Site Content
2021 Annual Meeting in Review
The 26th MMHA Annual Meeting is now history. We had a great member and sponsor turnout. The presenters were enlightening. A huge shout out goes to Angelo Wallace & Mike Henretty for Zooming into the meeting and having patience through the glitches. Wallace & Henretty were very informative catching us up to speed on the state of the industry. One major ongoing issue is the short supply and demand on the manufacturing end of homes. Approval of alternative materials has alleviated a bit of the pressure this past year to keep up the home production. Extensions have also been granted on the same products to keep manufacturers.
Attorney Adam Bond spoke in depth regarding his case between Great Hill Residents Association, Inc. vs. Great Hill Corp. Attorney Bond won the case on behalf of the community owner, Great Hill Corp., Rick Chaves & Margaret Chaves.
Our President, Jeffrey W.Hallahan, II addressed the membership to discuss recent cases that have impacted our industry. He has worked diligently along side the owner operators and attorneys to assist in any way possible. Jeff wrote an amicus brief that was quite extensive on behalf of Hometown America. We are so lucky to have an attorney as our president, his knowledge of the industry and law gives the membership and upper hand in a unique way.
Thank you to Loren McConnell & Michael Schechner for sharing information about your insurance product.
You also won the crowd over with your M&M jar.
Did you try and guess how many M&M's were in Schechner Lifson Corps. M&M jar???
The answer was…..1984
Congratulations to Mark Bell of Pine Valley for guessing the closest and winning the M&M jar and a 50 gift card.
Thank you to our Annual Meeting Sponsors
Shady Acres Estates, Raynham
The Story
This small community of 33 once called Shady Acres Mobile Home Park, located on 138 in Raynham now named Shady Acres Estates is going through a huge transformation. Richard "Rich" Costa & Craig Middleton purchased the community in 2019, sort of on a whim, and you won't believe what they have accomplished in such a short time.
The opportunity was presented to Costa & Middleton through a colleague that actually wanted to purchase the property himself. The timing for the colleague was not right but perfect timing for Costa & Middleton, so they bought the community.
Costa, a Brockton native now of Bridgewater spent 32 years on the Brockton Fire Department, retiring in 2019 as a senior Fire Captain and EMT. Costa is a Real Estate Broker, Developer and Builder. Middleton, is a Brockton native who has been in construction his entire life. Both are in real estate which ultimately brought them together in this venture.
Immediately after purchasing the community Costa went once before the Raynham Planning Board and once before the Conservation Commission seeking approval for the expansion of 22 lots. The expansion was approved in record time which results in a community of 55 lots total.
When Costa & Middleton purchased the property there were 33 aging pre-HUD homes, an dilapidated stick built home, and concrete garage. Since the takeover they removed the stick build home and replaced it with two brand new single Pine Grove Homes, replaced and upgraded the community’s water, sewer and electrical infrastructure, expanded with approval for 22 new lots, regraded several areas to reroute water due to the high-water table and preexisting drainage issues, purchased a half a dozen of the original homes (to remove & replace), created a new mail center and all while on rent control.
Neither Costa or Middleton had prior experience in the world of manufactured housing. As one would expect they experienced a few learning curves, first by dismantling old homes by hand to realizing if you can hook it up and remove it, this is preferable and a huge timesaver and much less of a liability. Installing a new home seems like an easy task, well the professionals make it look easy, they learned to leave it up to the installation pros. With the installer Paul Arsenault, both removing the homes & installation has become simpler process. Considering the scope of work that they have taken on, neither example is a significant hurtle.
Excavation Inc.'s Ross Messina, was onsite when I visited, has taken an excellent handle on the infrastructure upgrades. Messina prides himself on working in live infrastructure conversions and repairs. Messina and his crew were hand digging around water lines in order to install the new lateral water and sewer connections.
All in all, this community is going from rags to riches, no pun intended. Costa & Middleton have made a significant financial and physical investment on this community. The residents are gaining a dramatically new quality of living all with safety, health and wellbeing at the forefront. I can’t wait until this project is completed to share the after pictures.
Thank you to Rich & Craig for sharing time out of your busy schedules to show me around your ever-changing community.
Community Highlights
Ice Cream Truck Day
Day Lillie's for all residents.
Day Lillie's for all residents.
Wyman Residential, LLC invited & hosted an Ice Cream Truck event into it's communities, High Pond Estates & Stone Meadow in Bridgewater. E's Ice Cream Truck offered a sweet treat for all residents and it was amazing.
Day Lillie's for all residents.
Day Lillie's for all residents.
Day Lillie's for all residents.
Pine Hill Estates in Raynham, passed out Lillie's to all resident's of their community during the Easter/Passover holiday.
The gift of dinner.
Day Lillie's for all residents.
Veterans Day Celebration
Stone Meadow & High Pond Estates in Bridgewater handed out over 650 dinners to their community residents with the help of the resident's associations. Market Basket made the turkey dinners with all the fixings and cookies for dessert, they were so easy to work with. The response was an overwhelming success.
