Affordable Housing Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: April 11th, 2007
Present: Sarah Del Mastro, Bill Crump, Dan Winslow, Steve McClain
Absent:, Rob Garrity, Bill Crane, Jeanette Wood
Guests: Master Plan Sub Committee (Bob Nicodemus,, Lori Scholl)
Others present: Jonathan Smith (Selectman)
Meeting called to order: by Sarah Del Mastro at 7:57pm, in Room 214, Town Hall
Business:
1. Approval of Affordable Housing Plan. Letter of approval from DHCD was distributed to members. Approval is effective retroactively from March 14th , 2007.
2. Approval of minutes for Feb 28th and March 28th.
Minutes were approved as is. Motion made by Dan, seconded by Bill Crump and approved by unanimous vote.
2. Status/updates re Rockwood Rd, Cottage Ct and other Hsg Authority related projects . Bill Crane was absent but Jonathan stated that there is an article on the warrant to purchase the property. The Advisory Board and Board of Selection do not have a position on the article at this time. There was some discussion about the background to Cottage Ct.
3. New 40B proposal
Bill Crane and Sarah had attended a housing Authority meeting (April 3, 2007) at which Lou Petrozzi (Wall Street Development) presented a preliminary proposal for a 69 unit 40B (Ferne Ridge) where he was previously proposing 10 single family homes. Sarah stated that he seems prepared to move forward with this idea but is open to hearing suggestions from the town. The lot will be accessed off Winston and Turner. Questions were raised about how septic and stormwater drainage would be handled which will need to be addressed during the planning process. Dan said that he liked the overall layout with the central common area. Sarah stated that she had suggested some porches at the front of some of the buildings. Dan suggested the garage doors could be on the sides so that they are not visible on the front aspect of the houses. He also said that
they could consider sidewalks on one side. Sarah said that she felt there is an immediate need for support for the abutters who will be impacted by this new development. Dan suggested a concept discussion where the developer comes in to speak with the Affordable Housing Committee and other boards can be present to hear about the proposal and provide feedback.
Sarah will check with other committee members if they are available on Wed May 2nd for a concept discussion and will then contact Wall Street Development and invite other boards.
Sarah will be available to provide support to residents. If there is a residents’ meeting, Sarah and Bill Crump (Precinct 2 representative) will be available to attend to provide information and answer questions on 40B process.
4. PowerPoint presentation - Bill Crump and Sarah will finalize the draft presentation and email to members for a final review.
5. Discussion with Master Plan Sub Committee – Discussed Housing sections of the draft Master Plan with MP Sub-committee. Committee provided figures for current and planned affordable units and other additional comments on the draft Master Plan. Sarah will provide Bob with a paragraph on the Aff Hsg Plan and the Aff Hsg Committee for inclusion in the plan.
6. Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The trust currently has $90,000. Establishing trustees is the responsibility of the Board of Selectmen. Sarah will follow up with the Selectmen on this after Town Meeting.
7. Roles and Responsibilities of AHC
The below language was proposed for the committees roles and responsibilities, including the word ‘coordinate’ instead of ‘liase’ and additionally a provision that the roles and responsibilities are subject to change as necessary. Motion made by Dan, seconded by Bill Crump and approved by unanimous vote.
1. Communicate and coordinate with other Town Boards.
2. Stay informed on affordable housing issues at local, state, and federal levels.
3. Promote, advocate and educate on affordable housing issues.
4. Involvement in affordable housing proposals.
5. Update and revise Affordable Housing Plan as necessary.
6. Apply for funding.
7. Participate in the review land use regulations and zoning bylaws that impact the development of affordable housing.
Conclusion:
Next Meeting – April 25th, 2007, 7:30pm, Room 124
Meeting adjourned @ 9:00pm. Motion made by Bill Crump, seconded by Dan Winslow, approved by unanimous vote.
Recorded and typed by Sarah Del Mastro
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