Housing Commission Minutes
February 24, 2004
Present: R. Caplan, BJ Scheff, B. Wolf
Minutes: February 10, 2004 approved as corrected.
Green Ridge Condominium Buydown: Peter von Mertens presented the proposed buydown plan for a condominium at Green Ridge. He is in the process of buying a condo which recently came on the market. Should this buydown not go forward, he can simply resell the unit at a later time. The unit is in great shape, has 2 bedrooms with a possible third. To accommodate a family of 4 according to State requirements, 3 bedrooms are needed. This unit would require smoke detectors, a 3rd floor emergency egress, and approval for another bedroom added to the septic system.
Von Mertens has run the figures through the MassHousing website, and it would appear that the unit could be priced for a first-time buyer, family of 4, in the “soft second” program at $175,000. The figures he has run through his bank were comparable to this. The Lincoln Foundation and previously allocated CPA funds would subsidize this sale. It is thought that a buyer might be selected using the existing Battle Road Farm lists.
Scheff stated that she is following up through Town Planner Mark Whitehead on the need for an environmental review to obtain HOME funds. Exec. Secretary Tim Higgins is working on what needs to be done for Town Meeting regarding the use of CPA funds. A meeting is scheduled for Tues., March 16th at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the plan with the Green Ridge homeowners.
Sunnyside Lane Properties: The deed to these properties are still circulating somewhere at the State level. Caplan will follow up. The Dept. of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) is developing modular housing plans of various size units for general use. Caplan has contacted modular builder New England Homes, who can apparently do anything desired: building new or adding to existing construction. They estimate costs of about $85-95/sq. ft. inclusive of foundation, landscaping, etc.
Eventually this project will need to go out to bid. It was agreed that the services of an architect would be helpful in getting underway.
Caplan will contact the septic system contractor in Concord who designed the system for the existing house for preliminary information regarding a joint system for the properties.
HUD Grant Funds: Scheff reported that we may be eligible to apply for funding through HUD community development block grants in the second round of applications. Mark Whitehead is tracking down the information and Scheff will follow up. A letter of intent seems due by March 18 and a complete application by May 6. Funding in this program is limited to projects under 8 units. This also will require filing an environmental impact statement.
Lincoln Review article: The Commission has been asked to submit copy for the before-Town-Meeting issue of the Lincoln Review. The deadline is March 8. Wolf agreed to draft a report and will forward it to Scheff.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
Next meeting: March 9, at 7:30 a.m.
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