow uncontrollably, exits aren’t shoveled out in the winter and the facility’s maintenance manager refuses to tend to resident’s concerns. “It’s shameful,” said Ms. Morton. “It looks like an abandoned lot,” Mr. Casavant said. “We’re the only two that came forward, but there’s a bunch of other residents behind us.” Ms. Chaffee said the residents did not take the proper course of action to have their complaints addressed, and that they never brought their issues to the local housing commissioners. She said the housing authority did receive the selectmen’s letter, and indicated that officials will be addressing that document and residents’ concerns at the commissioners’ next meeting, which is likely to be held Sept. 11. Ms. Chaffee also said she has received confirmation that state officials received the selectmen’s letter, and will be providing a written response.