Sharon Housing Partnership

Meeting of Minutes

January 3, 2007

Members in attendance: Jane Desberg, Robert Young, Alan Lurie, Susan Saunders, Mary Tobin

Other present: Warren Kirshenbaum

Minutes

Motion to approve minutes of November 1, 2006 and December 6, 2006.

Voted: Unanimously to approve minutes

Correspondence

Letter was sent to nineteen abutters and to the Town BOS informing them of predevelopment activity at the Winslow Road property on December 27, 2006. (Attached). Robert Young indicated that although only abutters within 200' of the property are required to be notified about perk tests, mailing went to a larger group from #20 Winslow Road up, Gabriel Road and Stoneybrook Road.

Winslow Road

Jane Desberg received communication that the BOS have signed the contract with Mostue Associates for Winslow Road project.

Jane Desberg sent e-mail to Peter O'Cain, Assistant Town Engineer, inquiring about perk test schedule. 

Hunter's Ridge

Discussion of proposals from lottery consultants. Robert Young will call remaining references and both consultants for consideration will be invited to the next HP meeting.

The lottery agent will work for the HP. Developer will pay the costs related to the lottery for each development. Lottery costs were estimated at $7500.00. This includes the consultant fee of $3000.00.

New Business

Robert Young will prepare draft proposal to the CPC and Annual Report and send to members for review. Discussion ensued concerning amount of funding to be requested from CPC for the Housing Trust. It was decided that somewhere between $100,000.00 and $120,000.00 was reasonable as 10% of the CPA funds are to be set aside specifically for affordable housing and the number beyond this 10% is only a small percentage of CPA general fund.

The Housing Trust can only be used for the development and conservation of affordable housing. The Trust is the only entity that can go to the CPC for funding without having funds earmarked. It was suggested that a joint meeting with the new Housing Trust and the Housing Partnership be scheduled in the near future.

The HP will also ask for a placeholder on the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in May concerning the Winslow property.

Several new real estate listings in Town that might fall within affordable range were discussed. Susan Saunders will follow up. Future partnering with Habitat for Humanity was discussed. Other ideas included consideration of a program where properties that owe significant back taxes be allowed to deed restrict as affordables to offset taxes.

Mostue will contact HP within the next few weeks to schedule next meeting.   

Next Meeting of the HP will be first Wednesday in February.