High hopes for new housing authority hire

Members say they hired Joseph A. Hart to be the next executive director based on his “impressive” background

By Mark E. Vogler

For the second time in 18 months, the Saugus Housing Authority has approved the hiring of a candidate to succeed longtime veteran Housing Authority Executive Director Laura Glynn. During a Special Meeting last week (July 31), the authority voted 4-0 to approve the contract of Joseph A. Hart – a public housing professional with more than a decade of administrative experience working for three different housing authorities, including nearly eight years as the executive director of the Haverhill Housing Authority. In addition, Hart worked for more than 13 years for the state Department of Housing and Community Development; first as an inspection coordinator and later as a housing management specialist.

Hart, who was not at last week’s meeting, is due to start work on Aug. 25, pending approval of his contract by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). He will be paid $116,970 a year for 37.5 hours per week through the term ending Dec. 31, 2026.

“He was clearly the best of the eight candidates who applied for the job,” Housing Authority Chair John Cannon told The Saugus Advocate following last week’s meeting.

“What impressed me the most was his incredible ability to interact with us during the interview process. In all three meetings, he did well,” Cannon said.

“And his resume is impressive. His experience really stood out, when compared to the other candidates. He definitely has the experience to do a great job,” he said.

Full-time housing authority experience is something that the previous director – Katelynn M. Lemieux – lacked when the Housing Authority hired her last year. Lemieux told authority members that she was giving up her part-time housing authority administrative duties in Wilmington so she could become a full-time executive director in Saugus. But things didn’t work out as planned. Lemieux resigned in February after just 10 months on the job. She never really enjoyed a close working relationship with the authority, and the lack of experience may have contributed to her troubles.

Glynn, who worked for more than a decade as the executive director of the Saugus Housing Authority, resigned in April of last year to spend more time taking care of her ailing father. She agreed to stay on in the transition weeks as needed to help Lemieux. Fortunately for the Saugus Housing Authority, Glynn agreed to return to the job on an interim basis after Lemieux resigned. She’s also agreed to help Hart by working on a part-time basis to assist the transition, as needed. There is no set date for her departure.

“We’re lucky to have Laura. She’s done a great job,” Cannon said.

Meanwhile, authority members have high hopes that the new executive director will do well by Saugus and the residents of the authority’s properties. “I think he will work out well,” Saugus Housing Authority Treasurer Maureen Whitcomb said in an interview last week.

“He seems to be very knowledgeable about what the job involves and has a very good sense of humor. I think he will be very good for the people who live in the Housing Authority apartments,” Whitcomb said.

“Experience is the big thing. He’s been working around public housing for a long time. He has a good history and track record. Besides the experience, he’s very personable and seems to be a very understanding person. He’s kind and knows how to work with people,” she said.

An experience edge

Hart’s full-time work experience was superior to everyone in the field of applicants considered by the authority. The two alternates:

• Kevin Johnson, who has been executive director of the Swampscott Housing Authority for the past two years. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience, working in the nonprofit and housing sectors. That experience includes five years as director of The Salvation Army of Lynn.
• James F. Harris, who has worked since March as the elections administrator for the City of Melrose. He’s the current chair of the Winchester Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners. He worked previously as a legal assistant. He worked in several afterschool childcare and recreation programs.

The Joseph A. Hart Resume

Following are highlights from application material submitted by Joseph A. Hart to The Saugus Housing Authority.

EXPERIENCE

• Deputy Executive Director, Milford Housing Authority – August 2023–January 2025. Assisted Executive Director with management of medium housing authority with 271 state-aided public housing units, 65 federal public housing units and 556 Section 8 vouchers. Assisted with management of Mendon Housing Authority with 30 state units. Supervised 15 employees in program administration and maintenance.
• Executive Director, Rockport Housing Authority – April 2022–January 2023. Managed a medium housing authority with 104 state-aided public housing units and 157 Section 8 vouchers. Supervised two administrative staff and two maintenance staff. Served as chief procurement officer, payroll and benefits coordinator.
• Executive Director, Haverhill Housing Authority – February 2014–November 2021. Managed a large housing authority with 500 apartments at 10 sites. Also managed 500 rental assistance vouchers including Section 8. Oversaw a $4 million annual budget while supervising 15 employees in program administration and maintenance. Also managed Groveland Housing Authority under contract with 58 federal public housing units and three state family units.
• Housing Management Specialist, state Department of Housing and Community Development – August 2002–February 2014. Assisted Housing Authorities with operational guidance and regulatory compliance. Provided advice for best practices for management, operations, maintenance and construction. Reviewed budgets and operating statements.
• Inspection Coordinator, state Department of Housing and Community Development – November 1997–July 2002. Provided logistics, reporting and communications for five-person state-wide housing inspection team. Designed inspection reporting database. Performed state public housing inspections.

EDUCATION

• University of Massachusetts Boston, B.A. Economics and Political Science