Public Meeting

August 22, 2003

9:00 a.m.

 

Members Present: Arturo Alon, Cindy Bowes, Tim Hazel, and Teri Nezbeth

 

Members Absent:                     Eileen Kennedy  and  Scott Campbell  (excused)

 

Advisor:                         Mark Latour and Maxine Notaro (arrived at 9:20 a.m.)

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 9:02 p.m.

 

 Meeting Agenda

 

Up-date on Affordable housing rentals at 83 Shank Painter Road

Mark talked with Clem and he has signed a deed restriction but there is yet another paper to sign.  Two signatures out of three.  Information is being prepared and appropriate rates are being charged.  A one bedroom is $678/month and a studio is $450/month.  Maxine asked if they were not still waiting for the bank to approve the rates?  AJ wondered what would happen if their bank does not sign?  Answer was non-commital and/or non-existent.  Clem will attend the LHP meeting one month from today and provide information i.e., who is in each unit, what they are being charged, etc.   The LHP needs some sort of a receipt – copy of lease – some kind of affidavit such as income eligibility?  

 

 

 

 

Vote to establish Provincetown resident priority in the affordable housing selection process

The Board of Selectmen (BoS) will be voting on this tonight.  Has to be put on the BoS agenda for Monday.  How to define precedence?  Do we model it on Andover. i.e. must people work in Town and how are Truro residents defined?  Maybe people who have worked in Provincetown for 3 years or those who have immediate family in town?  By the time a Harry Kemp unit becomes available we should have a basis for preference.  Teri wondered about “registered domestic partners”  - must they be registered to qualify?  Must they register with the town clerk?   According to Tim, “Domestic partner as recognized by the town of Provincetown” is the correct wording.  This information should be added to the memo going to the BoS.

 

One thing Jonathan Sinaiko wanted was preference for fire fighters, rescue squad, etc.  People have stated they want local preference not based on your line of work.  The group then began thrashing about for rules governing affordable housing preferences as required.

 

AJ does not feel comfortable with local preference.  This “local preference” would block opportunities for every person.  Mark said the Lower Cape Cod Development Corporation (LCCDC) will be doing lottery on 58 Harry Kemp Way very soon.

 

AJ doesn’t like the whole idea.  Teri likes local preference criteria.  Teri added she knows locals who has had to move every year from summer to winter rentals.  Teri has been here for 7years and has had to pay her dues to achieve affordable housing. 

 

Mark was asked if he needed a motion in order to present the case to the BoS.  He said it might help.

 

Motion:  Cindy Bowes made a motion in favor of the resident preference for affordable housing and including Tim’s concerns.  Teri seconded the motion and it passed unanimously 4-0-0.

 

Motion:  Tim Hazel made a motion stating that residents must be qualified for affordable housing.  Teri Nezbeth seconded the motion and it, too, was approved unanimously, 4-0-0.

 

Discussion on developing a monitoring program for properties with affordable permits

Mark wondered just what he should be monitoring?  AJ felt monitoring should be by income verification?  Maybe we should have our own forms?  Teri said that most of these people have to provide income verification anyway.  Mark has guidelines.  Maxine felt the verifications are in the covenants – that the deed restrictions state they must have yearly income verification.  It should be provided to us on an annual basis. 

 

AJ said that Clem & Ursie are entirely different because they have rentals, not purchasers.  Ted Malone can provide most of the income information because his units are purchased. 

 

Tim Hazel said getting the information regarding income, etc. is something the group has to determine.  Maxine said, “Do we actually need a form or can we put that in as a clause which mandates providing income information on an annual basis”

 

Mark said the owners have to be eligible when they purchase and the kicker is that they can’t make a profit on a resale.   This means that even if the income eligible person hits the lottery, they can still stay in their home at the same rate but not sell at a profit. 

 

Maxine wondered about the new projects that are underway? 

LCCDC will oversee the Harry Kemp and Maushope is Town administered by the Provincetown Housing Authority. 

 

Tim said - in terms of a program – if we find something glaring we should look into it and ask them how they monitor it?  We have to look into the onus for the owner, how we want to monitor i.e., Patrick Manning is doing a good job and there has to be a standard. We definitely need rules and regulations.  AJ asked what the LHP is going to do?   Mark said these rules, etc. are proscribed in the deed restriction.  Tim asked, “Then if anything is wrong it becomes a zoning issue?”  AJ asked what the Town going to do.  AJ was ready to go to court on a certain situation but the town counsel advised against it.  Tim said MONITORING is the key to effecting compliance.  There has to be consequences.  Tim will talk to Patrick Manning and share his forms and expertise; that will be a good starting point.  Tim cautioned, “We can develop a 100 page document and the key, again, is monitoring.  State & federal ask the same questions over and over again.”  Tim asked Mark to look into this issue.  Maxine said that most of the people who have affordable units, also work.  Just ask for a copy of their income tax forms (IRS forms).  Tim said “no income” is harder to prove. 

AJ mused that this could be the procedure – just get a copy of their IRS submission.  So we don’t need a special form – just a copy of their IRS report. 

 

Mark is writing a memo up for the BoS and Tim suggested that he look into some of the stuff we discussed and put it into the memo.  AJ would like looking over the memo before it’s finalized.

 

There was a motion to adjourn at 9:55 a.m. 

 

Next meeting is September 19th, 2003.  Please mark your calendars.

 

Respectfully submitted,                                

Evelyn Gaudiano

Evelyn Rogers Gaudiano

 

Approved by

 

_______________________________________on _______________ 2003..

Arturo Alon, Chairman