AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
December 4, 2003
6:30 P.M. Selectmen’s Room
Starbard Building
1204 Main Street
MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert Ricker, Joanne O’Brien, Peter Brennan, Kimberly Ferguson.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Sharon McManus
STAFF: Pamela Harding, Town Planner
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
PUTNAM LANE PUBLIC HEARING – Wayne Everett Director of Habitat for Humanity gave an overview about the organization and projects in the greater Worcester Area. Mr. Everett reviewed income criteria for eligible families states that the income restriction for a family of four is between $16,000-$32,000 a year. The eligible families have to provide habitat with 400-500 hours of labor on both their home and other habitat projects. A 0% interest mortgage is provided for approximately $75,000 for the construction of a single family home which equals a mortgage payment of approximately $250 per month for 30 years, a market rate mortgage for the same house would equal $925. Mr. Everett referred to projects on Grove Street and stated that the homes proposed on Putnam would be similar. He reviewed income for families in Holden and stated that there are over 400 families currently residing in Holden that are qualified to purchase homes from Habitat, which represents that their would
not be a shortage for local eligible families to purchase the Putnam Lane lots.
Albert Fair of 34 Putnam Lane questioned the wetland line and the number of lots for the development.
Paul McManus President of EcoTec, Inc, and member of Habitat for Humanity stated that the wetlands represented on the plan are just an approximate sketch and that the project would have to be filed with the Conservation Commission no matter whom builds on the lots. At this point wetlands and drainage and the number of buildable lots still have to be evaluated.
Mark Ferguson of 62 Putnam Road stated that it is not permissible to donate any Town asset valued over $1,000. He also stated that a two story home that is proposed would not fit into the neighborhood.
Paul Marrow stated that he did not feel during such fiscal problems that it was a good idea to donate a valuable Town asset. He suggested that the lots be sold to generate funds for the Town and utilized for things such as a fire truck or fireman’s salaries.
Kelly Watts of 62 Putnam Lane questioned the eligibility of the tenants and how the incomes would be monitored. Wayne Everett explained how the residents are required to take homebuyers classes, home maintenance classes and taught how to monitor personal spending. Incomes are monitored by Habitat for the life of the mortgage and when the property changes ownership Habitat will select the new buyer through an established Committee.
James Canavan of 78 Putnam Lane stated that he would rather see the land stay as open space.
But if they couldn’t they should be sold to generate income.
The public hearing was closed at 8:00 p.m.
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