HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-10-21 Reading Housing Authority MinutesREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY
Minutes of the Special Meeting - October 21, 1980
(W The members of the Reading Housing Authority met in Special Session at 7 :30
P.M. on Tuesday, October 21, 1980 at 22 Frank D. Tanner Drive in the Town of
Reading, Massachusetts. Proper notice of this meeting was posted by the Executive
Director in accordance with-.the provisions of Chapter 39 of the General Laws as
amended.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Dempster. Those
bars also present were Mr. White, Mr. Ogden and Mr. Westra, forming a quorum.
Mrs. Pierce, the Executive Director, was also present.
The purpose of this meeting was to meet with Wendy Plotkin of M.A.P.C.
was present, and discuss the housing goals for the Town of Reading with her,
other interested parties who were also in attendance. They were as follows:
Maureen O'Brien - Chairman, Reading Board of Selectmen
John Zorabedian - Chairman, Reading Planning Board
Herbert Converse - Congregational. Church Housing Committee
Gene McGivern - Owner, Caleb Pierce Real Estate Co.
Rick Heys, Architect - Envirodesign, Boston, Mass.(*orking
with RHA on Modernisation Program)
The statistics compiled by MAPC through the Area Housing Opportunity PL
in which Reading participated, on the matter of Reading's assisted housing now
goals and efforts as of 1978 were charted by Ms. Plotkin and discussed initial:
It showed that Reading's original housing needs as of January 1970 were 460 unit
for glderly, and 441 for Family.
The housing effort through January 1978 showed that 53 elderly and 45
family households have been taken care of, with a remaining need as of January
1978 for 407 units of elderly and 396'family units. The AHOP goals are for ly
of the total need to be met, and since Reading has built 114 units for elderly
at Cedar Glen in 1980, the goals for the elderly, according to this formula ha-
already been met. Also, the Congregational Church has recently been approved
for funding for 97 units of elderly in their housing endeavor. Therefore, the
need to provide 60 is of family housing in the Town of Reading was of main
concern, according /the MAPC at this time.
It was pointed out that the above figures were not realistic in many re
spects bused en °:the fact that there are waiting lists at Tannerville and Cedar
Glen of almost 400 elderly, and the number of families for Section 8 rental
assistance in Reading was 38 as of June 1980.
However, discussion went into various ways in.which funding for family
housing can be available to local housing authorities. lbs. Plotkin distribute
material which bt -iefly outlined these methods through State and Federal monies
Mr. Dempster pointed out that with limited staff on the Authority, a plan of a
type , or site selection for new construction, would have to be put into the
hands of a professional consultant, or perhaps an Ad Hoc Committee formed for
this purpose would be a solution. If a professional were aged, Up -front none
would have to be available for payment of services. Wendy said that Reading w
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eligible for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds which could be used
for this purpose, and for which the Authority could apply.
Mr. Zorabedian said he felt strongly that a commitment should be a by
the Town one way or another as to the future plans for housing for famili
He pointed out sections in the Town where older multi - family houses could be
rehabilitated over a long -range plan for this purpose, or consideration c uld
be given to vacant or about -to -be vacant buildings in the Tom. The gen
consensus seemed to be that the smaller clusters of units, or scattered sites
would be easier for townspeople to accept.
Mr. White said he commended Mr. Zorabedian for "Jogging" jogging the Board so
to speak, into taking some action along these lines, and now that this first
meeting has taken place, perhaps future meetings could be set with input from
other sources.
Wendy Plotkin said that she would get some representatives from other
communities who have been successful in this aspect of housing to speak with
the Board at another meeting. Also, she would bring additional information
on Programs which the Authority can pursue on a small scale, as well as plan-
ning resources which are available. It was also suggested that representatives
from the League of Women Voters be asked to attend the next meeting.
Mr. Dempster said that at their next regular meeting, a date would
discussed for a future meeting, and felt that this was a good start toward
some future endeavor for the Town's needy. He thanked everyone for coming
and then upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to
adjourn, and the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Pierce, Executive Direct
Secretary
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