Affordable Housing Trust/ Partnership Committee Minutes, May 11, 2011
Westport Affordable Housing Trust/ Westport Partnership Committee
Final Minutes
Meeting May 11, 2011
Present: Craig Dutra (CD), Catherine Williams (CW), Elaine Ostroff (EO), Elizabeth Collins (EC), Warren Messier (WM) - late
Absent: Brian Corey, Jr., Dianne Baron
Others: Leonardi Aray (LA), Betty Slade(BS), David Cole (DC), Sean Leach (SL),Kim Fernandes
CW called the meeting to order at 2:30.
Minutes. CD moved, EO seconded a motion to approve the minutes of May 4, 2011 as written and the motion was approved by CW, EO and CD. EC abstained because of absence at the previous meeting.
School Street Community Meeting on May 4, 2011 - Consequences. LA presented a handout which listed some of his preliminary comments on lessons learned from the meeting. See Attachment 1. He emphasized that people are not aware of the Affordable Housing Trust and its mission. In some cases the Trust might want to take advantage of 40B and 40R. They are not all bad.
Other comments on meeting. WM stated that the School Street property is at a lower elevation than surrounding. The area consists of so-called T lots, named because they were close to the trolley line. The development of the School Street property should not cause problems for the other owners in the area.
EO said that the School Street property is on the BOS agenda on Monday night. She is planning a walk through of the property with Mr. John Margarita, a resident in the area, and Steve Ouellette to learn Mr. Margarita's issues.
It was noted that the representative of the Habitat for Humanity said after the meeting that Habitat would not be interested to work in such a controversial environment.
CD leaves at 3:00.
Town Meeting Warrant Discussion and Preparation for AHT/WHP presentation.
EO suggested that the Trust recommend pass over of the School Street transfer Article 25 at Town Meeting. She said more research is needed, and looking at other uses such as open space. It may not be best to have a development there. EC moved and EO seconded a motion to pass over Article 25, to give an explanation to Town Meeting at the time, and to get clarification of the effect of the pass over on CPC funding. The motion passed unanimously.
David Cole, chair of the Estuaries Committee, was asked to talk about a new initiative which would marry the interests of affordable housing and nutrient reduction. He said that area has a bad problem of septic and water problems and these should be addressed. He said that his research indicated there are at least 8 houses for sale at less than $250,000. If the Trust could buy up some of those houses, put in the proper septic systems, and an affordable housing restriction, it could then sell them. The Trust in cooperation with the Estuaries Committee perhaps might look into cluster septic systems to which others could be invited to tie up. This could reduce costs to each individual owner considerably. He had contacted Pamela Truesdale about use of the state revolving fund and had received a favorable answer. This could be a pilot project with betterment agreements. An engineering report could be financed with loan money with a 2% interest rate. The report could lay out a plan for the facilities. It would be a good idea to identify various places where such systems might be located. The question is if the School Street property could be a pilot project. There is need to do research. CPC may be able to finance it as this kind of project seems to come under the CPA criteria according to the website at the Community Preservation Coalition website. See Attachment 2.
EC stated that the selectmen might be asked to give a good faith statement that they will not sell to a developer. There was a discussion about whether or not a 40B is a threat.
CW pointed out that it had early on been stated that the first goal of the Trust was to do a positive small scale project.
EO said she will speak with John Margarita.
Leonardi Aray's (LA) May and June Work Priorities
Attachment 3 gives a time line for LA work. He wants to concentrate on the homebuyer program and how it has worked in other towns, create a list of people interested in affordable housing. He wants this to be a serious campaign. He would like an agenda item in the future for discussion about the needs of very low income people. EO urged that a list of buyers and developers be developed. LA said that he will prepare a form to give to every employee in town giving them information and asking if they are interested in affordable housing and/or to give the form to those who they know might be interested. It would contain information guidelines, an explanation of the Housing Office. The responses could be part of a needs assessment. He believes that outreach must be a major goal of the Trust. LC and others very enthusiastic about this a good outreach.
LA will write up a draft job description for an intern. He thinks the intern should be paid. He hopes that an intern could begin in June.
LA would like an agenda item in the future concerning Budget Review and future contracting. Honoraria and costs of supplies must be taken into account.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, May 18 at 1:00 at Town Hall. That meeting will include the CPC affordable housing allocation and preparation for Town Meeting.
The following meeting will be May 26 at 12:00 noon, also at Town Hall. The change in location relates to the now active Housing Office in Town hall.
EC moved, EO seconded a motion to adjourn at 4 pm. It was carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Slade
Acting Clerk
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