Lenox Affordable Housing Committee
September 5, 2007
Minutes
Members present: Dave Klausemeyer, Chair, Patty Quinn, Roscoe Sandlin and Kate McNulty-Vaughan (arrived at 5:20 p.m. due to a work schedule).
Also in attendance: Theresa Ahrens, Jo Anne Magee, Debbie Burke and Mary Albertson, Town Planner.
David Klausemeyer opened the meeting at 4:00 PM. He noted that this is a new committee and suggested introductions. He noted that Joe Nolan was invited to be a member and has declined. Mr. Nolan graciously agreed to assist the committee.
Introductions:
Debbie Burke – She is involved in the Trinity Church initiative. She offered information on the exciting project being developed by Trinity Church in association with the Episcopal Diocese. Everyone agreed there is a wonderful synergy between the committee and Trinity Church. Debbie also shared that she moved to Lenox in 1985. She worked at GE and has an MBA. Currently, she is self-employed as a human resource consultant. Debbie will not be a member, but she will serve as the Trinity Church liaison to the committee.
Patty Quinn - She is a life-long resident of Lenox. She serves on the Housing Authority and works for Legacy Bank. She works with housing issues in her position at the bank and is excited to be a member of the committee.
Jo Anne Huntley Magee – She works in the health care industry. She would like to be a member of the committee. She is concerned about preserving the character of the town and this includes providing housing for all income groups.
Roscoe Sandlin – He volunteered for this committee because he wants to ensure Lenox remains a diverse community that provides housing for all income groups. He realizes this is a big challenge and looks forward to developing a housing plan.
Theresa Ahrens - She has lived in the Berkshires for 7 years – 4 years in Lenox. She noted that most of her family and friends cannot live in Lenox because it is too expensive. She has a MBA and a business background. Currently, she works in Hospice Care. She would like to be a member of the committee.
Dave Klausemeyer – He managed the Mead Paper Mill. He has traveled a great deal and decided to live in Lenox because of the beauty, safety and culture of the Berkshires. He is sensitive to the need for affordable housing. He is concerned that young people cannot live in Lenox because it to too expensive.
Mary Albertson - She is the new Town Planner. She will serve as staff to the committee.
Discussion ensued regarding the Trinity Church housing project. Debbie Burke explained that the project will be administered by a Community Development Corporation (CDC). There is a potential project location. The project will be a minimum of 40-50% affordable units. The use of CPA funds was discussed.
It was noted that the Selectmen appointed David, Patty, Kate and Roscoe as members of the committee. The committee members agreed they would ask the Selectmen to appoint Jo Ann Magee, Theresa Ahrens and Olga Weiss. Mary will prepare a letter to the Selectmen for the September 12 Meeting. The following people were identified as residents that might assist the committee regarding specific topics:
Jim Gennari – project development and finance,
Steve Peters – finance, and
Mary Jo Piretti – real estate.
The members would like to prepare the Lenox Housing Plan as soon as possible. David noted that Mary has provided 2 examples of approved housing plans and the draft inclusionary zoning bylaw. Members agreed to review the housing plans and inclusionary zoning bylaw and to be prepared to discuss them at the next meeting. Mary will prepare copies of the “Fact Sheet on Chapter 40 B” and “Lenox Housing Facts” documents for the next meeting.
The members agreed they will meet the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. The next meeting will be September 24 @ 5:00 PM. The members agreed to keep the meeting length to one hour – fifteen minutes.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: September 24, 2007
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