Lenox Affordable Housing Committee
November 14, 2011
Minutes
Members present: Dave Klausemeyer (DK), Chair, Jo Anne Magee (JM), Ellen Jacobson (EJ), Debbie Burke (DB) and Kate McNulty-Vaughan (KMV).
Absent: Olga Weiss and Theresa Ahrens.
Also in attendance: Jackie McNinch (JMc), Affordable Housing Trustee and Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
DK opened the meeting at 3:10 PM. DK introduced JMc. He noted that she was appointed to as an Affordable Housing Trustee and that meeting starts immediately following the committee meeting. Although it not a required he encouraged her to attend both meetings. Members welcomed JMc. It was also noted that Theresa Ahrens was appointed to the committee. MA contacted her and she was unable to attend this meeting; however, she will attend future meetings.
Minutes:
JM made a motion to approve the minutes of October 3, 2011. ~DB seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0 to approve.
Peer-to-Peer Update
MA offered an update on the Peer-to-Peer grant. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is without an Under Secretary and the Acting Under Secretary is still reviewing the Peer-to-Peer program awards and contracts. Connie Kruger is pleased to serve as the consultant for the project but she cannot begin work DHCD has approved the contract. She said that the DHCD project manager has been very helpful and apologetic. There are other Peer-to-Peer communities in the same situation.
MA suggested that the members discuss ideas they would like to review with Ms. Kruger. The committee discussed the following:
1. Educate and communicate the need for affordable housing. Develop communication strategies such as public presentations, a website or a brochure.
2. Develop strategies that are not related to the Sawmill Brook project. The committee would like to create units that fulfill the ten percent affordable housing mandate.
3. Identify activities or grant opportunities that will maximize and/or leverage the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
4. Determine how the committee can assemble a Fair Housing List.
5. Explore the affordable rental market.
6. Determine if there are opportunities to pool regional resources.
MA will contact Ms. Kruger to discuss the committee suggestions. She will continue to work with DHCD and coordinate a meeting time with Ms. Kruger.
CPC Application
The committee discussed the CPC application process. JM offered to prepare a draft application. Discussion ensued regarding the amount of the grant request. Suggestions varied from $30,000 to $100,000. The committee will discuss the application at the next meeting and come to a consensus regarding the amount.
Other Business
DK offered an update on the Regional Housing Symposium. He said that Berkshire Bank will co-sponsor the event with the Berkshire Taconic Foundation and Tri-Town Alliance. The date has not been determined but the planning process has started.
The next meeting will be Monday – December 5, 2011 @ 3:00 PM.
Meeting adjourned at 4:08 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 12/5/2011
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