FINAL
Present for the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) and attending the meeting were: Bill Rossi, Chairman, Pam Goff, Steve Lewenberg, Lisa Burkin, Jane Slater and Chuck Hodgkinson. Karen Tewhey also attended. Warren Doty and John Eisner did not attend.
Mr. Rossi brought the meeting to order at 4:30 PM and thanked Ms. Tewhey for returning with additional information about her regional request for CPA funding.
Ms. Tewhey summarized her program again for the Board’s reference. The Martha’s Vineyard Network for Homeless Prevention are seeking $34,200 of Community Preservation Community Housing Funds as Chilmark’s share of a six-town request for $300,000 to purchase a 5-bedroom residence to house and teach life skills for adults earning approximately 30% AMI. Since the November 5 meeting Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard, Inc. has received confirmation the Attorney General’s office is reviewing their application for 501c3 status. This process could take many months.
The Committee agreed this project is filling an important need and explained it may be too early to request CPA funding without 501c3 status and a clearer plan for purchasing and operating the property. Ms. Tewhey added she understands the requirements more clearly now as this is her first request for CPA funds.
Regarding the structure of the acquisition, she confirmed the County supports the program but is not interested in buying the property. The County has no staff commitment or involvement with the program.
The Committee added if this moves forward it is not necessarily interested in being an on-going financial sponsor. Ms. Tewhey said Island Housing Trust is considering the property acquisition when identified and expressed interest in converting it to affordable rental apartments if the Harbor Homes plan does not come to fruition. The Committee explained if they recommend this project for voter consideration the funds can only be used for the Harbor Homes plan. The Committee added it has a policy of only devoting 10% of annual CPA revenue (approximately $32,000) to regional projects outside the Town and has already voted to recommend $50,000 for the Island Elderly Housing construction project. Ms. Tewhey understood and said if the Committee can support the program it would help Harbor Homes’
private fundraising efforts as it will demonstrate Town support.
After much discussion about how a possible recommendation could be conditioned to support the plan a motion was made to recommend the following to Town voters at the April 2019 Annual Town Meeting:
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from the FY 2020 Community Preservation Community Preservation Reserve for Community Housing Fund the sum of $10,000.00 as Chilmark’s share to fund the acquisition of future housing for homeless residents earning up to approximately 30 percent county median income. The project will be managed by Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard, Inc. The funds shall not be released until a closing date is scheduled for the property. An appropriate homeless affordable housing deed restriction shall also be filed with the deed to the property. If the property is sold or its use changes, 100 percent of the funds shall be reimbursed to the Town of Chilmark CPA fund reserves. If the Town has repealed the CPA the funds shall be reimbursed to the Town’s Molly
Flender Affordable Housing Trust.
The motion was seconded and after brief discussion passed unanimously with five in favor. Ms. Tewhey thanked the Committee for its support and hard work.
Administration
The November 5, 2018 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as presented by consensus.
The draft FY 2020 administration was reviewed. A motion was made and seconded to approve the budget. The motion passed unanimously with five in favor.
The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, January 16, 2019 @ 6:00 PM. This will be confirmed at a later date.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Chuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
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