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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
10:00 a.m.
First Floor Conference Room
MINUTES
Present: First Selectman Michael Pace, Selectman William Peace, Selectman Carol Manning, Treasurer Robert Fish, Planner Christine Nelson, Tax Collector Barry Maynard, Attorney David Royston, Town Counsel Michael Cronin, members of the press and interested citizens.
I. |
CALL TO ORDER – First Selectman Pace called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. |
II. |
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Selectman Pace led those in attendance in the Pledge |
III. |
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC A question was asked about new trees along the new sidewalks. Selectman Peace indicated that the Tree Committee is working with the state to do some plantings. |
IV. |
COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN First Selectman Michael Pace asked for a moment of silence in honor of Stan Grieman, the first Executive Director of CRERPA and the Estuary Transit District. Selectman Manning read a
statement. Selectman Peace stated that the Soup Kitchen needs donations. First Selectman Pace stated that he had received a letter from Julie Pendleton, Director of Operations, Facilities, and Finance that she had written to Larry Bonin, Director of Public Works thanking him for his assistance and how the town and schools are working collaboratively. Also received a letter from the Old Saybrook Monument Park Association. They are looking to dissolve and ask that the
Board of Selectmen establish a committee to oversee the maintenance of the park. The Parks and Recreation Commission had been asked to possibly take this on. The Parks and Recreation Commission will maintain this park. Selectman Peace stated that Town Planner Christine Nelson, Founders Memorial Park Chairman Barbara Guenther as well as member Jerry Brophy and Selectman Peace had attended an awards luncheon to receive an award for the Park presented by the Connecticut Planning Association. |
V. |
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Special Board of Selectmen Meeting of November 17, 2009 PEACE/MANNING Motion to approve the minutes of the Special Board of Selectmen Meeting of November 17, 2009 with the
following corrections: Under the section listing those Present add Health Director Mary Jane Engle, members of the press and interested citizens. Under Selectmen’s comments add to Selectmen Manning’s comment: Noted for the record that she is here for the good of all residents. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Special Board of Selectmen Meeting of November 19, 2009 MANNING/PACE Motion to approve minutes of the Special Board of Selectmen Meeting of November 19, 2009. MOTION CARRIED – Selectman Peace abstained due to his absence. Special Board of Selectmen Meeting of December 3, 2009 MANNING/PEACE Motion to approve the minutes of the Special Board of Selectmen Meeting of December 3, 2009, with the following addition: There was discussion of the composition of the makeup of the search committee for a replacement of the Director of Youth and Family. MOTION CARIED UNANIMOULY |
VI. |
BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD A. Presentation; Discuss and act on elderly housing. First Selectman Pace introduced Philip Einsmann, President of the Senior Housing and asked him to give an overview of the project, which is summarized in the attached Project Abstract (Exhibit A).
Mr. Einsmann then turned to project Consultant Frank Stellato, whose comments are detailed in the attached memo (Exhibit B). Finally Bruce Whitaker, Jr., a property management consultant made a presentation. PEACE/MANNING Motion to continue practice of 50% tax abatement on the new Sayebrook Village South project, this is a long-standing practice. This will have to go to Town Meeting. MOTION CARIED UNANIMOUSLY MANNING/PEACE Motion to waive taxes during construction, as has been past practice. MOTION CARIED UNANIMOUSLY MANNING/PEACE Motion to waive Building Permit fees, as has been past practice. MOTION CARIED UNANIMOUSLY PEACE/MANNING Motion to apply for a Small Cities Grant and authorize First Selectman Michael Pace to sign all necessary documents. MOTION CARIED UNANIMOUSLY B. Presentation; Discuss and act on procedures to approve HOPE Partnership First Selectman Pace invited Attorney David Royston and HOPE Partnership President Tony Lyons to review the project process to date. Attorney Royston referred to the Connecticut State Statue that allows for this. Town Counsel Michael Cronin stated that this must go to a Public Hearing then a Town Meeting. PEACE/MANNING Motion to hold a Public Hearing at the January 7, 2010 Board of Selectmen’s meeting then forward to a Town Meeting to be scheduled for January 28, 2010. Lease between Town and HOPE Partnership to include the same tax advantages as Senior Housing. MOTION CARIED UNANIMOUSLY PACE/PEACE Motion to forward lease to Planning Commission for their review. MOTION CARIED UNANIMOUSLY C.
