Housing Commission Minutes
January 10, 2006
Present: Rayna Caplan, George Georges, Avram Kalisky, BJ Scheff, and Bryce Wolf. Also Earl Midgley, Anita Scheipers, and Mark Whitehead.
Bills: Miscellaneous bills, including water bills, were paid.
Minutes: The minutes of November 22, December 6, and December 20, 2005 were approved.
Ridge Road Apartments: Scheff reported that the Selectmen will be negotiating for the purchase of 33 of the 36 Ridge Road apartments. The property has recently changed hands and the new owners seem amenable to sale. How this will be financed is still under discussion. There is also no decision on whether this would be a rental property or sold as condos. It was noted that under 40B all rentals count as “affordable”; however, this is not clear under LIP.
There will be a number of requests for CPA funds, including possible repairs to a Codman Farm barn. Midgley noted that some maintenance work is currently underway on the farmhouse apartment.
Sunnyside Modular:. Regarding the bidding difficulties encountered for the vacant lot, it was noted that trying to use an outside group, such as the Lincoln Foundation, as a partner cannot be pursued because the lot is town-owned land. Caplan will contact one of the modular home fabricators toward identifying a certified contractor or finding ways to certify currently non-qualified contractors to meet state requirements. The architect will be instructed to “take out the fluff” in the RFP, but no redesign will be requested at this time.
BIIC Property: N. E. Deaconess is in negotiations with H. Massey toward the purchase of this property to construct a life-care facility. Whitehead reported that the Deaconess facility in Concord does pay real estate taxes (not in lieu of payments). However, he is looking into how the housing units count in Concord’s housing base. Are there “affordable” units? He will also check with DHCD on this issue.
Sunnyside Apt./Minuteman H.S.: Leo DeSimone and Chris Traganos of Minuteman High School, and Sam Rappaport met to discuss finalizing arrangements for the construction of the Sunnyside apartment by Minuteman students. DeSimone and Traganos stated that they would provide a certificate of insurance and the student labor. An account would be established at a lumber yard to obtain materials, estimated not to exceed about $30,000 for the approximately 700 sq. ft. apartment. If construction plans are provided to the lumber yard, they can do a materials take-off.
Scheipers recommended that a written agreement be obtained outlining exactly what is to be done and not done, and the terms. Scheff will contact Tom Markham, Asst. Superintendent at Minuteman to initiate such an agreement.
A certified plan of the Sunnyside lots has been prepared. The septic system is already constructed. A foundation would need to be in by August, along with water and electricity supply. We need to check with the Water Dept. regarding supply/metering. Heat will be LP gas. Construction plans will be needed by mid-May. Scheipers distributed a sheet outlining basic bidding requirements. She noted that there is no difficulty accepting gifts. “At cost” contributions are assumed to be “the lowest bid.” Scheipers will work out a timeline needed for the bidding process needed for materials and other parts of the project.
Rappaport agreed to have elevations prepared by the next meeting. Whitehead will calculate the square footage of the apartment and residence toward the necessary Planning Board and ZBA hearings. Georges and Rappaport will work on estimates for the work needed outside that provided by Minuteman.
Accessory Apartment Task Force: Scheff reported that efforts to develop a master list of accessory apartments in town has been difficult. Existing lists are inaccurate, some permits have been renewed, others may be lapsed. Some have “affordability” restrictions that need to be properly filed.
Upcoming Meetings: Wolf will attend the HOME meeting on Jan 12th with Whitehead. Scheff and Wolf will attend the 40B workshop session on Jan. 20th.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
The next meeting will be January 24, 2006 at 7:30 a.m.
| 
