Jimmy Miller, the deputy executive director of the Housing Authority of New Haven, will serve as the Interim Director of the Ansonia Housing Authority for at least the next three months.
The Ansonia Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on Wednesday voted to sign a contract with the Housing Authority of New Haven.
But the board remained vague on the specific details — in similar fashion to its public response to the resignation of former Ansonia Housing Authority Executive Director James Finnucan.
The Board of Commissioners, in its motion Wednesday, didn’t name who would act as the interim director. Members simply said it would be someone “who possesses the requisite knowledge and experience” from the Housing Authority of New Haven.
However, Karen DuBois Walton, the Executive Director for the Housing Authority of New Haven, confirmed that Miller would fill the role, while continuing his work in New Haven.
Miller “will provide an assessment to AHA’s board,” about needed changes at the agency, “complete some immediate tasks that were outstanding and provide leadership while they search” for a permanent executive director, DuBois Walton said.
Ansonia’s Board of Commissioners Chairman James Tyma confirmed that Miller had been in Ansonia this week meeting employees at the Ansonia Housing Authority.
“The indication is (it will be) Mr. Miller,” Tyma said.
Miller was not present at the meeting Wednesday.
The Board of Commissioners Wednesday approved an hourly rate for the interim executive director: $104.32 an hour.
But members didn’t set a number of hours that person will work — so it’s impossible to know how much the position will cost the Ansonia Housing Authority overall. The board also agreed to pay “reasonable fees and expenses incurred in providing such services.”
“The interim executive director shall devote the time that he/she deems reasonably necessary to perform the duties of the position,” the board said in its motion.
Tyma, after the meeting, declined to estimate how many hours that might actually be. It’s anticipated that Miller will still spend part of his time working at the Housing Authority of New Haven.
Tyma declined to comment on why the Ansonia Housing Authority chose New Haven to enter into an agreement with. He also declined to say if the Board of Commissioners had interviewed Miller.
“Beyond what we’ve done here, I don’t have any other comment,” Tyma said. “We’re happy and hopeful we’ll be able to work with New Haven. I expect it to be of great benefit for the Authority.”
Background
Finnucan, a former Ansonia mayor, resigned from the Ansonia Housing Authority on Dec. 28 — only 27 days after the Board of Commissioners voted to fire its compliance coordinator, Tiffany Reeves.
Members of the Commission and the Ansonia Housing Authority’s attorney won’t say what prompted the changes. Attempts to contact both Finnucan and Reeves have been unsuccessful.
However, meeting minutes indicate the change came after another employee made unspecified allegations against Finnucan and Reeves.
Finnucan madde $104,978 at the Housing Authority. Under his separation agreement, he will continue to draw a salary until Feb. 29.
One Person
The meeting Wednesday took less than an hour. The details of the contract with the Housing Authority of New Haven were discussed in a closed-door executive session.
Executive sessions are allowed under certain circumstances, such as contract negotiations and certain personnel discussions.
Only three people were in the audience at the meeting: Two members of the press and Shelley White, an attorney with New Haven Legal Assistance, a law firm that represents housing authority tenants.
White said she has been watching the transition in leadership to make sure it doesn’t have any negative affects on the housing authority residents.
Specifically, White is concerned about a delay in the demolition of more buildings at the Riverside Apartment Complex. Residents there are waiting for the demolition in order to be relocated to other apartments.
White said she feels confident in Miller’s work, based on her experience with projects in New Haven.
“He’s very knowledgeable about public housing law and the rules and regulations,” White said. “We have a great deal of respect for him.”
The Ansonia Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will now start the process of looking for a permanent replacement for Finnucan, Tyma said Wednesday.
Paul Bass contributed reporting for this article.
