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JMHA to monitor porch visitors

STEUBENVILLE – The Jefferson Metropolitan Housing Authority board of commissioners agreed Wednesday afternoon to post signs on the front porch of the John F. Kennedy Apartment building to discourage non residents from congregating in the area.

“It is a start in the right direction,” said Commissioner David Hindman.

The board members heard from several residents who said non-residents congregate on the front porch on a daily basis.

“I can also check the porch to see if people are there who shouldn’t be there,” added Security Officer A.J. DeSarro.

JMHA Executive Director Joe Costantini said the public housing agency is in the process of obtaining resident photo identification cards.

The residents attending the monthly board meeting also cited concerns about maintenance in the JFK building.

“We are getting our property managers more involved in the maintenance of their assigned properties. If a resident is not happy with the maintenance they can always talk to the property manager. We are also encouraging our managers to focus on housing units before they are vacant with major repairs needed. We want the property managers to make more rounds of their properties and keep up with the routine maintenance. We are getting a little more structured,” explained Costantini.

In other business Wednesday afternoon, Costantini said the JFK building has been designated as an elderly apartment building for another two years.

“The rear canopy replacement project at the JFK building is proceeding and should be completed by mid June,” Costantini reported.

He also said four apartments in the Washington Square Apartment building have been leased and R.L.T. Management of Columbus now has a list of prospective tenants.

Neighborhood Development Services of Alliance reached an agreement last month to hire the temporary management company that will lease 10 of the 26 apartments.

Once 10 apartments are rented, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency will release the final funding designated for the building’s renovation and the JMHA can proceed with the purchase of the apartment building for $10.

Costantini has said he anticipates the purchase of the building will be completed in three to six months.

The board members met with Finance Officer Jim Fullen to review the JMHA balance sheet before moving into an executive session to discuss personnel.

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