Lenox Affordable Housing Committee and Trustees Joint Meeting
July 9, 2012
Minutes
Committee Members present: Dave Klausemeyer (DK), Chair, Debbie Burke (DB), Kate McNulty-Vaughan (KMV), Jo Anne Magee (JAM), Ellen Jacobson (EJ), and Theresa Ahrens (TA). Trustees present: Dave Klausemeyer (DK), Chair, Debbie Burke (DB), Kate McNulty-Vaughan (KMV), Ellen Jacobson (EJ), Jo Anne Magee (JAM), and Jackie McNinch (JM).
Absent: Olga Weiss
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner. William Thornton (WT), Building Commissioner
DK opened the meeting at 3:00 PM.
JAM made a motion to approve the June 12, 2012 minutes of the joint meeting of the Housing Committee and the Housing Trustees. EJ seconded the motion and the Committee and Trustees voted 6-0 to approve.
2012 Peer-to-Peer Recommendations and FY ’13 Work Program
DB conducted a priority setting exercise. Members were asked to rank the recommendations listed in the 2012 Peer-to-Peer report. Members were asked to place their priority recommendations on a flip chart at the front of the room. All members were encouraged to participate. Members were asked to rank projects based on highest impact and ease of completion. Upon completion of the exercise, DB identified recommendation “clusters”.
WT explained that for many years he served as Building Commissioner in Pittsfield. Pittsfield has a housing rehabilitation program that is administered through the Pittsfield Community Development Department. He believes there is a need for this type of program in Lenox. He said that Don Fitzgerald (DF), Lenox Inspector of Buildings, is also very interested in developing a housing rehabilitation program but was unable to attend this meeting. DF has offered to work with local contractors and the Lenox School Department to develop the program.
WT said the program would need to include an evaluation component. WT said Berkshire Housing or the City of Pittsfield might be available for this task. He anticipates that most projects would be small. Projects might include the addition of handicap amenities such as ramps. Discussion ensued regarding low and moderate income guidelines and eligibility for the program.
DK thanked WT for attending the meeting and suggested the Committee/Trustees will review this idea at a future meeting. If the Committee/Trustees decides to move forward with this project input from Town Counsel will be required. DK wants to ensure Housing Trust funds can be used for this purpose.
Update on Potential Land Donation
DK contacted the Lenox Conservation Commission regarding the land donation. Conservation Commission members Neal Carpenter, Chair, and Tim Flanagan visited the property. Mr. Flanagan advised that the property would be extremely difficult if not impossible to develop. The impacts to wetland areas and buffer areas are significant and the project might not receive Conservation Commission approval. DK said he respects the information he received from Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Flanagan.
JAM made a motion to decline the property donation. DB seconded the motion and Trustees voted 6-0 to approve the motion. DK will contact Frederick Keator the Trustees decision.
Open Session
DK said that he talked to Frederick Keator regarding the land donation. DK said he thanked Mr. Keator for his interest in working with the Affordable Housing Trust.
Discussion ensued regarding the Mass Housing program. JAM is concerned about deadlines associated with this Mass Housing program. KMV suggested that there should be a business plan for the proposed project. DB would like to review the program guidelines as well as the amount of Housing Trust funds necessary to fund a project. JAM and JM offered to review the Mass Housing program and report back to the Committee/Trustees at the next meeting.
KMV is disappointed that a discussion of the Peer-to-Peer report has not included on the agenda. She said that the next meeting should be devoted to a discussion of the report and to develop an implementation plan based on recommendations in the report. As an example she pointed to the recommendation regarding Sawmill Brook. Ms. Kruger recommended that the Town lobby the state for funding for this project. DB offered to prepare a draft letter.
The next meeting agenda will include a review of the Peer-to-Peer report. Members will participate in a workshop style session to develop a consensus regarding priorities and a work program. The next meeting will be Monday – August 6, 2012 @ 3:00 PM.
DK offered his resignation from the Committee and the Trustees. He said he was honored to serve and he thanked the members for their dedication to the development of affordable housing opportunities. To ensure a smooth transition he will step down on September 11, 2012.
Meeting adjourned at 4:25 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: August 6, 2012
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