Eastham Affordable Housing Trust, Wednesday, November 7, 2012
In attendance: John Knight, Jim McMakin (Acting Chair), Eileen Morgan (Acting Clerk), Rev. Matt Wissell, Alice Boyd (Bailey Boyd Associates).
Absent: Bill Burt, Chair
Also attending: Tom Johnson
The meeting was called to order at 11:15 am by Acting Chair Jim McMakin.
Eileen Morgan moved to accept the minutes of the October meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Jim McMakin and approved.
A motion was made and seconded to move to Executive Session in order to discuss RFP responses. Tom Johnson left the room. Alice presented the 2 responses. The first proposal requested funding to upgrade an existing, occupied rental with the sole benefit to the Trust of having the right of first refusal when the property is offered for sale. The second proposal, from the Cape Community Development Partnership (CDP), was to purchase a two-bedroom home on the State Highway and complete minor rehab. The CDP would own the home, deed restrict it, and rent the property affordably. Neither of these proposals met the goals of the Trust, and Alice will so notify the responders.
Alice Boyd also discussed the Bay Cove Motel, recently offered to the Trust. The site offered multiple, seasonal, rental units in need of extensive rehab. This site could have problematic subdivision, well and septic issues. Abigail Chapman visited the property to evaluate the rehab work necessary and recommended against the purchase based upon a) the small size of units; b) the lack of insulation and electric heat; c) the extremely close proximity of the units which do not meet DHCD minimum standards. Alice will let the owners know, and thank them for their cooperation. Alice then informed members of a different property that might suit our needs, which will be discussed during a second Executive Session today.
A motion was made by John Knight and seconded by Jim McMakin to return to the Regular meeting. Mr. Johnson returned to the room.
Alice distributed a memo she requested from Bob Murray of the Falmouth Housing Corporation. The memo is an overview of the various components involved in developing affordable elder housing. Trust members support such development, and agreed that the topic would benefit from wider discussion between the various groups involved in any such development (i.e., BOS, CPC, etc.), since the potential exists for the use of Town-owned land. Tom Johnson noted that 12 units, which could cost $2 million, is within the CPC’s 2 year capacity. John Knight will raise the topic at a BOS working group.
Wampum Lane Update: The contracted improvements have been completed, and Alice described the work done by the General Contractor and the Project Manager as “exemplary”. An Open House for the BOS, general public and press will be scheduled.
Tim Buhler (Executive Director of the Orleans Housing Authority (OHA)) contacted Jim McMakin (liaison to the ED/OHA) to express his concerns regarding minimum rental incomes for the property, since a replacement reserve fund needs to be built up. A motion was made, seconded and approved that the OHA ED could rent the units for 30% of the tenants’ income, however there will be a minimum rent of $600. The HOME guidelines are $808 for a 1 bedroom unit and $970 for a 2 bedroom unit. Trust members will visit the site following the meeting.
Rental Subsidy Update: One participant may be going off the program in the near future. There is one opening available, with 5 applications submitted. Tom Johnson inquired about how the Trust will treat an application that is submitted close to the subsidy expiration. (Funding was made available for a proposed 3-year period.) Alice suggested that the applicant could be added to the program, but could be screened so that they exit the program quickly.
CPC application: Several options were discussed. One was for the funds to enable a preliminary study/survey to be done regarding the need for affordable senior housing (Alice will review existing demographic information, and may speak with the BOS at one of their work sessions); another was to request funds to purchase rental housing which would not be site-specific.
Invoices were presented for signature/approval (for HECH, for the Wampum Lane General Contractor and for BBA), which was done by Rev. Matt Wissell in Bill Burt’s absence.
Overview of Board Policies and Procedures: Held over, since Bill Burt’s presence is necessary.
Other Business: Alice pointed out that a “Treasurer” for the Trust, who would oversee funds and track warrant articles would be useful. Members agreed that Eileen Morgan would take on the task.
John Knight proposed, and Jim McMakin seconded, that the Trust move to Executive Session. Tom Johnson left the room. Following discussion, John Knight made a motion to end the Executive Session and adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Eileen Morgan. The vote was unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 1 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen Morgan, Acting Clerk
These minutes were approved 12/18/12
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