Rules anger tenants; New director of housing.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Bill Fortier

AUBURN - Now that the warm weather has arrived, many residents of the Pakachoag Village housing complex like to sit out in lawn chairs or on benches in front of their homes, talk to each other and look at the flowers they've planted.

However, about 20 mostly elderly residents living at the facility run by the Auburn Housing Authority told the Board of Selectmen earlier this week that a letter sent out earlier this spring by new AHA Executive Director Lori E. Brennan prohibits them from doing that.

A petition signed by about 60 people living in the 90-unit complex asks that they be allowed to plant flowers and add some "personal touches" to the exterior of the apartments they call home.

The residents told selectmen Monday night they feel are living in what one resident termed military barracks and that they are intimidated by Ms. Brennan, who, in the opinion of several Monday night, is impossible to reach and doesn't return telephone calls.

"It's easier to talk to the governor," said one member of the audience.

Housing Authority Chairman Betty A. Bacinskas said Ms. Brennan's car is usually in the Stoneville Heights parking lot, where her office is, and that she is always available to take her telephone calls.

As for the intimidation claim, Ms. Brennan, who succeeded longtime Executive Director Patricia H. Bukoski earlier this spring, said she hasn't met any residents from Pakachoag Village.

"Am I intimidating?" she asked Housing Authority receptionist Ann L. Weston Tuesday afternoon.

"Not at all," replied Ms. Weston.

In an interview on Tuesday, Ms. Brennan said the changes she detailed in a March 30 letter to Pakachoag Village residents, as well as the 60-unit Stoneville Heights housing development on North Oxford Street, are an effort to make sure the sites are as safe as possible. In addition, the lease agreements signed by the tenants plainly spell out what can and cannot be done to the outside of what she terms units.

Ms. Brennan also said the buildings at Stoneville Heights, which is operated with federal money, and Pakachoag Heights, which uses state money, are being power washed, and as soon as that is done, the residents will be allowed to plant flowers. Furthermore, she said the benches that have been removed were falling apart and new, sturdier benches have been ordered. She said only a "handful" of Pakachoag Village residents were complaining.

Elizabeth L. Prouty, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, while...