Westport News

Westport Affordable Housing Trust     

Westport Housing Partnership Committee

August 18, 2011

Final Minutes                      approved September 7, 2011 as amended

Present:  Elaine Ostroff (EO), Craig Dutra (CD),Catherine Williams (CW), Elizabeth Collins (EC), Brian Corey, Jr. (BC), Warren Messier (WM)

Others present:  Leonardi Aray, Housing Specialist, Sarah Raposa (Town Planner), Betty Slade (Volunteer Clerk).

The meeting was called to order by CW, chair, at 3:35 pm.

EO moved and WM seconded to approve minutes of July 20, 2011.  The vote to approve was unanimous.

EC moved, BC seconded to approve minutes of August 3, 2011.  The vote to approve was unanimous with CD abstaining because of absence at that meeting.

Two potential members, Kathy Santos and Anne Boxler, were contacted to consider joining, but neither could accept.  It was recommended that potential new members be invited to attend a regular meeting of the AHT/WHP.

LA prepared a preliminary draft of a possible homebuyer program in Westport.  See attachment 1. He discussed the homebuyer program in Bourne.  LA will continue working on preparation of the  program.

Discussion of this was postponed to the September 7th meeting.

EC moved and EO seconded a motion to table discussion of the matter.  The motion was approved unanimously.

Subcommittee for Housing Production Plan.

This committee consists of CW, EO, EC, LA and Sarah Raposa (town planner).  They plan to meet with SRPEDD.

LA read from the newsletter that had been circulated to the abutters and the members felt that statement was sufficient at this stage.

The Noquochoke bid proposal received from Community Builders, Inc. was considered excellent and should be followed up.  One important issue is that the bidder sees the entire property as rental units which was not originally in the conceptual framework.  It was noted that market conditions have changed drastically since that time.  Another issue has to do with the low income levels of the target population.  The Subcommittee with meet  in August for an on-site visit with the bidder.  The proposal is available in the AHT Housing Office at Town Hall.

EO moved and EC seconded adjournment at 5:20 pm.  The motion passed unanimously.

The next meeting is on September 7, 2011 at 3:30 pm at Town Hall.

Respectfully Submitted,

Betty Slade

Acting Clerk

Attachment 1.   Homebuyer Program Preliminary Draft.

Attachment 2.   Bid by Community Builders, Inc.