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Minutes 10/21/2008

 Board of Selectmen
Minutes
October 21, 2008

Leo F. Blair
 Timothy A. Clark
Peter E. Warren
Lucy B. Wallace
Ronald V. Ricci



The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chair, Leo Blair in the Town Hall Meeting Room.

PROPOSED SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT –AYER ROAD VILLAGE SPECIAL PERMIT – Lou Russo from L.D. Russo Inc. was in attendance requesting support from the Board of Selectmen for this project. He explained an application for Ayer Road Village Special Permit was filed with the Planning Board on October 17, 2008 which includes 196, 198 and 200 Ayer Road. He presented a floor plan which includes 42 units in total.  There will be 26 one bedroom units and 16 two bedroom units. There will also be 4 community based housing units for persons with disabilities. The plan also includes an additional office and retail building. Mr. Russo explained they will be making an application to the DHCD and would like to have a letter of support from the Board of Selectmen to accompany the application. The Board did ask some questions of Mr. Russo for further clarity.

HILDRETH HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE – Scott Hayward was in attendance representing the Housing Task Force comprised of Harvard Housing Authority and Municipal Affordable Housing Trust members. The Housing Task Force was presenting results from a feasibility study for senior housing on the Hildreth House site. The Task Force members are Lucy Wallace, Chris Ashley, Bruce Nickerson and Mark Cooper. Consultants hired were:
  • Riverside Consulting – Toby Kramer
  • GPR Engineering – Cal Goldsmith
  • CBT Architects – Richard Bertman, Chris Coios
  • Carol R. Johnson Landscape Architects – Chris Jones, Jon Pate
Mr. Hayward explained at the 2008 Annual Town Meeting it was voted for the Task Force to evaluate the possibility of the Hildreth House site for senior housing.  
Main objectives:     1. Affordable housing options for seniors
                        2. COA facility expansion to satisfy senior needs
                        3. Chapter 40B requirements
Focus groups were formed to question the senior population in town regarding why affordable senior housing is considered necessary:
  • Home ownership burden – maintenance/escalating taxes
  • Many would stay in Harvard if other housing options were available
  • Value of equity in the house freed up to be used in other ways
  • Affordability is important
  • Ease estate worries for family
  • Ease social isolation and maintain connection to community
  • Serve seniors in one place providing health aide, van service ect.
Board of Selectmen – Minutes
October 21, 2008 page 2

Council on Aging requires more space to serve a growing senior population, elevator access to second and third floor, additional parking, capital improvements/adaptations to protect the historical character of the building and solutions for long-term management and maintenance.

The Hildreth House project would add 47 units toward the Chapter 40B requirements.
Housing specifics:
  • 35 rental units in a single 3-story building
        18 affordable (rents $900-$1,100), 17 market apartments (rents $1,400-$2,000),
        1-2 bedroom units (750-1000sf)
  • 25 for sale condominiums located in 2 and 3 story buildings
       12 affordable units ($125,000-$135,000), 13 market – rate ($300,000-$425,000),
        1-2 bedroom units (750-1000sf)
  • Parking for 86 vehicles
Improvements suggested for the Hildreth House:
  • 3,000 sq ft multi function room for large gatherings, meals, exercise and meeting space.
  • Update kitchen
  • Create a central entry linking old and new buildings with an elevator to provide access to upper story office space for handicapped accessibility
  • Provide additional parking in close proximity of the building adding handicap accessibility and a drop off area.
Financing options:
  • State – Equity from 4% tax credits, Affordable Housing Trust Fund, HOME, Federal Home Loan Bank, Historic Tax Credits
  • Local – Harvard CPA funds
  • Project Income – Mass Housing Elder 80/20 program – A 40 year fixed rate mortgage, sales of ownership condo units.
At this time the Task Force asked permission from the BOS to proceed with on-site testing to verify development costs. This would include conducting engineering costs, rents/operating costs, review construction budget with developers, meet with DHCD and other funding sources to seek support.
The Task Force suggests working with the BOS on developing a legal structure relative to the long term relationship, ownership and management of the housing development and Hildreth House. Mr. Hayward explained the need to develop a schedule of tasks for implementation in order to prepare an RFP to solicit a developer for the project.
The Task Force also requested approval for the Task Force to work collaboratively with the Town Center Sewer Action Committee to come up with a combined proposal over the next six weeks. After much discussion/questions from the BOS and the public Leo Blair suggested the Task Force come back at the November 4 meeting with a list of decisions or steps they think are necessary along the way for approval from the BOS. There was a lot of discussion with regard to the role of the sewer project in correlation to this project.
On a Wallace/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Hildreth Housing Development Task Force to proceed with testing on the Hildreth House site.



