Dear Maynard Housing Authority Executive Director Morris and Attorney DeFreitas,

As the State Senator for the Town of Maynard, I sent you both emails on Friday after speaking with Emerson Hospital's CEO Christine Schuster and Emerson Hospital medical staff about the eviction of Mr. Michael Lombardo from his apartment owned by the Maynard Housing Authority. On Friday, Executive Director Morris referred me to Attorney DeFreitas, and Attorney DeFreitas did not respond to my email request to speak. I must note it is highly unusual that when a legislator contacts a housing authority, that neither the executive director nor the attorney responds. It suggests an unwillingness to try to find a compromise or act in the interests of justice, well-being, and fairness of public housing tenants who often have greater needs than the general population.

I spoke to Mr. Lombardo and his caretaker on Friday and I am very concerned about his health and safety. On Monday, September 18th, I was called by Mr. Michael Lombardo who said that a Constable had arrived at the Maynard Housing Authority to evict him. This is extremely troubling given Mr. Lombardo's health conditions, including being on dialysis and being morbidly obese. I am truly horrified at the prospect of Mr. Lombardo being forcibly removed from his apartment, where he can maintain comprehensive medical treatment without another permanent housing alternative, by a public entity, the Maynard Housing Authority.

Once again, I request that the Maynard Housing Authority and its legal counsel, Attorney DeFreitas, suspend the effort to evict Mr. Lombardo and provide a reasonable amount of time for Mr. Lombardo and his healthcare providers, including Emerson Hospital, to find a proper placement for Mr. Lombardo. It is my understanding that the housing violation allegation against Mr. Lombardo is related to him smoking. While I understand that is a violation of the Maynard Housing Authority, I do not know if he indeed violated that rule, and further, I do not think that rises to the level that Mr. Lombardo must be forcibly removed from his home. Indeed, it seems quite cruel.

Because I have not received a substantive response from Maynard Housing Authority Executive Director Morris or Attorney DeFreitas regarding the health and safety of Mr. Lombardo, I am writing again this morning to urge a compassionate, fair and reasonable resolution to this housing conflict. This specific eviction action does not represent the values of the Town of Maynard, Maynard residents or elected and town officials of Maynard, and I beg you to suspend this action immediately and contact me directly, as well as Emerson Hospital's chief executive and legal counsel.

Sincerely,

Senator Jamie Eldridge