Westport News

Westport Affordable Housing Trust (AHT)

Housing Partnership Committee (HPC)

Joint Meeting

September 23, 2010

Final Minutes     approved Oct 28, 2010

Present:  Liz Collins (LC), Brian Corey, Jr. (BC), Craig Dutra (CD), Warren Messier (WM), Elaine Ostroff (EO), Catherine Williams (CW).  Betty Slade (BS) volunteer clerk.

Absent:  Dianne Baron

At 1:02 p.m., CW, acting chair, called the meeting to order.

There was an onsite visit as the School Street property previous to the scheduled meeting.

CW noted that the members had previously agreed that the first project would be a simple project which they might do with Habitat for Humanity.  She was wondering if the School Street project might be "too complicated."  She was reassured by the members that all projects would require the same first steps and there was benefit, both economically and strategically, to planning for more than one unit at a time.   Several stated that no project of this type can ever be simple.

It was noted that the first step toward developing the School Street property into affordable housing would be for the chair of the Housing Partnership Committee (HPC), Liz Collins, to appear before the selectmen on October 4, 2010 to request an article on the Town Meeting for transfer of the town-owned School Street property to the AHT.  The HPC has a $48,000 grant from CPC (which was requested on January 11, 2007) and later approved which can be used to do the preliminary survey and other work necessary to consider the School Street property for affordable housing.  LC will also speak on the RFP for Noquochoke Village.  All the members of the HPC and AHT are invited to attend.  Either Dianne or Catherine might wish to speak more on the School Street property, the search for a housing consultant and on the recording of the Trust Document for the AHT.

BC went into detail about the necessary steps for such a project as that proposed on School Street:  wetlands delineation, site survey and review of property and title information, establish property boundaries, have a perc  test and then make determination of best use of property.  There are economies of scale in doing this for a number of duplex units.  One exception is the septic which varies in cost with number of units.

Minutes.  It was moved by BC, seconded by CD, to approve as written, the Minutes of the joint meeting of August 26, 2010.  It carried unanimously.

Officers.  It had been suggested that there be a consolidation of officers of the AHT and HPC.  After discussion it was decided that the memberships of the AHT and HPC will remain the same, there will be joint meetings, but that each would retain its own officers and keep its distinct identity.  This matter may be reconsidered in the future.

Subcommittee for  RFP for Noquochoke.  EO suggested that there be a subcommittee from the HPC to handle the  RFP for Noquochoke.  After some discussion, BC moved and CD seconded the formation of a subcommittee with LC as chair, and BC and EO as members since they have the experience and background for this job.   The first meeting of that subcommittee will be Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 5 pm at the Town Hall Annex.  BS will post.

CD moved to table the consolidation of officers, BC seconded and the vote was unanimous.

Update on RFP for housing consultant.  There has been one response to the RFP and it consisted of a letter and resume only.  CD moved, BC seconded a motion to table examination of this application and to extend the deadline for an indefinite period until the position is filled.  The vote carried unanimously.

Foreclosed properties - Update by BC.    BC stated that the large banks are holding on to their distressed properties.  Because of the structure of interest rates, banks are now making money and do not need to dispose of properties.  He therefore does not see much opportunity to use this as an avenue to acquire properties.  WM noted that often a house is on such property and may be more trouble than it is worth.  LC asked that the members not abandon this idea but keep looking.  CD moved, WM seconded a motion to send a letter to the larger lending institutions asking that they contribute properties to the AHT and receive the tax benefit.  The motion also stated that this be done once the organizational structure is in place to allow action on it.  The motion was carried unanimously.

Update on Housing Office (CW and LC).  The proposed room in Town Hall for the AHT is now being used by the Dog Officer, Donna Lambert.  If she is appointed animal officer at the Spring town meeting, that room will become empty for use by the AHT.  It was decided to acquire another file cabinet (2-drawer) rather than use the one owned by CPC.  BC said he would see if he had one available with a lock.

Secretary.  Discussion about hiring a secretary was held.  BC stated that his interpretation of the law setting up the AHT indicates that there are certain rights and regulations independent of the town, and therefore the fact that there is a hiring freeze does not impact the AHT.  CD noted that since the AHT does not get money appropriated from the budget, he agrees it may have certain rights.  BS noted that there had been a previous decision not to raise that issue right now even though the hiring freeze may not affect the AHT, but to make do with the temporary secretary.    It was decided to leave things as they are until there is a housing consultant who would have some say in the matter.

Recording of Trust Document.  BC moved that Dianne Baron be given authority to send the trust document to Kathleen O'Donnell, lawyer, for final review and then to take to Registry for recording, all without an additional vote.  She is also authorized to pay the recording fee from AHT funds.  This was seconded by EO and carried unanimously.  Elaine will send her marked up version to Liz for review.

Chapter 40B ballot question.  Given the importance of this ballot question and the complexity of it, EO moved, and BC seconded, that the AHT/HPC hold a meeting on October 21 at 12:00 to discuss this question.  It was carried unanimously.  BS was asked to contact cable for coverage.  It will be a forum with the public invited which will last about an hour before a regular meeting is held.  There would be no meeting on October 28 as originally scheduled.  Posters would be put up.  Catherine will speak with Dianne about this.

Adjournment.  BC moved, LC seconded a motion to adjourn at 1:57 pm.  The next meeting is 12:00 noon on October 21 at Town Hall Annex.

Respectfully submitted,