For the second straight month, the embattled Morristown Housing Authority failed to muster a quorum for its public meeting.

Last month’s session got scrapped on short notice. On Monday, a half-hour meeting went forward with three commissioners and a dog, before a handful of spectators who found the correct venue.

The town website had posted the location as town hall. On Monday afternoon, the MHA website noted the meeting would be held at the seniors center on Ann Street.

ALMOST A QUORUM? Didi, a poochon recovering from surgery, accompanied Morristown Housing Authority Vice Chair Luma Oweis to meeting, April 22, 2024. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Attending were MHA Chairperson Martha Ballard; Vice Chair Luma Oweis, with Didi, her bichon poodle recuperating from surgery; and Commissioner Eva Turbiner, who delayed her Passover celebration to be there.

(In contrast, the Morristown council pushed its regular Tuesday meeting to Wednesday in recognition of this week’s Passover holidays.)

Missing on Monday were MHA Commissioners Nohemy Zabala, Derrick McCoy and Brian Carroll.

Also absent: Councilwoman Tina Lindsey, council liaison to the housing authority, and Mayor Tim Dougherty, a regular presence at MHA meetings since residents started sounding off last year about shoddy workmanship and other problems from the ongoing privatization of Morristown’s public housing.

For the second straight month, the Morristown Housing Authority lacks a quorum. From left: MHA attorney Frank Borin; Didi, an ailing bichon poodle (canines can’t vote!); Vice Chair Luma Oweis, Chair Martha Ballard, MHA Interim Director Allison Durham; and Commissioner Eva Turbiner. April 22, 2024. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Going private, via a federal program called RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration), has enabled tens of millions of dollars of renovations to public housing for families and seniors.

But the change also has raised questions about oversight and accountability, including the diminishing role of the MHA and how it plans to spend approximately $30 million from the 99-year lease of its properties.

Even the MHA website begs the question of who is in charge. Four months after she left to take her Second Ward council seat, Lindsey still is shown as an MHA commissioner. Carroll, her successor on the board, is not listed at all. The site’s “news & notices” section continues referring to meetings from last June and September.

FRUSTRATIONS, AND AN INVITATION

Monday’s lack of a quorum prevented the housing authority from voting to authorize bill payments. Those payments will go forward anyway, MHA Interim Director Allison Durham said after the meeting.

A resident of Manahan Village invited MHA commissioners — volunteers appointed by the town council — to come see what she considers sub-par renovations to her apartment.

She also raised health concerns about infrequent trash collection, and questioned why meeting transcripts no longer are available. The MHA stopped hiring a stenographer in 2019 and one is not legally required, answered Durham.

Tenant Sharitha Dawkins presents concerns to Morristown Housing Authority, April 22, 2024. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

The resident further contended that her complaint calls are being blocked by Orbach Affordable Housing Solutions LLC., the Bergen County company overseeing the privatization.

Orbach has no ability to block calls, a company representative responded at the meeting. Any tenants who cannot reach Orbach by phone should try email, Durham advised.

Asked about the search for a permanent replacement for Executive Director Keith Kinard, who quit in January, MHA Counsel Frank Borin said a newspaper ad is soliciting applications until May 29, 2024. Ads have not been placed in trade publications because they are expensive, Borin said.

Durham announced that the Marion Sally Center in Manahan Village soon may host Atlantic Health job recruitment drives, mental health workshops, and summer meal distributions and programs for kids.

The MHA should do more to publicize center events, countered former Councilwoman Tawanna Cotten, a Manahan Village resident. “Residents have a real need, and I don’t think those needs are being met…I don’t think we’re being provided the resources nor the programs that are deserved there,” Cotten said.

Sally Center activities are listed on the MHA website, Durham said.

“Can we do better? Sure,” the interim director said. “Everyone can do better and we will always try to do better.”