Veterans Day Celebration
4th of July Parade with Social Distancing
Veterans Day Celebration
In West Bridgewater,
Skyview Village Residents celebrated Veteran's with a community parade.
4th of July Parade with Social Distancing
4th of July Parade with Social Distancing
4th of July Parade with Social Distancing
Scholarship Gifting
4th of July Parade with Social Distancing
4th of July Parade with Social Distancing
Wareham communities, Garden Homes & Mogan's MHP, Great Hill Estates contributed to a $3,000 Scholarship fund which was presented to one lucky recipient.
Join Today
Why Join?
We are a Massachusetts local industry association representing all sectors of the manufactured housing industry. Membership is open to community owners (both private and resident-owned) and associates members providing product or service to the industry.
Networking
MMHA offers the chance to connect with others in your industry. You can learn from others, network and create alliances or partnerships. From Annual Meetings, Educational Seminars, Social Events, and others, all serve as a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, expand the reach of your business. The most successful entrepreneurs are not afraid to network with competitors and other like-minded industry professionals in an effort to expand profitability and efficiency. At MMHA, we offer a bridge to communicate in a collaborative environment.
Education
MMHA offers a variety of educational opportunities from certifications to business training. Educational resources alone can easily pay for your membership.
Advocacy
One of the most overlooked benefits of an association is advocacy. As a member, you have an organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the needs of your industry, as the fortunes of your industry rise, so do your business opportunity. Having a dedicated team to lobby and advocate on your behalf is powerful. Association membership is a lot less expensive than trying to hire a lobbyist yourself.
Join Today, become an active member of the betterment of the Massachusetts Manufactured Housing Industry. It makes good business sense and helps promote the industry’s position as a provider of quality and affordable housing throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP
Joining MMHA is an investment in your own business. Benjamin Franklin once stated that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest. $300 Annually (includes first 30 sites, $8 per additional site)
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
MMHA Members prefer to do business with manufacturers, suppliers and service companies who share their commitment to the industry. The association offers several opportunities to increase your involvement in the industry and reach key decision makers. $500 Annually
Board of Directors
President: Jeffrey W. Hallahan, II, Garden Homes Estate
Jeff is the owner and operator of 3 communities MA, family owned since day 1. Jeff is also the Vice-Chair on the Manufactured Housing Commission.
Vice President: Adam Kaufman, Skyline Village / Springfield MHC’s
Adam is and has been involved in his family's business his entire life. They own 5 communities with 2 in MA. Adam has served on the board for many years.
Treasurer: Josephine "Jo" Santa Fe
Jo has been in property management for over 12 years in Florida & MA. She is extremely involved in her communities community where she volunteers in many organizations. She is employed with one of the largest property management firms in MA.
Secretary: June Johnson, GRI, CBR,SRES,LMC, MHM, Johnson Bayside Real Estate
A dedicated board member for many years before becoming the board secretary. June is an expert real estate broker in the manufactured housing industry and owner of Johnson Bayside Real Estate, Ltd.
Justin Glaze, Hampden Village
Justin has been involved in his community since forever working alongside his Grandfather. He now manages the property with his father. Justin has served the board for 3 years.
Debra Johnson, Pine Hill Estates, Inc.
Debra is a second-generation owner/operator/developer of a 55+ manufactured home community. She has been a supporter of manufactured housing for more than 40 years and is also owner/broker of Debra Johnson Realty Group, LLC, a residential brokerage firm.
Sean Rogers, Sterling Associates
With 25 + years of experience in the financial market Sean is our go to finance expert for chattel mortgages. He has served the board 2013.
Don McCarthy, HUB International
Long term director, previously appointed Pres. & VP,. Don's expertise is in the insurance portion of this industry. Don is VP of HUB International NE, LLC
Joe Sitts, Champion / Titan Corporation
A board member now for 5 years, Joe delivers the manufacturing expertise to our association. Joe has been with Champion/Titan Homes for 17 many years.
Justin Stelmok, Southwest Retirement
His family has been in the business for generations, 5 decades. The portfolio includes five communities that have gone through extensive improvements over the past few years. Justin has served the board for 2 years.
Arthur Wyman, High Pond Estates / Stone Meadow
Art has served as Pres. and Vi.P., he is also a founding member of this association. Art has over 30 years of industry experience developing, owning & operating two pristine 55+ Communities.
Meet the Executive Director
Melissa Caron
I am excited and humbled to serve as executive director of the MMHA. I have been a property manager for 27 years in both family and 55+ communities. My responsibilities have included all aspects of property management including but not limited to the development, maintenance, acquisitions, finances, and evictions.
I was a member of the association prior to joining the board in 2003 then becoming treasurer 2008-2019.
I was appointed in 2016 served on the City of Taunton, Manufactured Home Park Eviction & Discontinuance Review Board.
I look forward to promoting how valuable an industry this is.
(508) 460-9523