Affordable Housing Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: 3 January 2007
Present: Sarah Del Mastro, Steve McClain, Bill Crane, Dan Winslow
Absent: Rob Garrity, (two positions remain open)
Others present: None
Meeting was Audiotaped “(Affordable Housing Committee Meeting (1/3/07)”
Meeting called to order: by Sarah Del Mastro at 7:45pm, in Room 124, Town Hall
Business:
Approval of previous minutes: Not applicable – no previous meetings.
Organization of Committee
Status of the committee - Sarah Del Mastro stated that current precinct representatives are Sarah Del Mastro (Precinct 2), Dan Winslow (Precinct 3). No candidates came forward from Precinct 4. Remaining two positions will be filled following interviews by BOS. Candidates are Bill Crump, Jeff Chalmers, Karen Courtney and Jeanette Woods. Mike Kulesza is also a candidate. He is not available on the scheduled interview date but is already known by the BOS. Sarah Del Mastro indicated that she plans to be at the interviews and notified the committee that interviews will be held Jan 11 @7:15pm if they wish to attend.
Name of Committee – Although the committee is officially termed the ‘Affordable Housing Study Committee’, it is being commonly referred to in Town as the ‘Affordable Housing Committee’. Committee members did not see any need to address this discrepancy.
Election of positions within the committee – Although it was generally agreed that election of positions within the committee could wait until the committee’s next meeting when the remaining two committee positions would be filled, members present did elect to appoint Sarah Del Mastro as committee chair. Motion made by Dan Winslow, seconded by Bill Crane, and agreed with a unanimous vote (4:0).
Communication - via emails
Supplies and photocopies - can be obtained via Selectmen’s office
Website Updates – Sarah Del Mastro confirmed that the committee has a webpage on the Town’s website, containing information on the committee and affordable housing issues, including a ‘Links’ page of resources available on the internet. Members were encouraged to review the website and provide feedback.
Press releases - Press releases, written and approved by the committee, may be a valuable way of getting information to the Public. Matt McDonald (Boomerang) has shown interest in publishing the entire Affordable Housing Plan. Sarah Del Mastro has suggested to him that it might be preferable to publish a series of articles to provide the plan information in context.
Minutes – Dan Winslow suggested the duty of taking notes be rotated amongst members. Minutes will be approved by vote at next meeting. Dan Winslow volunteered to be clerk at next meeting.
Functioning of Committee – Dan Winslow suggested brainstorming as a group to determine goals and solutions and guiding principles. Then solicit additional ideas and reactions within town govt, followed by contacting property owners. State can do aff hsg seminars, showing examples of Aff Hsg and how it can be a collaborative effort. The committee can then consider what zoning and bylaw changes might be necessary. Objective would be to encourage attractive, blended in aff hsg. There was general agreement from members present that the committee have an ‘action-oriented’ approach. Bill Crane noted that we may find a lack of interest amongst the public except among those who have a development appearing in their back yard. Sarah Del Mastro suggested that education, ideally before aff hsg arrives in neighborhoods, will
assist with public opinion. There was general discussion on how to promote aff hsg, and general agreement that a mix of housing values within neighborhoods, distributing aff hsg within areas of market rate housing is preferable.
Steve McClain advocates bringing in someone from the state as a consultant. Sarah Del Mastro suggests MHP might be able to help us out as a committee. Generally agreed that initial discussions should be within the committee to establish initial directions and guidelines.
Other discussion:
Funds: There is an Affordable Housing Trust Fund which will contain $10,000 per unit, payable upon closing, as the Town Center Condos are sold. CPC funds. Sarah Del Mastro will contact CPC to determine what the funds are. Sarah Del Mastro noted that at the Master Plan SubCommittee meeting with the housing focus group, it was suggested that funds could be transferred to the AHTF for Affordable Housing purposes, which might include the purchase of land (with or without existing housing).
Elevator grants: Dan Winslow suggested that the committee could research the idea of providing grants for developers who create apartments above commercial space, which may require elevators.
Tax rebates – Sarah Del Mastro stated that she had read of other towns who have provided tax rebates, especially to seniors, in return for the Town’s first right of refusal, when the property becomes available for resale.
Town Center: Dan Winslow stated that Norfolk DPW is considering the possibility of expanding the prison sewer treatment system to provide for the development of the B-1 district. Current zoning allows high density development and septic needs are a current issue for new development.
Southwoods - 40R might be an option for Southwoods (C-6). C-6 is currently zoned for age-restricted residential.
Village at River’s Edge does not have an affordable component.
Incentive zoning – Steve McClain stated that incentive zoning has been replaced by inclusionary zoning. Incentives are available if the developers do an open space subdivision.
Sarah Del Mastro provided a document which summarises some potential roles and responsibilities and open questions/issues relating to aff hsg. Committee members will review this document for discussion at the next meeting.
Modular homes – May be a more cost effective alternative for production of aff hsg.
Conclusion:
Next Meeting – To be determined via email. Will be coordinated to coincide with the Master Plan Sub Committee meeting to discuss Master Plan goals for affordable housing.
Meeting adjourned @ 8:45pm. Motion made by Dan Winslow, seconded by Bill Crane, approved by unanimous vote.
X_____________________________
Sarah Del Mastro
| 
