Westport News

Approved Minutes

Westport Affordable Housing Trust (AHT)

Westport Housing Partnership (WHP)

Joint Meeting

February 8, 2011

Present:  Elaine Ostroff, Dianne Baron, Warren Messier, Catherine Williams

Absent:  Brian Corey, Jr., Craig Dutra, Liz Collins

Also present:  Leonardi Aray, Housing Specialist

                          Betty Slade, volunteer clerk

Dianne Baron (DB) called the meeting to order at 3:36 pm.

The purpose of the meeting is to review the draft documents on the AHT initiatives to accompany the application to CPC funds for 2012.  Leonardi Aray (LA) prepared a draft document.  The members discussed this document, and decided:

 1.           Only give plans for 2012, therefore eliminate reference to 2013 throughout the document.

2.            Eliminate all references to the Small Grant Program since there are no funds for that available nor foreseen in the near future.

3.            On the goals, eliminate #1.

4.            Change the term "housing consultant" to "housing specialist" throughout.

5.            On the Small Scale Development page, move the statement about goals to the left side of the page and state as:  "The goal of this initiative is to facilitate the construction of new affordable housing units in existing neighborhoods."

6.            Title:  Delete School Street and put "2012 Project".

7.            Eliminate the statement under the parcel size, i.e., eliminate "located within conservation land."

8.            Change "two duplexes to be rented" to "one duplex to be sold."

9.            The next line should read:  The Board of Selectmen has approved a request to transfer the land to the Trust.

10.          Last line should read:  "Information session with neighbors will be scheduled for April."

11.          On last page delete all material on "small scale grants."

12.          AMI, LIP, LAC and ENF should be stated in full.  Eliminate "only 6" after new construction.

The budget was changed and the new version is to be prepared by LA.  The new version will be added to these minutes when prepared by LA.  Some points made about the budget were:

1.            It was decided not to suggest that money will be spent in 2011 on feasibility studies for the School Street property.

2.            Betty Slade (BS) agreed to check into whether the $42,750 which Liz Collins had suggested would be available is in the accounts.  The Accountant has indicated there is only about $28,000.  BS will report to the members on Wednesday.

3.            A discussion of Habitat for Humanity and its requirements indicated that it is necessary to check further whether the AHT would receive any compensation and whether a deed restriction could be put on the property.  Catherine Williams (CW) noted that the Habitat people would be coming to the March meeting.

4.            It was decided that the budget document should be redrafted, dividing what is now called "prior year carry forward" into two categories:  Small scale development funds ($75,000) and other available funds of $28,000 [the amount shown in the account previously shown as $42,750].

5.            Other revenue and income was reduced to "0" because there are no prospects for income in that category.  The notes are also eliminated for that entry.

6.            FY 2013 and Small Grant Program and Grant Program for Elderly Homeowners were eliminated from the budget altogether including the notes.  The 3 year total was eliminated and replaced by a 2 year total.

7.            The budget did not balance, so the Homebuyer Program was reduced to $112,500 for one unit and the Small Scale Development expenditure was set at $75,000.

Other business.

LA noted he had sent out letters to the abutters of Noquochoke and School Street and had received two  phone calls of concerned neighbors who were worried about what was going on at School Street.  After a lengthy discussion it was decided that no further letter will be sent until more information is available.

It was noted that a quorum cannot attend the CPC meeting on February 10th because it is not posted.  EO and DB will represent the AHT and LA will attend also.  LA will send revised documents on Wednesday to the members and after receiving corrections/comments will send to DB who will transmit to Lucy Tabit for circulation to CPC members.  EO suggested that DB lead the discussion, introduce LA to the CPC and give an overview of where the AHT is going.  BS agreed to send the previous CPC submission form to the members and LA.

CW moved, and WM seconded, for adjournment at 5:20 pm.  The vote was unanimous in favor.

The next meeting is on February 24 at 12:00 noon at the Town Hall Annex.

Respectfully submitted,

Betty Slade, Volunteer Clerk

Attachment 1.  Draft Budget  for CPC submission

Attachment 2.  Revised Budget  for CPC submission