Minutes
North Stonington Affordable Housing Committee
March 22, 2012
In Attendance: Mary Ann Ricker, Tim Pelland, James Scaramozza, Michelle Brophy and Kristen Comstock
Absent: Tony Rose
Guests: Marilyn Mackay, Juliet Leeming, Jason Vincent and Pat Spring
Location: Wheeler High School Media Center
The meeting was called to order by Co-Chairman Mary Ann Ricker at 6:05 PM. The minutes of the February 23, 2012 meeting were approved.
Jason Vincent of Planimetrics gave the Committee and its guests a very detailed and informative slide presentation concerning population and housing trends in our Town, as well as the State, with particular focus how North Stonington compares to the State and both urban and rural areas. A “history” of North Stonington comprised a part of this as well, lending insight into our Town’s growth and decline in population, housing stock and jobs over the years and during certain noted decades. Based on certain projections, it is conceivable that up to another 300 units could be needed in our Town, with a majority of housing to anticipated be in the nature of single family homes. Granted, this assumes growth in the economy and no major downturns or closings of or downsizing by any significant local
employers.
Emphasis will continue to be on “housing choice” and how to integrate affordable housing with market rate housing, economic development and financial growth in our Town. Mention was made and a fairly lengthy discussion followed as to how housing prices are exceeding what people are generally making. Potential avenues, such as Connecticut Housing Finance Authority mortgages, were discussed as part of the Committee’s and its advisor identifying ways in which this potential gap may be closed.
After the slide presentation was completed, the remaining hour or so of the meeting centered on the upcoming housing workshop, scheduled for the morning of Saturday, April 28th. Focus was on getting out the word, i.e., publicizing this event in the hopes of maximizing attendance and generating as much curiosity and interest as possible. Posters are being made by various school children. A likely live event on Tim Pelland’s public access show was planned with Jason joining Tim to promote the workshop and discuss housing in general, along with a possible filming of certain school age children--- with the consents of parents and the school officials. Jason is to meet with certain school officials prior to any taping of any children, to secure their approval along with all parents. Moreover, some thought it
might be worth combining any (permitted taping) of children with various elderly citizens of our Town. No final decision was made, but all agreed that it is imperative that the workshop be advertised as much as possible and the more involvement from the denizens of our Town the better attended this workshop will be. Various committee members also agreed to distribute fliers concerning the workshop at the Transfer Station on April 14th.
This part of the meeting concluded with the further delegation of duties and tasks associated with the workshop.
Lastly, certain committee members proposed that we again consider adding more people to the Committee and perhaps seek those who are actively involved in various civic organizations or Town activities (on the assumption such individuals may have access to a significant number of Townspeople, thereby expanding the reach of the Committee even farther). Further discussion of this is to take place at a future meeting.
The meeting was adjourned by our co-chair Mary Ann Ricker at approximately 8:10 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
James Scaramozza
Recording Secretary
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