Local Housing Partnership

 

 

 

Public Meeting

November 21, 2003

9:00 a.m.

 

Members Present:         Arturo Alon, Cindy Bowes, Scott Campbell, and Tim Hazel. 

 

Members Absent:               Eileen Kennedy and Teri  Nezbeth  (both excused)

 

Advisors:                        Jon Gilmore and Maxine Notaro

 

The meeting was opened at 9:20 a.m.

 

Maxine Notaro came to the meeting with several hand-outs which the members tried to digest in a relatively short time.

 

Meeting Agenda

 

Up-date on 58 Harry Kemp Way

This refers to the ongoing Ken Weiss saga.  The Community Development Corporation (CDC) has become involved and it is believed that the issue will run its course.  The basic bottom line from the CDC is that Mr. Weiss broke his contract with them.  There still remains  conservation and architectural issues.  There is much “finger pointing” by Ken and he feels the cause of the delay is due to ConCom, the Town and any one else who is standing still.  Tim Hazel suggested that Ken Weiss be prevented from doing any other work here until this matter is settled.  Ken is adamant in not going thru with CDC deal.

 

Tim mentioned that Ken had alluded to “conflict of interest” in the case.  After studying the minutes of past meetings, Tim said he had recused himself from hearing the case because of a possible conflict of interest.  Tim just wanted to clarify the entire accusation and that he was at the meeting but recused himself from the issue.   Jon Gilmore reassured Tim by saying that people have to prove their allegations.  Tim feels that until this is resolved – no future action should be taken on any of his projects.  Ken Weiss has a very poor track record.

 

Jon Gilmore said anything that is submitted will have to be entertained……….

 

Discussion with Community Housing Resource, Inc.

This subject will be put on the next agenda.  Ted Malone had a conversation with Jon Gilmore in which Ted said that some of the proposals need to be reviewed (350 units of rental and ownership will be reviewed over the next few years and profit margins will be skinnier).  Ted continued that the builders financial abilities should be reviewed in depth to ascertain their financial viability.  They should have to submit financials.  This review has to be fine combed – especially with the financial aspects.  Jon continued that if we do get busy, we will need help.  He suggested that as a preamble, the Local Housing Partnership might become involved in helping sort through all the applications. Bill Dougal is now supporting conversion of viable housing which has outlived its usefulness as guest houses, etc. and which is now ready for a conversion into affordable housing.   Ruth Gilbert said Bill has had an epiphany.  Hotels are hung up on the horns of the by-law dilemma – change in use is THE hang-up.  Mark Latour is making the argument that some of these properties are valued at absurd amounts and there may be a reduction in their value by conversion.  It appears this new turn-around may be a joint effort.

 

Jon said there is an added interest in affordable housing in Town for service workers.  One of the hand-outs was a memo to the Town Mgr and the BoS from Mark Latour.  It consisted of an update on Section 8 Housing and the rules that govern it.  Tim Hazel said he doesn’t want to support anything if it is not part of the criteria for affordable housing.  Jon suggested that it would help the Local Housing Partnership in their negotiating posture if they were able to support it and perhaps a letter from the Partnership to the Town Manager, the Planning Board, and the Board of Selectmen might be warranted.

 

Discussion on Criteria for Evaluating Affordable Housing Proposals

Jon Gilmore said that one of the things about monitoring is that promises were made and support was promised.  LHP wanted projects followed the same as others.  Jon continued that this desire runs up against staff resources as in  staff limitations.  He suggested that individual members of the LHP can be assigned projects with appropriate concerns and maybe work closely with Roger Dias.  Members of the HAC come in and work with members of the staff and go over plans, etc.  and all of us are being encouraged to come up with budget cuts.  If a local board gets involved with inspectors, then Tim said they could review plans and make sure things are going well. 

 

 

 

It was agreed that the next meeting will be held on Friday, December 5th at 9:00 a.m.

 

Discussion on developing a monitoring program for properties with affordable permits

 

BOTTOM LINE:  AJ Alon and Tim Hazel will get together and write a letter to the Town Manager and the BoS and refer to the promises that were made regarding an affordable housing specialist – and – in general – voicing the Partnership’s concerns regarding their lack of guidance.  Once again their special assigned person, Mark Latour, failed to attend their MONTHLY meeting.

 

Motion:  AJ Alon made a motion to approve the minutes of both the September and October 2003 minutes.  Tim Hazel seconded the motion and it was approved 3-0-1 abstention (SC who attended neither meeting)

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

 

Any other business that shall properly come before the board

There was none.

 

Respectfully submitted,                                    

Evelyn Gaudiano

Evelyn Rogers Gaudiano

 

Approved by

 

_______________________________________on _______________ 2003..

Arturo Alon, Chairman