TOWN OF MARION
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST
MINUTES
January 12, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ora Mae Torres, Chair
Reg Foster
Steve Cushing
Jon Henry
Robert MacFarlane (left meeting at 7:15 p.m.)
Roger Blanchette
Dorothy Burrill
MEMBERS ABSENT: James Grady
ALSO PRESENT: Andrea Smith
Suzanne Peterson
Helen Westergard
Frederick Tahtinen
David Tahtinen
Robin Tahtinen
Jessica Sheldon
Steve Neville
Laura Briggs
Dale Briggs
Timothy Briggs
Domingo Alves
Commencement – Mrs. Torres called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Moved by Mr. Blanchette and seconded by Mr. Cushing to approve the meeting minutes of December 8, 2008 as written. VOTE: 6-0-0
New member Dorothy Burrill was welcomed to the Trust.
Mrs. Torres thanked Rev. MacFarlane for his work while on the Trust.
EA Fish – County Road Conceptual Plan
The developer has indicated that the concept will not be moving forward at this time. During a discussion with audience members the following issues were addressed:
Area and frontage requirements under current zoning
The mission of the Affordable Housing Trust
The impact a 45 unit project would have on the infrastructure
The application and permitting process
CPC Application
Mrs. Mooney has estimated that the Town will have approximately $200,000 in CPC funds; a minimum of $20,000 of the funds are to be allocated to the Trust, leaving $140,000 in funds that the Trust can apply for.
Uses for the CPC funds might include:
Affordable Housing Plan Update
The plan needs to be updated by February, 2010. Trust members discussed requesting funds in the CPC application or requesting them at Town Meeting.
Assisted Living
Trust members discussed using CPC funds for assisted living, which can be done as group adult foster care.
Technical Assistance
Mr. Foster suggested using funds to hire a consultant to assist the Trust consider what direction they might take for their next project.
Accessory Apartments
Last year the Trust considered a zoning bylaw allowing accessory dwellings. Issues that might occur included enforcement and property owners opting out of the program after receiving public funds to upgrade the units. It had also been agreed last year to focus on the expansion of the Little Neck Village.
After discussion it was agreed that the CPC application would include four areas (affordable housing plan update, accessory dwelling bylaw, assisted living concept, family housing concept.)
Reallocation of CPC Funds
It was agreed that broadening the language contained in the CPC application would allow greater flexibility in expenditure of the funds.
Attorney Witten will be asked if appropriated funds designated for Little Neck Village can be used for other projects if there was no longer an existing need at Little Neck Village.
CPC Representative
Moved by Mr. Blanchette and seconded by Mr. Henry that Dot Burrill be the Trust’s representative to the CPC. VOTE: 5-0-0
Little Neck Village Update
Certification of SHI Numbers
A request for certification of the Affordable Housing Plan/SHI has been sent to DHCD. A moratorium on new 40B applications was discussed; it was agreed not to pursue a moratorium at this time.
Report from Mr. Heaton
Trust members reviewed a summary of the work completed and work remaining at Little Neck Village.
Lease Agreement
The most recent lease meeting was postponed.
Interim Lease
This is being addressed by Mr. Dawson, Mr. Foster, and Mr. Heaton. The final lease will not be signed until funding approval has been received.
Mass Highway Approval
The changes proposed for Route 6 have been approved by Mass Highway.
Oversight of Project Construction
Mr. Heaton has indicated that there are funds in the project to pay an engineer or consultant to oversee the construction of the project. The consultant would act on behalf of the Trust.
RFP for Caretaker’s Cottage
A draft RFP was reviewed; Mr. Dawson has indicated that it will be published on January 15. The responses will be due February19.
A letter will be sent to tenants advising them to remove any items they might have stored in the cottage and garage.
Policies and Procedures update
Representatives from EA Fish have been assisting in updating the policies and procedures.
Waiting List
Trust members discussed closing the waiting list – it was agreed the list will not be closed at this time.
Financial Report
The most recent budget report was reviewed and discussed. A discrepancy was noted relative to the purchase of land from the Hermitage Trust; Mrs. Torres will address this with Mrs. Mooney and provide a corrected copy to the other members.
Discussion
Mrs. Westergard asked if the Trust will be empowered to accept Section 8 applications. She was told that will be examined by the Lease Committee.
Meeting Calendar
A draft calendar was reviewed and discussed. It was agreed that holding the meetings on the second Tuesday of each month will be investigated.
Executive Session
At 8:55 p.m. the Trust voted to go into Executive Session. VOTE: A roll call vote was taken with Mr. Foster, Mrs. Torres, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Blanchette all voting yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Ora Mae Torres, Chair
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