Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
 
LHP Minutes of 10/09/2008
Approved by the LHP on 10/23/08

DUXBURY LOCAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
COMMITTEE
Minutes of 10/9/08
Town Hall

Members Present:        Diane Bartlett          Denece Clinton          Brian Murphy
        Bruce Bygate            Barbara Kelley          Matt Walsh
                        
                                        
Also Present:   Bill Campbell and Christine Stickney, Planning Director

Meeting convened at 7:05 PM

Community Preservation Act (CPA) Requests:
Diane Bartlett informed the committee that as a result of past discussions she had
prepared three draft applications for the funding requests from CPA for the submission the upcoming Town Meeting (2009) and would like the LHP discussion and subsequent approval to submit.  CPA requests are due by October 15, 2008.

Request #1 re: Camp Wing – To seek 50K from CPA for plans and specs for the Camp Wing proposal.   Barbara Kelley MOTION to approve submission for funding for the Camp Wing project, seconded by Matt Walsh – unanimously voted.

Diane noted a conversation she had with Laura Schaeffer regarding a duplex and concerns she had with that type of housing.  Members felt Laura’s concerns could be addressed – they would like to pursue consideration of a duplex.

Request #2 re: Housing Recycling Program – To seek $100K for funding a program that would allow the Town to receive donated houses that may need to be moved to Town land for development of affordable housing.  Matt Walsh MOTION to approve submission for funding the Housing Recycling Program, seconded by Barbara Kelley – unanimously voted.

Diane reminded members that Bill Campbell is reviewing Town owned lands to be designated for affordable housing – some type of warrant article will be forthcoming for Town Meeting. Bill briefly discussed his findings to date with regards to the Town’s inventory.

Request #3 re: 90 Tremont Street – To seek $300 towards the acquisition and if needed minor rehabilitation of a property on the market at #90 Tremont Street.  
Matt Walsh MOTION to approve submission for funding the potential acquisition of property.

Diane noted on the last request that she will be seeking Board of Selectmen authorization to be able to negotiate with the bank on behalf of the Town at their next meeting.

Local Initiative Program (LIP) Rules and Regulations:
Diane reported that the LIP rules were voted for adoption by the Board of Selectmen at their 10/6/08 meeting.  Diane questioned if she would now ask Mr. Diamond to come in and talk about his project on Temple Street?  Denece questioned if the access issue had been resolved?  Diane was unsure but commented he was aware that this had to be addressed.  Diane also asked members about their thoughts of asking Diamond to make the project 100% affordable.  Brian felt this may not be feasible – members looked at the conceptual plans and agreed to wait on inviting Mr. Diamond at this time but rather let him come back to the LHP when he was ready to move forward.

CHAPA Outreach Grant:
Diane informed members that the LHP was awarded a $15,000.00 outreach grant for funding a consultant to help with outreach and public relations to implement the affordable housing bylaw.  Phil Mayfield was a pre-qualified consultant with CHAPA and they were agreeable to have him work on this initiative given his familiarity with the Town and their efforts towards housing.  Christine and Phil have been working on a meeting to be held November 19th in which eligible property owners with potential lots will be invited to attend to learn about the bylaw and what they may be able to do with their property. Diane urged members to make an effort to attend that evening to help with this effort since many sit on other land use boards that can help residents.

LHP Role and Mission:
Bill Campbell asked for the LHP to step up their efforts in relation to Island Creek.  He noted there are many more naysayers than proponents and this is where the LHP could be the most helpful.  Bill noted that members need to become more proactive and magnify the need for affordable housing and keep pursuing recent accomplishments at the 2008 Town meeting.  Public relations and discussions back to your own boards as to the efforts of the LHP needs to ramp up to keep affordable housing in the limelight.  He urged the newest members to become more active on the issue out in the community and through their networking.   Brian Murphy asked members to consider what really should be promoted and he noted that only large 40B projects like Island Creek can numerically increase our efforts to reach 10% and he added the small projects are worthy but in the overall scheme of things will not make a big dent in the count.  Brian added that the LHP is giving the community tools to do different alternatives.  Bruce Bygate added that success at Town Meeting means getting the right people to attend and vote – you need to run it like a campaign.  It was the consensus of the group more energy needs to be given to Island Creek and reaching people within the community.

Affordable Housing Trust:
Diane mentions that she attended the most recent meeting of the Trust and there is not much progress with the Homeownership Assistance Program.  She also mentioned that a discussion came up about the Trust retaining property and that Betsy Sullivan expressed her opinion that the Trust had concerns becoming landlords.  Bruce Bygate questioned this and noted the Trust was organized to in fact take property and was there any reason given?  Members discussed what has happened with the Trust since its establishment and agreed that the Trust be asked to attend a LHP meeting or that members would come to one of their meetings to discuss the roles of the Trust and the LHP.  Diane will contact Betsy Sullivan and she will make that request of the Trust.

Administrative Matters:

Barbara Kelley MOTION to accept the minutes of 9/11/08 & 9/25/08, seconded by Matt Walsh – unanimously voted.

Matt Walsh MOTION to adjourn, seconded by Brian Murphy – unanimously voted.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45PM

Respectfully submitted,


Christine Stickney,
Planning Director