Lenox Affordable Housing Committee
January 17, 2012
Minutes
Members present: Dave Klausemeyer (DK), Chair, Jo Anne Magee (JM), Ellen Jacobson (EJ), Debbie Burke (DB), Kate McNulty-Vaughan (KMV), Olga Weiss (OW) and Theresa Ahrens (TA).
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
DK opened the meeting at 3:05 PM.
Minutes:
One correction was offered. JM made a motion to approve the minutes of December 5, 2011. ~DB seconded the motion and the Board voted 7-0 to approve.
Peer-to-Peer Update
MA offered an update on the Peer-to-Peer grant. The Town is still waiting for the contract to be processed. MA is hopeful the project can begin in February because the Town received the contract and it has been signed and returned to DHCD for final signatures. MA hopes to have Connie Kruger (Peer-to-Peer Consultant) attend the February meeting. Discussion ensued regarding the regularly schedule February 6, 2012 meeting. Given schedule conflicts the meeting was postponed to February 7, 2012 @ 3:00 PM.
Other Business
DK asked the Committee to review the affordable housing topic list. MA will share the list with Connie Kruger.
OW rental housing
DK affordable units for sale in Lenox
DB Sawmill Brook project
KMV communication and public outreach
TA to be determined
JM grants and other opportunities to leverage money for the Housing Trust
EJ website development
TA asked for an assignment. DK asked her to review the draft report for the Town Report. JM asked TA to work with her on grants and other funding opportunities. KMV and EJ reported that they are working together on communication and website development. KMV talked to Greg Federspiel, Town Manager, regarding the topic of website development. He indicated that the Committee could have a seperate page on Town Website. EJ and KMV will continue to work on this task.
EJ and KMV noted that they saw a single family house listed for $189,000. They made an appointment to view the property. The property was in very good condition and sold quickly. They suggested that there will be other opportunities and the Committee should develop a working relationship with local realtors. MA suggested working with the Berkshire Realtors Association. She also noted that this might be a better as a Housing Trust project. OW noted concern about process and the realtor commission. EJ responded that there should not be an issue because the seller pays the commission.
The next meeting will be Tuesday – February 7, 2012 @ 3:00 PM.
Meeting adjourned at 4:23 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 2/7/2012
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