Presentation; Discuss and act on procedures to approve land purchase. First Selectman Pace invited Robert Fish, Chairman of the Land Acquisition Committee to address the Board. Mr. Fish reviewed the committee’s purpose, procedures and policies. He asked the Board of Selectmen to act on the acquisition of property at 26 Sherman Street and lot 61 map 11 on Bokum Road. MANNING/PEACE Motion to accept property at 26 Sherman Street upon approval of Planning Commission. Subject to acceptance at a Town Meeting. MOTION CARIED UNANIMOUSLY MANNING/PEACE Motion to purchase property known as Map 61 Lot 11 on Bokum Road upon approval of Planning Commission. Purchase price not to
exceed appraised value. Subject to acceptance at a Town Meeting. MOTION CARIED UNANIMOUSLY D. Discuss and act on resolution adopting recommendation of Planning and Zoning Commission for endorsing submission of zone adoption payment application under the Housing for Economic Growth Program. First Selectman Pace
reviewed the resolution. MANNING/PEACE Motion to approve Resolution. MOTION CARIED
UNANIMOUSLY E. Discuss and act on Town of Old Saybrook Sidewalk Project. First Selectman Pace invited Town Planner Christine Nelson to review the project. Ms. Nelson stated that this is a “Shovel Ready” project. It is one of two in the region to received funding. This project will construct sidewalks on
the south side of Route 1 from the head of Main Street to Guilford Savings Bank. The total cost is $500,000, which is the amount of the grant. No action is required. F. Report to Board of Selectmen on issue previously referred to the Planning Commission; Ingham Hill Road. Again Ms. Nelson addressed the board. She explained that a homeowner inadvertently removed a portion of a stone wall along Ingham Hill Road, which is a “Scenic Road” which protects it from changes, including the removal of a stone wall. The Planning Commission is working with
the homeowner to correct the error. The Selectmen are pleased with the Planning Commission and will act on this at the January 7, 2010 meeting. G. Discuss Wastewater application from Between the Bridges. First Selectman Pace invited Attorney William Childress and Engineer Stuart Fairbank to review the project. They described the project it will include sidewalks along
Ferry Road. There will be a septic system that will not discharge into the river. Selectman Peace asked attorney Childress if there will be any sewage discharge into the river. Attorney Childress said there will be no sewage discharge into the river.
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VII. |
COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN – None were made at this time. |
VIII. |
QUESTIONS BY THE PRESS – None were asked. |
IX. |
ADJOURNMENT MANNING/PEACE Motion to adjourn at 12:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Roland W. Laine, Executive Assistant |
EXHIBIT A
Sayebrook Village South
Project Abstract
Goal: To develop 16 units of affordable subsidized housing for the elderly on a .77 acres parcel located at 57 Sheffield Street in Old Saybrook, CT.
Background: Old Saybrook Senior Housing, Inc. (OSSH) is a non-profit owner of 50 existing affordable housing units on 4.79 acres developed in the early 1980’s though the use of HUD and CHFA mortgage funding and subsidy programs. The Board of Directors of OSSH considered possible expansion of the campus when the subject adjacent parcel recently became available for sale. OSSH enlisted the development expertise of New Samaritan Corporation (NSC) also a non-profit from Hamden, CT to serve as the Sponsor for the HUD 202 PRAC application round in November, 2009. NSC has successfully developed over 50 housing facility throughout it’s almost 40 year history.