Board of Selectmen – Minutes
October 21, 2008 page 3

AYER ROAD VILLAGE SUPPORT LETTER – Leo Blair read the letter of support. Lucy Wallace asked Mr. Russo if they would consider including 1 or 2 bedroom units of family housing. Mr. Russo said no.
On a Ricci/Blair motion, the Board voted to accept the letter of support.
(Blair – Aye, Ricci – Aye, Warren – Aye, Clark – Nay, Wallace – Nay)

MIT CYCLING TEAM – Eric Edlund and Ilana Brito were in attendance from the MIT Cycling Team to provide detail on their request to hold a cycling event in April of 2009. The event is a team time trial and a road race. They discussed dates, duration, proposed course, course marshals, traffic control plan as well as preparation and clean up. Mr. Edlund confirmed there would be public notification in the newspapers with regards to date, duration, contact information and approved course.
On a Wallace/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve request from MIT Cycling to hold a series of races in April of 2009 subject to approval of a safety plan by Chief Denmark and confirmation of a date.  

DPW ROOF REPLACING BID – Tim Bragan reviewed the bid sheet with the BOS and explained the DPW Director Rich Nota is working with the roofing company on a contract. He explained there were 14 bidders’ with prices ranging from $47, 700 to $80,500. The low bidder was Wayne Roofing Systems of Norwood, MA. Mr. Bragan confirmed Wayne Roofing Systems to be a decent viable company to work with.
On a Wallace/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to accept the bid from Wayne Roofing Systems for re-roofing the DPW Barn.

APPOINTMENTS –
On Ricci/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Barbara Brady and Scott Hayward to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust for a term expiring on October 31, 2010.
On a Blair/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Lucy Wallace to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust for a two year term beginning November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2010.

LIQUOR LICENSE – Leo Blair suggested a more detailed discussion regarding fees should take place at the November 4th meeting after the election which will determine if Liquor Licenses will be granted in Harvard.

GETTY LAND PROPOSAL – Leo Blair read an offer solicitation letter from Lorden, Pastor & Lilly P.C. counsel for the landowners of the Getty land, Ronald Getty, Kevin Getty and Karl Kreeb. The letter stated the owners would be willing to accept a reduced offer of $1,950,000.00 and other such reasonable terms and conditions to be agreed upon by the parties. A response must be made in writing within 60 days of the date of this letter along with a purchase and sale agreement and a deposit. The Property is to be sold as is with no obligation of the seller other than to provide good and marketable title. The letter also stated that this solicitation may not be interpreted as an exclusive right to purchase the property by the Town of Harvard. The purchase would be with the understanding that the property may be used appropriately for the benefit of the citizens of Harvard and not for a subdivision into smaller residential lots.

Board of Selectmen – Minutes
October 21, 2008 - page 4


Leo Blair suggested this could be an ideal property for future school expansions. Tim Clark and Ron Ricci agreed this property could be a good opportunity and worth possibly pursuing. Peter Warren expressed concern toward the idea at this time due to the current and future finances of the town.  Leo Blair recommended at this time one member of the BOS communicate with the School Committee, Cons. Trust and others in town with regards to thoughts on funding.   Peter Warren was the Selectmen chosen. Tim Bragan agreed to draft a letter in response to the Getty Land.

HAPGOOD ROOM RENTAL – Lucy Wallace suggested the Board complete a rental policy before granting anymore requests. Tim Bragan confirmed the rental policies would be completed for the November 4th meeting.
Lucy Wallace made a motion which was seconded by Tim Clark to not make the Hapgood Library or any other town building available to a group for use until the rental policies are in place. There was no action taken.

MINUTES – On a Clark/Ricci motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 10/7, as amended.

TOWN ADMINSTRATOR –

Tim Bragan informed the Board that the Gas Company would be coming in at the November 4th meeting to go over the changes to the route for extending the gas lines. Leo Blair requested they present a new plan showing the changes.

Tim Bragan stated the Stow Board of Health will be holding an informational meeting on November 18, 2008 6:30pm – 8:30pm at the Hale Middle School located on Hartley Road regarding management changes at the Delaney Wildlife Management Area.

SELECTMEN REPORTS -

Tim Clark stated as a reminder that the Special Town Meeting will be held at the Cronin Auditorium on October 28 at 7:30pm.
Tim Clark also addressed his research of the bylaws with regard to the placement of political signs. He stated they should not be placed in the right of way and must be permitted by the Selectmen.

Leo Blair suggests discussion on the rezoning of the Vicksburg Square area at the November 4th meeting.


The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 P.M.