Present for the Housing Committee and attending the meeting were: Andy Goldman, Chair, Zee Gamson, Bill Randol, Jim Feiner and PersonNameChuck Hodgkinson (for PersonNameChristina Soulagnet). Todd Christy and PersonNameTim Lasker were absent.
Mr. Goldman opened the meeting at 4:32 PM.
MINUTES: The December 17, 2007 minutes were reviewed. A motion to approve the minutes as presented was made, seconded and unanimously approved.
MIDDLE addressStreetLINE ROAD COMMUNITY HOUSING PROGRAM; DAVID HANDLIN: Chuck H. informed the Committee that PersonNameDavid Handlin could not attend today’s meeting because of the snow storm. He will attend the January 22nd meeting @ 4:30 PM to review the addressStreetMiddle Line Road site plan, architectural design concepts for the rental units and a rough construction cost estimate for the same. Chuck H. will confirm whether or not Mr. Handlin will also provide design guidelines for the homesite housing units on January 22nd.
PAT MANNING, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, placeISLAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND; HELM LOAN PROGRAM: Mr. Goldman introduced Pat Manning to the Committee and summarized his prior discussions with the support staff and Board of Selectmen regarding the Helm Loan Program and conditions. He further outlined the Selectmen’s initial response and concern about the program’s condition of transferring land title to the Island Housing Trust in exchange for Helm loan eligibility.
Mr. Manning thanked the Committee for their time and summarized features, benefits and conditions of the Helm loan, second mortgage program. He added that he is meeting with each of the island’s 6 Community Preservation Committees (CPC) seeking a recommendation to appropriate a sum of PersonNameCPA funds for a Helms mortgage assistance program. The Island Affordable Housing Fund would subsequently match any Town contributions. On January 23 the Chilmark CPC will discuss the possibility of transferring the current $60,000 mortgage interest assistance appropriation to this program.
Mr. Goldman asked if the Island Housing Trust (IHT) would consider an exception to the land title transfer condition for housing programs that have a mix of homesite ownership and rental uses. Specifically, would the IHT agree to a long-term lease of the land in lieu of land ownership? He added that the Town has an approved set of implementation guidelines and long-term ground lease agreements that should be considered by the IHT. Mr. Manning recommended meeting with the IHT board to discuss any suggested changes or exceptions to the Helm loan program.
The Committee thanked Mr. Manning for his time and agreed this subject should not be considered for the planned Special Town Meeting that will be held before the April 28 Annual Town Meeting. They also agreed a special presentation should be made that outlines the pros and cons of participating in the Helm loan program.
FINCOM MEMO; ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT PAY RATE ADJUSTMENT: Mr. Goldman summarized the memo he and the Chair of the Planning Board sent to the Finance Committee recommending a correction to the entry pay rate for PersonNameChristina Soulagnet. The Committee unanimously endorsed the recommendation.
JAKSA LAND ACQUISITION; MAP 13 placeLOT 29: Chuck H. summarized the Selectmen’s press release dated January 8, 2008 outlining the needs for and negotiated price to purchase this parcel. He also reviewed a GIS map of the land and a proposed new vehicular entrance to Middle Line Road from Tabor House Road – as required by the Planning Board and Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC). The Committee endorsed the proposal and congratulated the Selectmen on resolving this issue.
MIDDLE addressStreetLINE ROAD PERMITTING TIMELINE: Chuck H. reviewed the current planning timeline for the Middle Line Road Community Housing Program and tentative key dates for submitting the final Form C subdivision plan for Map 13 Lot 43. The Committee recommended keeping a sense of urgency on the process.
NEXT MEETING: The next Housing Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 22 @ 4:30 PM.
With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted by PersonNameChuck Hodgkinson, CAS.
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