Housing Commission Minutes
January 25, 2005
Present: Rayna Caplan, George Georges, Avram Kalisky, BJ Scheff, and Bryce Wolf.
Sunnyside: Scheff reported that the architect needs a certified plot plan; the survey made for last year’s property transfer is not sufficient. Funds are available and one will be made as soon as weather permits. The location of utilities in the road will also be determined. A final contract is under negotiation. A conceptual plan turns the residence to the side, with entrances and parking nearest the existing Sunnyside home, presenting a smaller street profile.
The CPC is expected to recommend $450,000 to be used to complete both properties before Dec. ’06, with any remainder to be used for any other affordable housing. The Lincoln Foundation has already raised $70,000, with the Codman Fund providing $25,000 now, $25,000 after Dec. ’06. The Rural Land Foundation will basically guarantee the Lincoln Foundation’s fundraising contribution, so bidding can get underway. Although the RLF offered to fund a clerk-of-the-works if necessary, it was agreed the project was small enough and overseen by an architect so one was not needed.
Town Meeting Warrant: Scheff noted that the governor recently signed legislation allowing certain forms of housing trust funds. A place is being held on the Town Meeting warrant should this be something the Commission wishes to pursue. There is also a placeholder for an article regarding the affordable accessory apartment program.
Affordable Housing Discussion: At 8:00 a.m. Tim Higgins, David Reis, Peter von Mertens, and Mark Whitehead joined the Commission to discuss current affordable housing issues. Whitehead presented an informal agenda, noting that this was a follow-up to the previous meeting regarding monitoring and managing the various affordable units in town, especially in light of additional programs such as affordable accessory apartments and inclusionary zoning.
He circulated copies of the latest DHCD list of the town’s affordable units. Using the 2000 year census showing 2076 housing units, the current total of 181 “40B qualifying” units gives us 8.72% subsidized. With the addition of 1 unit at Greenridge, 6 at Minuteman Commons and 3 at Sunnyside, our percentage will increase to 9.2%. The base will not change until the 2010 census.
Rental properties, which are largely looked after by Earl Midgely and Elaine Carroll, include:
Housing Commission purview: Tower Road (2 units) and Sunnyside Lane (currently 1 unit, eventually 4).
Selectmen: Codman Farm (2 units) and Pierce House (1 unit).
Privately owned affordable restricted properties whose resale is monitored:
Battle Road Farm 48 units Lincoln Foundation
Lincoln Woods 125 units Mgt. firm & State of Mass.
Route 2 homes 2 units Housing Commission
Greenridge 1 unit Lincoln Foundation
Minuteman Commons 6-8 units
Currently Elaine Carroll keeps a list of those contacting Town Hall expressing an interest in affordable housing. Scheff also fields some calls. The management at Lincoln Woods keeps a waiting list; as does Dana Anderson (agent for Lincoln Fdn.) for Battle Farms and Greenridge. It is unclear what process will be followed if the Rte. 2 homes are to be resold.
Several major tasks were identified:
1. Develop a list of what housing is available and how applications are made.
2. Policy and process for waiting lists.
3. Policy and process for resales.
4. Develop possible lottery process for rentals.
5. Process for accessory apartments, including income certification.
6. Submission of various annual reports, including state & federal.
Von Mertens submitted a draft list of “affordable housing opportunities in Lincoln,” which attempts to describe all properties, rental and purchase, including application process, management, and brief description. It was agreed that this list should be completed as it would be easy to mail to interested persons and could be put on the Town website.
Higgins suggested that some administrative support (filing, etc.) might be provided by senior citizens working under the property tax abatement program. He also commented that some work might be contracted to the Concord Housing Authority in much the same way as Lincoln currently contracts with Concord for Board of Health and other services.
Regarding Town Meeting, it was noted that should the town approve the inclusionary zoning bylaw, some process must be established to accept funds that might be provided in lieu of housing construction. Whether this might be into a housing trust fund or use of the current housing revolving fund needs to be determined.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
The next meetings are scheduled for Feb. 8 and 22, 2005 at 7:30 a.m.
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