40R HIGHLAND AVENUE - LETTER FROM SENATOR JOAN LOVELY ABOUT ISSUES IMPORTANT MESSAGE
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JOINT COMMITTEE ON RULES
ay SV0 SENATE COMMITTEE ON RULES
SENATOR JOAN B.LOVELY Vice Chair
ASSISTANT MAJORITY LEADER SENATE COMMITTEE ON
Second Essex DJstrIct BILLS IN THE THIRD READING
STATE HOUSE, ROOM 413D JOINT COMMITTEE ON HOUSING
BOSTON, MA 02133-1053
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
TEL. (617) 722-1410 REIMAGINING MASSACHUSETTS
JOAN.LOVELY@MASENATE.GOV SENATE COMMITTEE ON
W WW.MASENATE.GOV GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
STEERING AND POLICY
Aaron Gornstein September 1St, 2022
President and CEO
Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH)
2 Oliver Street
Boston, MA 02109
Dear President Gornstein:
As the Senator representing Salem, Peabody, and Danvers, I write to you on behalf of residents
who reside at the Fairweather senior apartments located at 40R Highland Avenue in Salem, 20
Central Street in Peabody, and 11 Porter Street in Danvers, owned and operated by POAH. My
office has heard from several constituents who reside in these buildings with a number of
concerns. I would like to respectfully request a meeting to discuss the concerns outlined in this
letter.
I. Notices to quit received by residents for alleged nonpayment of rent (Salem & Danversl
Residents of the Salem and Danvers complexes have informed my office that a number of
residents have received notices to quit due to non-payment of rent. Upon residents inquiring
with building management,they were found to have paid rent for the months in question.
It has been suggested to our office that there may be an issue with the record-keeping,
particularly that any remaining balance showing on a resident's account is being attributed to
non-payment of rent, which allegedly stems from an issue with POAH's subsidies. We are
concerned about the distress this is causing for elderly residents and that residents may pay
additional rent out of fear of losing their housing.
II. Temporary displacement of Salem residents RECEIVED
S E P 12 2022
CITY OF SALEM
BOARD OF HEALTH
sou L«1
Our office was also informed that the residents of approximately 15 units at the Salem complex
are being informed that they must temporarily move to a hotel for six weeks while renovations
are completed in the units. We are pleased to hear about these investments in improvements
for accessibility. However, residents are concerned about lack of assistance with packing and
moving. Moreover, there is concern about particularly vulnerable residents who will be
negatively impacted by displacement. We have heard from one resident who has been
diagnosed with terminal cancer and has recently started treatment and is not being offered
assistance with moving. We were also informed about a resident amputee who uses a scooter
and is concerned about accessibility in a hotel room.
We would appreciate if POAH could advise us as to the accommodations and assistance being
offered to the affected residents.
III. Living conditions and building management Salem & Peabody)
In Salem, we have heard from residents who are concerned about the sanitary conditions inside
and outside the building, in addition to issues with the building management. We received the
attached letter from an anonymous group of residents that are deeply concerned about the
following issues:
o Sanitary and pest issues: overflowing trash, bed bugs, cockroaches, mice, soiled carpets,
lack of cleaning of common areas
o Difficulties in communication with and lack of responsiveness from management and
staff
o Fear of retaliation and allegations of bullying
o Theft of packages, especially those belonging to the homebound
o Maintenance and plumbing issues: dripping faucets, blocked sinks, washer and dryers
o Lack of social worker or activities coordinator to support residents and check on
vulnerable residents
o Lack of security and unauthorized residents having access to the building
o Broken down vehicles left in parking lots and mechanic work being done in parking lot
o Disruptive behavior of residents involving alcohol
o Lack of dedicated space and elevator for pets
o Lack of ventilation and air conditioning in all units
o Excessive heating of common areas throughout the year
We understand that Burgess Pest Management has been contracted for the pest control issues
in Salem and appreciate the steps that have been taken to date. My office was informed that
the trash is scheduled to be emptied three times a week, regarding which we have received
some conflicting reports from residents on the consistency of the trash removal. We
understand that management has received additional recommendations from the Salem Health
Department, including adding an additional dumpster solely for recycling purposes and adding a
security camera to catch potential illegal dumping. Another resident is also concerned about
flooding in the building during heavy storms and the resultant water damage. We were
informed that this may allegedly be due to an issue with an exterior wall of the building, on
which some repairs have been attempted, but have not solved the issue.
