DUXBURY LOCAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
COMMITTEE
Minutes of 2/7/08
Senior Center
Members Present: Bruce Bygate Brendan Keohan Charlie Rourke, V-Chair
Denece Clinton Andre Martecchini Matt Walsh
Barbara Kelley Brian Murphy
Also Present: Bill Campbell, Jim Sullivan, Frank Mangione, Fiscal Advisory Board
Jessica Williams, Design Review Board, Phil Mayfield –Housing
Consultant and Christine Stickney, Planning Director
Also five other residents were present – unidentified.
Meeting convened at 7:30PM
Charlie Rourke chaired the meeting in the absence of Diane Bartlett. Members of the LHP introduced themselves to the audience and Charlie briefly outlined the purpose of the meeting to introduce five LHP sponsored articles for the Annual Town Meeting and answers questions.
Affordable Housing Trust (AFHT):
Andre Martecchini made a brief presentation of the article and the need for it to help in the Town’s affordable housing efforts. Jim Sullivan questioned if there were other Towns that had such programs – Phil Mayfield replied that this was modeled after Westford. Frank Mangione commented this appears to be a “municipal agency” and if allowed to borrow wouldn’t the Town incur liability? He also asked why there couldn’t be a similar set up like the conservation fund rather than create a new entity? Andre Martecchini answered that the AFHT is designed to be outside of the Town Meeting process to provide greater flexibility for unanticipated opportunities such as a home coming to the market. The allocation plan to be discussed later would provide general categories
for the use of funds – not specifics as explained by Andre. The discussion then moved into the next article.
AFHT Allocation Plan:
Charlie Rourke made a brief presentation on how the Town has capability to receive funds such as inclusionary funds for the development of affordable housing. In 2005, through the approval of the State Legislature an accounting fund was created to receive deposits; however the same legislation specified an allocation plan was need to disperse the funds. Charlie went on to explain that this is the first year funds have been earmarked for deposit from a project know as Duxbury Farms – payments into the fund are anticipated to occur soon. Since this is a matter for Annual Town Meeting, authorization needs to be sought in order to do anything in the upcoming year. Frank Mangione suggested that next time the allocation plan is developed for Town meeting it should include administrative costs for
those matters described in the Housing Trust – such as audits, salaries etc.
Affordable Housing Bylaw:
Charlie Rourke presented this article explaining how the LHP received a grant that funded a consultant who created the bylaw. The LHP working with the Planning Board had made some modifications through working together to present to Town Meeting. He explained the thresholds of a lot that would make it eligible for consideration for this Special Permit. Charlie also acknowledge that George and Bruce of the committee looked at the list of privately owned vacant parcels (372 lots) and using the bylaw culled down the number to 48 that could be eligible. He explained that this did not include approvals under Title V or the Wetlands Protection Act – merely looking at the zoning. Jessica Williams asked how about the income guidelines and how it would work in the future. Charlie noted that HUD
develops the income guidelines and as to the future – these lots would be deed restricted to guarantee affordability with each new owner. A gentlemen in the audience asked if the lots could be identified on a Town Map. Christine Stickney noted that an excel spreadsheet exists; however she was unsure if there was time to map it for Town Meeting.
Acquisition of the Grange – 153 Franklin Street:
Brendan Keohan presented this article explaining that the funding was being requested from the CPA fund. The request for $70,000 for the acquisition, legal fees and other site related needs. He explained how the neighboring building a former firehouse was to be redeveloped for affordable housing as well. Currently there is a Request for Proposals out to be responded to by February 29th to assure Town Meeting someone is willing to do the work. A gentlemen in the audience asked if these houses would be taxed with consideration if they are affordable. A question was also asked that if they were condos how an occupant pays the condos fees – Phil Mayfield answered the general question of condo fees and how it works. Andre addressed the assessors’ current process with
taxes and the affordable houses we have in Duxbury that have been built by Habitat for Humanity.
Affordable Housing Purchase Assistance Program:
Brendan Keohan presented this article explaining that the funding ($500,000) was being requested from CPA to fund the program. The guidelines of the program will have to be approved by the Board of Selectmen before funds could be expended after 7/1/08. He explained that the funds would be used as a second mortgage to help buy down the cost of a home to make it more affordable to residents at or below the 80% median income. Frank Mangione questioned if this was a grant or would it be paid back. Phil Mayfield addressed the difference between a grant and the issue of paying back. He mentioned that DHCD prefers to see it as a grant, however this article is designed to be a pay back when the unit is sold. Phil explained that the details of this are still in the working out stages. He
briefly explained what happens when a unit is sold and how a new buyer is found and determined to meet the income guidelines. Charlie Rourke added that the details of the program are currently and will be worked through with the Board of Selectmen before any funds are expended. A question was also asked if we have people in town today that are legible. Brendan reported on the Town’s surveys, range of salaries for Town employees and the income thresholds. A gentleman asked then what happened with Merry Village. Christine answered that it was age restricted and that the change was to allow family use – the project also did not advertise well their lottery for the affordable units in the media normally used by other 40B developers.
At this point the audience was asked about any further questions with any of the articles and there were none. This part of the meeting ended and may in the audience left.
Regular Business Meeting:
Andre, Charlie and Christine discussed the Affordable Housing Purchase Assistance program and the happenings since the Board of Selectmen’s meeting last week. Diane had been successful in getting some type of comment from DHCD however it has left us with the question to go with DHCD’s requirements to have the units’ counts towards the 10% or just make the units affordable and not worry about the count. Phil Mayfield offered his opinion to just make the units affordable and then try in the future to have them counted. The counting issue is one faced by many communities and DHCD is going to eventually have to change their program for counting. Andre added his opinion that DHCD prefers production rather preservation in creating affordable housing. Brendan Keohan relayed his
personal experience with the Delano property and the obstacles the Housing Authority encountered to get the group home approved and built.
Jim Sullivan offered his opinion that the average voter is not concerned with the 10% count – the LHP should be working toward convincing the people about the need for affordable housing – they need to show something that is real and what you can get for the money. Jim Sullivan felt of all the articles this was the most simple and real article for people to understand.
Matt Walsh noted his concern with the Affordable Housing Bylaw and comments he has heard about how people feel about it and density. He is concerned that this article will be problematic affecting the Affordable Housing trust which he perceives as the most important article. Charlie Rourke expressed his opinion that having the Planning Board on board would be a big help at Town Meeting.
Phil Mayfield responded to Jim Sullivan’s comment that having the Town Meeting’s vote for funding of the $500,000 will stand stronger in the argument with DHCD to count after the fact. The consensus of the group was to continue to move forward at $500,000 and see what happens. Christine noted that there is nothing precluding the LHP to refile if not successful.
Administrative Matters:
The RFP pre-submission meeting is 2/13 at 10am in the Mural Room and then there will be a walk through at the site.
No minutes were reviewed – move to the next meeting. Brendan Keohan MOTION to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Barbara Kelley – unanimous voted
The meeting ended at 9:30PM
Respectfully submitted
Christine Stickney, Planning Director
APPROVED BY THE LHP ON 03/20/08
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