Westport Affordable Housing Trust Fund Minutes, April 29, 2010
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Final Minutes April 29, 2010
approved May 20, 2010
Members: Dianne Baron, chair, Catherine Williams, vice-chair, Elaine Ostroff, Craig Dutra
Alternate: Warren Messier (appointed to act for Brian Corey, Jr.)
Volunteer Clerk: Betty Slade
Member: Brian Corey, Jr.
Alternate: Elizabeth Collins
Volunteer Clerk
Final Minutes April 29, 2010
approved May 20, 2010
Present:
Members: Dianne Baron, chair, Catherine Williams, vice-chair, Elaine Ostroff, Craig Dutra
Alternate: Warren Messier (appointed to act for Brian Corey, Jr.)
Volunteer Clerk: Betty Slade
Absent:
Member: Brian Corey, Jr.
Alternate: Elizabeth Collins
Minutes of meeting of March 30, 2010 were approved unanimously, motion by Craig Dutra (CD), seconded by Dianne Baron (DB).
1. RFP for Housing Consultant. After discussion, Catherine Williams (CW) and DB volunteered to "tweak" the sample RFP from Medway to make it appropriate for the needs of the Westport Affordable Housing Trust (AHT). (See attachment to minutes of March 30, 2010 for copy.) Elaine Ostroff (EO) emphasized the need that payment be based on deliverables and that there be a clear scope of work as determined by the AHT. Trustees are asked to look at the Medway RFP and send comments to Betty Slade (BS). DB will report on the RFP at the May 20th meeting.
2. Catherine Williams Meeting with Habitat for Humanity. CW met with Habitat people on April 13th. Selena Howard accompanied her. Selena ran the Fall River Habitat office for 10 years pro bono. The report by CW is Attachment 1. CW reported that Habitat was very positive about collaboration and will reactivate their operations which have been moribund for some time. CW also will visit Sudbury to talk with the relevant people there about their experience with Habitat . She hopes a couple of others on the Trust will accompany her and will follow through.
3. Elaine Ostroff and Dianne Baron's meeting with George Foster (GF) re: School Street property. DB reported that their meeting with GF was useful. He gave them an updated list of town-owned property. After considerable discussion about possible courses of action, it was decided that Warren Messier will look at various aspects of the School Street property (size, wetlands, septic) after the meeting in Sudbury (concerning work with Habitat).
4. Review Brian Corey's Draft Letter re: School Street. It was decided to hold back review of the letter to the Conservation Commission until after the visit to Sudbury and WM's report. It was suggested that the Trustees visit the site. WM will contact everyone through BS as to a time when he can take them to the site. CD will update Steve Ouelette, as chair of the Board of Selectmen and as near neighbor to the property.
5. Public Comment on Inclusionary Zoning. Jennifer Goldson's presentation at the Planning Board public hearing was excellent. It was decided however that a member of the Planning Board should present at Town Meeting, no longer than 10 minutes and that DB will present in support . It is hoped that others will also support; Tim Gillespie was suggested as an effective speaker.
6. Public Comment on Action Plan (website, what else is needed). DB noted that the website is up and running as part of the Town of Westport website. The Draft Action Plan is posted there with requests for comments by the public. Jennifer is also sending out a message to those who expressed interest asking for their comments. BS was asked to draft some kind of release for the newspapers. BS suggested that there is no need to post past agendas because the approved minutes are already posted. In the future agendas will be posted prior to the meetings.
7. Housing Office (set calendar). The housing office will be in Town Hall across from the Board of Selectmen office. DB will send an email to Denise Bouchard asking about "cleaning out the room." It is expected that a consultant would work only one day each week and that needs to be coordinated with Denise. BS suggested that the Trust could use one of the CPC drawers in the new file cabinet. She would ask CPC about that.
8. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Workshop June 9, 10. EO and CW will go definitely, and perhaps Elizabeth Collins (EC) would attend.
9. Town Meeting presentation re: bylaw change. DB will present for the Trust regarding two changes: number of trustees and quorum for voting.
The next meetings are May 20, 2010 at 11:30 am, and June 17, 2010 at 11:30 am, both at the Town Hall Annex. BS will post both.
At 1:00 pm, CD moved, and WM seconded a motion to adjourn, and the vote was unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Slade
Volunteer Clerk
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