We have also received concerns about similar issues at the Peabody location. My office has
heard concerns about the sanitary conditions in the building, including units with severe mold
problems, mice and cockroach infestation, all exacerbated by moisture between floors and in
walls due to flooding. We were informed that spraying for cockroaches has been conducted
multiple times, but the problem persists.
My office was also informed that the resident in Unit 109 smokes in his unit, resulting in air
quality issues for residents and fears of fire safety. This resident allegedly has some medical
issues and allegedly uses the sink as a toilet.
We would like to bring your awareness to the issues we are hearing from multiple residents.
We would also greatly appreciate a meeting on these matters and can be contacted at (617)
722-1410 or Joan.Lovelv A�'-masenate.i-ov.
I look forward to hearing from you and please do not hesitate to contact my office with any
questions or concerns.
gtate
Bards Lovely
enator
Second Essex Distri
CC:
David Greenbaum, Health Agent, Salem Board of Health
Sharon Cameron, Director of Peabody Health Department
Frank Giacalone, Director of Danvers Health Department
Keyla Camilo, Building Manager, Salem Fairweather
From Residents of 4011 Highland Ave., Salem, MA
Fairweather Apartments
We are a group of residents/workers at Fairweather apartments in Salem, Ma
There are a number of problems at this location,40R Highland Ave,Salem, MA—the office staff cannot
address the complaints,they have no manners in dealing with the elderly.Some of the staff can't even
speak English and it is very difficult to talk to the person and try to make them understand our plight.
The office door is locked when staff is on board, the office personnel do not want to be bothered by the
residents. One can never reach a staff person via phone. Requests are not addressed.Why does the
office have personnel and they DO NOT want to work with tenants?
There should be an authority board to address the disgusting issues at this location.We need
assistance.....there are trash problems with the dumpster, units have bed bugs, roaches, mice.There is
trouble receiving packages that are delivered to the building complex. Some of us can't get out and we
order paper towels over the phone to be delivered,the items are delivered, but someone takes the
items that do not belong to them. Washing machines and dryer issues. Dripping faucets,stopped up
sinks, trash issues.
There are no activities going on in the building since Covid 19—can't an activity person be appointed to
break up the monotony before the winter sets in. What about a social worker to assist some of us.
People who live here, take in their relatives,grandchildren to live with them here in the apartment,the
building is no longer secure because everyone has keys. Cars are parked here and the vehicles are
broken down and left here.There are only a few handicap parking spaces,the spanish descent seem to
over power everything here. We all need a roof over our heads, but the retaliation is very bad if anyone
speaks up, bullying, our building corridors have no fans, no air conditioning, the carpets are a mess and
there is very little cleaning service provided.Certain tenants drink alcohol to the point of blacking out,
some of the tenants are seniors, but a good majority are of another ethic background. Younger people
work on the mechanics of their cars in our parking lot.That is suppose to be prohibited.Tenants can
have a cat or dog, but there is no where to walk the animal. Two elevators only and certain residents
want the elevator without dogs or cats on it.
Not all tenants have an air conditioner or fans with the summer heat. Why can't some of the funds
being held from the PPP be provided to make the senior housing places a better place to live. Because
the rent is low,we shouldn't have to live under these various circumstances.Why doesn't someone
implement a "cooling" center at the complex. Residents are not even aware that the rent includes
utilities.Why isn't there anyone checking by phone or knocking on tenant doors to see if seniors are
doing okay?There is no follow up of any kind.
It's time someone pays some attention to his building, the tenants, and the issues surrounding us. We
need better management in all areas.
From Residents of 4011 Highland Ave., Salem, MA
Fairweather Apartments