January 26, 2005
The Board of Selectmen held a regular meeting on this date at 7:00 p.m. at the Stonington Police Station Community Room. Present were First Selectman William S. Brown, Selectman Stephen E. Bessette and Selectman Peter L. Balestracci. Also present was Town Attorney Thomas Londregan; Planning & Zoning Commission member Alisa Morrison; State Representative Diana Urban (7:20 p.m.), and a member of the press.
(1) Call to Order
Mr. Brown called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
(2) Town Attorney re: Affordable Housing
Town Attorney Thomas Londregan addressed the Board regarding affordable housing, which is a term that has been misunderstood over the years. It is not low-income housing, it is not subsidized housing, it is not Section VIII housing and does not involve any state or federal subsidies. The Affordable Housing Statutes were created to promote housing choice and economic diversity. Affordable housing is driven strictly by the market price. In its simplest terms, a property owner who is building rental units or housing units for sale is encouraged to dedicate 20% of the units as affordable, as determined by the region in which the property is located. The amount of rent or sales price is determined by a percentage of the median income of the area and
then a percentage of that income. For example, if the median income in Stonington is $80,000, then 80% of that is $64,000. Thirty percent of $64,000 is $19,200, which is allocated for housing. Divided by 12, that figure comes to $1,600. What that means is that the person can pay $1,600 per month in rent or $1,600 per month towards a mortgage to buy a house.
Attorney Londregan spoke about various cases in litigation throughout the State and reviewed criteria that Planning and Zoning Commissions must take into consideration when a developer proposes an affordable housing development. Normally, the burden of proof is on the developer when a project is brought before the Commission. However, when an affordable housing project is brought before the Commission, the burden of proof is on the Commission and they can only deny for site-specific reasons (soil, water, sewer, traffic). Some towns (Salem, for example) have taken a proactive approach and offer greater density for affordable housing as an incentive.
Mr. Brown inquired if an affordable housing project was turned down for a site-specific reason, could another project be approved on that same site, to which Attorney Londregan replied he doesn’t see how.
Mr. Balestracci inquired whether the law states that the municipality is supposed to have 10% affordable housing, to which Attorney Londregan replied he is uncertain. Alisa Morrison commented that the Stonington Plan of Conservation and Development says we’re at 4%, but she doesn’t know how they arrived at that percentage. Mr. Balestracci inquired what happens if a town ignores the Statutes and doesn’t meet the requirements, to which Attorney Londregan replied that there is no penalty, but the town is opening itself up to a developer coming in with an affordable housing proposal and having to approve it. If a more proactive approach is taken, the Town would have more control.
Mr. Bessette stated that it is good to know what affordable housing is and isn’t. Many people in our community may qualify and not even know it. As we build the community, we want to be proactive. He inquired as to what is meant by “encourage a developer to dedicate 20% of a project as affordable”, to which Attorney Londregan replied it is not a law.
(2) Town Attorney re: Affordable Housing (cont’d.)
Mr. Brown expressed concern regarding language in the mission statement provided by Alisa Morrison that states “While the Committee does not have the ultimate power to commit
Town resources or approve projects, it is the Selectmen’s intention to support reasonable actions and recommendations of the Committee that are in line with the Plan of Conservation
and Development.” Mr. Brown commented that perhaps that language should be stricken from the statement, because the Town does not have resources (financial or staff) to commit to this Committee and they should not rely on resources that do not exist. Further discussion took place.
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci and seconded by Mr. Bessette to form an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.
Mr. Bessette commented that he is in favor of creating the committee, but perhaps the Board should obtain more information about necessary resources and the number of members to be appointed before actually forming the committee. Further discussion took place.
Mr. Balestracci amended his original motion, to form a seven (7) member Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and appoint Alisa Morrison as temporary chairman for organizational purposes. Mr. Bessette seconded the amended motion and it was unanimously voted.
Mr. Brown suggested Mr. Bessette act as liaison between Board of Selectmen and the Committee, and Mr. Bessette agreed to do so.
Representative Urban spoke briefly with regard to her appointment as Affordable Housing Coordinator under the auspices of the Blue Ribbon Housing Initiative. She works out of the SCCOG office in Norwich and has access to their resources. Consensus of the Board was to have Representative Urban act as an advisor to the Committee.
(3) Pawcatuck River Duck Race
A letter dated January 3, 2005 was received from Lynda Boucher, Events Manager, requesting permission to utilize the grounds at Pawcatuck Park for the festivities for the 7th Annual Pawcatuck River Duck Race, scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2005. There will be food tents on the premises run by local area schools and non-profit organizations. They also plan to have face painting, a moonwalk, and to sell duck merchandise. This event is expected to raise more than $60,000 for the groups involved in the fundraiser.
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci and seconded by Mr. Bessette to grant permission for the festivities and the Pawcatuck River Duck Race on April 30, 2005 as requested in Ms. Boucher’s letter.
Mr. Bessette inquired about the status of Pawcatuck Park, mentioning there was an orange temporary fence the last time he was there. Mr. Brown replied that a chain link fence has been installed. There being no further discussion on this matter, the motion was unanimously voted.
(4) Bid Awards / Letters of Agreement
Mr. Brown read a letter dated January 25, 2005 from John Phetteplace, Solid Waste Manager, who states he has reviewed the bid results for the Transfer Station Protective Fence Installation. The apparent low bidder, Eagle Fence and Guardrail, was deficient for a number of reasons and Mr. Phetteplace recommends the bid be awarded to the low bid meeting all specifications, N.E. Construction / Fence LLC in the amount of $15,393.00.
A motion was made by Mr. Balestracci, seconded by Mr. Bessette and unanimously voted to accept Mr. Phetteplace’s recommendation and award the bid for Transfer Station Protective Fence Installation to N.E. Construction / Fence LLC.
(5) 9-1-1 Street Numbering
The Planning and Zoning Department forwarded the following recommendation for assigning a street number in accordance with the Street Naming and Numbering (Emergency
9-1-1) Ordinance. The Assessor concurs with this recommendation.
Map |
Block |
Lot |
Address |
17 |
1 |
6F |
45 Jeffrey Road, Pawcatuck, CT 06379 |
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to assign this street number as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Department.
(6) Correspondence – None.
(7) Re/Appointments Boards and Commissions
Economic Development Commission
A letter of resignation dated 1/12/05 was received from Cornelius “Nick” Smith. Mr. Brown mentioned that Mr. Smith was instrumental in bringing StoneRidge to Stonington. A letter will be forwarded to Mr. Smith to thank him for his service to the Town.
An application for appointment was received from Blunt White on 1/18/05. Mr. Bessette commented he has known Mr. White for many years and he would be an excellent addition to the Economic Development Commission.
A motion was made by Mr. Bessette, seconded by Mr. Balestracci and unanimously voted to appoint Blunt White as a member of the Economic Development Commission, filling the vacancy created by Mr. Smith’s resignation.
(8) Old Business
Mr. Balestracci mentioned the Capital Improvement Program Committee’s request to raise the CIP threshold to $10,000, to which Mr. Brown responded this matter will be discussed further at the February 8, 2005 meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the CIP Committee.
(9) New Business – None.
(10) Comments from the Public – None.
(11) Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the Board, the regular meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathy A. Kent
Recording Secretary
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