DUXBURY LOCAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
COMMITTEE
Minutes of 2/28/08
Senior Center
Members Present: Diane Bartlett Jack Griffin Brian Murphy
Bruce Bygate Barbara Kelley Charlie Rourke
Denece Clinton Andre Martecchini Matt Walsh
Brendan Keohan (arrived 8:50PM)
Also Present: Christine Stickney, Planning Director
Meeting convened at 7:30PM
Affordable Housing Assistance Program:
Diane reported that she and Christine went to the Community Preservation meeting this morning. Members also reviewed a handout for Town meeting and made minor revisions to some of the questions/answers.
Affordable Housing Trust:
Diane Bartlett updated the members not present for the BOS discussion the prior Monday evening (2/25) and the BOS concerns with borrowing. Matt Walsh questioned if we should pull the article and wait a year. A discussion ensued on what could happen if the Trust defaulted and who would be liable. Charlie Rourke expressed his opinion that they can only default on the assets that the Trust has acquired. Andre expressed his opinion that the article should be amended to relieve everyone’s concerns on borrowing. After much discussion the following changes were made:
- To delete borrowing authority from the allowable powers of the Trust through out the document (Article fifth - #6, 7,11 & renumber)
- Changed auditing to Town Treasurer instead of independent (Article 10)
- Note that the first reference Ch. 268A in the eighth article should be
Ch. 258 – (need to check with Troy)
- Noted last sentence in article eighth is a duplicate of the language in article 18 therefore delete (need to check with Troy)
- Changed the annual report under section (20) to fiscal year instead of calendar year to conform to the town’s calendar and to be submitted in August – define fiscal year 6/30 to 7/1.
Christine Stickney expressed her concern that eliminating the borrowing weakens the article which only mirrors the state statute. Andre added if there is a valid reason that the borrowing should need to be returned to the Housing Trust we could always call a Special Town Meeting and amended it.
Jack Griffin MOTION to accept the proposed Affordable Housing Trust article as amended and present to Town Meeting, second by Bruce Bygate – unanimously voted.
Andre said he would forward it to Town Counsel and the Moderator for the proper moving of the article.
Joint Meeting with the Fiscal Advisory Committee (8:45PM) – present with the LHP members were: Frank Mangione (C), Kim O’Sullivan, David Madigan, Paul Arsenian, Bill O’Toole and Melissa Donohoe (Paul Brogna arrived later).
Fiscal Advisory was meeting with the LHP with regards to the two money articles before Town Meeting, funding for the Homeowner Assistance Purchase Program (500K) and the purchase of the Grange (70K); however they also had questions with some of the other articles proposed by the LHP.
Affordable Housing Trust:
Andre gave a brief presentation about the article and explanation on the LHP’s amendments agreed to tonight. Discussions between members involved the following topics: where the CPA funds for the program would go, the difference between the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the Affordable Housing Trust, the issue of borrowing and Town’s possible liability, the Affordable Housing Guidelines under development, explanation of the number of units needed to reach 10%, what determines an eligible buyer, and who administers the Homeowner’s Assistance Purchase Program.
Frank Mangione thanked the LHP for meeting with his committee and Fiscal Advisory returned to their meeting at 10PM down the hall.
Other business:
Minutes were deferred to the next available meeting.
Diane Bartlett noted there is another meeting next week 3/6 for any last minute things involving Town Meeting.
Barbara Kelley MOTION to adjourn, seconded by Charlie Rourke – unanimously voted
Meeting adjourned at 10:10 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Stickney
APPROVED BY THE LHP ON 05/22/08
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