Housing Commission Minutes of September 11, 2007
Members Present: BJ Scheff, Rayna Caplan, Renel Fredriksen, Pam Gallup, George Georges
Others Present: Peter Deveau, Ronan Ryan, and Karen Sunnarborg of the Mayo Group, and Avram Kalisky
Call to Order: 7:10 AM
Minutes: The Board read and approved minutes for the August 28 meeting.
Business:
Sunnyside Budget
Renel and George had studied the financial details of the construction for all three units at Sunnyside Lane. There are still several outstanding questions, and further information needs to be gathered from the Finance Department in order to fully understand the expenditures.
The Commission expressed its gratitude to Earl Midgley, Building Commissioner, and Veronica Phillips, Assistant Finance Director & Assistant Town Accountant, for their record keeping and continuing assistance in helping us to understand the finances involved in this project.
Ongoing Budget Issues
Renel will track income and expenditures in the Revolving Fund, and make a monthly report on our finances to the Commission.
Community Preservation Committee
Rayna presented the preliminary draft report for the CPC. Items discussed to be included are:
? Potential Group Home: explore the need for community-based housing for developmentally delayed or physically handicapped people.
? Hire a consultant to help us identify potential properties for conversion to affordable housing.
? Explore the feasibility of purchasing a non-conforming acre with a house and structures which might be developed into a group home or other affordable uses.
? Look into adjusting the $900,000 funds in the Lincoln Land Trust to allow the funds to be used for other than condominium buy-downs.
The final report is due in October.
The Mayo Group
Representatives of the Mayo Group spoke with us about their concerns over poor sales of the Minuteman Commons condominiums. At present, they have closed on only one market unit, and are in various stages of agreements for the six affordable units. No other units in the development are under agreement.
They came to the Housing Commission in order to update us on their situation. This is a first step in their plan to request that the Town allow them to do away with the over 55 restriction on the property. Their hope is that the removal of this restriction will increase the saleability of the property.
They offered to fund a study to evaluate the impact on schools and other town services of this proposed change. The Commission agreed to discuss the feasibility of contracting such a study at our next meeting.
Bill Schedules
The Finance Department has requested an update of our policy regarding bill payment authorization. The Commission voted to require two signatures on all bill payment authorizations. The intent is to bring bill schedules to future meetings for approval and signatures.
Lease
Pam presented the draft lease which is still under review by town counsel. We are very close to having a lease which we can use for the Sunnyside tenants, and all other tenants going forward.
Adjournment: Housing Commission adjourned at 9:30 AM.
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