By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, N Y – The Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority did not take an action Wednesday on the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority's plan to hire a new executive director.
The board say it is still waiting for the BMHA to deliver contract information for the hire of Estelle Brooks, a public housing leader from Gary, Indiana. The Housing Authority already approved the hiring of Brooks at about $95,000. But now it needs control board approval.
The BMHA decided to hire Brooks despite an urging from Mayor Masiello to hold off until a new city mayor is elected.
"I think the next executive director should be one that has full support and buy in, not only of the BMHA board of directors and this control board, but also the next mayor," Masiello said. "That person is going to make a lot of important decisions with this control board, the Common Council and BMHA board of directors. I think whom ever the next mayor is should have an opportunity to play a role in having someone there they are comfort with in this very important function."
Masiello says for now, he is comfortable with the interim leader continuing his role until the first of the new year.