Joint Meeting of
Housing Commission, Housing Trust, Lincoln Foundation
Minutes of April 24, 2008
Members Present: Renel Fredriksen, Pamela Gallup, Terri Morgan, BJ Scheff, Ellen Meyer Shorb, Gary Taylor, Peter von Mertens, Mark Whitehead
Others Present: John Koenig, Community Preservation Committee (CPC); Dan Harrison and Sherri McCann, CMARC
Call to Order: 7:30 AM
Minutes: Terri Morgan moved and Peter von Mertens seconded approving minutes for the November 6, 2007; November 20, 2007; December 19, 2007; February 7, 2008; February 25, 2008; March 13, 2008; March 20, 2008; and April 5, 2008 meetings: voted unanimously.
Business:
Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI)
Pamela Gallup and Mark Whitehead reported on what they had learned concerning inclusion of group home units as part of our Subsidized Housing Inventory. Units are authorized by the Department of Retardation (DMR), who notifies the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
Edinburg Property
We reviewed the proposal submitted by The Edinburg Center, which requested $100,000 to reduce their mortgage payments. BJ Sheff, on behalf of the Housing Commission, moved and Pamela Gallup seconded approving these funds with the following restrictions: a long term deed rider would be placed on the property to guarantee its use as affordable housing for an extended period (30 – 40 years); written approval from DMR that the units would be included in our SHI; the Town having an option to purchase if and when the property is put up for sale; and the $100,000 used as a down payment if the Town should exercise the option to purchase or returned to the Town upon sale of the property. Housing Commission voted unanimously to make the recommendation to the Housing Trust.
The Housing Trust agreed to accept the Edinburg proposal subject to the above conditions and subject to consultation with Town Counsel. Gary Taylor volunteered to consult with Town Counsel. The Housing Trust is scheduled to meet on April 30. They will plan to form a proposal at that time. John Koenig suggested making the April 30 meeting a joint one between the Housing Trust and the CPC.
BJ Scheff raised a concern about community outreach. Peter von Mertens reported that he had spoken with Ellen Attaliades of the Edinburg Center. They have a meeting scheduled for May 11 to discuss community outreach. Ellen had told him that the house would be ready for occupancy in 3 – 4 weeks. Peter agreed to take the lead from the Town on community outreach for this project.
CMARC Discussion
After reviewing preliminary documents received from CMARC, Gary raised the question of what is necessary to have a successful plan. Although there is no direct local (Lincoln) preference for a CMARC project, it still fulfills a regional need. The nature of group homes makes it difficult to specify a local connection, as compatibility issues outweigh geographic ones. Residents of group homes in neighboring towns are from Lincoln, and this could be an opportunity to return the favor.
The committee then reviewed what steps we have taken toward informing the public of our exploration of partnering with an agency to bring a Group Home to Lincoln. All Troika meetings have been posted in compliance with the Open Meeting Law and have been open to the public. The Disability Commission has been invited to meetings when we discussed Group Homes. Renel Fredriksen, chairman of the Housing Commission, spoke at Town Meeting about exploring Group Homes as a means of fulfilling our 40b requirements. Renel Fredriksen and Pamela Gallup attended a Selectmen’s meeting to inform them of the Housing Commission's work on this issue. After the Selectmen’s meeting, Renel Fredriksen was interviewed by the Lincoln Journal. The Journal printed a very positive article on Group Homes to
fulfill our 40b responsibilities as well as meeting a critical regional need. After the article appeared, Renel Fredriksen was contacted by several citizens who supported the idea of Group Homes in Lincoln.
We all agreed that more outreach and education is needed on this subject, and that we will inform potential neighbors of our plans as far in advance as possible. We recognized that it is nearly impossible to anticipate neighborhood concerns when no property has been designated as a potential site.
CMARC Continued
Sherri McCann, President and CEO, and Dan Harrison, COO, or CMARC joined us at this time. Sherri McCann led off the discussion by thanking us for the opportunity afforded them. She explained their community outreach process. Gary explained that the possibility of public funding for such a project differentiates this from a standard project. Discussion of best ways to include neighbors and other community members ensued. Gary wants to be sure there is ample opportunity for public feedback.
So far, the subject had been broached at Town Meeting, Renel Fredriksen presented to the Selectmen, and there has been a newspaper article published in the Lincoln Journal. This is a good start towards informing the greater community, and we need to continue doing so. Sherri McCann reported that she has already discussed the possibility of a home in Lincoln with several Lincoln residents who are very supportive, and would be willing to speak to that.
Ellen Meyer Shorb suggested we visit existing CMARC owned homes, accompanied by a reporter from the Journal. CMARC readily agreed, and a time was set up. Ellen Meyer Shorb will make the arrangements, anD Renel Fredriksen will contact the Journal.
The type of ownership for any partnership with CMARC was discussed. Although no conclusions were reached, most of the discussion centered around any property being owned by CMARC, with a deed restriction.
CMARC has been viewing various properties in Lincoln for suitability, and will get back to us in advance of the April 30 meeting.
It was agreed to schedule another Troika meeting for May 2.
Adjournment: Adjourned at 10:45 AM.
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