Westport News

FINAL MINUTES

Affordable Housing Trust

Westport Housing Partnership

February 24, 2011

Present:  Dianne Baron (DB), Catherine Williams (CW), Craig Dutra (CD), Elaine Ostroff (EO), Warren Messier (WM), Elizabeth Collins (EC), Leonardi Aray (LA)

Absent:  Brian Corey, Jr. (BC)

1. EO motioned to approve the Minutes of January 27, 2011 and February 8, 2011.  Seconded by WM.   Both were unanimously approved, CD abstaining.

1. CW reported on Habitat for Humanity.  She has had difficulty connecting with the Fall River Chapter of this organization.  CD suggested that LA make of grid of key issues in the development of our RFP for School Street and how different chapters of Habitat for Humanity deal with these issues.  LA will get RFPs only from communities that have set up housing trusts.  EO motioned that an outline of key issues that should be in the RFP be prepared by LA for our next meeting (March 31 at 5:30 pm).  Motion Seconded by WM and unanimously approved.

1. CPC Review.  EC talked about the need to identify other revenue sources.  EO recommended that we encourage donation of land to the trust which could be used for building or as an alternative revenue stream.  CD recommended talking to attorneys and possibly realtors who advise people about charitable donations of land and also the possibility of holding a luncheon for such a group to discuss the issue.  CD will contact BC about attorneys and realtors he knows that we might invite to meet with us.  Luncheon would take place before the end of FY11.

1. Warrant Article.  DB to speak with Mike Coughlin, Town Administrator and ask him to put a place holder on the Warrant for the transfer by the Town of the School Street property to the Trust.  DB to contact Sherrin Everett, Town Counsel, about completion of the drafting of the warrant article.  LA will contact Sean Leach and ask him about the possibility of SITEC (engineering firm) doing a wetlands delineation study of the School Street property.  LA will also solicit bids from two other local companies so that we will have three quotes.  These solicitations will be done as soon as possible.

1. Update on Noquochoke Village.  EC reported that the RFP is out and that there is a lengthy ad running in the newspaper on March 3, March 10, and May 6.  Discussion of whether Noquochoke land can be transferred to the trust.  EC will investigate this issue and sequence of events for how this could be accomplished with Sherrin.  CD, WM and EO will send EC relevant questions for Sherrin on the matter so that we can be assured that all angles are covered.  EO will get a PDF copy of the legal advertisement from LA and contact Greg Stone, Town Website Administrator so that it can be uploaded on the website.  The RFP timeline was reviewed.  LA will draft a letter to abutters memorializing the public process that has taken place so far.  EO and EC will advise LA on the history of this process.  Letter deadline is March 10 for delivery to abutters by March 14 and part of press release on March 16.  LA will provide the Trust with a plan of how his time will be spent for the next two months at the next meeting (3/31).  Public meeting on Noquochoke Village with abutters to be scheduled for March 31 at 7pm.

1. Public Meetings.  EO suggested that LA draft a list of tasks for possible intern.  LA has been working on educational materials for the community and taking pictures of various places in town.  With regard to School Street, communicate how our development will make the whole neighborhood more attractive.  Want people to understand where something can be built (wetlands delineation study) and examples of the types/sorts of things we’re thing about which would enhance current structures and improve the value of the property.  Meeting with abutters to School Street to be held week of April 25^th.

1. Office. EC to speak with Diane Pelland, Selectman Secretary regarding key, division of space with Animal Control Officer.

1. Next Meeting date is MARCH 31, 5:30 pm with Public Meeting for Noquochoke Village following at 7pm, Town Hall Annex.
   

1. Meeting adjourned at 1:40pm.