Need: The existing facility has a waitlist of over 40 persons. Historically, on average 5 apartments become vacant (turnover) annually. Consequently, the average wait for housing may be as much as 7 years or more. Further, there are very few rental opportunities for seniors to downsize from home ownership and remain in Old Saybrook. Most of the rental market is comprised of multi-bedroom houses (2 and 3 bedroom) making the economics impractical.
Objective: To submit a viable application in November 2009 for consideration in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 202 PRAC “Supportive Housing for Seniors” program which provides a capital grant to construct the facility and ongoing operating subsidy for 20 years. OSSH brought together a project team that has vast experience in said program.
Outcomes: The following outcomes are expected to be met with a successful application.
- To deliver 16 new accessible and affordable housing units to an underserved market which addresses a need for housing of this type;
- To further the mission of OSSH and NSC as non-profit housing providers in the state;
- To provide for opportunities for construction contracts for state-based firms and possible creation of jobs;
- To provide opportunities for program expansion of several local social service organizations to serve the subject population.
EXHIBIT B
MEMORANDIUM
Date: December 8, 2009
To: Michael Pace, First Selectman
Town of Old Saybrook
Though: Phillip Einsmann, President
Old Saybrook Senior Housing, Inc.
From: Frank Stellato, Development Consultant
Millennium Real Estate Services, Inc.
RE: Proposed Town Support for Sayebrook Village South
The purpose of this memorandum is to outline proposals for consideration by the Board of Selectmen with respect to certain real estate taxes, permit fees and site acquisition in connection with the proposed development of 16 units of elderly affordable housing called Sayebrook Village South (SVS) located at 57 Sheffield Street. A project abstract is attached.
Overview – The proposed non-profit project is seeking funding from the HUD 202 Project-based Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) which provides a grant for construction of the facility as well as on-going operating subsidies to supplement 30% of residents’ income to comprise the rental structure. The application round is highly competitive whereby the projects are rated and ranked against peer applications. Points are awarded for, amongst other factors, addressing need in underserved comminutes, readiness to proceed (i.e.: zoning approvals in place) and the financial support of the municipality for the construction period and ongoing.
I - Real Estate Taxes
Ongoing – It is proposed that SVS real estate tax assessment valuation be treated with a methodology consistent with the two existing “sister” elderly housing facilities (Sayebrook Village West and East, located at 49 and 55 Sheffield respectively). Specifically, the projects are assessed at 50% of the market value for comparable properties. The per unit taxes paid for the aforementioned facilities average $552 per unit (based on the 2008 Grand List at a mill rate of 13), therefore the proposed 16 unit facility would pay an estimated $8,833 annually. The existing single family home at 57 Sheffield Street currently pays $4,342 (at full assessed value) thereby doubling the net tax base to the town on said parcel.
Construction Period – It is proposed that a full waiver of real estate taxes be granted during the estimated 18 month approval and construction period. Savings in the tax line item will allow such things as enhanced design and/or improved quality of construction materials. This is valued at approximately $6,500.
II – Building Permits Fees
It is our understanding that the Town’s policy is to waive any construction fees associated with a non-profit owner. The construction hard costs are estimated at approximately $2.4m; therefore the value may be estimated at approximately $24,000 for purposes of the application.
III - Site Acquisition
It is proposed the Town apply for Small Cities Grants (Community Development Block Grant) through the State Department of Economic and Community Development in the funding round anticipated in May, 2010 to be used for site acquisition and eligible offsite infrastructure expenses. Alternatively, consider acquiring the parcel though Town funds and leasing it to the non-profit owner at below market value (typically $1 per year). The Small Cities Grant approach has merits and drawbacks which are summarized below:
Small Cities Grant
Administrative – Need to RFQ for grant writer
Timing –Lapse of time between the application for HUD and the Small Cities Application
Uncertainty – Funding is highly competitive, awards are not guaranteed
Cash Outlay – No cash outlay from Town, Non-profit must pay holding costs until closing
HUD Application Scoring – no points are awarded for this scenario as the Small Cities funding won’t be approved until fall of 2010
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