Residents Voice Concerns Over Conditions at The Preserve Apartments

Cohasset officials pledge action as state investigates complaints

COHASSET, MA - August 6 - Residents of The Preserve apartment complex voiced serious concerns about living conditions during a Select Board meeting Tuesday night, prompting town officials to pledge action and support.

Anne Marie Young, a resident of The Preserve, told the board that conditions at the complex have been "terrible" and that many residents are suffering.

"I'm sorry I didn't expect to cry, but I'm telling you so many people have come to me and they are suffering so bad. It is bad," Young said.

Young reported issues including mold, electrical hazards, and water problems. She said some residents have faced large unexpected bills and alleged that management has engaged in retaliatory practices.

"It's predatory," Young said of the management practices. "It rings of Enron and the financial crisis. There's something going on."

Town officials acknowledged the seriousness of the complaints but noted their enforcement capabilities are limited. Town Manager Chris Senior said they are working on enhancing Board of Health inspection protocols.

"We don't have a proactive, regular inspection team," Senior said. "We're going to do that shortly. And I think there's going to be, what's going to come out, this is a robust inspection protocol that'll allow us to be much more proactive than we've ever been before."

The Attorney General's office is actively investigating conditions at The Preserve. State Sen. Patrick O'Connor reported his office has heard from 22 residents so far.

"They have an investigator looking at the issue and they're looking for resident interviews," O'Connor said. "They're looking to try and really kind of get a full picture here."

O'Connor and State Rep. Joan Meschino said they've had difficulty getting responses from TruAmerica or Greystar, the property managers.

Select Board members expressed commitment to addressing the issues. Member Paul Grady said it's important that Preserve residents feel they are treated equally to other town residents.

"I just want folks to feel that they are residents of Cohasset too," Grady said. "Any more than anybody across this table or any one of us who's paying taxes, they are residents. And they deserve the same amount of respect and care."

The board discussed potentially meeting with TruAmerica representatives and having Board of Health inspectors visit the property. They also emphasized the importance of residents reporting issues to the Attorney General's office.

Senior said the town is compiling resources and information to help residents understand their rights and available assistance. He said a flyer with this information should be available within days.

In other business, the appointment of a new Director of Elder Affairs in Cohasset has sparked controversy, with members of the Elder Affairs Board expressing concerns over the selection process and outcome.

Town Manager Chris Senior defended the decision at Tuesday's Select Board meeting, emphasizing that no changes to current staff or roles are planned at the senior center.

"This hire is an affirmation, not a rejection," Senior said. "We're not changing anything. This place is great. I want to build. I don't want to subtract from it, I want to add to it."

Several residents and board members voiced their disappointment during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Taffy Northnagle, a 10-year member of the Elder Affairs Board, expressed "utter shock and disbelief" about the choice, stating that the board had recommended promoting the interim director, Diane Pecot.

"We are devastated that what this does for our senior center, for the background of the person coming in, although very worthy, I'm sure, in her field, which is not senior, and it's cruel to the person who has been trained and worked without complaint to the rest of us," Northnagle said.

Senior and Meaghan James, the town's Director of Human and Community Services, outlined the hiring process, which included a nationwide search that yielded 63 applications. They described a thorough vetting process involving staff input, board surveys, and multiple rounds of interviews.

"I find this process to be, I thought it was very thorough," James said. "I felt that we really gathered a lot of folks and were able to get their ideas and ultimately came up with a candidate."

The new director, identified as Megan Stewart, is set to start in September. Senior emphasized her healthcare background and experience in helping families navigate hospital and healthcare settings as key strengths.

Select Board member Jack Creighton questioned Senior directly about his engagement with the board, asking, "How many times have you gone down to the Senior Center and met with the Elder Affairs Board at a board meeting?"

Senior acknowledged he had not personally met with the full board, relying instead on James to attend meetings and gather input.

Senior plans to attend the Elder Affairs Board meeting next Monday to address concerns and introduce the new director. He expressed optimism that once people meet Stewart and understand the town's vision, the situation will improve.

"I'm hopeful and optimistic because I've worked with all these people," Senior said. "I think that as people take a breath and right now it's just an unknown, it's just a piece of paper. If they don't know the person, once they get through that, I think we'll be in a better place."